Playing With Bonbon Fire is a great cozy mystery. It is part of a series that needs to be read in order of publication. I highly recommend the whole series..

This is an excellent second installment of a cozy mystery series which is set in small island town in South Carolina. The author has created a wonderful mix of mystery, chocolate, and music. I really love the characters and the southern small town feel to this book.

I liked this book. Because I have not read the other books in series I was kinda lost in who was who. Would like a little back story.

Charity Penn is back and still working on perfecting her bonbon technique at the Chocolate Box, which her mater grandmother left her. While she may not be a natural born chocolatier, she gets an A for effort and is a stand out amateur sleuth.

Adjusting to life in Camellia Beach, Charity agrees to help organize the summer music festival that will draw crowds to the town. Everything is set for a great time, one of the lead singers from a band is found dead. Secret, threats and more come out as Charity looks for the killer.

There is also a story that spans the books as Charity searches for her Mother in the series. So while each book can be read as a stand alone, you will want to read the first one to capture all the little nuances that really grab you in and hook you into the series.

The second installment in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mysteries is just as delicious as the first. Cannot wait for my next visit to Camellia Beach!

Charity Penn is settling into her new life in Camellia Beach, SC running the chocolate shop she inherited. While still trying to solve some mysteries about her mother, she's making new friends, learning to trust people again, and getting involved in local events. Camelia Beach is trying to have it's second Beach Festival, the first was 40 years earlier. Penn has agreed to help Bubba, organize the event. Bixby Lewis, a well-known singer trying to reignite his career, has agreed to perform. It turns out he dated Penn's half-sister Trina. Penn is still dealing with her grandmother's children, who don't believe she's related to them or should have inherited the shop. All she wants is to find her mother who disappeared years ago. When Bixby fights with another band at the festival over rights to a song, and then the current song owner winds up dead in a bonfire, Penn is pulled into the investigation. Penn's mother's history is tied up in this mystery and it all comes to a head in a big scene at the end of the book. Can Penn help solve the mystery, save the festival as well as her shop?

I enjoyed this book more than the first. Penn finally comes to grips with her past and begins to develop a positive relationship with Trina, her half-sister. She is becoming a more self-assured young lady and does not complain and whine about her past like she did in the first book. There is a pleasant cast of characters in this book with some good connections. I enjoyed more the presence of Althea, the crystal store owner, Penn's best friend and magic aficionado. I liked the further development of Penn's personality and style and she seems to have a fair balance of when to push and when to back away in terms of investigating any crimes. She is definitely developing her skills as an amateur sleuth. The mystery had me guessing throughout most of the book. I had an inkling of who the murderer was and I was correct, but the reason behind it and how it tied in with the missing song was well done. There was enough humour in this book to keep a cozy mystery lover happy, especially when it comes to the display window in the Chocolate Shop. I appreciated the way Dorothy St. James deftly tied this mystery together at the end. I would recommend this series to cozy mystery lovers, especially those who enjoy a culinary cozy.

This is a great book; this is the second book in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series and is written by Dorothy St. James. Chocolate shop owner Charity Penn is finally settling into life in the quirky South Carolina seaside town of Camellia Beach cooking up chocolate treats. She’s even helped organize the town’s lively beach music festival which has brought rollicking crowds eager to dance the Carolina shag. That is, until one of the band’s lead singers is found dead beside a beach bonfire. While also trying to balance the amorous attention of music star Bixby Lewis, in town for the festival, and her quest to perfect a new hot flavored bonbon, Charity dives into the investigation. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

I got an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Kensington Publications, for my honest opinion.

Charity Penn is busy running the The Chocolate Box the chocolate shop that she inherited from her grandmother Mabel in the seaside town Camellia Beach, South Carolina. Bertie is still making the luscious bonbons for the shop, and Penn keep has hopes that she’ll be able make the bonbon's like Bertie. The beach side town is abuzz because it’s time for the Summer Solstice Beach Music Festival. Pop star Bixby Lewis is there as a favor to Penn’s half-sister, Tina. He’s being followed by a stalker who causes trouble while telling people they are an item. Tragedy strikes the music festivities when a singer for one of the bands performing at the festival dies in a bonfire. Penn finds herself trying to find who threw a rock through the front window, then who shot the same window, and finally who drove a car through the front of the shop, all while trying to create a bonbon for the festival and trying to find out what happened to Mabel's missing daughter who maybe her mother.

