Book Review: EA$Y MONEY (A Tony Petrocelli Mystery) by Bob White

About the Book (from Amazon)

Someone tried to incinerate Nick Salis in his new Lamborghini Aventador. No one has more to gain from Nick’s demise than aging trophy wife number two, Dani Salis. If she rids herself of the philandering Nick, she can live a life of ease. Dani not only has the means and opportunity, she has motives—millions of them. Small town Detective, Tony Petrocelli and his partner, Sargent Michelle Baxter find conjecture and innuendo instead of evidence against their prime suspect. Certainly nothing that will support a warrant for Dani’s arrest. 

As the detective duo slog through more speculation and half-truths, they uncover a conspiracy rumor. Does it involve Nick’s mistress, Jenn, or the new person on the scene Missy Green? Or does it have to do with the drug business Nick says he isn’t involved in? Just when the case seems solved, and the conspirators are arrested, one more piece of evidence turns up.

Review 

EA$Y MONEY is written from Detective Tony Petrocelli's perspective as he and Sargent Baxter Michelle Baxter wade through half-truths and lies. They work well together and each layer they uncover leads them ultimately to the killer. 

This was a great book to read on a very long flight. It's well written and I like the characters of Tony and Michelle. The story is well-paced and kept my interest. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes crime mysteries with law enforcement as the main characters. The book is part of a series, but is easily read as a stand alone. 

About the Author (from Amazon)

An avid reader since childhood, Bob White began writing during his high school years. He sold his first short story at nineteen, and has been writing ever since. After college and graduate studies Bob spent his earlier years in Christian ministry and mortgage banking. Writing, however, was never far away, resulting in more short stories, and a non-fiction book. 

After his children were grown Bob began working at novel writing. Reading, however, was never far away. He devoured detective stories by John McDonald, Sue Grafton, John Kellerman, Robert B. Parker, Jeffery Deaver, Mickey Spillane, and of course the master of the police procedural, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Bob's first published novel, Abducted, has sold not only across North America, but in Europe, Australia, and South Africa. More mystery novels followed, including two with an FBI profiler, Gabby Girard, as the main character. Bob lives with his wife and a sixteen pound black cat near wine country in Southern California and is now working on the sixth Petrocelli mystery, FEAR.

AMAZON

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES: Fiona Quinn Mysteries by C.S. McDonald / Mac Faraday Mysteries by Lauren Carr

Happy to share these great books with by two authors I enjoy reading: 

Book Details: 

Book Title: Merry Murder: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #2

Author: C. S. McDonald

Category: YA Fiction, 219 pages

Run Time: 4 hours, 51 minutes

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: McWriter Books

Release Date: September 16, 2016

Content Rating: G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone-- adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens, too!)

Enjoy and early Christmas gift!

MERRY MURDER

will be at a reduced price of 99 cents

 until January 1st

Book Description:

The cookies are baked. The tree is trimmed. The shopping? Well, it's almost done, and Fiona's parents have returned home for a holiday visit - along with some unexpected unruly friends. Yep, Fiona's perfectly planned Christmas is coming together, but how could've she planned for her favorite uncle's murder?                                      Who could possibly kill a sweet old man who's played Santa at the local mall every year without fail? Fiona's boyfriend, Detective Nathan Landry, is determined to find out - before Christmas day arrives. There's only one problem: Nancy Quinn. Fiona's mom is just as determined as the detective to catch the murderer, and she isn't shy about getting the job done - even if it includes breaking a few pesky laws! 

Will Fiona and her mother find the killer first or will the killer find them?

BUY THE BOOK:

Audible ~ Amazon

B&N ~

Add to Goodreads

Book Details: 

Book Title: The Christmas Cameo: A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery

Author: C. S. McDonald

Category: YA Fiction, 32 pages

Run Time: 1 hours, 16 minutes

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: McWriter Books

Release Date: November 13, 2019

Content Rating: G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone-- adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens, too!)

Book Description:

A lovely cameo brooch is discovered in Fiona's late Uncle Wilbur's house two days before Christmas. the pin bears a romantic Christmas message from Wilbur for his new wife with the initials, D.A.S. How very strange! To the family's knowledge, Uncle Wilbur had never been married. So, who is this mysterious woman? Now, Fiona is on a holiday mission to locate D.A.S. and deliver the belated gift. Question is, what happened to the marriage? Is D.A.S. still alive after all these years? And if so, can Fiona find her before Christmas?

