MURDER IN THE ARBORETUM : What Reviewers Are Saying

Quotes from reviews on Amazon as of 10/29/2014 - Average rating of 4.8!

"I was surprised when I found out who the murderer is, in fact that person was last on my list of suspects. Christa does a great job of keeping us guessing. I hope to be able to read and review more books from Christa."

"I read a lot of cozy mysteries and although I do enjoy the antics of many "ditsy" heroines, Sheridan is definitely not ditsy. She is a college professor with her head on her shoulders, who wants to make sure that the guilty person is the one charged with murder - and manages to put herself in danger in the process. The story line was not predicable, taking a few unexpected turns as the mystery unfolded. Definitely worth reading."

"I really enjoy the extra detail Christa puts into her books. She also makes sure to include plenty of humor. I found myself laughing out loud more than once at some of the thoughts that the characters had along the way. I am glad we were shown another side of him. I just couldn't put this one down I was hooked from the first chapter."

"The twists and turns keep you guessing as to who the murderer is. The characters are well written and the book keeps you turning pages."

"A strong female character is always a plus, and I consider Sheridan strong, intelligent, and intriguing."

"A solid plot development and well rounded characters - so that you could recognize them by their traits rather than by name - helped make the story an easy to read, enjoyable escape for a couple of hours."

"I love the small town life and the characters are painted so perfectly that I feel I know them. Trouble ensues and we are treated to drama & mystery with a bit of humor and romance thrown in."

"Dr. Hendley uses her observations of human behavior to notice those around her and their relationships to each other. She does show concern for her students and friends. She is smart and brave and you like spending time with her in her scholarly world."

Thank you kind readers for reading and writing the reviews!

Blog Tour: HANDCUFFS AND HIGH HEELS by J. M. Edwards

Synopsis:
Meet Ruby Wisdom. Smart and sensible. Humorous and heroic. Tough and tender. As the only private investigator in tiny Wormwood, New York, Ruby handles a wide range of cases—everything from jewel heists and cheating husbands to stolen wedding gowns, kidnapped artwork and fraudulent heirs.

In HANDCUFFS & HIGH HEELS, Ruby is hired by the wife of a millionaire when the woman suspects her husband is having an affair. And he is—several of them. But when Ruby begins connecting the duplicitous dots, the deceitful spouse ends up in a much more difficult dilemma than being caught with his hands in Cookie’s jar. And that’s when the real investigation begins.

HANDCUFFS & HIGH HEELS is a cozy mystery loaded with humor, romance, memorable characters and a sleuth who knows her way around baked goods and sweet treats as well as crime scenes and tricky investigations.

Review:

HANDCUFFS & HIGH HEELS is the first in what will likely become a popular series featuring business executive turned PI, Ruby Wisdom.  Ruby's case includes aspects of small town, a cheating husband, Hello Dolly tattoos by Blaze, the expected police-PI interaction, and of course the real mystery that goes beyond Tripp's infidelity. There are lots of twists and turns to unravel, but the story moves at a steady pace.  

It looks like the second in the series, DEATH BY DONUT is already out.  Welcome JM Edwards to a growing group of cozy mystery authors!

About J M Edwards:
J.M. Edwards loves crime. But only when it’s fictional. A lifelong fan of mystery novels, police procedurals and thrillers, J.M. has worked as a copywriter, bartender, dog walker and newspaper reporter. When it comes to reading, she has a few favorites (Robert B. Parker, Sue Grafton, Dashiell Hammett, Robert B. Parker, Lee Child), but always enjoys learning about new authors to add to the TBR pile. In addition to writing the new Ruby Wisdom cozy mystery series, J.M. spends time gardening, traveling, spoiling a small herd of cats and dogs, doing volunteer work and taking the occasional nap.

