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Cadie Sharp #1
Bubble Gum and Blackmail
Military vet, former assassin … candy maker?!
All Cadie Sharp wants is a quiet life. After a case gone wrong, she leaves the military and heads to small-town Tennessee, far away from the dangers of her former life, and opens up a gourmet treats shop.
But just as she begins to settle into her new role as a shop owner, the bodies start dropping.
During a routine candy delivery, Cadie stumbles over the lifeless form of one of her best customers. She’s trained to handle situations like this, but her former superiors have given her one rule for her new life.
Do not do ANYTHING to draw attention to yourself.
Faced with a moral dilemma, Cadie tries to quietly investigate without blowing her carefully crafted cover. With her newfound friends and a slobbering dog who won’t leave her side, Cadie finds herself drawn into a mystery - one with dire consequences if she fails to discover the murderer before they discover her.
All Cadie Sharp wants is a quiet life. After a case gone wrong, she leaves the military and heads to small-town Tennessee, far away from the dangers of her former life, and opens up a gourmet treats shop.
But just as she begins to settle into her new role as a shop owner, the bodies start dropping.
During a routine candy delivery, Cadie stumbles over the lifeless form of one of her best customers. She’s trained to handle situations like this, but her former superiors have given her one rule for her new life.
Do not do ANYTHING to draw attention to yourself.
Faced with a moral dilemma, Cadie tries to quietly investigate without blowing her carefully crafted cover. With her newfound friends and a slobbering dog who won’t leave her side, Cadie finds herself drawn into a mystery - one with dire consequences if she fails to discover the murderer before they discover her.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2021
45 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Babin
86 books393 followersS.E. Babin has a passion for writing books with a paranormal twist. Whether it's romance or mystery, she loves taking the norm and turning it into the extraordinary. Her love of reading turned into a curious exploration to see whether or not she could write her own novel.
Beginning with random, terrible poetry and a slightly popular reimagining of Beowulf's Grendel in her high school English class, Sheryl spent way too much time in the library, killing any chance of her becoming a cheerleader or anything even remotely cool. Find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SEBabin. She loves to hear from readers!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 5, 2025
Good
A good introductory story, with a rather unique character— Cadie Sharp, former military elite, now a small town candy maker.
This book mostly introduces us to her, some of her history, and her propensity for getting herself into trouble. There is a handsome detective (unavailable), a mysterious man (who knows too much), a murder victim whose Mama wants Cadie’s help, and a few intriguing sort-of-friends of Cadie’s.
It’s a fun start, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes us next.
A good introductory story, with a rather unique character— Cadie Sharp, former military elite, now a small town candy maker.
This book mostly introduces us to her, some of her history, and her propensity for getting herself into trouble. There is a handsome detective (unavailable), a mysterious man (who knows too much), a murder victim whose Mama wants Cadie’s help, and a few intriguing sort-of-friends of Cadie’s.
It’s a fun start, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes us next.
May 1, 2025
I think that Cadie is could easily be a former teammate of Fortune Redding (Jana DeLeon).
This 1st book was way too short & I want to find out what happens next!
I’m really hoping that there’s going to be more books in this series (although I’m not sure if it’s happening since it’s now 2025 & there’s nothing scheduled).
This 1st book was way too short & I want to find out what happens next!
I’m really hoping that there’s going to be more books in this series (although I’m not sure if it’s happening since it’s now 2025 & there’s nothing scheduled).
July 5, 2021
This wasn't good but it wasn't bad either.
The writing was the one thing that bothered me the most but overall this little novella is just a good time.
The plot is short and resolves itself off-page. There are some inconsistencies as well regarding Cadie's personality mostly but it was entertaining.
The writing was the one thing that bothered me the most but overall this little novella is just a good time.
The plot is short and resolves itself off-page. There are some inconsistencies as well regarding Cadie's personality mostly but it was entertaining.
May 22, 2024
very intriguing
It is short but interesting. I hope there is more soon. A retired government agent gets accidentally involved in a local murder. Along the way she reconnects with some of her old government counterparts. As with most novellas, this one ended too abruptly and too quickly. Wanted more. Hopefully the next book will be much longer. Enjoyed.
It is short but interesting. I hope there is more soon. A retired government agent gets accidentally involved in a local murder. Along the way she reconnects with some of her old government counterparts. As with most novellas, this one ended too abruptly and too quickly. Wanted more. Hopefully the next book will be much longer. Enjoyed.
November 12, 2024
Has potential.
I found the premise interesting. A cross between Fortune Redding and Stephanie Plum, Cadie has an interesting back story, and I rather enjoyed the story. Might have given this a 4 star if it had been longer and the mystery more fleshed out. There is potential though, so I’m hoping the next book is longer.
I found the premise interesting. A cross between Fortune Redding and Stephanie Plum, Cadie has an interesting back story, and I rather enjoyed the story. Might have given this a 4 star if it had been longer and the mystery more fleshed out. There is potential though, so I’m hoping the next book is longer.
April 3, 2024
What in the jibbetty flib flap!
How on earth did an 87 page novella fit so much in and make me fall in love with 3 people?!?!? That was some magic going on there. I’m really hoping with all my might there are full novels to follow this beauty.
How on earth did an 87 page novella fit so much in and make me fall in love with 3 people?!?!? That was some magic going on there. I’m really hoping with all my might there are full novels to follow this beauty.
January 14, 2026
Exactly what I wanted and more
Completely forgot it was a novella until the end. Until the last couple of pages it felt like it was setup to work for a longer story (not mad about that) and left me wanting more! Loved how well detailed it was too.
Completely forgot it was a novella until the end. Until the last couple of pages it felt like it was setup to work for a longer story (not mad about that) and left me wanting more! Loved how well detailed it was too.
September 14, 2024
💙💙💙💙💘
4.5
But it's been out since 2021 and nothing since for the candy maker 😭
4.5
But it's been out since 2021 and nothing since for the candy maker 😭
October 4, 2024
Wow
A singularity! She needs to write faster! I like Casie Sharp, Flora and Fauna and the Honey Bee Witch but none of them have Book 2! Enjoy the story.
A singularity! She needs to write faster! I like Casie Sharp, Flora and Fauna and the Honey Bee Witch but none of them have Book 2! Enjoy the story.
December 18, 2024
great read
Cadie , a little Geena Davis a lot of fun action and mystery what’s not to love.
Good adult fiction.
Cadie , a little Geena Davis a lot of fun action and mystery what’s not to love.
Good adult fiction.
November 13, 2025
Only made it to the second paragraph. Gave up when the author misquoted Shakespeare and said “shuttle off this mortal coil.” An editor would have helped.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews