Book Review: STOLEN MEMORIES - Sidekicks Mystery Series by Diane Rapp

About the Book

Madison Thompson was working a summer job in a brokerage firm to save enough money to finish her history degree the following year. Unaware that she walked into danger after closing the office, Madison carried a night deposit bag to the bank across a busy parking lot. A van suddenly blocked her path. One robber dragged her inside the van at knifepoint, and the other drove away. The next day Madison woke in the hospital. Her face and hand were slashed and all memories from the past four years were gone—stolen. 

Can Madison recover precious memories of her college studies, falling in love, and becoming engaged? She desperately needs to get her life back on track and help the police capture those robbers, but every night she experiences night terrors that block knowledge of the attack. 

Learning about the attack on her daughter, Goldie Thompson rushed home from her job in California. She works as an animal handler for Pinkertons, a popular television show, and her dog Mikka Bella is the star. Bella had been trained as an emotional support dog before she became an actor, and she now travels everywhere with Goldie in a specially designed carpetbag. 

Goldie hopes Bella can help Madison overcome night terrors and get well enough to leave the hospital. The idea worked, but Bella was under contract and couldn’t remain in Williamsburg. Goldie knew it was important to train a new dog quickly, and clever little Kenzy Pederick proved to be the perfect companion for Madison. 

Six months later, Madison and Kenzy work several jobs in Virginia’s Historic Triangle—Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown, and the Yorktown Battlefield. Her family hoped that exposing Madison to familiar historic sites might prompt a quick recovery, but nothing worked. One day everything changed. She met an English woman who was searching for the grave of an ancestor and glimpses of the past started to break through the memory blockage. Madison and Kenzy soon followed a trail of clues that could fill in the blanks. 

Recovering those memories might prove dangerous. Bonds worth $2 million are still missing after the robbery, and a gang of crooks believe that Madison can lead them to the hiding place. Can two feisty dogs protect Madison from dangerous villains? Will she learn how and why she suppressed her memories and help the police capture the robbers? 

Review

Goldie and Mikka Bella are completing a shoot for a movie when she gets the news of her daughter's assault. Although Mikka Bella is her therapy dog as well as an accomplished "actress," Goldie hopes that Mikka Bella can also help Madison heal. Soon it's apparent that Madison needs her own therapy dog to help her with her night terrors - the only glimpse into her assault and any memory of the last four years of her life. 

As Madison remembers more details, there's hope of her reclaiming her memory. Unfortunately, there were some bearer bonds that have disappeared and the person responsible for her assault is sure Madison is the key. In the meantime, Goldie has to train Mikka Bella for her next appearance and Madison's new dog, Kenzy, catches on quickly. 

There are twists and turns with a bit of humor, especially related to the two dogs and their antics. Madison's memories come back in bits and pieces. Goldie, her husband, and Trevor, the man Madison was engaged to and now doesn't remember were warned not to force her memories. Only someone's after Madison... 

The story is well-written and the pace is steady. Goldie and Trevor search for clues and try to jar Madison's memory with surprising consequences. I liked Goldie, her husband, Madison and Trevor and I expect they'll be recurring characters in the series. If you enjoy dog mysteries, with the dogs having both a supportive and active role in solving the mystery, you'll enjoy this one. I look forward to the next in the series, with the newest dog, but hope to see more of Mikka Bella and Kenzie as well.

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.

AMAZON   Psst. Only 99cents through 11/1!

About the Author

Diane Rapp became an entrepreneur when she started her own dog grooming salon in Santa Barbara, California. She spent the next thirty years as a small business owner; she sold real estate, started an office supply/copy center, and performed free-lance advertising design. During all those years Diane wrote stories as a cure for insomnia. 

After writing a tour guide book to the Caribbean together, Diane’s daughter gave her the idea of writing a mystery set on cruise ships in the Caribbean. "Murder Caribbean-Style" and "Murder on a Ghost Ship" are the first two novels of a High Seas Mystery series. Readers meet the main characters of the series and learn about life aboard a ship while solving murders. There is danger and romance mixed in with the action. 