Author Links
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22854772-handcuffs-high-heels?ac=1

Purchase Links
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
KOBO

APPLE

Tour Participants
October 21 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
October 22 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview
October 23 – Lilac Reviews – Guest Post
October 24 – deal sharing aunt – Interview
October 25 – A Blue Million Books – Guest Post
October 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
October 27 – Back Porchervations – Review
October 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
October 29 – Michele Lynn Seigfried’s Blog – Guest Post
October 30 – readalot blog – Review
October 31 – Kelly P’s Blog – Guest Post
November 1 – dru’s book musings – Guest Post
November 2 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post
November 2 – OmniMystery News – Interview

Giveaway  --  Leave a comment to be entered to receive a free e-book (format of your choice) and check back after the tour!  Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour as well!

Blog Tour: CAPTAIN SHELBY by Jesse Giles Christiansen

Synopsis
In coastal Denmark, a young man named Nereus builds a longship and leaves at age eighteen to discover a new, enigmatic land. Faced with unimaginable obstacles, he crosses the North Atlantic, only to be captured by the Skraelings, the Inuit indigenous people who seek revenge on all settlers because of a “Great Red Man” who murdered many of their family members.

Many years later, Nereus is hired by a group of Irish settlers who are fleeing the tyranny of King Henry VIII, and he takes them across the North Atlantic to the Newfound Land. A fierce battle ensues against the sea, the Little Ice Age, and the vicious Skraelings.

When Nereus falls in love with Laura Hodges, fiancée to the group’s leader, William Brockelby, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous love triangle…until the formidable mystery surrounding Captain Nereus H. Shelby is finally revealed.

Review
The reader is introduced to Captain Shelby, grandfatherly fisherman in Pelican Bay and his story continues here. He is the fisherman who seems more than real with a depth of knowledge – or secrets– that he is not all too keen on sharing. With well positioned metaphor and description that is crisp yet potentially esoteric, Christiansen again shares both history and mystery in this tale. What is the secret that Captain Shelby works so diligently to hide? How does is this secret entwined with his love of Laura and the customs of the long ago time? Readers who enjoy history, rich description, and eloquent language will enjoy this story.

About the Author - Jesse Giles Christiansen:
Jesse Giles Christiansen is an American author who writes compelling literary fiction that weaves the real with the surreal. He attended Florida State University where he received his B.A. in English literature, and holds an M.A. in philosophy from Georgia State University. He is the author of Pelican Bay (book one in the Captain Shelby Series), an Amazon #1 list bestseller, outselling Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. One of Christiansen’s literary goals is to write at least fifty novels, and he always reminds himself of something that Ray Bradbury once said: “You fail only if you stop writing.”

Author Links

Web Site: www.jessegileschristiansen.com
Blog: www.jgchristiansen.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JesseGilesChris
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jesse.gileschristiansen.7
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5261095.Jesse_Giles_Christiansen

Purchase Link:
Amazon

Blog Tour: FIT TO BE DEAD (An Aggie Mundeen Mystery Book 1) by Nancy G. West

Synopsis:
Aggie Mundeen, single and pushing forty, fears nothing but middle age. When she moves from Chicago to San Antonio, she decides she better shape up before anybody discovers she writes the column, “Stay Young with Aggie.” She takes Aspects of Aging at University of the Holy Trinity and plunges into exercise at Fit and Firm.

Rusty at flirting and mechanically inept, she irritates a slew of male exercisers, then stumbles into murder. She’d like to impress the attractive detective with her sleuthing skills. But when the killer comes after her, the health club evacuates semi-clad patrons, and the detective has to stall his investigation to save Aggie’s derriere.

Review:
Aggie Mundeen decides to get fit and instead ends up saving Holly from a drowning accident.  But then Holly is promptly the victim of a hit-and-run.  Holly has a similar secret to Aggie and Aggie is afraid that her good friend and detective Sam will find her the secret if she doesn't help solve Holly's murder fast.  In the process, she manages to make several other members of the fitness club unhappy.  Aggie muddles through, while still trying to take the graduate course with the stuffy professor. I enjoyed the description of the class when she confronted him and I suspect the others in the class did too! Similarly, West's description of the exodus from the fitness center with semi- or unclothed patrons provided a good visual perspective.  A solid story line, with many suspects and twists, not to mention Aggie's personal mystery. I am glad to see the second in the series available.  

