Book Review: DISAPPEAR (The Beckett Series Book 1) by Mary Martinez

About the Book 

After two years undercover as an FBI agent to infiltrate a crime organization and discover the identity of a hit man, Tyler Beckett’s cover is blown. Tyler’s new assignment is to protect the only witness who can identify the mysterious killer. If only he didn’t find her so attractive. Each day it becomes harder to keep his objective, especially since he knows the interest is mutual. 

Keira Cavanaugh is the only witness to a hit ordered by a crime boss. The safe house is compromised and the same hit man shoots Tyler. Fearing Tyler is dead, Keira plans revenge on the crime organization. She must fake her own suicide in order to survive. When Tyler discovers what Keira plans, he realizes he must stop her before he loses her for good. 

Review 

It should have been an easy assignment. Disappear and take Keira with him in witness protection. Only someone has inside information and it's not that simple. Despite their growing relationship, Tyler drills into Keira's head the safety plan should they be found out. When she believes Tyler's been killed, she escapes and forms her own plan. Fake her suicide and then retaliate.

A romantic suspense with twists and turns, Disappear is well-written and fast-paced. Tyler and Keira are strong characters and the rest of the Becketts add to the story. If you like suspense and romance, organized crime, and murder, you'll enjoy this first in a series. There is adult content, however, so reader beware.

AMAZON

About Mary Martinez 

Mary writes mostly romantic suspense, romance, women's fiction, and she has just begun to dabble in young adult mystery. She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). During her writing career she has been a conference coordinator, workshop presenter, and chapter president for the Utah Chapter of RWA. In 2007 she was presented with the Utah RWA service award in acknowledgment and appreciation for outstanding service. Mary has also participated in numerous library panels on writing and co-presented a workshop on writing a series at the League of Utah Writers conference.

Book Review: RACE INTO MURDER by Karen Black

About the Book (from Amazon)

Jeff Frazier is a racehorse trainer whose dream is about to come true. He has a thoroughbred with the talent and the ability to compete in some of the most prestigious races in the country. When the colt becomes the catalyst for murder, however, Jeff's dream becomes a nightmare. A well-known jockey is killed and an innocent man is arrested. 

The fate of three families depends on finding the truth but with the trial date closing in, the killer's identity remains a mystery. In the close-knit community, however, some believe they have the answer and decide to dispense their own form of justice. Although the horsemen's interference complicates the investigation, it uncovers those who will stop at nothing to win. Through all the chaos, the races continue.

Review

Horse racing is its own world and Black portrays it well, while adding in the human side - the love Natalie has for her horse balanced again the costs involved and the potential monetary gain of selling versus racing. The tension between Jeff and Natalie is palpable. At the same time, someone is trying to get the prize horse at any cost. Murder, larceny, and betrayal make for an engaging mystery.

The story is well-written and characters are realistic and fallible. The tension is felt on many levels. Black does a commendable job of keeping the pace steady, the tension high, and the killer not obvious until the very end. This is my first read by Black, but it won't be my last.

AMAZON 

About the Author (from Amazon)

With a passion for animals, a fascination with the supernatural, and a degree in Criminal Justice, the author combines imagination and experience to create dramatic stories that don’t end quite the way you would expect. A four legged character is included in most story lines, even if just a cameo appearance. Black lives in the United States with her husband, a variety of wildlife, and two aliens disguised as cats. One of the critters is rumored to be ET’s second cousin, but that has not been confirmed. 

You can reach her at:

Website: http://www.Storiesbykaren.org 

Twitter: @KarensStories  https://twitter.com/KarensStories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Black-Author-Karens-Stories/446827615394900

Book Review: STICKY INHERITANCE - Maple Syrup Mysteries by Emily James

About the Book (from Amazon)

Knowing the truth… …is sometimes worse than believing the lie. Especially when murder is involved. 

When Nicole’s uncle dies and she inherits his maple syrup farm, she thinks it’s time to leave her career as a criminal defense attorney behind for a life that allows her to stay far away from murderers and liars. For half a day at least. 

