Monday, June 25, 2018

Blog Tour and Review: POISON BY PUNCTUATION A Chalkboard Outlines Mystery by Kelley Kaye

 
Synopsis


High school teacher Emma Lovett is finally recovering from her first year of teaching when she discovers another dead body. As if that wasn’t bad enough, this time, someone has killed a student, Kisten Hollis.

Emma and her best friend, Leslie, are desperate to solve this murder. But suspects abound. The perpetrator could be a teacher, an administrator, a member of Kisten’s zealous church community, or even another student.

Emma must juggle her teaching responsibilities, her new romance with handsome Hunter Wells, and interest from a hunky second suitor, all while searching for evidence to bring a killer to justice before someone else dies.





Review

Emma and Leslie, along with Hunter are determined to find out who killed Kisten and Otto is a prime suspect seeing as he's gone missing. Then there's the handsome guy trying to steal Emma's heart away from Hunter. While still looking for Otto, Emma and friends consider Dianne as another possible suspect and try to get her journal.  It gets complicated quickly with some humorous spots along with zealots and snakes. 

This story had some likable characters, some humor, and unique aspects that added unexpected twists and turns. If you like cozy mystery, give it a try. 

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

“Kelley Kaye” taught High School English and Drama since 1992 in California, then Colorado and now Cali again, but her love for storytelling dates back to creating captions in her high school yearbook. Maybe back to the tales she created for her Barbie and Ken—whatever the case, the love’s been around a long time. She’s married to an amazing man who cooks for her, and they have two funny and wonderful sons.


Website – http://www.kelleykaybowles.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorkelleykaye/

Blog – http://www.kelleykaybowles.com/kelley-s-blog2.html

Twitter – https://twitter.com/kelkay1202

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelley-kaye

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Kay-Bowles/e/B00JJ9T7AC

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Thursday, June 21, 2018

Book Review: THE FRONT RANGE BUTCHER: A Jarvis Mann Private Detective HardBoiled Mystery Novel (Jarvis Mann Detective Book 7) BY R Weir

Synopsis

Twenty-two years ago, the slayings began…
A new body nearly every month—front page news for all to read.
Gruesome in nature, the victims nearly all female
The killer terrorizing the residents of Colorado’s biggest cities.
Until one day the murders stopped…
No one knew who he was, his motive for slaughtering them…
…and why the itch to kill suddenly ended.

Now, more than two decades later, the urge has resurfaced.
Carved remains of loved ones left to be found, lives of families ruined…
…the slayings echoing an all too familiar case from a past once forgotten
Has the killer resurfaced again?
How many more will brutally suffer the same horrendous fate?

Hired to find the serial killer, private detective Jarvis Mann digs deep
Fighting FBI resistance, with life threatening danger lurking around every corner
His cunning leads to a man he must match wits with…
…a man the FBI can’t touch!
Cold and calculated, intelligent and coy, the man, wheelchair bound…
…holds the answers and the secrets.
For he is the only one who could be the evil manifestation of…
…The Front Range Butcher.

PI Jarvis Mann is back in his most dangerous case yet!!
Enjoy every twist and turn of this page turning psychological thriller

Review

Jarvis Mann is asked, by none other than the father of the woman he wronged, to investigate a serial killer who terrorized the area 20 years ago and appears to some how have come out of hiding. He's killing again, in the same gruesome fashion. Jarvis also is working on a few other loose ends and trying to figure out life with a new lady friend. He keeps getting closer and just as it seems the answer is around the corner, there's another detour or obstacle or twist. In his usual persistent but sarcastic fashion, Jarvis follows it through, very afraid for the next, very personal victim.

This is the 7th in the Jarvis Mann series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Readers beware - this IS a hardboiled mystery, with graphic descriptions and adult content. If you like thrillers, a fast pace, and twists to a story, you'll like this latest adventure of Jarvis Mann.

