Posted in 4 paws, cooking, Cozy, Monday, mystery, Review on May 25, 2015

Chef Maurice Cover

 

Synopsis

“They say one should never trust a thin chef. By this measure, Chef Maurice was very trustworthy indeed.”

It’s autumn in the Cotswolds, and Chef Maurice is facing a problem of mushrooming proportion.

Not only has his wild herb and mushroom supplier, Ollie Meadows, missed his weekly delivery—he’s missing vital signs too, when he turns up dead in the woods near Beakley village.

Soon, Chef Maurice is up to his nose in some seriously rotten business—complete with threatening notes, a pignapping, and an extremely well-catered stake-out.

Can he solve Ollie’s murder before his home-made investigation brings the killer out for second helpings?

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Review

If you like cozies set in Britain and are a fan of British shows, you just might like this book. The main character is a rather rotund chef named Maurice. He is a strong character and reminds me a lot of Gareth Blackstock who is the main character in a British comedy called Chef – other than their sizes. Both believe that everything they say and do is right and they run right over the others.

Maurice has a friend who is a food/restaurant critic and together they make quite an interesting investigative duo.

The characters are witty and it wasn’t until near the end that I suspected who the killer might be based on actions at that time. You might be able to figure it out before then but the clues are subtle.

A series to watch and we give it 4 paws up

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About the Author

JALangJ.A. Lang is a British mystery writer, and author of the Chef Maurice Mysteries series.

She lives in Oxford, England, with her husband, an excessive number of cookbooks, and a sourdough starter named Bob.

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Posted in Cozy, Guest Post, Monday, mystery, Spotlight on March 9, 2015

I will be reviewing this book in the next month or two but wanted to share it with you before then because it sounds like a fun book and I think you should pick it up and read it!

out from under

Synopsis

Three small town, middle-aged women with big town dreams open up The Pea Pod Girls’ Investigations. Gigi VanWey, the Amazon Queen, Tallulah Dewy Townz, the pint-sized rebel who can open a can of whoop ass, and Babs Rosencrantz, the Jewish Guru, had no idea how much trouble they could stir up with their first case. These extremely resourceful women are three peas in a pod who know how to get a job done.

Their first client, trophy wife and recovering-sugar-daddy-addict Cyndi Lou Montgomery, wants to find out how one minute she’s watching the Douglas County 4th of July celebration and the next, waking up in the Douglas County Prize Bull Barn in a most un-lady-like situation. Now Cyndi is being blackmailed, and given specific instructions to follow.

The Pea Pod Girls didn’t know that a home explosion, being shot at, missing evidence and unwanted help from the new town sheriff, Jackson Lee – who, by the way, is so hot you could fry an egg on his fine ass – would be part of the job.

The case comes to a head when the Pea Pod Girls set a trap for the blackmailer at the annual Midnight Madness Costume Ball.

Will the Pea Pod Girls be able to solve the mystery before the clock strikes midnight?

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I asked if the authors would contribute a little something to let us know how they collaborated on this book and what brought them together.  This is what they told me:

The three of us met at work at our local juvenile center in town. Dee and Suz were there first and Mel came along a few years later. We all worked in different departments and had different duties, but we found each other through a mutual love of Halloween. From then on, our friendship grew. We went for lunch weekly and met outside of work for fun. At one of our lunch meetings, Suz mentioned that she had to go pick up a car for her daughter in San Francisco, CA. She was planning to make the trip alone, since her daughter was unavailable due to her college schedule. Suz didn’t want to drive back alone, so Dee automatically piped up and said, I’ll go with ya!” It didn’t take much coaxing to get Mel to go too.

