Hi there, guys and dolls! Today, I’m tooting my own horn a little (now cut that out, it’s not dirty… 😉 ) and share with you what a respected and prolific blogger/reviewer had to say about my Poppy Cove Mysteries.

Lisa A. Kelly has a wonderful blog, full of fun and guests, with a great sense of humor and liveliness. It’s always interesting and varied, featuring new authors and classic favorites. Do check it out – Lisa K’s Book Reviews if you don’t already do. (She’s a fantabulous person, too. Has a heart full of gold and not afraid to share it.)

Recently, she posted a lovely feature about my recent summer activities (the book tour through the Okanagan Regional Library), but in addition, she posted her reviews of all of my books in the series so far. Quite frankly, she had yours truly in happy tears. I so love it when people enjoy my Santa Lucians.

So without further ado, here is what she had to say about STRANGLED BY SILK, DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN and A NATE TO REMEMBER.

STRANGLED BY SILK – This delightful premiere in the Poppy Cove Mystery series takes us back to the 50’s! Readers are in for fashion and excitement as they try to solve the mystery along with independent dress shop owners Daphne and Margot.

I really enjoyed this story. The author captured the feel of the 50’s while still making the story feel modern and fresh. I love the look of vintage 50’s dresses, so I was beside myself with joy imagining all of the glorious apparel worn by the ladies in this wonderful tale.
The action started fast and just got better. I was anxious to turn each and every page and hated to put the book down. STRANGLED BY SILK captured me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the thrilling end.

I see more Poppy Cove novels in the future for this awesome author! I for one can’t wait!

DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN – Author Barbara Jean Coast has penned a novel filled with intrigue, excitement, fun, drama, and fashion!

I was thrilled to go back to the 1950’s to Santa Lucia, CA and hang out with Margot Williams and Daphne Hunting-Smythe at their “in” fashion dress shop. Although, I always feel under dressed when I spend time with those ladies. 😉

Book one of the Poppy Cove Mystery series, STRANGLED BY SILK was unforgettable. In book two, DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN, there was always something happening in this “happening” story. Packed cover to cover with everything that makes a mystery great, this book took my breath away!

It’s very clear that the author did her research into the 50’s era. Everything from clothing, manner of speech, and chain smoking fathers pacing maternity ward waiting rooms, transported me to another time. And all of this lent the perfect background to an outstanding mystery of who killed the beauty queen.

Way to go Barbara Jean! I look forward to what books three and beyond have to offer.

A NATE TO REMEMBER – Hey guy and gals, if you’re looking for a dream mystery to curl up with, look no further. A NATE TO REMEMBER is a book to remember. It will take you back to simpler days when Tupperware and cocktail parties were all the rage, when sweet girls were courted by nice young men (well, mostly), and murders never happened…..well, almost never happened. 😉

A NATE TO REMEMBER is the third book in the Poppy Cover Mystery series written by Barbara Jean Coast. I have loved this series since book one, STRANGLED BY SILK, and I discovered Margot Williams and Daphne Hunting-Smythe, the owners of the Poppy Cove dress shop and lead characters of this series.

In this installment these sweet ladies and upstanding business women are in a real fix. At least Margot is. The dead body of her ex-husband, that no one knew she had, is discovered and Margot becomes he prime suspect.

Barbara Jean Coast aka Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff have really outdone themselves this time. This story is by far the best in the series to date. It was nothing short of a brilliant mystery and a completely amazing read. I was entranced through the entire story. And when I got to the surprising reveal and found out the who and why, I literally said “Wow” out loud.

If you have read the first two Poppy Cover book, you are going to be thrilled with this one. If you haven’t read the series, do yourself a favor and get all three books in the series, and take a trip back to the 50’s you’ll never forget!

So there you have it, folks. Thanks for indulging me and letting me share what lovely things the lovely Lisa had to say. All of you are always welcome in Santa Lucia anytime.

Toodles,

Barbara Jean