Saturday, May 21, 2011

CRUNCH TIME: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
CRUNCH TIME
A Novel of Suspense
BY DIANE MOTT DAVIDSON 

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Colorado caterer Goldy Schulz cooks up big trouble as she tries to help her longtime friend and fellow chef Yolanda Garcia. When the rental house shared by Yolanda and her irrepressible aunt Ferdinanda is destroyed by arson, the pair move in with cop-turned-PI Ernest McLeod. But then Ernest is shot dead and his house is set on fire, nearly killing Goldy, Yolanda, Ferdinanda, and nine beagle puppies that Ernest had recently rescued from a puppy mill.

Concerned for her friends, Goldy invites them to stay with her while the sheriff’s department investigates. Yet even Goldy’s house isn’t safe, and after a failed break-in by an unknown intruder a cop is sent to keep an eye on things. Then a second body is found.

Swapping her chef’s hat for a sleuthing cap, the intrepid Goldy steps up the investigation. But she’s got to move fast. It’s crunch time to close in on a killer, before he can close in on her.

Filled with danger as well as laughs, wonderful food, and scrumptious recipes, Crunch Time is a delicious indulgence sure to satisfy all of Goldy’s fans.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
New York Times bestselling author Diane Mott Davidson wrote three novels before one was accepted for publication—when she was 41. She has since written 14 more mysteries, all featuring Goldy the caterer. In addition, she has written short stories and poetry for various publications. Davidson has won the Anthony Award from Bouchercon, and has been nominated for the Agatha, another Anthony, and the Macavity Award. In 1993 she was named Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year.

Davidson was educated at St. Anne's School in Charlottesville, Virginia, where her English teacher, Emyl Jenkins, encouraged her to become a writer. She attended Wellesley College, where she was named a Wellesley Scholar, before transferring to Stanford University, from which she graduated with a double major in Art History and Political Science. Several years (and one child) later, she received her MA in Art History from Johns Hopkins.

Davidson has volunteered for numerous organizations. She was a tutor in a correctional facility, rape-victim counselor, and served for 10 years on the Board of Examining Chaplains of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. For years she taught the adult Bible study at her parish, where she was also licensed to preach.

Davidson has been married to her husband, Jim, for almost 40 years. They have three sons, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and a basset hound.
Photo by Richard Haber Photography

PRAISE FOR AUTHOR DIANE MOTT DAVIDSON:
“A cross between Mary Higgins Clark and Betty Crocker.”
Baltimore Sun

“The Julia Child of mystery writers.”
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph

“Terrific.”
Richmond Times-Dispatch on Crunch Time

“Fans who relished Davidson’s previous culinary mysteries will assuredly eat up this newest one, too.”Booklist on Crunch Time

“Enjoyable.”Publishers Weekly on Crunch Time

“Davidson’s fans will not be disappointed.”
Kirkus Reviews on Crunch Time 
MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
CRUNCH TIME by Diane Mott Davidson is a scrumptious morsel of fun and an exciting escapade for everyone’s taste! Let me assure you that you don’t have to have read the earlier books in Davidson’s series as CRUNCH TIME stands alone just fine. However, you will want to go back and read them after meeting Goldy Schulz, the well known caterer and amateur detective. Trust me that Sleuthing 101 wasn’t a course taught at culinary school but Goldy still seems to wind up involved whenever there is any kind of criminal investigation going on. In her home of Aspen Meadows, Goldy is surrounded by people who just seem to always beckon to her for help, not just good food. Tom, her husband, is also a great cook but he wishes she would stay out of all these mysteries and just stay in the kitchen instead. 

When Goldy’s friend Yolanda, who lives with her Great Aunt Ferdinanda  are left homeless following a fire that consumed their home, Goldy is of course concerned. They wind up moving in with their neighbor, Ernest, a retired policeman, who is now a private eye, only to have the worst happen! Someone murders Ernest and then his house burns down with an arsonist, and possibly the murderer, surely the suspect now. Of course, Goldy and Tom insist they move in with them until this case can be solved.

There is so much background to these well developed characters that all naturally adds to the mystery: Aunt Ferdinanda is in a wheelchair because she was the target of a hit-and-run accident; Yolanda’s afraid of her former abusive boyfriend who she senses is stalking her, and then there are nine precious beagle puppies that become part of the plot! Can all this play into what is happening now? How can Goldy not be involved? As a victim of abuse from her own first marriage, Goldy knows what Yolanda is up against.

With Goldy catering the memorial dinner for Ernest, and Tom cooking for Goldy, there is some good food going on and readers have the bonus of some great recipes included in the book. My problem, is I am not Goldy nor do I have a Tom, so I can only WISH I was in Aspen Meadows! I think the turning point and when the case escalates, is when Goldy’s own home becomes involved. Now it is time for her to really take action! Will Goldy find out who the arsonist and murderer is before she becomes the next victim? Will she be able to help protect her dear friend Yolanda by getting to the bottom of this case? Will Tom keep cooking even as all this danger is surrounding them? Enjoy CRUNCH TIME by Diane Mott Davidson and you will find all these answers and more in this delightful culinary mystery.

GIVEAWAY
CHANGE IN GIVEAWAY
NOW HAVE THREE TO GIVE 
THANKS TO CHELSEY AND WILLIAM
MORRIS/HARPER COLLINS, I HAVE
THREE COPIES OF CRUNCH TIME THAT
I CAN GIVE AWAY TO MY READERS!
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT CRUNCH TIME AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING WHEN YOU VISIT AUTHOR DIANE MOTT DAVIDSON'S "FUN STUFF" AT HARPER COLLINS WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG AND IF YOU DON'T, YOU CAN SIGN UP EASILY IN THE LEFT HAND BAR AND EVERY DAY MY POSTS WILL COME TO YOU DIRECTLY!
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JUNE 3

57 comments:

Chèli said...

I've been waiting for this one for month/a year!

Love how Diane tests the cookies out on her kids!

Hopefully, being first will be lucky for me. I really want this book!

cyderryATyahooDOTcom
Chèli
Cheli's Shelves

Chèli said...

I thought the little family tree was cute. Author to author to author


cyderryATyahooDOTcom
Chèli
Cheli's Shelves

Chèli said...

I posted on my blog


cyderryATyahooDOTcom
Chèli
Cheli's Shelves

Chèli said...

I love to follow your blog - it's been great fun for more than a year!


cyderryATyahooDOTcom
Chèli
Cheli's Shelves

traveler said...

I would enjoy this book since it is unique and light reading. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I like her six word memoir. Smart. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

debbie said...

I have read all the books in this series. I am looking forward to this one. The recipes in it are good,too.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/72117957781766144


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I do subscribe to your blog, actually one of the first that I started following on a regular basis.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Linda Kish said...

It sounds interesting and I want to taste the cookies.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am an Email subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

It said something about she is really good at meeting people but then her page went down so I couldn't read any more.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Steve Capell said...

Your review has definitely wet my appetite. I would guess from your review that this book may be classified as a cozy mystery novel. I also like the fact that this author has dedicated much of her life to helping other people. Thanks for your great review.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Joan said...

I've read several of the other Goldy books but haven't read a few of the last ones. I was happy to read above that even if you haven't read them this one stands alone.
joosbornenc at yahoo dot com

Joan said...

I subscribe to your blog via email

Carol N Wong said...

Not only would I love to read here dessert of a book, I would like to meet her some day. Love the way that she had combined volunteer work with her family and writing.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

The Harper Collins site is down for right now so I went ahead and tweeted. My Twitter name is Carolee888.


http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2011/05/crunch-time-review-and-giveaway.html Giveaway of 'Crunch Time'

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Karen B said...

“A cross between Mary Higgins Clark and Betty Crocker." - that makes it a must read for me!

kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Karen B said...

+5 for FB fans - May bonus.

kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

lag123 said...

I love the Goldy books and especially love the recipes. Her escapades are fun to read.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Diane's page at the Harper Collins website is unavailable. I tried several times.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/72310688500035584

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I do subscribe via email.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a really good mystery. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

Karen B said...

If a movie were made of my life, I would be played by...
Janeane Garofalo.

Love that!

kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Sue Farrell said...

This sounds like another fun cozy mystery romp with Goldy Schultz. These books are always fun and I can hardly wait to read it.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I think it's interesting that the author has a basset hound----wahat a perfect dog for a mystery writer.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I am an email subscriber.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

mamabunny13 said...

It sounds like Diane has had a very full and rewarding life so far. What an awesome lady!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I went to Diane's Fun Stuff page and found out that she is ADHD...how in the world can she sit still long enough to write?! I told you she is an awesome lady. :)
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/72705296711163904
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I do subscribe to your blog via gfc
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

moonsword said...

The review is so positive and a bit provocative...how do those puppies fit in?? I'd love to know! Thanks for the giveaway! metaltech17[at]gmail[dot]com

moonsword said...

Diane would love to lunch with Sue Grafton and goodgolly I'd love to join them! Cheers! metaltech17[at]gmail[dot]com

bloggingmom said...

I love DMD and I have read all of her other Goldy books. I would love to read this one, too. garczynski (at) aol (dot) com

Carol N Wong said...

Hooray! The site is now up.
One of the author's favorite 6 word memoirs is "She worked, she failed, she worked".


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

holdenj said...

I've enjoyed all of Goldy's adventures and can't wait to read this one too! Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am an email subscriber.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Pamela Keener said...

OMG the beagles have a part in the plot. Sign me up. I love mysteries and puppies.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I am an e-mail subscriber to your blog.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

The Author Tracker feature is so good. It introduces you to new to you authors that you might want to try.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Becky said...

Another book in this series! Yahoo! I've enjoyed the Goldy the caterer series. Thanks for the author info!

~Enamored Soul~ said...

First of all, dear Ms. Haney, I have to thank you for your support, and for guiding me to this particular giveaway.

I would love to win/read this book because it sounds like a wonderful sleuthing novel - which I like very much. I'm afraid I have a bit of the Sherlock Holmes in me - he and I must somehow be related! lol :P I love mysteries, and this sounds like a good one! :)

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I found it interesting that even at this age, author Davidson dreams about having children. Not interesting because it is something to be balked at, but because it is sweet, and speaks volumes about the joys of motherhood! :) Also, her description of the perfect day, would be my EXACT description of a perfect day as well! :D

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I tweeted the giveaway:

http://twitter.com/#!/inluvwithbookz/status/74050179464036354

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a CONFIRMED EMAIL SUBSCRIBER, and also a GFC/Twitter/Facebook/Networked Blogs Follower.

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

Anonymous said...

I've never read any of this Authors books nor any on Goldy...I would like to start with this one if possible...thank you

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks

Anita Yancey said...

I really enjoyed your review. The fact that it is a murder mystery says it all for me. I love the characters that Diane uses in this story. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I find it interesting that Diane was 41 when her first book was accepted for publication. I like that her English teacher encouraged her to become a writer.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am an email subscriber.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Misusedinnocence said...

I love mysteries and this sounds great!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

rubynreba said...

Sounds like a good mystery along with food!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I like that her greatest achievement is having 3 sons.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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