Thursday, August 18, 2022

Blog Tour and Book Review: WRONG SIDE OF MURDER - A Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery Book 2 by Lauren Carr


The Wrong Side of Murder is another wonderful cozy mystery by author Lauren Carr. It has all the elements that draw me in - an intelligent female lead, an equally smart boyfriend who partners to help her, a complicated plot where clues are slowly revealed, people who aren't what they seem to be, comedic moments to balance the darker ones, and several quirky pets full of personality.  

It's a wonderful book to escape into at the end of the day. And get ready to read into the wee hours as, if you're like me, you won't be able to stop reading until the mystery is revealed.  - Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn

Nikki's an intense individual who makes the perfect investigative journalist. She wants answers yesterday and she is willing to dig in to get them. She might get it wrong at the beginning but with the help of her family and close friends, she'll get the answers she wants and needs. – review by Blooming with Books

Book Description:

Nikki Bryant’s Next Case Takes Her to the Wrong Side of Murder

One spring morning, Jodi Gibbons got up and went to school as she did every day. Her young life went sideways though when the police found that her mother had been brutally killed during the night.

Twenty years later, many in Pine Grove believe Jodi got away with murder. After all, how could she have possibly slept through her mother’s violent death in the very next room?

After decades of silence, Jodi accepts investigative journalist Nikki Bryant’s invitation to tell her side of the story. However, before the interview can take place, someone silences Jodi permanently.

Now it is up to Nikki Bryant and her friends to uncover the secret that Jodi Gibbons has been protecting—a secret someone believes is worth killing to keep from being revealed.

Review

Nikki Bryant hasn't seen many of the people she went to school with in several years and is still adjusting to being back in her small home town. She doesn't remember much about when Jodi's mother was killed, but Jodi reminds her when they run into each other. Nikki's curious and looks into the still unsolved murder, officially at least. She wonders what secret Jodi is hiding that could clear her of the beliefs that still prevail. When Jodi is killed, Nikki is determined to clear her name and uncover the secrets that would have implicated the killer.

Once again, Lauren Carr spins a story filled with feelings, intrigue, humor, and great characters. Nikki is smart and determined, assisted by Ryan. There are twists and turns as Nikki uncovers bits and pieces, leading up to the finale. As the tension rises, it's hard to put this one down. Start early or you'll be up late. I've read most, if not all, of Lauren Carr's books, and this is another winner. 

This is the second in the Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. Be sure to check out the stops on the blog tour for Killer Deadline, the first in the series. my review of Killer Deadline can be found HERE.

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.

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
Tour Schedule:

Aug 1 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / guest post / giveaway
Aug 1 - Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 2 – She Just Loves Books – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 3 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 3 - Chit Chat with Charity - audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 4 – Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 4 - Cover Lover Book Review – book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 5 - Cover Lover Book Review – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 8 - Review Thick And Thin – book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 8 – Kam's Place – book review of KILLER DEADLINE
Aug 8 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 9 – Olio by Marilyn – book series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Aug 9 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 10 – Kam's Place – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER
Aug 10 - Chit Chat with Charity - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 10 - The Momma Spot – book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 11 – Literary Flits – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 11 - Blooming with Books - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 11 - Books for Books - audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE
Aug 12 - Book Corner News and Reviews - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 15 – Stephanie Jane – book series spotlight / giveaway
Aug 16 – The Momma Spot – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 16 - Books for Books - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER
Aug 17 – Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 17 - Older & Smarter? – book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 17 – fundinmental – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 17 - Ebook addicts – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 18 - Pause for Tales – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 19 - Paws.Read.Repeat –book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 19 - Bigreadersite - book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 19 - Older & Smarter? – book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 22 - Review Thick And Thin – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 23 - Splashes of Joy  - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 23 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER
Aug 24 - Splashes of Joy  - book series spotlight / giveaway
Aug 24 – Books Are Love – book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Aug 24 - My Reading Journeys – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 25 - I'm Into Books - book series spotlight / giveaway
Aug 25 – Books Are Love – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 26 - Bigreadersite - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 26 – Books and Zebras – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER
Aug 26 - Adventurous Jessy - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Aug 26 - Reading Excursions - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER

Enter the Giveaway:

THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDR Book Tour Giveaway



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Monday, August 15, 2022

Blog Tour and Review: CHARLESTON CONUNDRUM - A Liz Adams Mystery by Stacy Wilder

 

About the Book:
A Cozy Mystery With a Twist...

Liz Adams never imagined when she moved to Charleston with her truth sniffing Labrador retriever, Duke, that she would use her skills as a private investigator to avoid winding up on Death Row. 

 

Liz’s life is upended when her best friend, Peg, is murdered and she becomes a suspect.Liz’s gun was the murder weapon. Tensions flare between Liz and the cops as she rises to the top of their suspect list. 

At the request of Peg’s father, Liz agrees to take on the investigation. Riding a roller coaster of emotions, Liz uncovers many secrets Peg kept from her despite their being best friends. The suspects include a cast of characters: the ex-husband, the boyfriend, a coworker, several neighbors, and family members. 

Charleston Conundrum takes the reader from Charleston, South Carolina, to Paris and back in the emotional unraveling of Peg’s life and death to a killer ending.  

Review:

Liz is in mourning, fighting guilt over giving her friend the gun that killed her, and doubting even her friends. Her mentor in the PI business, Gunner, helps her out with words of encouragement and reminders to not let her relationships with the possible suspects get in her way.  Hard to do for sure.

An engaging cozy mystery, Wilder does a great job of depicting Liz's feelings and thoughts - as a reader you have to like Liz and empathize with her mixed emotions as she uncovers secrets Peg kept from her and the motives for all her suspects. The plot is well-paced and the murder isn't resolved until the end. The delightful setting of Charleston adds to the story - wonderful place. Then there's a quick trip to Paris to meet Peg's secret boyfriend. If you like a good cozy mystery with southern side, you'll enjoy Liz's story and her quick trip to Paris to meet a possible suspect. A great start to what promises to be an enjoyable 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.

About Stacy Wilder

Stacy writes mysteries, children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. Her debut novel, Charleston Conundrum, is the first in the Conundrum mystery series.

Stacy’s mission is to deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger community. She donates a portion of the proceeds from the sales of her books to causes that support wildlife conservation, and the homeless, both people and pets. A portion of the proceeds from Charleston Conundrum are donated to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). 

She and her husband live in Houston, Texas with a totally spoiled Labrador retriever, Eve. As well as writing, Stacy is passionate about her faith, family, Labradors, the causes that she supports, the beach, art, and reading books.

Author Links:


 Purchase Links: 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:
 
August 15 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT 
August 15 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW 
August 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
August 16 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE August 16 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
August 17 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST 
August 17 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT 
August 17 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 
August 18 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE August 18 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT WITH PLAYLIST August 18 – Nellie’s Book Nook – REVIEW 
August 19 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT 
August 19 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
August 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT August 20 – Carla Loves To Read - REVIEW, GUEST POST 
August 20 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
August 21 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT 
August 21 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT 
August 22 – Books Blog – SPOTLIGHT 
August 22 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT 
August 22 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW 
August 23 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW August 23 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
August 23 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
August 24 – BookishKelly2020 - SPOTLIGHT 
August 24 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW   





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Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Blog Tour - Spotlight: MURDER BACKSTAGE: A Joseph Haydn Mystery by Nupur Tustin

 

About Murder Backstage

When murder propels him backstage, Haydn is forced to confront a deadly killer. . .
When the Burgtheater’s impresario unexpectedly meets his maker, Joseph Haydn is relieved to learn no one expects him to look into the matter. The impresario was murdered—and the Salzburger believed to be the killer is already behind bars.

But the impresario’s untimely death is not without consequences. Haydn’s employer insists he take over the dead man’s duties. Handling the tedious technical details of putting on an opera is bad enough. Confronting the suspicious behavior backstage is even worse.

