Synopsis

Business has been slow for Private Investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, but her luck seems to change when a tell-all author hires her to find rock star, Johnny Velvet. Could the singer whose career purportedly ended in a fiery crash almost thirty years ago, still be alive?

And as though sifting through dead ends in a cold case isn’t bad enough, Chaz Wellington Smith, III, a loud-mouthed, strip club owner, also hires Delanie to uncover information about the mayor’s secret life. When the mayor is murdered, Chaz, is the key suspect. Now Delanie must clear his name and figure out why landscaper Tripp Payne, keeps popping up in her other investigation. Can the private investigator find the connection between the two cases before another murder – possibly her own – takes place?

Secret Lives and Private Eyes is a fast-paced mystery that will appeal to readers who like a strong, female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations.

Guest Post

20 Things about my Sleuth – Delanie Fitzgerald of Falcon Investigations

Thank you so much for letting me visit today. I write mystery novels and short stories. Secret Lives and Private Eyes is the first in the Delanie Fitzgerald mystery series. She is a private investigator who lives in Central Virginia. And I’m often asked about what my protagonist is really like.

Here’s my top-twenty list of Delanie facts.

1. Delanie is a redhead like 1-2% of the human population. She has grit, determination, and a spunky spirit.
2. She drives a Mustang, and she calls it “Black Beauty.”
3. My private investigator graduated from VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) with a degree in business.
4. She lives in a Sears catalog home from 1939. Back then, people ordered kits from the catalog, and all of the pieces arrived by rail, ready to assemble. Hers is the Yates model. Many of the boards in her bungalow still have the Sears catalog number stamped on them.
5. Her partner is computer guru (and hacker), Duncan Reynolds.
6. She shares her office space with Duncan and his English bulldog Margaret.
7. One of Delanie’s guilty pleasures is her junk food habit. She also orders a lot of take-out from the nearby restaurants.
8. When she’s not sleuthing or trailing a suspect, she likes to stay home in her comfy jammies and watch reality TV.
9. Growing up, Delanie had a major crush on ‘80s rock star, Johnny Velvet from The Vibes.
10. Delanie has two older brothers. Steve is a Chesterfield County police lieutenant, and Robbie is a bouncer at a club in downtown Richmond.
11. She used her share of the money from her father’s estate to open Falcon Investigations.
12. Delanie chose the name for her company in honor of Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon.
13. Her middle name is Lynn.
14. Her client, Chaz Wellington Smith, owns a strip club in the downtown area near where Edgar Allan Poe worked in Richmond.
15. Delanie had never seen an alpaca up close until she encountered Myrtle on John Bailey’s farm in Amelia County.
16. Delanie’s best friend from school is hair stylist, Paisley Ford.
17. Though she prefers the comfort of jeans and T-shirts, Delanie has a wardrobe full of outfits and shoes to create just the right look when she’s sleuthing.
18. Her favorite drink is iced coffee, and her go-to treat is always chocolate.
19. Delanie and Duncan usually investigate cheating spouses. She is thrilled when she lands an assignment from tell-all author, Tish Taylor, to track down leads on rocker Johnny Velvet, who purportedly died in a fiery car crash in the ‘80s.
20. While the story is fiction, many of the locales that Delanie visits are real. Some of these include: Amelia County, Belle Island, Byrd Park, Church Hill, The Diamond (Home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels), Kanawha Canal, Library of Virginia, Main Street Station, Shockoe Slip, Tredegar Iron Works, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Readers who have been to Central Virginia will recognize some of the street and place names.

StoreyBook Reviews here – Heather, thank you for stopping by and sharing some tidbits about Delanie!  Now we know “the rest of the story” as Paul Harvey used to say.

About the  Author

Heather Weidner’s short stories appear in Virginia is for Mysteries and Virginia is for Mysteries Volume II. Currently, she is President of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, and a member of Guppies and Lethal Ladies Write. Secret Lives and Private Eyes is her debut novel.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.

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Fresh Starts by Kimberly Krey

Bree has had her fair share of difficulties. The loss of her parents, a not-so-recent divorce, and the disruption of her life caused by a stalker now who’s serving jail time. When the determined criminal finishes his sentence, Bree is sent into hiding. And while she’s doing all she can to steer clear of this frightening piece of her past, an old acquaintance enters the scene, determined to be part of her future.

Praise for Fresh Starts

“Fascinating characters, heartwarming and steamy romance, and chilling suspense make for one incredible read!” Reviewer, Ruth Josse

“…all that you hope for in a gentle tug and pull of fearing the past and daring to hope for a better future. Kimberly Krey is masterful at helping us feel Bree’s experience… Fresh Starts will keep you reading page after page until the heart stopping culmination.” Author Christene Houston

“…believable and intriguing. And as always…steamy and clean!” Jamie Lynn

Excerpt

Say something, an inner voice pled. “Thanks for bringing up my things,” she blurted.

Greyson gave her a subtle nod and made for the stairs. He got to the landing, took two more steps, and then paused to look up at her where she stood in the doorway, paralyzed.

“Bree?” Tingling warmth gushed through her chest at the sound of her name in his deep, raspy voice.

“Mmm?”

His eyes locked on hers, and Bree was certain – by the look on his face, the very air about him – that if Greyson Law wanted to own the world and everyone in it, he could.

He lifted his chin, squaring his face with hers. “I’m going to see that you’re safe.”

 

 

About the Author

Kimberly Krey specializes in writing “romance that’s clean without losing the steam!”
She’s a reader of good, clean romance, a lover of family time and Diet Coke, and the ultimate hater of laundry. She discovered her love for writing in college when given a creative writing assignment. She still remembers sitting in the lamplight’s glow, crafting words to depict the vision in her head. That assignment sparked a passion within her. It took years to return to that passion, but now that she has, she counts it among her greatest blessings.

Krey is author of the top-selling Sweet Montana Bride series, as well as its companion series, Second Chances.

 

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Title: Murder at Morningside
Author: Sandra Bretting
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Genre: Mystery
Format: Ecopy

Synopsis

Hat designer Missy DuBois opened her shop, Crowning Glory, along Louisiana’s Great River Road to cater to the sophisticated Southern bride. But bless her heart, who knew creating stylish wedding veils would lead to murder?

Hired to craft a veil for a socialite getting married at Morningside Plantation means Missy can bask in the height of antebellum atmosphere. But when the bride is found dead in a women’s bathroom, Missy the milliner finds herself entangled in one unfashionable murder. With the list of suspects thicker than the sweltering Louisiana heat, including a gaggle of bridesmaids shedding nary a tear and a family with no shortage of enemies, it seems anyone at the mansion may have done away with the bride-to-be. While Missy has Southern charm to spare, she’s going to need more than manners and a manicure to put a hat pin on this murderous affair . . .

Review

If you like reading about the south, especially Louisiana, you’ll enjoy this cozy! Set close to Baton Rouge the protagonist, Missy, is a milliner and creates veils for brides along with various hats and cloches. Like most cozies, she puts herself in harms way but doesn’t realize it most of the time.

This was an engaging story that I enjoyed. I had no idea who to suspect as the “bad guy” until a certain fact is revealed. If you pay attention you’ll know who it is BUT you won’t know why until the killer is confronted.

There is a bit of a one sided love interest, Missy has a thing for Ambrose “Bo” who is a fashion designer and her best friend. I’m not sure if anything will develop in future books, but a friend from her past also shows up and while nothing is really said about any interest from either side, you just never know.

We give it 4 paws up!

Meet the Author

Sandra Bretting has served as a freelance feature writer for the Houston Chronicle since moving to Texas in 1996. She received a journalism degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and spent her early career in healthcare public relations at medical centers throughout Southern California. Other publications for which she’s written include the Los Angeles Times and Woman’s Day.

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Synopsis

Sometimes the love that’s closest to you is the hardest to see.

Quinn Shaughnessy’s two older brothers have found their true loves … but Quinn’s not about to join that parade. Nope, as he tells his best friend Anna, there’s a lot more to life than getting tied down to one person. He’s positive tomboy Anna will be on his side — except she’s inexplicably developing other interests — even dating! Suddenly Quinn is seeing Anna in a very different light.

