Synopsis

 

Someone in Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean neighborhood has an appetite for murder in Olivia Matthews’ Hard Dough Homicide.

Spice Isle Bakery owner Lyndsay Murray is always looking for new ways to grow her family’s business. But she already regrets agreeing to host the retirement dinner for local high school principal Emily Smith. The tyrant used to be her mother’s boss and they did not get along. Six guests arrive for the celebration, but only five survive. Emily starts convulsing—right after eating the curry chicken—and dies soon after. It’s not long before the police are knocking on Spice Isle’s door, bringing the Murray family back into the heart of another murder investigation—driving away customers in the process. Lyndsay can’t help but wonder if this is the end of the bakery, even though it’s just begun. She must put aside her reservations about investigating another crime, because the Murrays refuse to go down without a fight.

 

 

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Review

 

We are back at the hip new Caribbean bakery in Brooklyn. It has been a rocky start for this little bakery, but they are making strides and filling a need for many in this neighborhood. However, this time around, Lyndsay’s mom is the suspected killer when her former principal ends up dead. Of course, Lyndsay can’t have that and sets out to investigate and clear her mother’s name.

There are many things to like about this series – the food, the location, and the strong family ties. This is evident in both books when the whole family comes out to help clear their family of any wrongdoing. I mean aunts, uncles, cousins, and more. This is a close-knit family, which is a blessing and a curse.

There are just enough clues provided, if you catch them, to suss out the killer. I think I was a little surprised since many red herrings are thrown into the mix for good measure.

There is a potential romance between Lyndsay and her high school crush, but only if he stops investigating her family. I’m sure she doesn’t stop to think they must investigate everyone to clear the family and those not involved. Hopefully, she will move past this and allow love to blossom.

This series is still working on its place, which means some of the characters may be annoying, or there is a lot of repetition. I think that is somewhat needed at the beginning of a series to the reader can get a feel for the scene, characters, and more.

The food descriptions make my mouth water, and I might have gained a few pounds just reading this book!

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

OLIVIA MATTHEWS, pen name for romance author Patricia Sargeant, is a national bestselling and award-winning author. The Spice Isle Bakery mysteries are inspired by the author’s family history and the history of her birth place. As Olivia Matthews she is also the author of the Sister Lou mysteries and Peach Coast Library mysteries, and writes romance as Patricia Sargeant and Regina Hart.

 

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Synopsis

 

It seems lately that Poppy Lively is invisible to everyone but the IRS.

After her accountant absconded with her life savings, newly bankrupt Poppy is on the verge of losing her home when an old flame, now a hotshot producer, gives her a surprising way out: a job in costumes on a Hollywood film set. It’s a bold move to pack her bags, keep secrets from her daughter, and head to Los Angeles, but Poppy’s a capable person―how hard can a job in wardrobe be? It’s not like she has a choice; her life couldn’t get any worse. Even so, this Midwesterner has a lot to learn about the fast and loose world of movie stars, iconic costumes, and back-lot intrigue.>As a single mom, she’s rarely had time for watching movies, she doesn’t sew, and she doesn’t know a thing about dressing the biggest names in the business. Floundering and overlooked, Poppy has one ally: Allen Carol, an ill-tempered movie star taken with Poppy’s unfiltered candor and general indifference to stardom.

When Poppy stumbles upon corruption, she relies on everyone underestimating her to discover who’s at the center of it, a revelation that shakes her belief in humanity. What she thought was a way to secure a future for her daughter becomes a spotlight illuminating the facts: Poppy is out of her league among the divas of Tinseltown.
Poppy must decide whether to keep her mouth shut, as she’s always done, or with the help of a scruffy dog, show the moviemakers that they need her unglamorous ways, whether the superstars like it or not.

 

 

 

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Review

 

I have mixed opinions about this book. It starts with Poppy putting her head in the sand after discovering that her accountant ran off with her money, and now the IRS wants years of back taxes and more. On top of that, she is trying to figure out how to send her daughter to nursing school, find a new job, and is struggling to make it through the day. Enter Three, a former lover from around 18 years ago that she runs into at the airport. Is he the answer to her money issues? He can get her a job in the wardrobe division of a movie being shot in California. Poppy just has to get there from Wisconsin. With all of her other money issues, she decides to drive. And what an adventure that is. But the real adventure is on the set of this movie. Apparently, “must-hires” are looked down on by the rest of the crew because this person is usually not qualified for the job. There are quite a few conflicts with other crew members, making up this story’s crux.

