A slice of intrigue. . .
Mother’s Day is a sweet and busy time at the candy shop Bailey King runs with her Amish grandmother. This year is extra special, because Bailey’s parents are visiting Harvest, Ohio. Bailey’s father has rarely returned since leaving the Amish faith over thirty years ago, but Bailey is confident that the right treats can help sugarcoat any awkwardness. For Mother’s Day … Mother’s Day Tea at the local church, she’s whipping up her mom’s favorite: butterscotch fudge. All’s going well, until a sticky-fingered thief makes off with the money raised for a local women’s support group.
While Bailey tries to discover who stuck their fingers in the cookie jar, she encounters an assortment of suspects. It doesn’t help that Juliet, mother of Deputy Aiden Brody, is conspiring with Bailey’s mom to plan Aiden and Bailey’s wedding…though they’re not even engaged! Can Bailey find the culprit before events—both criminal and personal—boil over into disaster?
Recipe Included!
Praise for Amanda Flower and her Amish cozies
“As it turns out, Amanda Flower may have just written the first Amish rom com.”
—USA Today
“Flower has hit it out of the ballpark . . . and continues to amaze with her knowledge of the Amish way of life.”
—RT Book Reviews
“At turns playful and engaging . . . a satisfyingly complex cozy.”
—Library Journal
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Need to feed your cozy craving. A brief visit to Harvest is the perfect way to do just that. Especially when there is Butterscotch Fudge involved.
A rare visit from Bailey’s parents happens just in time for Mother’s Day and a Mother’s Day tea fundraiser at a local church. Aiden’s mother Juliet has her own plan for the weekend . . . Aiden and Bailey’s wedding. Remember they are not even engaged yet, but Juliet is like a steamroller when she sets her mind on something and she is sure Bailey’s mom will agree it is time the couple takes the big step.
When the money raised at the Mother’s Day tea goes missing, the leader of the local women’s support group, Polly Anne Lind is frantic, without that money she may have to close. Bailey offers to help the young police officer with the case even though her parents beg her to leave the crime to the proper authorities. Not going to happen, she already has suspects she wants to talk to.
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This is a clever and entertaining story that allows readers a short visit with our favorite Amish Candy Shop characters. Having Bailey’s parents visit was an extra treat. Silas King has rarely visited since he left the Amish life behind. It is also the first time they are meeting Deputy Aiden Brody, his mother, and her pet pig, Jethro. The meeting is PRICELESS!
Amanda Flower is such a talented writer, long story, or short, she absolutely excels. Well developed characters, intriguing mysteries, and delicious treats to tempt our taste buds. Botched Butterscotch is charming little cozy that will hold readers over until Marshmallow Malice hits store shelves May 26, 2020.
A Perfect Mini-Escape!
A sweet read for a lazy afternoon.
I enjoyed this novella in the Amish Candy Shop series as a way to get to know more about Bailey’s parents. We get little tidbits in the other books but not much more. They are likable but I am glad they are not full-time regulars.
Jethro is the star of the show as always.
You can read this without having read the other books. Just know that if you do you will learn the endings of previous books when they are mentioned. It is a great way to test out the series if you are unsure of reading it or not.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
In this lovely short read Bailey’s parents have come to town for the Mothers Day weekend. They rarely visit so it’s exciting that they are going to be in town, Bailey can’t wait to spend time with them. The candy shop has agreed to donate sweets for an upcoming Mothers Day Tea, the tea will be donating its proceeds to a local woman’s support group that helps drug addicted women. Bailey has bought tickets to the tea for the ladies of her family and looks forward to spending a special day with them. The tea is going well, the food is delicious, the company lovely, and the setting just right. At the end of the tea it comes to light that someone has stolen all the money that has been raised.that day. Who would steal from women in need and why? Bailey makes it her mission to find out, you see if the support group doesn’t find the money it will have to close its doors. Follow along as Bailey follows clues in hopes of finding a thief and making things right for a group of women who truly need the money.
