Category: mystery

Mystery Thriller Week

May 13-23, 2019 will be the week to view all the different sub categories of Mystery. There is a slot where where I would like you to click and read my columns for Cozy Mysteries. It has taken me a long time to understand that I really like this sub genre of mystery.

I am a member of Sisters in Crime-National and Colorado. I am also a member of Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators. I have manucript started for both types of material for each organization.

My cozy mystery is about a former teacher who left teaching because of bad decisions, miscarriage and death. The first book is an introduction to form the backstory. After that the stories will incoporate the proganist’s Mom, Dad and the rest of the family. I hope it goes over big.

The manuscript for picture books has a working title of “Backyard Zoo”.

Stay tuned!!

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Author: Lynn Cahoon

Lynn Cahoon is an author that I discovered via Netgally. (Netgally is a website that influence the sale of book by offering advanced copies of ebooks to book reviewers.) This author, Lynn Cahoon, has written three series that are published by Kensington/Lyrical Underground. She also writes contemporary romances set in a small town under the pen name Lynn Collins. I have not read any of the romances that Ms. Cahoon has written at all. I really don’t like romances.

This post is about what I know and read about Lynn Cahoon. Based on the information i have received she is a breast cancer survivor and it sounds like she reorganized her life by writing. I was very impressed with her profile, her output in the last few years I have read all of her books in the following three series:

TOURIST TRAP

CAT LATMINER

FARM TO FORK

I have really enjoyed each and every of the books. Since I haven’t posted all of the reviews for the books in the series. In this post and the series to follow I will post the reviews and also the links to Amazon, Good reads, in addition to sending copies to her and her publisher, which is standard

Look for all of this, as it will be coming soon.

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Book Review: Bearly Departed

Synopsis

Thirty-one-year-old Sasha Silverman leads a charmed life as a manager of the family teddy bear shop and factory. Well, except for the part about being a single divorcée with a ticking biological clock in small-town Silver Hollow. There is Will Taylor, the sales rep who’s set on making drastic changes to the business her parents built from scratch—with or without Sasha’s approval and making her feel like she is not worth consulting.

Unfortunately, someone has left Will’s dead body inside the factory. Now Sasha hot-tempered Uncle Ross is suspected of murdering him.  Sasha knows her uncle would never do such a thing, and she’s launching her own little investigation to expose the truth.

Book Review Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

Nice book, to many characters in it though, but I did like the premise of the bear making factory in the story.  Sasha is a good character.  However it is a good start to a fun series.

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Room for Doubt by Nancy Cole Silverman

Synopsisroom without a doubt

Reporter Carol Childs is called to a crime scene in the Hollywood Hills at five thirty in the morning, and she’s convinced this is a  publicity stunt to promote a new movie. The police are quick to rule it a suicide, but something doesn’t add up for Carol, espcially since someone named Mustang Sally confesses to the murder on the air and threatens to kill again.

Book Review and 4.0 rating

This book was not as good as the previous one because it seemed as if she was following a trend that I have seen in other cozy mysteries.  The idea of the psychic was okay, because this is her friend.  This book however seemed to follow along with her job as a reporter.  This was cool!

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Let’s Salute the Week!

It is memorial weekend!  Please take a moment and thank the veterans and those who died to protect our rights to agree and disagree. All Gave Some, Some Gave All

Some stood through for the red, white and blueScreenshot 2017-05-28 22.26.23
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some Gave All

Read more: Billy Ray Cyrus – Some Gave All Lyrics | MetroLyrics

 

Mysteries, Mysteries and More

I have been reading a lot of books lately.  I just need to get the reviews up and completed. However, I have learned a few things about some of the books I have been reading:

  1.  I am not crazy about reading the second or third book in a chapter, especially when the author constantly refers to the previous books.
  2. The books need to have a hook that sets this book apart from the others, while still keeping it in the series.
  3. Cliffhangers are okay, but I am not real crazy about the ending that book, and still have to read the next book to figure out the ending.

This creates somewhat of problem when I am reading a new book by a new author.  I find myself thinking about what happen where and especially if the story is not the beginning.  Now I have read books that have a back story, but that backstory is part of the ongoing series.  (I hope that makes sense.)

There are a couple of new characters that seem to be different and I have read a cozy mystery where the main character is a male.  This makes the second male in the many cozy mystery stories that I have read.

In addition, I have been asked to do some interviews, blog tours and few other different things.  I also have realized that my blog is not connecting to the different social media sites that I belong to so I will be correcting that as well.

Have a great Weekend and look for the new books!!

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Mainly Needlepoint Series by Lea Wait

Screenshot 2017-05-20 23.09.26Lea Wait has four daughters and husband.  Her husband is a painter and she is a writer.  In addition, this series she writes both mysteries and historical novels.

Screenshot 2017-05-20 23.09.261

Twisted Threads

Synopsis

Screenshot 2017-05-20 23.30.45 After leaving a decade ago, Angie has been called back to Harbor Haven by her grandmother, Charlotte, who raised her following her mother’s disappearance when she was a child. Her mother has been found, and now the question of her whereabouts has sadly become the mystery of her murder.

The bright spot in Angie’s homecoming is reuniting with Charlotte, who has started her own needlepointing business with a group called Mainely Needlepointers. But when a shady business associate of the stitchers dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, case. . .

Book Reviews and 4.6 stars

This was a sad story.  Not only did Angie’s mother disappear when she was small, but she never knew her father.  Her Grandmother by all accounts was a wonderful person, but her Mom just disappeared.

Unfortunately, there is someone prying upon the Mainely Needlepointers and that is just awful.  I have serious issues with an individual who will steal from a poor, old people who are just trying to make a living.  Angie resolves it, read and find out how!

Threads and Evidence

thread of evidence

Synopsis

Angie Curtis and the Mainely Needlepointers are familiar with the Gardener estate. The crumbling Victorian mansion, known as “Aurora,” has been sitting vacant for nearly twenty-five years–and some say it’s haunted by the ghost of Jasmine Gardener, the teenage girl who died there in 1970 under mysterious circumstances…

Harbor Haven is abuzz with excitement when Hollywood actress Skye West decides to buy Aurora and sell off its furnishings.  Angie is intrigued when Skye asks her to appraise the estate’s sizable collection of needlepoint pictures.

Book Reviews

Not only did they find some interesting items in the Gardener estate. The ladies also find a mystery.  It is a very interesting book and well written. This book was better, much, better than the first one. I really enjoyed it and everyone who reads this book will as well. However, we got to get some outsiders or the population is going to go down quicker. Can’t wait for the wedding!

Thread and Gone

Synopsis

Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. However, Mary Clough drops in on the group’s Fourth of July supper with a question about antique needlepoint she’s discovered in her family Colonial-era home, Angie and her revelers are happy to look into the matter.

Their best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepoint. If they’re right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in her office safe.

Book Review and 4.5 stars

This was interesting to me, because I didn’t realize the Mary, Queen of Scots was famous for her needlepoint.  (I guess she had to do something while she was imprisoned.) Unfortunately has with everything else that has value, it pull all types of thieves to the piece.  What happens is awful, and the murder is someone who no one would suspect, but value is placed on the piece and the murder wants the piece of materials.

 

Tightening the Threads

Screenshot 2017-05-20 22.57.07

Synopsis

Sarah Byrne is an antique dealer who has never spoke about  the truth about her past to anyone—not even friend and fellow Mainely Needlepointer Angie Curtis. However now the Aussie finally has the one thing she’s searched for all her life—family. She has a  long-lost half-brother, Ted Lawrence, a wealthy old artist and gallery owner in town, are ready to reveal their secret connection . . .

Unfortunately, Ted’s adult children are suspicious of their newfound aunt Sarah—especially after Ted, in declining health, announces plans to leave her his museum-worthy heirloom paintings. So when Ted is poisoned to death during a lobster bake, everyone assumes she’s guilty.

Book Review and 4.5 stars

The writing is very sequential and I was totally unaware that the Ted was going to announce the fact that they were family.  Family is very important, but it is also very hurtful.  Non of the children have seen one another for over a decade and they have a new aunt to deal with, something that no one wants!  Especially since this new aunt will get a piece of the estate and it apparent that the children all want and need the original will to stand.

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Death Around the Bend by T.E. Kinsey

Synopsis

September 1909, and Lady Hardcastle and her maid, Florence, have been invited to Lord Riddlethorpe’s country estate for a week of motor racing and parties. They both agree that it sounds like a perfectly charming holiday. But when one of the drivers dies in a crash during the very first race, they discover that what seemed like an uncharacteristic error in judgement, reveals that the driver’s car was sabotaged—and the driver murdered.

Book Review plus 4.7 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the story.  This story illustrates the difference in classes among those who live above the stairs and those who live below the stairs.  It is interesting to see the difference among the servants below the stairs .  Florence is a ladies maid who gets the information for her lady as their investigate.  It is just so thoroughly enjoyalbe story!!!

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Zodiac Mysteries by Connie di Marco

Julia Bonatti is the main character of zodiac mysteries, a womanMadness of Mercurywhose life has taken anunexpected turn, whose clients bring their problems to her doorstep and sometimes lead her into grave danger. This series is written by Connie di Marco

 

 

 

 

 

Madness of MurderScreenshot 2017-05-20 22.17.13

Synopsis

San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti’s life is turned upside down when she becomes the target of the city’s newest cult leader, Reverend Roy of the Prophet’s Tabernacle. Driven out of her apartment in the midst of a disastrous Mercury retrograde period, she takes shelter with a client who’s caring for two elderly aunts. One aunt appears stricken with dementia and the other has fallen under the spell of the Reverend Roy.

Book Review and 4.6 stars

 

I am a Christian and I don’t believe in people who foretell the future.  However, I would never be part of situation that Julia finds herself involved in.  This cult in my opinion is a group of individuals who are judgemental and we need to leave judgement to our God.  Having said this, I would like to state that this is a good read and the author did a good job in writing the book in a non judgemental manner and provided all of with an insight to what can happen when a person is involved in such a situation.  It is a dangerous situation and I encourage you to read it and find out what happens to Julia.

All Signs Point to Murder

Signs Point to Murder

Synopsis

Julia Bonatti is alarmed by the astrological signs looming over Geneva Leary’s wedding day, but nobody asked Julia’s opinion and being a bridesmaid means supporting the bride no matter what. especially, when after the end of the wedding one of the wedding partner is killed.  Who was the murder? With anger and grief threatening to tear the Leary family part, Julia is determined to understand how such a terrible tragedy could occur.

In addition, her good friend is about to face her ex husband in divorce court.  This man is awful and wants his ex-wife on the street.

Between her new friend’s situation with her ex and her old friend’s family issues at the wedding, life if hard.  The two situation provide a way for the reader to see how hard love can be and what it can do to us when we are caught in the middle.

Book Review and 4.3 stars

This was a very interesting book.  I encourage individuals to spend time reading the story and really  see how our life are affected by what other people do to us. It is very interesting how the Julia reads the star to see how life can work out for us

 

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A Haunted Vintage Mystery Series Review

RoseRose Pressey states on her Amazon web page that she really likes to write quirky books about the paranormal.  Her contact links are as follows: In order to receive her newsletter at http://oi.vresp.com/?fid=cf78558c2a. Or join her on Facebook for lots of fun and prizes. https://www.facebook.com/authorrosepressey

 

Cookie Chanel owns a vintage clothing boutique called It’s Vintage, Y’all.  The series began in December 2014.  The main character is  Cookie Chanel who has moved to the town of Sugar Creek, Georgia.  Cookie is always on the lookout for stylish second-hand steals and blogs about her buys, store and vintage tips. A newly murdered ghost usually attach themselves to her and she must solve that persons murder in order for the ghost to cross over.  That is, with the exception of Charlotte Meadows. Also her friend Heather (a non psychic who runs a psychic store and can’t see ghosts), her parents and newly transplanted detective and lawyer….and her cat Wind Song (really her grandmother).

