Monday, January 30, 2017

Blog Tour: A FATAL ROMANCE (A Twin Sisters Mystery) by June Shaw


A Fatal Romance (A Twin Sisters Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
New Series
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Publication Date: January 24, 2017
Paperback – ISBN13: 9781516100958
E-Book ASIN: B01F0YVQEE
I had fun with the gossipy seniors who never leave the Home but always seem to know the latest happenings and who is doing what to or with whom.
~Laura’s Interests

SYNOPSIS:

Fixing up homes can be tricky.
Finding true love can be even trickier.
But finding a killer can be plain old deadly . . .

Twin sister divorcees Sunny Taylor and Eve Vaughn have had their fill of both heartaches and headaches. So when they settle down in the small Louisiana town of Sugar Ledge and open a remodeling and repair company, they think they’ve finally found some peace—even though Eve is still open for romance while Sunny considers her own heart out-of-business.

Then their newest customer ends up face-down in a pond, and his widow is found dead soon after. Unfortunately, Sunny was witnessed having an unpleasant moment with the distraught woman, and suspicion falls on the twins. And when an attempt is made on Eve’s life, they find themselves pulled into a murder mystery neither knows how to navigate.


With a town of prying eyes on them, and an unknown culprit out to stop them, Sunny and Eve will have to depend on each other like never before if they’re going to clip a killer in the bud.

REVIEW:

Sunny and Eve may be identical twins and look alike, but the similarity ends at the red hair and height. Eve likes healthy food - and shrimp creole - and a man in her life. Both her ex-husbands still want her back. She may have interests elsewhere though. Summer on the other hand likes her sweets, has decided she is not destined for a relationship, and hums or sings Christmas Carols when stressed or the subject of sex comes up.

Both sisters have their lives and joint business turned upside down when a recent customer falls to his death, his wife is then murdered, and someone tries to kill Eve. Summer plays detective to find a murderer and keep her sister safe. She also needs to decide what to do about Dave. 

This story has many complications and variations, most surrounding Sunny and her tendency to sing Christmas Carols. Her character is well-developed, while Eve's is a little more shallow - possibly on purpose. The plot moves at a steady pace and not all is as it seems. I hope the story continues in DEAD ON THE BAYOU (expected release August 2017). Shaw is a new author for me and I enjoyed the book.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From the bayou country of South Louisiana, June Shaw previously sold a series of humorous mysteries to Five Star, Harlequin, and Untreed Reads. Publishers Weekly praised her debut, Relative Danger, which became a finalist for the David Award for Best Mystery of the Year. A hybrid author who has published other works, she has represented her state on the board of Mystery Writers of America’s Southwest Chapter for many years and continued to serve as the Published Author Liaison for Romance Writers of America’s Southern Louisiana chapter. She gains inspiration for her work from her faith, family, and friends, including the many readers who urge her on. For more info please visit juneshaw.com.

http://www.juneshaw.com/

https://twitter.com/juneshaw

https://www.facebook.com/june.shaw.338

http://www.ekensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/31823

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Blog Tour & Review: COLOR ME DEAD


Self Published (January 5, 2017)
241 Pages
E-Book ASIN: B01MQK06WP

Synopsis

Artist Gabby Wolfe has the ability to see not only the beauty of the living, but the despair of the dead. When she returns to her childhood home in Henry Park Colorado, she is forced to bring along her younger brother Mitch. He is on a “break” from college where he was majoring in wine, women and song. If that isn’t enough they also have Mitch’s rambunctious beagle Luigi along who prefers to spend his days wallowing in junk food. When Gabby draws the death of a young woman before it happens, she knows she must tell someone and risk a new job and her professional credibility. Will she reveal her secret in time to save the woman in the water or will it be too late?


Review

Gabby has the opportunity to illustrate a children's book but visions of the death of a young woman on top of dealing with her brother and mother put a damper on her excitement. In the meantime, two possible suitors add to the complications. She can only hope that she has a vision of the killer but then she'd need to share these visions.  

