This is not where Toni Holmes expected to be. How did she end up back in her old hometown, the small town of Oiltop, after she ventured off for an exciting life in Chicago?

As reluctant as Toni had been to return, she is now determined to stay and to make her new business, an allergy- safe and gluten free bakery a success despite being right in the heart of the wheat growing breadbasket of Kansas. After her mother died, Toni had inherited the old Victorian family home and now honours the tradition that the grand old place would always be open to family members who want to stay there. Hence, her brother Tim.

On the plus side, her childhood best friend forever, Tasha Wilkes, is very encouraging and helping her with preparing for the grand opening of Oiltop's first gluten free patisserie? With all their planning, what could go wrong?

Lots of things, both large and small, including a local farmer irate at the drop in wheat prices bent on sabotaging her grand event and a murder almost on the front of her new sparkling storefront bakery! If that isn't enough, why is she now under suspicion?

GLUTEN FOR PUNISHMENT is the first book in A Baker's Treat Mystery, a new series by Nancy J. Parra and it is a winning recipe for success! As a delicious cozy mystery, it is filled with quirky characters, handsome romantic interests and at least a Baker's dozen of unusual happenings, capped with a twist at the end. Having a severe gluten allergy herself, Parra appropriately sprinkles her story with interesting facts about different products with hidden gluten in them and the impact of celiac disease.

Toni is a likable and realistic character who is love shy after her divorce, yet wonders if she could find love when she has to work almost non-stop. If this isn't enough, there are wonderful gluten-free recipes at the end of book where they have been so mouthwateringly described. GLUTEN FOR PUNISHMENT is a witty and wily read that will appeal to both gluten intolerant and gluten tolerant readers alike! Enjoy!