Blog Tour and Review: LOVE LIES AND AZURE EYES

 

Synopsis

Elated by Annie’s response, Johnny caved to his impulse and pressed his mouth to her sweet lips, sparking a surge of electricity that ricocheted through his entire body, and for one glorious moment swept him up in a wave of emotion that meteorically whisked him to the edge of the universe, past swirling spirals of brightly burning stars — white dwarfs, red giants, entire galaxies. Caught in the rapture, he shed his cocoon of darkness and experienced the light — the wonderful, warm, life-affirming light. He reveled in it, felt alive. He almost believed he was. Almost.

* * *

West Coast journalist Annie Sinclair’s career, not to mention her love life, has been on the skids far too long, when she returns to Logan Point, her small, Indiana hometown. She’s back to make amends with her elderly father, and to delve into the 25-year-old, unsolved murder of her high school classmate for a writing gig with a national tabloid.

Annie’s plans soon go awry, and her mettle is tested — first when her father warns her against digging into the past; and again, when she meets the Logan Point Ledger’s handsome, but exasperating, new editor; and again still, when she reconnects with her first love, who clearly wants to rekindle what once was.

But Annie’s most arduous test appears in the form of the earthbound spirit of a boy she once knew — the boy with the azure eyes accused of the murder she is looking into. He needs her to prove his innocence, so he can break the ties that bind him to the darkness. In exchange, he will set Annie free to realize that the love she yearns for is just within her reach … if only she will open her heart.

Review

I'm not a big fan of paranormal, but you can't help but to hope for Johnny - the boy who loved Annie, was belittled by the town hero, killed in an accident and blamed for that, and then finally blamed for the death of a classmate. What starts out for Annie as nothing more than a way for her to regain some recognition as a journalist, quickly becomes more personal. Annie's not too keen on Johnny's visits, sends him away, and soon realizes he is the only one she can trust. 

The story is well-written, and other than Johnny as the innocent, it's not easy to eliminate suspects.  There are old wounds re-opened, old loves re-visited, and the surprise ending isn't just about the murder. Fast paced, with lots of personalities, if you like cozy mystery and small town drama, you'll enjoy this - even if paranormal isn't on the top of your list.

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

Janis Thornton is the author of a true crime/oral history/memoir, Too Good a Girl, as well as two cozy mysteries, Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies and Dead Air & Double Dares. She also is the author of two local history books and contributor to Undeniably Indiana. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Authors Guild, and the Indianapolis Writers Center. She lives in her Indiana hometown in the same house where she grew up.


Author Links

Website: www.janis-thornton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janisthorntonauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanisThornton
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6482161.Janis_Thornton

Purchase Link
Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: BAGELS AND BLACKMAIL Maple Lane Mysteries #2 by C.A. Phipps

Synopsis

Maddie’s cat is missing!
Why would someone steal Big Red?
More than a pet…
… so much more, it turns out that he’s not the only one taken. It’s a catastrophe for the owners who, like Maddie, considers them family members.
Where are they being hidden?

While the Sheriff, who happens to be her ex-boyfriend, is doing what he can to solve the mystery, Maddie can’t sit by and watch.
Going against her darling Gran’s wishes, she once again decides to do her own detective work—with a little help from her friends.

Review
Settled back in to her hometown and her best girl friends, otherwise referred to as the Girlz, Maddie doesn’t miss New York. So what if people think she’s a little weird because has a fairly large Maine Coon cat, Red. Only now Red is missing, he has been the only comfort she had during some rough times. And other pets are missing and then the mayor is killed. In the meantime, the evil wheeler dealer Findlay is back and Maddie is sure he is up to no good. Police chief Ethan warns Maddie to stay out of the investigations – and we all know that doesn’t happen.

The mystery moves along at a good pace and I liked the plot, characters and writing. If you have pets – even if you aren’t a cat person – you can easily relate to Maddie’s anxiety when Red is missing. And his role in the story’s end. The romance between Maddie and Ethan? It has to move forward or fade away – guess I’ll have to read the next one to find out. This is the second in the series, and there are a few references, mostly related to Findlay, but they don’t interfere with this story. This can easily be read as a stand alone. If you like a good cozy mystery, you'll enjoy this one.

Maple Lane Mysteries
Book 1: Apple Pie and Arsenic
Book 2: Bagels and Blackmail
Book 3: Cookies and Chaos
Book 4: Doughnuts and Disaster

Blog Tour and Review: THE CORPSE WORE STILLETTOS by MJ O'Neill

Synopsis

SHE WORE A DONNA KARAN MARKED FOR REPOSSESSION

Since Kat Waters’s father took a trip to the slammer on what she’s sure are trumped-up racketeering charges, life’s been tough. All their assets are frozen, and she’s down to the last few pairs of Jimmy Choos she can swap for rent. To keep her family out of the homeless shelter, the former socialite took a job at the local morgue—a job she’s about to lose when the body of a murder victim goes missing on her watch.

HE WORE A CAPTIVATING SMILE

While Kat’s processing the latest victim in the prostitute serial killings, ex-Special Forces soldier Burns McPhee strolls in with an air of confidence, expecting access to the Jane Doe. While Burns tries to flirt his way into examining the latest victim, whom he thinks is connected to the death of his best friend, someone else steals the body right out from under them.

THE CORPSE WORE STILETTOS

Dodging questions from the cops and kidnapping attempts from a body-snatching psycho, Kat and Burns forge a deal. He’ll clear her name and keep her safe if she gets him information on her peculiar coworkers, one of whom he’s certain is involved with the body heist. But digging up secrets can lead to a lower life expectancy. The unlikely team will need all their talents not to end up as the morgue’s next clients while they hunt for a murderer, the missing corpse, and a pair of diamond-studded stilettos.

Review

Kat is doing her best to deal - or not deal - with her father's imprisonment and the betrayal of her wealthy friends when she, her grandmother, and mother have to move to a not-so-great neighborhood. She needs to get a job to keep the basic bills paid. She's definitely a "shoe fashionista" and she is slowly selling off shoes to some local "women" who specialize in male entertainment. The only job she can get is in the morgue, and she even turns that into a plus, getting past the blood and guts to treating them with respect. That is until McPhee and Flint show up and the Russian steals the corpse, and of course it is all Kat's fault. Her friend DC, the reporter, and Neutron round out the characters - well, except for the Russians and the detective.

This is well-written, and the characters you're supposed to like are multi-dimensional and likable. Although Kat at times seems younger than her age, that is balanced by her wits and problem-solving. If nothing else, her habit of quoting trivial facts when stressed confuses the bad guys. Things get complicated when it appears that somehow the 'misunderstanding' that landed her father in jail is connected to the death of a journalist and the missing corpse. Lots of suspects and tension keep the reader's attention. Personally, I can't wait for the sequel.

  

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

As the owner of a boutique chocolate factory in Atlanta, MJ O’Neill loves to write lighthearted, romantic mysteries with a sweet twist. She has a degree in business communications from North Carolina State University. When she’s not spinning a sweet yarn or creating delicious confections, she spends time with her husband, their kids, a hyperactive cocker spaniel named Devo (after the band), a princess tabby cat named Twilight (before the book stole her name) and a collection of stray fish. The whole gang can be found tooling around the back roads of the South in their RV where MJ uses the downtime to hatch her next sweet plot.

Author Links

Website – http://www.mjoneillauthor.com/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/melindajONeill

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mjoneillauthor/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mj.oneill.52

Purchase Link – Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour and Book Review: CAUGHT UP IN IT by David Burnsworth

Synopsis

The award-winning diva, C, has got a big problem: someone wants her dead. A team of mercenaries attempts to gun her down in Kuala Lumpur. Lucky for her, Lowcountry Private Investigator, Blu Carraway, is already on the job there for a different client.

Double-lucky for C, they make their move when she’s chit-chatting with him in a bar. Unlucky for the mercenaries, four of them end up dead.

The hunt is on now for the mega-pop star. Where does she go to hide out? The sleepy islands around Charleston, South Carolina—Blu’s backyard. He’s already proven himself once, so C hires the Blu Carraway Investigation Agency to protect her for real.

The job takes Blu halfway around the world and several cities in between. The search for the truth reveals what could drive a person to want someone else dead.

And Blu Carraway ends up right in the way.

Review

Blu's done with his job, or so he thinks, when he takes on a new client, C, who is both tempting and in deep trouble with who knows who. It looks like the people after C may be somehow connected to previous cases and his sometimes sidekick. Blu has to call in a lot of favors, not only to protect C, but to make sure he doesn't end up dead. 

This is the third in the series, and Blu's "low country" ways continue to charm. Although there are references to the villains in the previous two novels, it can be read as a standalone - enough background is provided. Of course, it's always best to start at the beginning. There are continuous twists and turns, some humor, and the pace is fast. If you want a hard-boiled mystery for a break from cozy, you'll like this 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 the Author

David Burnsworth became fascinated with the Deep South at a young age. After a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and fifteen years in the corporate world, he made the decision to write a novel. He is the author of both the Brack Pelton and the Blu Carraway Mystery Series. Having lived in Charleston on Sullivan’s Island for five years, the setting was a foregone conclusion. He and his wife call South Carolina home. 
Author Links

Website Facebook Twitter GoodReads

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour and Review: DROWNING LESSONS : A Red Frog Beach Mystery by Rachel Neuburger

Synopsis

You are cordially invited to a destination wedding to die for…

Welcome to Bocas del Toro, a remote chain of islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama. Five days of glorious sun and lush rainforest await the forty guests celebrating Bridezilla Olivia’s dream wedding—but will a murder sink the catered affair? Before anyone’s got time to start working on a tan, an unfortunate snorkeling accident eliminates a member of the wedding party. Maid of honor Lexie Marino smells trouble, and is thrust into the responsibility of investigating, needing to solve the case before her bestie’s trip down the aisle gets tropically derailed. The show must go on.