During the planning stages of our trip you never would have known we were adult women. We secretly orchestrated our departure as if we were teenagers planning to sneak out to a kegger. We planned our trip and flew from Wenatchee to Seattle, then from Seattle to Oakland. From then on, we were going from one place to the next. We had one day to explore Frisco, the next day was spent in wine country, and then a family function. The next thing we knew, it was time to get our road trip started. We headed out from Frisco and drove to Portland, OR. On this trip back to Wenatchee, the Pea Pod Girls were born. We totally lost track of time as we started discussing how we grew up, what our dreams were and shared life experiences. One of the things we all found that we had in common was that we have never fit in with our peers. We also discovered that we were all very loyal and trust was important to us. We had no time or interest in gossip or negativity. This solidified our bond with each other and we decided we needed a name for our new-found exclusive group. Ideas were thrown around like The Green Bean Girls, The Rutabagas and The Beets. Mel came up with The Pea Pod Girls which was like an epiphany; we are three peas in a pod. It is not very often that you find friends that are like family and we do not take that for granted. We do not abuse our friendship in any way. It is very valuable to us.

On our way home, we talked about writing down all the adventures we had while on our trip. Our memories made us laugh so we thought they might make others laugh too. When we got back home, Dee gave us all Pea Pod Girl journals and asked us to write down memories of our trip in our perspective. Dee took the first step and started the story of the Pea Pod Girls Investigation Agency. When she read it to us, we loved it and thought the idea of writing was a good one. We shared ideas with each other when we met for lunch or coffee and discovered that writing was fun and we liked it. We made three goals: Write a book, publish the book, and make a movie from the book directed by Clint Eastwood.

From then on, we were bound and determined to reach our goals. We all had the same goal in mind so there was not much disagreement during the writing process. The only things we can remember disagreeing on are the use of a certain word in a sentence. Sometimes we would go back and forth again and again searching for the right word. If we didn‘t agree, we would vote and majority ruled. We are so in tuned with one another, that we would be synchronized in our thoughts and complete each other’s sentences. Writing evoked so much laughter not only from the material we wrote but from the writing process itself. We found it to be therapeutic. When we wrote, each of us were assigned a main character to establish. The characters are fictitious, but still took on some of our personality traits. We enjoy keeping our readers guessing as to “who dun it” and hope our readers can identify with our characters. When we develop a character, we try to create pictures in the reader’s mind. We want to provide a cheap vacation for the reader and we want to make them laugh and feel good after reading our book. We are happily ever after girls, damn straight!

Just thinking about it, the three of us were the most unlikely friends. Suz is from an upper class family, she is a big city girl whose Jewish background has been influential in her life. You could say she’s an intellectual. She has a Master’s Degree. She comes across as very proper and composed. She is very worldly and loves to travel. She is also very giving and kind. She has a direct connection to the universe and physical and emotional balance is important to her. She visits with psychics, has her palm and charts read, and believes in energy healers.

Mel is a small town country girl that came from a poverty-stricken family with a history of drug abuse and domestic violence. She rose above the cycle with the help of her Christian background and is a survivor. She is a high school graduate and loves learning. She is very smart and doesn’t take shit from anybody. She is not the most tactful person, but always wants the best for all in situations. She is creative and is open to new experiences and learning new things. She is silly and has a hidden diva that comes out with the Pea Pod Girls. She is a strong, spiritual woman who is down to earth and accepting of others. She loves her family and friends and would do anything for them.

Dee came from a lower middle-class, blue collar home. She grew up in an abusive environment that was compounded by alcohol abuse. She is college-educated and struggles with learning disabilities. She is super creative, almost to the point of driving herself crazy. She has notebooks full of ideas written down for future books. She is not afraid to say what needs to be said. Dee is funny, silly, and goofy but also very smart, loving, and generous. She is eccentric and ok with who she is. Dee is determined and always has a plan A…B…C…and even D when necessary. She is a dreamer that takes the steps to make her dreams happen and encourages others to do the same. She is a great communicator and cares for those around her. She is a spiritual woman who was raised Catholic. After a near death experience, her faith was brought to a deeper spiritual level.

These three, middle-aged women working full time and raising families persevered and came out from under their circumstances and proved to themselves and everyone around them that dreams do come true.

