Cruel Candy from The Cozy Corgi Series by Mildred Abbott @MAcozymystery @pumpupyourbook

 
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The Cozy Corgy Series by Mildred Abbott

 

 
 
 
Title: CRUEL CANDY (Book 1)
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications LLC
Pages: 282
Genre: Cozy Mystery

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MY REVIEW

I love how the book starts out, a murder in a book store and I am hooked.

I saw the covers for the series and that brought to mind, Daphne, my in laws dog. She was such a treasure and loved taking long walks, with her short legs, on the flats at Cape Cod. A story that has those extra elements that I can relate to, like a familiar critter, taking place in a book store or a small town, makes it even more interesting.

Cozies seem to have an equal measure of humor and mystery, with some quirky characters that quickly steal my heart. Fred’s story is no exception.

She has come home for a fresh start and her mother and hippie father in law are there to help smooth the way.

And we can’t forget about her faithful companion, Watson. He’s a ginger-furred log, a treat eating beggar.

We also have a very handsome sheriff and the sparks do fly when they meet. No insta love here, so we must continue the series to see how long it takes to break down her defenses.

One dead body + one dead body = more time spent with the sheriff.

Neither snow nor….Fred will do everything she can to solve the mystery.

The characters all have their own quirks and personalities that Meredith Abbot makes shine. The small town comes to life through her words. I was loving her writing and, even though I was traveling, I couldn’t put it down. I can hardly wait to begin Book II, Traitorous Toys. With a title like that, I anticipate some quality play time.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Cruel Candy by Mildred Abbott.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos   4 Stars

 
BLURB:

Estes Park, Colorado: picturesque mountains, charming shops, delightful bakeries, a cozy bookstore… and murder.

Winifred Page and her corgi, Watson, move to Estes Park to hit the Reset button on life. Fred is about to open her dream bookshop, and the only challenges she anticipates are adjusting to small-town life, tourists, and living close to her loveable mother, Phyllis, and hippy stepfather, Barry.

When Fred steps into her soon-to-be-bookshop for the first time, she expects dust bunnies and spiders… not the dead body in the upstairs kitchen. The local police have an easy suspect—Barry. Determined to prove quirky Barry innocent of murder, Fred puts on her detective hat, and with Watson by her side, she explores her new town and gets acquainted with her fellow shopkeepers. Could one of her friendly neighbors be the real culprit? And what would be the motive for killing the owner of the Sinful Bites candy store? The secrets Fred discover put her at odds with the local police sergeant and threaten her cozy future in Estes.

With snow falling outside, all Fred wants to do is curl up by the fire with a good book and Watson snuggled at her feet. But before she can begin her new life and put her plans for her bookshop into action, Fred and Watson have a mystery to solve…

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One
 
“Oh, Watson, what
have I gotten us into?” I stared at the shop through the safety of my car
window. It was smaller than I remembered. I leaned forward, bumping my forehead
on the glass. Fairly tall, though, at least two storeys. With the dark-stained
log siding and forest-green trim and shutters, it looked like a log cabin had
been sandwiched between the other stores of Estes Park.

 

 

And it was mine.

 

 

The thought
ushered in a wave of excitement. A tingle of nausea too, but more excitement
than anything. At least that was what I told myself.

 

 

The death grip I
had on the steering wheel of my Mini Cooper said otherwise. I tore my gaze away
and turned a forced smile toward the passenger seat. I needed to be brave for
Watson.

 

 

He arched a brow
lazily at me, not bothering to lift his head from his curled-up position.
Managing to pull one of my hands free from the steering wheel, I slipped the
car into Park, then scratched behind his pointed fox-like ears.

 

 

“We’re here. It’s
been a long day, and you’ve been a great copilot.” A grumpy copilot, but that
was normal for Watson. A quality that probably wouldn’t be as endearing if he
wasn’t so stinking cute. “I’d say you deserve a treat. What do you think?”

 

 

At what was
unquestionably his favorite word, Watson bounded to a standing position and
began bouncing on his two front legs. His stubby corgi legs didn’t make him
that much taller, though the bouncing helped.

 

 

“And this is why
we work, you and me. Food is king, behind books, of course.” I snagged a dog
bone out of the glove compartment, started to request for Watson to sit
first—demands never worked—then decided it wasn’t worth the effort, and held it
out to him. Despite his voracious appetite, which even a shark would envy,
Watson avoided removing my fingers and made short work of the snack.

 

 

After a couple of
minutes, Watson cocked that judgmental brow of his once more. His thoughts were
clear: The prolonged staring is creepy, lady. But I’ll forgive you for
another treat.

 

 

He had a point. I
was putting off the inevitable. Which was silly. I was excited, happy. Time to
launch into an adventure.

 

 

I turned toward
the shop again, took a breath, and opened the car door. Here goes nothing.

 

 

My knees popped as
I stepped onto the sidewalk, and I sucked in a breath at the tweak in my back.
I supposed a drive halfway across the country was a reasonable excuse, even if
I was still two years away from forty. I glanced back at Watson, who had curled
back into a ball. “Seriously? The ten-hour nap wasn’t enough?”

 

 

After a few more
seconds of glaring, Watson acquiesced, stood, and stretched. He raised his
knobbed-tail of a butt in the air, just letting me know he was still in charge,
and then leisurely crossed the console and hopped out beside me.

 

 

“Thanks for
joining me, your highness.” I shut the car door and looked up at the shop. It
seemed a little larger once I stood in front of it. It would be charming. My
gaze flicked to the sign above the door that read Heads and Tails. Would
being the operative word. Who knew what horrors lay behind the papered-over
windows. I’d never envisioned a behind-the-scenes look at a taxidermy business,
but it seemed I hadn’t been aware of a lot about my future. Well, whatever. If
it was too horrible, I’d just pay one of those junk companies to come in and
haul everything away.

 

 

That thought
brought a sense of relief, but then another swept it away. I was thinking like
a city girl. I doubted a town the size of Estes Park had a junk-removal
business.

 

 

And again, I
decided, whatever.

 

 

I had a feeling I
was going to be saying that a lot.

 

 

Movement caught my
eye from the store window to the left of my shop. Before I could make out a
figure, I was captured by the crimson script over the glass, Sinful Bites.

 

 

Perfect. Some
fortification would be needed in the very likely chance I was getting ready to
walk into a store filled with petrified dead animals. I veered off to the left,
giving a quick pat to my thigh. “Come on, Watson. Mama deserves a—” I almost
said treat. “—reward too.”

 

 

A pleasant chime
sounded as I opened the door to Sinful
Bites and allowed Watson to waddle through. I cast a quick glance
around. The store was done in my favorite colors—the walls, cabinets, and
displays all in various shades of rich earth tones. It felt homey, comfortable.
Exactly what I would be going for when I redid the god-awful taxidermy shop.
That boded well for my relationship with my neighbor.

 

 

A woman with
short, spiraling brunette hair looked up in surprise from behind the cash
register. Her brown gaze glanced at me in confusion, then moved to the front
door, and back.

 

 

I offered a
hesitant smile, feeling like I’d messed up somehow. “Everything okay?”

 

 

“Yes!” The woman
smiled back, wide and bright. “I’m so sorry. We just closed. I could’ve sworn I
locked the door,” she said, her tone apologetic.

 

 

“Oh. Well, I can
come back another time.” Despite myself, I couldn’t keep my gaze from traveling
over the gleaming cases filled with candy.

 

 

“Not at all! My
fault for not locking the door, and I haven’t started putting things away yet,
so I insist.” Another smile.

 

 

“Thank you. I
promise I’ll be quick.” I moved closer to the cases, unsure if I would be able
to keep that promise. Though slightly picked over, the display was magnificent.
Gleaming fruit tarts in golden brown crusts, hand-size brownies filled with
nuts, caramel, and chunks of candy. Fudge of every flavor, truffles of various
shapes and colors, and chocolate. So much chocolate that I was suddenly aware
I’d smelled it since I walked in the door. No wonder I felt at home. Chocolates
done in nearly every imaginable way—almond bark and turtles, covering pretzels,
marzipan and nougat.

