Bailey and Charlotte have gone to New York to film the television show that was teased during Premeditated Peppermint. Strange and downright dangerous “accidents” keep happening on set and they’re determined to figure out whodunnit.

I enjoyed this story but it was a departure having Charlotte as the narrating character instead of Bailey. That wasn’t bad, though, just different but I missed being inside Bailey’s head. I also might’ve preferred that this were novel-length to get more suspense and suspects and tension and drama sprinkled in rather than pretty certain almost right from the off who was behind it all. I also would have liked more Easter in the story line but that’s probably the Englischer in me that wants that, Charlotte and Clara would likely not approve.

I also wish there had been more recipes at the end, especially one for homemade caramel. Bailey mentions that her grandmother wouldn’t let her get away with premade (unless premade BY Swissmen Sweets) caramel and I wish there was a recipe to go along with that statement. I also would have enjoyed the marshmallow creme and fudge eggs recipes.

All in all, though, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one from this author.

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is a novella taking place in New York City as Bailey and Charlotte are filming for Bailey's TV cooking show. Charlotte is awed and confused by everything. Questioning everyone. It was so different here from her Amish community in Ohio. One thing she knew: the show would be fabulous. It was Bailey's show. The things started going wrong. Bailey turned the heat up too high on the stove and it caused the double boiler to explode. Had she? Maybe, until other things started going wrong. Was the show doomed?

This is a delightful little tale, just long enough to expose the villains and put Charlotte in the spotlight. This is totally Charlotte's book and shows her in all her naivete and sweetness but also makes real her struggle with her religion. She is of the age to make a permanent commitment to the way of life and Criminally Cocoa walks through her uncertainty and confusion. Either way, she is unlikely to make her life in New York. Lots of fun in this book as well as twists and turns make it a must-read. Criminally Cocoa is a fun read and one to be enjoyed as a stepping-stone in the larger series.

I received a free ARC of Criminally Cocoa in exchange for a fair and honest review. #netgalley #criminallycocoa

This is book 3.5 in the Amish Candy Shop series. I really like this series and I enjoyed this novella.

Easter is almost here and Bailey is on camera for a TV series about Swissmen's Sweets. She has her cousin Charlotte with her, and Charlotte is concerned that someone is out to hurt Bailey. She decides to keep her eyes open. A few of the usual cast of characters appear, like Juliet and her pig Jethro. It's a cute story that left me wanting the next full-length book!

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It was different, seeing the story through the eyes of Charlotte instead of Bailey. I found it interesting to see the different way that the Amish view things and how Charlotte figures out who's sabotaging Bailey. #CriminallyCocoa #NetGalley

At first I was a little put off by being inside of Charlotte's head, but quickly warmed up to this quick and delightful addition to the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. Charlotte is in New York acting as an assistant to Bailey during filming of her new television show on a food network. Accidents begin to happen that look as if Bailey is negligent and Charlotte takes up the investigative effort. I couldn't guess the culprit until the end, and there was a very nice set-up for the future of this charming series. I look forward to it.

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is a novella for the Amish Candy Shop series.
This is a quick, easy read that I did not want to put down, told though Charlotte, Bailey's Amish friend. Set in New York City, Bailey is filming her pilot for a TV show and it becomes obvious that someone is setting her up for failure.
There are enough suspects that you will be kept guessing until the end. When Jethro shows up, you will be laughing out loud.
This could be read as a stand alone but this is a great series.
I was given an ARC from Netgalley and Kensington Books for a honest review.

What a fun book! Jethro the pig stole the show for me, but I also enjoyed the mystery. In fact, I had to stay up late to finish reading "Criminally Cocoa" because I just had to know how it ended. Also, I would definitely watch "Bailey's Amish Sweets" if it were a real show - can someone make that happen?!
Only after I picked up this book did I realize it's part of a series. I think parts of it would have made more sense if I knew the background of each character, but the author Amanda Flowers did a good job explaining things so I wasn't confused about how the characters connected to each other. I would also suggest shorter paragraphs in places to improve the flow.
If I have the opportunity, I will read more books in this series. Based on this one, I assume the others will also be easy to read, fun, engaging, humorous, and entertaining.

