Murder by the Seashore (A California Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Crooked Lane Books (October 17, 2023)

 

 

Synopsis

 

Perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Ellery Adams, Scarlett Gardner’s dream was to open a bookshop in Southern California, but it soon becomes a nightmare when she finds the dead body of a customer—and becomes the prime suspect.

Southern California is where dreams come true—or so Scarlett Gardner thought. When she moved there and opened the Palm Trees and Page Turners bookshop, she thought her boyfriend and business partner would be part of the story. When he leaves her for a better job, Scarlett finds herself struggling to keep her new business afloat. That’s not the only thing she has to worry about—she discovers something underneath the pier by her bookshop that she didn’t outline for her life’s story: the dead body of a book-buying customer.

After Scarlett gives a statement to the police, she thinks her life can go back to business as usual. But when a lawyer representing someone named Lorelai Knight tells Scarlett that she now stands to inherit a small fortune, she’s left with more questions than answers. Before she can make sense of any of it, the police bring her in for questioning; the body she found was Lorelai Knight. And the evidence they have against Scarlett doesn’t look good. Business is booming as Scarlett returns to Palm Trees and Page Turners but for all the wrong reasons – curious tourists don’t want books, they want a glimpse of the Bookshop Killer.

Who could really be behind all of this? And why frame Scarlett? To clear her name, she’s going to have to get creative—and hope she can remain one page ahead of the killer.

 

 

 

 

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Review

 

This was a fun read for a new series. As with most first books, some rough edges will need to be worked out. Scarlett is likable, owns a bookstore (and who doesn’t dream of that?!), and has a good base of friends and family. However, when she stumbles across a body, her world turns upside down.

Like most cozies, Scarlett is suspected of doing the deed and has to solve the crime to clear her name. There isn’t a love interest that appears, but it is only the first book!

There are many red herrings thrown into the mix of this story. I suspected several characters because those were some of the clues or suspicious behavior exhibited by some of the characters. Some characters are cleared quickly, and when the real murderer is revealed, it is quite a surprise. It was not someone I suspected. However, it makes perfect sense once the reasons behind it are revealed.

The book felt like it moved at a slightly slower pace initially but picked up speed as it progressed. There are several characters to dislike, primarily the recent ex-boyfriend, Connor. He is not redeemed in the book. I wonder if we will see more of him in future books since I think he provides some tension in the story.

I really like Scarlett’s roommate, Lucia. She is whip-smart and manages to keep Scarlett out of too much trouble. I love how she relates everything to movies.

We give this new series 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Samara Yew is a cozy mystery author who writes about adorable bookshops and dead bodies. A full-time mom, full-time dog servant, and part-time writer, Samara lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she can often be found watching Psych reruns. Samara loves to travel, especially visiting her husband’s home country of Singapore or donning Mickey ears in Disneyland. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.

 

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PRINGLE PRAWN

 

by

 

Michael Scott Clifton

 

Contemporary Urban Fantasy / Fairies / Humor

Publisher: Book Liftoff

Date of Publication: September 19, 2023

Number of Pages: 310 pages

 

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Move over Tinker Bell. There’s a new fairy in town!

Ben’s luck is changing. He has his iconic VW bus, a hot, wealthy girlfriend, and he’s managed to buy an old fixer-upper in an upscale neighborhood—just the thing to convince his girlfriend’s influential father that he’s husband material. But his new home has a secret, and when Ben opens a mysterious grandfather clock, he finds himself dropped into a magical land. There he meets Pringle, a six-inch prawn with a supercharged attitude and a pouchful of fairy dust. She saves his life, and when Ben returns to his world, Pringle returns with him.

Pringle’s adjustment to the modern world is a hilarious series of incidents that completely disrupt Ben’s life. When Russian mobsters and a vengeful HOA president attempt to hijack Ben’s life, Pringle zooms to the rescue—a pinch here, a pinch there, nothing a little fairy dust can’t fix.

