Synopsis

 

Nina de Gramont’s The Christie Affair is a beguiling novel of star-crossed lovers, heartbreak, revenge, and murder—and a brilliant re-imagination of one of the most talked-about unsolved mysteries of the twentieth century.

Every story has its secrets.
Every mystery has its motives.

“A long time ago, in another country, I nearly killed a woman. It’s a particular feeling, the urge to murder. It takes over your body so completely, it’s like a divine force, grabbing hold of your will, your limbs, your psyche. There’s a joy to it. In retrospect, it’s frightening, but I daresay in the moment it feels sweet. The way justice feels sweet.”

The greatest mystery wasn’t Agatha Christie’s disappearance in those eleven infamous days, it’s what she discovered.

London, 1925: In a world of townhomes and tennis matches, socialites and shooting parties, Miss Nan O’Dea became Archie Christie’s mistress, luring him away from his devoted and well-known wife, Agatha Christie.

The question is, why? Why destroy another woman’s marriage, why hatch a plot years in the making, and why murder? How was Nan O’Dea so intricately tied to those eleven mysterious days that Agatha Christie went missing?

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

What really happened to Agatha Christie when she went missing for those 11 days?

While I have read some of Agatha Christie’s novels over the years, I will admit that I didn’t know much about her personal life. While this is a fictionalized telling of what happened during those eleven days, it was fascinating to imagine the dynamics of the relationship between the Christie’s and how this mistress came into their lives and destroyed their marriage. While mostly told from Nan O’Dea’s POV, there are some chapters that are told to us from Agatha’s POV and also the detective that found her quite by chance.

We learn a lot about Nan and her childhood and the first love of her life. There are some other things that come about that add complexity to the story and the reason why Nan did what she did to get to know this family. While I probably should have seen it coming, it was a bit of a surprise.

I found that the multiple POV added depth to the story and kept me intrigued as to why this story was playing out as it was for the characters. Did some of this happen? Perhaps.

You will also find that the chapters jump around in time but it is important to understand Nan’s motivation for her actions.

This was a surprisingly delightful story and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Nina de Gramont is the author of a collection of short stories, Of Cats and Men, as well as the novels Gossip of the Starlings and The Last September. She has written several YA novels (Every Little Thing in the World, Meet Me at the River, The Boy I Love, and — under the pen name Marina Gessner — The Distance From Me to You). Nina teaches creative writing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She lives in coastal North Carolina with her daughter and her husband, the writer David Gessner.

 

Website * Twitter * Instagram

 

 

Synopsis

 

January Cole’s job just got a whole lot harder.

Not that running security at the Paradox was ever really easy. Nothing’s simple at a hotel where the ultra-wealthy tourists arrive costumed for a dozen different time periods, all eagerly waiting to catch their “flights” to the past.

Or where proximity to the timeport makes the clocks run backward on occasion—and, rumor has it, allows ghosts to stroll the halls.

None of that compares to the corpse in room 526. The one that seems to be both there and not there. The one that somehow only January can see.

On top of that, some very important new guests have just checked in. Because the U.S. government is about to privatize time-travel technology—and the world’s most powerful people are on hand to stake their claims.

January is sure the timing isn’t a coincidence. Neither are those “accidents” that start stalking their bidders.

There’s a reason January can glimpse what others can’t. A reason why she’s the only one who can catch a killer who’s operating invisibly and in plain sight, all at once.

But her ability is also destroying her grip on reality—and as her past, present, and future collide, she finds herself confronting not just the hotel’s dark secrets but her own.

At once a dazzlingly time-twisting murder mystery and a story about grief, memory, and what it means to—literally—come face-to-face with our ghosts, The Paradox Hotel is another unforgettable speculative thrill ride from acclaimed author Rob Hart.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookshop

 

This book releases 2/22/22

 

 

Review

 

This book packs a lot into the pages with a diverse character group, addressing issues we see today, and even a little bit of a mystery thrown in to boot.

This book is not one that you will sail through because of the complexity of the plot and the vast amount of characters. However, it is well worth the read especially if you like science fiction and fantasy rolled into one.

January Cole is a whipsmart character that isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. Accompanied by a robot/drone that helps keep her in check, these two make the story quite fascinating. They play off of each other and the snarky comments add levity to the situations at hand. January does have an advantage, or perhaps disadvantage, as an Unstuck person. She can see snippets of things to come which aids her in doing her job and what to look for, but at the same time, it hinders her because of the prejudice from those around her.

This story delves into time travel and what it might be like to travel back in time to a historic event and watch it live. Granted, the TEA has to watch out for those that might be trying to alter history or profit for themselves. There is a scene where 3 dinosaurs are caught running around the hotel and the story of how they arrived in the present only adds to the mystery of what is going on at the hotel.

As I mentioned, the characters are diverse and range from LGBTQ+, nonbinary (which is still hard for me to get used to They/Them and not expect it to refer to a group of people vs just one), entitled wealthy individuals, and even some down to earth characters. Each adds something to the storyline even as a minor character.