BUY THE BOOK:

Audible ~ Amazon

Meet the Author

For twenty-six years, C. S. McDonald's life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014, she added the pen name, C. S. McDonald, to write children's books for her grandchildren. In 2016, she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently the Fiona Quinn Mysteries includes eleven books. The books are available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg.

Cindy's newest venture is The Owl's Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh and the female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. the Owl's Nest Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!

Ms. McDonald resides on her thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

Connect with the Author:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

________________________________________

Book Details:

Book Title: Spring Thaw by Lauren Carr

Category: Adult Fiction, 237 pages

Genre: Murder Mystery, Short Stories

Publisher: Acorn Book Services

Release Date: August 12, 2018

Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)

Book Description:

Gnarly, the rambunctious German Shepherd, is featured in Lauren Carr's best-selling Christmas short story, A Gnarly Christmas. It is Christmas day and Gnarly has been up to his old tricks again. Now he's in the dog house - or rather the boathouse - after stealing the Christmas feast! Moments after Archie and Mac leave Spencer Manor, Gnarly hears a call for help from Rocky, the Maltese down the street. Four assassins for hire have invaded the home of Rocky's elderly owners. While the home invaders wait for instructions from a mysterious caller, Gnarly must plot to stop them. Can Gnarly save Christmas with only the help of an 8-pound Maltese dressed in an elf suit? (Previously published as a single short story by the same name.)

This anthology also includes other treats for mystery lovers on your Christmas list.

In today's hectic world, many whodunit fans don't have time to get their mystery fix diving into a whole novel. Lauren Carr's Spring Thaw and Other Mystery Short Stories is for these fans - but that doesn't man whodunit fans who have time can't dive in as well. 

                    

A novella, Spring Thaw features retired federal agent Chris Matheson from Lauren Carr's newest best selling cold case series. When his late father's former friend is indicted for the seven year old murder of a church bishop, Chris renews old broken friendships to thaw out a cold case.                                                                          Featuring Mac Faraday from Lauren Carr's popular Mac Faraday Mysteries, an estate auction turns into a deadly affair after Gnarly's antics cause Mac to purchase a gem of a dress, which isn't his color in Killing Bid. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

Beauty to Die For features the Lovers in Crime, Joshua Thornton and Cameron Gates in a race against the Angel of Death to clear the name of a dying woman's son, who was framed for murdering Miss Pennsylvania. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

Countdown to Murder returns to the Lovers in Crime where Cameron and Joshua try to solve the murder of a young pregnant widow before it happens. Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

Mystery fans will see that every dog has his day, especially if that dog is Gnarly. In Lucky Dog, Gnarly helps Mac Faraday to solve the murder of a wealthy society girl. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

Dog loving mystery fans will get a special treat when they read The Gnarly Rehabilitation Program. In this Gnarly Mystery Short, Bert and Ernie learn the hard way that crime does not pay when they dog nap Gnarly. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

BUY SPRING THAW

Amazon ~ Audible

Add to Goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title: Three Days to Forever by Lauren Carr

Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 9)

Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 366 pages

Genre: Murder Mystery

Publisher: Acorn Book Services

Release Date: January 19, 2014

Content Rating: PG-13  - Lauren Carr's mysteries are murder mysteries. Sometimes, the murder does happen on-stage. There is no graphic violence of explicit sex. There is some very mild language (hell or damn, very few and far between). No F-Bombs!

Book Description:

In this critically acclaimed Mac Faraday Mystery from best-selling mystery author Lauren Carr, readers will embark on a rollercoaster adventure with old friends (including the Lovers in Crime team of Prosecutor Joshua Thornton and Homicide Detective Cameron Gates), but also meet new ones as Mac Faraday's daughter Jessica Faraday and Joshua Thornton's son Murphy Thornton join the team in the race to the love birds to the altar!

Days after Christmas, three years before the start of a new year, Deep Creek Lake is hopping with holiday vacationers and wedding guests pouring into the Spencer Inn for Mac Faraday and Archie Monday's huge wedding ceremony which is being touted as the social event of the year. 

But droopy flowers and guests who failed to RSVP are the least of Mac and Archie's problems when a professional hit squad hits Spencer Manor to send the groom, Joshua Thornton, Archie's mother, and Gnarly running for their lives.

With time running out to the big day, Mac Faraday and Spencer's small police force have to sort through the clues to figure out not only who has been targeted for assassination, but also who is determined to stop everything... FOREVER!

BUY THE BOOK

Audible ~ Amazon

B&N ~ BookBub

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries - thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions.

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the Author

website ~ blog ~ facebook ~ instagram 

twitter ~ pinterest

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES GIVEAWAY!

Book Review: CRIME OF RETRIBUTION (An Austin and Archer Mystery Book 2) by Rayan Morgan

About the Book (from Amazon)

A murdered migrant farm worker. A cold-blooded assassin taking shots at Dan Archer. While trying to protect her partner will Lea become the victim?  

Are you fascinated with fast-paced clean mystery books that keep you guessing to the end? The captivating action begins with an executioner trying to kill Dan. Will Dan’s relationship with a local jazz singer turn out to be more deadly than just a broken heart? 

Lea looks forward to working with Dan Archer, her new partner at the Conley Austin Detective Agency. But will she be caught in the crossfire of the cold-blooded assassin trying to kill him? 

Their first big case together involves a client accused of killing a migrant farm worker. During their investigation, they discover a local produce farm illegally shipping cocaine in crates of avocadoes. 

Can you figure out who's behind all the devious treachery - and who is trying to murder Dan? Join Lea and the former Texas Ranger as they work together to unravel these latest evils. 

Review

Lea Austin, a sister sleuth from Morgan's other series, is now working at her father's  agency with ex-Texas Ranger/Special forces detective, Dan Archer. The intent of pairing Dan and Lea is for Dan to protect Lea, only someone is after Dan. The case they're working deals with immigrants on a nearby ranch with one killed, one missing, and questionable treatment of immigrants. 

The story is well-paced with the investigation and the threats to Dan keeping things interesting. Add to that the tension between Lea and Dan. Morgan weaves the political and social issues related to immigration and drugs into the story, but not to the point of being preachy. 

The story is well-written and kept my interest. The characters were likable and had some depth. It will be interesting to see how Lea and Dan's relationship changes in future books. While this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. I haven't read the first one in the series and that was not a problem. I also hadn't read any of the sister sleuths mysteries, so Lea was a new main character for me. After reading this one by Morgan, I added a few of her other books to my TBR list.

Purchase Link: AMAZON

About the Author (from Amazon)

Rayna has written two mystery series. The first involves two women whose desire for adventure and knack for solving mysteries leads them to intrigue, suspense, and danger in their small beachside community. Meet the Sister Sleuths who are strong yet vulnerable, tough but compassionate, and loving yet feisty in their relationship with each other. Included in their adventures are their father Warren Conley, a retired police chief who joins forces with them to open a detective agency, Tom Elliot, who heads the Major Crimes Department for the local police, and Lea's two dogs, Gracie and Spirit. In the Austin and Archer Mysteries, a former Texas Rangers law enforcement officer brings a high octane burst of excitement to the mix! 

The author has lived in various places, including a beachside town like the one used as the setting for her stories, with her husband, son, two dogs and three cats, all adopted from shelters (the animals, that is.) Each novel is based on a theme of social or personal injustice about which she is passionate, and contains a message about the meaning of our journey and the discovery of who we are. Rayna loves books, movies, and television series related to mysteries and crime, yoga, exercise, travel, and animals. She and her husband are actively involved fostering dogs to help them find forever homes.  