If You’ve Got it, Haunt it

Synopsis

Cookie Chanel has opened her own vintage clothing boutique, It’s Vintage, Y’All, in ta small town of Sugar Creek, Georgia. At an estate sale of deceased socialite Charlotte Meadows, she gets a lot more than she bargained for when Charlotte’s ghost appears before her—offering fashion advice and begging Cookie to find out who murdered her.
In addition, psychic  cat moves into the shop. Hoping to solve the murder without dying herself, Cookie sorts through all of the possible suspects and with her psychic cat and non-psychic friend the murder is solve.

Book Review and 4.7 stars

It was a good, well written book.  Cookie seems a little lonely initially, but as the book developed I think she got more company that she hoped for, not to mention Charlotte.  Charlotte is an out spoken, strong community member, who is constantly criticizing Cookie’s dress, love life but wants her car.  Who knows?

All Dressed Up and No Where to Haunt (Book Two)

Synopsis

A film is being shot on a historic plantation, and vintage clothing store owner Cookie Chanel has been asked provide authentic period outfits for its stars. When Cookie discovers the temperamental leading lady drowned in a pond, wearing a lovely vintage dress, she’s suddenly on location for a real-life crime scene. Her psychic cat provides her with  supernatural support as Cookie looks for the murder.

Book Review and 4.5 stars

This was a good, strong book.  It provided me with insight on why I would not like to supply a movie with something that cannot be replaced.  AS Cookie stated even though her contract states that they will pay for the item, she still cannot replace the item.  Hopefully, Cookie doesn’t get to hurt as follows up on the clues that she discovers during her investigation.

Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore

Synopsis

A hot-ticket charity fashion show is the perfect chance for Cookie Chanel, proud owner of It’s Vintage Y’All, to show off her stylistic savvy for a good cause. However the ghost of a former private investigator asks for Cookie’s help, when he is murdered.  Charlotte Meadows (her ever-present ghost) develops a flirtation with the new ghost, as she offers interesting suggestions.  While all of this is going on, the private eye ghost wants his hat, try explaining that to the police.  As ever, her psychic cat provides her with clues Cookie tries to stop the feud between her cat and her best friend. Cookie works hard to prevent another murder, her own.

Book Review and 4.6

The private eye liked Cookie’s car, but couldn’t always remember his investigation in order to help Cookie solve his murder.  Heather really is bothered by the fact that she is the one running a psychic store, but Cookie is the one with the ghost, the psychic cat and other weird things that go on in her life. It is a great book, that really keeps you wanting to read it all the way through to the end.

 

Haunted is Always in Fashion

Synopsis

As the owner of It’s Vintage, Y’All in Sugar Creek, Georgia, Cookie Chanel has agreed to share her expertise with author Juliana McDaniel. But on her way to town, Juliana is shot dead, and that was all she wrote. Cookie must solve the murder in order to help one of the inquisitive ghosts to move on. As usual her psychic cat, best friend and a couple of inquisitive ghosts help her to unmask the killer.

Book Review and 4.8 stars

The author is starting to tie interesting threads together and I hope that they will explored in further vintage mystery books.  I think that any reader will enjoy the book and want to real the entire series.

If the Haunting Fits, Wear it

Synopsis

Cookie Chanel lands a dream assignment of providing vintage hats for a high-society Kentucky Derby party. She leaves her mother and best friend, Heather, to mind the store  It’s Vintage Y’All, while Cookie, her psychic cat and resident ghost Charlotte  and Ginger (a new ghost)  to Kentucky.  While she is attending her first Derby party, a murder happens, the rider of the potential Derby-winning horse, Now she’s saddled with the jockey’s ghost, who insists she find his killer.

Book Review

It was kind of quirky, funny book.  Cookie thought she was going to have a fun working vacation as she dressed one of the players at the Kentucky Derby.  At first, it seemed to play that way for her, but then the murder happened and now she has three ghosts following her around. Two she brought with her, Ginger and Charlotte, and the jockey.  It turns out that the jockey did not have the most sterling character, so there are a few to many suspects.  Topping the list is a former girlfriend/witch, who enlists her friend to make Cookie’s life miserable.  A bed and breakfast, with a funky, make that weird hostess. Then her two boyfriends show up at her place of residence.  So many events occurring before the murder is revealed.

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The Red Carpet Catering Mysteries by Shawn Reilly Simmons

Shawn Reilly Simmons is the author of The Red Carpet Catering mysteries featuring Penelope Sutherland, an on-set movie caterer. Cooking behind the scenes on movie sets perfectly combined two of her greatest passions, movies and food, and provides the inspiration for her series.Shawn Reilly Simmons

The Red Carpet Catering Mysteries:
Murder on a Silver Platter (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery #1)
Murder on the Half Shell (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery #2)
Murder on a Designer Diet (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery #3)                                     Murder on the Main Course (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery #4)

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Murder on a Silver Platter (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery #1)

Synopsis

Penelope Sutherland and her Red Carpet Catering company just got their big break as the on-set caterer for an upcoming blockbuster. But when she discovers a dead body outside her house, Penelope finds herself in hot water. Things start to boil over when serious accidents threaten the lives of the cast and crew. And when the film’s star, who happens to be Penelope’s best friend, is poisoned, the entire production is nearly shut down.

The father of the Penelope’s best friend actually has a variety of children from different spots where he filmed his movies.  Unfortunately, he missed a child and that one wants attention.

Book Review plus 4.5 stars

This was a great read!  I liked how the author wove Hollywood into her plot.  It was a sequential read and I thought throughout very realistic.  It did take me a few pages to figure out all of the players, but all in the end the team of characters really put on a great story!!

Murder on the Half Shell (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery #2)

Synopsis

Filming a movie on a sunny Florida beach may seem like working in paradise, but dealing with the brutal heat, a difficult director and a leading lady with a serious aversion to seafood makes for a challenging task for Penelope Sutherland and her Red Carpet Catering crew.  When a flashy celebrity chef is accused of the crime, Penelope Sutherland steps in to help her former culinary school instructor find the truth.

Book Review and 4.2 stars

I don’t know, the book was well written, I enjoyed the story.  BUT it didn’t have the hook that the previous story did.  I guess because the middle kind of sagged for a few pages, however, it did pick up and the final chapters really brought the story back into a good read.

Murder on a Designer Diet (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery #3)

Synopsis

Penelope’s life revolves around cooking and keeping her Red Carpet Catering business afloat, and she’s just landed a hearty new job for her and her staff. Just when Penelope thinks life couldn’t be sweeter, a panicked late-night phone call from Max, her best friend’s brother, ends abruptly with shots fired on his end. Her relationship with her police boyfriend as sturdy as a soup sandwich, because of his involvement. Penelope hopes to resolve it and get her boyfriend out of hot water.

Book Review

The main reason I liked this book is because the boyfriend was depicted in a realistic manner.  He was investigated because of his involvement in a situation that totally outside of his jurisdication.  This is a good reminder that cozy mysteries the main character doesn’t have a set of rules that they must follow.  That touch really enhance the story and brought it home.  It is a great read!

Murder on the Main Course (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery #4)

Synopsis

Small Town. Big Secrets. Penelope and her Red Carpet Catering crew find themselves transported to a different world when they arrive on their newest movie set in rural Indiana. , Penelope feels more homesick for the big city and her boyfriend than ever before. Penelope works to uncover the darker truths boiling beneath the surface of his seemingly perfect life so they can leave.

Book Review plus 4.0

I don’t like it when small town are presented in a cliched manner, even for a book.  I grew up in a small town and outsiders were just that, outsiders.  There are things that no outsider will every know, but that doesn’t mean it’s all bad.  Anyway, the sequence of the book and the writing really held up and the book was fun to read once I got off my bandwagon concerning small towns.

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