Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Review and Giveaway: Billionaire Blend

Billionaire Blend (Coffeehouse Mystery - Book 13) by Cleo Coyle

Publication Date: 08/05/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 400
ISBN-10: 0425255514
ISBN-13: 978-0425255513

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Cleo Coyle on the WEB: websitetwitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series

Coffeehouse Mystery Series

  1. On What Grounds
  2. Through the Grinder
  3. Latte Trouble
  4. Murder Most Frothy
  5. Decaffeinated Corpse
  6. French Pressed
  7. Espresso Shot
  8. Holiday Grind
  9. Roast Mortem
10. Murder by Mocha
11. A Brew to a Kill
12. Holiday Buzz
13. Billionaire Blend

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.




Excerpt from, Billionaire Blend, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature

Synopsis:


Includes a wealth of delicious recipes. In this 13th entry of the Coffeehouse Mystery series, we return to the Village Blend, a charming coffeehouse in the heart of New York's picturesque Greenwich Village. When a car bomb goes off outside this landmark shop, single-mom and manager Clare Cosi comes to the aid of an anonymous customer, one who turns out to be billionaire tech whiz Eric Thorner. In gratitude for saving his life, Eric hires Clare to create the most expensive coffee blend on the planet. But as Clare is pulled deeper into Eric's world--a mesmerizing circle of cutting-edge luxuries and cutthroat rivalries--she begins to wonder: Is this charming young CEO marked for termination? Or is he the one making a killing? 

To solve this case, Clare will have to bribe a bomb squad lieutenant; conjure up a menu for a "billionaire's potluck"; fix her daughter's love life; stop a Slayer while working with one; and stay alive while doing it. Coffee: it can get a girl killed. Penguin hardcover release: December 3, 2013.

The New York Times bestselling author of Holiday Buzz serves readers a fresh new Coffeehouse Mystery. 

Thoughts:

There are a few go-to names when it comes to Cozy Mystery writers. Cleo Coyle is one of them. Coyle releases her 13th Coffeehouse mystery and takes readers on a journey through the upper echelon's of the coffee business, and into the cutthroat competitive world looking for the perfect blend. Billionaire Blend is just that, the perfect blend of interesting coffee facts, great recipes, engaging characters and hair-raising mystery. Coyle has a great way of putting it all together and taking the reader along for the ride. A great addition to this well loved series!

What I liked:

Oh, where to start! Cleo Coyle has long been one of my very favorites in the cozy genre. This husband and wife team work so seamlessly together, you would never know there are two authors from reading the books. When I started to think about all the things I liked about this book and this series, I could start clicking them off on my fingers and thought I'd give you a little list to start this one out:


  • The fantastic cover art
  • The absorbing coffee facts
  • The Greenwich Village setting
  • The coffeehouse atmosphere
  • The gripping mysteries
  • The compelling lead characters, Clare
I could go on and on! There are just so many things that endear me to this series. And Billionaire Blend is one my favorites of the series so far. This book gives the reader a behind the scenes look and the coffee business and a big business it is. I had no idea it was so competitive and I loved being an outsider looking in at what was happening. Coyle has a knack for making the reader feel like a fly on the wall, whether it is in the Village Blend coffeehouse or jet setting across the world looking for that elusive perfect mix.

Clare Cosi is one of the best cozy heroines out there. She's intelligent and observant. Readers find in her someone with knowledge about more than just coffee. 13 books into the series, I still feel like a learn something new about Clare in each book and something I didn't know beforehand about coffee or sleuthing. Coyle gives Clare this sense of kindness and duty to find out the answers and solve the mysteries in each book. This time she up to eyeballs in trying to figure out why genius Eric Thorner just about bought it in an explosion that killed his driver, injured him and nearly took out the coffeehouse. She is true to form figuring out the clues and keeps readers riveted to the plot.