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



Friday, June 15, 2018

Blog Tour and Review: MURDER GONE MISSING A Southern California Mystery by Lida Sideris


Synopsis

Newly minted lawyer Corrie Locke has taken a vow of abstinence. From PI work, that is. Until her best friend Michael finds his bully of a boss stabbed in the back after confronting him earlier that day. Michael panics, accidentally tampering with the crime scene…which could lead the cops to Michael instead of the real culprit. He turns to Corrie to track down the killer. She doesn’t need much coaxing. Her late great PI dad taught her the ropes…and left her his cache of illegal weaponry.

They return to the scene of the crime, but the body’s missing. Racing against time, Corrie dredges a prestigious Los Angeles college in pursuit of clues. All she finds are false leads. Armed with attitude and romantic feelings toward Michael, Corrie dives into a school of suspects to find the slippery fugitive. Will she clear Michael’s name before he’s arrested for murder?

Review

Corrie has her hands full fighting her attraction to Michael while trying to help him stay out of jail.  She's using all the skills her father taught her as a PI.  And then there's their friend, James and some other interesting characters. Corrie's determined to find the body and the murderer only her PI skills aren't quite polished. Her interactions with the cleaning crew and her belief the body is hidden in the trunk add a few early laughs. In all, this is a fun mystery with some silliness and some nostalgia as Corrie reflects on her father.  

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

Lida Sideris is an author, lawyer and all around book enthusiast. She was one of two national recipients of the Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America scholarship for her first novel, MURDER AND OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERSMURDER GONE MISSING is the second book in the Corrie Locke series. Like her heroine, Lida worked as an entertainment attorney in a movie studio. Unlike her heroine, she keeps her distance from homicides. To learn more about Lida, please visit her website: www.LidaSideris.com
Author Links

WEBSITE: http://www.lidasideris.com/

BLOG: http://www.lidasideris.com/blog/

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

TWITTER: @lidasideris

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Thursday, June 14, 2018

Blog Tour and Review: CONFOUND IT (A Dreamwalker Mystery) by Maggie Toussaint



Synopsis

While hosting out-of-town guests at her Georgia home, Dreamwalker Baxley Powell is called upon to help investigate a suspicious fire. One of her guests, close friend and fellow dreamwalker Deputy Sam Mayes, accompanies her to the scene.

A meth cook is dead, and when Baxley visits her beyond the Veil of Life, she determines that the woman was murdered. Baxley pities Mandy Patterson, a single mother with aspirations for her teenage son Doodle. Unconcerned about the death of a criminal, the authorities pursue the drug-supply chain angle. Baxley worries about Doodle and vows to find out who killed his mother.

As the case grows more baffling, Baxley struggles against her attraction to Sam. Although her husband is missing and declared dead, she does not feel free to love again until she is sure of his fate.

Two suspects have the strongest motive, but Baxley has reason to believe they are pawns in a deeper game. And unless she can stop them, the world will never be the same.


Review

Let me start by saying, this was a fantastic read that kept my attention. I am not a gung-ho paranormal fan by any means, but the dreamwalking, Baxley, and Sam were phenomenal. The pace is steady, and there are expected and unexpected twists thrown in. 

The interactions with elders, clash of cultures, and unique characters add to the story. The dynamic between Baxley and Sam, and her feelings of guilt and lack of closure are well played. Suspense, romance, and family ties, along with a unique - at least to me - twist.  Another great book by Toussaint.

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.