But it’s when Pringle begins to grow that things really get interesting, because as Pringle’s size increases, so do her feelings for Ben. Ultimately, Pringle must decide whether to return to her world—or follow her heart and stay with Ben.

 

 

 

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This fantasy novel was quite a surprise and a delight. This genre isn’t one of my go-to reads, but this author has a way of describing the worlds he builds in such detail that you feel like you are right there in the middle of the novel.

While primarily set in Tyler, Texas, there is an alternate world filled with magical creatures and prawns. What is a prawn, you might ask? It is the same as a fairy, or similar anyway. Pringle is a bit naive, but then, in her world, she doesn’t run into many issues that she can’t handle. However, being in our world, everything is new, and she has so many questions. I could only imagine Ben’s frustrations at having to describe anything and everything. What might be second nature to us is a whole new experience to this prawn. I don’t know how to get into her love for sugar and devouring several bags. I can only imagine Ben’s reaction upon discovering what she had done.

I was drawn into this story, rooting for Ben and Pringle, and on edge regarding the trafficking part of the novel. This isn’t a trigger for me, but I was concerned how it was going to be resolved in a safe manner for everyone. I loved the resolution and Pringle’s part.

There were so many witty moments that had me laughing out loud. I didn’t expect the level of humor I found, which was quite refreshing. There is even the “Karen” of the HOA who lives next door to the house Ben purchased. Some situations with her will make you question living in an HOA, but humorous at the same time. You can thank Pringle’s magic for those scenes.

Several supporting characters, including Archie, an eccentric millionaire, and Hank, the antique store owner, are worth mentioning. These two take everything in stride, which is also an adventure for them. I love the friendship that develops between these three men.

I have to admit that I didn’t want the story to end. While the story does have a complete ending, there is more than I wanted to know. However, I won’t ask my questions here since some of that could give away the ending.

This is an amazing story, and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multi-award-winning author Michael Scott Clifton lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas, with his wife, Melanie. An avid gardener, rapacious reader, and movie junkie, his books contain facets of all the genres he enjoys—action, adventure, magic, fantasy, and romance. His fantasy novels, The Janus Witch, and the Conquest of the Veil series, (The Open Portal, Escape from Wheel, A Witch’s Brew, and Cavern of the Veil Queen) all received 5-Stars from the prestigious Readers Favorite Book Reviews. The Open Portal has been honored with a Feathered Quill Book Finalist Award. In addition, his YA novel Edison Jones and The Anti-Grav Elevator received a Feathered Quill Book Award Bronze Medal. Two of his short stories have earned Gold Medals, with “Edges of Gray” winning the Texas Authors Contest, and “The End Game” winning the Northeast Texas Writer’s Organization Contest. Professional credits include published articles in the Texas Study of Secondary Education Magazine.

 

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1st Prize: autographed copy of Pringle Prawn + $10 Amazon gift card

 

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10/10/23	The Book’s Delight	Review
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10/12/23	Reading by Moonlight	Review
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10/13/23	Bibliotica	Review
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10/14/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	Review
10/15/23	The Real World According to Sam	Review
10/16/23	It’s Not All Gravy	Review
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10/18/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review
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Synopsis

 

On a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a dangerous new hallucinogen and die in a horrific accident, their deaths shattering the quiet town. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, hoping to redeem a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the district investigation of how students are getting the drugs. Almost before he begins, the cops make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real pusher is still out there, poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous if he continues, those close to him will pay. Is Parks willing to risk those he loves for a chance at redemption?

 

 

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Review

 

This mystery, set in 1995, took me back to a simpler time (no electronics outside of email) and a mystery that had me scratching my head.

Ken Parks is a school administrator who goes the extra mile for the schools he oversees. The tragic deaths of four young men throw him into the fire of seeking out the truth. There are many twists and turns, and I have to be honest, I was a bit surprised when all was revealed. But even at that point, the twists don’t stop.

The story does move at a slower pace than I would have expected. There is a lot of information to sort through, and because it is set in 1995, the methods to uncover the truth and details take a bit longer. There is no searching the internet for facts.

