Another great book in the series. ( )

I absolutely adored Pressing the Issue! This book is part of a series by Daryl Wood Gerber, A Cookbook Nook Mystery. In this book a renaissance fair is happening. I love those fairs! They are incredibly fun and honestly I was certain if all the fun could be captured in a mystery book. The author, however, managed to do that. I had so much fun reading this story! I have recommended it to friends who don’t particularly care for cozy mysteries just for the fun of the fair. The one friend I lent my copy to told me how much she enjoyed it too. We had wonderful chats about it, making it an excellent choice for a fun buddy read or a book club. If you have never been to a renaissance fair and are curious about them, read this book. It is a fun look at them. The mystery was well done. The author had me guessing and then changing my mind with well placed red herrings. Time flies when your having fun and before you know it you will be at the end. Be sure to save this one for a day when you can get totally lost.
Thank to the Review Crew for providing a review opportunity and the author who provided a review copy. The final copy may differ slightly. All opinions expressed are my true feelings about this book. ( )

In this installment of the Cookbook Nook Mystery, we visit Crystal Cove with its Renaissance Faire in full swing. All the businesses are getting their stalls ready so they can entice fair goers with all their goods and products as well as getting into the swing of things with costumes and Faire Speak. When Nick Baldine, King Henry the VIII, turns up dead, it puts a bit of a damper on the event. Is the new couple in town involved in some way? Did Nick know Melody before she arrived in town? Jenna just can’t stop herself from sleuthing, to police chief Cinnamon Pritchard’s chagrin. She asks lots of questions, gets people upset with her, and seems to investigate more than she actually works in her shop.

This is the first book I have read in this series, and I had no trouble following the story. There has definitely been a lot of character development along the way that I have missed, and will probably go back and read the first five books in this series now. The book is well-written and fun with captivating characters. The plot is well developed and believable with the murderer being revealed in a dangerous way. I did figure out who it was part way through the story, but the why was revealed slowly and with a twist. The group from the Cookbook Nook, are great friends, work well together, and have rather interesting lives. Bailey, Jenna's partner at the store and BFF, is getting married to Tito and their wedding plans go through a lot of turmoil in this story. They are planning on getting married at Nick Baldini's Vineyard. Aunt Vera and her tarot card readings, her vibes and her personality are quite integral to the story. She is a character who is involved in so many different things in town, yet is lovable and a bit eccentric. The food is also a great part of the story. The cooking demonstrations and the small hand snacks in the story have their recipes at the back of the book. I am hoping to try a couple of them. I hope to be able to return to Crystal Cove over and over. I recommend this story to cozy mystery lovers, especially if you enjoy culinary mysteries with recipes. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

I love a cozy mystery! I find them to be light and easy to read. Nice to read in the afternoon, with a cup of coffee or tea, and just sit and read. This book, Pressing the Issue, is just the kind of book that fits into this. Pressing the Issue is the 6th book in the Cookbook Nook series. I have not read the other 5, but I do plan on it now! This is a very good cozy mystery, written very well. Characters and styles described well, and down to a "T". It happens during the Renaissance Fair, which gives way to so many things, such as costumes to wear. The descriptions were so good I could picture each character and their clothing. The storyline was good too, staying interesting the entire book. I found it a good, fun read with some good recipes as well! ( )

It was fun to return to one of my favorite book destinations, Crystal Cove, California. Jenna Hart's Cookbook Nook is ready for the onslaught of tourists, all coming to town in various stages of dress for the Renaissance Fair. The boardwalk sounds like it has been transformed, with food and displays of medieval like fare. With so many new people in town, it's not too surprising there's a murder, but the fact that it is a local vintner is. The winery is where Jenna's friend Bailey wanted to get married, so Jenna ramps up her amateur sleuthing to hopefully save her friend's wedding venue choice. ( )