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is An Amish Candy Shop Mystery novella (No. 3.5). Charlotte Weaver is thrilled to be in New York City with her cousin, Bailey King for the filming of Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Bailey is creating a hand woven chocolate Easter basket using tempered chocolate when the double boiler explodes. Glass and chocolate are sent flying around the set., but, thankfully, no one was injured. The next day, Juliet Brody and her comfort pig, Jethro arrive to be a part of the show and publicity photos. While shooting photographs in the park, a loud horn sounds which scares poor Jethro and sends him running into the park. Charlotte is concerned that someone is trying to sabotage the show as the small incidents continue. With Bailey already nervous about the filming, Charlotte decides to investigate on her own. Can Charlotte unmask the saboteur? Join Charlotte, Bailey, Cass and Jethro on their New York City adventure in Criminally Cocoa.

Criminally Cocoa picks up where Premeditated Peppermint ended. We join Bailey, Charlotte and Cass in New York where they are filming the first season of Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Bailey asked Charlotte to come along and be her assistant on the show. Criminally Cocoa is told from Charlotte’s point-of-view. It was humorous to see New York City through Charlotte’s eyes. Charlotte grew up Amish and has yet to join the church. She views things differently from Englishers. I thought Criminally Cocoa was well-written with steady pacing. It was nice to learn more about Charlotte in this story. When Bailey blames herself for the explosion of the double boiler, Charlotte wants to help prove it was not her cousin’s fault. Charlotte has watched Bailey solve three crimes and puts that knowledge to use. The mystery was straightforward. Readers will have no problem solving it before the reveal. However, it is the right type of mystery for the length of the story. While the story focuses on the group in New York, we do get updates on their friends back home in Harvest, Ohio. I especially enjoyed the addition of Juliet Brody and her polka dotted pig, Jethro. Their antics provided me with plenty of laughs. It is always delightful to read one of Amanda Flower’s books. I am eager to read Toxic Toffee which is the next An Amish Candy Shop Mystery.

Thank you @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a short novella, but it sure was entertaining. This story picked up right where book 3, Premeditated Peppermint, left off. Bailey is briefly in New York filming her cable show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets. It seems like someone is not happy about the show and keeps sabotaging the set to delay filming.

What’s unique about this story is that it’s told from a different point of view. Charlotte has accompanied Bailey to the Big Apple and finds it both intriguing and confusing. She was raised Amish, but is still in her Rumspringa - the time before her Baptism where she chooses if she wants to join he Amish church or not. I loved seeing the big city through her eyes and really look forward to learning even more about her character as the series progresses.

My favorite side kicks even showed up and kept me laughing through many scenes. Cass took on the roll of Bailey’s agent and her sass was as strong as ever. Juliet and her adorable “comfort” pig, Jethro, shocked everyone when they arrived on the scene. Their chaos and undeniable feelings kept everyone on their toes as well as increased their interest in making Jethro a star.

A cute Easter recipe for Bird’s Nest is included at the end as well as a sneak peek at book 4, Toxic Toffee, which is set to release in June.

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is An Amish Candy Shop Mystery novella (No. 3.5).
Criminally Cocoa picks up where Premeditated Peppermint ended. This is the next in series albeit a Novella. I have read the entire series and highly recommend each book in the series. Its is the perfect blend of a beautiful setting of a family candy shop in Amish country, a charming non Amish protagonist and always a good sleuth to solve. The author has included many fun and interesting characters including a pot belly pig who figures proudly into each book . This book is about Charlotte Weaver who is an assistant in the candy shop owned by Bailey King and her Grandmother. Charlotte has been a endearing character throughout the first books and I was delighted to find out she is the feature of this Novella. Charlotte was raised Amish and is working with Bailey to learn "English" ways to see if she wants to remain Amish. her charchter has grown from a young withdrawn Amish woman to a independent young woman who makes her own decisions .

