I really loved this first book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this book incredibly interesting the author really kept me hooked until the end. very well written I highly recommend.

Paint & Shine Mystery book 2.

Miranda takes a group of skilled hikers up to a spectacular spot with the perfect view for sketching. One of the hikers discovers human bones which opens an investigation. Miranda feels it is her cousin that disappeared five years ago. Miranda is determined to find out what happened.

I really enjoyed this unique cozy mystery with an interesting twist of combining hiking and art and making moonshine into a business venture. I loved the aspect of having the main character have such a personal connection to the murder victim. It gave the plot more of a vested interest. I liked the teamwork between Miranda and Austin and the connection between Dorothy and Ron. I also enjoyed the action that was sprinkled throughout the story. It really kept me wanting to read more. The bonus of the book is the recipes at the end. My favorites were pickled beets (my husband loves beets) and the cheesy bits. If you love cozy mysteries, this is a great series to read! Can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love this series. It is so much fun. It was great getting back to Kentucky and Miranda. I can't wait to read the next one!

I have really enjoyed Cheryl Hollon’s Webb’s Glass Shop mystery series, so I was excited to read Draw and Order, the second book in her Paint and Shine series. Draw and Order was an enjoyable read, but, in my opinion, does not live up to the high standard set by the Webb’s Glass Shop series.

Miranda Trent’s business combines her love of painting with the opportunity to give her clients a taste of local moonshine. On one such excursion, Miranda is leading her group on a hike through the Appalachian Mountains to paint the beautiful scenery when they encounter a half-buried skeleton. The mystery deepens when Miranda discovers that the bones belong to her cousin, who has been missing for several years. Believing that her cousin succumbed to foul play, Miranda is determined to find the perpetrator.

Although I had not read the first book, I had no trouble jumping in with the second. There was sufficient continuity in both characters and story, that it was an easy transition. The concept of paint and shine is intriguing, much like the local paint and pours that have come to dominate our local artisan landscape, but with a decided twist. I also liked the fact that Miranda’s clients were not confined to a studio but could explore their art through nature. That the mystery was personal to Miranda greatly increased the tension and suspense, as did the clever combination of cold case murder and modern-day suspects, each with motives for the crime.

There are, however, a few minor issues to address. Miranda’s distillery still is not operating. Since this is the second book in the series, I would have expected it to be, or at least for there to be a legitimate reason it was not. I hope that by the third book we get to see the distillery in action, as it is one of the more unique and intriguing aspects of this series.

I really didn’t appreciate the unwarranted dig at California residents, as if we don’t know how to wash dishes by hand. While I am sure it was meant to be humorous, it wasn’t. Finally, Miranda’s aunt is upset because her missing son’s employer terminated his employment after he had been absent for three days without contact. What kind of employer does that? My answer: probably one with a sound company absentee policy.

All told, Draw and Order is a good book with an enjoyable cast of characters, a well-plotted cold case mystery, and an intriguing plotline. I hope to see the distillery up and running in the next installment. I’d give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for the addition of appetizer and moonshine recipes.

Note: I received an ARC of Draw and Order from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

I have read in the past books by this author and I have to say she did not disappoint. The story was fun to read and the characters were believable in such a way that I felt as if I knew them personally.

In book 2 of the Paint and Shine Series, we find local guide Miranda Trent on a new adventure. All is set for a group of rock climbers to head up to Battleship Rock Trail until a body is found near the trailhead. To make matters worse the body is that of her cousin an experienced woodsman.

When the sheriff declares it was an accident Miranda decides to investigate. As she digs deeper she realizes the Risky Business Rock Climbing Group has some secrets of their own.

Miranda is leading a group of rock climbers on an advanced hike. The group discovers a skeleton which just happens to belong to Miranda's long missing cousin, Howard. While the police suspect Howard died as a result of a hiking accident, Miranda suspects murder as Howard was an experienced hiker. Her investigation leads her to uncover long buried secrets. The setting and the supporting characters add to the charm of this series which is becoming one of my favorites.

