This was a charming and well-written cozy mystery. Courtney Archer is a chef on TV. She’s part of the Great American Baking Battle, and this season’s theme is weddings. She finds a body smashed onto a wedding cake in her cohost Skylar’s dressing room, and realizes that he will be a prime suspect. She has to find the killer to protect him and their show.
I really liked this book, it was a quick and enjoyable read. 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. It took me a few chapters to get I to the story but I really liked the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This is the second book in this series which features a host of tv cooking shows, and full disclosure- I have not read the first book in the series. This book did refer to the first book and I now understand the basic plot, but I wasn’t spoiled for the ending, so I could go back and read that first book.
This story focuses on a cooking competition than seems very similar to The Great British Bake Off, where one of the hosts ends up being the prime subject in the murder of a woman, dressed as a bride, who was found stabbed on top of a wedding cake. Interesting right?
This is a well written story and I did like and engage with the main character. The only thing that grated on me was the use of a love triangle, which I’m not much of a fan of to be honest.
There was enough red herrings to keep me interested although I did guess the murderer quite a bit before the end of the story, but it was still enjoyable and I will most likely carry on with the series. 3.5 stars

Courtney is back on the set of The American Baking Battle. This season has a wedding theme and comes complete with a hard nosed producer, formal wear, and a murder victim. Cohost Skylar is the main suspect. Courtney sets out to clear his name all while trying to salvage her own reputation. My only dislike was the romance/love triangle portion. The mystery could have been a touch stronger, but overall it was a fun read.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Finished Off in Fondant has the intriguing setting of a reality TV show of a wedding-themed bakeoff at a resort nestled in the Poconos. It includes a fascinating, creative cast of characters along with a murder possibly committed by a member of the cast or a competing baker. Ironically, it is the very same place, the very same bakeoff program, where this cast was confronted with a murder the year before. A contestant died, and a chef was a suspect. This time the murdered gal is someone with a past connection to one of the co-hosts, who is the prime suspect. Stir in two of the cast planning an additional show and a sheriff who doesn’t want help from the cast or contestants.

Courtney and Skylar are cohosts hired for the American Baking Battle – Weddings bakeoff. Shannon and Harrison are judges of the contestants’ offerings. Last year, Courtney was the main suspect in a murder that occurred when the bakeoff was being filmed. This year, the theme of the bakeoff is Weddings. Skylar, usually an easygoing guy, is not happy, making disparaging comments about how important a wedding is to women when it is but one day of the marriage. Within a short time, he becomes ill, and goes to his suite to rest. Two contestants appear to be ailing, as well, and go to their rooms at the resort.

Courtney sent Skylar a text to see if he wanted her to bring him soup. He called almost immediately, barely coherent except so say he needed help. When she and Shannon arrive in the hallway where his room is, he is lying on the floor, very sick, with blood on one side of his face, hair, and clothing. When Courtney looked inside the door of his suite, she is shocked to see the dead body of a woman in a bridal gown with a knife stuck in her chest, lying across a five-tier wedding cake on the coffee table. It’s happening again.

Many things are going on with the show. The producer of the bakeoff is on-site, demanding and difficult to work with as he tries to keep the filming under budget. Skylar is the main suspect, not only because the woman is found in his suite and her blood is on him, but because of their association in the past. He continues to get ill from an interesting cause. Courtney knows her friend is not involved in the murder and wants to prove it by finding out who is.

The characters are less clearly defined than I prefer. While appearances and various costumes are detailed, I didn’t feel I got to know anyone very well other than Courtney. I did not know how old, even a decade range, the co-hosts, judges, or the two men Courtney is interested in are. One of the biggest things we learn about Courtney is how she seems almost obsessed with which of two men is the one she should choose. One is Drake, the head of the security company. The other is Eric, her business partner and close friend. He is spending a lot of time with Pamela, the second-in-command at the security company. She is tasked with protecting Courtney and keeping her out of the investigation. Instead, she and Eric spend a lot of time together with their heads together exchanging secret smiles. Courtney thought about these two situations often enough that, for me, it interrupted the flow of the mystery.

The mystery itself was fascinating, especially as one plot twist after another made Skylar look more guilty. The perfect red herring was introduced who was very easy dislike. There was just enough information provided for the reader to try to figure out who the bad guy was. The solution was satisfactory, with all the loose ends tied up. I recommend this cozy mystery and suggest that one read the series in order.

This is such a fun series, and I had a great time with this cozy mystery. I loved the plot, the twists and turns, and the characters!

