3 ½ stars
It’s been almost eight years since I’d read the 2nd book in this series and reading this book felt like coming back to old friends. Mel and Angie are maybe even better bakers and the introduction of Oz as a new edition to the bakery, spiced up this book and promises more in books to come. As Mel and Angie take the student intern/thug under their wing. One of the things I appreciate about this book is the closeness the two women share and their smarts in not running off on their own when they can do things together. I also really like Mel’s new pet Captain Jack, you’d have to figure the movie quoting duo would come up with a beloved characters name.

On the romance side, Tate should really tell Angie about his feelings it looks like the Princess Bride quote may not do the trick, but we’ll have to see if Roach still has her affections are interrupting his tour to see how she was after being poisoned.


2020 is my year to come back to series that I loved but haven’t read in a while, so it won’t be another eight years before I read the next book in the series.

Cozies Reading Challenge ( )

Am beginning to enjoy this cozy series very much & see its similarities to the Library Lovers' mysteries. ( )

The book was good. I had a lot of giggles. My favorite...? The kitten! I'm allergic to cats but this one is just too funny! Not my favorite but it was still good. It may be a while before I go on to the next one. I need a break between books. :-) ( )

Every book in this series is a tasty delight. Author Jenn McKinlay has developed some entertaining and likable characters in the personalities of Mel and Angie and “the brothers” as well as an exquisite antagonist who goes by the name of Olivia. In this third installment, a cooking contest is going on, and Mel and Angie are determined to beat the unsavory Olivia. But when one of the judges is discovered dead in a freezer, things definitely take a turn for the worse, and Mel and Angie are right in the thick of things. Though the mystery is intriguing, what really shines through in this tale are the relationships, good and troubled, between the characters. Wondering how things will be resolved keeps readers wanting that next book, but the excellent story-telling and writing will keep them reading it. ( )

The Scottsdale Food Festival is happening in town, and the Challenge to the Chefs is upon them. Mel and Angie have entered in the pastry division. Of course Olivia Puckett has entered and is trying to make waves even before the competition has even begun, including blocking the entrance to the office so Mel and Angie can't turn in their registration, but that isn't going to stop them, they have a plan and make it on time.

Even though one of the judges, Vic Mazzotta, happens to be an old mentor of Mel's, the competition will be a tough one. How can you prepare for the bake off when the mystery ingredient could be anything. It turns out several of the judges are known to be rivals in their own right which heats up the competition. When Mel and Angie find Vic's dead body in a freezer truck, the competition takes a turn in a whole new direction. Mel and Angie can't help but be involved since Vic was a close friend of Mel's and since they are the ones that found the body. They'll have to keep their wits about them to stay ahead of the killer and help solve the murder, not to mention winning the bake off.

I liked Oz being added he brings with him the youth of his character that adds a new dimension to the dynamics of the bakery family. The characters are believe able likeable and and are becoming more defined and life life in each story. There were a number of red herrings to distract us and lead us astray while trying to solve the murder. ( )