Thursday, August 13, 2015

Book Review/Giveaway: If Onions Could Spring Leeks by Paige Shelton


From the publisher: The New York Times bestselling author of If Catfish Had Nine Lives returns to Broken Rope, Missouri, where ghosts of the Old West seek assistance from country cooks and amateur sleuths Betts Winston and her grandmother.

With summer tourists flocking to Broken Rope, locals volunteer to keep chaos to a minimum. Old West skits are running smoothly, actors are behaving, and stagecoach rides are more popular than ever, but when a spectral visitor appears by ghost train, it’s a job only Betts and Gram can handle.

Gram soon starts having nightmares about their ghostly visitor’s demise. And if a ghost and the hot summer weather weren’t making things sticky enough, one of the town’s volunteers—a man notorious for having more than his fair share of ex-wives—is murdered. When Jerome, Bett’s otherworldly friend, makes an unsettling appearance, this simmering double mystery becomes a recipe for disaster.


It's fairly obvious by now that I gravitate towards the more pet-centric cozies on the shelves, but Paige Shelton's Country Cooking School mysteries revolves around another passion of mine: the Old West. The town of Broken Rope with it's Old West reenactments and Bett's ghostly visitors from that time period make me daydream about strolling along it's boardwalk.

As is generally the case with this series, If Onions Could Spring Leeks features two mysteries: a modern-day murder and a mystery that was left unresolved back in the late 1800s. A Broken Rope volunteer with 5 ex-wives and a Norma Bates-esque mother is murdered, and the assailant harms Betts as well. While attempting to solve the crime she also finds herself entangled in the ghostly lives of Grace and Robert, a black woman and white man whose forbidden love took a tragic turn over a century ago. The authenticity of the ghost train angle of this part of the story practically had me smelling the train's smoke and hearing it's ghostly whistle.

A huge part of why I love this series so much is the love that has developed between Betts and sexy cowboy ghost Jerome. In this book (for reasons we don't know yet), he's forced to come to her by entering the bodies of other ghosts and living people as well. Needless to say, it creates some very awkward moments, and part of me feels that a little bit of magic between them was lost because of it. I'm eager to find out the reason behind this and where Betts, Jerome, and Cliff go from here.

This is a series perfect for readers of mystery, romance, paranormal, and history. Pour some coffee into a blue tin mug and settle in for a delightful tale.

Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Wednesday, August 19th for your chance to win a copy of If Onions Could Spring Leeks. (US entries only, please.)

30 comments:

Jeanetta said...

Thank you for introducing me to a new author. If Onions Could Spring Leeks sounds like a book I will enjoy reading. Thank you for the review and giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

Lisa said...

If Onions Could Spring Leeks sounds like a great read. Thank you for the chance to win. poohwine1217@gmail.com

Mickey's Musings said...

That sounds like a good book!
We like your review.
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ

Not entering contest,not from US

Unknown said...

What a great title, hope to get a chance to read it, thank you!
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

skkorman said...

I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Unknown said...

This book sounds great, and I love the cover. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
weluvdopey@sc.rr.com

NoraA said...

I own the five Market series books and love them. I read the first two in the cooking school series from my local library. I'd love to own the cooking school series also and being your lucky winner would be a great way to start.

NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Melissa!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the info. This will definitely be added to my list of books read. robeader53@yahoo.com

Rita Wray said...

Sounds like a great read.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

pilch92 said...

Sounds good , please count me in pilch92@aol.com

Fur Everywhere said...

I'm glad you reviewed this book. When I was reading the back of it, I was intrigued. I like ghosts/paranormal things, so I may need to read this one soon.

Unknown said...

Pet-centric cozies sounds good to me
libbydodd at comcast dot net

petite said...

A delightful and lovely cozy. Thanks for this great feature and wonderful giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

What a special cozy which interests me greatly. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Mary Holshouser said...

Love the title.
thanks
txmlhl@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love the play on words in the title. Cozies always have such fun ones. And the cover is fun too! I've not read this author before. Food and a cozy mystery, I'd love to win this:)

laurathomas61@att.net

holdenj said...

I really enjoy this series, set in Broken Rope! Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Amanda Ray said...

I love the country cooking school mystery series. I'm looking forward to reading this installment in the series! Thanks for the chance to win. Luvs2read4fun@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Anudder pawsum weview. Have a gweat day.

Luv ya'

Dezi and Lexi

Cleopawtra said...

This sounds like a good read. This also introduces me to another author I might reading. Thanks for the giveaway.

Meg C. said...

This sounds like a great addition to this series that I look forward to reading. Thanks for the chance to win.

robbfan141729@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book! Sounds great!

Unknown said...

Hasn't encountered this series before.Ladyvyvian@hotmail.com I would love to meet Betts, get first boyfriend and all the rest of the inhabitants of Broken Rope.

cyn209 said...

this is one of my favorite series.....
thank you for the giveaway.......

cyn209 at juno dot com

Kaye Killgore said...

I love this series

kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net

kiki w said...

Love the bookcover. Looks like a little cozy mystery.

xzjh04@ Gmail.com

Carol M said...

I enjoy stories with ghosts! This sounds really good! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831@aol.com

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

I love this title. And I love this type of book -- I can't wait to read it (or win it)
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Michelle said...

I have one in the series and another one on the way from Paperback Swap. I like cozies with ghosts.
catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com