Read an excerpt:
Wayne turned from the fire chief. “Virg and Ronnie, you guys go next door and find out who lived here.”
“Hold up,” Ronnie said. “I already know. The Pig Woman.”
Wayne shook his head. “What?”
“The Pig Woman. Jerk next door must’ve filed half a dozen complaints about her blasted pigs.”
“The woman with the pot bellied pigs?”
“That’s the one.”
“What’s her name?”
“Mandy Patterson.”
Wayne studied the ground a moment. “It’s coming back to me now. Mandy’s pigs turned up their noses at their pig-chow dinners, escaped under the fence, and got into the dog-food bag on the neighbor’s back porch. The guy nearly had an aneurism telling you about it, right?”
“Yep. Good ole Ricky Dixon. He’s wound tight, that’s for sure. If his wife wasn’t bedridden, he’d be a permanent bachelor because no woman would put up with his sh—, uh, stuff.”
“Head over there anyway. I want a statement from him about what he may have heard or seen. I want to know where those pigs are. Take Powell with you so I know if he’s lying.”
He was sending me away from the scene? I didn’t want him to think I couldn’t do my job. I pushed away from Mayes’ protective arm. “I can do it,” I said. “I needed a moment to prepare for seeing the body.”
Wayne snorted. “Sometimes I forget you’re a chick, Powell, but I can read you like a fast-food menu. This is the best use of your time. Dixon is important. He’s either a witness or a suspect, and I need your take on what he says.”
His words didn’t ring quite true. My spine stiffened. “I said I can do it.”
“Sure you can, but Mayes is a cop. He’s seen burn victims before. He’ll assist me because he wants in on the case. With the fire department’s approval, I’ll collect one or two personal items belonging to the victim, and you can go inside the place once we remove the corpse. Right now, I need you next door with my guys.”
Crap. I was being sent away on the “B” team. Simultaneously, Mayes had been promoted from spectator to “A” team. Good ole boy networks never died.
Though my pride smarted, I couldn’t deny I was glad to be granted a respite on the viewing. Wayne was doing me a favor, so I should hush and be gracious about it.
“Virg, let’s get that statement stat,” the sheriff said.
“Roger that, boss man.” Virg cocked his head at me. “You ready?”
I nodded and gathered my thoughts. I might not like being sent away, but I would do my assignment. As a police consultant, I needed to let my abilities be tasked however the sheriff deemed fit. Didn’t matter about the temporary demotion, I’d do my job. I would get justice for this victim.
“If this guy doesn’t cooperate, I’ll light him up with my Taser,” Virg announced as we trudged down the dirt road to the neighbor’s home.
Ronnie laughed, an affable giggle with a sinister twist. “Go git ’em, Virg.”
Having been on the wrong end of Virg’s Taser before, I didn’t wish that experience on anyone. “You will not. The object is to gather information, not have this man sue the sheriff’s office. If he won’t talk to you, I want a crack at him.”
“No way he’s gonna talk to you. I’m telling you. This man’s crazier than a sprayed roach.”

Excerpt from Confound It. Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved.


About the Author

Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes mystery, suspense, and dystopian fiction. Her work won the Silver Falchion Award for best mystery, the Readers’ Choice Award, and the EPIC Award. She’s published seventeen novels as well as several short stories and novellas. The next book in her paranormal mystery series, Dadgummit, releases August 2017. Maggie serves on the national board for Mystery Writers of America, is President of Southeast Mystery Writers of America, and is Co-VP of Low Country Sisters In Crime. Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com.

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Friday, June 8, 2018

SPOTLIGHT: GET A DOZEN COZY MYSTERIES - HELP US HELP PETS

This is sale and cause I can get behind! 


SUMMER SNOOPS AND COZY CRIMES

Available for Preorder $0.99
Release Date: July 24, 2018


Have a howlingly good read during the dog days of summer with a dozen cozy mysteries from Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon best-selling authors. Murder lurks in every corner during the dog days of summer. Solve the mystery as our snoops leash the criminals – at the beach, at the farm, on the mountain – everywhere! 

All profits from this pack go to support NO KILL animal charities! Fetch it now! And help us help pets!


Summer Snoops and Cozy Cr
imes’ includes never before published books from:

** WSJ Bestselling Author Judith Lucci - Gawd Almighty & the Corn

Meet Artsy Chicks Lily, LauraLea, their zany artist friends and their collection of memorable pets and wildlife as they ponder murder, malice and mayhem at a posh mountain resort.