The pace is steady and some of the characters are unique. It's not obvious who the killer is and even when Gabby figures it out, she doesn't reveal who she's drawn. If you like paranormal with your cozy mystery, you'll like this book.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

About The Author

Teresa Trent lives in Houston, Texas and is an award-winning mystery writer. She writes the Pecan Bayou Mystery Series, is a regular contributor to the Happy Homicides Anthologies. Teresa is happy to add her Henry Park Mystery Series to her publishing credits with Color Me Dead, the first book in the series. Teresa has also won awards for her work in short stories where she loves to dabble in tales that are closer to the Twilight Zone than small town cozies. When Teresa isn’t writing, she is a full-time caregiver for her son and teaches preschoolers music part-time. Her favorite things include spending time with family and friends, waiting for brownies to come out of the oven, and of course, a good mystery.
Author Links

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/teresatrentmysterywriter

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ttrent_cozymys

BLOG: https://teresatrent.wordpress.com/

WEBSITE: http://teresatrent.com

Purchase Link  ---  FREE during this blog tour!
Amazon

Tour Participants

January 23 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW
January 23 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT
January 23 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
January 23 – Readeropolis – INTERVIEW
January 24 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT
January 24 – Books Direct – GUEST POST
January 24 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
January 24 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
January 25 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 25 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – REVIEW
January 25 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
January 26 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
January 26 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
January 26 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW
January 26 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 27 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
January 27 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW
January 27 – Turning the Pages – REVIEW

Monday, January 23, 2017

Blog Tour & Review: NOT IN HER WILDEST DREAMS by Dani Collins


NOT IN HER WILDEST DREAMS by Dani Collins

Series: Secret Dreams #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance
SYNOPSIS:

Small town secrets. Big time heartache.

As a teenager, Paige Fogarty crushed on Sterling Roy, but he was out of reach for a No Good Fogarty. Then, one magical night, they kissed. That’s all. Her father caught them, took a round out of Sterling, and Sterling retaliated by tagging her as the town slut. Paige rose above her reputation, got herself to school in Seattle, and is now a professional accountant. Her life would be perfect if she hadn’t been called back to Liebe Falls to save her family’s interests from those awful Roys.

Sterling was set up by Paige and her brother to take a beating from her father. He knows it, but he doesn’t hold a grudge. His exile from Liebe Falls allowed him to grow beyond his small town roots. He isn’t stuck running Roy Furnishings, the factory his mother calls his ‘legacy.’ Sterling only comes back to ensure the Fogartys don’t pull a fast one as his father buys out their share in the business.

Roy Furnishings is in trouble, though. Someone is skimming funds and Sterling is sure it’s Paige’s brother. As Sterling and Paige investigate, more than their own scandalous history comes to light. They’re trying to put their past to bed, but are liable to fall into one–together–before this is over. That’s impossible. A Fogarty end up with a Roy? Not in her wildest dreams.


REVIEW:

Feuding families and family secrets make it difficult for Paige, Sterling, and Luke, not to mention other family members. As Paige works on the audit and Sterling tries to salvage the business, a break in at the house, then Paige's car, and then the house is set on fire... the stakes have escalated and not just hearts are in danger. 

The plot had some twists, lots of secrets and misunderstandings, and many questions to be answered. Indicated as "romantic comedy" there are some humorous parts, and definitely romance (and not limited to Sterling and Paige). It's well written and the characters and well-developed. If you're looking for a good romance with a mystery, and you're not offended by a few graphic sex scenes, you will enjoy this book. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.


Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33151365-not-in-her-wildest-dreams

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2hTy6ru
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N586MIL/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N586MIL/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01N586MIL/
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-in-her-wildest-dreams-dani-collins/1125253770?ean=2940153881652
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/not-in-her-wildest-dreams
iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/book/not-in-her-wildest-dreams/id1180380070?mt=11
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Dani_Collins_Not_In_Her_Wildest_Dreams?id=y_CWDQAAQBAJ
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/685502


OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Only In His Sweetest Dreams
Series: Secret Dreams, Book 2

Synopsis: When Mercedes takes in her confused niece and nephew, jeopardizing the job she loves at a retirement community, she turns to the new handyman for advice. L.C. can fix anything and he’d love to be part of this misfit family, but he has a secret back home that Mercedes will never forgive.

Available on February 1, 2017

Pre-order Buy Link:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2iO8Gei


AUTHOR BIO
USA Today Bestseller Dani Collins is the author of thirty romances for Harlequin Presents, Montana Born and herself. Dani lives in Canada with her high school sweetheart. Join Dani's newsletter and receive Cruel Summer, a short ebook romance, as a welcome gift: http://danicollins.com/free-book/


Social Media Links:
Website: http://danicollins.com

Blog: http://blog.danicollins.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaniCollinsAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaniCollinsBook

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/DaniCollinsBook/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572063.Dani_Collins

Instagram: http://instagram.com/danicollinsauthor

GooglePlus: https://plus.google.com/b/104569336188481850840/+DanicollinsAuthor/posts
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Dani-Collins/e/B009RC6AAG/


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Monday, January 16, 2017

Three Series - One Author: MAGGIE SHAYNE

Every so often I need to take a break from reading mysteries - cozy or otherwise.  This time of year, I have a soft spot for Christmas themes and romance.  I happened on a series - the prequel to a series really by Maggie Shayne.  I also grabbed a two-fer - the first in two series, also by Maggie Shayne. 



I discovered that in addition to The McIntyre Men, The Texas Brands, and The Oklahoma Brands, Shayne has several other series including The Immortals, Shattered Sisters, Wings in the Night: Reborn, and too many to list here but you can check them all out at SHAYNE AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Let me share my thoughts on the three I read: 


THE BRANDS WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS (THE OKLAHOMA BRANDS)

Maya Brand has promised herself that she will never fall in love with a man and be betrayed the way her mother was - she doesn't date and as she is about to turn 30 is still a virgin.  By some twist of fate, Caleb is having an identity crisis and gets a flat tire in this same small town. Maya wants to lose her virginity and he obliges. When Maya is pregnant, the townspeople can't quite figure it out.  It isn't until Caleb's picture is in the paper that Maya even knows his real name and she already feels betrayed. She insists she doesn't want to tell him he's about to be a father, but one of her sisters thinks differently. 

No suspense here other than how Caleb and Maya can get their worlds to do more than collide. The Brands women are definitely unique in personality - at least mother Vidalia and the three sisters Maya lives with. The fifth daughter, Edie, escaped the small town and is modeling lingerie in California - another scandal for small town Oklahoma and the Brand family. Then there's Caleb's crotchety father, the public relations expert who puts a spin on everything, and digging up a Christmas tree to replant in the spring so a tree doesn't have to die. Christmas babies, romance, and magic (or one of Selene's spells) and 1st in series of 6. 

OKLAHOMA CHRISTMAS BLUES (PREQUEL TO THE MCINTYRE MEN)

Sophie - or as she prefers to be called, Sophia - is reeling from a disastrous marriage to a drug dealer that threatens her license to practice medicine and may result in legal action against her. There's some concern of backlash as well and the McIntyre brothers ask their friend Darryl to keep an eye on cousin Sophie. Darryl is dealing with his own issues and effects of a blast. 

Sophie's Aunt Vidalia (of the Brand family) prompts Sophie to write a letter to Santa - to write down her wishes and hopes. Sophie's not very optimistic that this will work, but she no sooner writes the letter and some of her wishes are coming true.  She senses Darryl needs some hope as well and prompts him to do the same. This is a story of hope and new beginnings...with a few surprises thrown in.  So far the McIntyre Men series has the prequel and Books 1 and 2 --- all with a Christmas theme. 

THE LITTLEST COWBOY (THE TEXAS BRANDS BOOK 1) 

The seemingly gruff Sheriff Garrett Brand finds a baby - named after him - on his doorstep. He's pretty sure he's not the father and soon finds out that the mother's been murdered and, well, his father's not a good guy and wants his son. The aunt shows up and she wants to take her nephew, but the father wants her dead so no one can contest his claim for custody.  Not a good idea to mess with the Texas Brands - Garrett has 4 brothers and a sister and they don't go down without a fight.

This one has suspense and romance, but it also has a gentle giant in Garrett, a positive - but not perfect - family dynamic in the Brands, and the negatives of an abusive childhood for Chelsea and her sister. The characters are well-developed and the plot flows quickly but not without surprises. Good to know this is the first of 9 books...  No Christmas here, but I think I liked this one best.

Bottom Line: What I liked most about all these books are the characters and the small town feel. Drama, romance, and humor all nicely packaged with a strong sense of family winning out over abusive relationships. Some old-fashioned views balanced with strong women in Chelsea and Jessie.  There is offensive language and sex, but these are not overdone and don't detract from the story. There's good reason why the books in these series have such high ratings! 