Author contact information:

Website: www.raynamorgan.info

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorRaynaMorgan

Twitter: @raynamorgan22

To get your FREE book from Rayna and be the first to know about her New Releases, just cut and paste: http://www.raynamorgan.info/newsletter 

GIVING THANKS

 

For those of us in the US and Canada, today is the celebration of Thanksgiving. While the way it is observed varies from place to place, the idea of giving thanks comes through. With increased conflict in the world and day-to-day stresses, it's easy to focus on the negative. To balance that out, I think of the things I'm thankful for:

 *The health and well-being of my family, friends, and colleagues, providing support and laughs as we all deal with bumps in the road 

 *As always, I give thanks to my fellow authors for their encouragement, and, of course, to my readers 

*The ability to put food on the table, access medical care, have heat and AC when needed, and other comforts of life, along with routinely contributing and giving back to the community and those who are not so lucky

What are you thankful for? BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (or a happy Thursday if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving also is about Black Friday sales and the official start of the holiday season for people of many faiths. My curiosity got the better of me, and I looked up the history of "Black Friday" and was quite surprised that the term dated back to September 1869 when the stock market crashed. Years later, the term was used by retailers who's accounting showed them to be in the red before Thanksgiving, and with all the sales and buying in advance of Thanksgiving, would report being in the "black" the Friday after. You can read about the history HERE.

Book Review: MAMBO AND MURDER (Fiona Quinn Mysteries #6) by C S McDonald

About the Book

Three ballroom dancers had been murdered over forty-years ago. Wow, that’s one old cold case. What’s more, the murderer, thought to have been killed during a police chase, has resurfaced in Pittsburgh. Yikes! How can that be?

Worse, ballroom dancing simply isn’t Detective Nathan Landry’s forte. After weeks of practice, Nathan still has two left-feet. Can Fiona step in to guide Nathan through this dancing debacle or will it take forty-years for the detective to find his footing? Double yikes! Join Fiona and Detective Landry in this high-stepping whodunit. 

Review

Another enjoyable Fiona Quinn Mystery. When fingerprints of a man believed to be dead are found at a crime scene, an old case is reopened. The killer targeted ballroom dancers and Detective Landry (Nathan) tries to learn ballroom dance. With injuries to his partner, Fiona steps in and are entered into the ballroom dance competition. At the same time, Fiona is trying to help her grandmother who is getting strange letters. 

This was well written with two mysteries. What made this most enjoyable was the interaction among the characters. Many laughs and it's hard to imagine how Nathan, with two left feet, will be make it through the competition. The story was, at times, laugh out loud funny. The plot moves quickly and there is a positive resolution, and a few more laughs at the end. 

I've only read a few of the Fiona Quinn mysteries and this was easily read as a standalone. That said, I always suggest readers start at the beginning to appreciate how the relationships evolve.

AMAZON

About the Author

C.S. McDonald taught dance and choreographed shows for twenty-six years. Nowadays, she resides with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister, on their Thoroughbred farm, Fly-by-Night Stables, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. George the Pony is a real pony who lives among the tall Thoroughbreds on their farm. 

In 2016, Ms. McDonald decided to write a cozy mystery series. The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are quick clean reads for anyone 10 to 110! You'll love Fiona and the quirky, but oh so charming, Detective Landry. Fiona is a kindergarten teacher and an unlikely sleuth from Pittsburgh. If you've never been to Pittsburgh, welcome to this wonderful city! If you live in Pittsburgh, you're sure to recognize many of the venues featured in the books. Ms. McDonald has even sprinkled a little Pittsburghese into her stories just for fun.

Book Review: DEATH ON A DEADLINE (A Homefront News Mystery Book 2) by Joyce St. Anthony

 

Synopsis

As World War II rages in Europe and the Pacific, the small town of Progress is doing its part for the soldiers in the field with a war bond drive at the annual county fair. Town gossip Ava Dempsey rumors that Clark Gable will be among the participating stars. Instead of Gable, the headliner is Freddie Harrison, a B-movie star. When Freddie turns up dead in the dunk tank, Irene Ingram, editor-in-chief of The Progress Herald, starts chasing the real headline.

There are plenty of suspects and little evidence. Ava’s sister Angel, who was married to the dead actor, is the most obvious. The couple had argued about his affair with the young starlet Belinda Fox, and Angel was the last person to see Freddie alive.

Irene discovers there’s more than one person who might have wanted Freddie dead. As Irene draws on her well-honed reporter’s instincts to find the killer—nothing is what it seems in Progress, and now her own deadline could be right around the corner.

Review

This is the second in A Homefront News Mystery series, featuring Irene Ingram as editor of the Progress, PA newspaper. It's time for the town fair and the goal this time is to sell war bonds to support the war effort. To add a push to the effort, celebrities are expected. Only instead of Clark Gable, it's a B-movie actor, who's married to one of Progress' own, Angel. When Freddie is killed, Angel is the prime suspect. Irene investigates and passes on the information she gathers to the Chief of police, her father-in-law. 

As with the first in the series, St. Anthony infuses the historical context into the mystery with references to the issues facing those who remain at home and those fighting the battles overseas. Her depiction of her characters is true to form, with Irene a strong lead at a time when women took on jobs previously reserved for men. Although the second in the series, this can easily be read as a stand alone.

For those who enjoy historical cozy mysteries, this should be a "must read." With engaging characters, the historical backdrop, and the home town feel, this will appeal to cozy mystery fans.

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

Joyce St. Anthony was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail. In addition to the Homefront News Mysteries, she is the author of the Brewing Trouble Mysteries and the upcoming Cider House Mysteries written under her own name, Joyce Tremel. She lives in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania with her husband.

Author Links 

http://www.joycetremel.com

https://www.facebook.com/JoyceTremel

https://twitter.com/JoyceTremel 

Purchase Links 

Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Penguin Random House 

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Book Review: THE SONG OF JACKASS CREEK (A Mountain Mystery) by Darby Patterson

About the Book

Relocating from big city fame as an award winning reporter to a small town newspaper was a matter of life and death for Jesse Kilgore. And, although he left his dangerous past behind he didn’t escape from serious crime. 

When a battered body is discovered in Jackass Creek, Jesse uses skills he honed as an investigative reporter to help the town of Redbud come to grips with a brutal murder that’s fed animosities between the local timber operation and environmental activists.

The future of a young Native American accused of the murder hangs in the balance. Redbud’s colorful locals consider how the politically charged killing might threaten their cherished mountain lifestyle and traditions.

Review

Jesse left his job, and hopefully, danger behind him when he moved to this woodsy lumber town of Redbud. When protesters show up to save the trees and one ends up dead, Jesse gets involved, if only for Andy, the young man who found the body. The sheriff, for reasons of his own arrests one of the lumberman for the murder. Then he meets the older Native American women who doesn't think her nephew is a saint, but also doesn't think he killed anyone. Add in Deputy Rose and Jesse's hooked. 

This story was well-written with mini-subplots and action that may or may not be relevant, clues that may or may not be red herrings. Characters are well-developed and Patterson unravels their personalities as layers come off in the course of the story, with Rose being one of the more complicated. All of it comes together nicely in the end with a surprise or two. You get fresh air, mountains, and conflict on many levels in this cozy mystery. An interesting read, with some unique feels.

AMAZON

 

Book Blast: BODY SNATCHED by Ana Diamond

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ana Diamond will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What’s worse than losing a body from a funeral home? Losing two. But mortician and amatuer sleuth, Lily Reynolds has a hunch. The new visitor in town, Rick Drakon, may have charmed his way into her life but she’s not fooled by his smooth talking ways. Problem is, Rick is a long-time friend of Lily’s new husband, Detective James Rivers. While James is busy convincing her to look elsewhere, Lily embarks on a dangerous path toward uncovering the truth. Will this case come between the couple or will Lily find herself closer to evil than ever before?

Review

Two sisters, a brother, and funeral home, only bodies are going missing. Lily is an amateur sleuth, almost detective, and married to one. Shanna is dating her brother-in-laws boss. Zachary is the youngest and his love life is on the rocks. Aside from missing bodies, James (Lily's husband) invited his old friend and detective, Rick, to visit and watch over the funeral home while he and Lily go on a honeymoon. Important, as they all live at the funeral home, except Shanna. Secrets abound and Lily and James discover they don't really know some people.

An interesting setting to be sure, this was a well-paced story with mostly likable characters, many with emotional baggage that will likely play out in later books. This is the second in the Body Conscious series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. (I haven't read the first one, but it's now on my TBR list.). If you like cozy mysteries with a touch of romance, you'll enjoy this book.

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.

Read an Excerpt

She sprinted toward the ambulance with James inside. Her heart leaped into her throat. She didn’t want to alarm the others, but she didn’t really know if he was going to make it. Antonio had not. And what would she do if he didn’t? Images of her life with James flashed before her eyes.