** WSJ Bestselling Author Cindy Bell - Murder at Pawprint Creek

When Nikki is asked to dog sit a pair of adorable pugs in a quaint farm town, she thinks she’s found her perfect vacation. But the grass isn’t greener in Pawprint Creek—the crops are as dead as the greedy man who stole away the town’s largest water source and paid with his life. Along with her new canine companions, Sunny and Stormy, Nikki digs for clues. She better find the killer fast before she becomes the next victim.

** WSJ Bestselling Author Colleen Mooney - Dog Gone and Dead


A weekend getaway at the beach is just what they needed until Brandy discovers a dead body under a pier with a leash wrapped around the dead woman’s wrist and no dog. When Brandy finds the missing dog, she finds something sewn in the collar. Will Brandy’s determination to find the truth make her the next target in a world with hit men, payoffs and murder?

** USA Today and WSJ Bestselling Author Amy Vansant - Summer Teeth

When new private investigator Charlotte Morgan finds human teeth scattered at the park - some'r here and some'r there - it isn't long until she finds a body and a mystery. Who's hiding murder victims beneath the park's memorial monuments?  

** WSJ Bestselling Author Colleen Helme - A Midsummer Night's Murder

For a mind-reader like Shelby Nichols, finding a murderer should be a piece of cake. But add an overzealous prosecuting attorney with a grudge against her, and the wrong person could end up in jail. Can Shelby find the real killer before he strikes again?

** WSJ Bestselling Author Kim Hunt Harris - The Murder of Bandera Bandito

Murder of the Bandera Bandito is a prequel novella to a new cozy mystery series called The Inn-Sitters Cozy Mysteries.

The Hacienda Justicia is owned by a brother and sister team who are descendants of the legendary Bandera Bandito. (Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of this legendary figure—I made him up for this story) and there are tales of an enormous gold treasure that the Bandito hid away somewhere in the hills and small caves on the property. The owners have kept the hacienda alive by taking treasure-seeking tourists on hunts to find the gold the Bandito stole from a rich greedy railroad magnate over a hundred years before. Now they’re old and tired, ready to sell the inn and retire. They are right on the cusp of this new phase of their lives when, unfortunately, Mariachi Mike, who leads the treasure hunts, is found face down with a knife in his back.   


** USA Today Bestselling Author Anna Celeste Burke - A Body on Fitzgerald's Bluff

Miriam Webster has secrets. Can she keep them after they find a body on Fitzgerald's Bluff?

** Ava Mallory - A Dream Stray-Cation

Michelle Ainsley needs to get away. When she's gifted with a vacation getaway to an island resort, she's thrilled at the prospect of white sandy beaches and mimosas, but shortly after her arrival, she finds herself steps away from a dead body and the new temporary guardian of one precocious rescue dog with a knack for finding trouble.

** Sandi Scott - Croquembouche Murder

An invitation for Ashley and Patty to cater a wedding on a billionaire's exclusive animal rescue ranch out west seems to good to be true. Then there's a murder during the wedding and Ashley, Patty, and a barn full of animals have to find the murderer so they can get back home.

** Susan Boles - Death on the Beach

Destin, daiquiris and a dead body….It’s all sun and sand till a body buried on the beach turns a girls weekend into a homicide investigation after Lily Gayle is arrested and questioned in the murder.

** USA Today Bestselling Author Sam Cheever - Toxic Tech

For Blaise Runa, a job working the front desk at the local veterinary clinic is a fun but temporary diversion…a chance to spend every day with Miss Ivy, her adorable fur baby, while she continues to search for a career. Unfortunately, the fun is soon sucked right out of the job when Blaise discovers one of the veterinary technicians dead, stuffed into a kennel.

** Anne R. Tan - Just Lost and Found

Meet Raspberry. He is one fierce kitty. And Lucy Fong gets to pet sit him for a weekend. Will she win him over or forever be known as a feline fatale?


Bonus recipes from the authors are included!