Carla's Book Crush

Home Baked Bribery by  Gina Holder
Series: Addie Masters Mysteries – Book 2
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Christian

​​The annual Rockport bake sale and competition is underway. The stakes are higher than ever for the coveted Golden Whisk Award when a high-profile celebrity chef is brought in as a surprise guest judge.

The competition takes a deadly turn when the celebrity suffers an allergic reaction. When Addie’s nemesis, Kennedy Graves is banned from the competition for using almond extract, Addie volunteers to prove Kennedy innocent. As Addie investigates the death, she learns each of the local bakers had a motive to dislike the celebrity. But did one of them kill him?

Meanwhile, hundred-year-old twins, Poppy and Marigold, keep Addie hopping, looking for their missing dogs.

Will Addie be able to uncover the truth behind the celebrity judge’s death, or will she become the next victim of the mysterious shenanigans going on in Rockport?

PURCHASE LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon

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More In This Series

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About the Author

Gina Holder is an indie author and stay-at-home mom. She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog. Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

Connect with Gina by visiting storiesbygina.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Author Q&A

Q: What first ignited the desire to become a writer?

Holder: Growing up, I had a wild imagination and loved telling stories. As a child, I would create backstories for our Barbie dolls while my sister and I set up their homes. I was a huge fan of Anne of Green Gables, and like her, I was going to be an authoress someday.

Q: In addition to writing books, you also have a very active book blog, homeschool, and are active in your church community. How do you juggle everything?

Holder: Homeschooling, while it used to take up a large portion of my time, doesn’t anymore. My daughter is old enough to handle most of it herself. As far as the blog and church, I’m careful with my “yeses” and do my best not to take on more than I can fit into my schedule. I keep everything balanced, not letting any one thing occupy too much of my time, and I “eat the elephant” one bite at a time.

Q: What types of relationships do you want readers to see in your books?

Holder: I want my readers to see the characters doing the best they can to build relationships the Bible way-forgiving those who’ve wronged them, working together as a team, and falling in love with mutual respect and understanding. My stories almost always include familial relationships—which often can be the most complicated and teach us the most about unconditional love.

Q: One of the things that drew me to Home Baked Bribery is that a “high-profile celebrity chef is brought in as a surprise guest judge” to the annual Rockport bake sale and competition. As a Food Network fan, I’d really like to know more about the inspiration behind the book.

Holder: I am also a Food Network fan— and I love their cooking competitions.

I started with the title, Home Baked Bribery, so I knew the story would involve baking and bribery. I also knew that I wanted to have a stranger come to town and be the victim, but I had to find a way to tie the victim to all the local bakers, and obviously, he wasn’t a stranger to someone local. So, why not a baking competition, The Golden Whisk Award? Honestly, it just grew from there.

Gordon Ramsey’s personality and his show, Hell’s Kitchen, became the inspiration behind my celebrity chef, Mac Gordon, and the Epicurean Network’s, Sheol’s Pantry.

Q: What do you consider literary success? 

A: I consider literary success to be creating stories that deeply resonate with my readers on both an emotional and spiritual level. I’m passionate about weaving faith-based themes into my work and using them to explore profound truths about God’s presence and love, especially during times of personal struggles. It’s not about sales or acclaim but about how my stories inspire others, spark introspection, or help them grow closer to God.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 4, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 11, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!