At first, I didn’t like Poppy’s character. She came across as wishy-washy and perhaps a bit incompetent. I know many business owners don’t always pay attention to the financial details, but to not be aware of IRS notices and such? However, as the story came to a close, I had a little more respect for her as she found her strength and learned that she doesn’t have to make everyone happy all the time. That it is ok to look out for yourself first.

I do have a small gripe about the whole IRS situation. While it wasn’t a good place to be, the fact that the author had the IRS agents telling Poppy that they would take all of her money and she would have absolutely nothing to live on was incorrect. If a person has no money for rent, utilities, groceries, etc., they would be unable to repay the IRS at any time because they would be homeless and have no way to help support themselves. This may be fiction, but I feel like situations like this should be represented correctly. That said, do not ignore IRS notices!

That said, if you can look past some of the inaccuracies throughout the book, you will find a quirky cast of characters that learn more about themselves in the space of a week. They create new friendships and learn that they do not have to do everything on their own.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ann Garvin, Ph.D., is the USA Today bestselling author of I THOUGHT YOU SAID THIS WOULD WORK, I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around, The Dog Year, and On Maggie’s Watch. Ann writes about women with a good sense of humor who do too much in a world that asks too much from them. She teaches at Drexel University Masters of Fine Arts program and has held positions at Miami University and Southern New Hampshire in their Masters of Fine Arts program. Ann is the founder of the Tall Poppy Writers, where she is committed to helping women writers find readers. She is a sought-after speaker on writing, leadership, and health and has taught extensively nationally and internationally.

 

Website * Podcasts on Spotify * Instagram * Twitter

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Never Have I Ever meets The X-Files in Amanda Quain’s Ghosted, a gender-bent contemporary retelling of the Jane Austen classic, Northanger Abbey.

Hattie Tilney isn’t a believer. Yes, she’s a senior at America’s most (allegedly) haunted high school, Northanger Abbey. But ever since her paranormal-loving dad passed away, she’s hung up her Ghostbusters suit, put away the EMF detectors and thermal cameras, and moved on. She has enough to worry about in the land of the living–like taking care of her younger brother, Liam, while their older sister spirals out and their mother, Northanger’s formidable headmistress, buries herself in her work. If Hattie just works hard enough and keeps that overachiever mask on tight through graduation, maybe her mom will finally notice her.

But the mask starts slipping when Hattie’s assigned to be an ambassador to Kit Morland, a golden retriever of a boy who’s transferred to Northanger on—what else—a ghost-hunting scholarship. The two are partnered up for an investigative project on the school’s paranormal activity, and Hattie quickly strikes a deal: Kit will present whatever ghostly evidence he can find to prove that campus is haunted, and Hattie will prove that it’s not. But as they explore the abandoned tunnels and foggy graveyards of Northanger, Hattie starts to realize that Kit might be the kind of person that makes her want to believe in something—and someone—for the first time.

With her signature wit and slow burn romance, Amanda Quain turns another Austen classic on its head in this sparkling retelling that proves sometimes the ghosts are just a metaphor after all.

 

 

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Review

 

I am not a huge Jane Austen fan (don’t stone me!), so I have no idea what her story is about. My review is based solely on this book without comparisons.

This coming-of-age YA novel has many themes running through it. Hattie is grieving her father’s passing while trying to fit into the high school where her mother is the headmistress. I found it odd that she always referred to her as Dr. Tilney and rarely mom. That speaks volumes about their relationship or lack thereof. Hattie does have a good relationship with her younger brother Liam, but her older sister, Freddie, is lost in her own way.

Enter Kit Morland. He is a scholarship student from a paranormal society. His enthusiasm for all things ghosts brings up some feelings in Hattie that she hasn’t felt for many years. However, in order to be the “good” daughter, she pushes those emotions down and scoffs at his love of ghosts. It doesn’t help that they are assigned a project that is to prove or disprove the idea of ghosts. Despite their journalistic endeavors, love does come into play over time. I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom and for Hattie to realize that maybe there is more to her life than the boxes she is checking off some list.

Love, friendship, disagreements, and more bring this story together. The characters are varied but focus primarily on Kit and Hattie. I really came to adore Liam, especially when he discovered a new love. Even Freddie manages to redeem herself in the end.