The mystery comes in trying to find out who is erasing video and other data files, who might be trying to kill some of the super-wealthy, and just creating general havoc that keeps January and the rest of the staff on their toes.

I enjoyed the book and while it might not be for everyone, I think many might just enjoy this book. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Rob Hart is the author of THE PARADOX HOTEL. He also wrote THE WAREHOUSE, which has been sold in more than 20 countries and been optioned for film by Ron Howard, as well as the Ash McKenna crime series, the short story collection TAKE-OUT, and SCOTT FREE with James Patterson.

His short stories have been published widely, including “Due on Batuu,” set in the Star Wars universe, which appeared in FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and “Take-Out,” which appeared in BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES 2018.

He’s worked as a political reporter, the communications director for a politician, and a commissioner for the city of New York. He is the former publisher at MysteriousPress.com and the current class director at LitReactor. He lives in New York City.

 

Website * Twitter * Goodreads * Facebook * Instagram

 

 

 

 

A Killer Sundae (An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Berkley (January 4, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Ice cream shop owner Bronwyn Crewse is in for two scoops of murder in this charming mystery from Abby Collette.

 

Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is gorgeous in the fall, and Bronwyn Crewse, owner of Crewse Creamery, knows just how to welcome the new season. At the annual Harvest Time Festival, residents will get a chance to enjoy hot-air balloons and hayrides, crown a new Harvest Time Festival Queen, and eat delicious frozen treats sold at Win’s freshly purchased ice cream truck. But she gets into a sprinkle of trouble when a festivalgoer is poisoned and Win is implicated.

Although the victim was a former Harvest Time Festival Queen, her once-sunny disposition had dimmed into bitterness, leaving no shortage of suspects at the festival. To clear her name before the chill of winter sets in, Win will have to investigate and hope that her detective skills won’t “dessert” her.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Google Play

 

IndieBound *  Alibris * Penguin Random House

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Abby L. Vandiver, also writing as Abby Collette, is a hybrid author who has penned more than twenty-five books and short stories. She has hit both the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller list. Books one and two, A Deadly Inside Scoop and A Game of Cones, from her latest cozy series, An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery, published by Penguin Berkley, is out now.

 

Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Twitter

 

 

Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Bree Thompson has suffered a tragic loss, one from which she’s afraid she won’t recover. Bree needs a drastic change; so that every time she turns around it doesn’t remind her of what she once had.

She drives to the east coast, determined to find what she thinks she needs in the sun and the sand.

Bree starts to believe it’s possible; she finds the perfect house on the water and a construction crew for her fixer-upper. One of them might even be able to mend her broken heart.

But that’s when the trouble starts…

Watching, waiting, someone’s lurking in the shadows to take it all.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

This book combines the best of a mystery, thriller, and romantic suspense novel which are all some of my favorite reads.

Bree is a broken woman having lost her family in a tragic accident. She is wary of others and this puts her at a disadvantage at times when it comes to potential relationships. Ryker has his own set of issues but falls for Bree almost immediately when she punches him after thinking he might be there to harm her. Not the best first meeting! But that event was a good basis for them to get to know each other over time and learn to trust each other. Of course, neither expected to have to deal with a stalker that wants back whatever Bree took from him.

The book starts off from the stalker’s POV and it sets the reader up for an intense read. We don’t know who this person is or why they have it in for Bree, and it will take until nearly the 2/3 mark to really get that answer, and even then, we still don’t know who it is just why they want to harm Bree. I did suspect the correct character for no specific reason but almost changed my mind and thought it might be another character, but it really didn’t fit. It may (or may not) be hard to determine whom to suspect because until closer to the end of the book, the stalker could have been someone we hadn’t met yet. So many possibilities.

I enjoyed the pace of the relationship that developed between Bree and Ryker. It wasn’t quick and allowed them to get to know one another better before becoming intimate. It was better that it developed slowly because of Bree’s baggage and Ryker’s playboy attitude.

I love the descriptions of Bree’s photographs because I could picture them in my mind. I loved how the author describes how she alters the photos to bring things more into focus, or blur the lines of other aspects of the image. I am amazed at what we can do with technology these days.

I really enjoyed this novel and it was hard to put down, I just had to know how the events were going to play out, find out if I was correct in my suspicions, and wonder if Ryker was going to remember he installed a certain app on Bree’s phone just in case. (you’ll have to read the book to discover what app I am referring to!)

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Melissa Roos was born and raised in Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University. She lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Melissa published her first book, a cozy mystery/romantic suspense in 2020, titled You Can Hide. Her second novel, In the Shadow of the Black Moon, is also in the same genre and was released in September of 2021.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram

 

 

THE SPARROWS OF MONTENEGRO

 

by

 

BJ MAYO

 

 

Categories: Western / Historical Fiction / Texas

Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

Date of Publication: February 8, 2022

Number of Pages: 312 pages

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Tree “Bigfoot” Smith and Cedar Jones first meet on the day they join the US Cavalry’s Fourth Cavalry Regiment based out of the Historic Fort Concho in what is now San Angelo, Texas, in 1870.

