A middle-of-the-road cozy mystery featuring Parker Valentine, owner of Vino Valentine in Boulder, Colorado, who must take on the daunting task of meeting the parents. Camilla Wallace, Reid's mother, already disapproves of her son’s choice of becoming a chef and restaurant owner when his two brothers, attorney Ben and physician Tristan, are accomplished in their respected fields.  When Reid is accused of murdering his sous chef Oscar Flores, a man the family knows and despises, the Wallace’s don’t bother to lift a finger to help their son.  If he can’t live up to their expectation then he must live his own life -- without their money.  

Parker can’t let this sit. With Reid in jail, and Parker unsure of their future, she enlists the help of her friends to investigate Oscar's murder.  Turns out that the clues point closer to home than anyone, including the intolerable Camilla, could have imagined.  

A Pairing to Die For is on par with a Killer Chardonnay, the first in the series.  There may be more winemaking technique and food paring than most readers want to read over and over, but once you get past that, the friendships and conflicts keep you engaged and cheering on this cast of sleuths.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the digital advance reading copy of this book.

This was the second book in the A Colorado Wine Mystery series and it was just as fun as the first.  I had absolutely no idea who the killer was until the reveal.  Kate Lansing did a great job of misdirecting suspicion onto other characters.

I also love learning all about wine making and the science involved during fermentation and aging.  

Keep these books coming!

Truly enjoy the Colorado Winery series.
I like wine and I love visiting Boulder, Colorado.
This cozy is the second in the series, but can be read as a standalone as the author provides some back story. 
Main characters are Parker Valentine, winery owner,  boyfriend Reid, owner of an upscale restaurant,  Parker's brother Liam, and best friend Sage.
Parker was able to start the winery with an inheritance from her aunt who died in a car accident.
In addition to having a good mystery plot, there is a lot of wine making information dispensed. 

5 stars from me and I look forward to more of the series.

Huge fan of the first book in the series and not because I live 20 minutes from Boulder. It’s a well written book and series I hope to read more of soon. 
Parker is an interesting character with a lot of personality.

4.5 stars

This is the second book in the Colorado Wine mystery series by Kate Lansing.

The second book in this series starts off with a bang as  Parker is trying to connect to her boyfriend’s family who is there for an impromptu visit. Then one of the people working in the kitchen gets murdered with her boyfriend’s knife making him suspect number one. And his family could care less about his predicament.

This was quite a page turner. I think I was most interested in the mystery and seeing how Reid’s relationship with his family might change by the end. Definitely a great read. Loving this series already. It is a good one to check out, especially if you love wine. Kinda missing the whole “wine making atmosphere” like in book one but this really kept my attention throughout.

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out.

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.

A Pairing to Die For:  A Colorado Wine Mystery
By Kate Lansing
Berkley
February 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

Parker Valentine may have just survived the poisoning at her Vino Valentine winery that jeopardized both her business and her freedom, but she’s never faced a menace like this.  For the first time Parker will be meeting the estranged family of her boyfriend Reid Wallace, the talented chef of Spoons restaurant.  Reid himself hasn’t spoken to his parents or brothers in over a year, and their disapproval immediately overflows onto Parker.  Condescending and extremely judgmental, their opinions are unlikely to improve when disastrous meals begin coming out of the kitchen. Far worse than over-seasoned or improperly sauced dishes though is the discovery of Spoons’ line cook Oscar Flores dead, stabbed in the back by one of Reid’s knives.  A witness claiming to have seen the men fighting the night before leads to Reid’s quick arrest, with his family refusing to pay for his hefty bail.

Refusing to believe that Reid could have committed the murder, Parker pleads with the investigating Detective Eli Fuller to look for alternative suspects.  Their awkward “friend zone” status – implemented by Parker, not Eli – means that she doubts that the officials anything that would risk an easy conviction.  As a result, Parker not only investigates the tumultuous world of restaurants, she finds herself spending more time than she wants to with Reid’s unwelcoming family.  It doesn’t take long for Parker to discover that jealousy and rivalries abound within the high-pressure cooking arena.