Charlotte Weaver is thrilled to be in New York City with her cousin, Bailey King for the filming of Bailey’s Amish Sweets first season. It is a coveted position for Bailey to gain such notoriety of her own show and Bailey is rightfully very nervous. Charlotte has never been to a big city and the author descriptions of her wonder are truly engaging to the reader as she and Bailey arrive and set up for the filming. Bailey is creating a chocolate Easter basket when the double boiler explodes. Glass and chocolate are sent flying around the set., no one was injured. Bailey of curse blames herself but Charlotte feels it is sabotage . The next day, Juliet Brody and her comfort pig, Jethro ( we readers adore Jethro!) arrive to be a part of the show and publicity. A loud sound scares Jethro and sends him running into the park. Juliet is beside herself and enlist people to help her rescue him which is always funny to read as the pig outsmarts the humans .

Charlotte now very concerned that someone is trying to sabotage the show decides to investigate on her own. She has watched and learned from Bailey while she solved crimes and feels confident she can solve the mystery of the sabotage. She realizes that Bailey has enemies among the Amish community who do not want her to be a success.
She is proving here to be a able detective and i great addition to the book as her character grows. The mystery was interesting and well crafted to the story. The charcters are fun and interesting all adding to the story. Each next book by Amanda Flower is a delightful fun read. I thank the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC. My happy opinions are my own.
. I look forward to the next book Toxic Toffee. with great anticipation. This is a favorite cozy series of mine .

Amish Crime Solving in the Big Apple
This novella is part of the Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series. While it is built on prior episodes, it stands alone well. This book takes place in New York City while the ladies are filming the new television series and is told from Charlotte's point of view. The plot is great with plenty of interest generating bits. The book is complete with an Easter time candy recipe. I received this ARC for free and this is my honest review.

Amanda Flower has a way with words when it comes to cozy mysteries that warm your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat. I have yet to find a series of hers that I do not like. In fact, they keep getting better. If you have never read one of her books and are not sure where to start, Criminally Cocoa would be a great place to start. Yes, it technically comes after the third book in the An Amish Candy Shop series but you can read it out of order and be perfectly fine.

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the story from Charlotte's side instead of Bailey's. It gave the series a fresh view. Charlotte is a perfect spunky Amish side kick to Bailey.

A recipe for Bird's Nest is included at the end of the novella. I find myself being tempted to try and make them this year for Easter.

Books in Series:
1. Assaulted Caramel
2. Lethal Licorice
3. Premeditated Peppermint
4. Toxic Toffee

I received a copy of this novella from Kensington through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Criminally Cocoa is a chocolate amuse bouche for fans of the Amish Candy Shop series while awaiting the next full-length series entry in June 2019.

Bailey takes her Amish cousin, Charlotte, to New York City to tape the pilot for Bailey’s new cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Luckily, Charlotte is in rumspringa and has more freedom before joining the Amish church. During the first day, a suspicious accident occurs on set. Charlotte, with the help of production assistant Todd, investigates.

Criminally Cocoa is a novella that moves Bailey’s story forward so is a must-read for series fans. While it can be read as a standalone, it is better to start with one of the full-length books in the series. This book is written from Charlotte’s first-person view and is clearly meant more as a fish-out-of-water tale than a true mystery. For series fans, it is a 3.5 star read rounded up to 4 stars!

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Criminally Cocoa is a short novella in the Amish Candy Shop series. Bailey and Charlotte hit NYC for filming of Bailey’s new show, but when things start going wrong on set, Charlotte sets out to investigate.

This is an extremely quick read and has a bit of an Easter theme. It’s told from Charlotte’s point of view, which adds a new perspective. Fun story that makes a nice addition to the series.