From the moment when she’d first laid eyes on his silky black hair and tattooed biceps in the basement of her funeral home to their wedding day when he told her they would be together forever, this could not be the end. She would not want to go on. Tears flooded her eyes, clouding her vision as she ran toward the ambulance James had been loaded into. Yanking the back door open wide, she propelled herself inside.

His eyes were closed but his body had been hooked up to monitors that beeped incessantly. Intravenous fluids ran down the tubing and into James’s arms. And there was blood—lots of blood on the floor of the truck and on the linens of the stretcher. She willed herself into tunnel vision to avoid seeing nothing but red. The paramedics sat on opposite sides of the ambulance monitoring the machines hooked up to him.

She stood at the foot of the stretcher watching for any movement. Was he unconscious? Had he slipped into a coma? Was he only minutes from death? She’d stopped breathing altogether until she touched his leg and his eyes popped open.

“You know, this is the first time I’ve ever been shot.” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

She released the air from her lungs and chuckled at him. Her heart could beat again. “Congratulations. I’ll tell you what you’ve won later. Now work on not dying.”

He smiled and laid his head back on the pillow. “Yes, ma’am.”

About the Author

When Ana Diamond isn't writing about tough gals finding love in unexpected places, she’s at work by day in the medical field. She writes romantic cozy mystery novels with feisty strong women and alluring men who can’t resist them. Her books are fast paced, entertaining and heartfelt all at once.

Ana is a 2020 Tara Contest Finalist for Body Conscious and 2015 Melody of Love contest finalist. She lives in New York with her husband, two children and two needy but wildly entertaining kitty cats.

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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.

Book Review: STOLEN MEMORIES - Sidekicks Mystery Series by Diane Rapp

About the Book

Madison Thompson was working a summer job in a brokerage firm to save enough money to finish her history degree the following year. Unaware that she walked into danger after closing the office, Madison carried a night deposit bag to the bank across a busy parking lot. A van suddenly blocked her path. One robber dragged her inside the van at knifepoint, and the other drove away. The next day Madison woke in the hospital. Her face and hand were slashed and all memories from the past four years were gone—stolen. 

Can Madison recover precious memories of her college studies, falling in love, and becoming engaged? She desperately needs to get her life back on track and help the police capture those robbers, but every night she experiences night terrors that block knowledge of the attack. 

Learning about the attack on her daughter, Goldie Thompson rushed home from her job in California. She works as an animal handler for Pinkertons, a popular television show, and her dog Mikka Bella is the star. Bella had been trained as an emotional support dog before she became an actor, and she now travels everywhere with Goldie in a specially designed carpetbag. 

Goldie hopes Bella can help Madison overcome night terrors and get well enough to leave the hospital. The idea worked, but Bella was under contract and couldn’t remain in Williamsburg. Goldie knew it was important to train a new dog quickly, and clever little Kenzy Pederick proved to be the perfect companion for Madison. 

Six months later, Madison and Kenzy work several jobs in Virginia’s Historic Triangle—Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown, and the Yorktown Battlefield. Her family hoped that exposing Madison to familiar historic sites might prompt a quick recovery, but nothing worked. One day everything changed. She met an English woman who was searching for the grave of an ancestor and glimpses of the past started to break through the memory blockage. Madison and Kenzy soon followed a trail of clues that could fill in the blanks. 

Recovering those memories might prove dangerous. Bonds worth $2 million are still missing after the robbery, and a gang of crooks believe that Madison can lead them to the hiding place. Can two feisty dogs protect Madison from dangerous villains? Will she learn how and why she suppressed her memories and help the police capture the robbers? 

Review

Goldie and Mikka Bella are completing a shoot for a movie when she gets the news of her daughter's assault. Although Mikka Bella is her therapy dog as well as an accomplished "actress," Goldie hopes that Mikka Bella can also help Madison heal. Soon it's apparent that Madison needs her own therapy dog to help her with her night terrors - the only glimpse into her assault and any memory of the last four years of her life. 