About the Author Nancy G. West

I’ve been writing since age seven: poems back and forth with my mom. I had a real poem published in the Library Journal, Pegasus, at age fifteen. At eighteen, I wanted to study journalism and English literature, but friends who chose that college route were making minimum wage or selling lingerie. Being practical, I earned a business degree. After marriage and two children, I decided I HAD to study literature and write. I wrote non-fiction articles, a biography, and a suspense novel in 2004. That’s when whimsical Aggie Mundeen cut through the suspense, popped into my head and demanded her own series. The Aggie Mundeen mystery capers were born. Aggie must have been right:FIT TO BE DEAD is a LEFTY FINALIST 2013 for best humorous mystery, nominated by Left Coast Crime.


Fit To Be Dead
(An Aggie Mundeen Mystery Book 1)
E-Book File Size: 477 KB
Publisher: Henery Press (July 24, 2014)
ASIN: B00M4KIX44
Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Henery Press(July 29, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1940976372



Dang Near Dead is now up on Amazon if you want to add that like to your post: http://www.amazon.com/Dang-Near-Aggie-Mundeen-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00N12RJLC/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411585752&sr=1-1&keywords=dang+near+dead

Review: TRACKING A SHADOW (A Jarvis Mann Detective Novel) by R Weir

Synopsis (from AMAZON)

Never knowing where his next case will come from, Private Detective Jarvis Mann is thrilled when his voicemail is lit up by the sexy tones of a lady looking to hire him. Successful business woman Emily White with girl next door looks, is certain someone is stalking her and wants Jarvis to track down the elusive shadow.

Even with three suspects, an ex-husband who lives to play softball, a sexist pig ex-employee and a mystery man who he encounters with painful results, Jarvis believes it’s all in Emily’s head until a killing in her home convinces him otherwise.

Further complicating matters a powerful business man and crime boss becomes involved muddying up the case, leaving Jarvis the prime suspect in the brutal beating of one of the possible stalkers, threatening to put his PI career on ice.

Navigating through each twist and turn in the case, and the affections of two desirable women both with an agenda, Jarvis uses dogged determination and razor sharp wit in Tracking a Shadow that moves across the Denver landscape with each shift in the sun.

Review

Not a cozy mystery, but more suspenseful, this was a compelling read.  Jarvis Mann has to stay focused to help his newest client even if he's not sure he believes there is danger.  He systematically sets out to identify who is stalking this impressive and beautiful lady but something doesn't seem right.  On the personal side, he is drawn to Melissa, an attorney in the law office that represented his client five years earlier for her divorce.  Throw in an ex-employee womanizer, the ex-husband, the ex-consultant, and any other man who comes in contact with Emily, and Jarvis has his hands full.  He certainly doesn't need the two goons and alleged mob boss to further confuse matters.  A tangled web of deceit, but who is weaving it?  To his credit, as he muddles through Jarvis shows compassion and does seem to be making 'friends' with some members of the police department; Rufus puts a positive spin on the ending.

There are references to the short story, "THE CASE OF THE MISSING BUBBLEGUM CARD" but it is not necessary to read it first.  The ending suggests another Jarvis Mann Detective Novel in the making - I'm looking forward to it!  

WHAT FALL BRINGS...

September is drawing to a close and in many parts of the country the trees are turning or snow already has fallen.  Fall foliage is beautiful to behold in my home region of New England.  Growing up, Fall meant going back to school -- and yes, I loved school and always looked forward to going back!  It also meant the Big E and other state or regional fairs in various states.  Fall also seems to start the holiday season off with various other "Fall Festivals" and perhaps, Halloween.   Looking at some of the new books coming out, it is easy to tell that the Fall is here, soon to be followed by the Winter Holidays.  MURDER AT COLD CREEK COLLEGE starts the academic year, but many books have fall holiday themes.  Some new releases I've spotted (and added as TBR):



Laura Childs --- GOSSAMER GHOST
Livia J Washburn ---  TRICK OR DEADLY TREAT
Carolyn Hart --- GHOST WANTED
Kathi Daley --- HAUNTED HAMLET
Daryl Wood Gerber ----STIRRING THE POT
Juliet Blackwell --- A HAUNTING IS BREWING
Kylie Logan --- LEGEND OF SLEEPY HARLOW

Jacklyn Brady    ---- REBEL WITHOUT A CAKE

Mirabella Stoltz ---- HALLOWEEN HAVOC
Judith Ivie --- DIRTY TRICKS

Heading into Thanksgiving:
Kathi Daley --- TURKEYS, TUXES AND TABBIES
Victoria Abbott --- THE WOLFE WIDOW
Sandra Balzow --- HIT AND RUN

If you are looking for a cozy mystery to read, you might want to check out Cozy Mystery List or other blogs.  You can also search for "Halloween Mysteries"...   If you know of any new --- or not so new ---  Halloween/Thanksgiving reads you'd recommend, please share in the comments!

Romance for a Change: Montana Sweet Western Romances by Pamela M. Kelley

Most of the time, the books I review (and read) are mysteries, but every once in a while, I need a break from the who-dun-its, and enjoy a good romance (or two or three).  This is a romance series and reviews of the first two in the series, and a plug for the recently released third.

SIX MONTHS IN MONTANA

Synopsis (from AMAZON): 

Molly Bishop loves living in Manhattan and managing a boutique luxury hotel. She's about to be promoted to her dream job of General Manager, the role she's been striving for her entire career. There's only one thing standing in her way.

The will of her childhood friend, Christian Ford's grandfather. She hasn't even seen Christian in over ten years, but a recent run-in with his grandfather during a rare visit home, resulted in a new condition to the will. Christian will only inherit the ranch he's been running and the real estate development business that he has expanded, if he marries Molly and stays married for at least six months.

Review:

This is a story of a matchmaking will that brings childhood friends back together after years apart.  Molly has no plans to stay in Montana; her heart and passion are in Manhattan.  But she can't let Christian down. After all, what can six months hurt? Predictable in many ways, the characters are likable and their conflicts well written. Molly isn't a ditzy female, but determined to be independent.  Definitely romance that's not offensive or graphic; Kelley leaves a little to your imagination.  

MISTLETOE IN MONTANA

Synopsis (from AMAZON ):
This is Dan & Traci's story. We first meet them in SIX MONTHS IN MONTANA. Dan is Christian's younger brother, who loves the city life and living in Chicago...and is not happy to be stuck for several months in Beauville, MT recuperating with a badly broken leg. His spirits lift when he meets newly single Traci, who is also crazy about Christmas....while Dan would be happy to skip the holiday entirely. She is not ready for a new relationship with anyone, especially a scrooge like him.....but Dan doesn't give up easily…

Review:As indicated in the synopsis, the focus now shifts to Christian's brother, a city and techy type no less. Unable to care for himself, he is recuperating in Montana.  At least he can still do his work since it is all on his computer.  As the holidays loom, both brothers deal with unhappy memories that have meant not celebrating.  In the meantime Molly and Traci are ready to do the holidays up right.  Dan is not as agreeable as Christian, taking on the scrooge role.  As with the first in the series, the characters and their conflicts kept my interest, and what happens behind closed doors is up to my imagination.


MISCHIEF IN MONTANA

Synopsis (from AMAZON):

Travis Jones has been in love with Isabella Graham for what seems like forever, but he's never done anything about it, especially since his best friend Christian was dating her. But now that Christian is married to someone else, Travis is finally ready to make his move.

But Isabella has no idea how Travis feels. She thinks of him as her bossy friend and an attorney that she does a lot of work with. She would like to date Aidan who just moved back to town after living in NYC for many years as a celebrated artist. Aidan seems somewhat interested but is hard to read, making him that much more of a challenge…and has Travis wondering if he even has a chance. But he isn't going to give up trying.

Add in Missy, a new bubbly blonde realtor that Isabella has to train, and her conniving, fake Southern Belle cousin Bethany, who is newly divorced and has set her eyes on Travis, and Isabella has quite a lot to deal with!

The latest in the series, this was just released (9/11/14) --- and is already on my kindle waiting to be read!