Botched Butterscotch by Amanda Flower has Bailey King expecting her parents for Mother’s Day weekend. Bailey has been busy preparing treats for the Mother’s Day Tea at the church that is supporting Abigail’s Farm, a place for women to recover from addiction. While everyone is enjoying the tea and butterscotch bars, a sticky-fingered thief makes off with the contents of the donation box (over $10,000). Detective Little is going solo and Bailey promises to help him nab the crook and recover the cash. Botched Butterscotch is An Amish Candy Shop Mystery Novella (No. 4.5). It can be read on its own (but why would you want to miss any of the books in this entertaining cozy mystery series). I sat down and quickly devoured this humorous story. I love the cast of characters that Amanda Flower has created for this series from Bailey King to Jethro, the polka-dotted pig. The descriptions of the sweet treats from Swissmen’s Sweets will have you craving something yummy (recipe at the end of book). There are delightful laugh-out-loud moments especially with Juliet Brody and her pet pig, Jethro. Juliet is determined her son, Aidan will wed Bailey very soon (they are dating, but no imminent proposal). The setting of Harvest, Ohio is bucolic. I like that it is a combination Amish and English area. The mystery suits the story and I enjoyed following Bailey as she solved the crime while giving Deputy Little credit. Botched Butterscotch is an amusing tale that will tide me over until Marshmallow Malice comes out. Botched Butterscotch is a delightful cozy mystery with precocious pigs, batches of butterscotch bars, a matchmaking mama, purloined philanthropy, and Mother’s Day mayhem.
A breath of fresh air for a cosy series in that no murders occur in Harvest this time around. Yay! Bailey is nervous because her parents are visiting her for Mother’s Day weekend. There is a tea luncheon being held to benefit Abagail’s Farm, a shelter in Holmes County that assists women in getting back on their feet after hardships in their lives. While at the fundraiser they discover that the donated money is gone. So Bailey tries to assist in solving the crime while trying to keep her mother and Juliet apart as much as possible, all the better to keep them from planning every detail of Bailey and Aiden’s non-existent wedding, as they aren’t even engaged.
It was nice to have a case where no one is killed this time around. It was good to pop in to Harvest for a quick visit. I did guess the culprit but I believe that is due to my reading a lot of cozy mysteries and so am genre savvy, coupled with being a somewhat more analytical reader now than I had been when I was younger. I still enjoy those types of reads, however, because I like to see how the author gets the hero/heroine to reach the same conclusion I did. All in all, a very enjoyable short read.
If you are a fan of the series and are looking for a quick, fun read to hold you over until the next full-length book in this series then you’ll want to pick this one up to read. It’s Mother’s Day in Harvest Ohio and the reader’s finally get introduced to Bailey’s parents. Given that this is a novella it is short in length and therefore not the in-depth mystery that we are used to getting. That said, it is always fun to stop in Harvest and catch up with Bailey, Maami, Charlotte and the rest of the cast. It’s also fun to see how Juliet is going to arrange Aiden and Bailey’s wedding even before they are officially engaged. The mystery is not overly complex, give the short nature of the book, but the author does a good job of giving us a few suspects to choose from that have plausible motives and then sets Bailey off to solve the crime.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
Book 4.5 of Amanda Flowers Amish Candy Shop Mysteries. This is an eShort cozy mystery that takes place on Mother’s day weekend. I thought this was a fitting time to read this mystery since Mother’s Day is just two weeks away. I enjoy reading Amanda’s cozy mysteries and enjoy the humor she adds to the story. I liked that no one had to die in this eShort. When a large amount of cash is stolen from a collection box that was intended to be donated to a local charity Bailey King helps Deputy Little solve his first case. Who could have emptied the cash box in a room full of people and left without anyone noticing what was happening?
I recommend this eShort to readers of Cozy Mysteries and fans of Amanda Flower. If you have been reading the Amish Candy Mystery series , Botched Butterscotch is between Toxic Toffee and Marshmallow Malice.
I borrowed a copy from the digital library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a fun novella in the Amish Sweet Shop mystery series. I have read every one of the stories thus far, and I have to say this is on par with the rest. Bailey King is living in a small Amish town called Harvest. She helps her Amish grandmother run the Swissmen Sweet Shop. Bailey did not grow up Amish.
When a Mother’s Day tea for a local charity is interrupted by the theft of the charity’s proceeds, Bailey steps in to help police investigate. This story has all the characters we know and love, including Jethro the pig and his owner Juliet and her son Aiden Brody. It also introduces us to Bailey’s parents.
I thought the story was fun and a quick read. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the Amish Sweet Shop series, although I think this would be fine as a stand-alone story, as well.
My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this story in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story was entertaining though predictable but the biggest problems I have had with all her books are the lack of proofreading. Many grammatical errors, typos, so many that I have stopped reading her books.
