Title: Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker (Death by Cupcake Book 1)
Author: D.E. Haggerty
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Romantic Comedy
Book Blurb:
A mystery with a heap of laughs, a generous portion of romance, and just a smidgeon of suspense.
Callie’s life is rather awesome. She owns a successful bakery and teaches German literature at the local university. There’s just one tiny problem. She has no self-confidence when it comes to her body. And then there’s the little matter of her being accused of murdering her pole dancing instructor. There’s no way Callie’s going to risk losing her teaching position and thus she embarks, with her best baker bud Anna, on a journey to discover the real killer. Between stripper auditions and a detective who insists Callie is the woman of his dreams, it’s a roller coaster adventure. Cupcakes not included.
My Review:
D. E. Haggerty is back with a brand new cozy mystery series and she had me with her title. I mean, what woman wouldn’t read a book titled, Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker?
Callie is the best thing since Bridget Jones. She’s a cupcake baker/bakery owner by day and a part time German literature professor in her spare time. She runs the bakery with her best friend, Anna, and tries not to drool every time Detective Hottie (Ben) asks her out. See, Callie doesn’t believe Ben when he says she’s the woman of his dreams because she has trouble seeing her body in a healthy way (totally can relate).
Anna, in her role as pixie best friend, enrolls the two of them for pole-dancing classes. Callie agrees (like she has a choice) but when the pole-dancing instructor is a catty b*tch, Callie complains to the gym’s manager. Everyone in the class hears about it and when the pole-dancing instructor is found poisoned by a cupcake, guess who’s the prime suspect?
Ben convinces Callie to go on a date and even though she doesn’t believe him, he treats her like a queen. He’s head-over-heels in love with Callie and proves it even more when she’s accused of murder. Will Callie see herself the way Ben sees her? Will she be cleared of murder (with the help of Anna and Ben) or will she be next on the murderer’s list?
I loved this book and I highly recommend it! I laughed, swooned, gasped and was totally taken in by the story. I cheered when Callie and Ben kissed for the first time and the antics of Anna made me laugh out loud. I mean, trying to trap a murderer by attending the funeral of the one you’re accused of killing? Haggerty has a talent for comedic timing and I’m a devout fan!
I swooned over Ben and his patience with Callie. He’s a sexy cop who’s totally in love with a curvy woman who doesn’t realize how damn sexy she is. He helps her in so many ways and he’s sweeter than a German chocolate cupcake.
The best part, though, was I didn’t know who the murderer was until it was revealed to me. Well done, Haggerty.
If you love romantic comedy with dashes of mystery and suspense, you have to read this book! I can’t wait for a television or film producer to make this into a movie/show. You hear me, Hollywood? This is a gem!
Favorite Character: Callie, hands down. While I could relate to her on the whole body image thing, it was her humorous outlook on life and love that made me fall in love with her. I want to hang out with her and of course eat her cupcakes. Yummy!
Favorite Quote:
“I have no words. I stare at him until he motions for me to get my act together. Yeah, like that’s possible after Detective Hottie declares he wants to spend his nights with you.” ~Callie
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it now:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/620975
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-trust-a-skinny-cupcake-baker-de-haggerty/1123498864?ean=2940152907117
Author Biography:
I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on from my mom's Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew to Little Women. When I wasn't flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although I did manage every once in a while to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. Another job change, this time from lawyer to B&B owner and I was again fed up and ready to scream I quit, which is incredibly difficult when you own the business. Thus, I shut the B&B during the week and in the off-season and started writing. Several books later I find myself in Istanbul writing full-time.
Social Media Links:
Reviewed by: Mrs. N