Another one of the short stories that give the “backstory” to the merchants of Victoria Square in McKinlay Hill, New York.

People are not so comfortable opening up to others and asking for help. When a bothersome mother and her ill-mannered son cause commotion for Gilda Ringwald-Stratton, Iris Drake is the one who is embarrassed. Once Gilda understands Iris, she offers her a means to get her self-confidence back. The sky is the limit for Iris and Gilda is the one who set the ride in motion.

Humanity first is a lesson Gilda and our author seem to be sending us a message of. Well done!
2 s Amy1,093

Iris Drake is no stranger to Artisans Alley. She goes everyday but rarely spends more than a few dollars on items. She shares her bag full of items with Gilda owner of the Gourmet Basket shop hoping to sell everything to her or at least a few items.
She ends up with much more. A story of understanding and kindness.
Love these short stories and getting to find out more about the shops and residents of Victoria Square.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.1 Kim1,020 14

A Basket Full of Bargains (Life on Victoria Square #2) by Lorraine Bartlett is a companion story to the Victoria Square Mystery series. This story takes place mostly in the Gilda’s Gourmet Basket store. Iris Drake is a stranger but is known by sight by most shop owners in Victoria Square. Gilda takes an interest in Iris and starts asking questions to learn more about her. One day Iris is visiting Gilda’s shop when something embarrassing happens to Iris. Should Gilda interfere in Iris’s life and offer her help?

I really enjoyed this story, it is a quick read but is well written. I enjoyed getting to know Gilda and Iris on a more personal level. This is a heartwarming story about caring, understanding, and supportive kindness (not pitying) for someone in need. This book contains no graphic violence/sex, or bad language. I would recommend this book and plan on reading more in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book, above is my honest opinion.
cozy-challenge-2017 Denise Neubauer29 1 follower

In this vignette of life on Victoria Square we visit Gilda's Gourmet Baskets and learn why we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

Gilda's shop is finally in the black, though she fears it won't stay that way for long if she has too many customers Iris Drake. Iris, a frequent visitor to the shop as well as Artisan's Alley, never spends much - if any - money. One day Iris brings in a bag of her treasures and Gilda starts to formulate a plan. However, before she can put it into action there's an incident, a secret is revealed and Iris is embarrassed and disappears. . .

Gilda has to use her creativity to resolve the situation.

This is a nice companion piece to the Victoria Square mysteries and I look forward to future installments in both series. Tari2,679 83

This is a very short but closer look at one of the many small businesses on Victoria Square. I've read the first book and saw somewhere to read this one right after or maybe it was supposed to take place during the first book. Either way, I really loved how Gilda interacted with Iris, a woman down on her luck who was selling things she got from the arts and crafts mall to her for making her gift baskets.

Gilda has such a big heart, and it was just awesome how good she was to Iris especially in the time leading up to Christmas. No mystery in this one, just a feel good seasonal book, and even though it's short, I thought about it a lot afterward. Sort of a mini book hangover. ;)2020-ebooks Amanda391 7

This is a short story and a quick read. Quite enjoyable and I finished it on sitting. It's a companion to the Victoria Square Mysteries but works perfectly well as a stand-alone. Iris Drake frequents Artisans Alley, never spending more than a dollar or two with each vendor. After browsing Gilda's Gourmet Baskets several times in a row without buying anything, Gilda makes a point to talk to Iris. She learns more about this seemingly strange woman who is quickly growing on her. A heartwarming story about what can happen if we take the time to get to know people. Linda1,468 17

Gilda's Gourmet Baskets on Victoria Square is regularly visited by Iris Drake, who is oddly dressed and though she looks around, never buys anything. Then one day iris shows up with a bag full of beautiful items she has bought at rock bottom prices from Artisan's Alley and she knows all about the artists who created them. When Iris asks Gilda if she would to buy them Gilda is stunned but realizes there is more to Iris than her shabby clothes and horrible wig.