Their journey takes them into the heart of the dangerous Llano Estacado region known as the Comancheria. The area is ruthlessly defended by a band of Quahadi Comanche and their stoic leader, Lonely Horse. The Troop encounters a large group of Comanches and the gun-running Comancheros at Mushaway Mountain, close to Gail, Texas. A quick battle ensues that leaves eight men dead.

Post Cavalry life finds Tree Smith and Cedar Jones as cowhand and cook on the large Rolling J cattle ranch in South Texas bordering the Rio Grande River. The ranch employs two Vaqueros from the village of Montenegro in Mexico, just across the river, whom Tree befriends.

The quiet life on the Rolling J ranch is brought to an abrupt halt when a local sheriff warns that a band led by the cold-blooded, sadistic killer known as Gato Montes has been preying on the ranches along the Rio Grande. After the sheriff is nearly killed by these men, Tree is tasked with tracking them down, only this time, he is traveling alone and the dangers are greatly multiplied. His epic journey takes him back into the Llano Estacado where he is captured by Lonely Horse and taken to Mushaway Mountain where the Comanche carry out their own form of frontier justice.

Tree’s return journey puts him on the same path as Marco, a Mexican goat herder, who rides with him to the Mexican Village of Montenegro, where Tree meets Julia, who changes his life forever after he becomes involved in and bears witness to the wonderful celebration of Dia de los Muertos.

 

 

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Simon and Schuster

 

Bookshop.org * IndieBound

 

 

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

 

“I could not put this one down. Mayo has masterfully written a character-driven page-turner, a compelling tale for the reader who seeks something more than the stereotypical western novel.” —Ron Schwab, author of Goldsmith and the Law Wranglers series

 

“This mild-mannered west Texas rancher has woven a border tapestry using yarns made of unimaginable horror and sweet innocence.” —Tumbleweed Smith, author of Under the Chinaberry Tree

 

“A thoroughly enjoyable read—a cowboy’s trail you’ll want to follow, with a memorable cast of characters, renegades, soldiers, lawmen, and simple folks, and a hero that you’ll want more of.” —John J. Jacobson, author of All the Cowboys Ain’t Gone

 

 

 

 

 

If you are in the mood for a historical western that has everything from cowboys & ranching, cavalry, Dia de Los Muertos, Indian justice, faith, humor, and even a little romance, then this is the book to read.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started this book and wasn’t sure where the first few storylines were going, but as I continued reading everything fell into place. As it was said in the book “Dios knows.” The stories weave together as if they were always meant to be there and the descriptive words of the sights, sounds, and smells will have you wondering if you were there with them experiencing the same thing.

There are so many likable characters, and of course some unlikable ones too. I’m not quite sure who my favorite character was out of all of them, but it was close between Tree, Marco, and Felicity. Tree is one of the main characters and like his name, he is steadfast and strong. Marco is a minor character we meet about 2/3 of the way through the book but his kindness and goat-whisperer abilities just spoke to me. Felicity is not your average woman and can definitely take care of herself as she shows us multiple times. Plus, her ability to move past her past and look forward to a future with Cedar is something many can relate to in our own lives.

This story is not a sweet recounting of what life was like in the late 1800s but a realistic look at what settlers might have endured from the Indians, banditos, wild animals, and weather that they may not be prepared to experience. The biggest obstacles were the Indians and the justice that they meted out to those trying to take over their lands or unsavory acts perpetrated upon the tribe or others. The truth isn’t whitewashed and the details may be hard to read for some, but it was how things were handled at that time.

While the story has multiple facets, the main focus is on Tree and his life during the cavalry and afterward. He is a noble character with flaws and a heart as big as Texas. So many go through life with events from their past that haunt them and this is no different for Tree. However, he learns to adapt and eventually captures the heart of a woman from a village across the border. While we don’t see a lot of their relationship blossom and it does seem to happen rather quickly, they are perfect for each other and ultimately complete each other.

I do have to add that I got a huge chuckle of what the men would call their privates – hangy-downs.

This is a wondrous tale that hovers between western and historical fiction, but it definitely made an impression on me. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BJ Mayo was born in an oil field town in Texas. His career in the energy industry took him to various points in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Bangladesh, Australia, and Angola, West Africa.

He and his wife were high school sweethearts and have been married for forty-six years. They live on a working farm near San Angelo, Texas.

 

Website ◆ Facebook  ◆  Twitter

 

 Instagram ◆  Skyhorse Publishing

 

 —————————————

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

 THREE WINNERS:

 

Autographed copies of The Sparrows of Montenegro.

