In her delightful debut, Balzo puts a 21st-century spin on the traditional cozy, replacing tea with coffee as the comfort beverage of choice. Maggy Thorsen, a divorcée whose husband left her for his 24-year-old dental hygienist, and two women friends are eager to open a coffee shop, Uncommon Grounds, in the small Wisconsin town of Brookhills, whose inhabitants include such recognizable types as the local gossip and tennis moms. In a world where Starbuck's...

Reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis and her Shih Tzu puppy Stanley investigate when the owner of the hot yoga studio next door is found murdered in a nearby swamp.

"When her best but most difficult employee switches sides days before a state barista championship, coffee-shop owner Lana Lewis investigates jilted lovers, a shrimp-boat captain, and a mafia-connected surfer to prove her innocence of a rival's murder."--Publisher description

When her daughter, Joy, interning at one of New York's hottest French restaurants, is accused of murdering the competition, coffehouse owner Claire Cosi must prove Joy's innocence, which lands her in hot water.

"Dumped by his fiancée, not only is Miles couch-surfing across New York City, but downsizing has forced him to set up shop at a café. Also, he no longer believes in love. Not a good look in his line of work . . . Do not present a "perfect" image. No one will trust it. Nor should they. Zoey's eccentric L.A. boss sent her packing to New York to "grow." But beneath her chill Cali demeanor, Zoey's terrified to venture beyond the café across the street...

Kelly is happily busy with her son Jack, now a rambunctious four-year-old preschooler who keeps his mom on her toes and drinking all the coffee she can handle at Pete's Porch Café. Kelly's friendly waitress Julie is hoping to become an accountant. She makes sure she keeps Kelly caffeinated and up-to-date on her career progress. Kelly splits her free time between Pete's and Lambspun, where her fellow knitters love hearing all about Jack's latest exploits....

"When coffeehouse manager turned amateur sleuth Clare Cosi roasts "magic" beans for Fairy Tale Week, she brews up a vision that leads to a sleeping beauty in Central Park; a big, bad wolf of Wall Street; and an East Side enclave with storybook secrets... Fairy tale fever has descended on New York City. Broadway fans are flocking to Red Riding Hood: The Musical; museums are exhibiting art inspired by the Brothers Grimm; and Clare Cosi gives her coffee...

"Murder. Who is the killer? Lauren Crenshaw and her Norwegian Forest Cat Annie run their own certified cat café in the picturesque small town of Gold Leaf Valley, Northern California. Lauren's fun cousin Zoe helps out as well. Lauren, Annie, and Zoe are shocked when one of their favorite customers is poisoned. Steve came into the café nearly every day - but who wanted him dead? The trio find themselves suspecting their customers - even elderly Mrs....

"Life is sweet for Issy Randall, owner of the Cupcake Cafe. Taught how to bake by her beloved late grandfather, she is proudly carrying on the family tradition with her London eatery. Not only is business thriving, the icing on the cupcake is that she also happens to be head over heels in love. Plus she's surrounded and supported by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline don't seem quite as upbeat about the upcoming season...