Synopsis

 

Thomas Madsen can change reality with his dreams, making him a dangerous man. Unaware of how or why it happens, he desperately wants it to stop. The problem is, he’s not in control. One dreamer is born every generation with the ability to alter reality, and one hunter is born to keep reality in check. For millennia, every time a dreamer encountered a hunter, the dreamer died. Until now. Collapsing on the street, Thomas awakes to find himself in the care of Madeleine Korer, a stranger who feels all too familiar. Not knowing whether to trust or fear her, Thomas walks a thin line, trapped between alternate realities, where murder or sacrifice become his only options. In this electrifying thriller, the lines between hunter and prey blur, and reality becomes the one thing they just can’t grasp.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo

 

 

Review

 

This book is a little out of the normal genres I read, but every now and then, I like to stretch my reading and try something different. This book is a combination of fantasy with the supernatural and maybe a smidge dystopian.

It took me a little bit to wrap my head around the characters and their roles in this story, only because of the genre. Thomas is a dreamer, Valeria is a Hunter, and Madeline is a Shield. They all have specific objectives that they are seeking to accomplish, but there is really so much more to this story. Apparently, there is one dreamer and one hunter per generation but this is where it gets twisty, Valeria doesn’t inherit her role until her mother passes away and Valeria does something as a young girl that she thinks will help her mother live and not die

Thomas can dream up different worlds, but he doesn’t know it. All he knows is that he dreamed something about his previous coworkers and the next thing he knows, the building where he worked has collapsed and there are 200 people dead.

Adelaide/Valeria is the Hunter seeking the Dreamer to end his life. Not doing this would have dire consequences for her and she was already feeling some of the effects from not seeking him out and ending his existence.

Madeline is the Shield out to protect Thomas from Valeria, but does she have ulterior motives? It seems like she is just doing her job, but as the story continues, I began to question why she was so insistent on Thomas doing certain things while he tried to get a grasp on his new skills.

When Thomas and Valeria come head to head, the end result was a bit of a surprise, but since this happened approximately 1/3 of the way into the book, I knew there had to be more. It is hard to discuss the rest of the book without giving away some of the details that might come as a surprise to the reader.

I liked how the story flowed back and forth between Thomas and Valeria’s perspectives. I felt drawn into the story as I reflected on what each character was experiencing and what they were thinking. After the moment where the situation came to a head, the result was quite a surprise for me and the characters. The story continues with a supernatural flair and a little bit of mystery on how this would all end.

The ending was appropriate but left me with a few questions about possibilities for the lives of the characters after the book ended. Perhaps that is just left up to the reader’s imagination.

Overall, we give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Irina Slav was raised on folk tales, classical myths, and home-cooked meals. She wrote her first supernatural story as a class assignment when she was 17 and got the critical acclaim of her Communication Studies teacher. Her first attempt at a novel left her horrified by the magnitude of such an undertaking but she was stubborn and a certain number of years later her first successful attempt at the long form, The Lamiastriga, made its way into existence. Between novel drafts, Irina also writes short speculative fiction and horror. Her stories have been included in several anthologies. Irina lives in Sofia with her husband and daughter.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

 

 

Measure, Mix & Marinate: Embracing the Key Ingredients to a More Fulfilling Life

 

by Cheryl Schuberth

 

Category: Adult Non-Fiction 18+, 174 pages

 

Genre: Personal Growth, Memoir

 

Publisher: Key Ingredients

 

Release Date: August 2021

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

As a wife, mom and former corporate go-getter, Cheryl knows firsthand the frustration of trying to do it all and feeling that none of it is good enough. As the world slowed down for a global pandemic, Cheryl inspected her own life and who she wanted to become—who she needed to become—to serve at her highest level. Much of this discovery occurred in the kitchen during playful evenings side-by-side with her sons, husband, and mother. Their time together led Cheryl to realize that how you measure your priorities, mix them in with your life experiences, and marinate on and adjust to the results determines the direction of your life.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

Life is not always as we expect it, and as women, many times we take on too much or try to work and take care of our families, usually to our own detriment. However, Cheryl eventually realized what she was giving up at home and decided to make a change. She quit her job just about the time the pandemic was starting. As we all know, the pandemic changed a LOT of things. That didn’t get her down, they came up with the idea to create meals once a week based on a country. I was so intrigued by this because many times I like to try new cuisines but trying to cook it at home might be a bit tricky. But don’t assume that she was doing all of the cooking, it was definitely a family affair. I loved how each member of the family was responsible for one of the dishes and I felt sorry for one of her sons that always seems to get stuck with the dishes that called for diced onion. He learned how to chop those onions without crying…eventually.

Not only do we discover what these dinners were like in her family and what they talked about while cooking, but Cheryl throws in some of her life lessons and observations while working in the corporate world. Having recently retired myself, I found a lot of this resonating with how I was feeling about my own life. Needless to say, I am quite happy with my new life situation, at least for the moment, and felt like I could identify with the author.

This book melds home and work life, and there are so many examples that one could derive some sort of “ah-ha” moment. I appreciated her insight into how to work with a team and to bring them all together on the same page. It really is all about listening and asking the right questions.

There are some passages from the book that really resonated with me:

It’s OK to change course to find the most appropriate lessons for you and your situation.

As I started to be more open and vulnerable, I became more present. It wasn’t about completing tasks, but about experiencing the moment. Feeling, absorbing, sharing, and connecting. About understanding how my actions impacted others and how I could help them have the best experience.

We are on this planet to serve and support each other. Relationships are the key to surviving and thriving. When we focus on how we can serve in our daily lives, our world expands. 

This really was an enjoyable book and I came away with some key thoughts and ideas on how to deal with others. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Cheryl Schuberth is a graduate of the University of California San Diego and a respected corporate leader.

As a wife, mom, and former corporate go-getter, Cheryl knows firsthand the frustration of trying to do it all and feeling that none of it is good enough. After twenty-five years leading and coaching teams in the male-dominated technology space, she stepped away from that world and embarked on a mission to enhance her relationships with her teenage sons and, at the same time, empower other working women to become more curious about their options and reevaluate their priorities.

She now coaches women to help them feel their best, increase their confidence, and put themselves at the top of the list. Cheryl lives outside Boulder, CO, where she enjoys hiking, skiing, and all things outdoors.

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway

 

Enter to win $25 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Cheryl Schuberth, author of MEASURE, MIX, AND MARINATE (one winner) (ends Nov 19)

 

 

MEASURE MIX AND MARINATE Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

 

The hilarious, family-friendly official cookbook of the hit Netflix show Nailed It!, attempting the best in baking and celebrating the failures along the way

In this official companion cookbook, the creators of Nailed It! share the tips, tricks, and detailed recipes behind the incredible cakes and baked goods from your favorite episodes, as well as simplified versions of some memorable challenges to give even the most inexperienced baker a fighting chance. With recipes ranging from stress-free cookies and cupcakes you can whip up with ease to the most intimidating cakes ever revealed behind Door #2, this book contains everything you need to put your skills to the test—and have an absolute blast along with way, whether your creation is a mouthwatering masterpiece or a delicious disaster.

Inside, you’ll also find tips for hosting your own Nailed It! challenge, an Introduction and tricks of the trade from head judge Jacques Torres, exclusive interviews with some of our incredible celebrity guest judges, and odes to iconic host Nicole Byer. With this book, bakers of every age and every skill level can come together and get their hands (and their kitchens) dirty, and with hilarious stories from behind the scenes and throwbacks to the show’s most noteworthy baking disasters, it’s also a must-have companion for every fan.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Abrams

 

 

If you are a fan of the reality show Nailed It! on Netflix, then this is the book for you. I have to admit that I don’t watch much reality television but occasionally will look at a cooking competition, since I love to cook (and I have a friend that was on one of the shows). I can’t even imagine the pressure the contestants are under to produce a dish or dessert within a certain amount of time, but somehow they do it so more power to them.