"The Alphas" is the prequel to  “Howl of the Wolf,” book 1 of the Heirs to the Throne trilogy. The novel introduces the dogs and wolves that eventually formed a pack that travels through space to inhabit Drako. The story is also a mystery. The heroine solves the murder of an old friend and discovers why her beloved German Shepherd was stolen. "

“Golden Legacy” blends historical adventure with modern-day mystery in two time lines. Embarking on a harrowing treasure hunt, two daring heroines tackle the hazards of gold country more than a century apart. 

Visit www.quicksilvernovels.com to learn more about all of Diane's books. Contact Diane from the website or find Diane's posts at https://www.facebook.com/quicksilvernovels and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DianeRapp to make friends.

Blog Tour and Book Review: A HILL TO DYE ON (Clear Creek Mysteries) by Rebecca McKinnon

 

About the Book

Summer has made its way up the mountain to Clear Creek, and with the new season, the town is offering a slew of summer classes at the community center. Happy to participate, Jemma and her yarn shop sponsor a fiber-dying class taught by her oldest friend, Kitty. 

When a mysterious man walks into class, something about him pulls Jemma into a tangle. Learning Kitty once knew him, Jemma has questions — but her friend is staying mum. Then Jemma goes on an early-morning walk and discovers the man dead.

This time, Jemma’s determined to stay out of the investigation — until she learns that because of a past she’s been hiding, Kitty is the main suspect! Unwilling to turn her back on her friend, Jemma starts looking for a dropped stitch. 

Because somewhere, there’s a person with dye on their hands.

Review

Jemma is a great MC and friend to Kitty. She's taken over her grandmother's yarn shop as the small town works to become a tourist attraction. The fiber dying activities are interrupted when a man comes in and her friend tenses up. Jemma is worried that the man means to harm Kitty. 

In addition to the yarn shop activities, Jemma vlogs, but has to find a way to combine her two passions - the yarn shop and vlogging. The idea of identifying things that would be of interest to tourists in the small town of Clear Creek takes her for a walk in the fresh air. Only she stumbles on the mystery man, with dye from the shop on him. The dye, and their prior relationship, point to Kitty as the killer.

The story is well-written and initially it doesn't look good for Kitty at all. Jemma keeps digging, not willing to accept her friend is a killer, though Kitty seems resigned to being arrested. The story unfolds with a twist here and there to keep the pace steady. I enjoyed reading this book and figuring out who the killer was as Jemma keeps at it. 

This is the second in the Clear Creek Mysteries. It can be read as a stand alone mystery - I haven't (yet) read the Yarns That Bind and had no difficulty following the story. Still, it's always a good idea to start at the beginning and watch as the relationships unfold. The first book is now on my TBR pile. I liked the characters and hope there are more of the series yet to come. Readers who like cozy mysteries, great characters, and the small town feel will enjoy this book.

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

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

Author Links

Website                                    Instagram 

Facebook                                  GoodReads

Purchase Link 

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: RODEO LOVE - READ A BOOK, HELP A COWBOY by Shanna Hatfield

This is a special guest post by Shanna Hatfield, author of many romance books featuring cowboys and rodeos. Like any good author, she did some research and in the process got involved with the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. Starting October 1st, she's launching a 3-month fund raising campaign. I"ll let her explain her involvement and how to read a book and help a cowboy!

I’m so grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be your guest today. Thank you!

RODEO LOVE 

by Shanna Hatfield USA Today Bestselling Author

 

During my childhood spent on a farm, any excuse to travel twenty miles to the nearest town (population 1,100) was looked on favorably. Each summer, I eagerly anticipated the small town’s biggest event of the year—the Fourth of July Rodeo. Back in those days, some of the top names in the rodeo circuit would join hundreds of rodeo fans for four days of rodeo, events in the park, and a parade through town. My whole family looked forward to the celebration. For a horse-crazy little girl who loved the smell of leather and the sight of cowboy hats, it was amazing. From an early age, I had a romance with the rodeo. 

One of the few stores we had in town was a saddle-maker with a boot shop. When I was five, my dad took me to Leroy’s shop to pick out a new belt for the rodeo. It was the first time I could choose my own. Talk about excited! As we walked inside, the welcoming aroma of leather filled the air. Dad led me to where Leroy worked on a saddle at the back of the shop and they talked a few minutes. Impatiently waiting, they finally told me to go see what I could find. My gaze—and heart—immediately settled on a hand-tooled belt with little flowers stamped into the leather and a silver buckle with a gold saddle that glistened in the overhead lights. 

