Monday, May 31, 2021

Blog Tour and Spotlight: FLEA MARKET FELONY The Mattie & Mo Mysteries by Tricia L. Sanders


About the Book

These new retirees have just hit the road. Will their first campsite’s shenanigans land them both in handcuffs? 

Mattie Modesky’s been hankering to start retirement right. Even if it’s in an RV. The sassy senior believes there’s no time like the present after her policeman husband hangs up his badge and they hit the road. 

When they reach their first RV park, the yoga instructor hitting on Mattie’s man turns her peaceful vacation sour. In an effort to stand her ground and confront the sneaky resident, Mattie finds a new friend, a stiff corpse, and her husband as the prime suspect. 

She is shocked to her core when her man’s newly purchased pocketknife is the murder weapon. But when the real killer makes the fatal mistake of dognapping her beloved pooch, the silver-haired sleuth sets her sights on solving the crime herself and proving her lawman’s innocence. 

Can Mattie clear her hubby’s name and reclaim their pup before the villain turns their golden years into iron bars? Or will the killer roll away in a motor home with Mattie’s dog in the passenger seat? 

Flea Market Felony is the adventure-packed first book in The Mattie and Mo Mysteries series. If you like irresistible characters, fun surprises, and captivating whodunits, then you’ll love Tricia L. Sanders’s clever read. Buy Flea Market Felony to catch a dastardly devil today! 

About the Author

Tricia L. Sanders lives in the Austin, Texas area and writes about women with class, sass, and a touch of kickass. A former instructional designer and corporate trainer, she traded in curriculum writing for novel writing, because she hates bullet points and loves to make stuff up. And fiction is more fun than training guides and lesson plans. 

When she isn’t writing, Tricia is busy crossing dreams off her bucket list. With all 50 states checked, she’s concentrating on foreign interests. She’s an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, so don’t get between her and the television when a game is on. 

Currently, she is working on a mystery series set in the fictional town of Wickford, Missouri. Another project in the works is a women’s fiction road trip adventure. Her essays have appeared in Sasee, ByLine, The Cuivre River Anthology, and Great American Outhouse Stories; The Whole Truth and Nothing Butt. She is a proud member of The Lit Ladies, six women writing their truths into fiction. 

Author Links  


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Sunday, May 30, 2021

Book Review: HARD LANDING (Hope Landing Romantic Suspense Book 1) by Edie James

Another romantic suspense for you...

About the Book (from Amazon)

Two wary souls get a second chance at love…if a killer doesn’t find them first. 

When a stalker turns to murder, pilot Kelli Spencer needs protection. What she doesn’t need is her old love Jack Reese returning to stir things up, but the former Navy SEAL and his team of protection specialists are the best of the best. Trust him with her life? If she has to. Trust him with her heart? No way. The last time Jack left, he made it clear married life held no appeal. Ten years later, he wastes no time letting her know he hasn’t changed. 

Not that she’d be fool enough to hope. As the commander of Knight Tactical, Jack jumps at the chance to protect Kelli and take down a killer, but as soon as she’s safe, he plans to shake the dust of the small mountain town off his feet again…until he realizes he never should have left the first time. Can he convince Kelli to give him another chance, or will a devious killer destroy his plans for a happily ever after?

Welcome to Hope Landing, a small town full of big secrets…and deadly lies. Join the action as the former SEALs of Knight Tactical Protection battle danger and tests of faith on the road to lasting love. A series of clean, inspirational action adventure romances, each guaranteed to lift your heart.

Review

This first in the series, introduces the reader to the former SEALs of Knight Tactical Protection and Hope Landing. As expected, the small town of Hope Landing has its secrets and lies, and a stalker. Kelli Spencer has tried to ignore the stalker but the stakes are getting higher and she needs protection. Her father makes the call to Jack Reese. Jack may not be safe for her heart, but she trusts him with her life. In order to neutralize the stalker, Jack and Kelli need to look deeper into the people of Hope Landing, people they thought they knew.

Well-written, the tension surrounding the stalker continues to build throughout, competing only with the tension between Kelli and Jack. It is fast-paced, with twists and turns. Unlike many series featuring former SEALS, this is a clean read with an occasional Christian sentiment, and HEA. If you like suspense, romance, and small towns, and like to keep it clean, you'll enjoy this book, and likely the rest of the series.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Blog tour and Review: FOUR CUTS TOO MANY - A Sarah Blair Mystery by Debra H. Goldstein


About the Book

Sarah Blair gets an education in slicing and dicing when someone in culinary school serves up a main corpse in Wheaton, Alabama 

Between working as a law firm receptionist, reluctantly pitching in as co-owner of her twin sister’s restaurant, and caretaking for her regal Siamese RahRah and rescue dog Fluffy, Sarah has no time to enjoy life’s finer things. Divorced and sort-of dating, she’s considering going back to school. But as a somewhat competent sleuth, Sarah’s more suited for criminal justice than learning how many ways she can burn a meal. 

Although she wouldn’t mind learning some knife skills from her sous chef, Grace Winston. An adjunct instructor who teaches cutlery expertise in cooking college, Grace is considering accepting an executive chef’s position offered by Jane Clark, Sarah’s business rival—and her late ex-husband’s lover. But Grace’s future lands in hot water when the school’s director is found dead with one of her knives in his back. To clear her friend’s name, Sarah must sharpen her own skills at uncovering an elusive killer . . . 

Includes quick and easy recipes! 

Review

When it comes down to it, not many people were fond of Dr. Martin, the victim. Sarah wants to believe Grace is innocent and works to sort out other possibilities with Rahrah, Fluffy, and her twin sister, Emily.  The most obvious motive is with the least likable character, Jane, who is trying to save her business by establishing a partnership with the college and Dr. Martin is the only one admitting he's not in favor. As Sarah finds out more, though, Jane is not the only one and the suspect list grows. 

There are positive relationships, conflicts, twists and turns, and a surprise reveal of the killer. I really liked the relationship of Wanda with Kait and the way Kait's mild dementia was handled. The jello activity was very creative.

The pace was steady and kept my interest. This is the fourth in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone. As always, I recommend you start at the beginning, though. If you like the others in the series, you are sure to enjoy this one. 

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. 

About the Author

Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, One Taste Too Many). She also authored Should Have Played Poker and IPPY Award-winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories have been named Agatha, Anthony, Derringer finalists. Debra serves on the national boards of Mystery Writers of America and is president of SEMWA. She previously was on Sisters in Crime’s national board and president of SinC’s Guppy Chapter. 

Find out more about Debra and sign up for her newsletter at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com
Follow her on Twitter (@DebraHGoldstein), Bookbub, and Facebook 

Purchase Links
 





Sunday, May 23, 2021

Book Review: SAVANNAH SLEUTH Vigilantes for Justice Book 1 by Alan Chaput

Synopsis (from Amazon)

Avenging on the mind. Family tragedy on the side. Comeuppance served Southern-fried. 

Savannah, Georgia. Patricia Falcon's house parties and bustling galas haven't stopped her from having the worst week. With her only child leaving town, it was already a bad time for the undercover defender of abused women to get a gun pulled on her by somebody's drunk husband. But her anxiety turns to heartbreak when she's hit with news of her mother's death. 

Shocked to discover her well-to-do mom's bank account emptied, Patricia and her gang of pistol-toting girl-guardians suspect foul play. But their attempt to track down the culprit upends when one of her friends is put into a coma, a priest arrives to conduct his own papal investigation, and the rabbit hole goes deeper than she ever could've imagined. 

Can Patricia and the posse unearth a string of secrets and put her dearly departed mother to rest? Savannah Sleuth is the action-packed first book in the Vigilantes For Justice cozy mystery series. 

Review 

The Falcon family and the Cotton Coalition maintain the order and life in Savannah, Georgia. At least in this story. Although only a Falcon by marriage, Patricia's mother was responsible for establishing services for battered women and Patricia actively worked to bring women to safety. She carries a gun and has been trained to shoot. She and three girl friends are very close, and she's been helping Judy get the goods on her husband. 

When her mother drops dead and Patricia discovers all her assets have disappeared, she calls on her friends to help. In the meantime, the Coalition and Patricia's husband, Trey, do their own version of interrogation to see what they can find out. Add in a priest and a pope who have a vested interest in the murder and there is a lot going on. 

The pace is steady and Chaput weaves the story with twists and turns, the old south, and the importance of family, duty, and one's place in society. Although not all is believable, it is well crafted with many a red herring. It requires stretching of one's imagination, is creative, and it kept my interest. It is the first in the Vigilantes for Justice series.  

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.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Book Review: BLUE RIDGE MURDER (Marshall Brothers Book 2) by Carolyn Laroche

Every so often, I find a romantic mystery or romantic suspense to mix things up a bit...

About the Book (from Amazon)

A steadfast believer in "never again," the only relationship parole officer Alayna Baron wants is with her job. When her roommate surprises her with a long weekend in the mountains, she reluctantly agrees—completely unaware it’s a singles matchmaking event. 

Widowed at a young age, Detective Evan Marshall thought he'd had his one chance at love. When his brothers send him away for the weekend, the thought of romance never crosses his mind. At least, not until he finds the intriguing Alayna stranded on the side of the road. 

When an intense snowstorm closes the roads and bodies start piling up at the inn where they are staying, Evan and Alayna join forces in an attempt to keep the other guests safe. But even with a murderer hidden amongst them, Evan and Alayna find a spark neither are looking for. If only they can stay alive long enough to explore it. A complete stand-alone romantic mystery.

Review

Imagine being pushed to take a free weekend getaway and not only getting stuck in a snowstorm, but discovering when you check in, it's a singles meet-and-greet. Only the snow keeps coming, the roads are closed and you're stuck there with an innkeeper who believes in love and has already decided that Evan and Alayna belong together. Throw in some ice breaker games and activities...

Both Alayna and Evan are taken by surprise and their only goal is to get off the snowy mountain as soon as possible. The snow storm and Alayna's car trouble have other ideas. When first one person associated with the inn is found dead, tensions rise. Authorities can't get to the inn and no one can leave. The detective and the parole officer shift from unhappy guests to securing crime scenes as much as possible and protecting the corpses. 

This is well-written and the suspense builds as the body count rises. One 'accident' the other guests can ignore and return to their matchmaking... soon guests start looking at each other with suspicion. There are some humorous spots and the building attraction between Alayna and Evan as well. It's not clear until the end who the killer is or the motive. If you like romantic mystery, you'll enjoy this one. It is the second in the Marshall brothers series and my first by Carolyn Laroche. The only reference to Evan's brothers is that they paid for the trip. It truly is a stand-alone romantic mystery.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Book Review: GINGERBREAD AND DEADLY DREAD (A Murder in the Mix #4) by Addison Moore

About the Book (from Amazon)

A baker who sees the dead. One too many suitors. And a killer. Living in Honey Hollow can be murder.

My name is Lottie Lemon and I see dead pets. Okay, so on occasion I see dearly departed humans too, but fortunately for me that horrible scenario is not playing out at the moment. Instead I see a beautiful long departed pooch hovering around a questionably two-timing Santa and all his naughty-hottie elves. Quite frankly, it’s a terrifying sight considering the fact the fantastic phantasm is an ominous harbinger for its previous owner. 

So when I find my sister’s boyfriend face down in the snow with a handful of my tasty gingerbread treats I’m not only sorry for him, but I’m very sorry that I had a blowout with him in front of the entire town of Honey Hollow. And just like that, I get the one thing for Christmas I did not ask for—a number one spot on the suspect list. I have a feeling this is going to be one Christmas I’d rather forget. 

Lottie Lemon has a brand new bakery to tend to, a budding romance with perhaps one too many suitors, and she has the supernatural ability to see dead pets—which are always harbingers for ominous things to come. Throw in the occasional ghost of the human variety, a string of murders, and her insatiable thirst for justice, and you’ll have more chaos than you know what to do with. 

Living in the small town of Honey Hollow can be murder.

Review

A Christmas cozy, Gingerbread and Deadly Dread appropriately has a baker, Lottie Lemon, who is busy baking holiday treats. Only her Christmas may be spoiled when she finds a dead body and is a suspect given her recent fight with the victim and her gingerbread treats. As she endeavors to find the real killer, she has help from Dutch, a furry - but dead - dog, her friend, Everett and her boyfriend, Noah. Not surprising, adding Christmas to the mix, there is a lot going on in the small town of Honey Hollow. 

This is a solid cozy mystery, with clues that lead the reader astray, distractions, and Dutch. If you're looking for an interesting twist on a Christmas cozy and enjoy the paranormal, you will likely enjoy this one. And there is some sense that Everett and Noah are both vying for Lottie's attention. This is the fourth in the series and intended to be a stand-alone mystery. As with most cozy mysteries, the relationships of the core characters evolve with each new book - my advice is to start at the beginning.



Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Blog Tour and Book Review: ASBURY HIGH AND THE KIDNAPPER'S DRIVE An Asbury High Mystery by Kelly Brady Channick


About the Book

On a quiet summer night, in the peaceful seaside town of Asbury, a local girl is kidnapped from her home. 

That very same day, a car thief is chased through an empty car lot, narrowly escaping from their teenage pursuer. 

Can the two be connected? 

Once again, it’s up to Asbury’s favorite, fearless foursome to find out. 

Carly, Maddie, Pilot and Cornelious enter the summer before their junior year ready for normalcy. After a few weeks of calm, it seems that Carly may finally have the drama-free summer of her dreams—other than her boyfriend returning from his two-week vacation hotter than ever, drawing interest from her peers. 

Just as Asbury is lulled into a sense of serenity, tragedy strikes when a local six-year-old is kidnapped from her home…with no sign of a break-in, no ransom, and no reason. While the town is desperate to find the missing girl, car parts from Maddie’s father’s shop suddenly go missing, and the gang begins to wonder if the two are connected. With little faith in law enforcement, and prodding from Maddie’s younger siblings, the gang finds themselves at the center of the investigation. 

Unfortunately, solving both cases isn’t so easy, as the gang must work around the continually growing criminal enterprise of the Pitbulls, the constant construction occurring around town from Governor Gibbz’s Grant, as well as their changing feelings towards each other. When Maddie and Cornelious begin to sense their friendship might be more than what they realize, jealousies arise as the teens garner attention from others. 

With all these distractions, can the foursome save the missing girl and figure out who is stealing from Petrozza Auto? 

Asbury High and the Kidnapper’s Drive is the fourth book in a thrilling young adult cozy mystery series, that fans of Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys and Scooby Doo will love. 

Review

The foursome of Maddie, Carly, Pilot and Cornelius (Neal) have a reputation for helping out the local police when they're stuck. In this case, there are two crimes that may or may not be connected. More importantly, the police don't know about the thefts from her dad's automotive store. The police focus is on a second crime, that tears at heartstrings in the small town - the kidnapping of the butcher's young daughter, Kimie.

While the senior class is on their celebration cruise, the foursome see themselves as the first line (as juniors about to be seniors) in helping to solve the two mysteries, whether the police or FBI want them involved. Add in typical issues four teens could deal with and you have varying levels of tension. They're all growing and changing and trying to figure out who they are when they aren't playing detective.

This is the fourth in the Asbury High series with the fearsome foursome. The thefts and the kidnapping are specific to this story, though the relationships and other characters continue from previous stories. I'd suggest starting at the beginning (and the first book is FREE!). If you're already a fan and familiar with Asbury High and the Shoobies, you will not be disappointed.

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. 

About the Author

For as long as she could remember, Kelly Brady Channick loved making up stories and leaving her listeners/readers on the edge of their seats. Perhaps that’s why she always managed to talk herself out of trouble… 

After graduating from NJ’s own Ocean City High School, Kelly accepted a basketball scholarship to Holy Family University, in Philadelphia. As a lifelong athlete, Kelly understands the importance of teamwork and overcoming adversity, something she hopes translates into her books. 

Before writing page-turners, she taught first, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade — like a dessert menu, she simply had to test them all out. But her favorite job is the one she’s now doing full time: writing. 

Kelly loves to craft whodunit mysteries, leading readers through various twists and turns filled with red-herrings, hidden clues, and more peculiar characters than a reality show. Kelly lives in South Jersey with her handsome husband, energetic baby boy, two cookie-stealing dogs, and an awfully smart cat. 

Author Links 

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50930319 
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kellybradychannick 
WEBSITE: https://www.kbchannick.com 
INSTAGRAM: @KellyBradyChannick 
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kelly-brady-channick 

Purchase Link 

Amazon 

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Book Review: LEGACY : A NOVEL by Nora Roberts

A change of pace here with a romantic suspense...

Synopsis

Adrian Rizzo was seven when she met her father for the first time. That was the day he nearly killed her—before her mother, Lina, stepped in. 

Soon after, Adrian was dropped off at her grandparents’ house in Maryland, where she spent a long summer drinking lemonade, playing with dogs, making a new best friend—and developing the stirrings of a crush on her friend’s ten-year-old brother. Lina, meanwhile, traveled the country promoting her fitness brand and turning it into a billion-dollar business. There was no point in dwelling on the past. 

A decade later, Adrian has created her own line of yoga and workout videos, following in Lina’s footsteps but intent on maintaining creative control. And she’s just as cool-headed and ambitious as her mother. They aren’t close, but they’re cordial—as long as neither crosses the other. 

But while Lina dismisses the death threats that Adrian starts getting as a routine part of her daughter’s growing celebrity, Adrian can’t help but find the vicious rhymes unsettling. Year after year, they keep arriving—the postmarks changing, but the menacing tone the same. They continue after she returns to Maryland and becomes reacquainted with Raylan, her childhood crush, all grown up and as gorgeously green-eyed as ever. Sometimes it even seems like the terrifying messages are indeed routine, like nothing will come of them. Until the murders start, and the escalation begins… 

Review

Adrian is a strong protagonist who manages to undermine her mother's domination as an adolescent, collaborate with fellow students and create an empire. Her mother, Lina, is consumed by her business. Adrian's most positive memories surround her time with her grandparents and her childhood friends. Marring her success is her experience of meeting her father for the first and only time and annual menacing messages. Lina brushes them off as part of fame, while Adrian continues to turn them over to her manager and share them with Raylan. Only the threat is real and slowly but surely the deaths move closer to Adrian's circle of family and friends.

As with other books by Nora Roberts, the tension will build and then you'll be lulled by Lina's logic, only over time the tension only builds. There are twists and turns that keep you flipping pages late into the night. The character and plot development is well done as expected with a Nora Roberts novel.  Fans of her other books will not be disappointed.

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.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Blog Tour & Spotlight MURDER IN BELGRAVE SQUARE A Tommy & Evelyn Christie Mystery by Catherine Coles


About the Book:

Tommy & Evelyn Christie were hoping for a break from solving murders when they agreed to host Aunt Victoria and her daughters, Madeleine and Elise at their London home in Belgrave Square. 

Recently widowed Victoria has returned from France for the London Season and to mend bridges with her estranged family. 

None of them were prepared for the doubly shocking sight of a newborn baby and a dead body on the back doorstep of their imposing London residence. 

Tommy & Evelyn face a race against time to solve the murder and the mystery of the abandoned baby before cousin Madeleine’s London Season is ruined. 

About The Author

I’ve always wanted to be an author…or a songwriter…or a nurse…or a teacher…I never have been able to make up my mind J My working career is a testament to this. Over the years, I’ve worked as a legal secretary, a night carer, in a bar while I completed my law degree, a family law practitioner, a childminder, a foster carer, a home carer, a receptionist, facilitating car deliveries for online customers, and a PA/HR Manager. Now I am living my dream as a full-time author. Well…in truth…one of my dreams—a girl should never have only one dream! 

Catherine lives in the northeast of England where she shares her home with her children and two spoiled dogs who have no idea they are not human! 

Author Links 


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Saturday, May 1, 2021

Blog Tour and Spotlight: WHOLE LATTE MURDER - An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery by Lena Gregory

Synopsis

Ex-New Yorker and local diner owner Gia Morelli is still getting used to the sweltering Florida sun. But this summer she’ll have to deal with a more dangerous kind of heat—when she’s hot on the trail of another murderer . . . 

Summer in Boggy Creek has arrived, and Gia’s best friend, successful real estate agent Savannah, is getting hitched. Now she’s enlisted Gia’s sleuthing talents in a desperate search for the perfect wedding dress. But when Savannah mysteriously vanishes after showing a mansion to a bigwig client, Gia investigates the house Savannah was trying to sell. The first clue she finds is Savannah’s car in the driveway. Inside the house, they stumble on Savannah’s potential buyer—dead. Someone had apparently closed the deal—with a two by four full of nails to the client’s head. Soon afterward, a woman’s body is fished from the lake near the same house. The townsfolk are now sweating bullets over the murders, and the heat comes down on poor Gia to find her missing friend, and track down the killer . . .

About the Author

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, and the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest. 

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime. 

To learn more about Lena and her latest writing endeavors, visit her website and be sure to sign up for her newsletter 

Author Links 

Amazon Author Page

Purchase Links

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Kobo      Kensington