About the Authors

Melanie Donithan, Dee Middleton-Taylor, and Suzanne Curry

Mel, aka Pea Pod Girl Number One, is a forty-something mother of two. She works in the legal field in her hometown of Wenatchee, WA, and is a member of Write on the River.

Dee, aka Pea Pod Girl in the Middle, lives in Wenatchee with her husband Glenn and American Bulldog Abbee. She has a BS in Corrections and has worked in the criminal justice field for more than 28 years. She expresses her abundance of creative energy through writing mysteries, drawing, remodeling her home, sewing Pea Pod costumes, and cooking

Suz, aka Pea Pod Girl Number Three, lives with her husband Dennis in Tucson, AZ, where she enjoys watching sunsets, practicing tai chi, painting, and Skyping on a regular basis with Mel and Dee. Suz has a Master’s degree in school counseling and has worked with at-risk youth and families for the past 20 years.

The longtime friends are hard at work on Book 2 in the Pea Pod Girls Series. This is their debut novel.

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Posted in 4 paws, Cozy, Monday, mystery, Review on February 2, 2015

bite the biscuit

Synopsis

Carrie Kennersly, a veterinary technician, has become known for offering healthy and popular dog treats at the clinic where she works. When the local bakery’s owner moves away, Carrie jumps at the chance to convert it into the Barkery, a shop to make and sell her canine delights.

But Myra Ethman, co-owner of another pet product store, hates the new competition. At the Barkery’s opening party, she badmouths Carrie’s homemade dog biscuits, insisting she’ll find a way to shut the place down. So when Myra is found dead with a Barkery biscuit beside her, Carrie must prove she didn’t do it before she’s collared for murder.

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This book is set to be released on May 8, 2015 but is available for pre-order now!

Review

I have mixed feelings on this book. Overall the book was enjoyable and while I didn’t guess the killer, I got really close once a few certain clues were revealed (or at least what I thought were clues!). The main character (Carrie) drove me a little crazy, I don’t know if I can pinpoint anything specific, maybe she was too OCD at times and since that is not me, I couldn’t relate to her. I also wonder how long she can keep up working at the bakery all day long and some shifts as a Vet Tech at the same time. She is going to burn out!

There are plenty of characters to like and dislike and I see some potential love interests for Carrie.

I think it will take a few books for me to get into the groove of this series. That is what it took for the Pet Rescue series…wasn’t in love with the first book but really enjoyed follow up books.

We give this 4 paws up.

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About the Author

LOJPublicityPhotoLinda O. Johnston’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the year. Since then, Linda, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, has published more short stories, novellas, and 37 romance and mystery novels, including the Pet Rescue Mystery Series, a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, plus Harlequin Romantic Suspense as well as the Alpha Force paranormal romance miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne.

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Posted in 4 paws, Cozy, Giveaway, Monday, mystery, Review on February 1, 2015

banner criminal confections

criminal confections

 

Synopsis

Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on everything chocolate, helping clients develop new products and revamp recipes until they’re irresistible. But sometimes, a dash of murder finds its way into the mix. . .

Hayden Mundy Moore has bushwhacked through African jungles and haggled in exotic markets to find the finest cacao beans and the most flavorful blends. It’s thrilling work but rarely dangerous–until a colleague turns up dead at the exclusive chocolate-themed Lemaître resort spa in San Francisco.

Adrienne Dowling’s heart attack is blamed on an accidental overdose of the secret ingredient used in Lemaître Chocolates’ new line. Hayden can’t believe that conscientious Adrienne would make that mistake. And between chocolate body scrubs, cocoa mud baths, and a non-stop frenzy of chocolate-based treats, Hayden starts to suspect that she, not Adrienne, was the intended target. Finding a killer among the rival chocolatiers and potential suspects won’t just be satisfying–it might save her life.