This was a nicely paced mystery with a couple of subplots that all come together very nicely at the end of the story. The mystery was has a few red herrings and several twists and turns to go through before the the true culprit is revealed. The characters seem to leap from the page by the way the author describes them and makes them so life like. I like how Penn seems to be growing and accepting the situations in her life. I also like that the author has opened up a possible relationship between Penn and Harley her friend and lawyer.

This is a solid cozy mystery set in small island town in South Carolina. This installment of the series is a wonderful mix of mystery, chocolate, and music. I really grew to love the characters and small town feel. Although the books may prove dangerous to my waistline, I would like to continue this series. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC of this title via NetGalley.

Playing with Bonbon Fire by Dorothy St. James is the second book in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. Penn is settling into life at Camellia Beach and in her new chocolate shop. Penn is helping with the beach music festival and keeping up with headliner Bixby Lewis. When it appears that someone is trying to murder Bixby, Penn steps in to protect him and her shop. The setting of this series makes me want to run off to the beach. I have read the previous book, but it is not necessary to enjoy this one. I enjoy how the characters are developing and look forward to the next book!

This is a fun new series. I'm enjoying getting to know Charity (who prefers to go by Penn), Bertie, Harley and the rest of the characters. They're well-written and developed characters. We find out a little more about their nature and backgrounds with each book, which is how I like it!

The setting descriptions are perfect. I'm not one for overly-wordy descriptions, but I still want to be able to imagine the place in my head. I can do that here without feeling tired of all the descriptions. Ms. St. James does a good job with this.

The plotline was well-thought-out, full of red herrings, and exciting. I did have an inkling of the killer before the book was done, but I wasn't positive I was right until he/she was revealed.

If you choose to read the series, I would start with Asking for Truffle, the first book in the series. It really has some background information that you need to have for going forward. Each mystery itself stands on its own, but the overall arc of the series needs to be experienced by reading them in order!

Charity Penn is adjusting to her new life as the owner of the Chocolate Box shop in the South Carolina seaside town of Camellia Beach. With the help of her half-sister Tina, Charity has snagged music star Bixby Lewis to headline the upcoming beach music festival. But during the first night, the Embers' lead singer Stan is found dead under a beach bonfire. Was Stan the intended victim? Charity snoops and finds plenty of secrets about the various band members. Meanwhile, Bixby has been getting threatening notes and he and Charity come under fire a number of times. A determined stalker is on the loose. Charity also hopes to find more proof about the identity and fate of her birth mother and this is linked to the murder. This was a quick fun read and another strong entry in the Southern Chocolate Shop mysteries.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Charity Penn is back again. She is still trying to figure out who her biological mother is and where she may be while trying to learn how to make chocolate. Bixby Lewis is a rock star that once dated her half-sister. He sweeps into Penn's life and knocks her a little off kilter. The glass front window of her shop is shattered by a rock with a threatening note. Bixby is unconcerned. This happens to him all the time. Bixby is in town to perform at a local beach music festival that Penn is helping organize. But a band member, an former member of the community is killed. Now Penn is trying to figure out who killed him.

This is a fun cozy. It is enjoyable and kept my attention. The town of Camilla Beach sounds quaint and the people around town are great. It's also interesting that Penn is also dealing with the mystery of her mother. A mystery within a mystery. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozies and wants to escape for a few hours.

PLAYING WITH BONBON FIRE is the second book in the Southern Chocolate Shop cozy mystery series. St. James's once again uses an interesting cast of local characters to create a story of mystery in a small, once tourist, town. Penn has arranged a music festival to try to bring back tourism, now that she's decided to stay on and run her late grandmother's chocolate shop.

I am very curious, and very excited, to see where book three will take Penn in her relationships with both of her parents, as she does discover the identity of her mother in this book.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Camellia Beach is going to be filled with music and people as the Beach Music Festival begins. Thanks to a little help from her half-sister Tina, Penn is able to book the famous Bixby Lewis to be the headliner of the festival. The event is also going to mean The Chocolate Box is going to have tons of customers. She is still learning to make the perfect bonbon, but with Bertie’s help, they will have enough chocolate treats to serve the masses.

But the first night of the festival brings tragedy. A body is found in the bonfire and Penn can’t help but jump right into the investigation. She is also helping Bixby with a stalker, trying to keep her business open after several freaky occurrences, plus she is dealing with a lawsuit over ownership of The Chocolate Box and oh, she also wants to create her own special spicy hot bonbon while trying to find her birth mother.

We are getting to know these characters better and Penn is opening up more in this story. She is making friends and getting involved in the happenings in Camellia Beach. But top on her list is finding her mother and proving that the chocolate shop left to her should be solely hers. I don’t know how any person could handle everything that she had to deal with in this short time span. Thankfully she had her friends and her sister to lean on and step in while she was running all over town chasing down leads and trying to keep the festival on track.

The author really blends two mysteries together in this book. A murder mystery and the search for Penn’s mother. They coexist very naturally together. Both have surprising twists. The main mystery, the murder, had many topsy-turvy turns. There was so much going on and I was not sure how the whole plot was going to come together, but when we reached the end, it all did.

I usually read a book like this over 2 evenings, but I was having a very hard time putting this book down the first night. Finally, my body made the decision for me, when I could no longer keep my eyes open. I hated having to work the next day because I would have rather been reading, but I escaped back into it before supper was even on the table. The ending was surprising and not what I was expecting at all. Fantastic storytelling by this author.

I can’t forget to mention the bonbons, the truffles and all the other goodies for sale at The Chocolate Box. You may want to have some chocolate on hand while reading this story because the descriptions will have you drooling.

I enjoyed everything about this story. Dorothy St. James has packed these pages full of mystery, drama, action, and chocolate. I am excited for the continuation of this series.

Chocolate and mysteries go together like PB&J. I am delighted with this series, just based off of reading this novel. It is well written, and quick to engage the reader. I couldn’t put this down!
Characters

So we meet Charity Penn in the previous book, but I was formally introduced to her in this novel. As a character she is a warm personality, she would be a person that everyone would love, and she could be friends with anyone. She not only has the ability to have amazing chocolate and a beach front setting, but the ability to sleuth in a sweet manner.
This story had plenty of unique characters that readers will enjoy. It was as though you were truly visiting a festival, allowing yourself to people watch. It is really fun to envision these people in my mind. And in the great words from the three year old: Look at that cute puppy! Seriously, that puppy would certainly have me buying more than one copy of a book.


I really loved the festival setting and how Charity interacted with others. Being that I hadn’t read the first book, it was fun to get to know the characters. I would have to give a huge high five to the author on the whodunit scene, it was awesome.


If you are like me and haven’t read the first book, don’t miss out on this book or series just because of that. This mystery is delightful and as smooth to read as fine chocolate is to eat. Readers with a sweet tooth will love the setting and Charity, the sweet sleuth.

What a delicious treat it was to read this book. I love chocolate and enjoyed reading about how different chocolate treats are made. I don't think I have tried a bonbon before, but I certainly will be looking for them. I would love to go to Penn's shop and sample all the delectable concoctions displayed in the glass cases. Wouldn't it be exciting to inherit a chocolate shop? Penn has her hands full trying to keep the shop running when relatives get in the way. Learning about Penn's upbringing was fascinating. The author draws readers in with two mysteries surrounding Penn.

The town is all abuzz about the musical festival set along the beach that brings in a well known singer. Bixby Lewis blows into town with an air of "Hey I'm famous and women swoon over me." I didn't like him at first, but he kinda grew on me. The festival sounded so fun and I could feel the excitement as Bixby took the stage for the opening night. Everything seems to go well until a body is found burning on the beach. I gasped when Charity thought the victim was someone she was growing fond of. With the expert writing from the author, she leads us on a trail that shook me when the victim was identified. The town goes into a tizzy trying to figure out who the killer is.