This second in the series continues to expand upon the fascinating nuances and exacting details involved in boutique winemaking.  Old ways blend together with new science technologies, fortunate for Parker as she vents out her frustration and anger through old school stomping on grapes.  Parker sees the world through a veil of winemaking, observing how grapes that endure struggle, high altitudes, and extreme weather produce much more flavorful and robust wine.  It’s impossible for her to not compare that with Reid and his favored brothers, the latter whose much easier childhoods led to their becoming self-involved, self-centered adults.  It is Parker’s attention to details and meticulousness -  her custom blends are precisely recorded, accurately reproduced chemical experiments - that allows to put together clues before the police.  Colorado’s charm and the exploration of Parker’s winery ensure for an original and compelling setting, especially as readers are introduced to more of Parker’s friends and family members.  Cozy fans will be delighted by Parker’s cat Zinfandel, as well as recipes and wine pairings included at the end.  While many may know how to balance wine acidity and bitterness with certain foods, would they also know that a monscato d’Asti is the perfect pairing for a Cinnamon Apple Tart?  Readers entranced by this compelling world will have much to look forward to as Parker continues her success to build up her winery while protecting those she loves.

Parker Valentine is turning her new winery business into a huge success, although it’s not always easy.  Her assistant, Felix, is a huge help.  Her mother is not all that happy with Parker’s new business, but she’s trying to come to terms with it.
 
Meanwhile, Parker’s relationship with Reid Wallace, a local restaurant owner and chef, is moving along smoothly.  When Reid’s family comes to town, Parker quickly learns to appreciates her own family.  To say Reid’s family is difficult to deal with would be putting it mildly.  Parker and the Wallace family get off to a very unpleasant start and it never gets any better.
 
Then, Reid’s sous chef is found dead and the police turn right in Reid’s direction.  They are convinced he is the killer and arrest him.  Devastated, Parker vows to prove his innocence. His family is absolutely no help.  She begins an investigation and doesn’t care where it leads as long as she gets Reid out of jail.  Parker has no idea what sort of secrets have been buried and she would soon uncover.
 
I loved the first book in this series and I loved this one even more. The author has done a very good job at developing the characters.  With each page readers learn more about Parker and Reid.  Their characters take shape and come to life.  So does their relationship.  
 
The storyline is fast-paced with many twists and turns along the way.  I wasn’t expecting the direction the author took to solving the mystery, but it all made sense in the end.  It made for an exciting finale.
 
I’m looking forward to another visit to Boulder, Colorado and more delightful mysteries for Parker to solve.
 
Warning:  You may start craving wine once you start this series.  I know I did.

 



 
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this sequel in the Colorado Wine Mystery series. Perfect setting, great character development and a captivating storyline made this quite a cozy read. 

It’s no secret that I love Colorado and long to live near the mountains. Glimpses of Fall descending on Boulder throughout this book was just good for my soul. I could easily picture the Flatirons and imagine the hiking trails. I love the fact that the main character is a rock climber and we get to see her describe and enjoy her hobby in each book. I also love learning a few tidbits about the process of making wine and appreciate the connection of chemistry to this part of the culinary world. Don’t laugh, but ever since I saw A Walk in the Cloud (hello, young Keanu), I’ve wanted to stomp grapes. I would easily sign up for this new event at Vino Valentine and sighed through those scenes. 

The author has done a fantastic job of already developing the central cast. I even liked Liam’s role in this book as they learn to navigate rejection, yet remain friends. I also enjoyed seeing Parker’s mom show interest in her daughter’s profession. Brace yourself for meeting Reid’s family. Goodness, what a crew!!! How the sweet chef if related to them is a mystery in and of itself. 

With Reid being wrongfully accused for murder, this mystery is full of action, shocking twists and plenty of red herrings. I gasped and definitely had the wrong culprit picked out so the last few chapters were extra captivating. 

The book concludes with a few recipes!

This is another great addition to this series. Though the books often have a focus on wines you do not have to be a drinker to enjoy the books. There are occasionally a few too many explanations of the wines if you don't care for them but I think they are interesting. I enjoyed the main characters in this book just as much as I did in the first, though this book introduced Reid's family and they were awful (on purpose). I know they were pretty much supposed to be sucky people and I understood why but I did think it brought down the tone of the book a bit so I took off a star for that. Other than that though the book was fantastic. The mystery was well done, the writing flowed and I loved the main character. I am looking forward to the next book!

I had not read the first book in this series, but I was just fine to pick up this second book. It was a fun quick read, perfect for a time you can get some wine and just get lost in this cozy mystery. 

