Category: reviews

Book Review: Leave the Night On

Leave the Night on  by Laura Trentham

Synopsis

Love, betrayal, and sweet revenge—life in Cottonbloom is about to get a whole lot hotter . . .

Sutton Mize is known for lavishing attention on the customers who flock to her boutique on the wealthy side of her Mississippi town. So when she finds a lace thong in her fiancé’s classic cherry-red Camaro, she knows just who she sold it to: her own best friend. In an instant, Sutton’s whole world goes up in flames. . .

Wyatt Abbott has harbored a crush on Sutton since he was a young kid from the other side of the tracks. He witnessed Sutton’s shocking discovery in the Camaro at his family-owned garage—and it made him angry. What kind of man could take lovely, gorgeous Sutton for granted? But then Sutton comes up with an idea: Why not give her betrothed a taste of his own medicine and pretend that she’s got a lover of her own? Wyatt is more than happy to play the hot-and-heavy boyfriend. But what begins as a fictional affair soon develops into something more real, and more passionate, than either Sutton or Wyatt could have imagined. Could it be that true love has been waiting under the hood all along?

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

Romance!  Well the story of two people from either side of the tracks was a lot of fun to read, when it was just Sutton and Wyatt.  However, the other individual characters, didn’t like so much. However, I would take the time to read the story, you will enjoy it!!

This book was given to me, via Netgalley, in exchange for a honest review.

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A New Book in the Tourist Trap Series

killer partyKiller Party by Lynn Cahoon

Synopsis

A gang of old high school friends meet in South Cove, California for bachelor party.  Jill Gardner is attending as the guest of her boyfriend Greg, her new live in boyfriend and roommate.

After a few months of living with her boyfriend Greg, Jill is still getting used to sharing such close quarters, and now she is getting to know a group of his high school friends. Greg and his college pals celebrate their buddy’s upcoming wedding, right up until the time the groom to be is found floating facedown in the pool,  Jill is getting to know her boyfriend’s friends better than she thought she would as she investigates who killed Greg’s friends.

Meanwhile, Jill’s aunt is acting a bit strange, especially since the doctors want her to come in for some tests.  Not to mention Aunt Jackie isn’t sure about the new employee, either.  So much going on and you won’t guess who the killer is!  I”m not going to tell, either

Book Review  and 4.8 stars

I liked the story!  I think the whole series is great!  This story seems to be more about tying up some loose ends and setting us up for some interesting happenings in the future.  Check it out, you will love it!!

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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.

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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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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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A Sherlock Homes Bookshop Mystery Series by Vicki Delany

Vicki Delany is a Canadian based writer who writes crime fiction.  She still lives in Body on Baker StreetCanada and is the author of several crime fiction. She is a best-selling author and the president of Sisters in Crime in Canada.

 

 

 

Elementary, She Read (Book 1)

elementary she reads

Synopsis

Gemma Doyle, a transplanted Englishwoman, has returned to the quaint town of West London on Cape Cod to get over a bad marriage to a cheating husband.  In West London she co-owns with her Great Uncle Arthur’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and she also manages the shop on a day-to-day basis.  When Gemma finds a rare and potentially valuable magazine containing the first Sherlock Homes story hidden in the bookshop, she and her friend Jayne (who runs the adjoining Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room) set off to find the owner, only to stumble upon a dead body.

Book Review and 3.8 stars

This was a different type of cozy mystery for me, at first I wasn’t sure exactly what to think about the book. The story, however, got better as I read through the story.  I finally realized what kind of character she was and people treated her the way they did.  In addition, the people who were her friends WERE HER FRIENDS.  Her former boyfriend is a police detective and I got the feeling she and he had feelings for each other, but their personalities were just so different from one another.

It is a good book, an interesting book.

vicki delany (Book 2)

Synopsis

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are busy  (managing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium (which she co-owns with her Great uncle) on Baker Street and adjoining Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Reanlta VAn Markoff’s assistant calls and asks Gemma to host her mother, who is Renalta Markoff, a hugely popular author, for a book signing with the illustrious with Renalta Van Markoff, author of the controversial Hudson and Holmes mystery series. A dedicated Sherlockian,  Donald Morris verbally attacks Renalta and her series for disgracing Sherlock’s legacy, only to be publicly humiliated when the author triumphantly lashes back and gains the upper hand. That is until Renalta collapses on the table—dead.

Book Review 4.2 stars

This book was much better than the first book, maybe it was because I better understood the main character.  The book was well written and if didn’t have a sagging middle, the whole book just flowed from the first page until the very end of the story.

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Book Review: A Story to Kill

A Story to Kill by Lynn Cahoon

lynn cahoon 4Synopsis

Cat Latimer, a former English professor,  is back in Colorado, hosting writers’ retreats in the big blue Victorian she’s inherited. She has turned it into a bed and breakfast.  It was an  extremley interesting surprise, because it is from none other than her carousing ex-husband! Now it’s an authors’ getaway!
The bed-and-breakfast is open for business, and the guest from the first retreat are arriving.  One of them is bestselling author Tom Cook who is among its first guests. Cat doesn’t know why he came all the way from New York, but she’s glad to have him among the quirkier—and far less famous—attendees.

Cat’s high school sweetheart Seth, who’s fixing up the weathered home, brings on mixed emotions for Cat…some of them a little overpowering. However, her uncle, the local police chief, whom she’ll call for help when there’s a surprise ending for Tom Cook in his cozy guest room. Will a killer have the last word on the new life Cat has barely begun?

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New Book from Lynn Cahoon

lynn cahoon

 

Author Lynn Cahoon has two new books on the horizon.  Homicide and Hospitality is already out and it a wonderful addition to her series Tourist Trap Mystery Series.

Killer Party will coming out July 18, 2017. Look for it!!

 

 

Hospitality and Homicide Homicide and Hospitality

Synopsis:

Jill Gardner, an escapee from the big city, a former lawyer, now an owner of Coffee, Books, and More in South Cove, California.  Her aunt manages the store for her  and Jill needs another employee, Sasha is leaving her boyfriend and co-worker Toby and to take an internship.  Jill is also going to school to get her Masters in Business, at the insistence of her aunt.  If that isn’t enough, her boyfriend and police officer, Greg King are at a crossroads in their relationship.

Mystery author Nathan Pike checked into South Cove Bed & Breakfast to work on his novel.  In the meantime, Nathan has reached the conclusion that Greg is his new best friend.  The nature of the relationship with Mr. Pike, well,  Greg agrees they have one, but they aren’t BFFs.  A rival B&B owner ends up exactly like the victim in his draft— dead. Nathan thinks all of this is great research for his book, Jill’s the only one who can prove his innocence and find the killer!

Review: 4.7 Stars

I like this book a lot!  There were a lot of things going on and it seem like there was a great deal of reality in this book.  Wonderful read and great addition to the series!!

 

 

 

 

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An Aurora Anderson Mystery Series by Sybil Johnson

 

Screenshot 2017-04-03 21.45.23 (1)

This is Sybil Johnson,  She is the author of an Aurora Anderson Mystery Series.

Synopsis

Screenshot 2017-04-03 21.45.23

Aurora is a computer programmer who works out of her house in Vista Beach.  The house is from her Grandma. Aurora seems to get into more trouble when she is helping her mother out.

Fatal Brushstroke  (#1)

Aurora finds a dead body in her garden and a homicide detective on her doorstep, plus a sheriff who blames her DNA…suspicion has fallen on her.

Computer programmer and tole painting enthusiast Aurora (Rory) Anderson doesn’t  live in Vista Beach, a quiet California beach community where violent crime is rare and murder even rarer.

The body—her tole painting teacher, Hester Bouquet is quite dead and in her garden.  Rory attended one of Hester’s weekend seminars, and although she likes tole painting, she will not go through another unpleasant experience with this particular teacher.  Now that Hester is dead, evidence piles up against Rory, (which the Sheriff is more than willing to help build the frame) she begins a journey to identify the killer and clear her name.