I still have that little belt today along with my love of rodeo. It’s because of how much I enjoy watching rodeos and writing about small-town life that I created the sweet contemporary Rodeo Romance series. Each book in the series focuses on a different aspect of the rodeo with a strong heroine trying to tame a sometimes (okay, most always) wild cowboy. When I was working on the first book in the series, The Christmas Cowboy, I reached out to the Justin Sportsmedicine Team with several questions about rodeo injuries and treatments. They were so kind and helpful, I wanted to do something to say thank you. That’s when I began my Read A Book, Help A Cowboy campaign.

From October 1 through December 24, I donate 10 percent of the proceeds of every book purchased (which includes ebooks, paperback, hardback, and audio books) to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The JCCF provides financial assistance to rodeo athletes who have sustained catastrophic injuries and will be unable to compete for an extended time. Every penny donated to the JCCF goes straight into the donation fund without anything taken out for administrative fees or expenses. For injured rodeo athletes, the hand up they receive from the JCCF gives them the peace of mind to recover instead of worrying about how they will make ends meet until they get back on the rodeo road. Find out more about the Read A Book, Help A Cowboy campaign and supporting the JCCF at shannahatfield.com/give-back

 

To help raise funds and awareness for the JCCF, a kickoff party is held each November. Join us for a day of guest authors, games, and giveaways on November 10 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wholesomeheartsevents 

Also, enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card: https://tinyurl.com/22cowboyschristmasentry

And check out the two new releases in the Rodeo Romance series coming this holiday season. Watch for Taming Christmas in the Christmas Wishes & Cowboy Kisses boxed set, and Savoring Christmas releasing November 10.          

ABOUT THE AUTHOR USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where her childhood brimmed with sunshine, hay fever, and an ongoing supply of learning experiences. Today, Shanna draws on her rural roots to create sweet romances filled with hope, humor, quirky small-town characters, realistic heroes, and women of strength. 

She’s written more than 100 books, including two children’s books, a cookbook, and a humorous recounting of life on a farm. When this award-winning author isn’t writing or testing out new recipes (she loves to bake!), Shanna hangs out at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, better known as Captain Cavedweller. Shanna loves to hear from readers. 

Follow her online at: 

ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Newsletter | Pinterest   

 Find Shanna’s books at: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple | Audible   

 #RABHAC, #JCCF, #rodeoromance  

Book Review: SWEET HEARTS (Samantha Sweet Mysteries #4) by Connie Shelton

Synopsis (from Amazon)

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton’s most delightful cozy mystery series yet—with a little romance, a little magic and a whole lot of chocolate! With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 110 countries, see what the fuss is all about! 

Will there be Valentine wedding bells for Samantha Sweet and Beau Cardwell? (introduced in this mystery series opener Sweet Masterpiece) Sam's bakery, Sweet's Sweets is busier than ever this Valentine week, as she struggles to replicate the magical chocolate-making techniques of the enigmatic chocolatier who boosted her winter holiday sales into the stratosphere. However, candy classes take second place to a new mystery, when Sam meets a woman whose missing son's case seems to have been dropped by the authorities. Marla Fresques learns that she is dying and needs for her son to come home and raise the daughter he left behind. Sam agrees to help, hoping that Sheriff Beau's inside connections will bring about a quick and happy resolution. 

But what about Sam's and Beau's own wedding plans? They may be in jeopardy when an entirely new development appears in the form of Beau's ex-girlfriend who is determined to win him back. With the familiar mix of cozy mystery, romance and a touch of magic that has enchanted readers of this series, Sweet Hearts draws the reader even further into the captivating world of Samantha Sweet. 

Review 

Valentine's approaching and Sam is one busy lady. Her bakery is doing great and orders for Valentine's keep coming in, along with customers asking for more of the special chocolates she had at Christmas. She also thought it would be romantic to be married on Valentine's Day and all of those details are still up in the air. The last thing she needs is to meet Marla who comes to Sam, not in search of something sweet. No, she wants Sam to find her son who went missing ten years ago. Marla has raised his daughter, Jolene, since then. Only Marla's dying and is afraid what will happen to Jolene. To top it off, Beau's ex shows up and tries to win him back. 