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Review

Who couldn’t like a book where the main character is the “chocolate whisperer” and there is food and spa items with chocolate in them?! It was like I could almost taste it but without all those calories!

I have to say that I suspected the killer a little over halfway through it. As per my usual, I just suspected something about this person but couldn’t pin anything down as to why I thought they were the killer. Hey, I’m just thrilled to have guessed the right person!

I would have liked to learned more about how Hayden helped chocolate companies or restaurants with their chocolate problems. There is a brief mention but I would really like to see more detail in the explanation mainly because I love to cook and wonder how others are able to fix recipes and dishes.

There could be a love triangle between Hayden, Danny and Travis (who she hasn’t met yet) but not sure if Danny really feels anything for her other than friendship. So maybe no love triangle but only future books will tell.

I think the concept of this book is very interesting and am hoping with future books we learn more about how Hayden inherited all the money she has and why there is a stipulation on why she has to keep moving and not stay in one place more than 3 months.

Lots of good characters in this first book but only a few will mostly likely continue on to future books since the majority were tied to her current job.j

We give this 4 paws up and eagerly await the next book.

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About the Author

Colette London is the pseudonym of a best-selling novelist who’s published more than three dozen books worldwide. Her Chocolate Whisperer mystery series featuring globe-trotting chocolatier (and amateur sleuth!) Hayden Mundy Moore begins with Criminal Confections in February 2015. 

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Giveaway

5 print copies of the book

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Tour Participants

February 1StoreyBook Reviews – Review

February 2I Wish I Lived in a Library – Review

February 3Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post

February 43 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Guest Post

February 5Bea’s Book Nook – Review

February 6 Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

February 7The Gal in the Blue Mask – Review, Interview

February 8Babs Book Bistro – Review, Guest Post

February 9 MysteriesEtc – Review

February 10Mochas, Mysteries and Meows  – Review

Posted in excerpt, Giveaway, Monday, mystery, Spotlight on January 12, 2015

Fatal Act banner

 

 

9780062325693 Fatal Act

Title: FATAL ACT: A Detective Geraldine Steel Mystery

Author: Leigh Russell

Release Date: December 23, 2014

Genre: Mystery/Detective

Publisher: Witness Impulse an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

 

 

 

 

~ Synopsis ~

After a glamorous young TV soap star dies in a car crash, all eyes are on the Detective Geraldine Steel to discover what caused the tragic accident. Another driver was involved in the collision yet seems to have miraculously walked away unscathed and has now vanished. The deceased had no obvious enemies and nothing to hide, so the investigation seems to be stalling. But when another young actress is found dead it becomes painfully clear that there is a murderer on the loose targeting beautiful, famous women. The only problem is that whoever is committing these crimes isn’t leaving any clues. With public pressure mounting, Geraldine Steel unwittingly risks her sergeant’s life in their search to track down a serial killer…

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 Excerpt

“The victim was a twenty-two year old white female called Anna Porter.”

He paused and the assembled officers looked appropriately subdued on hearing how young the victim was.

“Anna Porter?” one of the constables piped up suddenly, staring at the photo of the young woman’s bloody face. “I thought I recognized her. She’s Dorothy in Down and Out, isn’t she?”

“What’s Down and Out?”

“It’s a hit series on the TV. You must have heard of it.”

Reg gave a noncommittal grunt. Several of the younger officers muttered, recognizing the actress.

“The key task is to question the driver who parked the other vehicle involved in this accident,” Reg added.

“Bloody idiot,” someone muttered.

He nodded at a sergeant who had been researching the vehicles. Anna had been driving her own white Porsche when she had crashed into a black van registered to a man called Piers Trevelyan.

“Anna and Piers lived at the same address,” the sergeant added and a murmur of interest rippled around the room.

“It’s a crime of passion!” Sam whispered.

Geraldine smiled at her young colleague’s enthusiasm.

“So,” the sergeant resumed, “the victim was living with Piers. They’d been living together for about six months.”

“That seems to be fairly conclusive then,” Reg said complacently, “let’s go and pick up the boyfriend. See what he has to say for himself, and what his van was doing parked in Ashland Place just where Anna was driving.”

Geraldine scribbled down the address as the sergeant continued.

“Anna was an actress on the TV. Her boyfriend, Piers Trevelyan, is a big shot casting director, a well known figure in the film world by all accounts. He’s worked with quite a few well known film stars, according to his website anyway. And this year he won a lifetime award for services to the British film industry.”

Reg listened, one eyebrow raised, as though skeptical about the information.

“There’s one more thing. A business card was picked up from the floor of the car: Dinah Jedway, the victim’s agent.”

“I can’t believe that’s Anna Porter,” someone commented, and a faint murmur ran round the room.

“She was so beautiful,” another voice agreed.

“I wonder what they’re going to do on Down and Out now.”

“Come on then, let’s sort this out,” Reg said firmly.

He sounded slightly agitated. The significance of the victim’s identity wasn’t lost on anyone in the room. The media was bound to go into a frenzy at the tragic death of a glamorous young celebrity. The police investigation would be a target for critics if they didn’t wrap up the case quickly.

“We need to find out what Piers Trevelyan was doing, driving the wrong way along a one way street, and leaving his van parked there so dangerously,” Geraldine said.

Just look at that,’ a sergeant added, gesturing at a picture of the Porsche. “It looks like she drove into a tank!”

Reg interrupted. “The front of the van was smashed in. According to the traffic officers, there’s no way anyone could have survived that impact.” He paused, frowning. “But traffic can’t believe the damage was as severe as that, if the van was stationary and the Porsche was only traveling at about twenty. They reckon it must have been travelling at least three times as fast as the speedometer indicated. That’s what aroused their suspicion in the first place. They thought there might have been something odd about it, because the car had only just turned the corner.”

They all stared at the image of a smashed up black van displayed on the board, the front of the vehicle caved in.

“We need to find out what the hell happened,” Reg added.

It seemed he didn’t quite believe it was a simple accident either.

 

About the Author

Leigh RussellLEIGH RUSSELL is described as “a brilliant talent” by Jeffery Deaver. CUT SHORT (2009) was shortlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger Award for Best First Novel. Road Closed (2010) was listed as a Top Read on Eurocrime. With Dead End (2011) Leigh’s detective Geraldine Steel was Number 1 on amazon kindle’s bestseller chart for female sleuths. Leigh Russell is the award-winning author of the Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson mysteries. She is an English teacher who lives in the UK with her family.

 

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Giveaway

5 individual promo codes for a free downloads of the book. Winner must have access to Bluefire Reader and have an Adobe account to receive free download.

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Posted in Book Blast, Giveaway, Monday, mystery on December 8, 2014

Daisy McDare

Daisy McDare and the Deadly Legal Affair by K.M. Morgan

Synopsis

Welcome to Cozy Creek, a quaint tourist town nestled along the Pacific Coast.

Daisy McDare is busy nursing a broken heart, trying to build up her interior decorator business, and baking cookies when murder strikes Cozy Creek.

At first she leaves the investigation to Chris Crumple, the local bumbling police detective. But when Crumple arrests the wrong suspect, Daisy takes the investigation into her own hands.

Cracking the case won’t be easy. She’ll need help from her pastry-baking best friend Samantha, her wise-cracking Granny Annie, and her trusty West Highland Terrier Shamus.

It’s up to Daisy McDare to find the murderer in Cozy Creek before they strike again.

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Author K.M. Morgan

K.M. Morgan loves baking, crafts, cute cat videos, and reading mysteries.

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Praise for the Book Daisy McDare

“Quick and pleasant reading.” – Barbara J Tobey

“I can’t wait for the next one to come out!” – Connie Correll

 

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Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/29/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Posted in Cozy, Monday, mystery on December 1, 2014

In July, I was lucky enough to read and review L. B. Hathaway’s first book in a new cozy series, Murder Offstage.  This was such a fun book and I can’t wait to get to this book sometime in the future (and if you saw my stack of books you would understand!)  I also want to let you know that her first book is FREE from December 1st through the 5th.  So pick it up now!  You can find it on Amazon and Amazon UK

Tomb of the Honey Bee Cover

Synopsis

From acclaimed British author L. B. Hathaway comes this exciting new cozy murder mystery featuring the redoubtable Private Detective, Posie Parker.

This is the second book in the Posie Parker mystery series, although it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. Set across a number of exotic locations in the summer of 1921, ‘The Tomb of the Honey Bee’ is a mystery as sweet as honey, but with a distinct sting in the tail. A classic murder mystery which will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey.

When Posie is asked to find a world-famous explorer who has gone missing, she finds herself in murky waters yet again: an aristocratic family torn apart by hatred, a bizarre murder at an English country house, and a cryptic clue left behind by the explorer which is sweeter than honey, but deadlier than poison.

In a case where simply everyone has a motive for wanting the explorer dead, Posie’s investigation starts off in the English Cotswolds, takes her through the glamorous South of France, on to the mysterious island of Ortigia in Italy, and then into the Tombs of the Pharaohs in Egypt.

But is she being followed by a cold-blooded killer? And if so, why? And where has Len, her almost-boyfriend, disappeared to?

 

About the Author

Lily Author ShotCambridge-educated, British-born L.B. Hathaway writes historical fiction and contributes to a number of popular history magazines and websites. She worked as a lawyer at Lincoln’s Inn in London for almost a decade before becoming a full-time writer. She brings her love of detective novels set in the Golden Age of Crime and an obsession with English history to her own writing.

The Posie Parker series of cozy crime novels span the 1920s. They each combine a core central mystery, an exploration of the reckless glamour of the age and a feisty protagonist who you would love to have as your best friend.

Her other interests, in no particular order, are: very fast downhill skiing, theatre-going, drinking strong tea, Tudor history, exploring castles and generally trying to cram as much into life as possible. She lives in London and Switzerland with her husband and young family.

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Posted in 3 1/2 paws, Monday, mystery, Review on November 24, 2014

maggies image

 

Synopsis

When Florida psychotherapist, Maggie McGill, plans a vacation visit to her daughter, Allie, in California the mysterious events initially seem only coincidences. But as the visit is plagued by a series of increasingly dangerous events they begin to fear for their safety. The two unsuspecting women are caught up in a mystery that causes them to follow a twisting trail of terror and uncover a diabolical conspiracy that threatens their very lives. Who is the inscrutable Sufi mystic who provides aid through their travails? How did he become part of their adventures? This is suspenseful story telling at it peak of gripping power tempered by a sense of fun and lighthearted mystery.

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Review

This book has action pretty much from the beginning, I just felt a little lost with the characters and what was happening at times. Maggie and Allie have an excellent mother/daughter relationship and it is nice to see them enjoying spending time with each other…even when it is under not so great circumstances.

I do wonder if this book was to be set about 10 years or so ago because Maggie takes pictures with a camera that uses film. Although they do have cell phones, so maybe she just prefers this type of camera?

There is a variety of interesting characters and I was very surprised at who the underlying “bad guy” turned out to be. The storyline keeps you hopping and wondering what situation Maggie might find herself in next.

We give this 3 1/2 paws and will be interested in seeing what the next book holds for Maggie.

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About the Author

Sharon Burch Toner is the author of the Maggie McGill Mysteries series.

This series of lighthearted mystery adventures features a mother/daughter team, Maggie and Allie McGill. The two strong, independent, and resourceful women romp through their mysterious and frightening adventures with grace and an enduring joie de vivre that serves them and the reader well.

The seventh book of the series, Maggie in White, is now available in both print and Kindle editions. Work on the next Maggie book, due out late 2015, will begin in January.

