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Connie Shelton

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Bitter Sweet: A Sweet’s Sweets Bakery Mystery (Samantha Sweet Mysteries Book 5) Kindle Edition

by Connie Shelton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

782

Book 5 of 17: Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mysteries

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Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries:
“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.”—Albuquerque Journal

In this fifth installment in the Samantha Sweet mystery series, it’s the height of the wedding season at Sweet’s Sweets and Sam has all she can do to stay ahead of the rush of bakery orders. Plus, her side job—breaking into houses—isn’t allowing much summer time off either. Not to mention that her mother is pressuring Sam and Beau to set their wedding date.

When Sam encounters two older women who then die suddenly, it appears that there may be a serial killer on the loose. Sam and Beau are shocked to consider that Beau’s own mother may have been an earlier victim of someone who operates by preying on the women’s trusting natures. As they begin to investigate, a number of suspects emerge and it looks like someone is out to keep Sam quiet.

“Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review

“Connie Shelton has another winner!” –The Book Report

Book 5 of 17

Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mysteries
Print length

280 pages
Language

English
Sticky notes

On Kindle Scribe
Publication date

September 4, 2012
File size

825 KB
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From the Publisher

Connie Shelton, mystery author

The Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mystery Series

Samantha Sweet breaks into houses for a living. What could possibly go wrong with that? In one of those homes, Sam encounters a dying woman who insists upon giving her an old wooden box. Sam's life is changed forever when it reveals powers she never dreamed of.

Praise for Connie Shelton's mysteries:

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -The Midwest Book Review

"Shelton, a major success for Intrigue can only expand her fan base with this solid effort.” - Publishers Weekly

Fifteen books in the series ...
... and more to come!

Connie Shelton

USA Today Bestselling Author

Connie Shelton's novels have sold nearly two million copies in more than 115 countries worldwide. In addition to her three cozy mystery series, she has written three non-fiction books and two children's books. She was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul.

She's known for a light touch when it comes to sex and violence in her stories, but is much more lavish with food and chocolate. She and her husband and two dogs live in northern New Mexico.

Check out Connie's other books!

The Charlie Parker Mystery Series: A girl and her dog
The Samantha Sweet Mystery Series: Cozy bakery mysteries with a paranormal touch
The Heist Ladies: They'll steal anything, from the bad guys!
Daisy and Maisie Children's Series: Two pups and their adventures

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton's previous mysteries: "Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life."-Albuquerque Journal "Connie Shelton has another winner!" -The Book Report

About the Author

Connie Shelton is the author of the bestselling Charlie Parker mysteries and the Samantha Sweet mystery series. She has taught writing both fiction and nonfiction and is the creator of the Novel In A Weekend TM writing course. She lives in northern New Mexico.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0096DWZ9Q
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Secret Staircase Books (September 4, 2012)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 4, 2012
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 825 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 280 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #595,121 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,376 in Cozy Culinary Mystery
- #3,640 in Cozy Culinary Mysteries
- #3,919 in Mystery Romance

Customer Reviews:
782

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Connie Shelton

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Having fun with my writing, and connecting with readers--that's what being a mystery writer means to me. And I LOVE what I do!

It began in 1985 when I started writing my first novel, without much clue how to go about it. Two years and 500 pages later, when I finally typed 'The End,' I felt a huge rush of excitement. That book took third place in the Southwest Writers competition and began making the rounds of publishers. I simply started writing my second, and then my third books.

After publishing ten of my Charlie Parker mysteries, I decided to branch out with a new cozy mystery series and I created the character of Samantha Sweet. One of the ways in which I earned a little extra pocket money during my high school years was to bake and decorate cakes--hence, a career for Samantha based on my own experiences.

In 2009 I switched publishers and was off on a new adventure, seeing all of my books made available for Kindle as e-books were just beginning to take off in the book world. It's been an exciting time in publishing--high points for me were reaching #1 on Amazon a few times and the Top 50 on the USA Today bestseller list. I'm loving the way e-books allow me to personally connect with readers all over the world via my newsletter and my website at connieshelton.com.

* * *

Besides writing the Charlie Parker and Samantha Sweet mysteries, Connie is an award-winning essayist. Her work has been published in both small and major anthologies, including Chicken Soup For the Writer's Soul, and her short stories have won several prizes. She has also been a commercial hot air balloon pilot and holds the women's world altitude record for size AX-4 balloons. She has been featured in Who's Who and The World Who's Who of Women.

She and her husband live in northern New Mexico with their two dogs, Daisy and Missy, who became stars of their own series of children's books.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

782 global ratings

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Cindy M.

