Photo, Snap, Shot

Title: Photo, Snap, Shot

Author: Joanna Campbell Slan

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Series: Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780738719764

Pages: 320

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

Murder keeps happening much too close to home for Kiki.  But this time is much more scary - because it took place at her daughter's school with her daughter among the first on the scene.  What mother wouldn't find that disturbing?  Kiki feels she needs to help with this investigation.  Detweiler has asked for her help getting information from the wealthy and closed up school community, and her daughter could be in danger - right?

But murder isn't all that's going on.  There's her boss's health, her shaky relationship with her co-worker, a secret project at work, and questions about what will happen to her job if all these other aspects don't turn out right. One question: How can anyone just take off on their job this much?  I have a schedule I need to follow at work - this baffles me.

Not to mention the tug-of-war going on in her romantic life.  She feels drawn to Detweiler, but he's off limits.  And Ben certainly seems interested, but it just doesn't feel right.  And lets not forget her best friend's brother.  This is the part of the story I'm not as fond of, the love triangle (or whatever shape this is) bit.

As always, there are scrapbooking tips scattered throughout the book.

I enjoyed reading this, but I've been distracted by other books since finishing it.  Maybe I'll pick up the fourth book, Make, Take, Murder soon.

Cozy Cull [8] - Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan

According to Merriam-Webster:

Definition of CULL

1 : to select from a group : choose  

2 : to reduce or control the size of (as a herd) by removal (as by hunting) of especially weaker animals; also : to hunt or kill (animals) as a means of population control

This is a (semi-)weekly giveaway.  Please spread the word, even if you've already read this week's book. 

The plan is:

1. Each week I read one of the MANY cozy mysteries I have among my personal books.  
2. I write a post about it. 
3. Then I offer it in a giveaway in order to cull my "herd" of cozies... as "a means of population control."

This week I have a trade-size copy (with autographed bookplate) of the first in the Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery series, Paper, Scissors, Death, by Joanna Campbell Slan (published September 2008). Click on the links to find my thoughts on Paper, Scissors, Death and the second book in the series Cut, Crop & Die.

From Goodreads:

Every scrapbook tells a story. Memories of friends, family . . .and murder?

Mousy housewife Kiki Lowenstein has two great loves: scrapbooking and her young daughter, Anya. But her happy family album is ruined when her husband, George, is found naked and dead in a hotel room. As Kiki tracks down George's murderer, she discovers his sordid secret life.

Cruel taunts by George's former flame compel Kiki to spout an unwise threat. When the woman is murdered, Kiki's scissor-sharp words make her the prime suspect. She could be creating scrapbook keepsakes for the rest of her life-behind bars. Supported by her loyal friends, along with a little help (and a lot of stomach flutters) from the dashing Detective Detweiler, can Kiki cut the true killer out of the picture and design a new life for herself and Anya?

Just comment that you'd like to enter and provide an email address to contact you should you win.  I don't have a way to contact you, I will re-draw for a winner. Open to everyone (international).

Giveaway ends Thursday, January 31st (11:59 pm CT). I'll give the winner 48 hours from the time of notification to respond before I move on to someone else. The winner will be announced here once I've received a reply to my email.

The winner is Amanda!

Cut, Crop & Die

Title: Cut, Crop & Die

Author: Joanna Campbell Slan

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Series: Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780738712512

Pages: 316 (includes tips and techniques throughout)

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

Kiki has mostly settled into her position at the scrapping store, Time in a Bottle.  And now they have a chance to shine by hosting at a crop party.  Except someone is murdered and nothing turns out as planned.  So she decides to do some sleuthing - all in the name of helping her place of employment and friends, of course - and find out who's responsible.

But in the meantime, she isn't quite done learning about herself - with adventures including dealing with a daughter starting in the dreaded teen stage, a grueling spa treatment, and multiple potential relationship opportunities.  While the first book ended in a suspense cliffhanger, this one ends in a relationship cliffhanger.  That's not to say the overall mystery isn't solved.  It is, and by the person I suspected as well!

Kiki's a pretty likable character (though much more naive at times than I can possibly think realistic), and I'm enjoying this series.  I have the third book, Photo, Snap, Shot waiting for me at the library so I can start it soon.

Paper, Scissors, Death

Title: Paper, Scissors, Death

Author: Joanna Campbell Slan

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Series: Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780738712505

Pages: 318 (Includes various scrapping tips throughout)

Obtained: Personal copy via PaperBackSwap.com

Comments:

Kiki is living a rich life (in terms of money, at least).  The romance may not have been there in her relationship with her husband, but she respected him as a friend and as her daughter's father.  But now he's dead, and she KNOWS it wasn't natural.  And Kiki's quick to discover playing amateur sleuth while your life is being turned upside down isn't easy.  But she doesn't have much choice, does she?  And her talent for scrapping may help along the way.

I enjoyed this - to the point that I've already read the 2nd book, Cut, Crop & Die (what else could I do?  There was a dramatic cliffhanger sort of element at the end.) and am waiting on the 3rd.  My only criticism is that I'd have preferred the techniques and tips at the end instead of throughout the book.  I was distracted from said story every time I needed to pause to read these.