Wedding Cake Murder

I loved this one. It had all the great dynamics that you always get and so much more. I loved all the additional details that we get to see. I loved the planning that went into the competition. The wealth of new characters was wonderful to see. Watching Hannah have to adjust to being in a relationship is very interesting. I was mentally screaming at Hannah at the end. Such a thrilling story.

I've been a fan of the Hannah Swensen’s books from the very beginning. While I did miss reading the last 2 books, I was able to easily pick up the series and keep up with no problems. I do plan on going back to read the books I missed, as I really love the characters in this series. I really enjoyed Wedding Cake Murder. I got to spend time with all my favorite characters while getting to see Hannah prepare to get married and compete in a dessert chef contest. Of course, no Hannah Swensen novel is complete until we have at least one murder and the Swensen sisters work together to solve the crime. Hannah has always been my favorite character from this series, but I love her sisters Andrea and Michelle as well. I love how each sister's mind works a little bit differently, but they can work so well together to solve murders. I also love that the police always know that Hannah and her friends and family are on the case just like them and actually look to Hannah for help with the investigations. Since I had missed the last 2 books, I was a little surprised to see Hannah was getting married to someone other than Mike or Norman. I'm still not really sure how I feel about Ross other than to say I don't think we know enough about him at this time. Maybe because I like Mike and Norman so much, flaws and all, I wasn't ready for another man to be in Hannah's life, but I still think there is something we are missing about Ross. I’ll really be watching him in the next book to see if anything is revealed. I'm still a fan of the Hannah Swensen books and absolutely love all the recipes that are included in each book. I do wish all the recipes were listed in one section at the back of the book rather than at the end of the chapters, but I can always skip ahead pretty easily while reading. With Wedding Cake Murder many changes happened that could effect upcoming books and I look forward to seeing where the author takes her fans. Review copy provided by publisher

Joanne Fluke mesmerizes me each time I read Hannah's series. The protagonist, Hannah Swenson owns the COOKIE JAR BAKERY. She is modest about her talents so it comes as a shock when the Food Channel invites her to be part of a baking challenge that one of her relatives signed her up for. In the midst of planning Hannah's wedding with her funny and quirky family the competition comes at an awkward time in Hannah's life. If we know anything about Joanne Fluke and her books, there is no scrimping on delicious recipes included in the book. She also includes tips on how "Hannah" bakes but in real life we know it's Joanne's methods. If you are coming into this series for the first time, I recommend going to book 1 and 2 to understand the family network and relationships. All the personalities that conflict and jive with Hannah's life. How their support even when solving a murder is invaluable. Joanne's focus and accord for plotting, storytelling and bringing the reader closer into the Author's reality makes me all that more supportive of her work. And I appreciate how I actually picture Lake Eden and the places Hannah goes. Whether it is my brain creating images from small towns I've watched in movies and on TV or the author's ability to clearly depict the place she is talking about --- I don't know. But it gives me pleasure for sure! Also visit Hallmark Movies & Mysteries network and you'll find two movies. Hallmark has made five Murder She Baked movies, and fans would really love to see more. You can learn all about the movies on Hallmark’s page.