Book Review: TERROR IN TAFFETA - Destination Wedding Mysteries Book 1 by Marla Cooper

Terror in Taffeta: Destination Wedding Mysteries 

by Marla Cooper 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

Setting - San Miguel de Allende - Mexico

Publisher: Chicks on the Case Press

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Wedding planner Kelsey McKenna is just a few hours away from wrapping up her latest job when one of the bridesmaids upstages the couple by collapsing into a floral arrangement. Kelsey soon discovers that the girl hasn't just fainted—she's dead. When the bride's sister is arrested for murder, the demanding mother of the bride insists that Kelsey fix the matter at once. And although Kelsey is pretty sure investigating a murder isn't in her contract, crossing the well-connected Mrs. Abernathy could be a career-killer.

Before she can leave Mexico and get back to planning weddings, Kelsey must deal with stubborn detectives, a rekindled romance, and late-night death threats in this smart, funny cozy mystery debut.

REVIEW 

Kelsey is a "fixer" and this wedding had more things that needed to be fixed, including a last minute acceptance by a bridesmaid and her plus-one. Dana may be close enough friends with the Nicole, the bride, but that's not the case with everyone. When it's determined she's dead, Mrs. Abernathy, mother of the bride, insists the wedding go on without mentioning Dana's demise. Once it's determined it's murder, Mrs. Abernathy's demands increase, including investigating the murder. Unfortunately, the two detectives are sure they have the killer, no matter what Kelsey finds out. Kelsey is kindhearted and visits Zoe in jail regularly, determined to prove she's innocent.

This is a well-written cozy mystery with twists and turns, a slice of humor, and a touch of melancholy. Kelsey is kindhearted and visits Zoe in jail regularly, determined to prove she's innocent. Kelsey considers rekindling a romance, while she's dealing with many obstacles and the ever aggravating Mrs. Abernathy, and juggling the next few weddings. Brody helps her along the way.  It was an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON    ~     GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARLA COOPER is the author of the Kelsey McKenna Destination Wedding Mysteries. As a freelance writer, Marla has written all sorts of things, from advertising copy to travel guidebooks to the occasional haiku, and it was while ghostwriting a guide to destination weddings that she found inspiration for her series. She currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and a few too many cats. She is the Vice President of Sisters in Crime, Heart of Texas chapter.

CONNECT WITH HER:

CHICKS ON THE CASE ~ WEBSITE ~ AMAZON AUTHOR 

GOODREADS ~ FACEBOOK ~ BOOKBUB

INSTAGRAM ~ THREADS

TERROR IN TAFFETA GIVEAWAY

Book Spotlight: CALL IN FOR MURDER: A Neon Desert Novel by Tammy Barker

Call In For Murder: A Neon Desert Novel 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

Setting – Nevada 

Independently Published 

Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 19, 2025 

Print length ‏ : ‎ 238 pages 

About the Book

Call-in radio host Ashley Compton is Las Vegas’s best friend when it comes to giving relationship tips to strangers. But when a repeat caller is found murdered after exposing her woes on the air and accepting the challenge to put up or shut up, Ashley questions if her homespun advice was the catalyst for the murder. 

Afraid of losing her job and destroying her reputation, Ashley heads to the seedy side of Las Vegas to snoop around. There she encounters shady dealings: lies, gambling, adultery, and potential criminal activities. When her two-timing and felonious suspects spout glib excuses to justify their behaviors, she digs deeper and is threatened, injured, and gets what she dishes out: advice she doesn’t always like. 

Can Ashley’s sleuthing skills catch the killer, or will she end up just another crime statistic? Can she save her career, or will she be put on the Do-Not-Call list? 

Purchase Links 

Amazon Digital ~ Amazon Print ~ B&N Print

About the Author

Tammy Barker is a serious, by-the-book Washington DC government accountant by day and a wildly imaginative fiction writer by night. She writes contemporary traditional amateur sleuth mystery novels and historical pulp fiction short stories. Her other loves include reading anything, restoring or refurbishing vintage items, small home repairs, cooking and baking, classical piano, and wishing she lived during the 1940s and 1950s. 

You can contact here at these sites:

Webpage ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Instagram  

All In For Murder: A Neon Desert Novel by Tammy Barker: Enter Giveaway  

Book Review: BROKEN SECRETS Book 1 by Jasper Trey

About the Book 

He inherited a ranch he didn’t want. She showed up with answers he didn’t ask for. 

Noah Hodges walked away from a life in the lab to raise his daughter in peace—but his grandfather’s death drags him back to a ranch that feels like a trap and a coded diary that refuses to stay quiet. He doesn’t have time for secrets. Or for the sharp-tongued city woman determined to unravel them. 

Cecilia Buriss never expected a grocery run to put her face-to-face with a man who clearly doesn’t want the truth. But the symbols in his grandfather’s journal don’t feel accidental—and the deeper she digs, the harder it is to stop. 

He’s a single dad trying to protect the only stability his daughter has ever known. She fills silence with words—especially when she’s afraid of what might surface. 

Neither of them planned to fall in love. But buried secrets don’t stay buried. And uncovering the truth may force Noah to choose between the past he’s avoided—and the life he’s fighting to protect. 

Review

Noah inherits his grandfather's property and the home built for his grandmother, already deceased. The dig is, he has to live on the property or lose his inheritance and the trust fund for his 12 year old daughter, Dalia - and the property is worth a lot. He meets Cecilia, a city girl, and isn't interested in relationships, just meeting the conditions of the will. 

Only Cecilia introduces Dalia to Haley and helps with Dalia's adjustment. Noah finds his grandfather's diary and shoves it in a drawer. Cecilia finds and starts reading it, discovering codes. Eventually she convinces Noah to read it and along with Danielle, the attorney, they decipher the code and unravel the secrets hidden within - at the very end. A slow start, but a satisfying ending. Romance plus mystery. A clean read (no spice/heat on the page). A new author to me, and I'll be reading more.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way..

Purchase Link 

AMAZON 

About the Author 

Jasper Trey is a part-time Math teacher and yoga instructor, but a full time mother and wife. She loves being outside and helping her husband with the farm. Writing allows her to live so many different lives all of her own making! Come live life in someone else's shoes with her.  Everyone deserves a little happy ever after in their life, sometimes its through a good story and sometimes its just your life that you are living. Find some happiness everyday! Jasper also authored the Protect the Crown Romance series. You can contact her:

AMAZON AUTHOR ~ FACEBOOK ~ GOODREADS ~ INSTAGRAM

WEBSITE  ~  LINKTREE  ~  BOOKBUB

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