The coffee culture has changed so much over the years and I love the feel I get when I go into a coffeehouse and feel that atmosphere. Clare's coffeehouse, The Village Blend is definitely a place I would love to hang out. The setting just comes alive and I find myself wishing I could grab a cup of joe and walk around Greenwich Village every time I read one of these books. It's obvious that Coyle knows the city, the village and the culture and it gives the series and this book an authenticity that is often missing in cozies.

What I didn't like:

Absolutely nothing!

Bottom Line:

Billionaire Blend has so much going on in it. From the mystery of who is trying to kill Eric, to Clare's relationship ship with Mike, to finding the perfect blend. I think Coyle did a fantastic job with pacing and just let the pieces fall together as they may. It wasn't a furious pace, but it kept me turning the pages long into the night. This is a favorite series of mine and I can't recommend it enough!

Billionaire Blend is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




About the Author:


CLEO COYLE grew up in a small town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After earning scholarships to study writing at Carnegie Mellon and American Universities, she began her career as a cub reporter for The New York Times. Now an author of popular fiction and New York Times bestselling media tie-in writer, Cleo lives and works in New York City, where she collaborates with her husband (also a bestselling author) to pen the Coffeehouse Mysteries for Penguin. Together Cleo and her husband also write the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries under the name Alice Kimberly. When not haunting coffeehouses, hunting ghosts, or rescuing stray cats, Cleo and Marc are bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for NBC, Lucasfilm, Disney, Fox, Imagine, and MGM. In their spare time they cook like crazy and drink a lot of java. You can learn more about Cleo, her husband, and the books they write by visiting www.CoffeehouseMystery.com. Scroll down the left column of the site's Home Page and you will see links to a number of online interviews that Cleo has given.


Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Billionaire Blend by Cleo Coyle.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, August 26th.

1. Please leave a comment about your favorite cup of coffee and where you like to drink it.

2. Please fill out the FORM.

46 comments:

FrangiePani said...

i like a good cup of sumatra coffee with cream and stevia. I enjoy my coffee in the early morning hours when no one is up yet :)
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com

traveler said...

Coffee first thing in the morning, mild with sweetener makes my day. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

CAPPUCINO IN A RESTAURANT.
Natalie's Mama

Linda Kish said...

I like vanilla flavored coffee in my room over my computer and GMA in the morning.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Salted caramel macchiato from Starbucks ! kathambre@yahoo.com

cyn209 said...

after a long day of shopping, I'm always in need of a cold chocolate coffee!!!!!

thank you for the giveaway!!

cyn209 at juno dot com

Angela - Bookaunt said...

I am not a coffee drinker more of a tea drinker and I drink it all day everyday.

holdenj said...

Have to have a nice mug of black coffee in the morning, reading the day's news at the computer.

skkorman said...

I like a good French roast in the morning with a bit of hazelnut creamer, and I have it on my back patio looking out on a waterway—always a lovely start to the day!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Alicia said...

Usually the best coffee is had during vacation as we have time to enjoy it. The best on a daily basis is the one that my husband has waiting for me when I get out of the shower. :)

justpeachy36 said...

Starbucks has a number of favorites of mine and we have a local coffee shop called The Fuzzy Duck that is awesome. I like to try new flavors and things. But at home it's decaf with a bit of flavored creamer on a normal day. 1 cup a day usually does me!

Charlotte said...

First I start off by ordering coffee from Arbor Day Specialty Coffee. We have a Keurig coffee maker which my husband makes my coffee each morning and warms my half and half. I really like for my coffee hot. When we were in London years ago they always gave us warm cream with coffee or tea. From then on I just want warm cream. I enjoy my coffee when It is quite in the morning. I love coffee mugs so I am always using a new one that adds to the enjoyment of my coffee time.
CABWNANA1@bellsouth.net

Kimberly Wyatt said...

I'm not really a fan of coffee but I do enjoy the coffee smoothie from Crystal Bridges.

Rita Wray said...

Cappucino at Starbucks.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

Karen B said...

Don't laugh - I'm a morning drinker of Folger's Instant, going on 40+years.

Sue Farrell said...

I don't live near any coffee shops so my favorite cup of coffee if the first one of the day ----strong, with a touch of vanilla cream.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

My Recent Favorite Books said...

I love French vanilla Coffee in the morning, sitting on my couch, watching my favorite morning shows!

Brooke Showalter said...

I love frappes! Mocha Cookie Crumble at Starbucks is a great one. My daughter and I also like to get one of the 'secret' menu recipe frappes and enjoy it outside together while reading.

Anonymous said...

I just have to have my morning coffee before I can make sense. Once I fill up with hot light roast and my oatmeal....watch out I can get my exercises done with gusto!

kiki w said...

I love flavor creamer with my coffee, vanilla, or hazelnut . I like to drink coffee and read a good book.

Wezzie125 said...

My favorite coffee is Hawaiian Kona and I love drinking it while read a Village Coffeehouse Mystery on the deck of my cousin's summer cottage!

Christine A. said...

My favorite cup of coffee is any brand, with 1 tsp of sugar and milk. I like to drink it on the couch looking out he window, watching the birds.

Unknown said...

Hi Debbie,

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Anonymous said...

I DRINK COFFEE ON MY PORCH. SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

Grammie said...

I drink coffee all day but the best is the first cup of the day (whatever kind of coffee I have at the time), sitting at my kitchen table with the newspaper and the puzzles.

Unknown said...

Just a simple latte with soy milk. I love to either drink it at a cozy coffee shop or to take the to-go cup to a park bench and relax with a book

justpeachy36 said...

Stella,

your site looks very interesting, but due to health issues, I have about all I can take on right now. Thank-You for the opportunity though and I will pass on the information to other book reviewers If you would like.

Anonymous said...

I love a cup of pumpkin latte at Starbucks in the fall. Lisa

bn100 said...

not a big coffee fan

Unknown said...

i do like specialty coffees, my favorite is a caramel vanilla latte. i get one before church every Sunday.

Anita Yancey said...

My favorite coffee is french vanilla, and I like to drink it in my living room while reading books or watching TV. Thanks for having the giveaway.

ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

patoct@yahoo.com
I like a cappucino or latte in a restaurant with whipped cream.

Carol M said...

I like regular coffee with cream. I don't care for the flavored varieties. I drink it all day long!

Anonymous said...

My favorite coffee is the first cup in the morning.

nlb1050@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Love mild coffee with vanilla creamer first thing in the morning.

kec200 said...

I love caramel frappacinos anywhere I can get them!

Sandy said...

My favorite is cappuccino with chocolate and orange syrups. I enjoy it on my swing. Thanks! Sandy

Jeanette Green said...

The only coffee I really like is the ones at our local mapco. I have to drive across town but its sugary and sweet and full of everything that doesn't taste like coffee. lol I can't remember the name.

Kim Yates said...

A cup of Kona with sweet cream while reading in my recliner and I'm a Happy Girl!! Or driving with a mocha with nutmeg...YUM!!

Anonymous said...

I like a mocha in a cup at SoHo Cafe and Gallery -- preferably with a book group!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy my cup of Black Silk usually while I'm sitting at the computer, early in the morning, watching the birds eat the seed I put out, and enjoying the solitude before anyone wakes up. PR

Unknown said...

I love a cup of Dallmayr Prodomo in the morning. I read about this on Cleo's newsletter, tried it, and love it.

Anonymous said...

I like coffee, anywhere.

Anonymous said...

I love a mocha with a shot of vanilla from the local coffee shack and I enjoy it while sitting on my swing out on the side deck with a great book to read while sipping.

Unknown said...

In the morning I like my coffee with bailey's Irish cream creamer

Melissa N. said...

My favorite comfort-in-a-cup is a blend of quality espresso & hazelnut, brewed with a cinnamon stick, add a generous dollop of sweet cream, & sipped at my cousin/BFF's kitchen table in our jammies with messy hair. *Sigh*