3.5 stars because:

1. WHY WHY WHY do cozy author's suddenly think love triangles are the way to go?!?!?!?! They are an annoying, irritating turn-off. Ugh!

2. Honestly, if I had to read the otherwise-likeable protagonist, Toni, go on one more time about "I'll never trust a man again..." blah blah blah, I was going to toss the book down and walk away.

OTHERWISE...
A very good first in a new series with an excellent plot - I had a major part figured out pretty early on, but it didn't matter at all because the ending was excellent. Seriously, this is not your normal cozy climax.

The characters were well written - likeable, quirky. I'd like the author not to make grandma's smoking habit so front and centre like it's a badge of coolness or something, because it diminishes what would otherwise be a delightfully eccentric, quirky character. Best friend Tasha seems likeable enough as well. And BOTH romantic interests sound hot and lovely, but Ms. Parra - don't do it!!! Give one to Tasha or something, but NO LOVE TRIANGLES!!!

Look forward to the next one. ( )

Gluten For Punishment by Nancy J Parra is the first in a new cozy mystery series and one not to be missed.

Gluten for Punishment (A Baker's Treat Mystery, #1)

Toni Holmes opens a new Gluten Free Bakery in her home town only problem is it is a small town in Kansas. Wheat country is a hard place to open up a bakery that is for wheat free goodies. Not everyone is happy she is opening the bakery and at the grand opening George, a wheat farmer, heckles her and then someone throws wheat flour on her. When George ends up murdered in front of Baker's Treat, Toni's bakery, it makes it even harder for her to get her bakery up and running and to fit in as part of the business community, especially when she is one of the suspects. Toni's Grandma Ruth and Toni decide to clear Toni's name by investigating the murder themselves. That only leads to more problems for Toni and her bakery, threats and another murder. Toni has to clear her name before her new business is ruined and she becomes the next victim.

I loved this book. Toni is a strong independent woman who is determined to make a go of her bakery. Grandma Ruth is a spunky, eccentric, go getter, been around the corner a time or two, older woman on a scooter who seems to be in the middle of everything and never backs down to anything or anyone. I love Grandma Ruth. Toni has sworn off men after her divorce, but of course she has two good looking men who are vying for her attention. She doesn't have time for them with the murders, her new business, and her investigating, which includes both men, trying to find who the murderer could be.

This book is unique and I love the way Nancy J Parra has brought the need for gluten and allergy free baking into being part of the plot and mystery. She has very interesting fun characters and you find yourself thinking of people in your life that they remind you of. You just get so involved in the book that you really can feel like you could be a part of this small town and community. She gives you enough possible suspects and twists in the story to keep you wanting to read more. I couldn't put the book down it was a great book.

One of my favorite parts is when Grandma Ruth is telling Toni they need to investigate the murder themselves and clear Toni's name and Toni is reminding her that they aren't investigators
Toni says " We are not equipped to solve crimes. Besides, my superhero cape is at the dry cleaners" Grandma snorted. " I don't need a cape. I was an investigative reporter for years." pg 93

I highly recommend this book and series. This is going on my favorite series list.

There is a plus too, the book has gluten free recipes at the end. I can't wait to give them a try.

If you want more info about this book and series check out Nancy J Parra's site at
http://www.nancyjparra.com/

The next book in the series is coming May 6, 2014 Murder Gone A-Rye Book two in the Baker's Treat series.

Hope you will check out this book and series as well as Nancy's other series ( )

Gluten For Punishment is the first book in the A Baker's Treat Mystery series by Nancy J. Parra.

This is delightful new series. A good story, interesting characters and a touch of discussion on celiac disease. My favorite character has to be Grandma Ruth, Toni's grandmother, what a spunky, funny lady.

Toni Holmes has inherited her mother's home in Oiltop Kansas and after a disastrous marriage has moved back home. Toni has just opened Baker's Treats a gluten free bakery. The irony is that the Oiltop is surrounded by wheat fields and this does not set well with some of those in the community. Others just aren't sure how good items can be without flour.

The day has come for the Grand Opening of Baker's Treat and as the crowd is gathering, a George Meister started spouting off against Toni and her bakery. Then someone tosses a couple "flour bombs" at Toni's storefront. The next morning Toni has been at the bakery for a couple hours and decides to take a break out front. She finds a body in the horse trough out front. The police arrive and it is soon learned corpse is Meister.

What with the confrontation Toni had with the deceased, she immediately becomes a person of interest. Not only will this effect her storefront business, but her computer has been confiscated as well, so that her online sales will suffer too. Toni's Grandma Ruth was an investigative reporter until the paper downsized and is enlisted to help look for clues that will lead them to the guilty party. But just as they are getting a good start, there is another killing.

Parra provides the reader with a well told story and an interesting cast of characters. Meister has had run-ins with a few of the locals. The bank has foreclosed on his farms and has made it difficult for the bank to get a quick sale. Tasha, a childhood friend, helps Toni, or does she something to hide. Brad, her lawyer, is there for here and hoping that they can be better friends once the killer is caught. Then there is Sam. Hunk number 2. Sam meets Toni soon after she opens Baker's Treat and seems to always be around when something goes wrong for Toni.

Even though Toni says she is not interested in a relationship right now, I am looking forward to future books to see what happens in the romance department.

Gluten-free recipes are included in the book.
( )

Who would think opening a gluten-free bakery in the middle of wheat country is a good idea? Someone who's a "gluten" for punishment, that's who - I'm looking at you, Toni Ryder.

So, the recently divorced Toni Ryder inherits her mother's huge Victorian home in Oiltop, Kansas. She decides to move her specialty bakery, serving gluten-free, allergy-free treats, from Chicago to her tiny hometown. The reactions from locals go from curious, to skeptical, to downright angry.

In the midst of her grand opening, Toni becomes the victim of cruel pranks and vandalism. Then things get really bad. A wheat farmer is found murdered right outside her shop, and the police have put the new gluten-free baker at the top of the suspects list. And if that's not bad enough, all that pesky yellow crime scene tape is keeping Toni's customers away. So, in order to keep her business afloat and to keep herself out of jail, Toni does her own investigation to find the real killer.

The mystery itself was a good one with a couple of surprises along the way. Toni was a smart and clever amateur sleuth who handled her part of the investigation realistically. The supporting cast added extra flavor to the story, especially Toni's 90-something, chain-smoking, ex-journalist grandmother, Ruth. She's a handful. There are also a couple of eligible men vying for Toni's attention, but at this point she's not ready to commit to either (though I think one of them is clearly her favorite, or maybe he's just my favorite). I suppose only time will tell if this situation turns into a full-blown love triangle.

What made this cozy mystery unique was how gluten-free baking and Toni's celiac disease were woven into the story. I didn't know much about either, so reading this book was an enlightening experience. I've never tried gluten-free sweet treats or breads, but the author made Toni's bakery menu sound delish! The book wraps up with a small collection of recipes that I'm hoping to try soon.

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )

http://www.girllostinabook.com/2013/06/review-gluten-for-punishment-by-nancy-j.h... ( )