Book Review: COWBOY WATCH (The Watchers Book 1) by Petie McCarty

The Watchers Series - Fallen angels seeking parole for their betrayal . . . 

Someone—or something—wants Kellen out of town . . . 

Kellen Brand’s inheritance comes as a monumental shock—a rundown farm in West Virginia she doesn’t want and one paroled Watcher all her own. Kellen’s eccentric mother had believed the Watchers to be fallen angels who sought penance by guarding chosen individuals who had lost their way. Seriously? A Watcher? Only her mother . . . 

Since Kellen vows no sane woman would choose to live in Riverside, she’s on a mission to dump the old farm fast and to the first buyer who comes along. Unfortunately for her, the only buyer is a resort developer, spurned by a townful of objectors and one handsome cowboy—her neighbor, Luke Thornton. Luke must block Kellen’s farm sale or risk exposing his own family’s secrets. He can ill afford his immediate and compelling attraction to his new neighbor. 

Someone is watching Kellen, but not who she thinks. Someone deadly and intent on scaring her out of town. Or worse. 

Luke faces a hellish choice. Step in and rescue Kellen from her threats, or stand by and watch to protect his family. . . 

Review 

Kellen arrives at the farm she inherited with her number one goal that of selling it and getting back to the city and her job. Her mother left her a cryptic note about a "watcher" keeping her safe. She's not sure what that means and deals with her goal. Only her first impression of the person pushing her to sell is negative and as she meets people in the small town, she learns the townspeople are very much against the sale. Enter Luke Thornton, who owns the adjoining property and strongly pushes her not to sell. Then she notices lights and shadows toward the mill. 

Cowboy Watch includes well-developed characters of Kellen and Luke, with sparks flying, as well as a number of bad guys and angels (or watchers). McCarty communicates the emotional side of Kellen's decisions and Luke's arguments - tissues recommended. The suspense builds - not only with regard to who is the watcher and who are the bad guys now fearful of what Kellen has seen - but with Kellen and Luke. A must read for those who enjoy romantic suspense without the heat. 

AMAZON

About the Author 

Petie spent a majority of her career at Walt Disney World—"The Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she loved working in the land of fairy tales by day and crafting her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said goodbye to her "day" job to focus on her stories full-time. 

These days, Petie spends her time writing new tales for her Cinderella series, her new paranormal-romantic-suspense series, The Watchers, sequels to her Regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and more contemporary romance standalones, along with her two previous releases—Any Fin For Love and Ambush in the Everglades. 

Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her husband, a horticulturist/landscape designer who provided all technical background for Cinderella Busted, and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy, who made a cameo appearance in Christmas Watch, Book 2 of The Watchers series.

You can connect with Petie:

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Book Review: LOST HEART IN KING MANOR (Mysteries of the Heart Series) by Celeste Fenton

Romantic Suspense/Edgy Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series Setting – Dost Island (fictional) off the coast of Massachusetts 

Publisher ‏: ‎ Independently Published 

Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 24, 2025 

About the Book 

At 45, Gabby Heart isn’t looking for drama—just quiet days on Dost Island running her village gift shop, teaching art, and keeping her past tucked safely away. But when her mother suffers a sudden health crisis, Gabby is pulled into a storm of family secrets, betrayal, and a dark legacy buried within the walls of the once-grand King Manor. 

What was supposed to be a safe place for her mother’s recovery becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery. Strange incidents begin to unfold, and it becomes clear: someone inside King Manor has a deadly agenda. As a hurricane traps Gabby inside the sprawling estate, she’s forced to work alongside two very different men—her maddeningly attractive officemate and a charming new neighbor, both hiding dark secrets. 

One man may want her heart. The other may want her dead. 

But can she trust her instincts before it’s too late? 

Review 

Gabby is dealing with her daughter Val moving across the country for college when she gets a call that her mother fell. Gabby rushes home to help her mother while still trying to keep her own work afloat. A second incident, with Gabby and her mother saved because of the cat, Gabby is at her wits end. There's an opening at ACHE, a senior rehab facility and her mother could recover there with the best of care. At least that's the promise.

ACHE has taken over the King Manor, with all it's glam, history, and tales of secret treasure. The director of ACHE, Beth, is her mother's neighbor and her mother is recovering there as well. The two men edging into her life? Rick and Jay. Rick has secrets and Jay is a little too smooth.

When first a tornado and then hurricane hits the area, two residents are injured among other strange occurrences and the discovery of tunnels, the tension mounts. Both Rick and Jay are constant companions to Gabby but she's not sure she can trust either of them.  

This is an interesting and engaging tale, with lots of unexpected twists and turns. What secrets is Rick hiding? What's Jay's endgame? The pacing is strong and the reader is carried along to the final conclusion. This is a great start to what should be an interesting 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. 

Companion Guide to Lost Heart in King Manor: 

An inside look (Mysteries of a Heart Series)

Step deeper into the secrets of Dost Island with this richly illustrated companion to Lost Heart in King Manor, the first book in the Mysteries of a Heart series. Explore the island’s storm-swept cliffs, charming village life, and shadowy past through exclusive character profiles, behind-the-scenes insights, maps, photographs, and bonus content that brings Gabby Heart’s world to life. 

Meet the unforgettable residents—from the sharp-witted Jay Laird and enigmatic Rick Payne, to the wise and mysterious women of the Heart family—each with their own stories, scars, and secrets. This companion is your invitation behind the curtain. But be warned… On Dost Island, even the quietest corners have something to hide. 

About the Author 

I have an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and have worked in higher education for over thirty-years. A former educator and lifelong reader, I began writing seriously at age 60. No one is more surprised than me, that in retirement, I found reward and occupation as an author. 

My writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery and a fascination with the complexities of the human heart. As a widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired educator, I believe I have enough real-world experience to weave imagination with insight to create stories rich with emotion and suspense. My work blends romance, mystery, and heart—with healthy doses of humor and hope. I feel passionate about helping others realize that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date.  

When I’m not writing, reading, or plotting another plot twist, I like to explore small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of family and friends. My latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, training my cavalier spaniel to do a high five, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.

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Companion Guide Purchase Link 

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Book Review: WHISKERS & WITNESSES (A Purrs and Puzzles Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery) by Samantha Noble

About the Book

A dead judge. 

A café full of curious cats. 

And me, Emma Carter—the prime suspect. 

When a well-known Judge Harrington is found dead in my cozy cat café, I’m as shocked as anyone. I never thought my café, Purrs & Puzzles, would turn into the scene of a murder investigation. But when my rescue cats start bringing me clues—odd little “gifts” from the crime scene—I realize I’ve got a puzzle to solve. 

With the help of my nosy friend Lizzie, Detective Jake Malone who’s allergic to cats, and a bunch of quirky regulars who know more than they’re saying, I’m diving headfirst into a tangle of secrets and lies. 

And uncover a secret my mom has been hiding. I must untangle the truth before I lose my café, my freedom - or worse, my life.

Review 

The MC, Emma Carter, is likable and upbeat, except about the murder, and the cats - Cinnamon, Snowball, Patches, and Oreo - do their part. Her best best friend, Lizzie, helps, and the detective, allergic to cats, has his eye on Emma -perhaps for more than the murder. Emma has to deal with her usual customers, and some know more than they're sharing. This is a short, fast-paced cozy mystery ideal for a quick read to unwind. A fun read, especially for cat lovers. 

AMAZON

About the Author 

Samantha Noble is the author of the Hazelwood High Jinx and Purrs & Puzzles Cat Café cozy mystery series, where the gossip is juicy, the animals sometimes seem smarter than the humans, and the bodies always seem to turn up at the worst possible time. Set in small towns bursting with secrets (and the occasional sass from a parrot or a dog or a cat), Samantha’s mysteries blend humor, heart, and whodunits that’ll keep you guessing. 

