Wordy Wednesday #2 - 2025 Crystal's Book Review of "Pralines and Creamed" by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo

 

Today, I'm thrilled to share my 5 star review for Elizabeth Maria Naranjo's second Sweet Dreams Mystery, Pralines and Creamed. 

 

About Pralines and Creamed: 

It’s the spooky season in Pinewood, Arizona, and when Genevieve Winterland isn’t creating killer new recipes for Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Parlour, she’s helping BFF Brandon Summers prepare for the party of the year. Brandon’s parents own Hidden Treasures Bookstore, where famed horror writer Jack Kelley is launching his latest novel on Halloween night.

Brandon’s dad isn’t thrilled that the arrogant Kelley, who was once sweet on Mrs. Summers, has chosen their store for his big event. Still, there’s no denying the author draws a huge crowd. Which makes it hard to narrow down a suspect list when Kelley drops dead onstage—the victim of a shocking murder straight out of his own book.

Fresh off Pinewood’s last cold case, Genevieve is happy to let the police handle this one. But when frosty Detective Christie zeroes in on Brandon’s dad as her prime suspect, Genevieve decides to take matters into her own hands. Can she get the scoop and solve the mystery haunting her hometown?

 

ASIN: B0D97GM9CJ

ISBN: B0DHHB3HWT
Publication date: October 1, 2024

Print Length: 234 pages

Genre: Young Adult Cozy Mystery 

Pralines and Creamed; A Sweet Dreams Mystery (Sweet Dreams Mysteries Book 2) is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon. Add it to your Goodreads list.

 
About the author, Elizabeth Maria Naranjo:

Elizabeth Maria Naranjo is the author of The Fourth Wall, The House on Linden Way, and What Was Never There. Her stories and essays have been widely published and nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best American Essays, and Best of the Net, and her short story, “Windows,” was selected for Best Microfiction 2023. She lives in Tempe, Arizona, with her husband and two children.

Visit her website: www.elizabethmarianaranjo.com

Twitter/X: @emarianaranjo

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/elizabethmarianaranjo

Here is my 5 star review for Pralines and Creamed:

I am absolutely thrilled to read anything and everything written by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo - she is incredibly talented. Pralines and Creamed is an absolute 5 star read I would recommend to young adults and those of us who are young at heart! This cozy YA mystery has the sweetest setting and she doesn't miss a single detail. I enjoyed every page turn and the characters feel like you've known them a lifetime. I've read the first and now the second book in this series, although I assure you Pralines and Creamed could easily be a stand-alone as well. Add Elizabeth Maria Naranjo to your list of authors to follow - you won't be disappointed! 

Today's review by - Crystal J. Casavant

Crystal Casavant writes. Everything. If you followe her blog you have likely laid eyes on every thought she has ever had. Her debut novel, It Was Never About Me, Wat It? is still a work in progress and shall be fully worthy sometime in 2025. She has written for WOW! Women on Writing, Bring on Lemons, and has been featured in several magazines and ezines relating to credit and collections as well as religious collections for confessional Lutherans. She runs a busy household full of intelligent, recalictrant, and delightful humans who give her breath and keep her heart beating day after day. 

Crystal wears many hats (and not just the one in this photo) and fully believes in being in the moment and doing everything she can to improve the lives of those around her! The world may never know her name, but she prays that because of her, someone may smile a little brighter. She prides herself on doing nice things - yes, even for strangers! 

May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine, and may you always remember the world is a better place with you in it!

xoxoxox

Crystal