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sjholmes's review
4.0
This is the third of the “Bean to Bar” series where young widow Felicity Koerber finds herself once again involved in an amateur investigation of a murder. This time, Felicity leaves her Galveston home for a cruise in which she is spotlighted for her chocolate-making skills and business. She has mixed feelings about being on a boat, as her late husband died in an accident involving a boat. But she is travelling with her best friend, Autumn, who is newly engaged in a whirlwind romance, making Felicity concerned that she’s moving too fast. But with Autumn’s fiancé and his mother able to join the cruise, she has an opportunity to get to better know him.
Too quickly she learns that she was not told that this was a special themed cruise for a role-playing mystery group. And on the first night, she finds the body of one of the cruise’s mystery authors and her former nemesis/friend Ash is the prime suspect. This book, in comparison to the others, seems perhaps more lightweight. The progression of Felicity’s potential romance is much more introspective, though she has one kiss with her old boyfriend, Arlo, whom she had seen as off-limits before his own engagement was broken off in the previous book. This advance fully develops the triangle between Felicity and her other romantic prospect and now business partner, Logan. While the romantic storyline moves slowly in this installment and seems to be setting up the next story for a stronger romantic storyline. However, Royer’s strong point remains chocolate. Her description of the various flavors possible are luscious, and her technical expertise fascinating. As indicated in the title, the reader will come to fully understand the process of tempering chocolate—and perhaps its potential significance in solving murder. If nothing else, this book provides even more satisfaction every time you hear and feel that “snap” of tempered chocolate after reading this worthwhile book.
Too quickly she learns that she was not told that this was a special themed cruise for a role-playing mystery group. And on the first night, she finds the body of one of the cruise’s mystery authors and her former nemesis/friend Ash is the prime suspect. This book, in comparison to the others, seems perhaps more lightweight. The progression of Felicity’s potential romance is much more introspective, though she has one kiss with her old boyfriend, Arlo, whom she had seen as off-limits before his own engagement was broken off in the previous book. This advance fully develops the triangle between Felicity and her other romantic prospect and now business partner, Logan. While the romantic storyline moves slowly in this installment and seems to be setting up the next story for a stronger romantic storyline. However, Royer’s strong point remains chocolate. Her description of the various flavors possible are luscious, and her technical expertise fascinating. As indicated in the title, the reader will come to fully understand the process of tempering chocolate—and perhaps its potential significance in solving murder. If nothing else, this book provides even more satisfaction every time you hear and feel that “snap” of tempered chocolate after reading this worthwhile book.
hugbandit7's review
5.0
How can anyone not enjoy a mystery that involves chocolate? Ok, it would be better if I could have it while reading the book...oh marketing idea, each book comes with a bar of chocolate! But I digress. This series is fascinating and I love the discussion about how cacao beans are processed (in previous books) and how we get the chocolate we see in the market today. There is such a history to chocolate and if you ever get a chance to hear the author speak, please do because there is so much information to be learned.
Felicity is off to work on a cruise and talk about how chocolate is made. And it wouldn't be a mystery without someone ending up dead, and in this case, a character that isn't well-liked and has something of a shady past according to his ex-wife, girlfriend, and other characters. There are so many red herring clues that you have to put on your thinking cap to figure out who and why. I figured out the who close to when it was revealed and could guess the why once I fixated on this character. There are clues now that I look back that might point you in the right direction, but maybe not. Read the book to see how well you can spot the clues.
I loved the idea of the mystery cruise setting. This sounds like something I would enjoy and might even sign up to do as long as no one really ends up dead. That coupled with a chocolate demonstration and authors sound like my fantasy trip! I will be curious to see if this cruise line makes it into future books with a mystery tied to it. There are so many possibilities and we did see a glimpse of a cruise ship in other books, so I wouldn't rule it out as an option.
There is a bit of a love triangle for Felicity. There is her high school sweetheart, Arlo, that is now available after a breakup in the 2nd book. There is also Logan who is her partner in the chocolate shop. Both would be good choices and it will be hard for her to make a decision quickly. But who says she has to decide now? She still mourns her husband but that is decreasing as time goes by.
I enjoyed watching the characters continue to grow and we learn more about them as this series continues. Autumn reveals some truths which surprise a lot of people, but I can see why it was kept under wraps. We don't see as much of Carmen in this book since she is holding down the fort, but I look forward to some of her new baked goods in future installments.
Seriously, a great series and we give it 5 paws up.
Felicity is off to work on a cruise and talk about how chocolate is made. And it wouldn't be a mystery without someone ending up dead, and in this case, a character that isn't well-liked and has something of a shady past according to his ex-wife, girlfriend, and other characters. There are so many red herring clues that you have to put on your thinking cap to figure out who and why. I figured out the who close to when it was revealed and could guess the why once I fixated on this character. There are clues now that I look back that might point you in the right direction, but maybe not. Read the book to see how well you can spot the clues.