Parker owns her own Wine making business and is happy with her boyfriend. When she has to clear his name after being accused of murder, she is on the case to make sure her love is not taken away to jail. I thought this was a cute cozy. Parker has to solve the crime since Reid does not seem to have a family who cares about his innocence. 

What I have noticed abut cozy mysteries is they all follow a pattern.... a woman who owns a business and then has to solve all of the murders in town. There is usually a love triangle as well. I got some Joanna Fluke vibes, just like Hannah Swensen with her bakery and love triangle. I have fun with these books, but it would be cool to see something less formualic. 

A solid cozy mystery that is easy to finish in a day. I think the series has some big potential. 

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for sharing a review copy with me. All thoughts and opinion are solely my own.

This has become one of my favorite cozy series. I adore the Colorado setting and learning about wine. The protagonist is relatable, and I had a lot of fun with the love triangle. The mystery was well paced and well written.

Second in the series but first rate read!! A fast pacedfun fun filled read that keeps you on your toes. The food and wine descriptions will make your mouth water! I highly recommend this book!!
#netgalley  #Berkley In exchange for a honest review I received a digital copy of this book.

Reid Wallace’s estranged family has come for a visit to Boulder, Colorado, and Parker Valentine is hoping to make a good impression on her boyfriend’s family.  However, things aren’t going well as Reid’s family is constantly judging everything she says as not being up to their standards.  Never mind their opinions of her wine.  The visit is interrupted when Reid is arrested for murder.  Oscar, the sous chef at Reid’s restaurant and his long-time friend, was murder behind the restaurant, and the police are certain that Reid did it.  Parker doesn’t believe that Reid is capable of murder and sets out to figure out what really happened.  Can she free her boyfriend from jail?

The first in this series was one of my favorite books from 2020, so I had high hopes for this one.  I’m pleased to say I enjoyed it.  There is plenty of conflict in this book to keep us hooked.  I did think the pacing started to slow in the middle, but about the time I thought that, it picked up again and kept going until we reached the end.  The characters are still rich, and I appreciated the growth in their relationships, while the new characters fit perfectly into Parker’s world.  For those interested because of the wine theme, there are plenty of scenes in Parker’s winery.  I’d forgotten that this series is written in the present tense, which I don’t mind once my brain adjusts.  There are three delicious sounding recipes with suggested wine pairings at the end of the book.  If you haven’t started this series, you need to fix that.  If you’ve read the first, this book will please you.

Parker Valentine, owner of Vino Valentine, and Reid Wallace, owner and head chef of recently opened Spoons, have not only created a business collaboration pairing their food and wine, they’ve been dating for four months.

When Reid’s estranged family visits Boulder, Parker joins them for a celebratory dinner at Spoons. Not only does something go awry in the kitchen making Reid’s carefully planned dishes less than delectable, his family is openly hostile to Parker despite her efforts to make a positive impression.

Even worse, the next day, she learn that Reid’s sous chef, Oscar, was killed in the alley behind the restaurant. Reid’s distinctive chef’s knife is found at the scene, and an eyewitness identifies him as the murderer. Reid is quickly arrested, and refuses all help from his family, so Parker’s best friend, Sage, volunteers as his legal counsel. With such strong evidence against Reid, though, Parker knows finding the real killer will give him his best chance at freedom. 

As Parker investigates, she is warned off the case by Detective Eli Fuller, especially when she starts receiving threats. Knowing this means she’s getting closer to the truth, she only redoubles her efforts despite the danger.

𝘈 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳 by Kate Lansing is a quick, cute cozy mystery with a determined and plucky protagonist as well as a feline sidekick, Zin. Like the first book in the series, 𝘈 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳 includes insight into winemaking—and a barrel full of wine metaphors. The characters and their relationships have developed, and the book touches on social issues such as the high costs of health care.

The depiction of the murder victim humanized him, and that, as well as the jeopardy facing Reid, gave the case high emotional impact and significant stakes, and I thought it played out well. I also appreciate a cozy mystery without a love triangle!

This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites! There's a polish to this author's work that is really rare for a new author. The plot is so intricately woven, the setting so idyllic, and the characters so empathetically crafted that this book pulls you in by the collar and doesn't want to let go!

The book begins with Parker suffering through a dinner with her boyfriend Reid's haughty parents and two brothers. As rough as the meal is it's a cakewalk compared to how the evening ends, with Reid's sous chef and friend Oscar stabbed to death in the alley behind Reid's new restaurant and Reid hauled off to jail for the crime. Of course we all know Reid isn't capable of killing anyone, let alone someone he cares about as much as Oscar, but the Boulder Police Department, specifically Detective Eli, don't seem to agree. It's up to Parker to find enough evidence to get Reid off the hook.

This is a series I think you don't have to read in order. Book 1 is only referred to twice that I specifically remember and it's inconsequential both times so I think it's safe to read these out of order.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

In short: Parker Valentine is back along with her boyfriend Reid. After a tense dinner with his family, Reid’s sous chef Oscar is found murdered and Reid is arrested. Things aren’t adding up and Parker investigates to clear his name. 

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this 2nd installment of the Colorado Wine Mystery series. Starting off with a tense family dinner was a great way to establish the strained relationships in Reid’s family and made you question their actions throughout the rest of the book. From the get go the author made me care and root for the main characters and had me angry and disappointed with Reids family. This was such great character development! 

The investigation itself is a little slow going as it’s hard to get any information from anyone but she persists. There are some crazy twists and turns and just when Parker thinks she has everything solved a final piece of the puzzle falls into place. 

This book achieved all the keys to a good cozy mystery:
*Lovable characters - Such a great cast
*Great Setting - I loved all the descriptions of Boulder, CO and details of winemaking 
*A little romance - The bond and loyalty Parker and Reid have was nice to see. 
*Danger - It wouldn’t be a cozy without the sleuther putting herself in danger with the killer before being rescued.

Like a good wine, A Pairing to Die For surprises the pallet, leaves a lingering mystery of flavorful thoughts and leaves you nicely cozy in the end.


Parker Valentine is living her dream. Her wine shop Vino Valentine,is picking up in business, people are enjoying her creations and there is a man that makes her heart happy.  The opening scene of the book just goes to show you what a woman will do for a man she cares deeply for. This strong and independent woman embraces a snobby family, makes some wine, investigates a murder, cares for a lonely cat and even dangled her toes in a bit of matchmaking. Well really just a push on both sides. Not too bad for a day's work. Parker is determined and I love how when she sets her mind to a goal, she does her best to follow through. 



A Pairing to Die For is a fantastic follow up to Killer Chardonnay.  Kate Lansing is a fantastically descriptive writer combining the delicacies of winemaking with the delectable nature of wonderful food, the comfortability of friendship, with a mystery that will keep your mind working. Along with the beautiful descriptions of Boulder and the fantastic cast of characters she has given readers, good stories and entertainment will be had. The Colorado Wine Mystery series is off and running!  I can’t wait for more time with Parker and her crew.  If you are a lover of cozy mysteries with a bit of romance and wine, you should give A Pairing to die for a try!

The second in this series featuring winemaker and tasting room owner Parker Valentine was a good follow-up, though I'll admit I didn't love it QUITE as much as the first in the series. The wine metaphors and puns were a bit heavy handed, but fortunately the mystery didn't suffer. Parker's boyfriend is being accused of murdering his friend and sous chef, so the stakes are high in this one. This was an entertaining mystery, and I do certainly hope to see the series continue!

3.5 stars

This cozy series is set in Boulder, Colorado and features a young female winemaker. Parker Valentine is trying to fulfill a dream by blending her own grapes and wine brand in a shop in Boulder. As this book opens, she is stuck at the dinner from hell with her boyfriend's parents and brothers at the boyfriend's restaurant. The parents are almost cartoonishly awful. 

But the evening isn't over. One of boyfriend Reid's staff is found murdered in the alley later that night with Reid's knife. Parker is way more concerned about Reid's arrest and incarceration than his family so she decides to investigate.

As is often the case with cozies, Parker seems to spend a lot more time playing detective than she does running her business. Her family is also among the cast of characters and there is a bit of family drama with both Parker and Reid's parents.  Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"A Pairing to Die For”  by Kate Lansing the second instalment in the  “Colorado Wine Mystery” series. I struggled sometimes with all the wine references, being a non drinker but over all I enjoy this series.  I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in a few days. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. 

I loved the characters which are well developed, especially Parker she makes a good protagonist.  The secondary characters Sage, Liam, even her mum were likeable as well.  I can’t wait to see what happens next with Parker and Reid.

 I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkeley Publishing  and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.