Whether you're following a curious innkeeper, a determined cat café owner, or a parrot with a taste for drama, you’re in for a delightful dose of cozy crime-solving. 

When she’s not writing or wrangling plot twists with her editors or VA Chad Penwright, or getting suggestions from her Beta Team or ARC team, Samantha is likely sipping something caffeinated, daydreaming about her next book cover, or driving around town plotting murders (fictional ones—promise!).

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Book Review: INHERITANCE Book 1 by Nora Roberts

About the Book

Inheritance is the first in The Lost Bride Trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts—a tale of tragedies, loves found and lost, and a family haunted for generations. 

1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him… 

Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about—and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth—and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light. 

Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease—and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” 

It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it… 

AMAZON

Review 

Sonya quickly finds herself loving the manor, haunted or not. She imagines living there much longer than the 3 months stipulated in the will. Only to do that, she has to convince her artistic friend, Cleo who being from New Orleans believes in the supernatural and curses. Clearly a curse is in place for seven brides destined to live in the manor have all died on their wedding day.

Not surprisingly, this tale is well-written with a combination of humor and wit, along with the witchy woman who has stolen all the brides' wedding bands, and suspense. In order to break the curse, Sonya needs to find all seven rings. As she and Cleo, along with Trey and his friend go through various room, set up the studio for Cleo where Uncle Collin had his studio, they discover paintings by Sonya's father. Even Sonya's mother is impressed by the manor and the paintings. Now, all that's left is finding the rest of the rings.

Although I am not usually drawn to the paranormal, the presentation of the ghosts, down to the little boy who plays catch with Sonya's dog, is well done. Now to move onto books 2 and 3 to find out how it ends! Yes, it is a cliffhanger.

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 

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Shelter in Place, Year One, Come Sundown, and many more. She is also the author of the bestselling In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than five hundred million copies of her books in print.

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Book Review: EXPOSING LETHAL SECRETS (Jameson Investigation Series Book 3) by Deena Alexander

Exposing Lethal Secrets

by Deena Alexander 

 Inspirational Romantic Suspense 3rd in Series 

Setting – California desert and Florida forest 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Love Inspired Suspense 

Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 1, 2025 

Print length ‏ : ‎ 208 pages  

About the Book

This bodyguard and his K-9 will do anything to uncover the truth.

Stumbling upon a burning car and rescuing an injured woman wasn’t on bodyguard Caleb Miller’s vacation itinerary—nor were the gunmen who open fire on them. But Olivia Delaney has no memory of who she is or how she got there, only that she is under threat. 

Vowing to protect the woman in danger, Caleb and his K-9 go on the run with Olivia. As they work to stay a step ahead of her pursuers, they must untangle her past together…before her family’s deadly schemes bury them both. 

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith. 

Review 

Caleb took time off to deal with some issues and now he's thrust in the middle of something that neither he nor the woman he rescued understand. He calls on the group he works with and they help him out. Gradually Olivia remembers bits and pieces, leading to the whole story. And what a story.

The story is interesting and the unfolding is well-paced. Olivia is both a strong woman and has her own baggage to deal with. Alexander did a great job of developing both these characters. I cheered them on as they both fought their demons and the bad guys. 

This is the third in the series, but the first one I've read. It was easily read a standalone. It is marketed as "inspirational" and there are references to G-d, yet not overdone. 

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. 

Jameson Investigation Series

HUNTING FOR THE HOLIDAYS 

HIDING THE WITNESS 

EXPOSING LETHAL SECRETS 

MISSING AT CHRISTMAS

Purchase Links 

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo 

Apple ~ GooglePlay

About the Author

Deena Alexander grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Now she enjoys long walks in nature all year long, despite the occasional alligator or snake she sometimes encounters.

Deena’s love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night, and she now works full time as a writer and a freelance editor. 

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Spotlight: SHUDDER PULP (A Charley Scott Mystery) by Vanessa Westermann

Shudder Pulp: A Charley Scott Mystery 

Cozy Mystery 

2nd in Series 

Setting – Canada’s Cottage Country 

Publisher : Cormorant Books (May 3, 2025) 

Paperback : 368 pages 

Shudder Pulp is a chilling cozy mystery with a protagonist trying hard to puzzle through the clues. It tests both the characters and the reader. 

                        ~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book 

About the Book 

Leaves are turning red in cottage country, and Charley Scott is putting on an immersive Halloween pulp art installation based on a local lake monster legend. But life imitates art when Laura, a mercenary newcomer with a controversial agenda for the dam, claims she was attacked by a lake monster she accuses Charley of raising. 

Hours later, Laura is found dead by dry drowning. 

Accident, murder, or a lethal encounter with a mythical beast? Tension mounts as snaking tracks, an animal carcass, and a witch’s ladder are found near the lake, but could there truly be supernatural forces at work? 

Charley teams up with chocolatier Matt Thorn to investigate, but it’ll take more than seafoam toffee to bait this trap. To find the truth, Charley will have to risk it all to look the monster in the eye. 

About the Author 

An avid reader of mysteries, Vanessa Westermann is a former Arthur Ellis Awards judge, holds an M.A. in English Literature and a Bachelor of Education, and has taught creative writing. Cover Art, first of the Charley Scott Mysteries, was published to great acclaim in 2022. At the heart of all of Westermann’s stories are strong female protagonists inspired by the heroines in her own life. She currently lives in Ontario. 

Author Links 

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Purchase Links 

 Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble  ~  IndieBound/Bookshop.org

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Book Review: SECOND BLOOM - The Holly and Ivy Mysteries Book 1 by Sally Handley

About the Book 

Holly Donnelly, an adjunct English professor, and her younger sister, Ivy Donnelly, a recently widowed, retired nurse are reluctantly drawn into the investigation of an elderly neighbor’s murder when Juan Alvarez, Holly’s trusted gardener, is accused of the crime. Holly fears police detective, Nick Manelli, assumes Juan is guilty and won’t conduct a proper investigation, while Ivy feels the “hunky” Manelli is not only a good cop, but also a possible romantic match for her sister.  

Can the clues the sisters unearth from neighborhood gossip about the victim’s family, a politically connected neighbor and a powerful real estate developer help save an innocent man, or will the gardening duo dig up more than they bargain for? 

Review 

Holly's hoping her sister's visit will convince her to move in with her. They both love to garden and have great plans for adding to Holly's garden. Only their plans are side tracked with the arrest of Holly's trusty gardner. Holly's determined to help him and is collecting information to prove Manelli - the detective on the case - is wrong. When the blame shifts to a young woman, Ivy is the one who wants to prove he's wrong. The ladies, get more than they bargained for. 

This is a well-written story about two strong women with differing personalities - while Holly is fighting any possible attraction to Manelli and focused on how irritating he is, Ivy is softer in some ways and points out his occasional wink. The pace of the story is good, with humor and wit. Best of all, I didn't figure out who the killer was until the end. I may have to read the next one to find out what happens with Holly and Manelli! If you're a fan of cozy mysteries and plants, you'll like this one. 

AMAZON

The Holly and Ivy Mysteries

Second Bloom 

Frost on the Bloom 

Full Bloom 

Murder Under Tuscan Blooms 

The Blooming Treasure Murder 

The Mystery of the Bogus Blooms 

The Blooming Book Club Murder 

About the Author 

Sally Handley is the author of the Holly & Ivy classic cozy mystery series and the stand-alone suspense novel, Stop the Threat. She also writes a series on the Kindle Vella platform entitled The Adventures of Trixie, written from her faithful companion’s point of view. A member of Sisters in Crime and Past President of the Upstate SC Chapter, Sally hosts a monthly on-line Mystery Book Club and a Meet the Authors Series on her YouTube Channel, @sallyhandley1430. 

An avid reader, Sally has been a mystery lover since she read her first Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and Cherry Ames books as a young girl. An English major, she graduated from Douglass College at Rutgers University and became a public school teacher. Transitioning into business, she worked also as a professional services marketer for 30 years and returned to teaching as an adjunct professor of English before retiring in 2015. She now lives in Mauldin, SC where she devotes her time to reading, writing and gardening.

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Book Review: A CORPSE AMONG THE CAROLERS (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

A Corpse Among the Carolers (A Food Blogger Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 7th in Series 

Setting – Connecticut 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page Publishing (November 12, 2024)

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages 

Hope Early is fully immersed in the spirit of the Christmas season, until the sounds of joyful carolers are silenced by the words “Ho-ho-homicide” . . . 

Food blogger Hope Early always gets a hearty holiday laugh from knowing that the weeks leading up to Christmas are as frantic as they are festive. But in spite of everything she has to do, the one thing she always has time for is the annual Jingle Bell Stroll, a night when the community gathers to sing their hearts out and enjoy each other’s company. This year’s caroling feels especially heartwarming, until the final note lands with a thud when Hope finds the body of the man who’d volunteered to play Santa, a

knife plunged into his back. 

With virtually the whole town present at the caroling, the list of suspects seems endless. It doesn’t take long, though, for both Hope and the police to turn a sharp eye on the victim’s bitter and vindictive ex-wife, along with his new wife, who may have been after his money. Then Hope unearths a clue that suggests the dead man may have been hiding a sordid past and connections to unseemly characters. But as she closes in on the killer, they’re determined to wring her neck before she can ring in the new year . . . 

Includes tasty and toasty holiday recipes! 

Book Review 

Hope has high hopes of a family night with Ethan and his two daughters. As she's running around getting all the details perfect, she overhears snippets of conversation that give her pause. Nothing prepares her for the murder of the town's Santa. 

Both Ethan and the acting sheriff caution her not to investigate. Only she (and they) know she'll see what she can come up, along with her sister, Claire, Jane, and Drew. A few close calls strain the relationship between Hope and Ethan, not to mention her friends telling her to be careful. Each fact or picture Hope comes up with takes her in unexpected directions. 

The characters are likable or not depending on their role and it's no clear until the end who the killer is. The plot moves along nicely. This was a fun Christmas read and I certainly wouldn't turn down any of the goodies Hope brings with her to ease her questioning. This is the seventh book in the series but can easily be read as a stand-alone. 

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 Devra Sennefelder 

Debra Sennefelder is the acclaimed author of charming and suspenseful cozy mysteries set in small towns filled with intriguing characters and delightful pets. Based in Connecticut, Debra shares her home with her family and a lovable, slightly spoiled Shih Tzu. Her passion for mystery fiction, particularly cozy mysteries, inspires her to create engaging stories that blend crime-solving with delicious recipes and stylish fashion. She is the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series, the Resale Boutique Mystery series, and the Cookie Shop Mystery series. 

When she’s not plotting her next whodunit, you’ll find her baking sweet treats or indulging in a good book. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person. Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her writing companion, Connie. 

She can be reached at Debra@DebraSennefelder.com 

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VETERAN'S DAY 11/11.2024

 

Each year, in the United States, we celebrate Veteran's Day - one of the few holidays that is not moved to a Monday, but always is on November 11th. Why? 

Originally called Armistice Day, it marks the anniversary of the end of World War I, when the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. In 1938, it became a federal holiday, and in 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans, not just those from World War I.  

THANK YOU TO ALL THE VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM

I have a special place in my heart for those who served in WWII - my father (POW) and one uncle (KIA). Sometines called the "Greatest Generation" there are a lot of books and movies about the men who served. I only highlighted two here:

Ever the Patriot: Recollections of Vincent J. Riccio, World War II Veteran and POW (Candace Riccio Salem)  

 

Review excerpt: "A good story of a patriotic member of America's 'greatest generation.' The story is taken from the veteran's own words as recorded and transcribed by his loving family members. As an Air Force veteran of the Cold War I appreciated the story of this man's service and sacrifice for our country. A feel good read that made me proud."

A Wing and a Prayer: The "Bloody 100th" Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force in Action Over Europe in World War II by Harry N. Crosby

“A compelling account of the air war against Germany” written by the navigator portrayed by Anthony Boyle in Apple TV’s Masters of the Air (Publishers Weekly).

"Masters of the Air" was produced for Apple TV based on Crosby's book (click on the picture for a link to the trailer). Well worth the watch...

There are many more biographies, memoirs, and historical fiction related to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan.... Again thank you to the veterans who served and kept us the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

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Showcase: MRS. ODBODDY AND THE CONNIVING CANDIDATE (A WWII tale of political shenanigans and snookery) by Elaine Faber

Even as WWII wages across the Pacific, election time has come to Newbury. Mrs. Odboddy has had enough of the city council making it difficult for women to gain licenses to start businesses, even in their own homes. Agnes decides to run for the vacant city council seat. That’s when the trouble starts, first when someone breaks into her house, opens the pipes, and floods her kitchen. Katherine and her colored friend are attacked in a race-related assault, and the local church is vandalized.

 Were all these disasters intended to discourage Agnes from continuing her campaign? That’s when an official accusation of theft is filed against her by her political opponent, Horace Faggenbacher, owner of The Flying Red Horse gas station. 

To make matters worse, Katherine’s ex-fiance is back in town declaring his undying love, attempting to convince her to marry him. With each disaster that affects the family, Dr. Dew-Right somehow manages to lend such helpful assistance that Katherine is prevented from kicking him to the curb. But, when anonymous claims against Agnes result in the state’s plans to take away their beloved ward, Mattie, Agnes knows she’s up against a conniving opponent who will stop at nothing to prevent her winning the election. 

How can she prevail against such sinister attacks when her family is at risk? Is winning an election really worth it? On the other hand, how can she allow this conniving candidate’s assaults against her reputation and family force her out of the race? Join Agnes in her journey against overwhelming odds as she attempts to win an election that could help bring about more equitable decisions to the Newbury citizens, to the women in town, and the colored community. 

AMAZON

The Mrs. Odboddy Series

Mrs. Odboddy Hometown Patriot

Mrs. Odboddy Undercover Courier 

Mrs. Odboddy and Then There was a Tiger

Mrs. Odboddy's Desparate Doings

Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate

About the Author

Elaine Faber's short stories are published in magazines and multiple anthologies. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Elk Grove Wrters Guild, and Northern California Publishers and Authors. 

The Mrs. Odboddy mysteries are set in Northern CA during WWII, a humorous historical fiction both informative and funny. Mrs. Odboddy - Hometown Patriot is the first in Elaine's WWII humorous mystery series. Mrs. Odboddy fights the war from the home front, seeing conspiracies and spies around every corner. When Mrs. Roosevelt comes to town to attend a funeral, Agnes's fears become a reality and she must prove she is, indeed a hometown patriot. 

All books are reader friendly without explicit sex, extreme violence or profanity. Elaine's short stories are published in 21 anthologies over the past 7-8 years. Elaine lives in Elk Grove, CA, with her husband. They currently share their home with two house cats.

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Book Review: TAKE THE WHEEL (Previously published as BLIND BAKE : Maddie Baker #1) by Denise Grover Swank

About the Book

Maddie Baker just wants to make ends meet. She gave up her school librarian career to return to her hometown and take care of her elderly aunt. So when she starts making Uber runs to supplement her barista job, she never dreamt she’d not only drop a man off to his murder but be labeled a person of interest in his death. 

Detective Noah Langley is looking for a fresh start in a city with a lower crime rate and a fraction of the population of Memphis. It’s just what he needs to recover from a nightmare that left him severely injured and his teenage mentee dead. The first murder since he’s arrived in Cockamamie is a chance to prove to his boss and himself he should be there. 

Noah doesn’t have many leads, but the few he has all tie back to one person: Maddie Baker. She doesn’t seem the type, but the last time he presumed someone was innocent he nearly died. Has Noah lost his instincts? Because if he can’t trust his gut, it might be time to turn in his badge. 

Review 

Maddie Baker returns to her old home town, not so naive and less trusting. Only her elderly aunt needs help. Maddie juggles multiple jobs and ends up a suspect in a murder - wrong place, wrong time. But she's determined and begins to collect clues on her own, to prove her innocence. 

The new detective, Noah, in town moved from the city to a small town, not expecting to have to deal with a homicide right off. He also has his own baggage. Maddie and Noah get off on the wrong foot, but as the story progresses, there are definite signs of a romance brewing. 

This is the first in the Maddie Baker series, and a good start to a series. The main characters are well-developed and the small town and its culture are described. As with other works by this author, this is a well-written cozy mystery, with a steady pace, and unexpected surprises. Even with the murder solved, there's still more to come with Maddie (and perhaps Noah) and more mysteries to solve. This is the first of three books in the series.

AMAZON

About the Author 

Denise Grover Swank is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal best-selling author who writes mystery and romance. She lives in Lee's Summit, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. She's a single mother to six kids and four dogs. She spends her free time binging Netflix, drinking wine, and reading. Not necessarily in that order.

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE ~ FACEBOOK ~WEBSITE   

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Book Review: APPLE DUMPLING MURDER (Paranormal Cozy Mystery - Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries Book 2) by Trixie Silvertale

About the Book

Santa’s daughter is settling into her life as a baker, but could a fresh murder burn her biscuits? 

Cindy Claus loves exploring the human world and baking amazing treats. So, she’s bubbling over when her aging landlord takes her under his wing and promises to leave her the bakery in his will. But before she can stir up a celebration, her patron collapses, dead, like a bad soufflé. 

With suspicion instantly falling on the budding baker, Cindy must rely on her fragile new friendships and her father’s trusted arctic fox. She’ll have to butt heads with local law enforcement as she gathers crumbs, and one wrong move could crush her dreams… 

Can Cindy find the proof she needs, or will this villain punch down her last hope? 

Apple Dumpling Murder is the second book in the festive paranormal cozy series, Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries. 

Review 

Cindy Claus convinced her papa to let her leave the North Pole and try her hand at opening a bakery. She landed in Silver Shoals as the baker in town, Connie, dies. Her husband not only lets Cindy take over the bakery but shares Connie's wonderful recipes. He announces that he's changing his will and giving the building to Cindy, and then he's killed.

Cindy is all sweetness and light, not enlightened to many earthy things like funerals and kissing, though she has a strong sense of who is naughty and who is nice. She's helped the local police in the past, and Kevin is more than interested in getting her insights. At the same time, her fur friend, Arti, is her protector and a fierce one at that. 

The characters are well developed and though Cindy keeps slipping up, no one seems the wiser, not even Kevin or Jasmine. Connie's ghost makes an appearance and of course the killer wants to stop Cindy's dreams. Lots of festive ongoings, this is a cute mystery for the holidays, even better if you like paranormal elements - good and bad - in your mysteries. 

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. 

Purchase Links 

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia 

About the Author 

USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and obsesses about all things paranormal. 

Those two passions unite in all her mystery stories, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you. 

Author Links 

Trixie’s Website ~ Trixie’s Patreon ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Instagram ~ Facebook Author 

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