Quinn has been Anna’s buddy since they were both five years old. She can tell him anything — except the one big secret she’s been hiding for years — that she’s fallen in love with him. Now Anna is determined to make a life for herself that doesn’t include pining for Quinn. Falling in love with your best friend? Easy. Telling them how you really feel? Impossible.

Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Since then, she has published seventeen more titles and has become a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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Excerpt

It normally took a lot to throw Quinn, but today he had hit his limit. As much as he wanted to keep blaming it on his father and Martha, the fact was that Anna and her curves were wreaking far more havoc on him than anything else.

Just thinking about it made him feel like a colossal jerk. If he’d caught any other guy ogling her the way he’d been that day, he would have kicked his ass. If he thought about it, he kind of had done it a time or two if memory served. Great, now he was going to have to beat himself up over his own thoughts.

“Quinn? You coming?” Anna called from the doorway.

Shit. With the light from the house shining behind her, he could practically see through the white T-shirt she was wearing. Was she trying to kill him? She probably would if she knew he was checking her out.

It didn’t matter what Riley had said earlier. She couldn’t think of him as anything more. And really, he couldn’t think of her as more either.

Or could he?

Anna called his name again and snapped him out of his wayward thoughts, and Quinn knew he’d have to keep his eyes above her shoulders if he was going to survive watching a movie with her. Like a man walking to his execution, he made his way into the house, locking the sliding doors behind him and shutting off the outside lights.

“Oh no,” Anna muttered from the living room.

“What’s up?”

“This has got to be the smallest television in the house and you were right about the bed.”

He almost swallowed his own tongue. “Bed?” he croaked.

“Well, yeah. You’ve got it opened up, so I just figured we were going to sit on it to watch the TV, but it really is uncomfortable.” She stopped and chewed on her full bottom lip for a minute. “Maybe I can find an extra blanket or two to pad it with.” And before he could stop her and say maybe they should just skip the movie, she was on the move and out of sight.

“Damn it,” he mumbled. He had completely forgotten about the open bed. It was one thing to sit on the couch and watch a movie; it was another to be on the bed. Looking around, Quinn made a snap decision and quickly folded up the bed and put the sofa back together.

“Hey,” Anna said, confusion written all over her face, an extra blanket in her hands as she looked at the now-closed sofa. “Why’d you close it up? I just went to get stuff to make it more comfortable.”

Heat crept up his cheeks. “Oh, um…well, I don’t think there’s enough extra blankets to make this thing even remotely comfortable. At least this way we can sit with the cushions and have real padding.”

“Oh. Okay.” She looked at the sofa and then at the blanket in her hands. “I’ll just leave this out here for you to use later, I guess.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” Damn. When were things ever this awkward? Oh, that’s right. A lot. Especially lately.

They’d missed the first thirty minutes of the movie but it didn’t matter; they’d seen it several times already. Quinn did his best to focus on the film, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Anna slowly slouching down. Her legs—those gloriously bare, silky looking legs—were curled on the couch, her feet almost touching his thighs. He had to fight the urge to reach out and touch her.

“You don’t have to stay up, Anna,” he said softly.

With her head resting on the armrest, she kept her eyes on the TV. “It’s okay. I’m good.”

But Quinn knew her. Anna liked to have her head on a pillow. She was a bit fanatical about feeling comfortable, really. Reaching over to the chair beside him, he grabbed a throw pillow and put it on his lap before reaching for her hand.

“What? What’s the matter?” she asked, raising her head.

“Come on. I know you’re not comfortable.” With a little tug, he had her sitting up. Why he didn’t just give her the pillow, he couldn’t say for certain. It would have been easier—on him at least—if she kept her distance, but right now it was the last thing he wanted.

“It’s not a big deal,” she protested and then yawned. “I can just…”

He didn’t let her finish. He tugged again until she was leaning against him. “Just…you know…get comfortable. We’re missing the movie,” he added lamely.

Anna’s look was hesitant, but she finally shifted and lay down—stretching out beside him with her head on the pillow in his lap. One hand rested on his knee. It felt…right, Quinn thought to himself. Forcing himself to go back to watching the movie, it wasn’t until sometime later that he realized Anna was asleep and he was gently playing with her hair.

“I’m totally losing it,” he muttered but didn’t pull his hand away. The movie was almost over, and once it ended, he’d wake her up. But for now he was going to enjoy how soft her hair was. She was growing it longer—something she hadn’t done in a long time. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it, but for right now he liked it.

Fifteen minutes later, the movie was over. It was after two in the morning, and he finally felt like he could sleep. His hand drifted from Anna’s hair to her shoulder. It felt small under his palm. He gave her a gentle shake. “Anna?” he whispered.

“Mmm,” she hummed.

“The movie’s over,” he said softly. “Come on. You need to go up to bed.”

She snuggled up closer, her hand on his knee gently squeezing. “Too comfortable.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. It never occurred to him how by making her comfortable, he wouldn’t be able to wake her up. Shifting slightly, he maneuvered himself until he could stand up. Anna didn’t stir. The first order of business was to stretch. He had been sitting for so long he felt a little stiff and achy. Gazing down at Anna, Quinn forced himself to really look at her.

Her dark blond hair was getting longer and he realized now he preferred it short. The sun had given her skin a golden glow today, and she had a band of freckles across her nose. He knew her face as well as his own. He couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t been there with him, for him. Just the thought of her not being his friend caused a tightening in his chest he’d never felt. He’d never had to consider it before.

She was the one constant in his life. Sure, he had his brothers and Darcy, but it was different with Anna. They had simply clicked as kids, and she was the only person he felt truly comfortable around. She didn’t judge him—at least not that he was aware of. If she did, she kept it to herself.

Unlike his siblings.

In all honesty, she was his safe spot. His home.

And it killed him how even looking at her now had him thinking about sex rather than getting the comfort he normally did.

“Okay, that’s enough,” he mumbled and leaned forward to gently shake Anna again. She still didn’t stir, so Quinn cursed and then reached for her to pick her up.

Bad idea, he immediately thought. Now he could feel the silky skin of her legs and as the T-shirt rode up her body, he saw her plain white cotton panties. And damn it if they didn’t look sexy as hell, too. Images of Anna in her bikini immediately came to mind and Quinn knew he was going to have to practically sprint to the bedroom and drop her on her bed and run if he was going to survive.

And that’s pretty much what he did. Walking quickly up the stairs to Anna’s bedroom, he simply deposited her on the bed and pulled the blankets over her before he walked from the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

And then breathed a sigh of relief.

It was going to be a long weekend.

About the Author

Samantha Chase, a creative writing teacher, released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Since then, she has published seventeen more titles and has become a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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Tea Cups and Carnage (A Tourist Trap Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Lyrical Underground (June 7, 2016)
ASIN: B015BCRWQG

Synopsis

The kettle’s about to boil over . . .

The quaint coastal town of South Cove, California, is all abuzz about the opening of a new specialty shop, Tea Hee. But as Coffee, Books, and More owner Jill Gardner is about to find out, there’s nothing cozy about murder . . .

Shop owner Kathi Corbin says she came to South Cove to get away from her estranged family. But is she telling the truth? And did a sinister someone from her past follow her to South Cove? When a woman claiming to be Kathi’s sister starts making waves and a dead body is found in a local motel, Jill must step in to clear Kathi’s name—without getting herself in hot water.

Review

I love this series and it continues to pull me in and want to move to South Cove (or somewhere similar!)

Jill and Greg’s relationship looks like it might be hitting a high point – they both admit they don’t want to date anyone else, so perhaps it the relationship will become more serious than it already is between the two.

The mystery portion was intriguing and I liked that some of the new characters were from Texas. While it wasn’t easy to figure out who the killer was, there were some big clues that something was amiss with one of the characters.

And then there is Josh, the antique dealer from next door, that disappears for a week. You find out why at the end, but that was a mini mystery since we weren’t sure if it was tied to the end of his relationship with Jackie or something else. Oh and Jackie has a surprise for you too!

