Book Review: SWEET SIERA GULCH (A Paige MacKenzie Mystery) by Deborah Garner

Synopsis (from Amazon) 

Paige MacKenzie isn’t convinced there’s anything “sweet” about the small Gold Rush town of Sweet Sierra Gulch when she arrives in California to write an article for the Manhattan Post. But there’s plenty of history surrounding the gold fever that drew prospectors from afar in the mid-1800s, as well as the anticipation of romance when her favorite cowboy, Jake Norris, joins her later. 

Everything seems to be falling into place until the owner of the local cafe goes missing, a gruff guest checks into the hotel, and an odd humming sound prevents a peaceful night’s sleep. Determined to get to the bottom of the mysterious events, Paige begins to follow clues. Will her search uncover a dangerous secret in the town’s old mining tunnels, or will her curiosity land her in over her head? 

Review 

Sweet Sierra Gulch was once a hub in the midst of the Gold Rush, and now is a small town with only a couple of hundred people. Even Paige is wondering why she selected this small town as she checks into the only 'hotel.' Her plan is to decide if there's a story to write, write it, and then enjoy the wine country nearby with her cowboy, Jake. Only she senses some friction and not everyone is as welcoming and friendly as Jangle. Then he goes missing and everyone is upset. The AAA ladies let Paige know they're sure she can figure it out.  

 Sweet Sierra Gulch is populated by the three A sisters, older residents, and a few younger ones. Red is a business man with the most touristy spot and great chili, only his behavior of late is suspicious. As Paige tries to figure out what happens, more surprises await her. The pace is good, the backdrop of the gold rush, and the characters of Sweet Sierra Gulch have depth where needed. Jangle was by far my favorite character.

This is the 6th in the Paige MacKenzie series. Each is a story of some historical note that interests Paige and a mystery unfolds. They can be read as stand alone mysteries, but it's always best to start at the beginning. This story is well-written with enough tension to keep it going, even between Paige and Jake. Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this read.

Purchase Link 

AMAZON 

About the Author

Deborah Garner is an accomplished travel writer with a passion for back roads and secret hideaways. Born and raised in California, she studied in France before returning to the U.S. to attend UCLA. After stints in graduate school and teaching, she attempted to clone herself for decades by founding and running a dance and performing arts center, designing and manufacturing clothing and accessories, and tackling both spreadsheets and display racks for corporate retail management. Her passions include photography, hiking and animal rescue. She speaks five languages, some substantially better than others. She now divides her time between California and Wyoming, dragging one human and two canines along whenever possible.

Review: THE MOONGLOW CAFE : A Paige MacKenzie Novel by Deborah Garner

Synopsis (from Amazon)

New York reporter Paige MacKenzie has a hidden motive when she heads to the small town of Timberton, Montana. Assigned to research the area's unique Yogo sapphires for the Manhattan Post, she hopes to reconnect romantically with handsome cowboy Jake Norris. The local gem gallery offers the material needed for the article, but the discovery of an old diary, hidden inside the wall of a historic hotel, soon sends her on a detour into the underworld of art and deception. 

Each of the town's residents holds a key to untangling more than one long-buried secret, from the hippie chick owner of a new age café to the mute homeless man in the town park. As the worlds of western art and sapphire mining collide, Paige finds herself juggling research, romance and danger. With stolen sapphires and shady characters thrown into the mix, will Paige escape the consequences of her own curiosity?

Review

A New York jewelry show is the impetus for Paige to travel back west to Montana to find out about Yogo sapphires. Timberton is a far cry from New York, local businesses barely making it since the close of the sapphire mines. Most of the community eats at the Moonglow Cafe, recently taken over by Mist, an artist. Paige finds a diary but a part is missing. The diary and her search for the missing part prove more challenging all around. And then there's the maybe relationship with Jake.

THE MOONGLOW CAFE has mystery, secrecy, and a touch of romance. It also has interesting characters not the least of which are Mist and the homeless man she's feeding, the gem dealer and the lonely woman trying to keep the hotel afloat. This is the second in the series, following ABOVE THE BRIDGE, but easily read as a stand-alone. Hopefully there is a third coming soon!

AMAZON

Book Review: ABOVE THE BRIDGE : A Paige MacKenzie Mystery by Deborah Garner

Synopsis: 
When Paige MacKenzie arrives in Jackson Hole, her only goal is to complete a simple newspaper assignment about the Old West. However, it's not long before her instincts tell her there's more than a basic story to be found in the popular, northwestern Wyoming mountain area. A chance encounter with attractive cowboy Jake Norris soon has Paige chasing a legend of buried treasure, passed down through generations. 

From the torn edge of a water-damaged map to the mysterious glow of an antler arch, Paige will follow clues high into the mountainous terrain and deep into Jackson's history. Side-stepping a few shady characters who are also searching for the same hidden reward, she will have to decide who is trustworthy and who is not.

Review:

Paige writes for a newspaper and is assigned to write about Jackson Hole.  She starts out staying in town for just a few days, but quickly moves out of town to an old cabin.  She hears bits and pieces of conversation in the local watering hole, is drawn to one of the arches in the square, and her short visit and quick write up become a path of mystery and history as she travels not only the terrain around Jackson Hole, but in time, in search of buried treasure.  

Garner's descriptions of Jackson Hole brought make memories of a recent trip to that area, and she provides enough description that readers can get the idea even if they've never been.  Though not quite realistic, the trip back in time, the role of women in that era, and the cowboys Paige meets provide an interesting twist to the story. This was a fun read overall. I've added THE MOONGLOW CAFE to my TBR list and I am looking forward to Paige's next adventure.

AMAZON