There are many potential suspects. Some are red herrings, others are involved in the situation. While I wanted a few characters to be guilty, they either weren’t or were guilty of something far less serious.

There is a side story regarding Ken’s wife, Amanda. She isn’t happy anymore in their relationship because Ken’s job seems to take up a lot of time. Instead of working through it with him, she decides to have an affair. I am not sure how I feel about this development, but I can understand her frustration. Not to say that Ken wasn’t without his faults, but I think blame could be laid at both of their feet.

Overall, this story was enjoyable, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

From the bend, the road descended quickly and Amanda felt the car picking up speed as gravity and its powerful engine propelled it downhill. As she approached the next turn, she realized she was coming in a little too fast. She slid her foot to the brake. Her concentration on steering the twisting road ahead, at first it didn’t register. She dared to take her gaze off the road and look down at her feet before she understood. When her right foot depressed the brake, the pedal glided all the way to the floor. No friction. She pulled her foot back and slammed on the brake again. The pedal slid all the way down. Unbelieving, she pumped it, again and again.

There was nothing there.

She jerked her eyes back. The hairpin turn hurtled at her. On instinct, she kept jamming on the pedal. It was supposed to work. She turned the wheel wildly. The big car shuddered as it tried to negotiate the turn. The two rear wheels slipped off the pavement, spinning in space. With the front wheel drive, the front two tires managed enough traction to catch. The car veered around the curve and headed down the next straight incline. The heavy vehicle rolled faster again as gravity pulled it down the hill.

Amanda’s mind reeled. What was she supposed to do?

Struggling desperately to force her mind to think, Amanda tried to consider her options. It was all happening too quickly. The next treacherous turn came at her fast. She had no way to slow down. White knuckles gripped the steering wheel.

The bend ahead showed a hard curve to the right, not quite as tight as the last one, but steeper. And she felt the car accelerating, though she hadn’t touched the gas pedal. Right before the car hit the curve, Amanda spun the steering wheel. The car lurched around the bend. The driver side of the car lifted up. Halfway through the long bend, Amanda watched the hood tilt in the turn until it was almost vertical. No seat belt on, she was catapulted down the leather seat, crashing into the passenger door.

“Hell!” she cried, reaching to grab her bruised shoulder.

She froze as the two wheels still on the ground shuddered in the gravel, sliding off the small road. Slammed against the side door, she heard the tall weeds and low branches whip against the body. But the car didn’t slow. Blood streamed from a gash on her forehead. For an instant she lay there stretched across the passenger door, holding her breath.

Then she sensed the car teetering. The front tire bumped something hard. Amanda stared, unbelieving, as the car began to flip. As the Regal made the first revolution, she screamed.

 

 

About the Author

 

Dr. Randy Overbeck is a best-selling author of the award-winning series The Haunted Shores Mysteries, the three entries earning such national awards as the Gold Award from Literary Titan, Mystery of the Year from ReaderViews, Best Book from Chanticleer and Crowned Heart of Excellence from InD’tale Magazine. He hosts a new podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which reveals the unusual backstories of famous authors, directors, and poets. He is also a speaker in much demand, sharing his multi-media presentations, “Thanks Still Go Bump in the Night” and “A Few Favorite Haunts,” with audiences all over the country.

 

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DEAD BY PROXY

 

Proxy Legal Thriller Series, Book 1

 

by

 

Manning Wolfe

 

Legal Thriller / Suspense / Action

Publisher: Starpath Books, LLC

Date of Publication: September 15, 2023

Number of Pages: 324 pages

 

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In this lawyer-on-the-run suspense drama, attorney Quinton Bell loses the trial of his career, and possibly his life.

Dead By Proxy takes you on a heart-pounding journey through the life of a criminal defense attorney whose world is wiped out. When Quinton loses a career-defining case, he finds himself being hunted by the very client he tried to save.

As Quinton navigates the treacherous path of survival, he is running from a powerful and relentless adversary who will stop at nothing to see him silenced. Finally landing in Houston, he hides in plain sight while re-inventing his new life as a trial lawyer.