This is my second in the Samantha Sweet Mysteries and I enjoyed both. This is a light, fun read, with some heavier moments. It has the small town feel, most evident when Sam meets Marla's neighbors and friends. There's conflicts in relationships, a mystery to be solved, and a twist here and there. Marla's magic box comes in handy, though she's still learning how it works. Then there's the special chocolates. Oh, my.

There are 16 books in the Samantha Sweet Mysteries. I always suggest readers start at the beginning of a series. At the time of this posting, the first in the series, Sweet Masterpiece is only 99 cents (AMAZON). The full series can be found at AMAZON. Sweet Hearts Purchase Link AMAZON. 

 

Blog Tour and Book Review: DEADLY RESCUE : A World War II Mystery by Kate Parker

Deadly Rescue: A World War II Mystery(

About the Book

As the Phony War morphs into the Blitzkrieg, two British intelligence officers risk getting trapped behind enemy lines in the ninth Deadly mystery from USA Today Bestselling author Kate Parker. 

April, 1940. Hitler is invading Denmark on Tuesday. Olivia Redmond has only a weekend to bring a Nobel Prize winning chemist and his war-altering research to Britain. The scientist and his wife want to leave, but their troublesome daughter will do anything to stop her parents from departing.

When the daughter’s German fiancé is murdered, the police refuse to let anyone depart until they find the killer. If Olivia wants to escape Denmark with the chemist and his breakthroughs, she will have to unmask the killer before the Nazis stop her forever. 

Deadly Rescue, book nine of the Deadly Series, is for fans of World War II era spy thrillers and classical cozy mysteries, of intrepid lady sleuths with determination and smarts. No explicit cursing, violence, or sex.

Review

The British government's concern is that the discoveries and intelligence of the renowned chemist, Dr. Jorgeson, will be used to prolong the war. Livvy definitely agrees with that, but her motive in going to Denmark is that the Mrs. Jorgeson had been friends with her mother. Livvy is paired with Mike Christianson who she's never met, but at least he speaks Danish and has a military mindset. Only the two of them must convince the Jorgensons and their daughter, Katrine quickly as the Nazis have announced they will invade Denmark.

When first a maid and then the German assistant to Jorgenson is murdered, the police are not willing to let anyone leave until they catch the killer. Thinking fast, Livvy throws out an idea that Braun killed the maid and then may have inadvertently killed himself when trying to kill someone else. That gets them on the train and ferry at least, without a moment to spare, but Livvy's not so sure that's what really happened.

The story is well-plotted and Parker's character's are strong and well-developed. The history and likely tension experienced with an invasion pending and wartime are well-portrayed. Add in much interpersonal tension. There is enough action and twists to keep the story moving at a steady pace.This is the 9th in the series, but only my second. It can be read as a stand alone. 

 

Livvy makes a wonderful sleuth in this historical cozy. Readers who like historical fiction and particularly the WW II era, will find much that resonates and are sure to enjoy this one. 

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

Since she was unable to build a time machine in her backyard, Kate Parker immerses

herself in research and then creates the world that lives inside each book that she writes. Her favorite place is London and her time travel destination is anywhere from the late Victorian era through World War II. 

Since she lives in the Carolinas with her daughter and a 95-pound puppy, the practical side of her is thankful for air conditioning and all the modern comforts of life. Comforts she will take with her if she ever figures out how to build her time machine. 

Author Links:

Website - http://www.kateparkerbooks.com 

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/author.kate.parker/ Website - http://thedeadlyseries.com 

GoodReads - http://www.goodreads.com/series/192092-deadly 

Purchase Links 

Amazon - B&N - Kobo   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: WINTERS MOURN (Winter Black, FBI Book 1) by Mary Stone

I'm not a big thriller reader, but this one caught my eye... 

Synopsis (from Amazon)

Thirteen years ago, Winter Black came home early from a sleepover to find her parents brutally murdered and her little brother gone—taken by a serial killer called The Preacher. 

Now a rookie FBI agent assigned to her first murder case, Winter has returned to the small Virginia town where she grew up. But when bones found by a hunter lead to the discovery of a secret burial ground containing the remains of children, the investigation suddenly hits close to home as the past and future collide with each new shocking discovery. 

Will they find her brother’s bones in the makeshift graveyard next? Only The Preacher knows, and he’ll do anything to keep the past—and its secrets—buried until he’s ready to make his final move. 