Book Review 4 . 3 stars

The whole time I read this book I kept thinking I need to read the book that come first in this series.  The first book in this series is Fatal Brushstroke.  However, once I got past that point I really enjoyed the book and throughly recommend it as a good read.

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

Paint the Town Dead (#2)

Synopsis

Aurora (Rory) Anderson, a computer programmer and tole-painting enthusiast, live in the city of Vista Beach.  It is June and decorative painters are heading to the newly built Akaw hotel to attend the Ocean Painting Society’s inaugural convention. Rory is there to help her mother with her booth as well as get together with old friends.

Rory’s old friend, unfortunately, witnesses her childhood friend collapse in class and die. Rory embarks on her own investigation on her own investigation when everyone but her thinks the her friend’s death is not an accident

Book Review plus 4.6 stars

The story was good and it was sad because her new homocide friend has a girlfriend.  Rory does her best to get over that fact and make friends with this new girl.  However, the death of her friend puts a damper on the process.  This was a good book and I learned something new.  It is a wonderful read!

A Palette for Murder (#3)

Synopsis

Aurora (Rory) Anderson, a computer and tole painting crafter live in Vista Beach, which is currently experiencing high temperatures are hard on everyone. The high temperature hit the homeless population, especially hard. Residents are doing everything they can to stay cool, including leaving windows open to catch the faintest breeze. The local air conditioner companies have waitlist for everyone who wants cool air in their home.  In addition, there are a string of burglaries is plaguing nearby towns and no one understands how they are gaining entrance.

Still, Rory doesn’t expect to find her neighbor’s body, who is homeless, just a few doors down. Suspicion falls on a friend and fellow painter,  she turns to Rory for help and help discover the truth before the police try her for murder.  As Rory investigates she finds more and more information, but the final ending is the biggest twist of all.

Book Review plus 4.8

This book had a great twist that I didn’t quite understand until the very end of the story.  I KNOW people will like the story and we will all wait for the next book in this series.

This ARC was given me by the publisher via Netgalley.

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MTw Book Review #11

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Book Review:  Skin of Tattoos

by Christine Hoag

Synopsisskin-of-tattoos

Cyco Lokos is a gang member of the Magdaleno (Mags) Argueta.  He  comes home to Los Angeles after serving a prison term for robbery, for which he was framed by Rico. Interestingly enough Rico is the new leader of the Cyco Lokos. Consequently, all he wants is start of new life and have people leave him alone.  He just want to start a new life. 

The problem with being in prison and a gang is that no one forgets, even though Mags tries to let go of his bitterness and stay out of gang life for the sake of his Salvadoran immigrant family and his girlfriend Paloma.   As he tries to find a job, where no wants to hire a former gang member or convict, Mags makes a decision that he feels is his only choice, given his options.   

Mags is caught between a rock and hard spot as a series of web of secrets, revenge, lies, and murder all come to pass, which may just cost him more that he can pay. 

My opinion and rate of 4.5

I like this story and I didn’t expect too.  A few years ago a young man moved into our neighborhood who was trying to leave his gang life behind him.  His body was covered with tattoos.  He and my husband would talk occasionally about life in general. One day he walked by and said he was moving, but we should know a local gang was trying to imitate our son.  We ended up keeping our son home a few days and our friend and my husband got involved and the gang left my son alone.  However, our friend had to move, he had little choice. Once you are in a gang you don’t get out, alive .  I felt sorry for Cyco, it’s a tough world that he lives in and from my peripheral view of his world and brief involvement I feel for him.  It’s not an easy situation no matter from what aspect you look at his world. 

This book is good and I think that if you want a glimpse into this hard life, you can check out Skin of Tattoos.  Nevertheless, I think you will find the book well paced and the characters well-developed and interesting.  Check out the book!

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