When he’s forced to take on a high-profile murder case, he exposes himself and those he loves to danger. With each passing moment, the noose tightens, and he must draw on every ounce of wit to outsmart those who still want him dead.

Will Quinton Bell find a way out, or will he forever be a target in a deadly game of cat and mouse?

Dead By Proxy is the first book in the edgy Proxy Legal Thriller Series. If you like memorable characters, smart gritty action, and jaw-dropping twists, then you’ll love Manning Wolfe’s fast-paced page-turner.

 

 

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Praise

 

“A riveting read that expertly teams courtroom drama and legal maneuvering with imminent danger, spine-tingling suspense, a touch of romance, and non-stop action. Talk about an adrenaline rush!” – Reedsy

“Manning Wolfe just put herself on my list of must-read authors!” – John Ellsworth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many plot twists and turns to keep you engaged and wondering what could possibly happen next.

I love a good suspense/thriller novel, and this book delivers. We meet Byron Douglas, who has found himself on the wrong side of the Irish Mafia in New York and has to escape to Texas to try and disappear into the population and potentially save his life. What he doesn’t expect is for his old friend’s father to help him disappear. Judge Bell arranges for Byron to assume his son’s life, who is presumed dead. What unfolds is a twisty tale that reveals the underbelly of the criminal world and what lengths some will go to to avoid jail.

Byron is a likable character and has morals for a lawyer. Not that lawyers don’t have morals or a conscience, but there are some that do not. I appreciated that he didn’t like everything as it unfolded, but he knew if he didn’t assume this other identity, he could be discovered and killed rather quickly. Not that it was a foolproof plan, but it was better than nothing. I wondered how events would play out for him in the long run. What evolves was surprising, and while I might have suspected part of the plot twist, most of it was a surprise.

The action is fast-paced, the characters are varied, and the courtroom scenes are detailed. While I am not a lawyer (nor have I played one anywhere!), I felt like I had a grasp on the process from the descriptions the author laid out for us. I am intrigued by this series, and I wonder if Byron, now Quinton, will struggle with his choices and identity from now on. There are so many revelations at the end of the book, and I can’t imagine how I would handle it if I were in his shoes.

While this book does wrap up the situation that Byron/Quinton finds himself in, there is a bit of a cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more from this author sooner rather than later. But it looks like you will only have to wait until January for the next in this series.

I stayed up way too late reading this book (the joy, or curse, of insomnia) and gave it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manning Wolfe, an award-winning author and attorney, writes cinematic-style, smart, fast-paced thrillers and crime fiction. Manning was recently featured on Oxygen TV’s: Accident, Suicide, or Murder, and has spoken at major book festivals around the world.

Manning’s legal thriller series, featuring Austin attorney Merit Bridges, includes Dollar Signs, Music Notes, Green Fees, and Chinese Wall.

Manning’s new Proxy Legal Thrillers Series, featuring Houston attorney Quinton Bell, includes Dead by Proxy, Hunted by Proxy, and Alive by Proxy.

Manning is co-author of Killer Set: Drop the Mic, and twelve additional Bullet Books Speed Reads.

As a graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, Manning’s experience has given her a voyeur’s peek into some shady characters’ lives and a front-row seat to watch the good people who stand against them.

 

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Synopsis

 

A young widow. A gentle stable master. A secret that could change everything. Will Nora dare risk her heart?

The London Countryside, 1820

Eleanora Coventry comes from a life of title and privilege, but even that isn’t enough to prevent her from being wed at sixteen to a controlling and dismissive husband. So when she finds herself a widow at only twenty-seven, the idea of choosing her own path forward both thrills and terrifies her. She knows how to be a daughter and a wife and mother, but she has no idea how to be Eleanora.

She moves her son and daughter to her late husband’s country estate, where she meets Ridley, the young stable master. He is ruggedly handsome, but also kind, and Eleanora finds herself drawn to him. There is only one problem: Eleanora has a title, and Ridley does not.