This is a great short story about Victoria Square and the people who frequent it. The reader will love the ending.favorite-authors short-stories-or-novellas Linda Dawley26

Iris Drake is a little odd. She's a frequent visitor to Artisans Alley but she only spends a few dollars at a time. When she steps into Gilda's Gourmet Baskets with a number of carefully selected items to sell, Gilda becomes curious about this rather secretive lady, but finds the other vendors know little about Iris. This story has a lot of heart and is a nice companion to the Victoria Square series. Jeannie423 7

I really enjoy getting to know the shopkeepers of Victoria Square better in these companion short stories. It is a heartwarming tale about understanding and caring about your fellow man even if they are a little different than you are. Loved it and look forward to reading more of this series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy I received from the author.2017-reading-challenge Taylor's?Shelf757 1 follower

Until now I had no idea that this branch series existed. I'll definitely be interested in reading more of them.

I really appreciated Bartlett giving Gilda a bit more character in this story, given I really couldn't stand her character in the series proper. She kind of treated Katie trash in the novels so I suppose it was nice to see she had a bit of a good side. Pamela Priest349 20

Another heart-warming short story about the vendors at Artisans Alley, this time about Gilda at Gourmet Baskets, and how she ends up helping Iris. Note: I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Susie Quesnel4

This is the second book in the short series "Life On Victoria Square". Really enjoyed this book. Loved the characters who are also from her "Victoria Square Mystery" series. Iris Drake is an odd sort of person who frequently visits Gilda's Gourmet Baskets shop, but never buys anything. She is a daily visitor at the Artisans Alley where she buys inexpensive items. Gilda takes an interest in her. Darlene S. Hankins224 1 follower

Great quick read!

These books keep updating all the interesting characters in Victoria Square. Love all the quirky characters. We get to be part of each new person. Just we also work in Victoria Square. Michele487 3

Short story of Victoria Square merchants

Short stories of the characters on Victoria Square.  This one features Gilda, the creator of gift baskets and gives you a little more insight into her character and her husband Conrad with his wine shop.  Cute quick read. Kathy1,044 4

Great read

No matter what name she writes under I love all her cozy mysteries great characters great stories and I can't wait till the next one Terri279 2

Cute short story. Wish is was longer. Kaye269 27

Very good read

A nice addition to the Victorian Square mysteries. A quick but satisfying read. Getting to know more of the vendors Joan Alberts7 1 follower

I really enjoy this series..enjoy the visits with everyday people Cheryl862

Short story

Another short story in this companion series which shows how a person can show kindness to another and end up helping themselves. Gennielc811 1 follower

I wish it had a real conclusion. But a good story!contemporary-fiction short-story Gina Wylie28

Sweet story. Love her work! Mare769 5

Love this series. Linda734 15

Iris Drake is a familiar stranger to the vendors of Artisans Alley. Visiting daily but friends to no one, she seldom spends more than a few dollars on her purchases. Until the day she approaches Gilda at her Gourmet Baskets shop with a bagful of items for sale. This is a story of the redemptive nature of kindness, offered not in pity but in understanding and support. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reading copy of this book. Christine GoodnoughAuthor 4 books16

At 33 pages, this neat little novella is an inspiring story of Gilda, a Victoria Square merchant who takes an interest in this strange customer. Iris is always dressed in out-of-date fashions, wearing a weird blonde wig, with no money to spend and seemingly nowhere else to go. One day she comes in with a bag of things to sell rather than buy.

It's obvious to shop owner Gilda that what Iris needs most is a friend. Then an incident in the store reveals why Iris seems so quiet and distant. How much should Gilda get involved with this odd woman, she asks herself, but her kind heart can't just ignore the woman's needs. Jeanie Jackson2,257 33

Delightful novella

Victoria Square Market is such a great wonderful place to spend time and I have greatly missed it. Ms. Bartlett's new novella are the perfect addition to the series for those of us who have been awaiting a visit with our old friends from the market square.cozy-amateur xread-2017 Jenny Durland21 2

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