Blog tour and Review: STIR UP A Lark Davis Mystery by Annabelle Hunter

Synopsis

Peace and quiet is underrated.

After her last brush with murder, Larklyn Davis is relieved to be spending her time with the talented new horse at her stables instead of tripping over body parts. While she’s trying to figure out why her newest horse has lost his mojo, she’s also puzzling over her relationship with the brooding, uncommunicative Detective Brecken Wilson.

But then, disaster strikes, and both Lark’s reputation and business are on the line. Once again she finds herself pulled into a murder case and in close proximity to the handsome Detective. Throw in a dashing veterinarian plus a matchmaking town and Lark’s life spins out of control. As clues pile up and all evidence leads back to her barn, Lark gets saddled up to solve another mystery.

Who knew life in Barrow Bay would stir up so much trouble?

Review

Lark is already wondering what's going on with Bon, the great horse she'd just been hired to take care of, train, and show - preferably to the top of the field. All the videos show his promise, but his previous trainer, Emily, hasn't had the best of luck lately and Abby, Bon's owner, moves Bon without telling her. Bon comes with his own charming vet who surprises Lark with a "house visit" to check out how Bon's doing. 

Barrow Bay is small town with gossip and second guessing traveling fast, and Lark's possible romances - first with Brecken and now with the vet, Connor has bets flying. Somehow this seems perfectly normal to the Barrow Bay residents. Only this time it's in the midst of an investigation of insider trading and Bon's untimely death on Lark's watch. 

This is the second Lark Davis Mystery, and my first dose of Lark. She's strong, speaks her mind, and a single mom, with her own insecurities. She's not perfect and that makes her even more likable. Brecken is a mess in his own way as well, but I hope he becomes a regular. 

This was a fun read, easily a stand-alone, though I'll go back and read the first one now. It is well-written, with a stead pace and the not swearing ("shittake mushrooms" for example) and some of Lark's other comments made me laugh. But hey, she takes having a seven-year-old to heart. If you like cozy mysteries, horses, and handsome detectives, you'll enjoy Stir Up.

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

Annabelle Hunter is a stay-at-home mom and an avid fan of classic mystery shows and dressage. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, and too many animals.

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Review: STUDS AND STILETTOS by Bev Pettersen

Synopsis:

Her dreams of stardom are jeopardized by a hot trainer...and a ruthless murderer.

Emily Murphy isn't afraid to swap her fancy wardrobe for a borrowed pair of barn boots. Working on the set of a Kentucky movie might be just the ticket to landing a real acting job and proving to her sister she can accomplish something worthwhile.

Dan Barrett knows a lot about hard work and even more about horses. And while he's drawn by Emily's beauty and pluck, he wants a stay-at-home ranch girl. But fighting their attraction is difficult, and soon they both realize that what they thought they wanted isn't what they really need.

Unfortunately, Dan isn't the only person watching Emily. And the other one is a ruthless killer determined to keep a secret buried.

Review:

There are truly only a few books that I have trouble putting down, even as I am falling asleep and I have a fair idea of who the culprit is, but this is one of them.  Pettersen has choreographed a compelling story of a missing groom and the filming of a movie of the horse who went crazy. The characters - Dan, Em, Judith, Anthony, Lizzie, Billy, and the Hamiltons - all have depth and substance.  The story captures the problems of work situations that are briefly intense and then end, the baggage from the past, and the potential for change. For the horse lovers, lots of horse action and compassion for animals.  

STUDS AND STILETTOS is one of a series of books about race horses and the third one I've read. THOROUGHBREDS AND TRAILER TRASH looks to be the most recent...  Others include FILLIES AND FEMALES,  HORSES AND HEROIN, JOCKEYS AND JEWELS, and COLOR MY HORSE.