Lexie’s a little too tall, a little too awkward, and a little too brokenhearted, but she’s determined to nail the real killer. Can this unlikely sleuth stay afloat as she’s hit by wave after wave of wildly entertaining characters, including an alpha bride, surfing detectives, and a high school flame long forgotten? You’ll find yourself laughing until the very end of Drowning Lessons, a debut cozy mystery that makes the perfect beach read. Rub in some coconut oil, dangle your feet in the crystal-blue waters of Dolphin Bay, and sip a cool drink as Lexie discovers the deductive superpowers she never knew she had. Let the party begin!

Review

One thing's for sure, a destination wedding is not where brokenhearted Lexi wants to be and the bride to be isn't exactly sympathetic. With all the cell phones taken from the guests, it's no wonder everyone's a little tense. The not-so-accidental death doesn't help the mood. One member of the troop is dead and the rest are suspects. 

From the poison dart red frogs to the beautiful setting of Dolphin Bay, there are any number of things that make this cozy mystery interesting and different from others. I liked Lexi's attitude, her loyalties, though seemingly misplaced, and her determination. Many interesting characters, most of whom aren't particularly likable, twists and turns, and not an obvious killer. Not a bad combination for a leisurely light read. 

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

RACHEL NEUBURGER REYNOLDS is the author of The Red Frog Beach Mystery Series. As a playwright, her plays have been produced in London, Edinburgh and New York. After 25-years in New York City, she now resides with her husband between London and St Leonards-on-Sea in England. For news about Rachel and the upcoming Red Frog Beach Mysteries, check her out at RachelNeuburger.com.

Author Links

Webpage and blog: RachelNeuburger.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelneuburgercreative

Twitter: @rainyday11

Instagram: @rainydaywrites

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18992082.Rachel_Neuburger_Reynolds

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rainyday11/

Purchase Links

Amazon – Kindle

Giveaway!  

One e-copy of the book will be given away to the randomly selected person who leaves a comment on this blog.  Please indicate the format you prefer in your comment. Giveaway will end June 7th.

Blog tour and Review: SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS (Marygene Brown Mysteries) by Kate Young

Synopsis

Life has always been sweet on Georgia’s Peach Cove Island, but a case of murder has Marygene Brown down in the pits . . .

For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Since their mother’s passing two years ago, Marygene has been stuck in Atlanta while her sister Jena Lynn has been running the family business. Now Marygene has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she can almost feel Mama’s presence.

But all is not peachy back home. Marygene has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the old man’s been poisoned, Jena Lynn is led away in handcuffs and the family eatery is closed. Now, to save her sister and the diner, Marygene must find the real killer. With some startling assistance from her Mama’s spirit, Marygene will be serving up a special order of just desserts . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!

Review

Marygene hasn't been involved in the family business - or sleuthing - but she finds herself quite at home in the diner and enjoying the neighborhood, small town feel more than she remembered. She is sure her sister, Jena Lynn, couldn't possibly murder somebody and she is determined to prove it. At every turn, though, there are more complications and twists. Now Marygene has to decide who she can really trust. At least Mama's there to help her along.

This was an enjoyable read with great characters, a town that comes together, and a mystery that takes some work to figure out. Mama's spirit is especially fun and timely - well, most of the time.


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.

The author is hosting a pre-order giveaway!

CHECK IT OUT HERE! 

About the Author

Kate Young writes humorous southern mystery novels. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Guppy Chapter. Kate lives in a small town in Georgia with her husband, three kids, and Shih Tzu. When she is not writing her own books, she’s reading or cooking.

Author Links

Website – https://www.kateyoungbooks.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKateYoung/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/KAYoungBooks

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6527572.Kate_Young

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kate-young-b3339e9c-d2e4-482d-a637-5afd7b064d73

Purchase Links — Amazon B&N Kobo Indie Bound ibooks BAM

Book Review: SHOOTING THE BULL: A Roy Martin Mystery by John Rose Putnam

Synopsis

A western noir classic mystery by bestselling author John Rose Putnam that will leave you teetering on the edge of your seat until the very last word.

When a popular high school senior, the daughter of powerful Laurel big shot, is found dead from a gunshot to the heart on the property of a cantankerous dairyman, suspicion falls heavily on the farmer and his football star son.

Review

This is the second in the Roy Martin Mysteries, with Roy Martin, the Sheriff, having to deal with the murder of the daughter of one of the more powerful families in the county. The body is dumped just over the line and on the property of a cantankerous old farmer who responds to Roy's visit with his shotgun. Roy tells the farmer his bull may have had a run in with someone and is limping and then asks questions regarding the young woman.  Small towns and such, it comes out that Raelynn and the farmer's son, Will, may have been an item, much to the dismay of her parents. The son's not any more receptive to Roy than his father and things get a bit testy. Then there's the   disabled Marine who gets along with the cows and the bull. 

Roy is a no-nonsense Sheriff and somehow manages to thwart the irate father's attempt to take the law into his own hands. How it all turns out is a bit of a surprise and the bull gets even. The pace is good and the characters are well-developed, although most are new to this book. This can easily be read as a stand alone. If you like westerns and mystery, you'll like this one. The third in the series, The Stink on Racoon Creek, released in March and is on my TBR list.