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Cafe owner and single mom, Rossalyn Channing, is faced with some life-changing decisions and doesn't know where to turn. Fortunately, a new firefighter comes to Chatsworth, giving her the welcome respite of friendship that she so desperately needs.

When Rossalyn is forced into catering the family reunion of a local boardinghouse owner, the job turns into an absolute nightmare which ends up implicating Rossie and her staff in a murder.

Her husband is giving her time to think, her neighbor and man on whom she depended for the last year, Tom Hundman, has disappeared without a word, and now her credibility is called into question. Will friendship be enough to see Rossie through her challenges?

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2017

130 people are currently reading
64 people want to read

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Summer Prescott

61 books47 followers

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5 stars
196 (75%)
4 stars
52 (20%)
3 stars
9 (3%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Doward Wilson.
752 reviews18 followers
December 29, 2017
As Rossalyn meets a new man, she is sucked into a catering job at the local boarding house. The job ends with her and her crew being murder suspects. Her personal life is in turmoil even as her business prospers. An emotionally wrenching series that faces today's problems head on. Start this amazing series from Book #1. It will keep you turning the pages and wanting more as you finish each book!
816 reviews4 followers
August 3, 2017
Love can be confusing

Rossie finally has a new gal pal just when she needs her the most. Business is booming but all Rossie can concentrate on are the two men in her life. Can she make the right decision for her? Deserves more than five stars.
3,077 reviews13 followers
September 27, 2025
In the Acknowledgements preceding “Bittersweet Murder” the author mentions the introduction of a new character to the 'Hawg Heaven' series:-
“Shelly is a character who provides just the comic relief that we need in this sometimes very sobering series. We do tackle some heavy issues in here, but we love the laughter that balances it out.”
That's funny! The series goes out of its way to avoid 'heavy issues' and, whatever else it may be, it is definitely not a 'very sobering series.'
A husband who has already been dead and buried returns to his family. That's heavy!
He refuses to talk about what happened …
His wife has to deal with her many and varied emotions after his return. Definitely heavy!
She point blank refuses to think about it … see what I mean?
As always there is a murder - don't worry about it (the author certainly didn't).
In more ways than one nothing much happens until the last few pages - and then it ends.
A disappointment but, in fairness, the series has been declining for a while.
And, for those who have read the entire series, mountainous/handsome Tom is simply cast to the side (that'll teach him to be a nice guy!)
2 Stars.
Profile Image for Dawn.
570 reviews12 followers
August 9, 2017
Rossalyn is facing the most difficult time in her life, after burying the husband she though dead, that is. Her parents take her son Ryan on vacation to California with them giving Rossalyn time to process Will’s return. A newcomer to Chatsworth quickly becomes a friend and helps Rossalyn just when she needs it. In this midst of her personal problems Rossalyn is blackmailed into catering a reunion for a detestable woman. This leads to a horrible discovery and implicates Rossie and her staff in a crime.

This series is wonderful. The characters are interesting and the cross-overs some make from one series to another are interesting. This small Illinois town is easy to picture and provides a nice backdrop for the story. Though this story could be read alone, I recommend reading the series from book one.
Profile Image for Karen Wright.
605 reviews4 followers
August 3, 2017
Wow!

I was given an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This series is unbelievably good and this book is one of the reasons why. I absolutely love that this book crosses over with another series by the author, Summer Prescott. She somehow finds a way to introduce them to each other and have their paths cross. The story is wonderful and cozy mystery does not even come close to what it is, it needs its own category. The story is wonderful, unique, interesting and detailed. The characters are fantastic and amazing. I loved this book and it just may be the best one so far.
374 reviews
August 7, 2020
Doing the right thing!

Rosie, Rosie finds herself in another dilemma. Didn't see it coming... the victim got killed how... This one is unbelievable (kudos to Summer 's imagination). On top of that Rosie is torn between her husband who appears a year after she was told he died and her neighbor who she just started liking romantically. Totally 100% hooked on this series. Only thing that would make it better is having one of Jose's Double chocolate caramelized bacon brownies while reading the story on yum! book 8 ... will Rosie's new friend go on real date with Officer Morgan?
41 reviews
August 13, 2017
Choices are hard

Once again Summer has out done herself. I will be honest, I am conflicted with this series...I want rossie to be with her husband but I also want her to be with tom. I know how hard things have been for her and Tom has been there when will was not. Now that they are back together I hope it works out but if it doesn't what are the chances of her and Tom getting together???
Profile Image for Ashley Martin.
121 reviews
August 3, 2017
Be prepared for an emotional ride with this next outstanding chapter of the Hawg Heaven saga! Oh my goodness! Rossie faces a variety of trouble both at home and abroad as she comes to terms with her husband's sudden reappearance. Ryan gets to take a vacation with his grandparents while Rossie takes a trip of her own. Will things ever be the same for them? You'll have to read to find out!
Profile Image for Brandi  Martin .
268 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2017
Tears in Hawg Heaven

Summer Prescott has outdone herself with Bittersweet Murder. The mystery, as always, was great but the goings on with Rossie and her life is what made the story. It's been as while since a book made me teary eyed but this one did. I absolutely can't wait for the next book. This series just keeps getting better.
Profile Image for Kathy Fair.
295 reviews7 followers
August 4, 2017
Very good storyline

This is a very special book. Rossi is coerced into roasting a whole pig for Garretts nasty land lady.......then there is a brutal murder, the cafe is broken into and robbed,, and then her neighbor, and friend, Tom returns. Who is the new woman that befriends Rossi? This is an amazing story that will make you keep turning the page. I loved this read.
Profile Image for Teri.
661 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2017
Rossie is still reeling from the return of her dead husband when she is hired to roast a whole hog for an angry client. Things don't go as planned at that cookout and things get crazier. Rossie must clear herself and her workers so she can start working on herself and figure out what to do with her marriage.
Profile Image for Margie King.
66 reviews2 followers
August 5, 2017
Cry me a river

Sam and Prescott can lead the story makes you feel like you're living it yourself I just finished this book and I had to lendings I wanted to happen and I knew if one of them didn't I would cry and if the other one didn't I would cry but it was an excellent excellent one of her best books
Profile Image for Carol.
1,093 reviews10 followers
August 8, 2017
Fantastic!

Wow, is really all I can say about this book! Rossi and crew become involved in a murder while catering a hogroast. Throw in a new friend for Rossi, the reappearance of Tom(swoon) and Rossi's realization she has to deal with Will and you have a book that will make you laugh and cry
Profile Image for CAROL VANATTA.
223 reviews4 followers
August 6, 2017
ARE YOU GONNA STAY WITH THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU , OR GO WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE?

That song title perfectly describes this book. I can't hardly wait for book 8, as I am as confused as ROSSLYN
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
2,801 reviews19 followers
September 26, 2017
Great story

I was completely surprised when the killer was revealed. I was sure it was someone else. I like that Rossie has a new friend she can confide in. I am looking forward to book 8.
Profile Image for Judy G Spivey.
412 reviews8 followers
November 5, 2022
Small towns are not necessarily safe havdns.

Love the first seven books in this series. Read them in a matter of days. Easy reading, while exploring the ins and outs,good and bad of small town living.
Profile Image for Mark.
431 reviews2 followers
October 15, 2024
Once again Summer Prescott brings us something that's much more than a cozy mystery. It's a thriller, a hardcore mystery, it's almost a romance. It's just plain great writing and I can't wait for more.
Profile Image for Christie Marsh.
260 reviews2 followers
August 4, 2017
Hawg Heavern

Another good book as always. It's so nice for a happy ending. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for Rossie next.
Profile Image for Suzanne Homeier-poe.
491 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2017
Rosie makes a decision.

I loved this book. It is great that it turns out as it does. I also was sad. I sure can't wait for the next book to come out.
79 reviews3 followers
August 13, 2017
bittersweet murder

this just keeps getting better with each book... always the mystery and not who I thought done it and always a surprise at the end..
1,063 reviews4 followers
August 17, 2017
Great read

I love all of Summer Prescott's books you can't help but fall in love with the characters she writes and I can't wait till the next book
Profile Image for Annestasia.
24 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2020
Love this series. The main characters are interesting The concept and the stories meaty enough for a good read
Profile Image for Sandy Bartles.
1,395 reviews37 followers
August 4, 2017
Summer Prescott certainly knows how to write a gut-wrenching story. This book is wonderful, beautiful, sad and everything in between. I couldn't put it down until I read the last word, and, even then, I found myself wondering when the next book was coming out. High fives for such a terrific story!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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