Is an innocent man being sent to the gallows? Haydn is plagued by the question when his brother Michael confirms his worst fears. The Salzburger arrested for the murder is none other than Leopold Mozart—father of the well-known child prodigy currently in Vienna.

Now, egged on by Michael—a close friend of the Mozarts—Haydn must prove Leopold innocent. Or risk his brother’s ire forever!

Praise for the Joseph Haydn Mysteries: 

“Tustin orchestrates a concerto of intrigue and deception . . .” – Anna Lee Huber, Lady Darby Mysteries

“A standout in the genre of historical mysteries . . .” – Midwest Book Reviews

About Nupur Tustin

 A former journalist, Nupur Tustin misuses a Ph.D. in Communication and an M.A. in English to orchestrate mayhem in Joseph Haydn’s Austria and to paint intrigue in her Celine Skye Psychic Mysteries about a psychic who takes on the outrageous and still unsolved Gardner Museum theft! In addition to being a storyteller and avid mystery fan, Nupur is a wife and homeschooling Mom who’s recently become a Christian.

Author Links 
Website:  Get Two Complimentary Mystery Anthologies and two 50% Off Coupons When You Sign Up! 

Purchase Links: 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
August 3 – The Book Diva's Reads – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT 
August 3 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
August 4 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT August 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
August 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT 
August 5 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
August 6 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW 
August 6 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
August 7 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT 
August 8 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT August 8 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT 
August 9 – Cozy Up With Kathy – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT August 9 – Books Blog – SPOTLIGHT 
August 10 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT 
August 10 – Nellie's Book Nook – REVIEW 
August 11 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
August 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
August 12 – Maureen's Musings - SPOTLIGHT 
August 12 – Baroness' Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT   




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Monday, August 8, 2022

Blog Tour and Book Review: DEATH A SKETCH - A Paint & Shine Mystery by Cheryl Hollon

 

In eastern Kentucky, Miranda Trent runs a unique tour company called Paint & Shine, but sometimes the peaceful mountains play host to murder . . .

 

Miranda’s business—combining Appalachian adventure tours with art and a bit of moonshine—is the perfect place for an outdoor sporting goods company to hold an employee retreat. It’ll be a challenge, but the money they’re paying will definitely help with building her new distillery.
Miranda has lots of teamwork-fostering activities planned, from sketching classes to Southern cooking, but the executive running things prefers a more competitive spirit. In fact, after the workers are split into teams, they’re told that only the winners will keep their jobs, and tensions begin to spike. Even after a participant is found dead, the contest continues—while Miranda starts drawing her own conclusions about the ambitious attendees. Now she just has to find the proof . . .

Review:

Miranda's on a mission - make enough money with her tour company to building her new distillery. Only there's a deadline on that. The combination of great scenery, art, and moonshine for her usual tours isn't enough. Hence her venture into the corporate world with what she envisions as a team-building experience. Unfortunately, the people in charge of the company have very different ideas, pitting the employees against each other. The silver lining is reconnecting with her old friend, Rowena, only Rowena is obviously fearful of losing her job if things don't work out.

If it had been her choice and she didn't need the money, Miranda would have cancelled the mess especially after the murder. Only the people in charge insisted it continue. Unfortunately, the misfortunes continued as well with an interesting cast of suspects. The bright spot is the forest ranger, Austin Morgan, with more than a passing interest in Miranda.

The characters are well-developed, especially Miranda, Austin, and others in the town. The plot played out with twists and turns, and a surprising ending. Hollon has done a great job of combining eco-themes with art and mystery, a cute dog named Sandy, and a budding romance. I look forward to reading more in this series, and have already bought the first one. Although this is the third  in the series, it can easily be read out of order. If you like cozy mysteries with a strong female MC, you'll 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 Cheryl Hollon

Cheryl Hollon now writes full-time after she left an engineering career designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, and India. Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a passion for oil painting and creating glass art. 

Cheryl and her husband live in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Visit her online at http://cherylhollon.com, on Facebook or on Twitter @CherylHollon.

Purchase Links Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - IndieBound - Kensington  





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