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Showcase: THE RIVERMAN (William Lorimer 4) by Alex Gray

** Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedurals
Published by: Witness Impulse
Publication Date: January 10th 2017
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 0062659138 (ISBN13: 9780062659132)
Series: A DCI Lorimer Novel, #4

** Synopsis:

Fans of atmospheric police procedurals will love watching Glasgow vividly come to life with the shocking twists and turns that have made Alex Gray an international bestseller

When a dead body is fished out of Glasgow’s River Clyde the morning after an office celebration, it looks like a case of accidental death. But an anonymous telephone call and a forensic toxicology test give Detective Chief Inspector William Lorimer reason to think otherwise. Probing deeper into the life and business of the deceased accountant, a seemingly upright member of the community, Lorimer finds only more unanswered questions.

What is the secret his widow seems to be concealing? Was the international accounting firm facing financial difficulties? What has become of the dead man’s protégé who has disappeared in New York? And when another employee is found dead in her riverside flat these questions become much more disturbing. Lorimer must cope not only with deceptions from the firm, but also with suspicions from those far closer to home . . .

** Purchase Links: 
AMAZON🔗 
BARNES & NOBLE🔗 
GOODREADS🔗 

** Author Bio:


Alex Gray was born and educated in Glasgow. After studying English and Philosophy at the University of Strathclyde, she worked as a visiting officer for the Department of Health, a time she looks upon as postgraduate education since it proved a rich source of character studies. She then trained as a secondary school teacher of English.

Alex began writing professionally in 1993 and had immediate success with short stories, articles, and commissions for BBC radio programs. She has been awarded the Scottish Association of Writers' Constable and Pitlochry trophies for her crime writing.

A regular on the Scottish bestseller lists, she is the author of thirteen DCI Lorimer novels. She is the co-founder of the international Scottish crime writing festival, Bloody Scotland, which had its inaugural year in 2012.

** Connect with Alex Gray 

WEBSITE🔗 
TWITTER🔗 
** Giveaway! This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours for Alex Gray and William Morrow. There will be 3 US winners of one (1) PRINT copy of The Riverman by Alex Gray. The giveaway begins on January 9th and runs through February 23rd, 2017.

RAFFLECOPTER



Excerpt | The Riverman by Alex Gray


PROLOGUE

April

THE RIVERMAN

The riverman knew all about the Clyde. Its tides and currents were part of his heritage. His father and others before him had launched countless small craft from the banks of the river in response to a cry for help. Nowadays that cry came in the form of a klaxon that could waken him from sleep, the mobile phone ringing with information about where and when. It wouldn’t be the first time that he’d pulled someone from the icy waters with only a hasty oilskin over his pajamas.

This morning, at least, he’d been up and doing when the call came. The body was over by Finnieston, past the weir, so he’d had to drive over the river towing a boat behind him on the trailer. He was always ready. That was what this job was all about: prompt and speedy response in the hope that some poor sod’s life could be saved. And he’d saved hundreds over the years, desperate people who were trying to make up their mind to jump off one of the many bridges that spanned the Clyde or those who had made that leap and been saved before the waters filled their lungs.

George Parsonage had been brought up to respect his river. Once it had been the artery of a great beating heart, traffic thronging its banks, masts thick as brush-wood. The tobacco trade with Virginia had made Glasgow flourish all right, with the preaching of com-merce and the praising of a New World that was ripe for plucking. The names of some city streets still recalled those far-off days. Even in his own memory, the Clyde had been a byword for ships. As a wee boy, George had been taken to the launch of some of the finer products of Glasgow’s shipbuilding industry. But even then the river’s grandeur was fading. He’d listened to stories about the grey hulks that grew like monsters from the deep, sliding along the water, destined for battle, and about the cruise liners sporting red funnels that were cheered off their slipways, folk bursting with pride to be part of this city with its great river.

The romance and nostalgia had persisted for decades after the demise of shipbuilding and cross-river ferries.Books written about the Clyde’s heyday still found readers hankering after a time that was long past. The Glasgow Garden Festival in the eighties had prompted some to stage a revival along the river and more recently there had been a flurry of activity as the cranes returned to erect luxury flats and offices on either side of its banks. Still, there was little regular traffic upon its sluggish dark waters: a few oarsmen, a private passenger cruiser and the occasional police launch. Few saw what the river was churning up on a daily basis.

As he pushed the oars against the brown water, the riverman sent up a silent prayer for guidance. He’d seen many victims of despair and violence, and constantly reminded himself that each one was a person like himself with hopes, dreams and duties in different measure. If he could help, he would. That was what the Glasgow Humane Society existed for, after all. The sound of morning traffic roared above him as he made his way downstream. The speed of response was tempered by a need to row slowly and carefully once the body was near. Even the smallest of eddies could tip the body, filling the air pocket with water and sending it down and down to the bottom of the river. So, as George Parsonage approached the spot where the body floated,his oars dipped as lightly as seabirds’ wings, his eyes fixed on the shape that seemed no more than a dirty smudge against the embankment.