A masterfully conceived psychological thriller reminiscent of James Patterson, Winter’s Mourn will keep readers turning the pages—and watching the window—long past midnight. 

Review 

Winter Black is a rookie FBI Agent, returning to her hometown with her memories from when her family was murdered. The FBI is called in to investigate when bones are found. As the story unfolds and her recollections are mixed with current day, secrets are uncovered. This is very well-written and the pace kept me reading. Winter is a likable character, despite her demons, and the story is entertaining. If you like psychological thrillers, I think you'll like this one as well. Reader beware, profanity is used but at least to me, it seemed appropriate. Looking for a new series to keep you occupied for a while? This is the first of 19! Happy reading.

Purchase Link      AMAZON

About the Author 

Mary Stone lives among the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee with her two dogs, four cats, a couple of energetic boys, and a very patient husband. As a young girl, she would go to bed every night, wondering what type of creature might be lurking underneath. It wasn’t until she was older that she learned that the creatures she needed to most fear were human. 

Today, she creates vivid stories with courageous, strong heroines and dastardly villains. She invites you to enter her world of serial killers, FBI agents but never damsels in distress. Her female characters can handle themselves, going toe-to-toe with any male character, protagonist or antagonist.

Book Blitz: MCKENZIE'S LAST RUN by Gayle Rosengren

Genre: 

Middle Grade fiction 

Blurb: 

Thirteen-year-old MacKenzie (Mac) Lawrence secretly blames himself for his father’s death. In his grief and guilt, he has pulled away from everyone, even his twin sister Tessa. When their mother announces her plans to remarry barely 18 months after Dad’s death, Mac is furious and runs away in an attempt to force her to break off the engagement. 

Unfortunately, nothing goes as Mac plans. He ends up seriously injured, miles from home, unable to reach out for help, while clues he inadvertently left behind suggest he’s been kidnapped—possibly by Mom’s fiancé—and set his twin sister Tessa on a desperate search to find him. But she’d better hurry, because the clock is ticking, and Mac is running out of time.

Read an excerpt:

“We’re not keeping anything from you, Mrs. Lawrence,” Sergeant Hernandez said. “I promise. It’s just that Officer Borkowski has been concerned by some of the unusual circumstances surrounding MacKenzie’s disappearance.” 

Mom’s forehead puckered. “Unusual circumstances?” 

The sergeant nodded. “The fact that MacKenzie didn’t take any money with him, for example. That’s very unusual for a runaway. And he didn’t take his bike either. Again, this isn’t the norm. Taken together with the bloodstains on the carpet, well, there’s another possible explanation that we can’t entirely rule out.”

The back of Tessa’s neck prickled. What was Sergeant Hernandez getting at? She looked at her mother, who was frowning at the police woman, twisting her hands together. 

“I still don’t understand. What are you trying to say?” 

Beside her, Simon’s eyebrows snapped together. “Surely you’re not suggesting what I think you are.” He pulled Mom closer. 

Tessa’s throat tightened. “What is it?” Mom’s eyes were huge green pools of panic. 

“We need to investigate the possibility that your son may not have run away,” Sergeant Hernandez said. “Someone may have taken him.” 

Mom shook her head like Tessa did to get water out of her ears after a dive. Her mouth sagged open and she slumped against Simon. “No.” 

Tessa’s heart cannonballed into her stomach. They thought someone took Mac. They thought someone broke into his room and took him! But that was crazy. Why would anyone want to kidnap Mac?

Excerpt from McKenzie's Last Run. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.

About the Author:

As a girl, books were among Gayle’s best friends and inspired her dream of writing for children someday. It was a dream that only grew stronger over the years. Gayle majored in Creative Writing in college. Her first book, What the Moon Said (Putnam 2014) was a Jr. Library Guild selection and CCBC title, and her second, Cold War on Maplewood Street (Putnam 2015) won the Tofte-Wright Award for Children’s Literature. 

She has worked as an advertising copywriter, a pre-school teacher, a youth services assistant in her local public library; and a research assistant in the American Girl library. Gayle is a lover of stories whether she’s writing them or reading them. Visit her website to learn more about Gayle and her books.

Author Contact Information 

https://www.gaylerosengren.com 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595989048 https://twitter.com/gaylerosengren 

Purchase Link

AMAZON

Gayle Rosengren will be awarding a $100 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway