Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson Review, Interview & Giveaway

Silence of the Jams
by Gayle Leeson

A strong story about family and friendship, weathering life’s storms, and discovering that everyone has secrets.
~Laura’s Interests

The plot of Silence of the Jams is engaging and fast paced, pulling the reader along on a wild tale of murder and suspense.
~Sapphyria’s Book Reviews

I love that the author was able to write in a way that made me feel if I shut my eyes I could see the story unfolding around me.
~Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting

Amy Flowers is a wonderful Southern heroine for this cozy series. Her cafe is a fun setting with an enjoyable cast of supporting characters.
~Book Babble

There are a lot of really likable characters in this book. I loved the close-knit family relationship between Amy, her mom, her cousin, and her Aunt Bess.
~Bookworm Cafe

The writing is so good it kept me glued to the book. The author has a great way of developing her characters with ease.
~Texas Book-aholic

I got so involved in this story that time flew by and the book was over.
~Shelley’s Book Case

… it is excellent, a cozy mystery in the truest sense. Gayle’s writing is flows easily across the page, there’s good character depth, the mystery is well plotted.
~The Power of Words

…a delightful book and series…
~Storeybook Reviews

This book has a well thought out plot but more than that, is character driven, bringing the story to life.
~Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder

Such a great page turner with so many possible suspects.
~Community Bookstop

This was another great read in the Down South Café Mysteries. I really enjoy visiting Amy and the rest of the inhabitants of the small town of Winter Garden, VA.
~Melina’s Book Blog

SILENCE OF THE JAMS combines the love and interdependence of family with a well plotted mystery amidst a backdrop of lip smacking comfort food to create a delectable read.
~Cozy Up With Kathy

Compelling (and quirky) characters combine with the charming town of Winter Garden, Virginia, to give the novel the right dose of southern small town flair.
~Reading Is My SuperPower

…we become immersed in the daily life of this Southern Town, and get to know just about everyone.
~Maureen’s Musings

Silence of the Jams is a riveting southern cozy murder mystery that will engage you to join in the crazy adventures and trials and tribulations that occur, while providing you with a dose of good ol’ southern charm and humor.
~ Jersey Girl Book Reviews

Silence of the Jams is the second book in the Down South Cafe series and it was just as good as the first one.
~Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!

I like that there is family and friends are heavily involved in this story as well as the touch of romance.
~A Holland Reviews

This was a delightful read, that had me waking at first light to finish. Gayle has created a sweet, suspenseful series in her latest to the cozy world.
~Bibliophile Reviews

 
Silence of the Jams (A Down South Café Mystery) 
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Berkley (April 4, 2017)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1101990803
E-Book ASIN: B01IAUG44C

Synopsis

In the latest Southern cozy from the author of The Calamity Café, small-town chef Amy Flowers can’t take her freedom for granted when she’s served up as a murder suspect… 

It’s Independence Day in Winter Garden, Virginia, and the residents are gearing up for their annual celebration. The Down South Café is open and flourishing, and Amy Flowers is busy making pies and cakes for the holiday. The only thorn in her side is Chamber of Commerce director George Lincoln, who is trying to buy the café so he can tear it down and build a B&B on the site.

When George collapses while eating at the Down South, everybody assumes it’s a heart attack—until the autopsy declares it to be poisoning. Now, it’s up to Amy to prove her innocence before her liberty is lost.

Includes delicious Southern recipes!

About The Author –

Gayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. I also write as Amanda Lee. As Gayle Trent, I write the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. As Amanda Lee, I write the Embroidery Mystery series. I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I’m having a blast writing this new series!

Authors Links:

Webpage – http://www.gayleleeson.com

Gayle Trent Webpage – http://www.gayletrent.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GayleTrentandAmandaLee/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/GayleTrent

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/426208.Gayle_Trent

Purchase Links

Amazon     Barnes & Noble      Books-A-Million       Indiebound      Kobo

Interview:

Where are you from? I’m from southwest Virginia, which is why I’m happy to be writing about the area in the Down South Café series.

Tell us your latest news? My latest release is SILENCE OF THE JAMS. It’s set around Independence Day in Winter Garden, Virginia. Amy Flowers, the owner/operator of the Down South Café is busy making pies and cakes for the festivities. The only thorn in her side is Chamber of Commerce director George Lincoln, who is trying to buy the café so he can tear it down and build a B&B on the site.When George collapses while eating at the Down South, everybody assumes it's a heart attack—until the autopsy declares it to be poisoning.

When and why did you begin writing? I’ve always enjoyed storytelling. My mother said I used to gather anyone who’d listen and begin a tale with, “Once up a time…”

When did you first consider yourself a writer? I believe I first truly considered myself a writer when I got the phone call from my first publisher saying my romantic suspense novel PHOTO FINISH (no longer in print) was going to be published. I was happy, sad, nauseous—I’d never gone through so many feelings all at once in my life. The thought of other people actually reading my words was exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.

What inspired you to write your first book?I was inspired to write my first book when I got the idea for an alcoholic photographer who unknowingly documents a murder. I wanted to explore what would happen when the people he cared about were in a killer’s sights and the photographer didn’t even know why.

Do you have a specific writing style?I do a rough overall outline so that I know basically where the story is going, and then I outline a chapter at a time prior to writing it. That way, if the plot takes a turn I wasn’t expecting, I can just pick up the threads and keep weaving. I try to write a chapter a day. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but when I’m on deadline, I make myself get that chapter in.

How did you come up with the title? That was easy. This book starts out with one of Amy’s regular patrons bringing her a bushel of strawberries and Amy deciding to make jam. You know us punny cozy writers—SILENCE OF THE JAMS was the perfect choice.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? I think the message I’d like to convey is that appearances don’t always (and, probably, seldom) tell the whole story. You just never know what’s going on in someone else’s life.

What would you like my readers to know? I’d like for them to know that I appreciate each and every one of them so very much. Many of them started on this journey with me through either the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Series (as Gayle Trent) or the Embroidery Mystery Series (as Amanda Lee), and they’ve stayed with me. I’m so grateful to them.

My Review:
This is a great example of a cozy! It has a great mystery, which I was wrong about. There were so many towns people that I thought were guilty. Drama led me to one person, only to be proved wrong and led to a different suspect. Amy is definitely an amateur sleuth, even though she proved her detective skills in book one. However there is so much more in this book! There is a lot of food. Sometimes the food sounded so good that I wanted to go and cook! There was also romance. Of course Amy's boyfriend is involved in finding the killer, relating to the investigation, it is his job! I also enjoyed the recipes in the back of the book. I like the author's way of creating characters that could be your neighbors. I can not wait for book 3, which I think comes out late 2017! I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy, all opinions are my own.

Giveaway:

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