This was an enjoyable story, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

AMANDA QUAIN is a writer, indie bookseller, and general life enthusiast. When she’s not shouting about her favorite new books, she loves theatre, baking, rock climbing, marching band, and the overall pursuit of adventure. If forced to choose, Amanda’s favorite Austen hero is Edward Ferrars, though she’ll always have a soft spot for Mr. Bingley. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and her cat. She is the author of ACCOMPLISHED and GHOSTED.

 

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Synopsis

 

A picturesque college town, a jaded ex-detective, and a deadly fraternity…

After a rough breakup, Amy Carson is eager to dive into the next chapter of her life as an English graduate student at the charmingly rustic Fallston State University. More than that, she’s excited to begin her career in academia as the teaching assistant to one of Fallston State’s most brilliant English professors. However, Amy’s new boss—a grumpy ex-detective named Dominic Cage—is seemingly determined to make her semester miserable.

When Amy’s favorite student, Will Meyers, turns up dead, the police are quick to write it off as a suicide. Yet, as more details are released, Amy begins to suspect foul play… and surprisingly, Dominic agrees with her. Careful to avoid Amy’s overly protective detective brother, the unlikely pair set out to find the truth behind Will’s death.

But the more Amy learns about the organizations connected to Will’s murder, the closer she comes to uncovering one of Fallston State’s most sinister secrets… andthe dark truth behind Dominic’s mysterious past.

Homicide Hamlet is the first story in the Literature Detectives Cozy Mystery series. If you love interesting characters, witty humor, and complex mysteries, you’ll love this series!

 

 

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Review

 

This new cozy series has a lot going for it – a small town, a spunky protagonist, and an ensemble cast that rounds out the personality types to include a little bit of everything.

Amy is a bit bold, but considering her family and what has happened in the past, she has to be since her family has given her the impression that she can’t make it without a man. What era are they living in?! Dominic is a professor at the college, and Amy is his new TA. He is not familiar with technology at all and drives a car that looks like Frankenstein assembled. But these two work well together when it comes to uncovering clues as to who killed Will. They each have assets that complement the other, which shows in their pursuit of the truth. I also wonder if there might be a potential romance brewing between them.

I really liked Amy’s roommates, these three played off each other quite well, and they seem like people I would like to have as roommates…well, other than the horror movie obsession!

I have to say that I wasn’t sure how the murderer would be revealed, and I tried to follow along with the clues but only got so far in my guessing. I thought the story wrapped up nicely and didn’t leave any stones unturned. We even looked into Dominic’s past and how it affected his relationship with Vance, Amy’s brother. However, helping to solve this crime might go a long way in mending some fences. Only future books will tell.

I think this will be a fun new series, and give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

While some may detest being raised in the middle of Nowhere, Ohio – Peyton has fully embraced her cornfield-filled home state and uses it as inspiration for the settings of her books. A lover of puzzles and a firm believer that things are better when they’re wrapped in approximately three layers of intrigue, Peyton’s favorite pastime is daydreaming about exciting, mind-bending mysteries. Apart from writing whodunnits, Peyton spends her time drinking excessive amounts of coffee, perusing the weirdest attractions that the Midwest has to offer, and spending time with her cranky, geriatric cat.

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

Big changes are coming to Forest River Elementary School!

When PTA President Jackie Martin’s husband suffers a life-threatening car accident, she has no choice but to step down from her dream position. Unfortunately, the team is already short-staffed and struggling to fill the vacancy.

Only one woman is brave enough to step up and take over the reins, Ella Jamerson.

Mom to a first-grader, Ella has kept a low profile since her daughter entered the school because she has a huge secret. She’s actually Eleanor Saint James, the Emmy award-winning actress.

Tired of sitting idly by, Ella’s willing to risk her anonymity for a say in the schools’ politics. But when the team learns who their new leader really is, will they be able to handle the drama she’s about to bring?

 

 

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Review

 

The town’s favorite PTA is back with a new leader at the helm.

This has been such a fun series to read. I love the cattiness, the friendships that develop, and the craziness of the situations as a whole. Are all PTAs like this? We will never know!

The new leader of this group is an actress, Ella. She has been absent from events at the school or in disguise so she didn’t make it harder for her daughter to attend school. You know how people can get with celebrities.

However, Ella decides that it is time to act after reading an email from the Principal of the school. Her new role is not without bumps, but I love how it all comes together.