Sharon Burch Toner’s Irish grandmother gave her a lifelong appreciation for a story well told. Her love affair with books began at age six when she discovered the public library in her small town. From that young age, she proceeded to devour any printed material that crossed her path.

After a life as mother, psychotherapist and spiritual explorer, writing is her retirement occupation. She says that for her writing is as necessary as food and shelter.

She lives with her two feline roommates in southern California

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Posted in 4 1/2 paws, Cozy, excerpt, Monday, mystery, Review on November 10, 2014

IF-THE-SHOE-KILLS-4

 

If The Shoe Kills_ebook

 

Synopsis

The tourist town of South Cove, California, is a lovely place to spend the holidays. But this year, shop owner Jill Gardner discovers there’s no place like home for homicide. . .

As owner of Coffee, Books, and More, Jill Gardner looks forward to the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers. But when the mayor ropes her into being liaison for a new work program, ’tis the season to be wary. Local businesses are afraid the interns will be delinquents, punks, or worse. For Jill, nothing’s worse than Ted Hendricks–the jerk who runs the program. After a few run-ins, Jill’s ready to kill the guy. That, however, turns out to be unnecessary when she finds Ted in his car–dead as a doornail. Officer Greg assumes it’s a suicide. Jill thinks it’s murder. And if the holidays weren’t stressful enough, a spoiled blonde wants to sue the city for breaking her heel. Jill has to act fast to solve this mess–before the other shoe drops. . .

“Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true.” –Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries

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Excerpt

The holidays were supposed to be a time of goodwill, celebration, and community. You couldn’t tell it from the glares going around the table as Mayor Baylor talked. Earlier, the leader of our little town had the group eating out of his hand. Then all hell broke loose. Focusing on the uproar going on at the Business-to-Business monthly meeting, I wondered if the shop owners gathered around the mismatched tables had even seen the calendar. As South Cove’s council liaison, I volunteered my shop each month for the meeting. I’m Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, and president of the I-Hate-Mayor-Baylor Club. A red-faced Bill Simmons, chair of the business council and owner of South Cove Bed-and-Breakfast, stood at the front of the table, trying to get the group to quiet down.

Aunt Jackie issued a shrill, earsplitting whistle, two-finger variety. My aunt could make me smile even in the worst situations. She’d been a rock the last year during all the craziness that had been my life. Now I didn’t know what I’d do without her help with Coffee, Books, and More. Or without seeing her on a daily basis.

The room finally quieted. I’d been the city council liaison with the business community in our little coastal California tourist town for the last five years. I’d never heard this kind of uproar over a mayor’s mandate before. Maybe the Honorable Mayor Baylor was losing a bit of his power over the group.

“Look, I know it’s a bad time for many of us to take on a charity project, but think of it this way, you’ll have an extra pair of hands for the season.” Bill pulled out what he’d thought would be his trump card.

“I don’t understand what you’re all so upset about. I got you free help for the busiest season of the year.” Mayor Baylor glared at me, like their reaction was my fault. “These people want to work. We need to be charitable in our attitude.” This time, his scowl was full-on directed at me.

I put on my sweetest smile, the one I saved for the few customers I truly didn’t like. “I’ve already signed up the coffee shop to participate. How about the rest of you?”

“Not all of us have South Cove’s finest working part-time in our shops.” Darla Taylor, owner of the winery and editor of the local news for the South Cove Examiner, sniffed. “I heard he couldn’t place these losers anywhere else so Ted paid the mayor to take on these stragglers.”

“That is totally unfounded speculation,” Mayor Baylor blustered, his face turning a bright shade of scarlet. He turned his stare from me to Darla. “I hope I won’t see anything close to that being reported in the Examiner.”

I turned my head so no one would see my smile widen. As one of the local media, Darla’s nose for rumors was spot-on. Ted Hendricks, program director for Bakerstown’s welfare-to-work program, had come to our tourist town of South Cove with an offer. Ten participants would work for eight weeks with a local business in an intern capacity. South Cove was their last chance.