Ridley Ellis has a way with horses. Even the most spirited stallions trust his soft voice and gentle touch. He has the same effect on people, and when he first lays eyes on Eleanora, he is smitten by her beauty. But he quickly discovers it will take more than soft words to gain her trust—Lord Coventry had been cruel to people and animals alike. But the closer he gets to Eleanora, the more he is willing to share his heart, and more importantly, his secret.

In a world where title and privilege mean everything, will Eleanora and Ridley risk it all to find happiness? Or will the shadows of their pasts destroy everything they hope to build together?

 

 

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Review

 

Reading a book such as this, set in the Regency era, makes me very glad I didn’t live in that time period! Women were treated like property and had no rights. That was the case for Nora. She was married to a much older man at 16, and it was not a happy marriage. He treated her like dirt and wasn’t happy with the one child that they had together. He basically forced her to accept his illegitimate daughter as her own. Now, this was actually a good thing for both Nora and the young lady because she had lost her mother, and Nora filled that role. It took time for them to create a bond, but it did happen.

The new baron, Nora’s son, is a spoiled brat. I am not sure of his age, but I assume 10-12. But his arrogance and attitude are more than one would expect for someone that young. It is also hard to know if he picked up these traits at boarding school or if his father poisoned him against his mother. Or possibly both. Luckily, Ridley is able to put him on the right path over time. Ridley is a positive influence in all of their lives. But he has a secret, one that can be sussed out before it is revealed, but it was still an interesting twist.

I enjoyed watching Nora and Ridley interact and restrain their attraction to one another as much as they could. This is the Regency era, so they had to be proper. While I suspected the ending, there were some events that could have thrown a monkey wrench into the blossoming relationship.

There are several nefarious characters that I wanted to chuck out a window. While I suspected some of it, I wasn’t sure how the situation would be resolved. In all of the instances, they were handled properly.

There are some obvious errors regarding the titling of the children. The illegitimate daughter would not be called Baroness unless her brother died and she became the heir. And then, because she is illegitimate, would she be recognized? But outside of some minor errors, the story was enjoyable.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Julie Wright started her first book when she was fifteen. She’s written over a dozen books since then, is a Whitney Award winner, and feels she’s finally getting the hang of this writing gig. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves reading, eating writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch movies. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner. She hates mayonnaise but has a healthy respect for ice cream.

 

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The story of Kneaders Bakery and Cafe began with Colleen and Gary Worthington baking traditional European bread in their kitchen. After mastering old-world bread-baking techniques and testing countless recipes, Colleen, Gary, and their growing team of bakers moved onto their signature artisan bread.

But bread is just the beginning. Kneaders is well-known for their mouth-watering soups, sandwiches, and breakfast as well as their delectable pies, cakes, and pastries. For the first time, home cooks have access to popular recipes such as Overnight Chunky Cinnamon French Toast, Artichoke Portobello Soup, and Blueberry Sour Cream Pie. Beautiful and appetizing photos accompany each recipe.

What began in Colleen Worthington’s kitchen a little more than twenty-five years ago has grown into a successful family-owned bakery and cafe business with time-tested, delicious recipes gathered in this one-of-a-kind cookbook.

 

 

 

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Review

 

I have to admit that I have never heard of Kneaders Bakery and Cafe, but that is only because they do not have a location in my part of Texas. I did discover they have locations in San Antonio, so next time I am in that neck of the woods I plan to check them out.

I am a sucker for a cookbook with a multitude of breakfast options, along with soups and sandwiches. I tend to get in a rut when it comes to sandwiches, so I always like a little inspiration. There are also several french toast recipes that I know my family would enjoy, so that will have to be a weekend treat. While I can’t get their bread here to make some of the recipes, any good thick bread should work, depending on the recipe.

A fun recipe in the cookie section is the Gingerbread Mummy Cookies. This is a twist on a gingerbread cookie where the icing makes them look like a mummy. Great for the Halloween holiday. There is even one called a Spider Cookie that you might recognize as a different name, Haystacks.

Outside of the multitude of dishes, the family shares their story and history. I enjoyed learning about the family behind Kneaders, their hopes, dreams, and history. There are stories sprinkle throughout with the recipes too. It is more than just a cookbook; it is a story of the family, their dreams and their struggles.

This is one cookbook that will used quite often for gatherings with friends and family.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

More than twenty-five years ago, Colleen Worthington rolled up her sleeves and built a baking empire out of her own kitchen, which provided a place for her kids to learn hard work, dedication, and creativity.

Together with her husband, Gary, the Worthingtons pursued their interest in scratch-made artisan breads by training at both the American Institute of Baking and San Francisco Baking Institute. They worked closely with Lehi Roller Mills to develop an exclusive flour mixture and located an ideal, traditional Italian hearth-stone oven. Their first bakery opened in Orem, Utah, in 1997, where they served European hearth breads. Within a few months, they expanded to offer a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. The café also sells a variety of home and seasonal décor.

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Six years after emerging from a fountain of youth, siblings Bill, Paul, and Annie Carpenter, time travelers from 2022, make their way in 1911.

In New York, Bill and wife Cassie finish a year as educators and struggle to start a family, while Annie tries her hand as a society reporter. In Arizona, Paul and Andy Lee, sergeants and brothers-in-law, attempt to keep the Mexican Revolution from spilling across the border.

For all, life marches on. Then the soldiers receive new orders, Paul and Annie meet alluring strangers, and the family’s fortunes take dramatic turns.

In ANNIE’S APPLE, the sweeping sequel to THE FOUNTAIN, five young adults find love, danger, and adventure in the age of factory fires, high society, and the sinking of the Titanic.

 

 

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Review

 

This is one of my favorite authors who writes time travel novels. The details are well researched when it comes to actual events, and it feels like you might be there with the characters.

This is the second in this series, and it primarily focuses on Annie’s life. There is a lot with Paul as well, but it is really Annie’s turn to shine. She is 20 but quite a pistol. This shouldn’t be very surprising since she is really much older and is living her life over. However, she has found a position that is something she is familiar with, journalism. Granted, back then, it was more about writing the society column, but it immerses her in a world that she may have never considered before.

In the early 1900s, women didn’t wait long to get married and start a family, and Annie’s desire was no different. Her problem? Her crush was more interested in the military than starting a life with her. I can see both sides of this issue. Annie is ready to move forward with Andy, but he has a strong desire to see more action in the military. Considering WWI is not far off, he could get more than he bargained for, but only time will tell. Andy isn’t the only one interested in Annie; there is also Charlie Rusk. Charlie is from a society family and meets Annie by chance. But it isn’t a moment he would change for the world, but will Annie come round, or will her love for Andy hold her back?

Paul is a major character but a minor one at the same time. He meets a young woman who catches his eye, but there is more to her story than meets the eye. If you read the book, you will most likely figure out what it is, but I won’t spoil it for you. Will this young woman help him move past his love for Pauline? Maybe!

I have always appreciated the historical detail in Heldt’s novels. In this novel, we have the incident with the Titanic and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. I wasn’t as familiar with the second as the first, but I appreciated the details that made me feel like I was there. There was a comment in the book from Bill about how the Titanic incident created new regulations for cruise ships. The same happened with the fire, but it wasn’t as detailed in the book.

The book, while primarily positive, does have some issues that arise for the characters to add some depth to the story. Sadly, I can’t tell you about them because it would give away some of the story. So just pick up the book and read it!

This book did seem to move at a slower pace than other books by this author. This is not a bad thing, but it took me longer to read than normal. I still enjoyed the book and following along. I can’t wait for the last book in this trilogy to see what happens to this family.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

John A. Heldt is a reference librarian and the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage time-travel series. The former award-winning sportswriter and newspaper editor has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports on baseball heroes in grade school. A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, he is an avid fisherman, sports fan, home brewer, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. When not sending contemporary characters to the not-so-distant past, he weighs in on literature and life on his blog.