Fun short read! I really enjoyed seeing Bailey’s parents come to Harvest. The women are attending the town’s Mother’s Day tea, a fundraiser to raise money for a farm that takes in recovering addicts. The money is stolen and Bailey and Deputy Little try to figure out the culprit. Juliet is also trying to plan Aiden and Bailey’s wedding with Bailey’s mom, despite the fact that they aren’t even engaged yet. Highly recommend this series!
Out now, a new short and easy to read novella, Botched Butterscotch from author Amanda Flower in her “An Amish Candy Shop” mystery series published by Kensington Books (Lyrical Underground) will give readers a severe craving for all things Amish and sweet.
Bailey and her family have become some of my favorite characters in a cozy series. They are down to earth, yet filled with ideas. They are playful, happy, and compassionate. Reading just one book in this series will have a reader hooked.
This time, Bailey isn’t solving a murder or getting herself into too much danger. A theft has occurred, and it’s up to her to help find the culprit and get the money back before a local woman’s recovery center goes under. The theft is one thing, but Bailey’s parents are visiting, something she thought would never happen, and her mother has unfortunately sided with Juliet to get Bailey and Aiden hitched. It takes some poking around, but Bailey figures out who the criminal is, and as it turns out, they aren’t a bad person. This is a cozy worth the read and characters worth knowing.
If you haven’t read any books in this series, now is a great time to start! Bailey and company will keep cozy readers happy, hungry, and filled with a sense of hope. The always present recipes will make us all candy makers or at least candy eaters. The town and characters will have readers wanting to learn more about the Amish and small-town life. I am happy to recommend Botched Butterscotch to old, and new fans alike.
This is book 4.5 in the series but only my 2nd. Although this is a new series to me and I have not read the first books in the series, I am enjoying the books. The characters are interesting and relatable. The mystery is well-plotted with several twists and turns to keep you guessing. I definitely will be reading more in this series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
It’s Mother’s Day weekend and Bailey King has a busy few days ahead of her. Bailey’s parents are visiting from New England. Her father, Silas, left the Amish community of Harvest and Holmes County when he was a young man and the only time he’s ever returned was for the funeral of his father, Bailey’s grandfather, Jerimiah King. Bailey’s mother, Susan, is also a Holmes County native and she has stayed away from her birthplace as well. But this weekend, they have left New England to spend time with Bailey.
Soon after their arrival, Bailey’s parents meet Juliet Brody (and Jethro the pig) and Juliet wastes no time bringing up a marriage between Aiden Brody, Juliet’s son and Bailey’s boyfriend, and Bailey. Silas and Susan aren’t opposed to the idea, but Bailey and Aiden aren’t even engaged, and Bailey will be pressed for time trying to keep her parents separated from Juliet and her wedding-to-be plans.
Out of town visitors aren’t the only things taking up Bailey’s time. Margot Rawlins has planned a Mother’s Day tea as a fundraiser for Abigail’s Farm, a place for women battling drug addiction to get a start on a new life. Swissmen’s Sweets, the candy shop started by Bailey’s Amish late grandfather and now co-owned by Bailey and her Amish grandmother Clara King, have donated several types of sweet treats for the event.
On her way into the church to set up for the tea, Bailey’s wagonful of desserts is nearly knocked over by a large man and Bailey is too busy trying to keep her wagon upright to identify him. While Bailey is setting up for the event in the church, she hears an argument between Polly Anne Lind, the owner of Abigail’s Farm, and someone Bailey hears but can’t see. During the tea, Bailey also spots an Amish woman she doesn’t know. Before Bailey can get her grandmother to identify the mystery woman, she’s gone, as is the ten thousand dollars raised at the tea.
The list of suspects for the theft is fairly long and grows longer when Bailey discovers disgruntled neighbors of Abigail’s Farm. These neighbors are unhappy with the fact that these women live next door and would like nothing better than to see them gone. Without the money, Abigail’s Farm will be forced to close. But without any evidence and fearing the cash donations may already be spent, will Bailey be able to find the thief and save the farm?
When Bailey is asked to bring desserts to a fundraiser/ Mothers Day tea, she has no idea the party will end with the donation money disappearing. Can Bailey help the local deputy find the missing money and bring the thief to justice?
A fun, quick novella in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. I enjoyed it very much.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.
Botched Butterscotch by Amanda Flower is a novella which takes place in the middle of the Amish Candy Shop series, after Bailey and Charlotte have returned from New York and filming the first of their Amish cooing series. As always, Flower insinuates charming and eccentric characters into her story. It is Mother’s Day and Bailey’s parents are here to visit. It had been many years since Bailey’s father had left the Amish to marry her mother, leaving Bailey’s only Amish connection her grandparents. Now her grandfather had passed away and Bailey was here helping her grandmother run Swissmen Sweets. All of a sudden, the shop is full: Her grandmother and cousin, her parents, Juliet and her pet pig, Jethro, and of course, Aiden, her Deputy Sheriff boyfriend. Will her mother embarrass her? Undoubtedly.
This is a sweet series, in more ways than one. Bailey has a sweet romance going on with Aiden. Juliet is his mother and always hopes for more but she is busy with her wedding to Reverend Book drawing near. Her mother has no such qualms. But maybe Bailey can keep her too busy to cause trouble. There is the Mother’s Day tea, a fundraiser for Abigail’s Farm, a non-profit outside of town, which acts as transitional housing for female drug abusers who are not quite ready for real life. Polly Anne runs the place and firmly believes that working with plants and animals helps these women. So far 49 of 50 of her past residents has proven her right. All is going well until the end of the event when the donation box is checked and it is empty! Of course, Bailey can’t help but get involved. It was a sweet read. Good story, fabulous characters. I recommend it and all of Amanda Flower’s books.
I received a free ARC of Botched Butterscotch from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #botchedbutterscotch
This was an entertaining cozy mystery novella. Located in an Amish community, not all of the characters are part of the Amish fellowship. The interactions are interesting and will have you rolling your eyes, laughing, and thinking that you know someone just like some of the characters!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is the first book I’ve read in the series, but I would enjoy joining Bailey for more adventures.
A short story to remind us of all the characters we love in the Amish community of Harvest. Bailey’s parents make a Mother’s Day visit and Bailey thinks her biggest concern is her Mom and Aiden’s mom plotting to plan a wedding for the couple who are not even engaged. However an occurrence at a fund raising tea ends up being Bailey’s biggest concern.
This quick look into An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series (book 4.5) is a good way to get everyone excited for book 5, Marshmallow Malice, which will be out soon. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
BOTCHED BUTTERSCOTCH is a fun little story to tide Amish Candy Shop Mystery fans over until the publication of the next full length book. This time around, Bailey’s helping with a Mother’s Day Tea fundraiser for Abigail’s Farm, a local half-way house retreat. In addition, readers get the opportunity to meet Bailey’s parents as they come to town for the weekend. The Tea is a wonderful success until it comes to an abrupt end when the money raised is stolen. Everyone, even Deputy Little, asks for Bailey’s assistance to solve the case.
Since this is a novella there is not much time for character development, and the thief is pretty easy to pinpoint. That said it is entertaining and diverting to solve a mystery alongside Bailey that does not involve murder or danger. It is great to spend time with Bailey and her friends and family no matter how brief, and, of course, Jethro the pig makes an appearance. Recommended for fans of the Amish Candy Shop series.
I received an ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my opinions here.
Big Time Crime Comes to Small Amish Community
I love Amanda Flowers’ Amish Mysteries. They center around a young chocolatier who is working in Amish Grandmother’s candy shop. This story is about a Mother’s Day Tea to benefit a local charity. Bailey’s parents come for the weekend and everything breaks loose! While all of these stories follow a timeline and contain the same characters, the books can stand alone easily. This is a shorter novella which makes it fun and easy book to enjoy. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
Botched Butterscotch(a novella) is book 4.5 in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.
Mother’s Day is almost here and Bailey finds herself quite busy. She has been busy preparing treats for a Mother’s Day Tea, to be held at the church across the green from Swissmen Sweets. Bailey’s parents are making a rare visit to Harvest, too. Bailey’s father, Silas, left the Amish faith some thirty years ago.
The Mother’s Day Tea is being held to raise funds for Abigail’s Farm, a half-way house for women recovering from addiction issues. The tea is proving to be a big success and the time has come for Polly Anne to speak on what the farm is about and to thank everyone for coming and their donations. Once Polly Anne was done with her talk and presentation of the money was going to be made it is found that the box containing the money is empty. Someone has stolen about $10,000.
Bailey is surprised when Deputy Little arrives to investigate the theft. She was hoping that Deputy Sheriff Aiden Brody, her boyfriend, would be arriving. Deputy Little is new to the department and Bailey is concerned that he may not be experienced enough to handle the investigation. Bailey has helped with several cases and plans to give Little some guidance and do a little sleuthing on her own.
A wonderful addition to his delectable series.
A delicious-sounding recipe is also included in the book.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series, Marshmallow Malice which due out on May 26th.