When I received this book as part of Abrams Dinner Party, I was intrigued and loved flipping through the pages, looking at the cakes, and reading the stories from the cast and contestants. There is even a woman from Texas that was able to regain her love for baking after a serious accident in the military.

The book starts with a forward from Head Judge Jacques Torres and his insight into the book and the show. The book is then divided into six sections including one on how to host your own Nailed It! Party. I liked that there is an advice page for beginners because that would be me. I love to cook and do some baking, but decorated cakes? Definitely not my forte. There are tips for working with various ingredients like fondant.

The book does have a chapter where they focus on smaller treats for the beginner, like a single-layer cake, cake pops, and cupcakes. This is definitely where I would start until I felt more comfortable working with some of the ingredients. Each recipe gives step-by-step instructions and most have multiple photos to give the baker a better sense of how to assemble the project. If you want to see how a cake was created on the show, the season and episode are also provided. That could be fun to watch after you create your own masterpiece and you can see if you Nailed It or Failed It. There are tips provided that could be a boon of information whether for that dish or another.

While I don’t know how many of these I will try, I do enjoy learning new tips and tricks and will watch an episode or two of the show to see if the bakers Nailed It or Failed It.

 

 

 

 

 

From the editors at Southern Living, warm and welcoming holiday recipes and creative ideas for decorating, entertaining, and handmade gifts

Discover fun and creative new ways to decorate, entertain, and handcraft gifts for the holidays. Sparkling menus and easy décor ideas, along with more than 100 brand-new recipes from the professionals of the South’s most trusted kitchen, make entertaining a breeze for celebrations of all sizes. Inside, the editors of Southern Living reveal their favorite cooking tips and make-ahead secrets that take the pressure off hosting and put the focus on family and friends. There is also a special gifts-from-the-kitchen section with recipes for treats to wrap and share. More than 200 photographs show off dazzling holiday decorations and table settings to try, plus inspired designs for holiday wreaths, trees, centerpieces, and mantel arrangements. Christmas with Southern Living is the go-to resource for everything you need to make your holiday bright.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Abrams

 

If you are a Christmas fanatic, then you need to pick this book up for a variety of ideas from decoration to food. This is my second year to receive this book as part of the Abrams Dinner Party (new book each year, not the same one each year!) and I love the colorful photos, decor ideas, menu ideas, and the notes section at the back for gift ideas, space for notes on what worked or didn’t work, and a party planning guide.

Each photo is accompanied by notes on how they created the look or the history of some of the ideas. It looks like this year’s ideas are blue and rustic with a few other things thrown into the mix.

Of course, anytime I receive a book I have to look at the food portion first. There are so many delectable recipes and I have only just begun to dive into the various dishes. I have made two so far and they were from different menu suggestions, but they worked well together in my opinion. I made the Chicken Thighs with Parsnips and Oranges and the Goat Cheese Grits. Both were delicious and dishes I would make again. I did cut the grits recipe down since there are just two of us at home, and it was still a lot of food. But who doesn’t love leftovers?

For the chicken recipe, I did also add in some carrots with the parsnips for a little color and possibly a vegetable my husband would eat…yeah that didn’t happen. The recipe calls to serve over mashed potatoes or rice, this is where the grits came in and I served it alongside and not under the chicken.

There are several restaurants in town that serve a jalapeno cheese grit side dish that I order every single time. This was my first time making grits at home and it really wasn’t as hard as I thought. There were a few things I realized later on that affected the recipe such as my chicken stock was unsalted. I couldn’t figure why I needed to add so much salt until I read the packaging a couple of days later and it was light a lightbulb went off. I do have a tip for reheating these grits that made them even better – I added a little half and half to the amount I was reheating and the grits tasted even creamier. I didn’t add a lot, maybe 1/4 at the most. Next time, I might add some diced jalapenos for a little kick to the dish. This is definitely going into my rotation.

Each year my book club has a sweet treat exchange. I have noted several recipes that I might just try out such as the Mighty Mint Pinwheels, the Raspberry Palmiers, Mocha-Mint Sables, and the Fruit-and-Nut Icebox Cookies. The last one even has alternate combinations should there be any specific nut allergies.

This book is definitely geared toward those that love the holidays and go all out. But I think anyone could find a few ideas and recipes here that would put a whole new spin and might impress your friends and family.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Life choices separated them, but fate proves they are truly in love.

Inheriting the Willow Falls Inn from their aunt and uncle was a gift the Alden sisters couldn’t pass up. With each sibling facing upheaval in their personal and professional lives, eldest sister Gavynn sees returning to the place they called home as the fresh start they all need. But the century-old Victorian picks their return to show its age with broken pipes and a mess that makes Gavynn question her choices. But the real chaos comes in the form of the handyman dispatched to rescue them.

Cade Donaldson was finding a new kind of normal after his father’s heart attack. The family construction business flourished under Cade’s management while the older Donaldson recuperated and his routine gave him much needed predictability and comfort. That is until the girl who left Cade without so much as a goodbye came crashing back into his life without warning.

The adolescent bond they formed lingers under the surface, but ghosts they each battle threaten the new future hanging just within reach.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo

 

 

Review

 

This new series is going to be a lot of fun! I already love the premise that three sisters band together after their aunt passes away to take over the B&B and run it themselves. Granted, it needs some work, but it is well known so the future shouldn’t be too bad especially with a world-class restaurant added to the highlights.

This particular story is a second chance romance between Gavynn and Cade. Gavynn and Cade were an item in high school until she abruptly left and broke his heart. But neither really go over the other and when they meet again there are sparks. While they don’t fall right back in with each other, they are willing to pursue it and see where things lead. Cade does have some issues holding him back and that is the guilt about his dad’s heart attack and will he return to his old self pre-surgery? He also is afraid to be too far away should something else happen to his dad. That does go to show how much he cares about family. He even shows that with Gavynn’s sisters and their interactions.

There isn’t much tension between the two and it is a sweet, clean romance story. I think the entertaining part is between the three sisters: Gavynn, Blake, and Ryann. They are close yet aren’t afraid to banter with each other. I think it is interesting how they all have what we would consider traditionally a male name. There isn’t much discussion about the names or why their parents chose to name them this way. No matter, these sisters look out for each other and no one will harm come between the three of them, or do them harm.

The next book will feature Blake and Cade’s best friend, Mason. I think sparks might fly in this book.

Take a chance on this series and you might just fall “inn” love with the town and the characters.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Books, coffee, and chocolate make up both the heart and body mass that is better known as Amelia Foster. She has been a lifelong lover of the written word, both as a reader and an author, and completed her first manuscript at the ripe old age of five complete with illustrations. Sadly, her art was a medium that never improved over time although thankfully her writing has.

From sweet to salacious the only requirement Amelia has in books she reads – and definitely in the ones she crafts – is an excessively satisfying happily ever after… and then a little bit more.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Instagram

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

He knew there was a cost. He just didn’t know how great it’d be.

Gabriel Kelly returned to Russia for one reason—to bury his parents. After ten years in the United States, he hadn’t expected to return to his childhood home in the face of tragedy. However, after short days in Moscow, he begins to consider if the same call that cost his parents’ lives is now upon him.

Sofia Rykova’s dreams finally came true when she became a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. One night, though, an old crush walks back into her life, making her wonder if there is more to life than ballet. Gabe Kelly is just as she remembered, just as she longed for—yet religion stands between them.

Unknown to Gabe and Sofia, danger lurks closer than either would have guessed. The deaths of Gabe’s parents grow more suspicious by the day, and Gabe and Sofia are drawn into the midst of a plot neither can escape. Will obedience to God’s call—in spite of their fears and desires—result in a price too steep to bear?

 

 

Amazon * Other Retailers

 

 

Review

 

I didn’t read the synopsis when I started reading this book (I had before but that was months ago!). What I found when I delved into this book was intrigue, ballet, hardened criminals, light romance, and a belief in God and the mission to share it with others.

I will be honest, I never thought about a Baptist church in Russia. I don’t know why and of course I had to look, and yes you can find a Baptist church in Russia. I love when I learn something new. Anyway, this story follows Gabe who had left his missionary parents in Russia to pursue a life back in the USA. However, when his parents were killed, he came back to wrap things up and discovered that maybe that is where he belonged, continuing what his parent’s started. Gabe is strong in faith but weak at the same time. This is a reflection that we all struggle with our beliefs and hold true to them no matter the situation.

Sofia knew Gabe from their teen years and his parents welcomed her with open arms. She is doing the one thing that she loves the most, ballet, and has become a soloist with the ballet company. As it is with most athletes, they tend to perform even when not 100%, and I could feel Sofia’s pain while dancing on injured ankles and more. It didn’t help that another dancer was out to get her and do whatever she could to take over her role in the ballet company. Then there is her brother…oh my! He is not one I would want to tangle with in a dark alley. He hides his true self from Sofia quite well and I’m surprised no one has told her what he is really like when not around her.

The story is suspenseful as Gabe tries to figure out who killed his parents and why. The pace is consistent but really ramps up near the end as the story is drawing to a conclusion. Gabe has a forgiving heart and a strong faith which he shares with Sofia and encourages her to have a stronger faith in God and Jesus. He shares it by his convictions and scriptures that are a roadmap for what we should do in this life as Christians.

The book has a great cast of supporting characters and each plays an important part in moving the storyline forward and supporting Gabe and Sofia.

We give this book 4 paws up and if you enjoy Christian Romantic Suspense novels then this might be the book you are looking for as your next read.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Vanessa Hall is an author, musician, and homeschool graduate. Most days, she is reading, writing, or practicing the violin—or trying to find time for all three pursuits. Currently, she is working toward gaining a degree in instrumental music education. Unknown is her debut novel. Above all, she is a sinner saved and held fast by the abounding grace of Jesus Christ.

 

Blog * Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis

 

A new cozy mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Paranormal Investigation Bureau series.

Avery Winters was overjoyed to be brought back to life… unfortunately, the dead were waiting for her.

Aussie journalist Avery Winters was content—she had a caring boyfriend, great job, and supportive… okay, so her parents weren’t actually supportive, but she’d accepted she could never be the son they’d wanted seeing as how she was born a girl. Avoiding them seemed to work well, and, she reasoned, no one’s life was perfect.

And that was fine, except whilst covering a news story in a storm, Avery’s cosy life disappeared in a flash. Lightning struck, stopping her heart and blowing her favourite black boots to smithereens. It was pure luck that an off-duty nurse was walking nearby.

When Avery came to in the ambulance en route to hospital, she’d thought the worst was over. She was wrong.

Her lightning-induced hallucinations—there was no way they were ghosts—were impossible to hide. Her boyfriend soon left, and her boss suggested she take extended leave. Unable to cover her rent, she moved back in with her parents. And that’s when the fun really began. Unable to cope with their insistence she was crazy, and desperate for an escape, she responded to a journalist-wanted ad… in the UK, because getting mega far away from her parents could only be a good thing.

Armed with a new fear of storms, companions others couldn’t see, and the hope that leaving the stress behind would improve her mental state, she boarded a plane for London. What she didn’t count on was not being able to leave her ghosts behind… literally. Oh, and that the quaint English village she’d be living in had more skeletons in its closet than the Natural History Museum.

When she stumbles upon a dead body in her rented apartment on her first day, she’s tempted to get back on the plane. But whilst it’s not a good omen, returning to her parents would be worse, so she decides to stay. Only, she’s not sure if it’s the best decision she’s ever made, or the worst.

She’s about to find out.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Google Books

 

 

Review

 

This was definitely a different type of cozy than I normally read but I really enjoyed the book.

Avery has moved from Australia to England to a small town to escape a broken relationship. She was also struck by lightning which has revealed a new talent, the ability to speak to ghosts. This can be a good and a bad thing and reminds me a lot of the show, The Ghost Whisperer.

Things don’t go so well for Avery when she arrives at her new home and finds a dead body on the floor. However, this turns out to be a really good thing because she meets new people and of course has to solve the murder, write newspaper articles that feature the town residents, and maybe even help a few ghosts along the way.

I thought this had a few different twists and I enjoyed trying to figure out who the killer was and why. I think I solved the who right before it was revealed, but I wasn’t 100% sure on the why. There are a few clues and it all makes sense in the end.

I think this is going to be a fun new series and I can’t wait to see what happens next and if Avery finds a new love interest because there are hints of one in this book.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

I’m a fantasy, cozy mystery, and suspense author with an associate degree of creative writing. My other day job is editing fiction and non fiction while my cat sits on my lap.

I love writing and sharing my stories, but I wish they wouldn’t keep me awake at night.

I also write women’s fiction under the pen name Eloise March.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook * BookBub

 

 

Synopsis

 

I’m seven years old and I’ve never had a best mate. Trouble is, no one gets my jokes. And Breaks-it isn’t helping. Ha! You get it, don’t you? Brexit means everyone’s falling out and breaking up.

Huxley is growing up in the suburbs of London at a time of community tensions. To make matters worse, a gang of youths is targeting isolated residents. When Leonard, an elderly newcomer chats with Huxley, his parents are suspicious. But Huxley is lonely and thinks Leonard is too. Can they become friends?

Funny and compassionate, this contemporary novel for adults explores issues of belonging, friendship, and what it means to trust.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

 

 

Review

 

Huxley is a typical seven year old boy. He gets into mischief, has a big heart, and isn’t afraid to say what he thinks or what he wants. His parents, on the other hand, want to make sure he stays safe from harm.

I loved Huxley’s outlook on life. He liked to make different words for common words to be funny. Sometimes, adults got it and sometimes they didn’t. He also saw the desire in others to have a friend when others might pass them by such as Leonard. I have to admit, I thought he might be up to no good, but when we learn the truth, our heart goes out to him and his situation. He also tends to get into a little bit of trouble when trying to stand up to bullies either for himself or others.

While the main character is a young boy, I don’t think this book is meant for younger readers. It covers more serious topics such as bullying, infidelity, pedophilia, and marital infidelity. But at the same time, it brings light to some more serious topics through Huxley’s eyes and his parents. Plus, it covers topics such as friendship and how to get over a disagreement with your friends.

This book will make you smile, especially at Huxley’s new words for more commonplace ones, and will give you insight into an average family. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Read an excerpt here

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Novelist, poet and scriptwriter, Gail Aldwin’s debut coming-of-age novel The String Games was a finalist in The People’s Book Prize and the DLF Writing Prize 2020. Following a stint as a university lecturer, Gail’s children’s picture book Pandemonium was published. Gail loves to appear at national and international literary and fringe festivals. Prior to Covid-19, she volunteered at Bidibidi in Uganda, the second largest refugee settlement in the world. When she’s not gallivanting around, Gail writes at her home overlooking water meadows in Dorset.

 

Twitter * Facebook * Blo

 

 

 

 

Festive Mayhem 2 (Seven Holiday Culinary Cozy Mysteries)
Culinary Cozy Mystery Anthology
Independently Published (October 1, 2021)
Number of Pages: 215

 

Seven crime writers of color have teamed up for the second year running to offer you the gift of escape this holiday season. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, Halloween to New Year’s, cozy mystery fans are bound to find a favorite holiday represented in this limited-time collection of exclusive, never-before-published seasonal short stories.

 

 

Amazon * Apple Books * B&N * Kobo

 

 

Review

 

These 7 novellas are perfect when you are looking for a bite or a snack to read and don’t have time for a full-length novel.

The stories cover major holidays and are set in the past, the present, and even in various countries.

I enjoyed reading each one and being exposed to a new cozy author and will be looking for more works by these authors.

