Monday, December 30, 2013

Review/Giveaway: That Old Flame of Mine by J.J. Cook


Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
Paperback/E-Book

Publisher:
Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Release Date:
April 2013





After getting injured in a fire and discovering her boyfriend cheating on her, firefighter Stella Griffin leaves Chicago and heads to Sweet Pepper, Tennessee. She is offered a temporary position as their fire chief. She has no intentions of staying there permanently, it’s just to give herself some space to clear her head and recover from her injury. Stella has her work cut out for her, though, when she must train the small town’s volunteer fire fighters and whip them all into shape. It’s not easy for a woman, especially an outsider.

Stella’s not on the job long when a friend of hers dies in a house fire, she becomes suspicious of the circumstances and is sure her friend was murdered. Since the small town doesn’t have a fire investigator, it’s up to Stella to double as both the chief and investigator. She meets some tough opposition from the local police chief, but she’s determined not to let that stop her.

She gets some assistance from Sweet Pepper’s old fire chief, Eric Gamlyn. Of course there is a major obstacle in accepting his help - he’s been dead for forty years and is now a ghost taking up residence in the cabin she lives in. It’s not long before Stella uncovers more secrets and betrayals than she ever expects possible. She must find out the truth before she becomes the next victim.

This is a brand new cozy mystery series, “A Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery”. For a change I had a chance to start at the beginning of a series and I’m so glad I did. This is a wonderful start to what looks to be a fun, exciting, cozy mystery.

Stella is a strong, lead character who readers will love and cheer for. There were no moments where I scratched my head wondering why the heroine did something stupid. Everything she did, although dangerous, is understandable in her line of work. She isn’t a nosey neighbor butting into things that aren’t her business. She is doing her job against all kinds of opposition.

Although I love all kinds of cozies, this one really grabbed my attention right from page one. It reminds me very much of the TV show Chicago Fire, which I love, mixed in with the older TV show The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, which I also love.

The story moves along at a quick pace. There were so many mysteries and secrets sprinkled throughout the book that I was totally and completely captivated. I kept thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading, which says a lot right there. I did not want to see this book end.

I’m so excited that there will be more books on the way. The good thing is I have the novella from this series to read next and the next full length book comes out in January. I’m already desperately missing Stella and her firefighters. I never expected to love this book so much. This might actually be my absolute favorite book of 2013.





FTC Disclosure: The publisher/author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.



For Reading Challenge:

2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge? (Tennessee)


BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

Wouldn't you love to read this book? Thanks to Berkley, I have one paperback copy to giveaway to one lucky winners. 

Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the form below.

2)  US Residents Only

3)  For one entry:  Leave a comment telling us your favorite cozy mystery series.

4) For an extra entry: Follow this blog

5) For an extra entry: Follow me on Twitter

6) For an extra entry: Follow me on Goodreads

7) For an extra 2 entries: Post this giveaway on your blog.

8) For an extra 2 entries: Tweet about this giveaway.

9)  For an extra 2 entries:  Like one of my reviews on Amazon.

The giveaway begins on December 30th (midnight est) and ends on January 6th(midnight est).

The winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

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22 comments:

  1. One of my favorite cozy series is the flower shop mystery series by Kate Collins.

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  2. Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery Series,Domestic Diva Mystery Series ,Fudge Shop Mystery Series,Culinary Food Writer Mystery Series,Hannah Swensen Mystery Series

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  3. There are so many series that I love I can't name just one.

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  4. I guess my favorite series is the McNally series by Lawrence Sanders. Read all those books religiously. Such fun!

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  5. I cant say i have a favorite. Its just to hard when you have liked/ read so many good ones :D thank you!

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  6. Have heard a lot about this one in the Cozy Mysteries group.

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  7. I liked the PTA Series by Laura Alden and The Threadville Series by Janet Bolin.

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  8. Pretty much all the ones already mentioned but I also like Ellen Crosby's Wine Country Mysteries and Maggie Sefton's knitting mysteries...

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  9. Laura Child's cozies are great. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. I like the Orchard series by Meg Connolly.

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  11. My favorite cozy series was The Cat Who.... series. I so miss it.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  12. I don't have any particular favorite series. I just read every cozy mystery that I get my hands on. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  13. I haven't read a lot of cozy mysteries, unfortunately. The only series I've read several books from is Josi S. Kilpack's Culinary Mysteries. But I like Read It and Weep from Jenn McKinlay's Library Lover's Mystery.

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  14. My favorite has to be Duffy Brown's Consignment Shop Mysteries as I'm a character in the next one.

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  15. My favorite series are the Consignment Shop Mysteries by Duffy Brown, the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs and the Wishcraft series by Heather Blake.

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  16. I spent all summer reading cozies, about knit shops and bakeries and flower stores, etc. But Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mystery series is still my favorite.

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  17. My favorite cozies are the scrapbooking mysteries.

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  18. I love cozies. My favorite series is the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton.

    glindathegood@bellsouth.net

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  19. I like Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen mysteries.

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  20. My favorite is Ben Rehder's Blanco County although not all people would consider him a cozy.

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  21. There are too many cozy mysteries I love to name a favorite.

    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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