Miranda Trent runs a hike-and-paint tour business, Paint & Shine, in the Daniel Boone National Park in the Appalachians. Clients enjoy a great trek, the opportunity to paint or sketch in the park, an authentic Southern home-cooked meal and the chance to sample local moonshine. This time she’s taking rock climbers, the Risky Business Adventurers, along the Battleship Rock Trail. The plan is they’ll hike to a venue where they’ll have the chance to paint a spectacular view. Then they discover a body…

When it turns out the victim is Miranda’s cousin Howard Cable, who disappeared several years earlier, the case becomes very personal. Miranda doesn’t believe it was a hiking accident given Howard was an experienced outdoorsman and turns out he was also a former member of the Risky Business Adventurers! Miranda enlists the help of Ranger Austin Morgan to find out the truth…and if the Risky Business Adventurers were involved.

Author Cheryl Hollon has created a strong entrepreneurial heroine in Miranda, who is building her business, juggling her personal life and investigating her cousin’s death. Ms. Hollon has such a good hand with description you feel like you’re right in the forest with the characters in the novel. This is an interesting series with art, mystery and building a business entwined with a mystery to be solved. I look forward to the next Paint and Shine Mystery.

Although I really enjoy her Webb's Glass Shop series and the characters, I have found this one a bit harder to keep my interested. The mystery was well-done but I miss a 'connection' to the characters.

Since returning to Appalachia, artist Miranda Trent has carved out an exhilarating and exhausting career. She inherited a rundown family farmhouse in rural Kentucky, which serves as her base of operations. Miranda organizes and leads hikes to a variety of scenic venues. Not ordinary tours, rather “a unique experience blending art, adventure, food, and drink in one package.” Once her groups reach their destination, they switch gears and under Miranda’s tutelage, capture their stunning surroundings on paper.

As the owner of Paint & Shine, a cultural-adventure tour business set in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Miranda wanted her clients to enjoy the best examples of Southern food possible. Her eastern-Kentucky farmhouse was normally the location for the meal. But today’s offering was an old-timey packed lunch to eat out on the trail overlooking the cliff formation called Battleship Rock.

Is there such a thing as armchair eating? If so, count me in because the hikers are in for a treat: crispy fried chicken breasts, green beans, pickled cabbage, pickles plus a mustard potato salad, corn on the cob, cornbread, cobbler, and a lemonade moonshine cocktail served in a mason jar. They are going to have to expend a lot of calories to do justice to Miranda’s lunch but she tells her kitchen assistants it won’t be a problem.

“These clients have assured me that they are fit athletes and can carry more than twice the weight of these day-trip packs. We’ll see. I mean, as a group they call themselves Risky Business Adventurers. That must mean something. This is my first remote-trail offering. I hope it’s a success.”

Miranda talks a good game but she’s worried. She’s already invited Austin Morgan, her neighbor, and an experienced ranger, to join the expedition. She’s also packed extra drawing supplies and equipment in case of an emergency. Forewarned is forearmed—hopefully, none of these precautions will be necessary. Battleship Rock is a challenging destination but it’s well worth the effort, which is why the Risky Business Adventurers requested it.

Given the distance of the hike and its remoteness, Miranda had chosen to provide a lesson in charcoal sketching rather than the normal activity of creating an acrylic painting of the Battleship Rock overlook. After all, everything hauled up to the vantage point had to be hauled down.

Miranda meets up with the six adventurers and longtime friends and they’re off. After an hour, they arrive in front of a vertical sandstone slab that has footholds going up to the summit.

It looks worse than it is but Ranger Morgan is there to share a little local history and do a basic climbing demonstration. However, he’s interrupted by Alfred who says no need, they’re all decent climbers at the “intermediate to expert level.”

“Well then,” continued Austin, “who wants to go first?”



“Me, of course,” said Kevin. “I always go first in our little adventures.”



Miranda bit at the corner of her lip. It looks like there are two leaders. One for travel arrangements and one as alpha male. I’ve seen this puppet leadership style before. It complicates everything.

Miranda almost falls climbing up but Austin calmly gets her settled and eventually everyone is up safely. The views are incredible but Miranda is out of spirits, telling Austin that she’s still worried. After lunch, Miranda gets everyone started on their charcoal sketches. After giving Jennifer some tips, Miranda lends her a hand to stand up but Jennifer slips and scrapes her palm on a sharp stick-like object.

A shudder ran down Miranda’s spine. That was not a stick. She picked up a nearby branch and poked at the leaves until more of the foreign forms were exposed. She felt a sick tingle in her teeth. The forms were not wooden sticks. One last scrape revealed a jawbone and a skull. They were human bones.

Jennifer’s screams bring back Ranger Morgan. It’s a crime scene now. Austin tells Miranda that Sheriff Larson and the coroner are on the way. Surely this is all an unfortunate coincidence, that a member of the Risky Business group discovered a skeleton. But as it turns out, the bones belong to Miranda’s cousin, Howard Cable, who was a former classmate of the Risky Business group. As far as the sheriff is concerned, hiking accidents happen. But Miranda’s cousin Howard grew up in this area: he was an experienced hiker, comfortable in the Daniel Boone National Forest. He wasn’t even off-trail when he died. Miranda decides to forge ahead on her own, with Ranger Morgan’s help. Isn’t it suspicious that Howard was a classmate, possibly a friend or more, to the fledgling Risky Business group? Miranda’s effervescent mother comes to stay and help her daughter correctly interpret the varied recollections of Howard’s family.

Her mother opened her arms and Miranda walked into a warm hug, “You know it’s going to be difficult to untangle Howard’s life. He was a strange duck.”

“Yeah, but there are so many secrets.”

Miranda persists, however, and tells her mother that Austin is doing further research on the group of suspects. Folks in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge have each other’s backs. Those secrets won’t be hidden forever—Miranda will find justice for her cousin and his still-sorrowing mother.

What’s next for renaissance woman Miranda Trent? It’s a condition of her late uncle Gene Buchanan’s will that she must produce his legendary moonshine to hold onto the family homestead. Will her fermentation tank be installed before year’s end? No moonshine, no farm. Stay tuned readers. Draw and Order is a splendid follow-up to Hollon’s first Paint & Shine mystery.

Miranda Trent inherited a house and potential business from her uncle. The gift came with a condition—she had to open a moonshine distillery and use her uncle’s recipes to make the ‘shine. There’s a lot of red tape to go through to make that dream happen. While researching equipment, testing recipes, and sourcing ingredients, she also runs cultural tours. Groups can choose between a meal or event or the full-fledged outing of a hike, painting session of the scenery, complete with a local history lesson by a park ranger, and a picnic lunch. Word is starting to spread.

As the equipment is delivered, supplies sourced, and red tape untangled, one group of experienced hikers proves to be more than just tourists. During their visit to Battleship Rock, one of the hikers cuts her hand. When Miranda investigates, she realizes a human bone was the cause. What makes it worse, Miranda thinks she might know who the bones used to be—her cousin Howard, missing for the last five years.

As more becomes known, Miranda finds out the climbers that day were all friends of Howard’s and the climb was in his memory. She didn’t know her cousin all that well, but on behalf of her aunt, Howard’s mother, she agrees to help out on the case. The Sheriff seems more worried about his budget than a cold case.

In the meantime, there’s a hole in the barn roof after a storm, Miranda’s ingredients are ruined, the repairman isn’t all that reliable, and Miranda’s mom has come to stay—for how long?! Add in vandalism, accidents, delays, and uncovered secrets, and Miranda has to figure out what happened and fast!

This is book two in the series. There were a lot of names to keep track of but Hollon helpfully added a cast of characters in the front of the book for handy reference. Miranda’s life was settling down until Mom showed up. And then there’s Ron the handyman whose work is excellent, but his work ethic is not. Who knows how long either of them are planning to stay. Miranda’s friendship with Austin, the park ranger isn‘t quite a relationship yet. It, like the distillery, is promising. If you think moonshine is a still out in the woods and illegally made booze, think again. Moonshine has gone mainstream. Just look at the recipes included at the back of the book—moonshine cherry mimosas, lemonade ‘shine, cola moon, and for snacks, cheesy bits (so easy I could make them), old-fashioned cornbread, bean salad (yellow wax, green, red kidney) with a tart dressing, and pickled beets.

Draw and Order by Cheryl Hollon is book two in the A Paint and Shine Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone.
It is an easy to read Cozy with plenty of suspects and plot twists. Miranda, the protagonist, is likeable and relatable. The side characters are also well written. You will feel as if you are in Kentucky. There is also a budding romance. Throw in some humor and an adorable puppy and you have a great Cozy.
I am already waiting for book three.
I was given an ARC by Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review.

Title: Draw and Order
Author: Cheryl Hollon

Ch: 43

Pg: 336

Series: A Paint and Shine book 2

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Kensington



Draw and Order is the second book in the Paint and Shine series by Cheryl Hollon. In this one Miranda Trent is still doing her painting tours while trying to get her moonshine distillery up and running. But it ends up being one thing after another trying to stop her. I enjoyed this one more than I did the first one, and I think it's because it was able to focus more on the mystery aspect and Miranda's business because so much of the character development took place in the first book.

I love cozy mysteries, and I especially love the ones set in my home state of Kentucky and write the characters and state in a truthful light. And Cheryl did that. Miranda is a character that reminds me of myself in many ways especially the childhoods of running barefoot around the family farm. I spent a many childhood summer days doing just that. What stood out to me was seeing my great aunt's name as a character in the book, Miranda's aunt Ora Cable does indeed have a name that fits in Kentucky farming country. This is the first time I've seen that name in a book. It's tidbits like that that make the Kentucky setting and people come alive. I look forward to the next book in the series.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I really enjoyed this installment. It was well-written with fun characters. Cheryl Hollon does a great job of writing imagery so that I can visualize the picturesque scenery in the book. The mystery sagged a bit in the middle, but the ending was worth it. I cannot wait for the next one!

Miranda Trent's business of taking tourist on a a hiking/painting excursion is busy in this book with members of the Risky Business Adventurers who are college friends who get together every year for a hiking adventure. However, what they find brings back more than memories - trouble is included. Are they all climbing toward trouble or repelling from danger?

This was an interesting little mystery but I'm not sure that the premise of the series will be sustainable. The characters as described can only go so far.

Princess Fuzzypants here: During a hike with a group of adventure enthusiasts called Risky Business, Miranda and the group stumble upon a body. Miranda fears it may be her cousin who disappeared five years earlier. What she.does not know until much later, this group not only knew her cousin but was he was with them just before he disappeared. He was one of them.

The relationships were far more convoluted than initially perceived and as Miranda and her friend Austin discover every one of the group could be a suspect. It is an integral part of the story as Austin backs up Miranda at every move and the two of them realize they are quite the team. Miranda’s mother is staying with her and between cooking and helping with the investigation, she has become a surprising asset. So has the handyman that Miranda reluctantly hires to help with her moonshine still. Not so surprising in a negative way are all the secrets this group is keeping and the things she learns about her cousin.

It is a great mystery with likeable and interesting characters in a part of the world that is breathtaking. And it has a fantastic climax. One thing I.appreciate about Miranda is she is a smart lady who does not blunder into situations that would test Darwin’s theory. This is a fun series so don’t stop at this one book. Five purrs and two paws up.

This is the second book in the Paint & Shine Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. Each mystery is self-contained, but I still recommend you read this series in order so you don't miss out on character development and background. Miranda Trent is still trying to get her Moonshine operation up and running. She is dealing with repairs on her barn, which is where the still will go, as well as trying to get her new equipment finished and delivered. Her excursions that mix hiking/climbing with a painting class are up and running and this book has her taking a group called The Risky Business Adventurers, up the challenging Battleship Rock Trail to paint and sample moonshine. Just before they leave the paint site, they are posting for a picture when one of the group finds bones. Is it human? If it is, whose body is it?

Miranda's a great character, a good daughter and friend. She is extremely talented, physically fit and smart. Her business is very unique and setting of the Daniel Boone National Park is very picturesque and well described. I am rooting for her to get her moonshine business up and running soon. Miranda's family plays a big part in this book. Her mom helps her with cooking the meals she ends her excursions with and helps support both Miranda and her aunt as the mystery unfolds. I enjoy Austin's character and like that they are getting closer together. Doris Ann was a good friend and a great source of information when Miranda is sleuthing to solve a case. There were few suspects in the murder, but once the Risky Business Adventurers were implicated, that changed. The showdown/rescue was a bit tense, and everything at the end was revealed, including the motive. There are recipes included in the book and I might just give them a try.

Draw and Order is an engaging sequel to Still Knife Painting and adds further layers to the characters we met in that first book. While I’m in no way, shape, or form (emphasis on shape) a hiker or an artist, I love the idea of Miranda’s Paint & Shine tours and was happy to see her business flourishing. Her expansion plans bring a quirky handyman into her world (and her mother’s!), and her adorable puppy Sandy continues to steal the show. I’m eager to see where Hollon takes Miranda’s distillery & gift shop plans, as well as Ron and his unlikely friendship with Miranda’s mom.

Having recently moved out of central Kentucky, my home for 30 years, it gave me all sorts of nostalgia to read about real-life places that I know well. From St. Joseph’s Hospital to the University of Kentucky to Blue Grass Airport & Red River Gorge, I could easily picture the areas Miranda and other characters referred to throughout Draw and Order. Fun touches like Cherry Ale-8 and even just patterns of speech for that region made me smile. It’s clear the author has fond memories from that part of Kentucky as well, and I enjoyed seeing it through her (and Miranda’s) eyes.

The mystery was full of adventure and suspects and ‘wow!’ moments that I didn’t see coming. I wasn’t at all sure how this was going to turn out, but I loved the journey to get there. Miranda’s personal connection to the victim, her all-equally-suspicious clients from the Risky Business Adventures group, rumors of legendary silver mines, and Miranda’s growing relationship with sweet Ranger Austin Morgan kept me turning the pages to see how it would all play out. I also admit to gasping out loud a couple of times at some surprising – and harrowing – twists.

Bottom Line: Draw and Order is engaging & entertaining, with a well-plotted mystery & nicely layered characters. The murder case will keep you on your toes with stunning reveals and intriguing clues. While there are some ‘info dump’ stretches of dialogue, the overall pacing of the novel easily maintains a smooth story flow. A beautiful setting and yummy recipes with moments of humor and plenty of creativity are icing on the cake – or, ice cream on apple pie, as the case may be. I’m looking forward to more books in this series!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Another wonderful pairing of cozy goodness, Kentucky cooking, and a drop or two of moonshine. Miranda Trent’s Paint & Shine business is gaining popularity with locals and tourists alike and seems to be on track, now if she could just get the distillery up and going, she only has until New Years to have that first all important batch of her deceased Uncle’s shine ready for sale. Miranda is an easy character to relate to making it extremely easy to get caught up in the story as it progresses. You can’t help but to exclaim out loud every time something. This one wastes no time in grabbing you from earlier on with the discovery of a skeleton that has Miranda feeling dread in her own bones because she just knows that it is her cousin who disappeared without a trace. Is history trying to repeat itself, after all, the same adventure club is back for memorial hike to remember Cousin Howard Cable or is it just a red herring? Plenty of questionable characters, including the handyman. On a side note, the lemonade shine recipe was a hit for the July 4th BBQ, and I paired the cornbread recipe with some Texas chili inspired by another cozy. I do so love a book that inspires me to cook! Looking forward to the next one and to see how the spark between Miranda and Ranger Austin heats up.

Draw and Order by Cheryl Hollon is a wonderfully written second installment in a lovely series.

Will Miranda figure out who killed her cousin Howard?

Miranda Trent
Miranda, our sleuth, is smart as a whip and very resourceful. She has found herself a boyfriend in Austin, her neighbor, and the park ranger. Miranda's business is fairly steady, and she is making it. However, it seems like she goes one step forward and two back. That doesn't seem to stop her from working on her business plan or solving mysteries.

I liked Miranda in Still Knife Painting, but it felt like I was getting to know her more. She has good character growth and seems to be finding her way.

The Mystery
On one of Miranda's group outings, they find a skeleton. It later is found out that the skeleton belongs to Miranda's own cousin Howard, who went missing five years ago. Howard's mother asks Miranda to look into the cause of his death. So, Miranda and Austin start to dig into Howard's life.

In the meantime, Miranda's mother has arrived to help comfort her sister with the recent events. Dorothy is sweet and sort of takes over the kitchen for Miranda. I like Dorothy; hopefully, she will stay with Miranda.

Five Stars
I found the flow of Draw and Order better than in the previous book. Miranda knows quite a few things, which makes her able to help identify even very old materials. I love the parts that refer to historical events. The mystery was fabulous and kept me guessing. I love the way there is always food around. I recommend this book to all of you cozy readers out there.

Don't forget that there are recipes at the back of the book.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Draw and Order by Cheryl Hollon.

Until the next time,
~Jen

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