Book

CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY

Hello and welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for

CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY By Katie Oliver



Cyanide and Sensibility

By Katie Oliver

• Series: The Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery (Book 3)

• Genre: Amateur Sleuths, Cozy Mystery, Austenesque Fiction

• Publisher: Berkley (December 12, 2023)

• Length: (320) pages

• Format: Mass Market Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook

• ISBN: 978-0593337653‎

• Tour Dates: December 4 – 18, 2023

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS


BOOK DESCRIPTION

Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she’s quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra’s sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business.

All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah’s new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you’ve died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally.

When one of Hannah’s famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel’s assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra’s help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?



 

PRAISE FOR CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY

• “This is the first book I have read in the Jane Austen Tea Society series, but it won’t be my last…If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then this is a book you will enjoy.”— Book Looks by Lisa

• “The book is filled with great characters and a fun, twisty plot. Highly recommend.”— Cara Putnam, author of Come What May

• 5 STARS— Gwendalyn’s Books


REVIEW

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.


CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY By Katie Oliver, the third installment in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

Hello Gracious Readers lets return to the fictional Virginia cozy mountain town of Laurel Springs.

It’s December and the cold and snowy weather set the backdrop for another engaging mystery. We follow Phaedra Brighton a Jane Austen scholar and English Lit professor, who also a successful amateur sleuth in her own right. Phaedra sister Hannah, is having a grand opening for her pastry shop in Laura’s Springs, Tout de Sweet. Phaedra is doing everything she can to support her sisters new endeavor. When a shocking crime places the blame on Hannah, involving one of her decadent dark chocolate cupcakes. It’s up to Phaedra to clear her sisters good name and restore the small Virginia town’s faith in the newest patisserie shop.

Katie Oliver brings the small Blue Ridge town of Laurel Springs vividly alive with her charming characters and her splendid writing. Nuisances of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie sprinkled into to create a heart warming recipe for this perfect cozy mystery book. A budding romance that doesn’t overshadow the authentic storyline makes this book such a wonderful book to read.

Make sure to grab your coziest blanket and pour yourself a hot cuppa, and settle in to enjoy Cyanide and Sensibility.


AUTHOR BIO

Katie Oliver is known internationally as a writer of Jane Austen rom-coms with a hint of mystery. In the US and the UK, she is the bestselling author of the Dating Mr. Darcy and Marrying Mr. Darcy series.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X (FORMERLY TWITTER) | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Book Reviews

Cover Reveal + CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY

Hello Gracious

Welcome to my stop on the Cover Reveal for

CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY

______________________________________________________________________

• Title: Cyanide and Sensibility: A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery (Book 3)

• Author: Katie Oliver

• Genre: Cozy Culinary Mysteries, Armature Sleuths, Austenesque Fiction 

• Publisher: ‎Berkley (December 12, 2023)

• Length: (320) pages

• Format: Mass Market paperback, eBook, & audiobook 

• ISBN: 978-0593337653

• Cover Reval Book Blast: August 11, 2023


BOOK DESCRIPTION


Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she’s quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra’s sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business. 

All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah’s new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you’ve died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally. 

When one of Hannah’s famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel’s assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra’s help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?

PRAISE FOR THE JANE AUSTEN TEA SOCIETY MYSTERIES

• “A crackling good mystery: like a modern-day Agatha Christie bestowed with a hefty dollop of Jane Austen. It’s deliciously written, emotionally resonant, and delightfully engaging. Katie Oliver’s cinematic eye is spot on!”— Laura Childs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mystery series

• “a wonderfully fun and charming modern-day mystery…and packed with clever character references that Austen fans will find delightful.”— Marilyn Brant, bestselling author of Pride, Prejudice, and the Perfect Match

• “With the right balance of humor, charm, and intrigue, this contemporary whodunnit had me swiping, swiping, swiping through my kindle until the satisfying end.”— Christina Boyd, editor of Elizabeth, Obstinate Headstrong Girl


PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE BERKLEY | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB


AUTHOR BIO

Katie Oliver is known internationally as a writer of Jane Austen rom-coms with a hint of mystery. In the US and the UK, she is the bestselling author of the Dating Mr. Darcy and Marrying Mr. Darcy series. 

WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Book Reviews

ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORDCOVER REVEAL + Giveaway

Hello Gracious Readers

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for

ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD

COVER REVEAL

Make sure you read the complete post to enter an Giveaway!


• Title: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord: A Mystery

• Author: Celeste Connally

• Genre: Historical Mystery, Regency Mystery, Cozy Mystery

• Publisher: Minotaur Books (November 14, 2023)

• Length: (304) pages

• Format: Hardcover, & eBook 

• ISBN: 978-1250867551


BOOK DESCRIPTION

Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era cozy series with a feminist spin.

When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation―in front of London’s loosest lips―that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper―uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.


PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

AUTHOR MESSAGE

Hello, Dear Readers,

I’m incredibly honored you’re here to help me reveal the cover for the first book in my new historical mystery series, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord.

The idea for this book took hold during the pandemic, when I was watching period dramas on the regular, including all my favorite Jane Austen adaptations and Downton Abbey. And of course, in nearly every one, there was the notion of the unmarried woman being a rather pitiable character. I began thinking about how the spinsters never got to be in the limelight, especially in the Regency period. They were hardly ever seen as strong, or capable, or worthy of respect, and I thought to myself that a main character who valued her independence and embraced her decision not to marry would make for a heroine I would like to write.

And thus, dear readers, I am overjoyed to introduce you to Lady Petra Forsyth. Daughter of the Fifth Earl of Holbrook, accomplished equestrienne, goddaughter to the Duchess of Hillmorton, and a woman in possession of her own fortune. 

After the death of her fiancé three years ago, Lady Petra’s already headstrong ways—which include occasionally riding astride in her brother’s old breeches—came to include living her life on her own terms. That is, without a husband—though not everyone sees her decision as the right one, or the ladylike one. And when the purported death of a dear friend seems intertwined with mentions of a mysterious physician, Petra does the most unladylike thing she can: she starts asking questions.

When Petra formed in my mind as a character, I saw her with little bits of some of my favorite…well, almost-spinsters. Such as Emma Woodhouse, who was initially willing to go her own way and remain unmarried in a time where doing just that was an incredible risk for a woman, no matter what her financial status. And then there’s Downton Abbey’s Lady Edith, who recognized her talents and carved out a satisfying life for herself as anentrepreneur and businesswoman. She didn’t let it stop her from romance, either… 

Another thing my inspirations for Petra have in common is that I feel they would all have made excellent amateur sleuths. Some would say it’s because spinsters have an inclination toward nosiness, but I would say it’s their sharp minds and a refusal to give up on what’s important. I think Petra certainly begins to develop the knack for investigating—whether or not those around her approve—and I very much hope you’ll enjoy riding alongside her for her very first adventure.

All my best,

Celeste


AUTHOR BIO

Celeste Connally is an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. A lifelong devotee of historical novels and adaptations fueled by her passion for history—plus weekly doses of PBS Masterpiece—Celeste loves reading and writing about women from the past who didn’t always do as they were told.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS


GIVEAWAY CHANCE

Author Celeste Connally and her publisher Minotaur Books are generously offering a fabulous giveaway for your readers that you can add to your post and on social media.

Giveaway Details:

Two (2) winners (selected at random by Rafflecopter) will receive one (1) advanced reader’s paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. One (1) winner (selected at random by Rafflecopter) will receive one (1) advanced reader’s paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord and a gift prize package containing the following:

1. A Jane Austen ‘Obstinate, Headstrong Girl’ mug from the Jane Austen Centre giftshop.

2. A bookmark, and a bookplate signed by the author.

3. A medley of Harney & Sons teas in various flavors individually wrapped teabags.

4. A handmade ceramic tea tidy in the shape of a teapot for teabags.

5. A box of English tea biscuits.

 

Giveaway period: Open from 12:01 am Pacific time 02/22/23 until 11:59pm Pacific time on 03/19/23.

Terms & Conditions:

The giveaway is hosted by Celeste Connally and Minotaur Books. No purchase is necessary. Entrants must be 18 years or older. Open to US residents only. All information will remain confidential and will not be sold or otherwise used, except to notify the winner and to facilitate postage of the books and prizes to the winners. Void where prohibited. One giveaway item per eligible entrant.

Announcement of Winner:

Visit author Celeste Connally’s website on March 20, 2023, to see if you won one of the three prizes.

Rafflecopter Form:

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/406b793d1/?