In this story the filming of the wedding edition of the AmericanBaking battle takes place. One table held a beverage service of punch and coffee the second an array of mini quiches and fruit and the third a beautiful five tired wedding cake. A cascade of dark pink buttercream roses twisted down the square tier at an angle over lighter pink flawless fondant. A custom-made topper of a man and woman clad in aprons and chef hats that stood erect and proud. After a break from filming Skylar was found with blood on the left side of his face matted in his hair. His clothes were crimson stained all down one side. Shannon peaked around the door and found a pool of blood on the carpet and smears of blood across the floor where Skylar crawled to the door. The round tiers of cake smashed and broke leaned to the side. Pushed in pillars littered the floor someone had placed a bride across the top of the cake. Decked out in a gorgeous wedding gown the woman was askew in the confection like she fell asleep in a bed of buttercream. Judging from the pool of blood on the floor and the knife stabbed into her chest she wasn’t snoozing. She was dead. What follows are the events that lead up to her murder and who the killer might be. A fun exciting story that will keep readers guessing.

I really enjoyed this second book in the Courtney Archer series which answered a few questions that were left standing at the end of the first book... or did it? One of those things could cause issues with Courtney's TV career, but knowing this crew, they'll work together and come up with something.

When Skylar, Courtney's co-host and friend on the bake-off show became a murder suspect, she just couldn't stay out of it. I started suspecting very early the person who ended up as the killer, although I wasn't sure of they why and all that. Courtney's showdown with the killer was pretty exciting and helped wrap up all the murder questions. I loved what she ended up doing to distract the person. It'll be interesting to see how things go for a new venture that was talked about as well as Courtney's dating life in the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

This is a fun mystery series that takes place on the set of a cooking show. The characters are well defined and have grown through the series (this is the second book in the series). I enjoy how the secondary story of the character's development is strong. This is one element that always keeps me hooked on a series (even more than the mystery they solve in the individual book). Two thumbs up for Rosemarie Ross and Finished Off in Fondant.

And…we’re back on set with Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter with Courtney Archer and cooking is not all that’s on the menu during this episode. With secrets revealed Courtney finds herself unsure and in a delicate situation that could jeopardize her career and threaten the security of her show. Filming a cooking show can sometimes get a little dicey.

Courtney Archer, host of Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter and co-host of The American Baking Battle is a magnet for trouble. Luckily, Season 2 of The American Baking Battle is about to start and after the disastrous events of Season 1, Courtney is ready to put her best sleuth, I mean, foot forward.

This book is made up of the best ingredients. Courtney Archer is a tenacious and nonstop character, who is relentless in her investigation to absolve her friend from blame. Witty and funny this character was effortless and a pleasure to meet. A reluctant sleuth with a good eye for detail and an acuity for questions.

The relationship between the main character and the supportive characters is new (this is only the second book of the series), but I can already see how the characters are bonding and relating to one another. Great friendships are forming and maybe a little romance in the future, too. Not all characters are pleasant though, and some are hilariously disagreeable. Smart banter makes up for unsavory characteristics among those with issues with Courtney involving herself in the investigation (Sheriff Perry).

Tension and suspicion run the show in this book, and it was easy as pie finding the right ingredients to solve this mystery. This was an excellent and enjoyable read and I highly recommend this one if you are looking for something rich and entertaining.

~ Patricia

I'm glad the love triangle seems to be resolved. I love the series focuses on a different occupation for the main character. It's always a refreshing read. This was a fun book and I really enjoy this series.

I wanted to like this series a bit more. I find the protagonist a little immature. I think the plot of a cozy mystery series being set in a tv baking show is an excellent idea. I read the first book & it was good, not great. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series or not.

Finished Off in Fondant: A Courtney Archer Mystery
By Rosemarie Ross
Kensington
December 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

After achieving success with her cooking show Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter, Courtney Archer is on the precipice of making an announcement that could get her cancelled. She may have the heart of a someone raised on the farmland, but in truth Courtney was raised in Chicago by her physician father. Until the public receives that news though, she will continue hosting The American Baking Battle in the Pocono Mountain Coal Castle Resort. With the new season being the Wedding Edition, professional and amateur cooks will be competing with dishes designed for engagement parties and wedding receptions. The competition barely begins before co-host Skyler Daily falls ill, along with several other contestants. It’s on a welfare check to see how Skyler is faring that Court finds him bloody, unconscious, and next to a murdered bride on a wedding cake.

While new producer Quintin Shepherd insists that the production continue, Courtney can’t help but worry about whether one of the contestants could be a killer. As contestants serve up mouth-watering appetizers and creative one-bite delights, Courtney and her possible future co-host (depending on how the fans receive her non-farmer's daughter reveal) Shannon Collins begin looking closer into the lives of those on set. A maple magnate, husband-and-wife rivals, and even a cupcake bakery king number among those competing for the top prize. The discovery that the victim had once been imprisoned for stalking Skyler shocks Courtney and further implicates him in the death, as even she must wonder if Skyler had had enough of Lisa Mackliner's unwanted attention. For the production is to go on the question will not be who is awarded the Baker of the Day, but who is the Murderer of the Baking Battle Bride.

This second in the series will have readers' mouths watering with the abundance of wedding-themed entries in the cooking competition. The descriptions of crostini, frozen drinks, and desserts are worthy of Gourmet Magazine, and this is an instance where one wishes that pictures were included. The irony of Courtney hosting a wedding-themed season is high as she is torn between two possible romantic futures, one with security expert Drake Nolan and the other with her producer Eric Iverson. That she has not progressed past friend status with either is a bit problematic, but understandable considering how her next decision could affect their professional relationships. The green monster of jealousy that is stirred up when a new woman arrives should give some insight into her feelings, for readers if not for Courtney herself. The outstanding elements of this series are the behind-the-scenes glimpses into the filming of a baking competition, which are fascinating and intricate. Makeup stations, quick introductions of the challenges, mental adjustments by contestants, and the critiques by the judges feel as real as any actual televised show. Readers will be as eager as Courtney for her to take the next steps in her personal and professional lives, which should be filled with delicious cooking and probably more crime-solving investigations.

This was a quick. Fun, light read. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I would recommend it to others.

4.75 stars

This is the second book in the Courtney Archer series by Rosemarie Ross.

I really liked book one in this series COBBLERED TO DEATH. By the end of that story, the cat was out of the bag that Courtney wasn’t actually a farmer’s daughter, like her onscreen persona claimed. As we get into book two, the audience is given a non disclosure document to sign saying they won’t reveal the truth the3y are about to discover during the taping of the American Baking Battle. An of course, that truth is about Courtney’s claim to be a farmer’s daughter.

This story was just as fun as the first one and I was saddened that it ended so soon. This is one of those series you just want to cherish and take your time with since it is over way too soon. I liked so much about this. The plot was amazing. Most of the characters were ones I would want to know more about in future books and the pacing was stellar. What flow this had. It is quickly becoming a new favorite series for me.

Definitely can’t wait for book three!

If you like cozy mysteries, check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Murder On The Menu....
The second in the Courtney Archer mystery series and a reality cooking show at a flash resort is on the cards for Courtney but when murder seems to be on the menu chaos ensues. Enjoyable cosy mystery with a likeable protagonist and a colourful cast of supporting characters. Predictable, perhaps, but some entertaining escapism is guaranteed.

This is the second book in the Courtney Archer series. Courtney is co hosting The American Baking Battle and the theme of the season is wedding. Courtney has to contend with a cohost who falls ill and a producer that only cares about profit. Almost as soon as taping for the show starts there is a murder. The victim was a stalker of Courtney's cohost. Suspicion falls on him and Courtney decides to ask questions to see if anyone else had motive for killing the victim.

I liked the baking competition part of this book. I loved how Shannon and Harrison worked well together on the judging. The mystery wasn't that great to me. I had the killer picked out after the second scene they were in. I felt like I was just reading to find out how and why the murder occurred because it was painfully obvious who the murderer was The story was good, just not enough to keep my attention throughout. I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not read the first book of this series, but I enjoyed the food tv setting. I thought the character development was a bit lacking and this left me disconnected from them. Perhaps, if there is a third book and I read it, I will connect to them and be invested a bit more.

First off, I think this series (of two books, so far) should be read in order. If you are a fan of bakeoff reality television and cozy mysteries, this is the series for you. The main character, Courtney Archer, is the host of her own show, Cooking with the Farmer's Daughter and therein lies her problem. She is in reality the daughter of a pediatrician and hails from Chicago. If her secret is revealed she might not have a career anymore. In this, the second book of the series, she has decided to make her secret public but soon she has a whole lot more to worry about. Her co-host, Skylar, is found in his hotel room, covered in blood and a woman decorating a cake....as a real corpse. It turns out they had some very serious history and that puts Skylar at the top of the suspect list. Courtney knows he didn't kill her but who of the many cast and crew of the show not only wanted her dead but would frame Skylar for the deed? It's enough to get Courtney into investigation mode to track down the killer.
I'm glad there are no calories in reading culinary mysteries or I would be in big trouble. Instead I wanted to go binge on reality cooking shows when I finished this mystery. The cast of characters and the mystery made for an excellent escape. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Second in a series featuring Courtney Archer, a TV baking show chef who is now co-hosting The American Baking Battle. The show's taping begins only to be halted by the illness of two contestants and Courtney's co-host Skylar. Skylar's problems surpass his illness when a young woman is found stabbed to death in his room.
Despite being told to not investigate by Sheriff Perry, security head Drake and her producer Eric she does it anyway.
Courtney's character becomes a tad annoying when she spends as much time fretting about possible relationships with Drake and Eric as she does sleuthing, slowing the storyline.
Readable average cozy. I was given this to review by NetGalley and Kensington
3.5 ⭐'s