This book seemed to be a bit shorter than some of the others, but that doesn’t detract from the characters, the mystery or the joy for this small town.

All in all, I really like reading this series and can’t wait for the next one.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

USA Today and New York Times, best-selling author, Lynn Cahoon is an Idaho native. If you’d visit the town where she grew up, you’d understand why her mysteries and romance novels focus around the depth and experience of small town life. Currently, she’s living in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi river where her imagination tends to wander. She lives with her husband and four fur babies.

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** Romance Collections & Anthologies Bestseller **

** Romantic Comedies Bestseller **

 

THREE contemporary romance novellas with THREE irresistible men by THREE bestselling authors!!

Three stories. Three authors. Three kinds of romance.

Sweet. Sassy. Sexy.

Sweet: Love at First Date by Susan Hatler, New York Times Bestselling Author

Ellen may not believe in storybook love, but it’s about to rewrite her life. . . .

Ellen’s figured out that finding the right guy is all about compatibility. That’s why she signs up for Detailed Dating—the local online dating scene in Sacramento. They ask men the hard questions, compare their answers with hers, then she filters through the profiles of each provided “match.” After numerous email exchanges, she narrows it down to two promising candidates she’s excited to meet in person.

When Ellen’s best friend asks her for a favor, dog-sitting leads to disaster and Ellen ends up at the local vet where she meets a man she can’t get out of her mind. Henry isn’t a logical choice, but she finds herself paying for dog obedience class to spend more time with him.

Ellen knows that in order to have a lasting relationship, she should take the safe route and go for one of the pre-screened guys. But, how can she think with her head when her heart keeps begging her to give Henry a chance?

Sassy: From Fame to Shame by Veronica Blade, Bestselling Author

When good-girl Maddie switches places with her famous bad-girl twin Jackie, she has some pretty high stilettos to fill.

Despite the danger of tabloid drama if their identity swap is discovered, Maddie has to save her sister’s butt. When Jackie’s ex-boyfriend shows up with a rekindled spark for “Jackie,” his deep gray eyes and sweet kisses make Maddie’s heart thumpety thump. But dating the guy who dumped her sister is a no-no. Too bad Dallas isn’t used to girls saying no. What will happen when he discovers Maddie’s deception?

Sexy: Wild For Mr. Wrong by Virna DePaul, New York Times Bestselling Author

Can an uptight prosecutor and a laid-back defense attorney find love despite their opposing agendas?

Bryn Donovon became a prosecutor for a reason and defense attorney Daniel Mays seems to take his job about as seriously as he does his love life. While straight-laced Bryn can’t deny she’s attracted to the southern charmer, she’s determined to keep her distance. Instead, she ends up finding something she’d lost long ago—a willingness to risk all for love.

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Praise

“Love at First Date left me completely satisfied.” — Getting Your Read On

“Veronica Blade is an incredibly talented story teller. ” — Cafe of Dreams Book Reviews

“Virna DePaul is amazing!” — Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author

About the Authors

Susan Hatler

SUSAN HATLER is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. Many of Susan’s books have been translated into German, Spanish, French, and Italian. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.

 

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Veronica Blade

Veronica Blade lives in Southern California with her husband and children. By day she runs the family business, but each night she slips away to spin her tales. She writes stories about young adults to relive her own childhood and to live vicariously through her characters. Except her heroes and heroines lead far more interesting lives–and they are always way hotter.

 

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Virna DePaul

Virna DePaul is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of steamy, suspenseful fiction. Whether it’s vampires, a Para-Ops team, hot cops or swoon-worthy identical twin brothers, her stories center around complex individuals willing to overcome incredible odds for love. Bedding The Wrong Brother, which begins the Bedding the Bachelors Series, is a #1 Bestselling Contemporary Romance and a USA Today Bestseller.

 

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Giveaway Info:

1 Winner – $25 Amazon Gift Card

1 Winner – Susan Hatler Book of Choice (digital)

1 Winner – Veronica Blade Book of Choice (digital)

1 Winner – Virna DePaul Book of Choice (digital)
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Maggie Dove: A Mystery

by Susan Breen

Publisher: Alibi (June 14, 2016)

Synopsis

Susan Breen introduces a charming new series heroine in this poignant and absorbing cozy mystery with a bite. Maggie Dove thinks everyone in her small Westchester County community knows everyone else’s secrets. Then murder comes to town.

When Sunday School teacher Maggie Dove finds her hateful next-door neighbor Marcus Bender lying dead under her beloved oak tree—the one he demanded she cut down—she figures the man dropped dead of a mean heart. But Marcus was murdered, and the prime suspect is a young man Maggie loves like a son. Peter Nelson was the worst of Maggie’s Sunday School students; he was also her late daughter’s fiancé, and he’s been a devoted friend to Maggie in the years since her daughter’s death.

Maggie can’t lose Peter, too. So she sets out to find the real murderer. To do that, she must move past the grief that has immobilized her all these years. She must probe the hidden corners of her little village on the Hudson River. And, when another death strikes even closer to home, Maggie must find the courage to defend the people and the town she loves—even if it kills her.

About The Author

Susan Breen is the author of The Fiction Class, her debut novel that won the Washington Irving Book Award. Her stories and articles have appeared in many magazines, among them The Best American Nonrequired Reading, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Compose, Writer’s Digest, and The Writer. She teaches at Gotham Writers in Manhattan; is on the faculty of the New York Pitch Conference, South Carolina Writers Workshop, and the Women’s National Book Association; and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters-in-Crime. Breen lives in a small village on the Hudson River with her husband, two dogs, and one cat. Her three children are flourishing elsewhere.

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Title: BODY OF THE CRIME
Author: Jennifer Chase
Publisher: JEC Press
Genre: Crime Thriller

Synopsis

Three grisly murders linked to five old cold cases, dubbed the Flower Girl Murders, pushes detectives to their limit to find a clever and extremely brutal serial killer, leaving a California town demanding justice. The District Attorney’s Serial Special Task Force retains the help of the reclusive Dr. Chip Palmer, a forensic expert and criminal profiler, to steer them in the right direction.

Palmer is known for his astute academic interpretations of serial and predatory crimes, along with his unconventional tactics that goes against general police procedures. He is partnered with the tough and beautiful D.A. Inspector Kate Rawlins, a homicide detective transplanted from Phoenix, and the chemistry ignites between the team—turbulent and deadly.

The Flower Girl Murders leaves three homicides, five cold cases, two seasoned detectives, three suspects, and one serial killer calling all the shots. The investigation must rely on one eccentric forensic scientist to unravel the clues to solve the case. But at what cost?

Excerpt

THE DENSE PINE AND OAK trees made a semi-circle pattern in the forest. Dried leaves blew in the breeze, swirled around like unique pieces of confetti, cascading downward, and finally resting on the ground.

The isolated location seemed serene and picturesque, which lent to the stark contrast of the woman’s dead body.

Her long brown hair hung straight and spilled down over her shoulders and slender body. Each strand appeared to have been carefully washed and combed precisely in place. The unknown woman wore a light blue button-down sweater that remained in an orderly fashion with every button fastened, and it was pulled down to cover her belly. Her arms gently placed over her chest, each finger laced next to the other. Tucked carefully underneath her hands was a stem with a pale pink flower that looked like a daisy, now wilted. The victim’s fingernails scrubbed clean, and her hands lacked any jewelry or identifying marks.

Upon a quick glance, it seemed that she was merely daydreaming. Looking closely, her fixed dull eyes gave the undeniable lifeless gaze. The relaxed expression on her face seemed almost contrived and had a peculiar quality to it—even a ghostly facade.

From the waist up, the woman looked like she had taken a nap after a morning of running errands or after coming home from a luncheon with friends. The woman was in a carefully posed position that told the story of an organized killer who was in complete control, but that was where the structured behavior of the murderer abruptly stopped.

In a disturbing contrast, the horrifying viciousness of what was left of the bottom half of the body was the aftermath of a long, torturous assault from someone completely out of control. It suggested a perpetrator who lacked any impulse control and mental stability.

About the Author

Jennifer Chase is an award-winning author and consulting criminologist.  She has authored six crime fiction novels, including the multiple award-winning Emily Stone thriller series along with a screenwriting workbook.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor degree in police forensics and a Master’s degree in criminology.  These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling.  She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists.

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Murder On The Menu: A Romantic Comedy Culinary Cozy Mystery (A Celebrity Mystery Book 1)
File Size: 1093 KB
Print Length: 266 pages
Publication Date: September 24, 2015

Synopsis

After Lizzie’s new boss, celebrity chef Armand, is stabbed in his own kitchen, Lizzie finds herself at the top of the suspect list.

Determined to clear her name she’s forced to enlist the services of her new neighbour, Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (CCIA) special agent Jack Mathis, who’s been suspended from his duties for reasons unknown.

Can Lizzie save herself from getting arrested and manage to resist her special agent sidekick’s considerable charms and gorgeous smile? Will they solve the culinary murder mystery or will she end up in a prison cell?

Guest Post

Books On Location

I think where a book is set can influence whether or not we are tempted to read it. Do you find yourself drawn to a cozy mystery because it’s set in a certain place, such as a sunny beach resort or a trendy and bustling city? I know I do. These days Amazon even lets us select cozy mysteries we want to read in categories such as small town, island, beach or mountain! Personally, I much prefer rural settings to urban ones but generally speaking, I don’t mind the country the story is set in, though the majority of books I’m drawn to are usually in the UK or the USA.

Like I said, I’m not much of a city person but that hasn’t stopped me from being intrigued by plots and drawn to reading books set in bustling cities such as London, Sydney and New York.  I certainly still enjoyed the books despite the locations not holding much appeal to me initially, so I guess location isn’t everything but I think you can safely say that the setting is something of a supporting ‘actor’ to the characters in a novel and can really help to bring the book to life.

I admit to having a particular weakness for books set in Scotland, and some of my absolute favorite books have been set in Ireland as well. One book set on a fictitious island off the west coast of Ireland made me feel as though I was on holiday there with all the characters. I could smell the sea air, stroll along the lanes and see the little cottages dotted amongst the landscape, it was wonderful.

Books set overseas can make fascinating reading and allow you to learn more about the customs, traditions and the lifestyles of those who live there. I used to be a travel agent many moons ago and still love to watch travelogues on TV. I’ve learned much about destinations as far flung as Alaska, Hong Kong, the Australian outback, Quebec and Montreal, North Carolina and New England from reading novels set in these places.

Murder On The Menu (Book one in my Celebrity Mystery series) is set in the English Lake District – one of my favorite places to visit in the whole wide world. My husband and I have had numerous short breaks in the Lakes, spending a few hours each morning walking up the hills to sit and savour the stupendous views or strolling around the picturesque lakes themselves. Afternoons were usually spent perusing the local art galleries, craft shops and outdoor gear stores followed by a reviving drink and cake in a coffee shop. Ah, bliss!

My other books have been based in different parts of the UK (and further afield) in places that I have enjoyed visiting on holidays. From the rugged Yorkshire coast to the Highlands of Scotland. In my Amber Reed Mystery series, each book has a different location as Amber travels around for the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (CCIA) tackling cases for the rich and famous. The stories start out in glorious Derbyshire (not far from where I live) which is Amber’s home and then move to a remote Scottish island, a luxurious French ski lodge and, in the latest book, venture all the way to fantastic Vancouver in Western Canada, a place where my husband has relatives who we visited a few years ago.

So, how important do you think the location is in the books you read? Do you prefer hot and sunny or cold and snowy settings for books? Are you a city or country girl at heart? Do you think the location adds another layer to the mystery aspect of a novel? I’d love to know!

StoreyBook Reviews here answering Zanna’s question – I usually like warmer weather (not necessarily hot!  I live in Texas after all).  I love the city but there is something so peaceful about the country.  And YES!  Location does add something to the books, I like to imagine the town where the book is taking place and picture myself living there and what I might enjoy doing in that location.

Thanks for stopping by Zanna!

About the Author

I write romantic comedy mysteries and when I’m not writing I can be found gardening (trying to grow tomatoes in the British climate is a major challenge!) walking the dogs or reading.

I’m a former therapist, a fan of the great outdoors – especially Scotland, the Lake District and Derbyshire’s Peak district – and also something of a dreamer!

Home is a village on the Derbyshire / Leicestershire border in the UK with my husband, our 4 Labrador dogs, a vegetable patch that’s home to far too many weeds and an ever expanding library of books waiting to be read.

At every opportunity I can be found scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel I’m working on and I love it when the characters in my work in progress novels take on minds of their own and start deviating from the original plot!

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Amazon Author Page * Pinterest * Google+ * Wattpad * Blog

 

 

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Delbert: The Reluctant Spy (book #1) by Marko Kitti

Age: 8+
Publication date: 28th May 2016

Ten-year-old Delbert’s world is grey and glum since his grandfather died. Everything is a dull routine, and all Delbert wants to do is stay in his room. What’s more, he has to cope with an annoying next-door neighbour, Evie, who has committed her life to being in love with him.

But Delbert’s whole life is about to change when he is forced into a SUPER SECRET SPY MISSION to find a missing cat called Pandora. What seems like a straightforward job suddenly escalates into the stuff of real spy stories

Bursting with humour and thrilling surprises, this fast-paced, action-packed story takes Delbert and Evie on a wild ride with an UTTERLY SHOCKING SECRET at the end…
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The Delbert series follows ten-year-old Delbert’s adventures as he trains to be an International Secret Agent. Together with his annoying sidekick Evie, Delbert investigates some truly incredible mysteries all around the world. The series comes with a bunch of whimsical illustrations, and is perfect for both avid and reluctant readers, boys and girls alike.

Excerpt

Delbert grabbed his phone and sneaked downstairs. He slipped his feet into his sneakers and silently opened the front door – and that’s when everything started to spin out of control. This was a moment he would later describe as ‘being in the wrong place at the wrong time’.

Delbert jumped in surprise as he saw Sam’s girlfriend standing behind the door.

“Oh, hi Manisha!” he said.

“Close the door!” hissed Manisha.

Delbert was taken aback by her tone. He closed the door behind him and looked at the girl.

Manisha was fifteen. She had long black hair and a pair of big brown eyes. She and Sam had been going out for ages, almost three weeks.

“I need your help,” whispered Manisha.

“But aren’t you going in to see Sam?” asked Delbert.

“No,” she said, glancing around her as if she were afraid someone was spying on her. “I need your help.”

With that she grabbed Delbert by his hand and started dragging him down the street. At that moment Delbert’s next-door neighbour, Evie, appeared from nowhere.

“Awwww!” she cooed, a menacing grin spreading across her face.

Evie was in Delbert’s class. She was a girl who had committed her life to being in love with him!

Eurgh!

“Dee’s found a girlfriend, Dee’s found a girlfriend!” she sang as Delbert and Manisha rushed past her, hand in hand. Evie looked cheerful on the outside, but on the inside she was insanely jealous.

Delbert didn’t hear Evie’s jeers. He could hardly hear his own thoughts. For the first time in months he’d left his room and THIS happens – getting kidnapped by his big brother’s crazy girlfriend!

About the Author

Marko Kitti is an internationally published children’s book author and illustrator. He is best known for his humorous children’s book series, Jesper Jinx.

Jesper Jinx, who first appeared in 2014, is beloved by children all over the world, since books with his wonderfully wicked adventures are already published in several languages.

Marko has written novels and short stories too, and his Finnish novel Meidän maailma (Our World) was shortlisted for the Runeberg Prize in 2009. Marko is a proud member of The Union of Finnish Writers.

Born and raised in Finland, he now lives in Eastbourne, England, with his wife and stepdaughter and their two mischievous cats.

 

Twitter * Delbert’s Facebook page * Official Delbert Website

Jesper Jinx’s Facebook Page * Official Jesper Jinx’s website

 

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