As Madison remembers more details, there's hope of her reclaiming her memory. Unfortunately, there were some bearer bonds that have disappeared and the person responsible for her assault is sure Madison is the key. In the meantime, Goldie has to train Mikka Bella for her next appearance and Madison's new dog, Kenzy, catches on quickly. 

There are twists and turns with a bit of humor, especially related to the two dogs and their antics. Madison's memories come back in bits and pieces. Goldie, her husband, and Trevor, the man Madison was engaged to and now doesn't remember were warned not to force her memories. Only someone's after Madison... 

The story is well-written and the pace is steady. Goldie and Trevor search for clues and try to jar Madison's memory with surprising consequences. I liked Goldie, her husband, Madison and Trevor and I expect they'll be recurring characters in the series. If you enjoy dog mysteries, with the dogs having both a supportive and active role in solving the mystery, you'll enjoy this one. I look forward to the next in the series, with the newest dog, but hope to see more of Mikka Bella and Kenzie as well.

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.

AMAZON   Psst. Only 99cents through 11/1!

About the Author

Diane Rapp became an entrepreneur when she started her own dog grooming salon in Santa Barbara, California. She spent the next thirty years as a small business owner; she sold real estate, started an office supply/copy center, and performed free-lance advertising design. During all those years Diane wrote stories as a cure for insomnia. 

After writing a tour guide book to the Caribbean together, Diane’s daughter gave her the idea of writing a mystery set on cruise ships in the Caribbean. "Murder Caribbean-Style" and "Murder on a Ghost Ship" are the first two novels of a High Seas Mystery series. Readers meet the main characters of the series and learn about life aboard a ship while solving murders. There is danger and romance mixed in with the action. 

"The Alphas" is the prequel to  “Howl of the Wolf,” book 1 of the Heirs to the Throne trilogy. The novel introduces the dogs and wolves that eventually formed a pack that travels through space to inhabit Drako. The story is also a mystery. The heroine solves the murder of an old friend and discovers why her beloved German Shepherd was stolen. "

“Golden Legacy” blends historical adventure with modern-day mystery in two time lines. Embarking on a harrowing treasure hunt, two daring heroines tackle the hazards of gold country more than a century apart. 

Visit www.quicksilvernovels.com to learn more about all of Diane's books. Contact Diane from the website or find Diane's posts at https://www.facebook.com/quicksilvernovels and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DianeRapp to make friends.

Blog Tour and Book Review: A HILL TO DYE ON (Clear Creek Mysteries) by Rebecca McKinnon

 

About the Book

Summer has made its way up the mountain to Clear Creek, and with the new season, the town is offering a slew of summer classes at the community center. Happy to participate, Jemma and her yarn shop sponsor a fiber-dying class taught by her oldest friend, Kitty. 

When a mysterious man walks into class, something about him pulls Jemma into a tangle. Learning Kitty once knew him, Jemma has questions — but her friend is staying mum. Then Jemma goes on an early-morning walk and discovers the man dead.

This time, Jemma’s determined to stay out of the investigation — until she learns that because of a past she’s been hiding, Kitty is the main suspect! Unwilling to turn her back on her friend, Jemma starts looking for a dropped stitch. 

Because somewhere, there’s a person with dye on their hands.

Review

Jemma is a great MC and friend to Kitty. She's taken over her grandmother's yarn shop as the small town works to become a tourist attraction. The fiber dying activities are interrupted when a man comes in and her friend tenses up. Jemma is worried that the man means to harm Kitty. 

In addition to the yarn shop activities, Jemma vlogs, but has to find a way to combine her two passions - the yarn shop and vlogging. The idea of identifying things that would be of interest to tourists in the small town of Clear Creek takes her for a walk in the fresh air. Only she stumbles on the mystery man, with dye from the shop on him. The dye, and their prior relationship, point to Kitty as the killer.

The story is well-written and initially it doesn't look good for Kitty at all. Jemma keeps digging, not willing to accept her friend is a killer, though Kitty seems resigned to being arrested. The story unfolds with a twist here and there to keep the pace steady. I enjoyed reading this book and figuring out who the killer was as Jemma keeps at it. 

