Lemon Tart

Lemon Tart
Author: Josi S. Kilpack
Book One: Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series

I was very impressed with this book and its many unique qualities.  First of all, you don't typically see a mystery/suspense story centered on a nearly 60-year-old woman as the main character who saves the day.  However, the author did it so brilliantly that I ended up LOVING the leading lady, Mrs. Sadie Hoffmiller.  She is feisty and spunky, and her age provides for wonderful humor, and still allows for an action-packed story.  I read this book in a day and a half; it was so intense I couldn't even put it down!  It may be my favorite murder mystery I've read.  It keeps you hypothesizing and changing your mind throughout the entire book until the alarming truth comes out at the very end in a dire situation for Mrs. Hoffmiller.  You will feel scared, angry, sad, heart-broken, happy, alarmed, and relieved over and over throughout this intense (and very clean/family-friendly) novel.

A Perk:  Sadie Hoffmiller is a wonderful cook, and every few chapters, the author inserts a recipe for the food Sadie had been cooking.  How clever and fun!

My Recommendation: High

The Bake Shop Ghost

The Bake Shop Ghost
Author: Jacqueline Ogburn
Illustrator: Marjorie A. Priceman













This is a wonderful children's book with super fun illustrations.  The old lady at the bake shop is the best baker in town, and her food is loved by all.  She has no family so when she dies the bakery is sold.  The new owners of the Bake Shop are haunted by the ghost of the old lady who was such an incredible baker.  The story goes on to tell how they made peace with the ghost so they could continue on to create a successful shop.  It is a very sweet story with a moral of having kindness and serving others.

My favorite part:  the delicious chocolate cake recipe at the end of the book!  It is sooo good!


My Recommendation:  High