(US only. Ends 2/19/22)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

Visit Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

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

or visit the blogs directly:

 

 

 

2/8/22	Review	Reading by Moonlight
2/8/22	BONUS promo	Hall Ways Blog
2/8/22	BONUS promo	LSBBT Blog
2/9/22	Review	The Plain-Spoken Pen
2/9/22	Review	Book Fidelity
2/10/22	Review	Bibliotica
2/10/22	Review	Forgotten Winds
2/11/22	Review	The Book’s Delight
2/11/22	Review	Momma on the Rocks
2/12/22	Review	Librariel Book Adventures
2/13/22	Review	Julia Picks 1
2/14/22	Review	Book Bustle
2/15/22	Review	Rainy Days with Amanda
2/16/22	Review	Jennie Reads
2/17/22	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
2/17/22	Review	The Clueless Gent

 

 

 

blog tour services provide by

 

 

 

 

 

Huh? Why? and Punch: A Silicon Valley Mystery
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
BGM Press (January 14, 2022)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages

Synopsis

 

When murder crashes his vacation, can a techie in paradise still catch some waves while snaring a killer?

 

Marty Golden is ready to kick back at the beach. When his neighbor offers free rooms in Hawaii, the software engineer is quick to round up his girlfriend, sister, and nieces for the luau of a lifetime. But his arrival at the resort turns his sun-filled hopes into hunches about homicide after he encounters a very deceased and inconvenient body.

Pressured into helping, a grudging Marty uses his sharp attention to detail to hone in on a crucial clue missed by the police. But his half-hearted investigation spirals out of control with wild chases, burglaries, and secret passageways before the reluctant sleuth gets serious when he’s suddenly added to the target list.

Can Marty hula his way to the real culprit before he’s lei’d to rest?

Huh? Why? and Punch can be read standalone and is the humorous fifth book in the Silicon Valley cozy mystery series. If you like brilliant but bumbling heroes, crazy fun supporting casts, and daring escapades, then you’ll love this laugh-out-loud whodunit.

Buy Huh? Why? and Punch today to dive into a unique taste of paradise!

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Guest Post

 

Life Hacks and General Words of Wisdom

from Marty Golden, protagonist in Huh? Why? and Punch: A Silicon Valley Mystery (#5)

 

 

“Life hacks,” as they are known, are all about eliminating life’s many frustrations in simple or clever ways. Marty Golden, the protagonist in the Silicon Valley Mystery series, is all for simplifying life.

Marty is not your typical, cozy mystery protagonist. As a male amateur sleuth who doesn’t own a bakery, bookstore, or bed & breakfast, or live by the beach, he stands out from the crowd of cozy protagonists. Marty bumbles his way through the investigations, armed with nothing but an eye for detail, powers of self-delusion, and the complete inability to leave a coherent voicemail message. Fortunately, these are enough to solve crimes.

In Huh? Why? and Punch, Marty’s heading off on vacation to Hawaii with his girlfriend and family when he encounters an ill-timed dead body. Soon he’s hip-deep in trouble as secrets from the past emerge.

Can Marty hula his way to the real culprit before he’s lei’d to rest?

Marty manages to save the day and nab the killer while also offering inadvertent life advice along the way. Here are a few life hacks that Marty has developed over the years that he shares in the pages:

Marty’s Life Hacks:

• “Don’t let reality cloud your perceptions.”
• “Nodding in agreement to yourself gives you at least one person who visibly concurs with your opinion.”
• “Pools are everywhere, but oceans conveniently coincide with beaches—like an awesome two-for-one deal.”
• “Foresight is a magical power. Some less-than-helpful colleagues have pointed out that I could develop this skill if only I paused first for careful thought. That would certainly help me avoid perilous circumstances.”

 

HUH? WHY? AND PUNCH is available at getbook.at/HawaiianPunch. It can be read standalone but you’d enjoy reading all five of the Silicon Valley Mystery series in order even more. You can find them at: http://getbook.at/SiliconValley. The first three of those are also out on audiobooks from Tantor Audio, available everywhere audiobooks are sold. All of my books are free for Kindle Unlimited members.

For another humorous, clean cozy mystery series starring a newlywed couple and set in a small town in the Ozarks, try FISH OUT OF WATER: AN OZARKS MYSTERY (#1). It is available at getbook.at/Fish.

I love to hear from readers as that motivates me to keep going on the next blank page.

 

 

Excerpt

 

Once the cops were out of sight, I asked, “Doesn’t it seem suspicious to you?”

“Huh? Why?”

“And,” I finished, and smirked.

“What?” Meghan’s eyebrows squashed together in confusion as she stared at me.

“Get it? ‘Huh, Why, And.’ It sounds like Hawaiian.” I laughed at the play on words.

Meghan grimaced and pointed me into the elevator. “It’s way too late for that nonsense.”

I ignored her criticism. Good humor didn’t follow a clock.

 

…

 

“Nah.” I shook my head. “I’ve got a feeling about it.”

“What kind of feeling?” Meghan shot me a bemused glance.

“I’m feeling like it’s a good thing Marty Golden, super sleuth, is on the job.”

“Nobody’s ever called you that.” She leaned her head back and squinted skeptically at me.

“You could start.” I implored her with my best puppy-dog eyes.