While we don’t see much of the previous PTA President Jackie, just a few email responses, I felt like the rest of the characters helped fill in the gaps and provide tension at just the right time, and offset Ella’s dry wit and no-nonsense attitude.

This is a series that is entertaining, and it makes me glad that I never had to deal with a PTA. I also loved Ella’s husband, Conrad. He really steps up at times and is supportive of her career.

If you want to read this book, start with the first to see the character development.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her “characters.” She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodgeball – she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on Long Island.

 

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Synopsis

 

Grace Hamilton is the girl with a plan. She knows exactly where her life is going, and prides herself on always achieving her goals. She’s never stepped outside the lines she draws for herself, and never considered what her heart truly wants. That is, until him.

Carson Stinger doesn’t play by any rules except his own. Working in the adult entertainment industry, he doesn’t care what others think of his choices, and takes each day as it comes. No direction, no plan. He knows what women want from him, and in his eyes, it’s all he has to offer… until her.

When unexpected circumstances force them together, Grace and Carson are swept up into the electric chemistry between them, surrendering to a steamy weekend in each other’s arms. But for two people whose worlds could never coexist, they know their time is short.

That is, until their hearts get involved without their permission…

 

 

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Review

 

This book has some heat to it, but it is so much more than that. This is a love story between Grace and Carson. Two people that might never have found each other had it not been conferences at their hotel. Granted, she never expected to fall for a porn star, and he never expected to change his life based on this one weekend.

This story covers about five years, starting with the fated weekend, to a few years down the road, and then ending five years later when they reconnect.

These two are made for each other. Grace is a planner and too analytical for her own good. Carson has a bit of a wild streak that just needs to be tamed. I loved their interactions with one another, especially in the present when they realize what they have been missing and where they want their lives to go. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding Carson’s job at a casino that ties into Grace’s job as a Prosecutor.

I enjoyed the interactions between the two from the beginning. We all need someone in our lives that will help us loosen up. And in Carson’s case, someone that will help us realize our potential.

The book is filled with steamy scenes, laughter, and family. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Mia Sheridan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. Her passion is weaving true love stories about people destined to be together. Mia lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband. They have four children here on earth and one in heaven.

 

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WHISKEY ON OUR SHOES

 

by

 

Tonya Preece

 

 

Contemporary Romance / New Adult

Publisher: Champagne Book Group

Page Count: 238 pages

Publication Date: February 12, 2023

 

Scroll down for a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Eva dodges the fans, media, and gossip that follow her supermodel mom and rock star family members by wearing disguises. After an aimless gap year, she struggles to figure out what she wants from life. She moves in with her famous guitar god brother in Austin while he recovers from a drunken stage stunt accident and tries to stay sober. When a hot Texas cowboy named Alex takes Eva by surprise, she risks her safety and security of anonymity by letting him into her unconventional life.

Alex is captivated by Eva and promises to protect her privacy. Yet he has a secret of his own—the fling he had with an older woman is fraught with scandalous potential for him and now Eva. He broke free of that mistake months ago, or so he thought. As things heat up with Eva, his old flame returns and won’t leave him alone.

Just when Alex thinks he has the reins on the situation, his ex teams up with a gossip reporter hell-bent on invading Eva’s privacy. The resulting exposé, with a sly spin on a recent encounter with his ex, is Alex’s worst nightmare, and Eva’s unsure what to believe. Can she face the world with Alex at her side or will she return into hiding?

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

Discovering love when most of your life has been a lie can be challenging.

Eva has led a sheltered life as a child of very famous parents. They have shielded her from the worst of it, as good parents should, but are they really doing her a favor? As she starts to gain her independence, she realizes that maybe not everything was for her benefit or that perhaps there was an ulterior motive on her mother’s part. But that is what makes this a fantastic coming-of-age story, learning and growing beyond the teenage years and ideals. We all think we are invincible as a youth, but learn quickly that is not always the truth. The same could be said for Alex, our leading young man.

I really enjoyed the story between Eva and Alex because it wasn’t simple. They had their own set of challenges to work through before they could find their own HEA. They have to learn to trust, speak the truth, and share their lives, the good and the bad.

There are many nuances that helped round out the story. There is Lena, Alex’s sister. She has Down syndrome but wants to be like every other girl out there. I loved the scene where she is trying to apply makeup in preparation for Prom and can’t seem to get it right. Enter Eva to the rescue because who better to teach about makeup than a supermodel’s daughter?

While there are many bright spots in the book, there are also many nefarious characters. There is Alex’s brother Devin, a gossip columnist that is referred to as Cabbage Patch Candy, and a few other characters sprinkled throughout. However, the addition of these characters adds the conflict that is needed to push Eva and Alex to be better for themselves and each other.

This story checked off many boxes for me and was an enjoyable read. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonya Preece writes romance and contemporary young adult fiction and incorporates music into all her books in one way or another. She lives near Austin, TX where she’s a small business manager for a forensic engineering firm. She and her husband enjoy traveling, live music, wine, and spoiling their fur babies.

 

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Grand Prize: autographed paperback & $10 Amazon gift card;

 

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Synopsis

 

Sutton going missing is the worst thing to happen to Casey, to their family. She’s trying to help find her sister, but Casey is furious. And she can’t tell anyone about their argument before Sutton disappeared. Everyone paints a picture of Sutton’s perfection: the popular cheerleader with an entourage of friends, a doting boyfriend, and a limitless future. But Sutton manipulated everyone around her, even stole an heirloom bracelet from Casey. People don’t look for missing Black girls–or half-Black girls–without believing there is an angel to be saved.

When Sutton reappears, Casey knows she should be relieved. Except Sutton isn’t the same. She remembers nothing about while she was gone—or anything from her old life, including how she made Casey miserable. There’s something unsettling about the way she wants to spend time with Casey, the way she hums and watches her goldfish swim for hours.

What happened to Sutton? The more Casey starts uncovering her sister’s secrets, the more questions she has. Did she really know her sister? Why is no one talking about the other girls who have gone missing in their area? And what will it take to uncover the truth?

 

 

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Review

 

This debut YA novel is sure to hit home with many readers. While it appears to be based on a true story, according to the author’s notes, it is a story that will resonate with many that have had similar experiences with their ancestry.

The story focuses on sisters Casey and Sutton. The rest of the characters are supporting but not fully developed since their role is minor. These sisters have a love/hate relationship. It happens with teenagers, but later in life, they will appreciate each other, hopefully! The beginning focuses on Sutton’s disappearance and the search for her. The story does jump back and forth in time, but it is done well and helps to broaden the depth of the story and explain some nuances of what Casey or Sutton were thinking or experiencing.

While Sutton is discovered, she is not herself, and what follows is the journey to find whoever kidnapped her and why she can’t remember anything. When the truth is revealed in the end, it is quite a surprise. Obviously, I’m not going to tell you anything because that would spoil the story. So just go read the book!

There is the mystery of who kidnapped Sutton. There are several possibilities, but the truth was quite a surprise. As the story unfolds, it does reveal how wealth has its privilege. To give you more details would also ruin the mystery of the book. So once again, just go read the book!

I loved all of the historical aspects of the story. Their father is a historian researching their family tree and its roots in slavery. I found this very fascinating because many families were broken up and sold, and they may have never found each other again.

I enjoyed this book more than I expected. And for a debut novel, the author gets a big thumbs up from me.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

My name is Lily Meade.

I was born and raised in Washington state (the one with coffee, not Congress), the second oldest and only girl of four. I like to think I was a cool kid (my mother was an ice cream lady, I mean… come on), but that is debatable.

I believe stories have power.

I strive to live by the motto of a life inspired by fiction. I come from a background of extreme poverty (I’ve been homeless twice!) and live with a chronic illness, so I know just how powerful hope can be when you’re on a difficult journey.

I believe anyone can achieve their own happy ending, no matter how bleak things may currently seem. I’m a passionate advocate of at risk youth outreach and reading programs.

My debut novel THE SHADOW SISTER, and an untitled second novel will be published by Sourcebooks Fire in 2023 and 2024, respectively. My ultimate career goal is to be hired to write a modern YA reboot of Scooby Doo.

 

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Synopsis

 

In Olivia Matthews’s Against the Currant , the first Spice Isle Bakery Mystery, investigating a murder was never supposed to be on the menu…

Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family, and it’s everything she’s ever wanted. The West Indian bakery is her way to give back to the community she loves, stay connected to her Grenadian roots, and work side-by-side with her family. The only thing getting a rise out of Lyndsay is Claudio Fabrizi, a disgruntled fellow bakery owner who does not want any competition.