I loved the idea of the mystery cruise setting. This sounds like something I would enjoy and might even sign up to do as long as no one really ends up dead. That coupled with a chocolate demonstration and authors sound like my fantasy trip! I will be curious to see if this cruise line makes it into future books with a mystery tied to it. There are so many possibilities and we did see a glimpse of a cruise ship in other books, so I wouldn't rule it out as an option.
There is a bit of a love triangle for Felicity. There is her high school sweetheart, Arlo, that is now available after a breakup in the 2nd book. There is also Logan who is her partner in the chocolate shop. Both would be good choices and it will be hard for her to make a decision quickly. But who says she has to decide now? She still mourns her husband but that is decreasing as time goes by.
I enjoyed watching the characters continue to grow and we learn more about them as this series continues. Autumn reveals some truths which surprise a lot of people, but I can see why it was kept under wraps. We don't see as much of Carmen in this book since she is holding down the fort, but I look forward to some of her new baked goods in future installments.
Seriously, a great series and we give it 5 paws up.
bookwormbunny's review
5.0
Out of Temper by Amber Royar is the first book that I have read by this author, and is the third book in her Bean to Bar mystery series.
Out of Temper starts with the main character Felicity getting ready to head out on a three-day cruise. She's looking forward to showcasing her chocolates and the process of making them, but what she's not ready for is the actual theme of the cruise and the unknowns that await her onboard.
Out of Temper is an interesting story and I love that the author keeps the true killer steeped in mystery. Felicity finds herself surrounded by familiar faces on this cruise, but things quickly start going off the rails when one person attacks another for a blog post he made years before. Now, the attacker, Flint, is dead, and the question arises...who did it and why? But the mystery doesn't stop there. People on the cruise are returning Felicity's chocolates! Why?! What's going on?
This book flows really well and is enjoyable from beginning to end. I love the relationships (overall) between the characters. While this book is the third in the series I was able to get into it easily. The only thing I'm really missing out on is the relationship development between the characters. I will admit though that I'm not that keen on Logan. For me, he's too uptight and I don't like it. He won't dress up, he won't relax, he really won't put in the effort to really participate in certain things. Meanwhile, Arlo is the complete opposite. He's more expressive, more engaging, willing to relax a bit, and puts in that effort to participate. It really made me like him more.
I will say that I'm a bit disappointed that when the returns start concerning the chocolate that Felicity doesn't immediately stop to find out what the problem is. It takes multiple people complaining for her to finally do so. I feel that if it was my business I'd investigate immediately because your business's image and reputation is on the line.
I enjoyed reading this book and as a baker it really pulled at me to want my desserts to be more overall. Chocolate making has piqued my interest in the past, and this book/series further pulls me in that direction of checking it out. If you love a good cozy mystery with hints of romance, and a deep mystery surrounding the killer then this is the book to check out. I'm rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I can't wait to read the previous books and future books in this series.
Out of Temper starts with the main character Felicity getting ready to head out on a three-day cruise. She's looking forward to showcasing her chocolates and the process of making them, but what she's not ready for is the actual theme of the cruise and the unknowns that await her onboard.
Out of Temper is an interesting story and I love that the author keeps the true killer steeped in mystery. Felicity finds herself surrounded by familiar faces on this cruise, but things quickly start going off the rails when one person attacks another for a blog post he made years before. Now, the attacker, Flint, is dead, and the question arises...who did it and why? But the mystery doesn't stop there. People on the cruise are returning Felicity's chocolates! Why?! What's going on?
This book flows really well and is enjoyable from beginning to end. I love the relationships (overall) between the characters. While this book is the third in the series I was able to get into it easily. The only thing I'm really missing out on is the relationship development between the characters. I will admit though that I'm not that keen on Logan. For me, he's too uptight and I don't like it. He won't dress up, he won't relax, he really won't put in the effort to really participate in certain things. Meanwhile, Arlo is the complete opposite. He's more expressive, more engaging, willing to relax a bit, and puts in that effort to participate. It really made me like him more.
I will say that I'm a bit disappointed that when the returns start concerning the chocolate that Felicity doesn't immediately stop to find out what the problem is. It takes multiple people complaining for her to finally do so. I feel that if it was my business I'd investigate immediately because your business's image and reputation is on the line.
I enjoyed reading this book and as a baker it really pulled at me to want my desserts to be more overall. Chocolate making has piqued my interest in the past, and this book/series further pulls me in that direction of checking it out. If you love a good cozy mystery with hints of romance, and a deep mystery surrounding the killer then this is the book to check out. I'm rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I can't wait to read the previous books and future books in this series.
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