 

 

Heaven, I decided.
I’d died and gone to heaven. I managed to tear my gaze away from the
smorgasbord of delights and look at the woman. “I think I’m in love.”

 

 

The woman chuckled
good-naturedly and held out her hand. “I’m Katie. Always nice to meet someone
who appreciates dessert more than cardio.”

 

 

I stiffened for a
heartbeat, wondering if I should be insulted. But at the twinkling of Katie’s
eyes, I couldn’t help but laugh. I felt an instant kinship with the woman.
“Yes, I’ll take dessert any day over fitting into a size eight. Though my real
weakness is carbs, not candy. Give me a hot loaf of fresh bread and I can die a
happy woman.” I took Katie’s hand.

 

 

“Me too, actually.
I might work in a candy shop, but bread is what I do best.”

 

 

“Then I am
definitely glad to meet you, Katie.” I released her grip and gestured down to
Watson, who stared up at me, salivating. “My little corgi friend is Watson, and
I’m—”

 

 

“I’m telling you,
Lois, if you would just use actual sugar in your baking instead of all the
stupid substitutions—” Two elderly women walked through the back door of the
shop, cutting me off. They both halted at the sight of Watson and me. The
blonde cast a quick glare at Katie. “I thought we closed.”

 

 

Katie flushed. “I
apparently didn’t lock the door. Sorry. But I believe—” It seemed she was
searching for my name. “—our friend here is in need of some chocolate.”

 

 

The blonde looked
at me and cast another glare down at Watson, but by the time she met my gaze
once more, her smile was wide, even if it didn’t reach her eyes. “Well, of
course! You’ve come to the right place. Sinful Bites has the best chocolate in
town.”

 

 

The other woman’s
eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything.

 

 

Katie cleared her
throat, cutting the brief tension that had filled the place. “Do you know what
you’d like? If you’re not sure, I can get you a sample.”

 

 

Getting-to-know-you
time was most definitely over. Which was doubly sad, as at any other time I
would’ve taken Katie up on the offer of samples. Under the inspection of the
blonde, however, I didn’t dare. “You know, I just drove into town, and I really
should get home. Why don’t you give me an assortment of the ones you like
best.” Chances were high such a thing would end up being more expensive than
I’d intended to spend on candy, but since I was going to be neighbors with the
shop, it was clear I needed to put my best foot forward as quickly as possible.

 

 

“Home?” The third
woman finally spoke. “Do you live here? You must be new in town. I don’t think
I’ve seen you around.”

 

 

“I just moved in.
Quite literally, in fact.” I smiled at the woman, who seemed nicer than the
blonde. “I’ve visited several times. I have family who live here.” I nodded at
Katie as I spoke, trying to include her again and continue the introductions.
“I’m Fred, and this is Watson. We just made the long drive from Kansas City to
Colorado. This was our first stop in town.”

 

 

The woman gave a
chuckle. “Fred? I don’t believe I’ve ever met a woman named Fred.” She gestured
to herself and the blonde. “I’m Lois Garble, and this is my sister, Opal. Opal
owns this candy shop, and I own the one two doors down, Healthy Delights.”

 

 

“It’s a pleasure
to meet you both.” Sisters? The two
women definitely didn’t look like sisters. Although, now that I thought about
it, they had the same features. It was only everything else that was different.
Lois had naturally graying hair, a clean and wrinkled face, and she wore a
plain cotton dress. Opal had dyed, highly stylized blonde hair, copious amounts
of makeup, a brightly colored dress, and tons of jewelry. “My true name is
Winifred Page, but everyone calls me Fred.”

 

 

“Well, I think
that is simply adorable. And it suits you.” Lois shrugged playfully. “Like I
said, I’ve never met a woman named Fred, but if I could imagine one, she’d have
beautiful auburn hair just like yours. I’ve always thought Opal would look
ravishing in that color.” She cast a sidelong glance toward her sister’s
coiffed blonde hairdo.

 

 

Opal didn’t
comment about becoming a redhead. “Page? Your last name is Page, and you have
family in town? I don’t remember a family with that name.”