“No.” She shook her head decisively. “Not going to happen.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Marc Jedel writes humorous murder mysteries. He credits his years of marketing leadership positions in Silicon Valley for honing his writing skills and sense of humor. While his high-tech marketing roles involved crafting plenty of fiction, these were just called emails, ads, and marketing collateral.

For most of Marc’s life, he’s been inventing stories. As he’s gotten older, he’s encountered more funny and odd people and situations. This has made it even easier for him to write what he knows and make up the rest. It’s a skill that’s served him well, both as an author and marketer.

The publication of Marc’s first novel, UNCLE AND ANTS, gave him permission to claim “author” as his job. This leads to much more interesting conversations with people than answering, “marketing.” Becoming an Amazon best-selling author has only made him more insufferable.

Like his characters Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, Marc grew up in the South and spent plenty of time in and around Arkansas. Like his character, Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, Marc now lives in Silicon Valley, works in high-tech, and enjoys bad puns. Along with all his protagonists, Marc too has a dog, although his is neurotic, sweet, and small, with little appreciation for Marc’s humor.

Visit his website for free chapters of novels, special offers, and more.

 

Website * Facebook* LinkedIn * Goodreads * BookBub

 

 

Giveaway

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Texas Ranger Tom Bell is tracking a fugitive killer when he rides into Pine Top, a hastily erected shanty-town crawling with rough and desperate men-oil drillers, come by the thousands in search of work. It soon becomes apparent that the lawman’s poking around has irritated the wrong people, and when two failed attempts are made on his life, Bell knows that he’s getting closer to finding out who is responsible for cheating and murdering the local landowners in order to access the rich oil fields flowing beneath their farms. When they ambush him for a third time while he’s out with a local woman he’s fallen for, they make the deadly mistake of killing her and leaving him alive

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookshop

 

Review

 

This is the first book I have read by this author and after reading the author’s notes, apparently, Texas Ranger Tom Bell has other books that he is featured in and you could say this is like a prequel to those books.

In this book, Tom is chasing a murderer from the valley and ends up in East Texas. I don’t think I realized it when I picked up the book, but since I lived for some time in Longview, I am familiar with the area even though it would have looked much different in the 1930s. I was fascinated to learn that Liberty City was previously called Hog Eye until the oil boom. I had to chuckle at the name of the town, but there are small towns all across this country with unique names.

Set during the oil boom, this book showcases human nature and that they weren’t that much different than people today by scheming and deceiving landowners, killing, prejudice for those even a little different from them, gangsters and prohibition. This book gets into the nitty-gritty of life in a small shanty town and had me spellbound imaging life nearly 90 years ago. Life was not easy because there was also the depression which made some people greedy that much more as we saw from various characters.

I really like Tom Bell and how seriously he took his position as a Texas Ranger. It was not an easy job for him or anyone else, but they made it work somehow. I thought the details painted a picture for us to imagine what life was like in this area at that time. The towns exploded with oil derrick workers and I can imagine law enforcement was stretched thin trying to keep everything peaceful. It was not an easy task for anyone. Those that were of ill repute were going to wreak havoc no matter what and those scenes had my heart pounding wondering how things were going to shake out for Tom.

This is a fascinating book and one I enjoyed immensely. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Reavis Z. Wortham retired in 2011 and now works harder than before as the author of the critically acclaimed Red River historical mystery series. Kirkus Reviews listed his first novel, The Rock Hole, as one of their Top 12 Mysteries of 2011. True West Magazine included Dark Places as one of 2015’s Top 12 Modern Westerns. The Providence Journal writes, “This year’s Unraveled is a hidden gem of a book that reads like Craig Johnson’s Longmire on steroids.” Wortham’s new high octane contemporary thriller from Kensington Publishing, Hawke’s Prey, featuring Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke was released in June 2017.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

 

 

Tea & Talismans: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Arizona
Independently published (November 29, 2021)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Alara Beatty never thought her life would change so fast.

She’s only just begun to use her psychic abilities, and she’s already being met with a slew of truths and challenges. In a short span of time, she’s met her biological aunt, solved a murder, and discovered that she was given up for adoption due to a mysterious prophecy.

But that’s certainly not all that’s in store for Alara. Suddenly, her biological family members are flocking to her small town of Prickly Pear, Arizona to meet her…and evaluate her psychic strength.

As Alara begins to get used to her new situation, her cousin Todd receives a mysterious death threat…one that she knows to take seriously. Together, she and Todd must investigate the threats and try to determine who they’re coming from—before it’s far too late.

Not only must Alara learn to use her psychic abilities, she also needs to determine who she can trust. Her newfound family? And what about Rudi Rivera, her charming, handsome police officer friend who has no idea that Alara is psychic?

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Guest Post

 

Are Dogs Good Cozy Mystery Companions?

 

By Elle Wren Burke

 

In the world of cozy mysteries, cats seem to reign supreme! Scrolling through any online bookstore, you’ll find cat after cat on cozy book covers. These adorable felines are usually companions to the main character and sometimes even help solve the mystery. In a few cases, the cats are the detectives!

Seeing all these cats can leave dog lovers wondering if there’s something about canines that makes them less than ideal costars alongside our beloved amateur sleuths. Do they require too many walks? Do their barks draw too much attention? Is their breath too awful? Or maybe they just don’t make good cover models for cozies?

So what’s the answer—are dogs good cozy companions? Yes, of course! Dogs are better than just good—they make wonderful pets for our amateur sleuths! They have amazing noses. They can protect their owners (even the smallest ones!). They give awesome snuggles. And they will always greet their owners at the door after a tough day of investigating (unlike cats, who are likely to be hiding in a cabinet or closet somewhere!).

I know a lot of readers are firmly Team Cat, so you might not believe me. I’m highly allergic to cats myself, so I tend to lean more towards dogs when I read cozies (mostly so I don’t get a phantom itchy nose thinking about all the cat fur). This means I’ve read lots of dog cozy mysteries and have lots of proof for you!

One of my favorite dogs so far is Oliver from the Cookie House Mysteries by Eve Calder. I recently read the first book—And then there were Crumbs. Oliver, possibly a Goldendoodle, is his own dog in this book. He goes where he wants with who he wants, but always seems to know exactly where he’s needed. From raising the alarm during a break in to laying on laps when bad news arrives, he’s there to help. The main character makes fast friends with Oliver and it sounds like they have many more adventures to come.

Another beloved dog for me is Coal from Heather Day Gilbert’s Barks & Beans Cafe series. In the first installment, Coal is actually wrapped up in the mystery, which I thought was great fun. Coal is a Great Dane and a sweetheart of a gentle giant. Not only does his size make him a wonderful protector, but his mellow nature is just what the main character needs after a hectic day of investigating.

I recently read An Embarrassment of Itches by M.K. Dean, the first in her Ginny Reese Mysteries series. The main character is a vet who travels to her customers’ homes, bringing her German Shepherd, Remy, along for the ride. Not only does Remy provide support and companionship to her each day, he plays a key role in protecting the veterinarian when someone involved in the investigation decides she’s getting too close.

If I had to pick a favorite dog, though, I would choose Lady from Amy Boyles’ Magical Renovation Mysteries series. Lady starts out as a normal Dachshund, but quickly gains the ability to talk. Not only does she help the main character throughout the series, such as alerting her to suspicious noises and smells, but she’s also snarky and hilarious. She has a mind of her own and knows exactly what she wants. She goes almost everywhere with her owner and demands food and cute outfits along the way. She knows her worth and isn’t afraid to ask for what she deserves.

Then there are the dogs in my own cozy mystery series—Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries. My main character is lucky enough to own two dogs, Pretzel and Blueberry, a Pitbull and a Rottweiler. Though they might look scary, they’re both big softies. I gave them each distinct personalities which shine in the books, but the dogs are also involved in the mysteries. In the second book, Tea & Talismans, one of the dogs plays a very important role towards the end of the story. And they might both be involved in the mystery of the upcoming third book, Canines & Cacti.

There are so many other wonderful dogs in the world of cozy mysteries! These are just a few examples to help prove to you that dogs pull their weight in cozies. I’m not saying they’re cozier or better than cats, just different. Personally, I’d like to find some cozies that feature a cat and a dog working together! Know of any? Shoot them my way!

 

 

About the Author

 

Elle Wren Burke is a paranormal cozy mystery author who writes witty, fun books with strong females as protagonists.

Elle has Master’s degrees in Geography and Business. She lives in Arizona with her husband and fur baby. She enjoys puzzles, baking, and board games.

 

Website * Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Goodreads

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Synopsis

 

Two estranged sisters find that forgiveness never goes out of style when they inherit their mother’s vintage jackets, purses… and pearls of wisdom

Estranged half-sisters Gabrielle Winslow and Lulu Quattro have only two things in common: mounds of debt and coils of unresolved enmity toward Bette Bradford, their controlling and imperious recently deceased mother.

Gabrielle, the firstborn, was raised in relative luxury on Manhattan’s rarefied Upper East Side. Now, at fifty-five, her life as a Broadway costume designer married to a heralded Broadway producer has exploded in divorce.

Lulu, who spent half her childhood under the tutelage of her working-class Brooklyn grandparents, is a grieving widow at forty-eight. With her two sons grown, her life feels reduced to her work at the Ditmas Park bakery owned by her late husband’s family.

The two sisters arrive for the reading of their mother’s will, expecting to divide a sizable inheritance, pay off their debts, and then again turn their backs on each other.

But to their shock, what they have been left is their mother’s secret walk-in closet jammed with high-end current and vintage designer clothes and accessories— most from Chanel.

Contemplating the scale of their mother’s self-indulgence, the sisters can’t help but wonder if Lauren Weisberger had it wrong: because it seems, in fact, that the devil wore Chanel. But as they being to explore their mother’s collection, meet and fall in love with her group of warm, wonderful friends, and magically find inspiring messages tucked away in her treasures — it seems as though their mother is advising Lulu and Gabrielle from the beyond — helping them rediscover themselves and restore their relationship with each other.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

What would you do if your mom left you a collection of vintage clothing by Coco Chanel? You might be tempted to sell it off or find another way to cash in, which is what at least one of the sisters wants to do, but there are restrictions and an attorney has the final say on what they do with that collection. This book is more than just about clothing by Chanel, it is about sisters finding their way back to one another and learning how to open up and let others into their life.

Gabrielle and Lulu were once close, but time and circumstances have caused a rift between the two. Plus these sisters couldn’t be any more different and you wonder how that could have possibly happened. Lulu is more of a free spirit and really doesn’t care much about fashion. Gabrielle has, and wants more, of the finer things in life. Both have endured some tragedies in their lives, Lulu’s husband passed away and Gabrielle went through a trying divorce. However, both are a little short-sighted and mired in their own grief to look outside of their little world.

This story might resonate with many readers especially when it comes to the loss of a parent. Or perhaps it will be the sibling relationship and what caused a rift so that you aren’t as close anymore. Then there is the merry band of women, friends of Bette (the mother), and the challenges they face as they grow older and want to leave a legacy behind. This doesn’t even include Thea, the bookshop owner that employs Gabrielle, and has her own set of issues with a son that has become greedy over what he might inherit from his mother…but that is a whole other story that you will discover within the pages.

I enjoyed the story even thought Lulu and Gabrielle could get on my nerves with their lack of communication and expressing their needs. Family is family, and while they might be afraid, if they don’t speak up worse things could happen in their lives. I loved Lulu’s kids and their spouses. They were not afraid to jump in and help at various times. Gus even has a love for baking and has all sorts of ideas for the family bakery.

The ending just proves that communication and love will go far in your life, you just have to be able to express it to others.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Randy Susan Meyers‘ internationally bestselling novels are informed by years working with families impacted by family violence— and a long journey from idolizing bad boys to loving a good man.

After years working in social service and criminal justice, Meyers published her first novel, The Murderer’s Daughters—a story of the aftermath of domestic violence—a Target Pick for the country. Her novels have twice been chosen by the Massachusetts Center for the Book, as “Must Read Fiction,” who wrote, “The clear and distinctive voice of Randy Susan Meyers will have you enraptured and wanting more.”

Meyers and her husband live in Jamaica Plain, Boston, where she teaches writing at Grub Street Writer’s Center.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest

 

New York Times Bestseller, M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother’s favorite books before she was allowed. She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice… books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.

Her most recent novel, The Last Tiara, will be published Feb 2, 2021

Rose’s work has appeared in many magazines including Oprah Magazine and she has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, WSJ, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the ’80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors – Authorbuzz.com

The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose’s novels in the Reincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and currently serves, with Lee Child, as the organization’s co-president.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest

 

 

 

 

Scones and Scofflaws: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Cape May, New Jersey
Blue Eagle Press (December 19, 2020)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 278 pages

 

Synopsis

 

When a gorgeous man dressed as Bridgette Bardot buys her a Scofflaw and asks her out on a date, Anna McGregor begins to suspect her murder investigation has taken a wrong turn. Her previous work as a medical anthropologist exposed her to a variety of unexpected situations, but none quite like this.

“The story does a great job of setting up the mystery and then anthropologist turned B&B hostess, Anna McGregor leads us through a merry chase and I thought I had it partially figured out but then realized…red herring. I would suggest you skip to the back of the book to find the scofflaw recipe and make one to enjoy while you armchair sleuth your way through this charming and cozy mystery.” — Tracy’s Tidbits

It all seemed so simple: fix up the Cape May Victorian mansion she’d inherited from Great Aunt Louise and re-open it as the exceptional B&B it used to be. Everything’s going great, until her very first guest turns up dead at the breakfast table, crumbs from Anna’s blueberry scones scattered on the lace tablecloth.

As the town’s gossip mill goes into overdrive, Anna leaps into the fray to save her reputation, her business and Great Aunt Louise’s legacy.

With help from a handsome handyman eager to solve all of Anna’s problems and a young police officer new to murder investigations, Anna does her best to convince the town — and her future guests — that while her scones may be killer, someone else was responsible for this murder.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Alibris * IndieBound * Kobo * Books2Read

 

 

Review

 

This new series is set in picturesque Cape May and Anna has inherited a Victorian home that was used as a B&B run by her aunt. Things are going well until one of her first guests is found dead over breakfast. This is not the way to start a new business! And because it is a small town, the gossip spreads faster than liquified butter.

Anna is a complicated character because while she is smart, she has some issues with what happened with her former relationship and she is lugging that baggage around with her everywhere. This impacts how she reacts to situations that many of us would take with a grain of salt. Despite being

Eoin, Anna’s cousin, is such a sweet kid but I don’t understand why he talks everyone’s ears off except for Anna. Is it because she can’t say his name properly? It is never really explained, but by the end of the book he is opening up more to her. I think he could be a good sidekick while he is visiting her (despite his age of 8) but sometimes I wondered where he was or if someone was watching him because Anna was off doing some investigative work.

While I didn’t solve the murder quickly, there were lots of clues and there were some that I noted that were discarded as not important until later in the book. There are several potential characters that could be the murderer but would their alibis hold? It doesn’t help that one of the suspects was a fixture in this small community and because gossip spreads quickly, this character and several others were miffed at the accusations of their character. But isn’t that how a murderer would act?

I enjoyed this new series and will check out the second book to see what else is in store for Anna. Probably another dead body but maybe a love interest too? And perhaps, she and Sammy will have some wild escapades about the town.

We give this book 4 paws up and don’t miss the drink recipe at the end.

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Up early after her restless night, Anna faced the prospect of dealing with the mess in her kitchen. She was in the middle of scrubbing down her counters, a fresh pot of coffee brewing, when the bell over the door jingled. She didn’t go immediately, taking a minute to remove her kitchen gloves and wipe her hands. As she stepped toward the kitchen door, Patrolman Burley stuck his head through it.

“Good morning, thought I might find you in here.”

“Oh, Patrolman Burley. Hi. I mean, um, good morning. I’m just…” she lifted her arms then let them fall in a gesture of despair. “I’m not sure what I’m doing.”

“Seems like you’ve got quite a mess on your hands.” He glanced around the kitchen. “Sorry about that.”

“I am allowed to be cleaning up in here, aren’t I?”

He smiled. “Yes, you are. And please, call me Evan.”

She felt the tension in her shoulders relax, the edges of her mouth turn up. “Evan, of course.”

The deep brown of his eyes reminded her of the Scottish hero she’d been reading about yesterday. It would be nice not to have to go chasing around the dark house in the middle of the night with a field hockey stick.

“I’m sorry you have to deal with this. I have a few minutes, I could help.” Something in her expression caused him to take a step back. “Or not, if you prefer to do it yourself.”

“Why did you tear apart my kitchen like this?”

“It wasn’t just me. We had a team going through the whole house.”

“I noticed that,” she responded, feeling her cheeks grow hot.

“The thing is, Anna — may I sit?” He gestured toward the marble-topped bar that ran opposite the sink.

“Of course. Sure. Would you like some coffee?”

He waited until she’d poured his cup, then continued. “The thing is, Anna, one of your guests died in unusual circumstances and we need to find out what happened to him.”

“Wait. What do you mean, what happened to him?”

“I mean, we need to know what killed him.” Evan said, still looking directly at her. “Or who.”

Anna gulped and looked down at the coffee pot still in her hands. She turned her back on Evan to replace it on the burner and realized her hands were shaking. She took a few breaths.

“So you think he was murdered?” she asked once she felt sure her voice would sound normal.

Evan shook his head, taking another sip of his coffee. “Well, this is a police investigation. But it’s too soon to say if it was an accidental death or intentional. We still need to determine the exact cause of death. That’s why we searched the house. We were looking for anything that might have been used.”

Anna dropped onto the stool next to Evan. “Murdered. I mean, murder. That can’t be a common thing in Cape May.”

“It’s not. Detective Walsh is running the investigation for now, but it won’t be long before this attracts attention from the higher-ups. We need to get to the truth, and fast. Walsh has some experience with this sort of thing, so…” He toyed with his mug and Anna realized there was more. The worst was yet to come.

“So?”

“So we have to consider the possibility that you may have been responsible.”

“Me?” Anna heard the shriek in her voice and shut her lips tight.

Evan seemed focused on his coffee, giving Anna the time she needed to take a few breaths.

She tried again. “Me? Why would I kill my own guests?”

Evan raised his hands in what was probably meant to be a calming gesture. “Not on purpose, I’m sure. But we don’t yet know what killed him. We need to consider all options.”

“I see. So I’m a suspect. In a murder investigation.”

“Don’t overreact. Suspect is too strong a word. What if something in this house killed him — either an allergy, or something poisonous you didn’t realize he might encounter.”

Anna shook her head, flabbergasted. “I’m a trained scientist. I know what’s poisonous and what’s not. There’s nothing here that could—”

“Okay, okay. Look, you’re simply a person of interest at this point, that’s all.”

Anna’s brain spun through possibilities. “Who else is a ‘person of interest?’” Her voice betrayed her skepticism of the term.

 

 

About the Author

 

Formerly an anthropologist, then a diplomat, then a park ranger, Jane Gorman now writes murder mysteries. Building on her knowledge of Philadelphia (her home for many years) and her varied experiences, her Adam Kaminski mystery series features a Philly cop who manages to solve complicated murders in far-flung locales, both in the U.S. and overseas. Her Cape May cozy mysteries paint a light-hearted, fun picture of the Cape May life of a former anthropologist who just happens to be good at solving murders – and trying out new cocktails!

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * BookBub * Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway