FIRST COMES MARRIAGE, THEN COMES MURDER by Donna Mumma, Reviewed by Rebecca and Paula #ReleaseDay

"A Women of Wynton's" Mystery

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"She'd built her reputation on being able to make all her bride's wedding dreams come true. The last few days it seemed she couldn't please anyone . . . "

Wedding gown designer Vivien Sheffield was beyond perplexed, she was riddled with anxiety. Brides in her community were showing up dead, wearing her private label; to make matters worse, the murder weapons were among the household items listed on Wynton's Department Store's coveted bridal guide. Not surprisingly, young women were getting nervous about using her services at Wynton's wedding salon. Adding to the confusion was a nosy reporter hanging around just waiting to print any and all of the hearsay regarding the unfortunate affair.

Vivien's closest friends among the store's employees showed unwavering loyalty, but their own circumstances competed for their attention. Family stresses, low self-esteem, and unexpected promotions were time consuming, but when the one with evil intentions goes a step too far, they form an unwavering cavalry.

With its ingenious setting and endearing characters, this department store story captures the essence of a time gone by, when beautiful stores and their employees took great pride in professional salesmanship with women being increasingly added to the work force for a variety of reasons. Adding the element of mystery and the value of friendship into the mix adds up to a pleasurable shopping *reading* experience.
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book through Barbour Publishing. 3.5 stars

PAULA'S REVIEW:
A trip down memory lane.I love historical fiction especially when it teaches me something. 

This time it was so nostalgic for me because this era in 1956 is within my actual memory.  My mother worked in a department store in our city. I would use her discount to buy material and patterns to make my clothes in the mid 60s. I even made my wedding dress.

Except for the murder mystery part, this story reminded me of TV shows, fashion, cosmetics and the general atmosphere of my growing up years.  

The plot was fascinating and realistic. The setting and era were spot on. It brought back memories of the social injustice of the times that were prevalent during my teen years when inroads were being made to erase prejudices.

I loved the close friendship between Vivien, Mirette, Audrey, Mary Jo and Gigi, and the representation of Southern Charm and underlying faith thread.

This is the first time I have read this author and it made me want to read the previous book: The Women of Wynton’s.
*A complimentary print copy of this book was provided by Barbour Publishing and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and an underlying faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Vivien’s Bridal Creations Found at Murder Scenes

Mid-century glam meets murder mayhem in a series of cozy mysteries at Wynton’s Department Store.

It is 1956 in Levi City, Florida. Vivien Sheffield, renowned bridal gown designer and consultant for Wynton’s Department Store, is facing the greatest challenge of her career. Someone has been killing brides who wore one of her custom gowns in their wedding! Vivien’s fellow employees and close friends—Audrey, Mary Jo, and Gigi—and her assistant Mirette spring into action to save Miss Vivien and the young brides of Levy City before the murderer succeeds at destroying Vivien’s business at Wynton’s. . .and her reputation.

Be sure to also read The Women of Wynton’s by Donna Mumma 

Barbour Fiction, September, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback

Buy FIRST COMES MARRIAGE, THEN COMES MURDER at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

GONE TO THE DOGS Series #2, #4, #6 by Kathleen Y'Barbo, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

"Nowhere in scripture did it say that heaven was a warm sunny day on a Texas ranch, I felt like that just might be the case."

Country music super-star Trina Potter had a mother (Peach . . . yep, that's her real name, I think!) and a niece down in Texas, while she made her music and her home up in Nashville, Tennessee. Maybe that needed to change . . . since her mother's decision-making skills were becoming a little suspect (like leaving mountainous piles of fabric for her dog-costume business . . . wait, was it a business or a hobby? . . . I digress . . . that she could trip over). And sweet Mari? Her niece? Well, she was trying desperately to open a rescue facility for dogs and was being thwarted around ever corner (like a bomb being left in the corner of the field where the dogs were . . . what's up with that?).

And then . . . there's the little matter of a certain nerdy high school prom-date . . . "He's grown taller and broader in the shoulders over the years and he (Wyatt Chastain) was more serious than I remembered, but he hadn't lost his sense of humor".

Suddenly there were more and more reasons to spend time in Brenham, Texas. If you think there's more to this story, then you would be correct. What an invigorating, cozy little mystery!

THE BARK OF ZORRO

"Lightning cracked. Thunder boomed. The poor pup yipped in fear. I had to do something."

Second Chance Ranch Dog Rescue volunteer Cassidy Carter was on her own this stormy Valentine's Day night. There was a pup that needed rescuing and it was up to her to make it happen. After a series of minor mishaps (like having to sort of, kind of, trespass to reach the frightened dog, then fleeing the scene while being chased by an unknown subject, and getting everything in the rescue van muddy and wet in the process) Cassidy got her dog! . . . only to discover that someone had painted the letter Z across his side.

"Since when did a man render me unable to successfully complete a sentence?"

James the Gorgeous Game Warden had done just that. She tried to ignore the fact that he had most assuredly pointed out that Cassidy's driver's license had expired, so she couldn't lawfully drive her vehicle until she took care of that little detail. Fast forward, Cassidy brings James into the "Zorro" conversation and they form a "team" mentality (or at least Cassidy does, James is insistent that she leave investigating to the professionals). Not!  . . . which makes the personal bond they are forming a little tricky to navigate.

This cozy Texas town mystery takes multiple twists and turns, but in the end culprits are apprehended and romance gets its much needed chance to bloom!

NEW LEASH ON LIFE

"Can we set aside some time to figure out how we can fix what needs to be fixed between us?"

After four years Nora Hernandez is losing hope that her beloved Dr. Lane Bishop is ever going to propose marriage. His heart is always in the right place but his lackadaisical approach to commitment is causing Nora to wonder if she just needs to let him go. Just when she's about to approach the subject, a Belgian Malinois becomes part of their equation. He's highly trained, much like one would expect from a military working dog, and when the small town of Brenham, Texas experiences a couple of suspicious explosions, the canine appears to have bomb-sniffing skills. "Pal", as he's named until they can find his true owner, is also capable of calming PTSD . . . which ironically is just what Lane needs . . . making Lane exactly who Nora needs.

My favorite book in the series! A really interesting small town mystery mixed with the sweetest of long awaited small town romances. 

*I purchased all three books and was under no obligation to provide positive reviews.

See the entire series of six books (so far) from Authors Janice Thompson and Kathleen Y'Barbo at Amazon

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

PEARL OF GREAT PRICE by Shaen Layle, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Cozy mystery of a missing ring that was donated to a museum.

Tracy goes on the trail of the true thief to clear her niece Jana with the help of her sister Amy and cousin Robin. The meddlesome trio jump to conclusions as the suspects are ruled out. Things are made more difficult when Tracy sprains her ankle but they sort out the clues and the pearl is found, but with lots of mystery along the way.

The pearl plays a part in an historical account of the three cousins’ grandmother, a story of redemption of a little girl and her worth found in Christ.

Excellent cozy with a trio of ladies who cannot seem to stay out of puzzling situations.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*4 stars and a solid faith thread 

Buy A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE at Guideposts

BackCover Blurb:
Pearl of Great Price is book #5 in the Secrets of Grandma’s Attic fiction series.

Tracy Doyle is amazed by the overwhelming excitement in Canton when she is sent to report on the grand opening of the Museum of Wonders. But the real talk of the event is about a wealthy tech magnate and his unique donation to the museum. From his own private collection, Grover Glenn has given the museum a purple quahog pearl ring. This rare and very expensive treasure is sure to be a hit among museum visitors. But when the cloth on the display case is lifted—the ring is gone! Worse, security footage shows Tracy’s six-year-old niece, Jana, opening the case. Despite the evidence, Tracy knows her sweet niece is innocent, especially when they can’t find the ring in Jana’s possession. So the question remains—who really took the ring?

Meanwhile, rushing to get things done at home, Tracy trips and hurts her ankle. The injury puts a screeching halt to her never-ending to-do list. How is she supposed to solve the mystery of the missing pearl ring from an armchair?

 

SECONDHAND CHANCES by Shaen Layle, (Mysteries of Lancaster County) Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

 

I love the cover of Secondhand Chances. It hints at the wedding theme.

This book ends a long running series for Guideposts: Mysteries of Lancaster County. It also marks the first solo-authored book by Shaen Layle. This book is set in a quaint town in Pennsylvania with a trio of sisters, Elizabeth, Mary, and Martha Classen. Here we see the approaching double wedding of Elizabeth and Mary. If it weren’t hectic enough with the wedding preparations, now the sisters are dealing with anonymous threat letters. They double down to get to the bottom of the mystery. With many who fit their suspect list, the sisters investigate in order to rule out all but the real culprit.

Well written with the flavor of Amish country, friends, faith and community, this book is a fitting end to a fun series. A nod to Jessica Fletcher and vet Dr. Pol was a nice touch as was the wonderful looking recipe at the end.

For a faith-filled cozy type series, check out all the books in The Mysteries of Lancaster County.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and A strong faith thread. 

 

 Purchase any of the Mysteries of Lancaster County books at Guidebooks, Available in digital, paperback and hardcover.

 

BackCover Blurb:
Secondhand Chances is the 25th book in the Mystery of Lancaster County mystery fiction series.

As the much-anticipated date approaches for the double wedding of Elizabeth to John and Mary to Bill, the Classen sisters are trying their best to get everything just right. While Martha deals with the picky wedding-cake baker, who just can’t seem to make up her mind, the sisters receive a flurry of incoming mail. To their delight, most of it consists of congratulations and RSVPs for the wedding ceremony. 

 

However, one letter in a bright red envelope stands out…an anonymous poison-pen letter demanding that the sisters vacate their home and store immediately. At first, the sisters think they are the sole targets of the letter writer, but as the days pass they soon discover they aren’t the only ones in Bird-in-Hand who have been receiving hostile mail. In the flurry of trying to uncover the anonymous letter writer, old suspicions are raised and long-held grudges are unearthed. Can the Classen sisters solve their latest mystery before two of them say “I do”?