On opening day, he comes into the bakery threatening to shut them down. Fed up, Lyndsay takes him to task in front of what seems to be the whole neighborhood. So when Claudio turns up dead a day later―murdered―Lyndsay is unfortunately the prime suspect. To get the scent of suspicion off her and her bakery, Lyndsay has to prove she’s innocent―under the watchful eyes of her overprotective brother, anxious parents, and meddlesome extended family―what could go wrong?

 

 

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Review

 

This new series celebrates the culture, food, and people of the Caribbean. One aspect that I enjoyed was how close the family was in this book. They supported one another through all of the ups and downs, especially when Lyndsay is a person of interest in the death of a competitor. It is all circumstantial, but the police detectives don’t seem to know how to search for other possible suspects. Luckily, Lyndsay is able to sniff out the killer, but almost too late!

The story moves at a slower pace. I did feel like it took a long time to get to the point of Lyndsay investigating to try and clear her name. But perhaps that is indicative of the lifestyle of those from the Caribbean, not in a hurry.

I thought Lyndsay was a unique character with her interests and her desire to open a bakery since she was young. The author does a wonderful job of describing everything, and I felt like I was there and could imagine what the different dishes tasted like.

I did not like the reporter, Jose. While I get he has a job to do, it is like he has a vendetta against Lyndsay and only seems to report things that could hurt her vs. help.

I think this will be a fun but laid-back series. I look forward to seeing what happens next for the family and their bakery.

We give the book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

OLIVIA MATTHEWS, pen name for romance author Patricia Sargeant, is a national bestselling and award-winning author. The Spice Isle Bakery mysteries are inspired by the author’s family history and the history of her birth place. As Olivia Matthews she is also the author of the Sister Lou mysteries and Peach Coast Library mysteries, and writes romance as Patricia Sargeant and Regina Hart.

 

Website * Twitter

 

 

Synopsis

 

A kickass scifi mystery about love, art, and magic

It’s Earth. The far future. And Galaxy Greg, an interstellar nightclub magician, is fed up. He craves adventure, the open road. He wants to remember how it felt when he was a kid, when magic seemed real. He’s about to get a taste—and he’ll be lucky if he gets out alive.

When a mysterious stranger named K shows him the greatest magic act he’s ever seen, Greg’s life changes forever. After the show, Greg is trying to guess K’s secrets when a red-headed stranger slams his car into theirs. He kills K. He kills himself. And he frames Greg for both crimes.

Running from the law, pursued by a shotgun-toting bounty hunter, Greg takes refuge on a ship captained by his ex Yoshi Falk—the only person he’s ever loved. They carve a desperate path across the stars as Greg tries to clear his name, learn the true nature of K’s magic, and avoid falling in love.

Written by acclaimed mystery novelist W.M. Akers, author of the Westside trilogy, Pocket Full of Stars is a murderous scifi romp where wit and excitement drip from every page.

 

 

Purchase on the Author’s Website

 

 

Review

 

This action-packed adventure will keep you on your toes.

Greg could be someone we all know in our lives. Someone that is frustrated with where they are in life but yet wants more…a better career, to find a companion, and to be at peace with himself. When he thinks he has found that spark, a chain of events throws his life off course, and he is on the run for his life. The twists that are thrown at him through space and time just might make your head spin.

While Greg may appear to be shallow and selfish, he learns quite a bit about himself while on a spaceship with a former military buddy, Falk. He also meets Falk’s daughter, Lennox, who steals his heart, whether he will admit it or not. She was quite a precocious child, and I chuckled at her fascination with the solar system, the planets, and the facts about them all. She even had little songs to help her remember everything.

As the story climaxes, reality changes for Greg, and he has to make a decision. Does he save himself or others? And what if he makes the wrong choice?

I believe this book could be read by a more mature teen to adult. It is a little gory at times, but not too bad. What I would expect for a character on the run from the authorities.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

W.M. Akers is a novelist, playwright, and game designer. He is the author of the mystery novels WESTSIDE and WESTSIDE SAINTS; the creator of the bestselling games DEADBALL: BASEBALL WITH DICE and COMRADES: A REVOLUTIONARY RPG; and the curator of the history newsletter STRANGE TIMES. He lives in Philadelphia but hasn’t traded in his Mets cap yet.

Akers believes tabletop gaming is the greatest hobby in the universe. CRITICAL HIT is a tribute to every brave soul who has ever played a game.

 

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