 

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Joy to the Wool (Clear Creek Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Independently Published (October 5, 2023)
Number of Pages: 254

 

Synopsis

 

All dressed up for the holidays, Clear Creek looks like it’s right out of a storybook. But the decorations aren’t just for fun. The tiny Rocky Mountain town is hosting a Christmas Festival sure to be used as a pattern for years.

While Jemma is busy with the Cozy Tree — a place visitors can buy hand-knitted hats and scarves to donate to people in need — Granny is busy taking bets on which day of the event Jemma will find a body. But to everyone’s surprise, this time Granny’s the one who makes the discovery!

Choosing to put her relationship with Brandon first, Jemma agrees to steer clear of the investigation. But Granny’s determination to solve the crime lands Jemma the impossible job of keeping the spunky old lady out of trouble, and breaking and entering is just the beginning of their adventure.

When the Cozy Tree is vandalized, it becomes obvious the pair is making someone nervous. Can Jemma and Granny knit up the investigation before Santa climbs in his sleigh?

 

 

Amazon

 

This book releases 10/5, preorder today!

 

 

Review

 

This is a fun series! I like this small town setting in the mountainous area of Colorado. The characters are interesting, and Granny will keep you on her toes with her betting on every little thing and trying to solve this case before the sheriff.

In this installment, we get to meet Jemma’s mother, Daphne, or Daffy as she calls her. However, her mother has ulterior motives for her visit to this town; she is trying to set Jemma up with someone she thinks would be suitable for Jemma. What Daffy doesn’t realize is that her ideology and feelings are not the same as her daughter’s. She is not the loving mother who wants to spend time with her; she is more concerned with images and getting back to her life. I think by the end of the book, Daffy does start to realize that maybe Jemma is where she needs to be, and it is ok that she has a different mindset.

Regarding the mystery, I liked that Jemma really does try and stay out of it and not try and solve the case. She does get pulled in because she is really good at asking questions to the right people, but she is not aggressively trying to suss out the killer. That would be Granny, who is one hot mess. The clues are there to figure out the killer, but they are hidden. You will have to put on your thinking cap for this one.

I really liked the idea of the Cozy Tree at the festival and having people buy hats to donate to local charities. I thought it was ingenious that someone suggested raising money by having people pay for the privilege of knitting one of the hats. That was smart!

There is a surprise ending that I was not expecting. It made me very happy and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

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

 

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Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Sweethearts Eric Leidheldt and Desiree Chauveau are spending a weekend at his uncle’s cabin when they encounter two strangers cutting wood. Eric is knocked unconscious, and Desi is viciously attacked. The following day two police officers come to their apartment to arrest Desi. Her assailants are dead, murdered with an axe, and her fingerprints are on it. She confesses—but is she really guilty? Eric is determined to stand by her, but the physical and emotional effects of the attack severely challenge their relationship.

 

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N

 

 

Review

 

This was quite an intriguing mystery novella. Not everything is as straightforward as you might expect as you are reading this book. Did Desi kill these men? Logically, the answer is no, but she has confessed, and sometimes people can do some amazing things when under pressure and have heightened adrenaline running through their systems.

This is a story that could be expanded so that we get to know and understand Eric and Desi more deeply. But that does not take away from trying to piece together the pieces and what actually happened at that cabin. I’d love to know the “why” behind why they were attacked up there; that is the only question that didn’t seem to be answered. Maybe these men were just scumbags.

We also lived through Desi’s trauma and her coming to terms with what happened to her. It was also a reflection of how strong their relationship was or wasn’t. There were secrets that came out about Desi’s past that put a new light on the events that followed.

I really enjoyed this book, and it is perfect when you have a shorter amount of time and don’t want to have to put the book down!

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Growing up in San Diego, California, I developed a passion for the printed word with my very first Dick and Jane reader and knew I wanted to be a “book maker” when I grew up. I wrote my first story, “Judy and the Fairies,” when I was six and never stopped. My love of books also led me to an MLS degree from UCLA and a career as a reference and collection development librarian at the San Diego Public Library. Retirement allowed me to put writing front and center. I’ve had twenty-three stories published in literary journals, and The Axe is my seventh book from the Wild Press.

 

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THE COLDEST WINTER I EVER SPENT

 

by

 

Ann Jacobus

 

YA / Contemporary / Suicide & Family Issues

 

Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab

 

Date of Publication: March 7, 2023

 

Number of Pages: 352 pages

 

Audiobook: 9 hours, 11 minutes

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Eighteen-year-old Del is in a healthier place than she was a year and a half ago: She’s sober, getting treatment for her depression and anxiety, working in her Aunt Fran’s San Francisco art gallery, and volunteering at a suicide-prevention hotline. Her own suicide attempt is in the past and living with her beloved aunt has helped her see a future for herself.

But when Aunt Fran is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Del’s equilibrium is shattered. She struggles to help care for her aunt—while also dealing with a crush, her looming first semester at college, and her shifts at the crisis line. After Aunt Fran asks for her help with a mind-boggling final request, Del must confront her own demons and rethink everything she thought she knew about life and death.

 

 

 

Bookshop.org │Amazon │ Indiebound

 

B&N │ Books-A-Million

 

 

 

 

This book sent me on an emotional roller coaster. There is so much to unpack in this book, not to mention how it might impact the reader.

Death is never an easy subject, and this book has it in spades. Between Del working as a volunteer at the Suicide Prevention line, her Aunt Fran battling cancer, and even Del’s own rocky past, I felt like the weight of the world was on Del’s shoulders, and the struggle was real. I appreciated the work that Del was doing to manage her issues while helping Fran in the last stages of her life. For someone who is only 18, she handled everything remarkably well. Or as well as could be expected. She wasn’t perfect, but then who is? But she learned a lot about herself and what she could handle being thrown at her.

While I admired Del for making strides in her life, I was very disappointed in her father. He avoided the situation with Fran, his sister, until the very last minute. But it was his way of coping with losing someone that he cared about. It is a message to us to not avoid the hard things in life and to do the uncomfortable no matter how hard it is.

There is a bright side, and that is Nick. While the relationship and interactions between Del and Nick are not always smooth and happy, it does provide real-world experiences for Del and how to handle the ups and downs without giving in to her past addictions. I loved the addition of Noor, his service dog. But then, I am a sucker for dogs in any capacity.

The book addresses an important topic, dying with dignity. At the time of this book, California was not a state that allowed this, but they are now. This is a very controversial topic, but it is an important one.

This book was an emotional one for me near the end as Fran entered her last days. It reminded me of losing my father, so the tears were flowing. It was cathartic, and I could feel for Del and all she was experiencing at that point.

While the book has trigger issues, if that does not impact you, pick up this book. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann Jacobus is the author of YA novels The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent and Romancing the Dark in the City of Light. She earned an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has published articles, essays, short fiction, and poems. She teaches writing and presents at workshops and conferences. A former suicide crisis line counselor, she’s a mental health advocate and speaks to teens about writing and suicide prevention both. Born in Texas and a life-long Tex-Mex addict, she and her family divide their time between California and Massachusetts.

 

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

TWO WINNERS:

 

Each receives a signed hardcover copy + San Francisco swag

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 10/6/23)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

or visit the blogs directly:

 

09/26/23	StoreyBook Reviews	Review
09/26/23	Hall Ways Blog	BONUS Stop
09/27/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	Audiobook Review
09/27/23	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
09/28/23	Forgotten Winds	Excerpt
09/29/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review
09/30/23	Shelf Life Blog	Author Interview
10/01/23	Bibliotica	Playlist
10/02/23	Chapter Break Book Blog	Audiobook Review
10/03/23	Book Fidelity	Deleted Scene
10/04/23	The Real World According to Sam	Review
10/05/23	Jennie Reads	Review

 

 

 

 

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