This is the second in the Clear Creek Mysteries. It can be read as a stand alone mystery - I haven't (yet) read the Yarns That Bind and had no difficulty following the story. Still, it's always a good idea to start at the beginning and watch as the relationships unfold. The first book is now on my TBR pile. I liked the characters and hope there are more of the series yet to come. Readers who like cozy mysteries, great characters, and the small town feel will enjoy this book.

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

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

Author Links

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Purchase Link 

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Guest Post: RODEO LOVE - READ A BOOK, HELP A COWBOY by Shanna Hatfield

This is a special guest post by Shanna Hatfield, author of many romance books featuring cowboys and rodeos. Like any good author, she did some research and in the process got involved with the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. Starting October 1st, she's launching a 3-month fund raising campaign. I"ll let her explain her involvement and how to read a book and help a cowboy!

I’m so grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be your guest today. Thank you!

RODEO LOVE 

by Shanna Hatfield USA Today Bestselling Author

 

During my childhood spent on a farm, any excuse to travel twenty miles to the nearest town (population 1,100) was looked on favorably. Each summer, I eagerly anticipated the small town’s biggest event of the year—the Fourth of July Rodeo. Back in those days, some of the top names in the rodeo circuit would join hundreds of rodeo fans for four days of rodeo, events in the park, and a parade through town. My whole family looked forward to the celebration. For a horse-crazy little girl who loved the smell of leather and the sight of cowboy hats, it was amazing. From an early age, I had a romance with the rodeo. 

One of the few stores we had in town was a saddle-maker with a boot shop. When I was five, my dad took me to Leroy’s shop to pick out a new belt for the rodeo. It was the first time I could choose my own. Talk about excited! As we walked inside, the welcoming aroma of leather filled the air. Dad led me to where Leroy worked on a saddle at the back of the shop and they talked a few minutes. Impatiently waiting, they finally told me to go see what I could find. My gaze—and heart—immediately settled on a hand-tooled belt with little flowers stamped into the leather and a silver buckle with a gold saddle that glistened in the overhead lights. 

I still have that little belt today along with my love of rodeo. It’s because of how much I enjoy watching rodeos and writing about small-town life that I created the sweet contemporary Rodeo Romance series. Each book in the series focuses on a different aspect of the rodeo with a strong heroine trying to tame a sometimes (okay, most always) wild cowboy. When I was working on the first book in the series, The Christmas Cowboy, I reached out to the Justin Sportsmedicine Team with several questions about rodeo injuries and treatments. They were so kind and helpful, I wanted to do something to say thank you. That’s when I began my Read A Book, Help A Cowboy campaign.

From October 1 through December 24, I donate 10 percent of the proceeds of every book purchased (which includes ebooks, paperback, hardback, and audio books) to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The JCCF provides financial assistance to rodeo athletes who have sustained catastrophic injuries and will be unable to compete for an extended time. Every penny donated to the JCCF goes straight into the donation fund without anything taken out for administrative fees or expenses. For injured rodeo athletes, the hand up they receive from the JCCF gives them the peace of mind to recover instead of worrying about how they will make ends meet until they get back on the rodeo road. Find out more about the Read A Book, Help A Cowboy campaign and supporting the JCCF at shannahatfield.com/give-back

 

To help raise funds and awareness for the JCCF, a kickoff party is held each November. Join us for a day of guest authors, games, and giveaways on November 10 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wholesomeheartsevents 

Also, enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card: https://tinyurl.com/22cowboyschristmasentry

And check out the two new releases in the Rodeo Romance series coming this holiday season. Watch for Taming Christmas in the Christmas Wishes & Cowboy Kisses boxed set, and Savoring Christmas releasing November 10.          

ABOUT THE AUTHOR USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where her childhood brimmed with sunshine, hay fever, and an ongoing supply of learning experiences. Today, Shanna draws on her rural roots to create sweet romances filled with hope, humor, quirky small-town characters, realistic heroes, and women of strength. 

She’s written more than 100 books, including two children’s books, a cookbook, and a humorous recounting of life on a farm. When this award-winning author isn’t writing or testing out new recipes (she loves to bake!), Shanna hangs out at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, better known as Captain Cavedweller. Shanna loves to hear from readers. 

Follow her online at: 

ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Newsletter | Pinterest   

 Find Shanna’s books at: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple | Audible   

 #RABHAC, #JCCF, #rodeoromance