OVERVIEW

Available in eBook, paperback, and Amazon Audible formats!

Cat shelter employee Yolanda Carter loves her job, but her dream is to own a bakery. Living in Sherman Oaks, California with her tuxedo cat, her only outlet is baking treats for her friends, coworkers and family. 

Her situation changes when her high school friend, Teagan Mishkin, drops by to tell her about an incredible job opportunity that will give Yolanda enough money to launch her bakery. 

The job interview takes an unexpected turn and Yolanda stumbles across a scheme to close the cat shelter. She concocts a sweet plan to save the shelter and share her decadent brownies in the Great Brownie Taste-off. Assisted by her artisan parents, friends, shelter employees and a rising young blogger who gives her much-needed publicity, will she win the taste-off and save the shelter? 

Includes the new winning brownie recipe.

Available in eBook and Amazon Audible formats. The paperback edition is available on most online bookstores.

REVIEWS

FEATURED REVIEW: “The Great Brownie Taste-off by Lisa Maliga is the delightful first installment in the ‘Yolanda's Yummery Cozy Mystery’ series, blending the warmth of baking with the intrigue of a cozy mystery. Set in Sherman Oaks, California, we meet Yolanda Carter, a dedicated cat shelter employee with dreams of opening her own bakery. Her life takes an exciting turn when a high school friend introduces her to a lucrative opportunity that could fund her culinary aspirations.
However, Yolanda's path is not as straightforward as she hopes. Amid her career plans, she uncovers a sinister plot to shut down the beloved cat shelter. Armed with her baking skills, Yolanda decides to enter the Great Brownie Taste-off, hoping to save the shelter and kickstart her bakery dreams. With a cast of supportive characters, including her artisan parents, shelter colleagues, and a helpful blogger, Yolanda whips up more than just delicious treats—she stirs up community spirit and a dash of adventure.
Lisa Maliga crafts a story that is as sweet as it is suspenseful, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy mysteries that are light-hearted yet engaging. The inclusion of the winning brownie recipe is a delightful bonus for any reader who might be inspired to try their hand at baking.
Highly recommended, The Great Brownie Taste-off promises a mix of laughter, suspense, and, of course, excellent brownies. Pick up your copy today and join Yolanda as she bakes her way through mystery and mayhem, all in the name of saving her furry friends and fulfilling her dreams.”
Reviewed by Camila Davis of reads.Camila, September 1, 2024

“As I read the second book first this was a sort of prequel for me. That said it held my attention and kept me interested. It would have been wonderful to read in order to get a better sense of the second book. Still a wonderful storyline and great characters. Just reinforces my interest in the next book.
I would enjoy this being a continuing series.”
Reviewed by Tony, December 12, 2024

“The Great Brownie Taste-off by Lisa Maliga is the first novel in a cozy mystery series, Yolanda's Yummery series.
About Yolanda who works in a cat shelter which she loves but has a dreams of opening a bakery, the only thing stopping her is money.
This changes when her friend offers her a chance to earn a lot of money in a gentlemen’s club. However when Yolanda finds this opportunity is not to her liking she ends up interviewing for a secretary,
Finding something during a typing test which could threaten the existence of the cat shelter.
In reviewing ‘The Great Brownie Taste-off’ I have issues with the novel, some of which is because it is the first of the series, so the story has a lot of introducing the characters which will come to be a major part of the series.
This is something that happens when a series starts. Some writers are better than others unfortunately Lisa Maliga’s strength is not in world building.
However this is something that as a reader it does not really bother me if once the story starts, the book succeeds in an enjoyable read for its genre,
So how does ‘The Great Brownie Taste-off’ do on this measure as its classed as a cozy-mystery we will take the mystery part first.
I suppose there was a mystery in the book somewhere .Probably at the beginning of the book, What the job interview was for or people hanging around the cat shelter.
Plus one at the end which is part spoiler if I talk about it now.
However these were all solved in about 10 pages some even before you knew it was a mystery.
The second part of the genre is cozy, the novel fills completely with the scenes in the cat shelter and Yolanda at home with the cat. Along with the style of writing make it the perfect read wrapped up in a blanket.
All this makes ‘The Great Brownie Taste-off’ by Lisa Maliga a perfect read for readers who want a cozy mystery but with a lot more emphasis on the cozy.”
Reviewed by Mark, November 21, 2024

“The Great Brownie Taste Off by Lisa Magila is the first book in the Yolanda Yummery Cozy Mystery series. Yolanda Carter is an extremely talented baker who has a life long dream of owning her own bakery, which she would call a yummery. Unfortunately, she can't afford to do that at the present time. In order to make ends meet, she is working at the Crown Street Cat Shelter. She loves her job, and all the cats that she is surrounded by all day. When she discovers that the owner of a popular corporation, Freeze N Bake, is looking to buy the building to turn into a warehouse, she is determined not to let all her feline friends become homeless. She decides to challenge the owner of Freeze and Bake to a contest to see if her homemade brownies are better than Freeze N Bake's. Will Yolanda win and be able to save the cat shelter?
I really liked Yolanda and her friends and family. The whole time I was reading, I was on pins and needles, wondering if she would succeed. The book kept me on the edge of my seat. There wasn't much of a mystery, but it was still a great book that was fun and entertaining. I look forward to reading the next one.”
Reviewed by Robyn, October 23, 2024