The riverman could hear voices above but his eyes never left the half-submerged body as the boat crept nearer and nearer. At last he let the boat drift, oars resting on the rowlocks as he finally drew alongside the river’s latest victim. George stood up slowly and bent over, letting the gunwales of the boat dip towards the water. Resting one foot on the edge, he hauled the body by its shoulders and in one clean movement brought it in. Huge ripples eddied away from the side as the boat rocked upright, its cargo safely aboard.

The victim was a middle-aged man. He’d clearly been in the water for some hours so there was no question of trying to revive him. The riverman turned the head this way and that, but there was no sign of a bullet hole or any wound that might indicate a sudden, violent death. George touched the sodden coat lightly. Its original camel colour was smeared and streaked with the river’s detritus, the velvet collar an oily black. Whoever he had been, his clothes showed signs of wealth. The pale face shone wet against the pearly pink light of morning. For an instant George had the impression that the man would sit up and grasp his hand, expressing his thanks for taking him out of the water, as so many had done before him. But today no words would be spoken.There would be only a silent communion between the two men, one dead and one living, before other hands came to examine the corpse.

George grasped the oars and pulled away from the embankment. Only then did he glance upwards, nodding briefly as he identified the men whose voices had sounded across the water. DCI Lorimer caught his eye and nodded back. Up above the banking a couple of uniformed officers stood looking down. Even as he began rowing away from the shore, the riverman noticed a smaller figure join the others. Dr. Rosie Fergusson had arrived.

‘Meet you at the Finnieston steps, George,’ Lorimer called out.

The riverman nodded briefly, pulling hard on the oars, taking his charge on its final journey down the Clyde.

Excerpt from The Riverman by Alex Gray. Copyright © 2017 by Alex Gray. Reproduced with permission from HarperCollins | WitnessImpulse. All rights reserved.

Click here to view the 'The Riverman by Alex Gray' Tour Participants

Friday, January 13, 2017

Review: UNEXPECTED : A Humorous and Romantic Cozy (Cassie Baxter Mysteries Book 2) by Cindy Blackburn

SYNOPSIS:

Small sleuth, tiny town, unfailing fun.
Welcome to Lake Elizabeth, Vermont, where the water's growing colder, the leaves are turning orange, and Cassie Baxter is going nuts. Who wouldn't go a little nuts with this latest unexpected development? Meet five-year-old Truman Tripp. Cassie, who is most definitely not a kid person, can't understand why his mother left the child with her. But some even more perplexing problems soon present themselves, and Cassie's already Looney Tunes life gets even loonier. Expect the unexpected when Lake Elizabeth's most unlikely duo, Cassie and Truman, team up to catch a killer.


REVIEW:

Aside from the obvious question of why someone Cassie didn't know listed her as next of kin, who murdered Truman's mother and why remained to be solved. At the same time, Cassie's father has to solve the plot problems of his sci fi story, and even Truman starts talking like the story is real. Cassie may be "looney tunes" but she has a heart of gold when it comes to this little boy.

This is the second in the Cassie Baxter series. Although a shift from Blackburn's Cue Ball mysteries, humor and a steady pace keep the story moving. The characters, including the goats, dog, and Truman's cat Notz, have unique and memorable personalities.  And then there's the continuing story of Chance Dooley and his space ship, the Destiny. This can be easily read as a stand alone story. 

AMAZON LINK FOR UNEXPECTED (BOOK 2)

AMAZON LINK FOR UNBELIEVABLE (BOOK 1)

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Review: LOSING LAUREN: Detective Rachel Storme #2 by Alretha Thomas

Synopsis

Alexandra Winifred has played a supporting role in her cousin’s life since they were children. When Lauren Water’s parents are killed in a plane crash, Alexandra becomes her protector, and together they navigate their way through childhood and college. They’re both overachievers, but it’s Lauren who steals the spotlight when she’s discovered by a notable agent and goes on to become an award-winning actress, leaving Alexandra in her shadow as her fledgling publicist. Now Hollywood royalty, Lauren starts to cut those people out of her life who were responsible for her success. Alexandra fears she will be next on the chopping block. But her trepidation about her failing relationship with her cousin becomes her least concern when she’s identified as a prime suspect in Lauren’s subsequent disappearance. Detective Rachel Storme, who has a full plate taking care of a parent with Alzheimer’s and supervising a meth-addicted aunt, is eager to get her hands on a challenging case, but nothing could prepare her for the dark secrets and lies that she uncovers while she does everything in her power to find out what happened to Lauren.


Review


Alexandra is concerned about Lauren's seeming withdrawal and has Lauren makes it in Hollywood, she tells Alexandra she will tell all soon.  Lauren mentions nightmares but puts off telling Alexandra what she has discovered. Then Lauren disappears. Detective Rachel Storme and her colleagues are assigned this high profile case.  Rachel likes a challenge, but her mother, her store, and her "aunt" also prove challenging.

There are many hints of the secret Lauren planned to share but it's up to Alexandra to find the truth and share it for her. A compelling read.  To say any more would give the story away.  

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Cover Reveal: A REFERENCE TO MURDER by Kym Roberts



Dog Eared Publicity Presents A REFERENCE TO MURDER by Kym Roberts, Cover Reveal on January 4, 2017

Inside the Book:


Title: A Reference to Murder 
Author: Kym Roberts
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Ecopy 

Charli Rae Warren is back home in Hazel Rock, Texas, spending her time reading, collecting, and selling books—at least, the ones that don’t get eaten first by her father’s pet armadillo. Running the family bookstore is a demanding job, but solving murders on the side can be flat out dangerous…

The Book Barn is more than just a shop, it’s a part of the community—and Charli is keeping busy with a fundraising auction and the big rodeo event that’s come to town. That includes dealing with the Texas-sized egos of some celebrity cowboys, including Dalton Hibbs, a blond, blue-eyed bull rider who gets overly rowdy one night with the local hairdresser . . . and soon afterward, disappears into thin air.

Dalton’s brother also vanished seven years ago—and Charli is thrown about whether Dalton is a villain or a victim. After a close call with an assailant wielding a branding iron (that plays havoc with her hair), and some strange vandalism on her property, she’s going to have to team up with the sheriff to untangle this mystery, before she gets gored . . .

PURCHASE HERE:KENSINGTON

MEET THE AUTHOR


Three career paths resonated for Kym during her early childhood: a detective, an investigative reporter, and…a nun. Being a nun, however, dropped by the wayside when she became aware of boys—they were the spice of life she couldn’t deny. In high school her path was forged when she took her first job at a dry cleaners and met every cop in town, especially the lone female police officer in patrol. From that point on there was no stopping Kym’s pursuit of a career in law enforcement—even if she had to duct tape rolls of coins to her waist to meet the weight requirements to be hired. (Yes, she really did that!) Kym followed her dream and became a detective - that fulfilled her desire to be an investigative reporter, with one extra perk—a badge. Promoted to sergeant Kym spent the majority of her career in SVU. She retired from the job reluctantly when her husband drug her kicking and screaming to another state, but writing continued to call her name.


CONNECT KYM: WEBSITE|FACEBOOK|TWITTER|

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Sunday, January 1, 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017


This time of the year is for looking back and looking ahead...  and 2016 had its ups and downs for sure.  

On the upside - the writing side - the fourth in the Cold Creek Series - MURDER IN THE THEATER was finished and released!  The fifth is in process slowly but surely... planned release is late summer or early fall 2017! 

Just as exciting, i joined forces with Cassidy Salem and we launched the Hannah and Tamar Mystery Series with THE MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE. More novella length and reminiscent of early Nancy Drew and Dana Girls, these are fun to write and Cassidy's a great co-author. The plan is to get at least two more of these by late summer or early fall - works in process so far.

2016 also brought increased interaction with many virtual friends and supporters through Facebook groups, Goodreads, and twitter.  Everyone is always helpful, gives suggestions, and answers questions as the complexities of indie publishing increase. One of these days I may get the chance to meet some of these folks in person! 

I officially stopped making New Year's Resolutions many years ago, but it's hard not to think about the future.  With all the turmoil in the world, increasing numbers of people I know dealing with medical issues, for 2017, I hope I can:

  • Be more positive and considerate
  • Be more tolerant of those who have different ideas
  • Be supportive and advocate for those in need
  • Be thankful for what I have and can accomplish
  • Be thoughtful and remember to engage in random acts of kindness 
And, yes, I'll throw in there the ever present eat better, exercise more and lose weight!  What about you?

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2017!