The other mystery going on in the story is about Penn and the identity of her mother. The author grasps the full emotions of a woman wanting to know her roots and explores how much it can affect someone. Will Penn ever find out who her mother is? Why has it been a secret all these years? I liked the little romance in the book but I'm not saying much about it. It is one that the author will keep readers guessing about to the end. I loved the story and I didn't want to see it end. Are you wondering who the killer is? My advice is to get a copy and get comfy. The story is a page turner and one you will not forget. The story reminds me of the days when concerts were popular. It would be an all day event with bands on stage, food vendors everywhere and people having a great time. This is one story that will satisfy cozy mystery readers with intrigue, secrets and danger, There is a treat waiting at the end of the book. Don't miss out on the enticing recipes that will have you rushing to the store for ingredients.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion

I remember putting the first book in this series on my to-be-read list and then forgetting about it. Enter the opportunity to review this book and I am so glad I did. Dorothy St. James is an amazingly talented author who paints a picture of a town and characters so well that you get lost in the story, only fully emerging upon turning the last page. I can guarantee that after you do finish the last page in this book, you will be asking about what is next to come in the series. The characters in this series leap from the page and demand your attention right from the start. Even Penn's fiesty little dog is packed with attitude and hysterical instances of bad behavior that will leave you holding your sides from laughing so hard. I loved that there was more than one mystery to figure out in the book. I followed Penn's lead down so many well written twists and turns, only to be hit with a shocker at the end. I simply can't say enough, I loved this book. And it didn't hurt that at the end there are quite a few recipes for you to try your own hand at whipping up some chocolate delicacies. Enjoy!

I suspected I would really, really enjoy this book. I couldn't wait to get to the end and find the recipes! Which sound so good!
A chocolate lover like myself will enjoy every minute and bite
of Playing with Bonbon Fire it's hard not to feel like your gaining inches as you read. All this talk about chocolate is
almost a dream come true with the quaint dreamy little seaside town.

The town is filled with fun and quirky characters that care of each other and help solve the mystery in their own unique way.
Penn is put to the test not only solving the mysteries but making a go of becoming the Chocolatier she wants to be.
As Penn goes down the twisty turning road picking up clues
the reader is swept along the yummy ride.
In the end everything is wrapped up sweetly or maybe savory.
Either way it's a win win 5 star read.
I received a complimentary copy

I liked the concert/festival story line of Fire and enjoyed the read. I appreciate the author making Penn a more original character with plenty of flaws/responses explained by her family situation. However, I still think some of Penn's actions don't make sense such as her wearing pencil skirts, heels and silk blouses after 5 or 6 months when working in the shop. By this point, she should have realized the stupidity of it. She is supposed to be a well educated individual. It's also mentioned that she had a strong hand in organizing the festival, but there weren't any details to back that up, nor did she spend much time at it. It just rang false and it didn't benefit (or hurt..other than to stand out as not realistic to me) the story line any.

Her half sister, Tina, shows up and I'd look forward to seeing them work together more. Penn's relationship with Tina (so different from the rest of her family) is explained by a few brief sentences which was enough. I could use a whole lot less "sillybean" name calling. I find it condescending and makes me question Tina's motives. Hmmm, maybe that was planned?!?

An important fact is discovered and dropped. I would have though Penn would be more proactive with it, but I have a feeling it will ended up being a big part of the next book.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Okay so I just fell in love with book. We get chocolate, a cute (though vicious) dog, enough family drama for a lifetime, and a mystery to solve all in one book. The chocolate shop alone makes it worthwhile but reading about Penn constantly failing at the treat creation had me giggling I must say though she really seems to have the original creation part down pat. This time Penn is helping with a big music festival that will be going on and her sister got her famous musician to perform for free. Well of course this brings lots of paparazzi and crazy fans with it. After the first concert a body is found dead on the beach under a bonfire and while trying to figure out what happened there lots of other strange things start happening until Penn is wrapped in all kinds of stuff. I was loving the emotional depths that this book took and the mystery itself was more involved then most as well. I think that all chocolate lovers should read this book/series and the cozy mystery fans in general. I loved every page and was actually upset that it ended so I give it 5/5 stars.