“The Great Brownie Taste-Off is the first book in A Yolanda's Yummery Cozy Mystery series. Yolanda works for a cat shelter but her dream is to someday run her own bakery, she even has a name chosen to be her brand. Yolanda's Yummery.
At the start of this short story, we learn that the cat shelter is in danger of being bought out by the Freeze N Bake corporation for storage purposes. But Yolanda can't allow this to happen so she comes up with an idea of a contest to see if her homemade brownies are better than the brownies offered by Freeze N Bake. But will her homemade brownies be good enough to win the Great Brownie Taste-Off and save the cat shelter?
I really enjoyed the character of Yolanda as well as those of her parents, friends and co-workers. However, I do wish there had been more development with these characters. I also was confused about this being a Cozy Mystery. I truly didn't feel that there was enough mystery to be called "a mystery" at all. And this story definitely is not a Cozy Mystery in the traditional sense, as there is no murder to be solved. That being said, I found the story to be cute and it has piqued my interest in learning more about these characters and what happens next!
Many thanks to the author and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review this eARC of The Great Brownie Taste-Off by Lisa Maliga. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my thoughts.”
Reviewed by Amy, October 22, 2024

“I really enjoyed meeting Yolanda and her family along with her cat shelter coworkers. With the right attitude and tons of hard work, she proved that she could make her business dream come true. It was good seeing justice dealt to those who deserved to be caught. A nice little cozy sorta mystery with a very satisfying ending.”
Tari H., September 15, 2024, Amazon Verified Review

“A quick read with likeable characters . A cute cozy mystery and I look forward to more from this series.”
Reviewed by itsogirl, September 29, 2024

“Yolanda Carter worked at Crown Street Cat Shelter and dreamed of opening her own bakery.
She also has a boyfriend Zac Field who is not much of a boyfriend.
Yolanda hears that a Freeze Cookie manufacturer wants to buy and tear down the shelter. Yolanda is trying very hard to not let that happen and works very hard supporting the adoption center. This book is an easy fun read.
I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review.”
Reviewed by Renee September 3, 2024

“This was a cute story with some life lessons. Cheaters are never winners, and eventually the true side of a person is made public. Ill gotten gain and a cheater soon part ways. I was beyond disappointed in Zac and his behaviors. I really thought he was Yolanda's person, but he had larger designs. I was happy Yolanda was able to see her dreams come true. It looks like some great changes are in store for Yolanda's future. An uplifting read where good people finish first in the race of life, and cheaters don't prosper. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.”
Beverly, 8/6/24. Reviewed on BookBub, Goodreads and Kobo

“I really enjoyed reading the book, I recommend it!
This heartwarming tale follows the journey of Yolanda Carter, a self-taught baker with dreams of opening her own bakery. Set in the charming locale of Sherman Oaks, California, Yolanda's life is a blend of whisking up sweet treats and caring for cats at a local shelter. A special bonus is the inclusion of the winning brownie recipe, allowing readers to taste a piece of Yolanda's sweet victory.”
Yurii, 8/6/24. Reviewed on BookSirens.

“Once I suspended disbelief in the plot outline leading up to the brownie-tasting competition, I settled in for a good read, rooting for the good guys. I like cats, I like brownies and baking, I also like Yolanda and her world. You can definitely tell where Maliga’s passion lies, because her descriptions of the sweets, starting with the carefully curated ingredients with which they are made, jump out from the page and are calling my name.”
Cindy, 8/9/24. Reviewed on BookSirens.

The Great Brownie Taste-Off is book 1 in A Yolanda's Yummery Cozy Mystery by Lisa Maliga. I thought that this was an excellent book. I met all of the main characters, I liked them, who doesn't love cat shelters, and a mystery to destroy the cat shelter… boo! I thought the author wrote a really fun book and using a bake off to help save the day was great. I am looking forward to reading book 2 and see what Yolanda and the cats are up to next. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
My2doxie, 8/13/24. Reviewed on BookSirens.

“Yolanda Carter worked at the Cat Shelter. Her friend Teagan tell her about a job that would help her fulfil her dream to open a bakery. But she finds out that there was a scheme going on that wanted to close down the shelter. Yolanda is determined to save the shelter and the Great Brownie Taste-Off was one of it. A enjoyable read with humour. I received this ARC copy via Booksirens and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.”
Sharmani, 8/15/24. Reviewed on BookSirens.

“Yolanda works at a cat shelter and finds out the building will be sold. In order to save it she makes a deal and has tonwin the brownie contest. This is a nice story, not what would call a real mystery but it is entertaining with a twist. I received an advance review copy for free and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.”
Martine, 8/16/24. Reviewed on BookSirens.

“Yolanda's second greatest love after baking is working at the cat shelter. When she stumbles on plans to close the shelter to make way for a warehouse, Yolanda hatches a plan! She will put her brownies up against the brownies from the company wanting to close the shelter. Can Yolanda win this competition and keep the shelter open for good? Sweet little mystery that can be read in an afternoon. I love these characters!”
Terri Echols, August 31, 2024 Reviewed on BookBub & Amazon

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