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is a companion novella to the cozy Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This one is meant to be read after the third book of the series but as with all of the books the mystery within is self-contained so books may be read out of order if choosing to do so. However, there is character development that carries over from book to book so it’s most enjoyable to read from the beginning.

Criminally Cocoa is a little different than the other books of this series in which Bailey King is the main character. In this novella the point of view has been handed over to Bailey’s assistant, Charlotte Weaver. The pair has traveled into the city to film Bailey’s cooking show but as the cameras begin to roll Charlotte notices things begin to happen that seem to be trying to make Bailey look bad.

I’ve been enjoying the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series from the beginning and I will admit it started off a little odd to switch to another character after loving Bailey but once getting into the story I found the same fun writing and set up as always. The author has done a wonderful job blending the Amish community into the story and always explains their rules and how things work for them such as Charlotte has not officially become Amish yet so she was able to participate in the television show. And for those fans of the series even Jethro makes an appearance in the big city to bring along the normal laughs so this was definitely another solid addition to the story.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

While we wait for the June publication of the next full length mystery in this delightful series, Toxic Toffee, we get to spend some time away from Harvest, Ohio with Bailey and her young Amish cousin, Charlotte. Bailey goes back to New York city to film for the cable show featuring her Amish candy and Charlotte is acting as her assistant. Charlotte is starting her Rumspringa, the period of time young Amish decide if they will join the church or break away. Never having been out of Harvest, New York is a great culture shock and she see how the English live.
As if that isn't enough to handle, there are accidents cropping up during the filming of Bailey's show which could very well put an end to her candy making business. It's Charlotte who investigates the who and why of the situation. I was glad to see Juliet on the scene with her adorable comfort pig, Jethro.
There is no problem reading this novella out of order, it works well, especially as a teaser for those readers who have not yet been introduced to the Amish community of Harvest, Ohio and the world of candy making in all of its mouth watering deliciousness.

Thanks go to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower in exchange for my honest review.

Criminally Cocoa is the kind f book serried readers love to discover--a quick read that allows us a glimpse of what our fictional friends are up to as we anxiously await the next novel in the series. I especially enjoyed the fact that Criminally Cocoa is told from the perspective of Charlotte, an Amish young woman who is experiencing New York for the first time, as she has accompanied main character Bailey from Ohio to NYC to film a cooking show. A perfect weekend read!

In this short we find ourselves in New York where Charlotte has come to help her cousin Bailey with her television show. She is also taking this time to decide if she wishes to continue living the Amish way of life or if she wants to venture out away from that lifestyle. During the filming accidents keep happening and Charlotte realizes that they are really accidents someone is purposely making bad things happen. She decides that she must keep an eye out on Bailey and figure out who is trying to cause her cousin problems. Things go from bad to worse when Jethro is brought into the picture. Can Charlotte figure out who the bad guy is before something truly bad happens or will her cousin lose her show altogether? Follow along and see what Charlotte figures out and get to know her better during the process. This was a wonderful read that gave me a look into what was going on with some favored characters while waiting for their next story.

This was a really cute short story in the Amish Candy Shop series. Told from the point of view of Charlotte, Bailey's Amish cousin, the story takes place in New York where Bailey is shooting a television series and Charlotte is her assistant. Someone is out to sabotage Bailey and her show, and Charlotte sets out to find out who the culprit is. It was very interesting to see things from the "Amish" perspective--and how overwhelming NYC can be for anyone. I liked this quick little mystery, it was just enough to tide me over until the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of CRIMINALLY COCOA (Amish Candy Shop Mystery Book 3.5) by Amanda Flower in exchange for an honest review. This is a short story or novella told from the viewpoint of Charlotte Weaver while she and Bailey are in New York filming the first episodes of Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Someone is causing havoc on the set; it seems like someone is trying to sabotage the show. Charlotte decides to investigate the matter by herself without informing Bailey of her suspicions. Can Charlotte save the show?

I enjoy this series and liked the time spent with Charlotte. I recommend this to fans of the series.

#CriminallyCocoa #NetGalley