Her uncle’s suicide looks like it wasn’t a suicide at all. The local police chief doesn’t want to reopen the case. Murder’s bad for business in a tourist town, after all. The handsome county medical examiner—who’s exactly her type and all wrong for her—is willing to help. 

But that means returning to the world of justice that Nicole hoped to leave behind forever. When the truth’s a sticky thing, it’s hard to know what’s worth risking your life for.

Review

Stanley Dawes disappointed the family when he gave up a lucrative career to run a maple syrup farm. Although many in the family would have nothing to do with him, he kept in touch with his niece Nikki (Nicole), a criminal defense attorney. He tells her how much happier he is, away from the criminal element and stress. When he's found dead, the family lets Nikki handle everything. He's left her the farm and the expectation is she will sell it and return to her law office in short order. 

Only Nikki doesn't think her uncle committed suicide. As she puts her criminal defense and investigative skills to work, she has to deal with the police who like the idea of suicide over homicide, and the very people who work on the maple syrup farm. Only she's in search for the killer and delays any plans to return "home" to the law office.  

This is well-written, with a few quirky characters and a likable main character in Nikki. The pace is good and the plot has the occasional red herrings and twists. It is the first in the series and my first read by Emily James. A clean, cozy mystery with a female sleuth to keep you interested. If you're a cozy mystery fan, you're sure to enjoy this one. I know I've just added a few books to my TBR list.

AMAZON

About the Author (from Amazon)

Emily James grew up watching TV shows like Matlock, Monk, and Murder She Wrote. (It's pure coincidence that they all begin with an M.) It was no surprise to anyone when she turned into a mystery writer. She writes books with quirky characters and a touch of romance. She keeps them clean because she wants her books to be the kind you could share with your teenager or your mother. 

If you'd like to know more about Emily or send her an email, check out her website: authoremilyjames.com.

Book Review: DEATH IN A PALE HUE - An Art Center Mystery by Susan Van Kirk

About the Book (from Amazon)

Who knew going home could be deadly? 

I will show them success. Artist Jill Madison repeats this mantra when she returns to her small hometown to restart her life. Hired to manage a new community art center, she vows to make it successful so the people of her town will have what she did not have—an education in the arts. 

She no sooner accepts the job than a burglar makes off with an expensive sculpture and an uninvited corpse is discovered in the basement. Even worse, the body belongs to someone Jill knew…well. Investigating what happened places Jill right in the path of a murderer. 

How will she keep her job, run her first big event, and escape a killer who plans to paint her out of the picture permanently? 

Review

Jill Madison is an artist, returning to her home town to develop an Art Center, named for her deceased artist mother. Only a burglary and the body of an old friend prove a rocky start. Not the most organized, Jill misplaces things and often is on the wrong side of board members. Still, she is persistent in her efforts to find out who killed her friend, especially when there’s a second murder.

This is the first in a new cozy mystery series, though not the first for Susan Van Kirk. Death in a Pale Hue was engaging and I enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Jill. There are twists and turns, enough action to keep the story moving at a good pace, and an unexpected killer. I’m looking forward to the next in the series. If you like cozy mysteries and small town secrets and happenings, this is one you’ll enjoy. 

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

About the Author (from Amazon)

Susan Van Kirk taught thirty-four years at Monmouth High School (1968-2002) and another ten years at Monmouth College (2001-2011). Her first book was a creative nonfiction memoir with fifteen stories about her teaching life called "The Education of a Teacher (Including Dirty Books and Pointed Looks)." The longest story is about a book challenge in her high school class to a Kurt Vonnegut book.  

Her mysteries began with her Endurance series, a cozy series about the small, Midwest town of Endurance and Grace Kimball, retired school teacher. This series includes "Three May Keep a Secret," "Marry in Haste," The Locket: From the Casebook of TJ Sweeney," "Death Takes No Bribes," and "The Witch's Child." The entire series has been republished by Harlequin Worldwide Mystery. "A Death at Tippitt Pond" is a standalone mystery. 

Van Kirk's Art Center Mysteries begin with "Death in a Pale Hue," [2022] from Level Best Books, and will continue with "Death in a Bygone Hue," [2023] and "Death in a Ghostly Hue," [2024]. Van Kirk is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and is the president of the Guppy Chapter, an online chapter of Sisters in Crime. 

She is represented by Dawn Dowdle of the Blue Ridge Literary Agency. You can visit her website at https://susanvankirk.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Hello 2023! As I look back over the year, I can identify some goals reached and events of note. Most importantly, my family is in good health.  

What will 2023 bring? Looking back, my goals haven't changed very much:

• Be kind. Do something nice for someone, pay it forward, make someone else smile.
• Think positive. Find the silver lining no matter how hard it is to find one.
• Stay in touch with people I care about even if it is easier not to make the effort. It is too easy to become isolated.
• Finish the "hanger-on tasks" from work and truly retire! (Especially since I've taken on more tasks instead of less)
• Do better at completing reviews and posting on my blog, keeping in communication with my readers and other authors.
• Finish getting audiobooks up - only 4 of the back list are still not on Audible. Otherwise, as they release in kindle and print, the audiobook should be out within 2 months or so
• Continue to work on weight, fitness, better eating habits, and all that I can do to stay healthy
• Work on the "Travel Bucket List." In 2022, we cruised back to Alaska for our anniversary and then to the British Isles. We tried to take a cruise to the Panama Canal, only the cruise was cancelled on the 2nd day. We're trying again this year - wish us better luck. Other than that, lots of other places on the wish list. Possibly, a quick trip to Virginia to visit friends and family in May. Maybe Norway or the Amalfi coast after that. Definitely, San Diego for Bouchercon at the end of the summer. Are you doing any traveling now?
• It's kind of amazing, but this year I released the newest series featuring Izzie Di Sante, reluctant restauranteur and passionate investigative reporter. Now I'm working on Book 3! I also published Book 8 of the Stacie Maroni series and Book 7 of the Sheridan Hendley series. More to come in 2023.
• Continue to collaborate with other authors. Secrets and Storms, Another Murder is the 8th in the Sheridan Hendley series and available through Prolific Works as part of a huge promotion - 60 cozy mysteries for free! Twisty Tales and Cozy Crimes is on Facebook with frequent giveaways as well. 

For all of you, my husband and I wish you all the best for the coming year.  As you plan your reading for the next year, here are some ideas for you and a giveaway (keep scrolling for the Rafflecopter!):

Here's the link for the January Rafflecopter!

Book Review: EA$Y MONEY (A Tony Petrocelli Mystery) by Bob White

About the Book (from Amazon)

Someone tried to incinerate Nick Salis in his new Lamborghini Aventador. No one has more to gain from Nick’s demise than aging trophy wife number two, Dani Salis. If she rids herself of the philandering Nick, she can live a life of ease. Dani not only has the means and opportunity, she has motives—millions of them. Small town Detective, Tony Petrocelli and his partner, Sargent Michelle Baxter find conjecture and innuendo instead of evidence against their prime suspect. Certainly nothing that will support a warrant for Dani’s arrest. 

As the detective duo slog through more speculation and half-truths, they uncover a conspiracy rumor. Does it involve Nick’s mistress, Jenn, or the new person on the scene Missy Green? Or does it have to do with the drug business Nick says he isn’t involved in? Just when the case seems solved, and the conspirators are arrested, one more piece of evidence turns up.

Review 

EA$Y MONEY is written from Detective Tony Petrocelli's perspective as he and Sargent Baxter Michelle Baxter wade through half-truths and lies. They work well together and each layer they uncover leads them ultimately to the killer. 

This was a great book to read on a very long flight. It's well written and I like the characters of Tony and Michelle. The story is well-paced and kept my interest. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes crime mysteries with law enforcement as the main characters. The book is part of a series, but is easily read as a stand alone. 

About the Author (from Amazon)

An avid reader since childhood, Bob White began writing during his high school years. He sold his first short story at nineteen, and has been writing ever since. After college and graduate studies Bob spent his earlier years in Christian ministry and mortgage banking. Writing, however, was never far away, resulting in more short stories, and a non-fiction book. 

After his children were grown Bob began working at novel writing. Reading, however, was never far away. He devoured detective stories by John McDonald, Sue Grafton, John Kellerman, Robert B. Parker, Jeffery Deaver, Mickey Spillane, and of course the master of the police procedural, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Bob's first published novel, Abducted, has sold not only across North America, but in Europe, Australia, and South Africa. More mystery novels followed, including two with an FBI profiler, Gabby Girard, as the main character. Bob lives with his wife and a sixteen pound black cat near wine country in Southern California and is now working on the sixth Petrocelli mystery, FEAR.

AMAZON

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES: Fiona Quinn Mysteries by C.S. McDonald / Mac Faraday Mysteries by Lauren Carr

Happy to share these great books with by two authors I enjoy reading: 

Book Details: 

Book Title: Merry Murder: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #2

Author: C. S. McDonald

Category: YA Fiction, 219 pages

Run Time: 4 hours, 51 minutes

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: McWriter Books

Release Date: September 16, 2016

Content Rating: G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone-- adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens, too!)

Enjoy and early Christmas gift!

MERRY MURDER

will be at a reduced price of 99 cents

 until January 1st

Book Description:

The cookies are baked. The tree is trimmed. The shopping? Well, it's almost done, and Fiona's parents have returned home for a holiday visit - along with some unexpected unruly friends. Yep, Fiona's perfectly planned Christmas is coming together, but how could've she planned for her favorite uncle's murder?                                      Who could possibly kill a sweet old man who's played Santa at the local mall every year without fail? Fiona's boyfriend, Detective Nathan Landry, is determined to find out - before Christmas day arrives. There's only one problem: Nancy Quinn. Fiona's mom is just as determined as the detective to catch the murderer, and she isn't shy about getting the job done - even if it includes breaking a few pesky laws! 

Will Fiona and her mother find the killer first or will the killer find them?

BUY THE BOOK:

Audible ~ Amazon

B&N ~

Add to Goodreads

Book Details: 

Book Title: The Christmas Cameo: A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery

Author: C. S. McDonald

Category: YA Fiction, 32 pages

Run Time: 1 hours, 16 minutes

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: McWriter Books

Release Date: November 13, 2019

Content Rating: G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone-- adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens, too!)

Book Description:

A lovely cameo brooch is discovered in Fiona's late Uncle Wilbur's house two days before Christmas. the pin bears a romantic Christmas message from Wilbur for his new wife with the initials, D.A.S. How very strange! To the family's knowledge, Uncle Wilbur had never been married. So, who is this mysterious woman? Now, Fiona is on a holiday mission to locate D.A.S. and deliver the belated gift. Question is, what happened to the marriage? Is D.A.S. still alive after all these years? And if so, can Fiona find her before Christmas?

BUY THE BOOK:

Audible ~ Amazon

Meet the Author

For twenty-six years, C. S. McDonald's life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014, she added the pen name, C. S. McDonald, to write children's books for her grandchildren. In 2016, she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently the Fiona Quinn Mysteries includes eleven books. The books are available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg.

Cindy's newest venture is The Owl's Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh and the female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. the Owl's Nest Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!

Ms. McDonald resides on her thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

Connect with the Author:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

________________________________________

Book Details:

Book Title: Spring Thaw by Lauren Carr

Category: Adult Fiction, 237 pages

Genre: Murder Mystery, Short Stories

Publisher: Acorn Book Services

Release Date: August 12, 2018

Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)

Book Description:

Gnarly, the rambunctious German Shepherd, is featured in Lauren Carr's best-selling Christmas short story, A Gnarly Christmas. It is Christmas day and Gnarly has been up to his old tricks again. Now he's in the dog house - or rather the boathouse - after stealing the Christmas feast! Moments after Archie and Mac leave Spencer Manor, Gnarly hears a call for help from Rocky, the Maltese down the street. Four assassins for hire have invaded the home of Rocky's elderly owners. While the home invaders wait for instructions from a mysterious caller, Gnarly must plot to stop them. Can Gnarly save Christmas with only the help of an 8-pound Maltese dressed in an elf suit? (Previously published as a single short story by the same name.)

This anthology also includes other treats for mystery lovers on your Christmas list.

In today's hectic world, many whodunit fans don't have time to get their mystery fix diving into a whole novel. Lauren Carr's Spring Thaw and Other Mystery Short Stories is for these fans - but that doesn't man whodunit fans who have time can't dive in as well. 

                    

A novella, Spring Thaw features retired federal agent Chris Matheson from Lauren Carr's newest best selling cold case series. When his late father's former friend is indicted for the seven year old murder of a church bishop, Chris renews old broken friendships to thaw out a cold case.                                                                          Featuring Mac Faraday from Lauren Carr's popular Mac Faraday Mysteries, an estate auction turns into a deadly affair after Gnarly's antics cause Mac to purchase a gem of a dress, which isn't his color in Killing Bid. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

Beauty to Die For features the Lovers in Crime, Joshua Thornton and Cameron Gates in a race against the Angel of Death to clear the name of a dying woman's son, who was framed for murdering Miss Pennsylvania. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

Countdown to Murder returns to the Lovers in Crime where Cameron and Joshua try to solve the murder of a young pregnant widow before it happens. Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

Mystery fans will see that every dog has his day, especially if that dog is Gnarly. In Lucky Dog, Gnarly helps Mac Faraday to solve the murder of a wealthy society girl. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

Dog loving mystery fans will get a special treat when they read The Gnarly Rehabilitation Program. In this Gnarly Mystery Short, Bert and Ernie learn the hard way that crime does not pay when they dog nap Gnarly. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's Beauty to Die For.)

BUY SPRING THAW

Amazon ~ Audible

Add to Goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title: Three Days to Forever by Lauren Carr

Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 9)

Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 366 pages

Genre: Murder Mystery

Publisher: Acorn Book Services

Release Date: January 19, 2014

Content Rating: PG-13  - Lauren Carr's mysteries are murder mysteries. Sometimes, the murder does happen on-stage. There is no graphic violence of explicit sex. There is some very mild language (hell or damn, very few and far between). No F-Bombs!

Book Description:

In this critically acclaimed Mac Faraday Mystery from best-selling mystery author Lauren Carr, readers will embark on a rollercoaster adventure with old friends (including the Lovers in Crime team of Prosecutor Joshua Thornton and Homicide Detective Cameron Gates), but also meet new ones as Mac Faraday's daughter Jessica Faraday and Joshua Thornton's son Murphy Thornton join the team in the race to the love birds to the altar!

Days after Christmas, three years before the start of a new year, Deep Creek Lake is hopping with holiday vacationers and wedding guests pouring into the Spencer Inn for Mac Faraday and Archie Monday's huge wedding ceremony which is being touted as the social event of the year. 

But droopy flowers and guests who failed to RSVP are the least of Mac and Archie's problems when a professional hit squad hits Spencer Manor to send the groom, Joshua Thornton, Archie's mother, and Gnarly running for their lives.

With time running out to the big day, Mac Faraday and Spencer's small police force have to sort through the clues to figure out not only who has been targeted for assassination, but also who is determined to stop everything... FOREVER!

BUY THE BOOK

Audible ~ Amazon

B&N ~ BookBub

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries - thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions.

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the Author

website ~ blog ~ facebook ~ instagram 

twitter ~ pinterest

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES GIVEAWAY!