 

 

I nodded, though
for some reason I was tempted to lie. “Yes. My mother grew up here. Phyllis
Oswald, though now she’s Phyllis Adams.”

 

 

Both Katie and
Lois seemed to take a step back, but Opal didn’t budge, instead folding her
arms over her ample bosom. Any semblance of welcome or friendliness vanished,
not that there’d been much from Opal. “I thought I’d heard your name before.”
If looks could kill. “So that means you’re the one taking over Sid’s taxidermy
shop.”

 

 

Again, lying
seemed the intelligent thing to do. “Yes. Though I won’t be doing taxidermy.
I’m going to be changing it to a bookshop. It’s going to be called the Cozy—”

 

 

“I’m sorry, but
we’re closed.” Opal sniffed, nostrils flared. “And for future reference, I
don’t allow dogs in my business.”

 

 

I halted, unsure
what to say. One of the things I’d always liked about the town was Estes Park’s
dog-friendly nature. I started to glance at Katie and then thought better of
it. The last thing I wanted to do was get the shopgirl in trouble. I gestured
back toward the door. “Sorry for….” What was I sorry for exactly? “Watson and I
will just be going.”

 

 

Lois gave a loud
good-natured laugh and swatted playfully at Opal, which Opal avoided with a
glare. “Please forgive my sister. It’s her intake of sugar and butter and
things the good Lord never intended us to eat. It makes her cranky.” She
managed to deliver the line with a cheerful air, making it sound more like an
endearing quality than an insult. Lois headed around the counter and slipped a
birdlike arm through mine. “You come with me. I’ll get you some sweets that are
natural and nourishing, and I have homemade dog-bone biscuits.” She looked down
at Watson, then back at me. “I didn’t notice. How adorable. He’s a redhead like
you.” Without waiting for a response, she looked back down once more. “What do
you say… Watson, was it? Do you want a treat?”

 

 

Watson bounced on
his two front paws again at the word, causing Lois to chuckle. The only thing I
really wanted to do at that point was get away, but Watson’s reaction settled
it. Plus, how could I deny the woman without seeming rude?

 

 

I allowed myself
to be led toward the front door and cast a glance back, offering a quick smile
to Katie and a final apologetic grimace to Opal.

 

 

Lois led me out of
the shop, around the front of Heads and Tails, then pulled out her keys to
usher me into Healthy Delights. “Sorry, I already shut the place down, but I’ll
get you an assortment of things from the back. Give me one second, dear.” She
flicked on the lights and then headed through the back door to disappear with a
small wave.

 

 

The tingle of nausea
rose again. My shop sat directly between these two sisters. Lois seemed sweet
enough, but Lord knew what I was getting myself into with these two. Pushing
the thought away, I spared a glance at Lois’s store. It was the exact same
layout as Opal’s, just flipped, but the similarities stopped there. Where
Opal’s candy shop felt cozy, warm, and friendly—despite the woman
herself—Lois’s was done in a garish combination of pastel colors, sickeningly
sweet pinks, and yellows. My stomach gurgled.

 

 

Watson didn’t seem
to notice. He chuffed and looked up at me.

 

 

“Your treat is
coming. Calm down.” I shook my finger at him. “And I blame you for pulling me
into this.”

 

 

He chuffed again,
and this time bounded so his paws landed on my foot, clearly telling me to shut
up and get on with the treat giving.

 

 

“You’re
ridiculous.” As if watching a car crash, I looked back at the shop. It didn’t
make any sense at all. How could the sister who owned the cozy and
delicious-smelling candy shop be so irritable, while the one who designed the
monstrosity that looked like Easter on speed was the kind one?

 

 

Before the color
palette had a chance to permanently scar my corneas, Lois returned with a large
brown bag in one hand and a massive dog bone in the other. “I’m sorry I have to
rush. I’d love to get to know you and your precious pup, but Opal and I have
dinner plans, and I don’t want to keep her waiting.” She thrust the bag into my
grip. “For future reference, I make everything Opal does, just a healthy,
all-natural version. It’s fun to mix and match.”

 

 

I forced a smile.
I hadn’t been able to identify what smell seemed to linger in the air, but it
wasn’t pleasant. If the desserts were edible, I’d be shocked. “Thank you. I
appreciate your kindness. I’m sorry if I did anything to offend—”

 

 

Lois waved me off,
whipping the dog bone in the air, a large crumb flying across the room. In a
rare show of speed, Watson zoomed away in pursuit. Lois didn’t seem to notice.
“Never you mind. That’s just how Opal is. You see, she and I were hoping to purchase
the taxidermy shop after Sid passed, but your mother wouldn’t consider selling.
Said her daughter was taking it over.” Though her chipper tone didn’t fade,
Lois’s smile did, a touch. “I won’t hold that against you, dear.” Another hand
pat. “But if you decide you want to sell, we’d appreciate it if you would let
us know.” Leaning closer, her voice dropped to a whisper. “Lots of people move
to Estes Park, captured by its beauty and charm, only to discover they feel a
little trapped in the mountains and constricted by small-town life. Chances are
it will happen to you too. Of course, I hope not, but”—and yet another
pat—“when it does, remember my sister and me.”

 

 

I opened my mouth
to respond, but was utterly at a loss for words.

 

 

Words didn’t seem
to be required. Lois wrapped her arm around my shoulders, which was no small
feat, considering I was several inches taller than the woman, and led me toward
the door. She shoved what was left of the dog bone at me. “This is made from
peanut butter I ground myself, and organic grains. They are five dollars
apiece, but this one’s on the house.” She opened the door for me and stood
aside. “Welcome to town, Fred.”

 

 

“Thank you, Lois.”
I clutched the paper bag and waggled the dog bone in Watson’s direction,
capturing his attention. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go.” Watson tore off from where
he’d been sniffing in the back corner of the shop. I nodded my thanks to Lois
once more, then walked to the car. I changed my mind a few paces away from my
burnt-orange Mini Cooper. Turning around, I headed back toward the front door
of the taxidermy shop. I’d been so excited to see inside, to get lost in the
planning of what my bookstore would look like, that I had driven straight here
when we got into town.

 

 

After locking her
front door, Lois crossed in front of Heads and Tails, gave a final friendly
wave, and disappeared into Sinful Bites once more.

 

 

Pushing the odd
sisters out of my mind, I addressed Watson as we stopped at the front door.
“I’m sure you’ll love all the smells you’re going to find in there, but just
remember, if we come across a dead animal and I scream, you’re forbidden from
telling anyone. If you do, there won’t be any treats for a week.”

 

 

Watson gave a
quick, sharp bark.

 

 

“Crap. I said
treat, didn’t I?” At the repeated word, Watson resumed bouncing, his dark brown
eyes wild with excitement and looking like a deranged bunny.

 

 

I couldn’t help
but chuckle as I lifted what was left of the dog bone. “Luckily, we have one.
You can get it as soon we’re inside.”

 

 

I paused at the
lockbox hanging from the door handle, then set the bag of healthy candy—what a thought that was—at my feet.
Catching my reflection in the window, the paper behind the glass causing it to
act nearly as effectively as a mirror, I couldn’t help but scowl. My hair was a
complete mess, and a sheen of light caught the gleam from dog hair. I glanced
down at my peasant blouse. Life with a corgi meant I was in constant need of a
lint roller, but after the day in the car, things had gotten to a nearly
ludicrous level. To make matters worse, I gave my brown broomstick skirt a
flick with my wrist and sent a fresh wave of dog hair spiraling around me.
Wonderful. So much for putting my best foot forward. Meeting three of my
neighbors while looking like I was part corgi myself.

 

 

Well, whatever.
Too late to be helped now. Besides, it wasn’t like I’d ever actually be
dog-hair-free anyway. Pushing the concern away, I pulled out my cell and
scrolled through text messages from my mother until I came across the lockbox
code. I punched in the four digits and gave a yank. There was no click and the
lock didn’t budge. Clearing it, I tried again. Same reaction. I checked the
text, confirming I had the numbers right, then tried a third time. When I was
still denied, I tapped my mother’s name and lifted the phone to my ear.

 

 

It rang several
times, then finally clicked to a message saying my mother’s voice mail was full
and could no longer accept messages. What else was new? I tried the lockbox one
final time. For a moment, I considered breaking the window on the front door
and reaching in. It was my shop, after all.

 

 

What a way to
start a new adventure, breaking and entering. Patience had never been a virtue
I fostered, but letting out a resigned huff that sounded more like a corgi than
a woman, I stuffed my cell back into my pocket. “Looks like we’re thwarted at
the moment, Watson.”

 

 

Retrieving the
paper bag, I led us back to the car, held the door for Watson to hop in, then
followed.

 

 

I’d been so
ecstatic about opening the bookshop, I hadn’t even considered who my neighbors
might be. Being directly between Lois and Opal was going to be…. Well, I was
afraid I didn’t have a word for exactly what that was going to be. I doubted it
would be all that pleasant.

 

 

Watson chuffed.

 

 

“You feel it too,
don’t you, boy? Who knows what we’re going to have to face with those two. At
least we have each other.”

 

 

He let out a long
pitiful whine.

 

 

“Aww,
look at you being all empathetic. What’s gotten into—”

 

 

I realized
Watson’s frantic gaze was focused on my hand, not looking deep into my eyes and
sharing a moment. “Oh, I forgot.” I handed him what remained of the all-natural
dog biscuit with a sigh.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 


Traitorous Toys

Title: TRAITOROUS TOYS (Book 2)
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications LLC
Pages: 2278
Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

It’s Christmas in Estes Park, Colorado: cozy fires, twinkling lights, soft snowfall, and… murder.

The winter holidays in charming Estes Park lulls Winifred Page and her corgi, Watson, into thoughts of spiced chai and gingerbread as they settle into their new home. Fred’s dream bookshop is becoming a reality, and with Christmas only days away, her only concerns are spending time with family, enforcing Watson’s diet, and finding the perfect gifts.

The toy store beckons Fred and her friend Katie, who dash in out of the cold, during a shopping spree to discover handmade toys, cuddly stuffed animals… and a dying man on the floor.

When Katie’s desperate attempts to save the man ends in her being taken in for his murder, Fred once again dons her detective hat. She puts aside her Christmas list and—with Watson sniffing around—begins a list of suspects. But as quickly as clues point to one person, new discoveries shift the spotlight to another.

With Katie’s freedom in the balance, Fred has little time to think about gifts or to enjoy the holiday lights and music. A killer is on the loose, one who became violent in a picture-perfect Christmas toy shop, and Fred and Watson can’t begin to predict what might happen next…

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Bickering Birds

Title: BICKERING BIRDS (Book 3)
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications LLC
Pages: 280
Genre: Cozy Mystery

BLURB:

Rocky Mountain National Park has it all: rugged peaks, pine-scented forests, enchanting bird-watching locations, and… murder.

The Cozy Corgi bookshop finally opens, and Winifred Page and her headstrong corgi, Watson, are ready to welcome their first patrons. With her new best friend, Katie, creating heavenly pastries in the bakery on the top floor of the store, Fred’s dreams are all coming together in delicious and unexpected ways.

When Katie caters a meeting of the Feathered Friends Brigade and drags Fred along, they expect nothing more than loquacious chatter about birds as they endeavor to build a professional relationship with the owner of the wild bird shop. Fred and Katie are quickly roped into a moonlight snowshoeing hike in hopes of spotting a rare owl. While the endangered bird proves elusive… the murdered man in the snow is hard to miss.

Fred’s growing relationship with Sergeant Wexler hits a snag when he forbids her from donning her sleuth hat yet again. But Fred is a lot like her corgi—she doesn’t like being told what to do, even if it puts an end to a possible romance.

As Fred and Watson delve into the lives of the ornithological club members, the tangled birds’ nest of an investigation makes Fred wonder if she should have left this one to the police. But when feathers begin to fly, Fred has no choice but to flush out a killer…

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Savage Sourdough

Title: SAVAGE SOURDOUGH (Book 4)
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications LLC
Pages: 296
Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

Opening the Cozy Corgi in Estes Park is a dream come true: small-town charm, fresh-baked bread, hours by the fire reading mysteries, and… murder.

For Winifred Page and her devoted corgi, Watson, the puzzle pieces of life are falling into place as they settle into their home in the Colorado mountains. Surrounded by family and friends, Fred begins to relax into the charm and beauty of being the owner of a bookshop and bakery.

The buzz of possible romance—though Fred wasn’t looking for a relationship—has quieted as one of her suitors is no longer a viable option while the other has moved into the friend zone. But all thoughts of romance, wanted or not, fly out the window when Fred finds a dead body in the Cozy Corgi bakery… again.

Things get stickier when Fred’s main suspect turns out to be a family member of one of the local police officers—the one who already despises Fred and her little dog. Determined not to let past grievances cloud her judgment, Fred tips her detective hat and pokes deeper into the murder investigation. But in a mystery that becomes smoke and mirrors, nothing is as it seems.

The revelations Fred unveils threaten not only her picture-perfect world but her very life….

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Scornful Scones

Title: SCORNFUL SCONES (Book 5)
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications LLC
Pages: 302
Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

With summer approaching, Estes Park is abuzz with flowers, baking, tourists, and… murder.

Tourist season is about to begin, and the lovely weather has Winifred Page and her corgi sidekick, Watson, leaving the comfort of the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery to reluctantly attend a celebration at the Black Bear Roaster coffee shop. But a chill of uncertainty settles over Fred when a choking death doesn’t seem so accidental—despite the dry, hazardous scones.

As Fred and Police Sergeant Branson Wexler rekindle a possible romance, Fred shares her suspicions. But is she seeing murder at every turn? Learning to trust her gut feelings, Fred risks the ire of the coffee shop owner to investigate not one, but two, deaths.

As suspects and motives abound, old resentments are uncovered, and Fred and Watson build new friendships even as they follow the crumbs to find clues to a killer.

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Chaotic Corgis

Title: CHAOTIC CORGIS (Book 6)
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications LLC
Pages: 213
Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

At the height of the summer season, Estes Park explodes with people, wildlife, fireworks, and… murder.

The Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery is buzzing with tourists, and Winifred Page and her quirky corgi, Watson, celebrate the Fourth of July picnicking with family and friends—of the human and four-legged variety. As summer blooms with romance for Fred and Sergeant Branson Wexler, murder lurks around the corner.

With a friend’s life in danger, Fred and Watson doggedly pursue the investigation, even as Fred finds herself once again at odds with the police department. But caring for two chaotic corgis while navigating emotions from the past in the midst of solving a mystery might be too much, and Fred hits a roadblock.

As relationships are tested and secrets exposed, Fred might lose more than one person she loves…

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Quarrelsome Quartz

Title: QUARRELSOME QUARTZ (Book 7)
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications LLC
Pages: 340
Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

A New Age conference comes to Estes Park, Colorado, bringing a cacophony of tie-dye, crystals, and murder…

As summer draws to a close, the Spirit, Health, and Heart Conference arrives, just in time for Winifred’s sisters to open their store next to the Cozy Corgi Bookshop. To Fred’s surprise, Chakras turns out to be a beautiful addition to the delightful mountain town. The shop even has a room so pleasing in its crystal tranquility that Fred’s corgi, Watson, approves—and hardly anything impresses him.

But not everyone is charmed by the crystals, tarot readings, and messages of personal enlightenment. When a famous spiritualist is found dead, Chakras and the entire town is plunged into a conflict that touches the lives of those closest to Fred.

Although she is hesitant to become involved, it is simply not in the cards for Fred to sit out the investigation. As she and Watson embark on a journey that forces them to take a look into the darker shadows of Estes Park, Fred soon finds herself digging into the secrets of those she loves…

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Wicked Wildlife

Title: WICKED WILDLIFE (Book 8)
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Wings of Ink Publications LLC
Pages: 217
Genre: Cozy Mystery

 

Poaching becomes an ever more pervasive problem within the National Park. When Fred discovers a body, of the human variety, while on a hike, she and Watson are pulled into another mystery. Over the days that follow, everything in Fred’s world gets turned on its head and the secrets that are revealed shake her to her core.

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Reading the Cozy Corgi series is pretty much all you need to know about Mildred. In real life, she’s obsessed with everything she writes about: Corgis, Books, Cozy Mountain Towns, and Baked Goods.  She’s not obsessed with murder, however. At least not at her own hands (nor paid for… no contract killing here). But since childhood, starting with Nancy Drew, trying to figure out who-dun-it has played a formative role in her personality.  Having Fred and Watson stroll into her mind was a touch of kismet.
 
Website Address: http://www.mildredabbott.com
Twitter Address: https://twitter.com/MAcozymystery
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Audible Address for audiobooks: https://www.audible.com/author/Mildred-Abbott/B077XMB42Y?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=JXVP9RK55YFX52PC7V3D&

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BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, October 1

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Wednesday, October 3

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Tuesday, October 9

Book Review at Ashley’s Bookshelf (Cruel Candy)

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Friday, October 12

Book Review at Laura’s Interests (Traitorous Toys)

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Monday, October 15

Book Review at Ashley’s Bookshelf (Traitorous Toys)

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Tuesday, October 16

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Wednesday, October 17

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Thursday, October 18

Book Review at Sefina Hawke’s Books (Cruel Candy)

Friday, October 19

Book Review at Laura’s Interests (Bickering Birds)

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Monday, October 22

Book Review at Ashley’s Bookshelf (Savage Sourdough)

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Book Review at Lynchburg Mama (Savage Sourdough)

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Monday, October 29

Book Review at Cheryl’s Book Nook (Cruel Candy)

Wednesday, October 31

Book Review at Sefina Hawke’s Books (Traitorous Toys)

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Monday, November 5

Book Review at Laura’s Interests (Chaotic Corgis)

Book Review at FUONLYKNEW (Cruel Candy)

Tuesday, November 6

Book Review at Lynchburg Mama (Chaotic Corgis)

Book Review at FUONLYKNEW (Traitorous Toys)

Wednesday, November 7

Book Review at FUONLYKNEW (Bickering Birds)

Thursday, November 8

Book Review at Sefina Hawke’s Books (Bickering Birds)

Friday, November 9

Book Review at Sefina Hawke’s Books (Savage Sourdough)

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Monday, November 12

Book Review at Books for Books (Cruel Candy)

Book Review at FUONLYKNEW (Savage Sourdough)

Tuesday, November 13

Book Review at Lynchburg Mama (Quarrelsome Quartz)

Interview at Lori’s Reading Corner

Wednesday, November 14

Book Review at Books for Books (Traitorous Toys)

Book Review at FUONLYKNEW (Scornful Scones)

Thursday, November 15

Book Review at Sefina Hawke’s Books (Scornful Scones)

Friday, November 16

Book Review at Sefina Hawke’s Books (Chaotic Corgis)

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Monday, November 19

Book Review at Books for Books (Bickering Birds)

Book Review at FUONLYKNEW (Chaotic Corgis)

Tuesday, November 20

Book Review at FUONLYKNEW (Quarrelsome Quartz)

Wednesday, November 21

Book Review at Books for Books (Savage Sourdough)

Book Feature at That Book Club

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Monday, November 26

Book Review at Books For Books (Scornful Scones)

Tuesday, November 27

Book Review at Books For Books (Chaotic Corgis)

Book Review at That’s What She’s Reading (Cruel Candy)

Thursday, November 29

Book Review at fundimental (Cruel Candy)

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Friday, November 30

Book Review at Laura’s Interests (Quarrelsome Quartz)

Book Review at Sefina Hawke’s Books (Quarrelsome Quartz)

 
 
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10 thoughts on “Cruel Candy from The Cozy Corgi Series by Mildred Abbott @MAcozymystery @pumpupyourbook

  1. I had a feeling you’d like this one too. I can’t wait to see what you think of the rest of these. Michelle is talented at writing such visual scenes. I could see the town and the characters. And Watson, what a lovable pooch!

    • I love them, though I must confess that I absolutely pant over the deep, dark and dangerous…

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