Review: Mug Shot by Caroline Fardig

Description:
Former musician Juliet Langley has barely had a day off since taking over management of the coffeehouse owned by her best friend, Pete Bennett. But there's always more to be done—such as prepping for the annual Holiday 5K Race organized by Pete's snobby socialite girlfriend, Cecilia Hollingsworth. This year, Java Jive has a booth right at the finish line, and since Juliet and Cecilia don't always see eye to eye, everything has to be perfect. Nothing can go wrong. Nothing . . . like Juliet stumbling over Cecilia's dead body on the morning of the race.

When Pete is arrested for Cecilia's murder, Juliet sets out to clear his name. She'll do whatever it takes—even if it means standing up to the police, her ex-boyfriend, and the grande dames of Nashville. But there isn't enough espresso in the world for the greatest challenge in her path: infiltrating Nashville's high society to uncover the hidden hotbed of scandal without running afoul of the law herself. With her last dime staked on Pete's bail bond and her staff growing jittery, the last thing Juliet needs is for her trademark temper to land her behind bars. As time drips away, Juliet needs to crack this case before the killer comes back for another shot.

My Thoughts:
I loved this! I fell in love with Juliet while reading Death Before Decaf and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this Java Jive mystery. Juliet is working on her sleuthing skills again, this time because her best friend is behind bars and she has to clear his name. With great characters, humor, and a plot that kept me guessing to the very end, I loved this one every bit as much as the first. I couldn't stop reading.

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !


My Source: Netgalley


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Death Before Decaf by Caroline Fardig

Description:
After her music career crashes and burns spectacularly, Juliet Langley is forced to turn to the only other business she knows: food service. Unfortunately, bad luck strikes yet again when her two-timing fiancé robs her blind and runs off with her best waitress. Flushing what's left of her beloved café down the toilet with her failed engagement, Juliet packs up and moves back to her college stomping grounds in Nashville to manage an old friend's coffeehouse. At first glance, it seems as though nothing's changed at Java Jive. What could possibly go wrong? Only that the place is hemorrhaging money, the staff is in open revolt, and Juliet finds one unlucky employee dead in the dumpster out back before her first day is even over.

The corpse just so happens to belong to the cook who'd locked horns with Juliet over the finer points of the health code. Unimpressed with her management style, the other disgruntled employees are only too eager to spill the beans about her fiery temper to the detective on the case. Add to the mix a hunky stranger who's asking way too many questions, and suddenly Juliet finds herself in some very hot water. If she can't simmer down and sleuth her way to the real killer, she's going to get burned.

My Thoughts:

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I have never read this author before so I wasn't sure what to expect. Juliet is starting over at Java Jive after her fiancé took everything and left. Her first day on the job is eventful to say the least. She finds a body then needs to prove that she wasn't the killer. This story is full of mystery, suspense, humor, and some romance. It is from Juliet's point of view and she keeps things light even when the situation is serious, without getting too silly. I loved everything about this book and can't wait for more of this series. 

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!
*Notes: Language.

My Source: Netgalley


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Itunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads