Synopsis

The ripple effect is all around us. We’ve all benefited from the committed teacher, the loving parent, the caring coach, the helpful stranger…

This book celebrates the positive results of acts of kindness. You’ll read about

–the teacher who inspired a young doctor to question the status quo, and thereby save the lives of thousands of women

–the coach who motivated a young athlete to achieve victory over self, and thereby earn an enduring place in history

–the father who cared enough about his young son to take him on an unscheduled flight

and more…

A Splash of Kindness is a book for anyone who is looking for inspirational stories.

Review

Overall the message of this book is GREAT! That you get more done with acts of kindness and that it can have a lasting impact on those that receive those acts of kindness. Encourage ideas, acts of charity or just a smile can change someone’s day and their mindset.

The only thing I didn’t like was that some of these stories were very long. And while some of the detail is needed, it is like there were 3 or 4 stories within the main story and honestly, they didn’t add that much to the original story. Sometimes if felt like a story was wandering around without a point in mind. This was not all of the examples, but a few.

We give this 3 1/2 paws.

About the Author

When John Starley Allen was in second grade he began writing stories. His mother called them “The Road Stories,” because each one invariably began with “I was walking down a road…” followed by an encounter with a friend, animal, insect, mini natural disaster, etc., etc.

Allen is the author of the holiday novel Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices and most recently has written a collection of true stories called A Splash of Kindness: The Ripple Effect of compassion, Courage & Character. Allen says he hopes his latest book will “empower people with the knowledge that they can make a positive difference in the world.”

Allen is also a songwriter who has received a gold record for a song he co-wrote with Motown’s Smokey Robinson. He has performed his music at Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café.

He lives in Holladay, Utah. He and his wife JoAnn are the parents of four daughters.

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To Catch a Treat (A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Midnight Ink (May 8, 2016)
Paperback: 312 pages
E-Book ASIN: B01A5OGVOE

Synopsis

Carrie Kennersly, veterinary technician and owner of the Barkery and Biscuits bake shop, agrees to a day of hiking with her brother Neal mostly because she wants to meet—and critique—his latest romantic interest, Janelle Blaystone. But instead of judgment, Carrie has only sympathy for Janelle, whose beloved black Labrador, Go, was recently dognapped along with many other purebred pets.

Janelle thinks the culprit is Ada Arnist, a wealthy homeowner spotted at the dog parks where Go and the others were stolen. Soon after Janelle confronts her, though, Ada is found dead. With Janelle and Neal on the suspect list, Carrie must solve the mystery before the police bark up the wrong tree.

Review

Carrie is back in this second installment in the Barkery & Biscuits series.

I have enjoyed all of Linda’s books so far and this one was no exception.  The mystery wasn’t as quite in the forefront as other books but there were some twists that I was not expecting at the end.  Of course, Carrie puts herself in harms way (as most protagonists seem to do in cozies!) but at least she called for help.

The story was enjoyable but it seemed like something was missing…maybe it was just too “calm” and while I love my dogs as much as the next person, it seemed like Carrie’s love for her dog was over the top.  Maybe it really isn’t, but that is how it came across to me.  While there was some action, it didn’t seem like much.

As I mentioned before there are some twists at the end when the killer was revealed, I definitely did not see that one coming at all!

We give this 3 1/2 paws up.

About the Author

Linda 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 38 romance and mystery novels, including the Pet Rescue Mystery Series, a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and Harlequin Romantic Suspense as well as the Alpha Force paranormal romance miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne.  She additionally writes the Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink.  Her latest cozy mystery series, the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries are also from Midnight Ink.

 

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Stabbing in the Senate (A Washington Whodunit)
Cozy Mystery
A Brand New Series
Camel Press (November 15, 2015)
Paperback: 236 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1603813310
E-Book ASIN: B017CBHTOE

Synopsis

Life is good for Kit Marshall. She’s a staffer in D.C. for a popular senator, and she lives with an adoring beagle and a brainy boyfriend with a trust fund. Then, one morning, Kit arrives at the office early and finds her boss, Senator Langsford, impaled by a stainless steel replica of an Army attack helicopter. Panicked, she pulls the weapon out of his chest and instantly becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Circumstances back Kit’s claim of innocence, but her photograph has gone viral, and the heat won’t be off until the killer is found. Well-loved though the senator was, suspects abound. Langsford had begun to vote with his conscience, which meant he was often at odds with his party. Not only had the senator decided to quash the ambitions of a major military contractor, but his likely successor is a congressman he trounced in the last election. Then there’s the suspiciously dry-eyed Widow Langsford. Kit’s tabloid infamy horrifies her boyfriend’s upper-crust family, and it could destroy her career. However, she and her free-spirited friend Meg have a more pressing reason to play sleuth. The police are clueless in more ways than one, and Kit worries that the next task on the killer’s agenda will be to end her life.

Review

 

Synopsis

The Daddy Diaries is a humorous and poignant novel about a relationship between a stay at home dad and his two preteen kids. When his wife goes to work full time in a beach town in Florida, Jay must acclimate to life in the south. With a rich but stupid older brother, a lunatic townie friend and a teen son who’s ready to know what a “threesome” is, Jay’s world is thrown about as far as California to Florida.

Review

The book is billed as being funny, but I really didn’t think that was the case. It is an honest look at a stay at home dad dealing with a teenage son that is moody and dealing with normal teen angst (as we can all remember especially if you have a teenager), along with his young daughter (who isn’t a teen yet!) and a wife that wants a 3rd child.

I was very annoyed with several characters including Ray and Lizzie who aren’t married but have a daughter together and they are too wrapped up in their own issues to be good parents, yet don’t want anyone else helping them out. There is also Cam, who is the older brother, who is also very selfish and wrapped up in himself.

I felt like Jay was a very compassionate father in his actions with his children and his friend’s children. I thought he was portrayed as very down to earth despite the circumstances. He struggled with who he was and what he wanted to do with his life – much like many of us!

The book was good and an honest look inside your average family.  We give it 3 1/2 paws.

About the Author

Joshua Braff is the author of three novels, The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green, Peep Show, and The Daddy Diaries, published May 5, 2015. The Daddy Diaries is a memorable take on contemporary fatherhood and a clear-sighted look at how the upending of traditional marital roles can affect the delicate balance of familial love. Braff’s work can also be found in The Huffington Post and in multiple anthologies. He has an MFA from St. Mary’s College and lives in Northern California with his wife and two children. Visit his website for more information.

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Caelum by Mandie Stevens

Series: Olde City Angels #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Publication Date: July 13, 2015

Synopsis

Eva doesn’t claim to be a good guardian angel, but she tries. After she loses two charges, the Powers That Be begin to doubt her abilities. To redeem herself, Eva sets out to rescue Elsie, granddaughter of the former king of the Fae. A demon has kidnapped Elsie to complete an ancient ritual that will allow him to slip through the veil between Earth and Hell during the Sturgeon moon.
Thomas, an angel liaison, finally lands his first mission. But when he’s paired with the angel responsible for his uncle’s death, he has to put aside their differences to get the job done.
With unlikely friends in tow, Eva and Thomas are in a race against time. Save Elsie, save the world—oh, and save Eva’s job.

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Excerpt

I reached for the knife in my waistband and gripped it. Shops and hotels lined the bay front. The sun was setting fast, and St. Augustine was the Supernatural center of the western world. Getting stuck in an alley with vampire wasn’t my idea of a good time when I had more important things to do, like find my liaison and charge. What a joke. Different races of supernaturals were trying to live together. If humans couldn’t manage it, how were the other-kind going to do it?

One thing I’d learned from my former liaison was that I could learn about anything in a bar. I headed down the cobblestone path to find one. Several humans stepped out of a restaurant. To their left was a brick building that was heavily warded; the humans would have thought it was an extension of the restaurant, never knowing it was a supernatural hot spot. The bar was called Spellbound. Original much?

I stepped out onto the road, and my heart dropped, I second-guessed my senses. A familiar though unexpected energy called to me. I hadn’t seen Phenex since he’d left, but I always knew when family was near. But why wouldn’t he be here? If he were to fit in anywhere, this would be the place.

Review

If you like paranormal books you will like this book. There are plenty of angels, werewolves, gargoyles, elves and other mystical creatures/beings.

The story was enjoyable but there were lots of characters to keep track of and what their purpose was to the story. I liked the premise of the story, that an angel has a human counterpart in tracking down harmful magical beings.

I’m not huge into paranormal, it just depends on the book and how it grabs me. I’d give this 3 1/2 paws, it was good and I think the series has potential.

About the Author

Mandie Stevens has always been accused of living in her own world so she decided to put it to paper. When she isn’t writing you can catch her lounging on the beach reading. Mandie has penned both nonfiction and urban fantasy.

She has ridiculously little feet and would be happy eating seafood every day.

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Bun for Your Life (A Bread and Batter Mystery)
Publisher: InterMix (November 17, 2015)
Cozy Mystery

Synopsis

As the co-owners of Bread and Batter Bakery in Destiny, New York, Molly Tyler and Olivia Williams have plenty on their plates. Molly is recently divorced and looking for a place to live, but they’re also both preparing for Destiny’s annual Apple Harvest Fair. The bakery has a booth where they’ll be selling not only delicious cupcakes and cider doughnuts, but also tote bags and t-shirts emblazoned with the bakery’s logo.

Tensions rise at the fair when local orchard owner Calista Danforth discovers organizers have assigned her usual booth to Bread and Batter. Although a heated argument ensues between her and Molly, the bakery manages to rake in lots of dough. But when Calista is found strangled to death with one of their t-shirts, Molly is named the prime suspect. Now these two friends must whip up some answers quickly before the future of their business crumbles…

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Review

A new cozy series that is sorta set in a bakery (the protagonist owns one but not a ton of time is spent in the shop) and they make donuts, yum, among other things! All is well in town until Calista is found dead, after releasing a new variety of apple. She is found dead with a donut from said bakery and one of their t-shirts wrapped around her neck. Enter the new detective in town, he of course questions Molly since the items came from her shop, but I don’t think he really thinks she did it. Of course Molly decides to take matters into her own hands and find the killer for the detective.

Overall this was a good book. I did find Molly irritating at times when she was so insistent on sticking her nose into it despite texting with the Detective (while he was out of town) and demanding to know who the suspects were.

I really liked Jane, who is Molly’s ex grandmother in law. She is suffering from dementia but is on meds that give her some better days. She is the one that gives Molly some clues to dig up and pinpoint who the killer might be.

While they try to point the finger at a few of the ex-boyfriends of Calista, my sights were on someone else but for no reason other than this character seemed strange, or at least some of their actions.

I did find one spot where there was some inconsistency – but i was reading an ARC so hopefully it was caught in editing!

I’m not sure I liked all the texting back and forth – yes it was how Molly and Sean needed to communicate while he was out of town, but seemed like too much to me. Oh and Molly would turn her phone off after texting him? There are jokes about how she has a cell phone but doesn’t use it like most people – which is good and bad!

We give this 3 1/2 paws and think it will be a series to continue reading.

About The Author

After having several short stories published, I decided to tackle novel writing a few years ago. My first book, The Art of Being Rebekkah, is women’s fiction. Since the genre I love is mystery, my agent suggested I write one. I’m so glad she did! I recently signed with Penguin/Intermix for my Bread and Batter cozy mystery series. The first two books, Bun For Your Life and Raisin The Dead, coming soon!

I’ve live in lots of different places during my life. At the moment, I’m in a small Connecticut town with my husband. When I’m not writing, I’m either reading, spending time by the water, traveling, indulging in social media, accompanying above-mentioned husband to New York Yankees games, or doing anything that does not involve math.

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A Pain in the Tuchis: A Mrs. Kaplan Mystery
2nd in Series
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Alibi (November 17, 2015)
An Imprint of Random House LLC
Publication Date: November 17, 2015
ASIN: B00TWE4FHO

Synopsis

Combining the classic charms of Agatha Christie with the delightful humor of M. C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin novels, Mark Reutlinger’s Mrs. Kaplan mystery series returns as a notorious crank meets an untimely fate.

Yom Kippur is a day of reflection and soul searching. But at the Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors, Vera Gold misses this opportunity to atone for her many sins when she up and dies. Indeed, Vera was such a pain in the tuchis to all those around her that when her sister claims Vera was deliberately poisoned, the tough question isn’t who would want to kill her—but who wouldn’t?

Having already solved one murder with her dear friend Ida, Rose Kaplan has a sleuthing reputation that precedes her. It’s only natural that Vera’s sister turns to Mrs. K for help. So do the police, but when her conclusions conflict with theirs, they tell her to butt out! This case has more twists than a loaf of challah. And with a homicidal scoundrel on the loose, Mrs. K has to act fast—or she might be the guest of honor at the Home’s next memorial service.

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Praise for Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death

“Is there kosher food in jail? These two heroines have gotten themselves in quite a pickle! Well, it’s a matzoh ball mess, really. Too deliciously funny!”—Rita Mae Brown, bestselling author of Nine Lives to Die

Review

Second in the series and a bit better than the first. There are a few things that help you figure out the killer, but much like the first book, Mrs Kaplan keeps it all to herself. Now I don’t know if that is because Ida is narrating the book and doesn’t see fit to tell her so she can tell the reader, or if she is just a character that wants all the glory.

There was a few humorous parts and at least this book the name of the home wasn’t repeated over and over again (just a few times this book). Lots of Yiddish phrases and of course many of the same cast of characters. I will say that having Jewish older women as the protagonist is something different for me.

I’d give this 3 1/2 paws.

About the Author

Mark Reutlinger is the author of the novels Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death and Made in China. A professor of law emeritus at Seattle University, Reutlinger was born in San Francisco, graduated from UC Berkeley, and now lives with his wife, Analee, in University Place, Washington.

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Caught Read-Handed
Series: Read Em and Eat Mystery (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (July 7, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425270295
E-Book ASIN: B00Q5DLWXA

Synopsis

From the national bestselling author of Well Read, Then Dead comes the second mystery featuring Sassy Cabot and Bridgy Mayfield, who bring Fort Myers Beach, Florida, residents plenty of sinful treats and killer reads at their bookstore café, Read ’Em and Eat.

Happy to help her fellow bibliophiles, Sassy visits the local library with book donations for their annual fundraising sale. Unfortunately, the welcoming readers’ haven is in turmoil as an argument erupts between an ornery patron and new staff member, Tanya Lipscombe—also known as “Tanya Trouble.” She may lack people skills, but everyone is shocked when she’s later found murdered in her own hot tub.

The man last seen arguing with Tanya is soon arrested. But Alan Mersky, a veteran with PTSD, happens to be the brother of Sassy’s former boss—and he’s no murderer. Now it’s up to Sassy and Bridgy to clear Alan’s name and make sure the real killer gets booked.

Includes a recipe for Miss Marple scones!

Review

This is the second book in this series and I will have to say I had no clue who to suspect until some clues were sort of dropped near the end.  I did suspect this person at one point earlier but just because something seemed off.  I will say there were not a lot of people that could have done it so you might be able to figure it out.

The book seemed light on the mystery and more on veteran’s affairs/rights which I think brought it out into the open, that they need our help.  Then there was the anaconda that needed to be caught and disposed of one way or another and it had many of the citizens in the town divided on the issue – should it be killed or captured and moved elsewhere?

The book was enjoyable and I’ll check out the next book.  We give this one 3 1/2 paws

About The Author

Short-listed twice for The Best American Mystery Stories, Terrie Farley Moran is delighted to introduce mystery fans to the Read ’Em and Eat café and bookstore, which debuted with Well Read, Then Dead. The only thing Terrie enjoys more than wrangling mystery plots into submission is playing games and reading stories with any or all of her grandchildren.

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Tour Participants

July 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – Review, Giveaway

July 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review, Giveaway

July 8 – Back Porchervations – Review

July 9 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – Review, Giveaway

July 10 – Mystery Playground – Guest Post, Giveaway

July 10 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review

July 11 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy,&, Sissy, Too ! – Review, Giveaway

July 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Interview

July 13 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – Review

July 14 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

July 15 – View from the Birdhouse – Interview, Giveaway

July 16 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – Spotlight

July 17 – Jane Reads – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

July 18 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Giveaway

July 19 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review, Giveaway

Synopsis

A chance encounter with a celebrity, an impromptu video, and a shiny new espresso machine. It all added up to a juicy tale for 24-year-old Rachael Allen to share with friends. But when her best friend posts the video online, bizarre threats, home break-ins, and deadly gifts from an obsessed fan follow close behind.  Mick Sullivan, the star in her video, offers to help and in the process, Rachael discovers that despite his reputation as a player of Olympian caliber, he’s down-to-earth—and emotionally damaged. He has secrets; some he’s shared only with his pseudo best friend. Others he’s shared with no one. But there’s one secret he’s hidden from himself, washed away by too many beers.  Despite wildly divergent life paths, their shared southern roots (and a passion for good music) creates a common thread that draws them together. As the threats escalate, and their relationship deepens, Rachael struggles to accept Mick’s past—and his present. And she is forced to confront her own obsessive love to ultimately decide if being with Mick Sullivan is worth the collateral damage.

You’ll Be Thinking of Me is the story of Rachael’s serendipitous encounter with a celebrity, her brush with obsessive love, and the bittersweet gift left behind by the very person fixated on destroying her life.

Review

This was an interesting story of how a woman meets a celebrity, they get involved, she is targeted by his stalker and how that ends. I thought the story was a good one and there is some back and forth with the chapters whether it is Brenda or Rachael.  It does give an interesting look inside what people go through when being stalked and how hard it is to try and live a normal life when you have have someone sending you threatening notes and other items.  I’m happy to be a “nobody”!

I was a little disappointed with the ending. Sure you saw part of it coming, but I was hoping for something else. It does wrap up the story nice especially since it is 20 years into the future. It is hard to not reveal too much because I do not want to give it away.

I did think there were too many F-bombs in the book. maybe at times it might have been justified but I think there could have been fewer and nothing would have been lost.

Overall a good book and we give it 3 1/2 paws.

About the Author

Densie Webb (not Denise) has spent a long career as a freelance nonfiction writer and editor. Her debut novel “You’ll Be Thinking of Me” was released by Soul Mate Publishing in January 2015. She is an avid walker (not of the dead variety), drinks too much coffee and has a small “devil dog” that keeps her on her toes. She is currently working on a second novel.

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Synopsis

Amber Marie Sterlington, the Rage of the Season in Regency-era London, has her pick of men, and she knows what she wants most in a husband: a title and a fortune. Why would she ever marry for something as fickle as love? And why would she ever look twice at Thomas Richards, a third son of a country lord?

But when Amber’s social standing is threatened, the character of her future husband becomes far more important than his position. After a public humiliation, she finds herself exiled to Yorkshire. Alone except for her maid, Amber is faced with a future she never expected in a circumstance far below what she has known all her life. Humbled and lonely, Amber begins to wonder if isolation is for the best. Who could ever love her now?

Review

I had read the author’s cozy mysteries and enjoyed them so thought I would see how she fared with Regency romance.

In a way it reminded me of the beginning of Downton Abbey with the maids and servants, being presented and searching for a husband. Amber is the jewel of the season until a medical condition throws her and her mother for a loop and it takes her out of society. She is banished to Yorkshire by her father but this is really where Amber begins to change from the spoiled society girl to a compassionate and self sufficient woman. Thomas Richards met Amber in London and was immediately smitten despite her condition, but he didn’t know she was living so close to him until much later.

I did wonder how he knew that it was Amber living in Step Cottage since she went by Mrs Chandler and did not see or converse with anyone. It is explained a little later but at the moment he realizes who she is in the book it doesn’t make a lot of sense. He just knew who she was somehow.

I think the lesson in this book (whether there was meant to be one or not) is that Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder and that having a caring and compassionate heart will get you further in life than your looks.

I thought the book was enjoyable and would give it 3 1/2 paws

About the Author

Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and accredits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and never stopped. Her novel, Sheep’s Clothing won the Whitney Award 2007 for Mystery/Suspense. Lemon Tart, the first book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series was a finalist in 2009.  She was the Best of State winner for fiction in 2012. Josi currently lives in Willard Utah with her husband, children and super-cute cat.

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