Sometimes I solved the mystery before the reveal, and sometimes I didn’t. About my average speed when reading a mystery.

I liked that there are recipes at the end and there are a few that I want to try out soon.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Find out more about the authors

 

Paige Sleuth * Francelia Belton * Angela Henry * Rhoda Berlin

 

Carolyn Marie Wilkins * Barbara Howard * Stella Oni

 

 

Giveaway

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Death by Sample Size is a humorous cozy mystery that takes place in the Los Angeles garment center. The last thing Ditzy Swimwear sales exec Holly Schlivnik expected was to discover ruthless buying office big wig Bunny Frank’s corpse trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey with a bikini stuffed down her throat. When Holly’s colleague is arrested for Bunny’s murder, the wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to find the real murderer. Nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she matches wits with a wily killer hellbent on revenge.

 

 

Amazon * Kobo * B&N * Google * Apple * Target

 

 

Review

 

This is quite a fascinating new cozy series set in LA where it takes hours to get anywhere, even down the street, and is home to the swimsuit fashion industry portrayed in this book. The book is filled with wise-cracking characters who cracked me up at the craziest times and lost of humorous descriptions that will have you shaking your head in disbelief.

Holly discovers a dead body in the elevator and how does she react when confronted? She laughs. It is her defense mechanism and thankfully her friend, the coroner, can confirm that tidbit so they don’t think she is too crazy laughing at death. But from there it is a race for Holly to figure out who killed Bunny and why. It is a huge cast of characters because no one really likes Bunny, she is manipulative and devious, a good way to end up murdered.

The book does start off with Holly finding the body and then it goes back in time leading up to the murder so we can get a better picture of who Bunny is and why no one likes her. There are many suspicious characters and the author does a great job of throwing in red herrings to keep us guessing who the real killer is. I think I had narrowed it down to this character because none of the others seemed to fit in just right. I was quite surprised at the ending and the confrontation with the killer. Definitely not a traditional ending.

This is definitely a book worth picking up and I’ll be interested to see what shenanigans that Holly will be up to in the next book. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

When the elevator doors opened, I had to stop myself short not to step on her. There was Bunny Frank-the buying office big shot-lying diagonally across the car. Her legs were splayed out and her back was propped against the corner. Her sightless eyes were wide open and her arms reached out in a come-to-me baby pose. She was trussed up with shipping tape like a dressed Thanksgiving turkey ready for the oven with a bikini stuffed in her mouth. A Gotham Swimwear hangtag drooped off her lower lip like a toe tag gone lost. Naturally, I burst out laughing.

Before you label me incredibly weird or stone-cold, let me say genetics aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. If you’re lucky you inherit your Aunt Bertha’s sexy long legs or your father’s ability to add a bazillion dollar order in his head and get the total correct to the last penny. Without even breaking into a sweat, it’s easy to spout at least a million fabulous traits inheritable by the luck of the draw. Did I get those sexy long legs or the ability to add more than two plus two without a calculator? Noooooooooo. Lucky me. I inherited my Nana’s fear of death we overcompensated for with the nervous habit of laughing. A hysterical reaction? Think Bozo the clown eulogizing your favorite aunt.

I craned my neck like a tortoise and checked around. Then I clamped a fist over my mouth. Cripes, how could I possibly explain my guffaws with Bunny lying there? The disappointment was simultaneously mixed with relief when there was no one else in the parking lot. Where was security when you needed them?

I toed the elevator door open and bent over Bunny. I’d seen enough CSI episodes to know not to touch her. She was stiff as a board and I attributed the bluish tinge of her skin to the bikini crammed down her throat. I was no doctor, but I didn’t need an MD after my name to make this diagnosis. Bunny Frank was dead as the proverbial doorknob.

It was no surprise Bunny Frank had finally pushed someone beyond their limits. The only surprise was it had taken so long. The question wasn’t who wanted Bunny Frank dead. The question was who didn’t?

 

 

About the Author

 

Born in the Big Apple, Susie Black now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.

She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.

 

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