The mayor’s gaze shifted down the table, landing on Josh Thomas, a strong Mayor Baylor supporter. Except even I could see that His Honor wasn’t winning any points with his friend today.

“Delinquents. You want me to let a delinquent run wild in my store. Talk to my customers and probably scope out my merchandise so they can rob me blind when I turn my back?” Josh owned Antiques by Thomas, the most recent business to open its doors on Main Street. Today, he pounded a chubby finger on the table.

“Of course, you’d have a problem with this. You don’t even know that they are kids, or if they had trouble with the law. Just because someone is down on their luck doesn’t mean they are a bad person,” Sadie Michaels shot back. Sadie, owner of Pies on the Fly, was my main supplier of desserts for the coffee shop. And a strong advocate for the underdog in any fight.

We’d gone down this path before. Josh and Sadie rarely saw eye to eye on any discussion. For my part, I liked the way she called him on his prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Bill tried again to short-circuit the argument he saw developing. “We don’t have time for a political discussion on the topic. This is a done deal. They’re coming today for the initial meet-and-greet with a walk through town.

Review

Another great installment in the Tourist Trap cozy mystery series.  Lynn has a great series going here and the books keep getting better and better.  The town is a place I would like to live (well as long as I am not the one that ends of dead!) with its small town charm and friendly residents.  Although the Mayor leaves a lot to be desired, but you have to have some conflict otherwise the story wouldn’t be as interesting.

Once again I never suspected this character as being the killer.  I guess I should start looking at the least likely character but that isn’t always the right choice either!  I enjoyed meeting new characters in the town and hope to see more from them.  I also like the altruistic side of Jill and Jackie.  Hopefully it might also encourage a reader to reach out and donate some time to worthy causes in their own town.

Definitely a fun read and we give it 4 1/2 paws up!  (April and Gracie would like to set up a playdate with Emma – well April anyway, Gracie would just bark at her.)

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About the Author

CahoonUSA 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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Posted in fiction, Giveaway, Monday, mystery on October 27, 2014

Blue-Eyed Ruse - Book Jacket

 

Synopsis

“What a nightmare…” Jake says as one day bleeds into the next. Murders are happening all across the nation.. why”? Is this a series of freak isolated incidents or by design? Characters in this story cross paths… coincidence? Maybe or maybe not… this for the reader to determine…and decided whether to answer the S.O.S. call…

Brenda and Brad’s marriage had been dissolving over the years, but right before it completely evaporated the couple decided to give it one last shot. However, things took a turn for the worst when Brad committed suicide. Or was he murdered? Ginny explores the themes of money, marriage and murder in her new mystery novel, Blue-Eyed Ruse.

“[Brenda] sits there and wonders why all of this stuff is happening to her.  Why Brad?  Why now? They were just about to start the next part of their life together.”

The protagonist uncovers painful information about her late husband’s double life that make her feel as if she never really knew him at all. With the help of close friends, her faith and the motivation of her children, she finds the strength to continue her life despite her pain and feelings of betrayal. Through the novel, Ginny encourages her readers to remain hopeful no matter the circumstance and to find their inner strength during hard times.

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About the Author

Ginny Frings writing beside St. Louis ArchOn June 15, 2000, Ginny Frings survived a head-on car collision, when another driver was driving the wrong direction on the interstate evading police.  Her 13-month old twins were in the back seat. This experience inspired her to encourage others experiencing tough times. Her clients refer to her as the “Transformational Speaker” because she teaches her audiences how to learn from challenges and transform them into victories. Ginny is the author of the recently published Blue-Eyed Ruse. It is an inspirational book written about the pains and triumphs of a newly widowed mother, who discovers her late husband was not the man he said he was.

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Giveaway

The author is kindly giving away a print copy of her book, Blue Eyed Ruse.  Open to US residents only please

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