Bitter Sweet: hot new up and coming series

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2012

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I've read all four of the previous Samantha Sweet books via Kindle format and really loved them but I found that the latest one, Bitter Sweet, was the best by far. Poor Samantha, she's getting heat from her mother for her to set the date for her upcoming marriage to Beau but how can she when it's June and in the midst of bride season? Samantha is under too much pressure! Finally a savior in the likes of a rather scary looking man enters the bakery and offers to do all the baking so that now Sam and her other baker Becky can now concentrate on decorating and it also will leave her a bit more time for her USDA job as an B&E artist. Her new USDA job is a strange one, not that Sam isn't used to strange when it comes to her second job. She's seen a home that belonged to a hoarder, one that held a priceless painting, another that had a dying woman inside but this one really has her scratching her head as it looks like someone is currently living there. She soon discovers that the owner is a couple, the woman is older than her husband by quite a few years and is in a rehab facility and the husband cannot be reached. She just wants to talk to him to see if he can make a couple of payments on the mortgage so they won't lose their home. I think the mix of the bakery and the USDA job plus the bit of woowoo in each book that involves the magic box Sam found in the first book keep the stories fresh and interesting. The only thing I'd change was maybe an addition of a recipe or two at the end of each book as I'm usually in a chocoholic frenzy by the time I finish reading each one.

2 people found this helpful

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Ramey Paulsson

Fifth Samantha Sweet Mystery

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is the fifth in the Samantha Sweet series by Connie Shelton. It picks up soon after the fourth book left off and as this reader becomes more comfortable with the storyline and plot(s) it is beginning to feel like I am looking in on old friends. One old friend I have been missing, though is the Male "diva" friend of Sam's who writes the romance novels on the side. It would be nice if Connie made more attempts to add him into her stories a bit more, because he adds just the right amount of qwirkiness that helps a good mystery become less heavy and more of a romp. I am NOT asking for a "Lula" I would just like to have his good-natured take on the happenings around Taos. Perhaps adding a few issues with some of her business neighbors, like Ivan or the Dog Groomer would add a bit of "oomph." Whatever the case, something needs to be done, because she has great characters, but they need some more LIFE!

I would also like to see a marriage in Sam's future for cripe's sake and then get into some more meaty scenarios, like perhaps Kelly meeting a fellow or her mystery-writing friend could, for that matter, but SOMETHING needs to be done to juice up the books! Connie has talent, but if I read one more "darlin'" from the handsome Beau, I am going to imagine that Sam's hair color changes to magenta and Beau turns into a Chihuahua when good magic goes bad! More meat, more heat and Connie will have screenplay material! I know she has it in her to make this a GREAT series! P.S. If Sam would happen to revisit a certain room that was discovered in a certain house a few books back, the door would be wide open for some interesting things to take place as well... Just sayin...

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2022

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I have read several of Connie Shelton's books and have enjoyed every one!!! All are recommended for a great read!!!

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Jenny Klein

On the edge of my chair

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2021

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This series gets better and better. Serious implications surround this story I need, but Sam prevails, read for exciting details. I loved this book. I must get the next one. I am definitely addicted to this series.

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2022

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Great escape from the day to day life we all live. Baking, sleuthing, and a sweet love story with down to earth characters.

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2023

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This book series is my go to right now, and did not start off as slow as some of the others. Also for the most part stayed that way with few lags. Definitely a book to read even if you are not into series.

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

Loved this one too! Such a great author you are. I wish I could write but since I can't I will enjoy all that you produce. Thanks for good stories, with clean and interesting mysteries. Can't say enough about your wonderful books. I recommed to all lovers of books without trash. I get so tired of authors who have to put four letter words and steamy steamy sex scenes. I love a good romance, mystery and all the intensity of a good mystery without the junk! Thank you Connie

2 people found this helpful

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Mary Ann O'Brien

A quick tempo’d read

Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021

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Lots of descriptions so that I felt I was in the bake shop. And lots of clues but I didn’t see the entire ending. I liked it.

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Top reviews from other countries

Darlamae

Awesome!

Reviewed in Canada on March 25, 2016

Verified Purchase

These books just keep getting better and better!! I love a series that makes me want to start the next book as soon as I'm done the one I'm reading!! This series does just that, thank you!!

Sandra Lacey

Another good story

Reviewed in Australia on August 6, 2016

Verified Purchase

Well written. Established characters without resorting to too much repetition. Great for the addicts who need to just keep reading one book after another. Break out the insulin for this one or an overdose of sweets could compromise. Just kidding, it's a great read.

Amazon Customer

Samantha Sweet

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2012

Verified Purchase

Another great success for Connie Shelton.
The way in which Connie writes makes the reader feel so much for the characters and their lives that you are so much a part with them( and with a certain whimsicality about Samantha and her jewel box with mysterious attributes)
The ongoing characters in each book are so enjoyable when moving from one book to the next.
Having a sweet tooth makes the baking aspect of the books so interesting and is part of making the characters so realistic.
I would strongly reccommend reading the books in order of publication as this is so much more enjoyable.
I am a great fan of Connie's writing as she has this wonderful ability of making all her characters so lifelike.
Having read all her Charlie Parker books I have enjoyed them so very much that I enjoy reading them again and again.

Nancy Q

Enjoyable

Reviewed in Canada on April 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

I enjoy this writers dtories. There is always a big twist at the end so the challenge is to try to figure out who done it!!

nain knowles

Read straight after 4th

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book follows on well from the last in the series I am not sure that again this story would stand alone with out knowing the History behind the caricature

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Bitter Sweet: A Sweet’s Sweets Bakery Mystery (Samantha Sweet Mysteries Book 5) Kindle Edition

From the Publisher

The Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mystery Series

Connie Shelton

USA Today Bestselling Author

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Connie Shelton

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Top reviews from the United States

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