Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Gilt by Association is the third installment in the Home Staging Mystery series featuring Caprice De Luca. It's February in Kismet, Pennsylvania and Caprice is busy staging a home for her mom's best friend, Louise Downing. In keeping with her staging themes, Caprice is planning on a Hearts and Flowers open house and also trying to find the perfect dress for the annual Valentine's Day dance.
Caprice finds Louise's dead body out in the greenhouse, surrounded by a box of her favorite chocolates. When her Mom begs her to find out who killed her friend, Caprice readily agrees to investigate with the help of her sister Nikki and her brother's best friend Grant. It doesn't take long for Caprice to discover that Louise had some deep dark secrets hidden in her past, the woman's marriage to husband Chet wasn't all hearts and flowers, and perhaps she wasn't the best friend that her mom thought.
Caprice is once again struggling with her feelings for Grant and is really hoping that he will invite her to the Valentine's Day dance, but she can't seem to forget about Dr. Seth Randolph. Nikki is in the midst of her own personal turmoil and she tries to decide if she needs to hire a partner for her catering company. Things heat up in the kitchen with the arrival of Chef Drew.
The author really brings out the strong family relationship between the DeLucas. It's nice to have Caprice's Mom and Dad featured again, Grandmother Nana offers some wonderful advice to Caprice and things have worked out for the best with younger sister Bella, husband Joe and the new baby Benny.
I think my favorite thing about this series is the animals. Caprice is very dedicated to training her new pup, Lady who she helped deliver in the last book. Sophia is still ruling the house from high atop her cat pole and Grant is working from home in order to spend more time with Lady's brother Patches. Caprice finds an abandoned 6 week old kitten that she names Valentine and Nana is going to adopt her.
We have the opportunity to catch up with Rock Star Ace Richland and his endearing daughter Trista. It appears as though Ace's new girlfriend, Alanna Goodwin will feature prominently in the next book "Drape Expectations".
A fun read that makes you want to move to Kismet and hang out with the DeLuca's and their pets. A great cast of characters and a storyline that keeps you engaged throughout. Can't wait for the next one.
Caprice finds Louise's dead body out in the greenhouse, surrounded by a box of her favorite chocolates. When her Mom begs her to find out who killed her friend, Caprice readily agrees to investigate with the help of her sister Nikki and her brother's best friend Grant. It doesn't take long for Caprice to discover that Louise had some deep dark secrets hidden in her past, the woman's marriage to husband Chet wasn't all hearts and flowers, and perhaps she wasn't the best friend that her mom thought.
Caprice is once again struggling with her feelings for Grant and is really hoping that he will invite her to the Valentine's Day dance, but she can't seem to forget about Dr. Seth Randolph. Nikki is in the midst of her own personal turmoil and she tries to decide if she needs to hire a partner for her catering company. Things heat up in the kitchen with the arrival of Chef Drew.
The author really brings out the strong family relationship between the DeLucas. It's nice to have Caprice's Mom and Dad featured again, Grandmother Nana offers some wonderful advice to Caprice and things have worked out for the best with younger sister Bella, husband Joe and the new baby Benny.
I think my favorite thing about this series is the animals. Caprice is very dedicated to training her new pup, Lady who she helped deliver in the last book. Sophia is still ruling the house from high atop her cat pole and Grant is working from home in order to spend more time with Lady's brother Patches. Caprice finds an abandoned 6 week old kitten that she names Valentine and Nana is going to adopt her.
We have the opportunity to catch up with Rock Star Ace Richland and his endearing daughter Trista. It appears as though Ace's new girlfriend, Alanna Goodwin will feature prominently in the next book "Drape Expectations".
A fun read that makes you want to move to Kismet and hang out with the DeLuca's and their pets. A great cast of characters and a storyline that keeps you engaged throughout. Can't wait for the next one.
