New Releases For The Week Of July 28th,2019–Part 4

Here is a list of some of the new releases for the week of July 28th, 2019. I am going to divide the list into 4 days because there are so very very many of them for the week. Today is the fourth and final day of my list for this week. Hope you find some selections for your weekly reading. Enjoy and happy reading.

 

 

SHE’S GOT THE GOODS . . .
As a former military spouse, Sarah Winston’s learned a little about organizing, packing, and moving. Her latest project sounds promising: a couple of tech-industry hipsters, newly arrived in her Massachusetts town, who need to downsize. Unfortunately, when Sarah tries to sell their stuff, she discovers it’s all stolen—and she’s the unwitting fence.

BUT SARAH’S PROBLEMS ARE JUST BEGINNING
Michelle, an old friend of Sarah’s from the Air Force base, is in line for a promotion—but not everyone is happy about it, and she’s been hit with an anonymous discrimination complaint. When one of the men she suspects is behind the accusations turns up dead in Michelle’s car, Sarah needs to clear Michelle’s name—as well as her own for selling hot merchandise. And she’ll have to do it while also organizing a cat lady’s gigantic collection of feline memorabilia, or they’ll be making room for Sarah in a jail cell . . .

Praise for the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries
 
“There’s a lot going on in this charming mystery, and it all works . . . Well written and executed, this is a definite winner.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars on All Murders Final!
 
“Full of garage-sale tips…amusing. A solid choice for fans of Jane K. Cleland’s Josie Prescott Antique Mystery series.”
—Library Journal on Tagged for Death

“A slam dunk for those who love antiques and garage sales . . .surprising twists and turns.” —Kirkus Reviews on A Good Day to Buy  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK FOUR in the Witchwood Cozy Mystery series

Dead in a ditch. Animal attacks wake the sleepy English town of Witchwood. When the only street animal around is the common street fox, the townspeople become suspicious; was this an accident or murder?

Evanora Lavender finds the family living in grief, but the younger daughter still believes her sister is alive. When another body turns up, the hunt is on to seek out the sinister force before it strikes again.

A paranormal cozy mystery set in a small English town, featuring a witch detective and her talking familiar as they sleuth around Witchwood. Written in British English. *previously published book*

Witchwood Cozy Mystery series
1. Cryptic Curses in Witchwood – NOW
2. Secret Spells in Witchwood – JULY 8
3. Monster Magic in Witchwood – JULY 17
4. Reaper Rituals in Witchwood – JULY 31
5. Bad Blood in Witchwood – AUGUST 7
6. Wicked Witches in Witchwood – AUGUST 14  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza is back at Treemeadow College directing their Nutcracker Ballet co-starring his spouse, theatre professor Noah Oliver, their son Taavi, and their best friend and department head, Martin Anderson. With muscular dance students and faculty in the cast, the Christmas tree on stage isn’t the only thing rising. When cast members drop faster than their loaded dance belts, Nicky and Noah will once again need to use their drama skills to figure out who is cracking the Nutcracker’s nuts, trapping the Mouse King, and being cavalier with the Cavalier, before Nicky and Noah end up stuck in the Land of the Sweets. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining eighth novel in this delightful series. Take your seats. The curtain is going up on the Fairy—Sugar Plum that is, clumsy mice, malfunctioning toys, and murder!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leger and his family have been unsettled for a few weeks. He is particularly worried about Annabella, especially when she starts talking about no longer being here. She tries to settle her anxious mind by treating herself to some new jewels, but just a few hours after purchasing them, someone steals them. Leger has his suspicions about who the culprit is, but unmasking them will risk the newfound closeness he has developed with his mother. Forced to make a choice between his loyalty to his human mother and his feline one, Leger finds that the decision is taken out of his hands.

This is the 31st story in the Leger Cat Sleuth Mysteries and is set away from Glasgow at a caravan park near the English border.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diamond Dreadfuls are the perfect little read for someone on the go. After all, you have all the clues, but can you guess whodunit?

Includes volumes 1 – 5 of the Archibald Clayborn mini-series.

Retired detective, Archibald Clayborn thought his days of sleuthing were behind him. But when he is summoned home by his childhood sweetheart, the slew of death’s that follow his return prove otherwise.

It’s a good thing Clayborn kept his wits sharp and body strong, he will need both if he is going to solve all these mysteries. Still, the man is getting on, perhaps you can help him out?

Included:
#1 A Murder at Warren House
#2 The Proof is in the Picture
#3 A Masked Mystery
#4 Ghosts of the Past
#5 Clue by Candlelight.

For fans of Clue, Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie. This mind-bending mini-series will test your ability as a sleuth!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Rome, ruled by the erratic Emperor Domitian, Flavia Albia is dragged into the worst sort of investigation―a politically charged murder―in Lindsey Davis’s next historical mystery, A Capitol Death.

A man falls to his death from the Tarpeian Rock, which overlooks the Forum in the Capitoline Hill in Ancient Rome. While it looks like a suicide, one witness swears that she saw it happen and that he was pushed. Normally, this would attract very little official notice but this man happened to be in charge of organizing the Imperial Triumphs demanded by the emperor.

The Emperor Domitian, autocratic and erratic, has decided that he deserves two Triumphs for his so-called military victories. The Triumphs are both controversial and difficult to stage because of the not-so-victorious circumstances that left them without treasure or captives to be paraded through the streets. Normally, the investigation would be under the auspices of her new(ish) husband but, worried about his stamina following a long recovery, private informer Flavia Albia, daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, steps in.

What a mistake that turns out to be. The deceased proves to have been none-too-popular, with far too many others with much to gain from his death. With the date of the Triumphs fast approaching, Flavia Albia must unravel a truly complex case of murder before danger shows up on her own doorstep.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Hardcover, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Romance. Spooky Mystery. Cozy Good Times.

Welcome to the Lost Souls ParaAgency, where agents work together to ensure the safety of humans and to prevent exposure of the paranormal community.

The Assignment—distract Ally Walker so she doesn’t notice all the paranormal changes happening in the small town of Burberry.

Sidney and Ally are back in their second mystery adventure and this time they have a cold case to solve.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A summer wedding ends with a bang of the gruesome kind. Caterer Sandie James must turn amateur detective to save her dad from prison.  

For Sandie James, fresh out of graduate school with a degree in Literature, employers aren’t exactly lining up. To make ends meet, she works at her sister’s bakery in their cozy little corner of uptown Brooklyn. When a customer asks her to replace her sick wedding caterer at the last minute, Sandie is glad of the extra cash.

The last thing Sandie expects is her dad, an obsessive book collector, crashing the reception to pick a fight with a guest who outbid him on a rare edition of a Raymond Chandler mystery. She is horrified when that guest turns up dead—and her dad is found standing over the body with the murder weapon.

Sandie is convinced her dad has been set up, but proving it is not easy. She must rely on her own wits, and the enthusiastic help of Marlowe, the family’s Springer Spaniel, to save her dad from prison.

As fear and blame spread through their quiet neighborhood, Sandie races to clear her dad’s name and find the real killer, before the killer finds her.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can’t get enough of the Angie Prouty Nantucket Cozy Mystery Series?

We can’t, either! Spend some time with your favorite amateur sleuth and bookstore owner in this special boxed set. Titles included: Books 1 – 3 of the series. Join Angie as she solves crimes in her quaint hometown on Nantucket Island. It’s not hard to see why reviewers love Angie’s world – full of twists, turns, and baked goods!

Crime and Nourishment (Book 1)

Life in Nantucket can be murder… When Angie Prouty ends up back in her hometown of Nantucket, she didn’t expect one of the locals to turn up dead – and she really didn’t expect to be in charge of solving the crime after she becomes a prime suspect. But trying to discover the truth is going to take a lot more than a simple murder investigation.
“Bookstore, pastries, good friends, old friends, family and a skinflint of a landlord come together in this charming story.” – Amazon reviewer.

Prize and Prejudice (Book 2)

Angie Prouty, bookstore owner and budding sleuth, has her hands full when an island-wide treasure hunt for a lost Monet attracts boatloads of tourists to the island during the festive Christmas season. When one of the tourists turns up dead, Angie finds that the best way to solve the murder might just be to find that lost Monet before anyone else…
“This was a great story with wonderful twists in the plot to keep the reader turning page after page.” – Amazon reviewer.

The Bun Also Rises (Book 3)

Who knew seeing stars could be so deadly? Most people would be thrilled to discover that their hometown was the setting for a Hollywood film. But with a cupcake-wielding murderer on the island and her best friends in jail, bookstore owner Angie Prouty has bigger fish to fry than spotting celebs. Can she save her friends…and Nantucket?
“Good book for an afternoon of comfortable recliner time.” – Amazon reviewer.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mystery, A Touch of Comedy, and Second Chances

What if a legend must be proven true to keep your mother and sister alive?

When Sophie Weston buried her father, after an accident that was her fault, she promised to fulfill his role in Gold Dust and look after her family as he would have. Five years later, a murderer discovers she bought a book containing the clues to finding a legendary fortune and threatens everything she holds dear. No matter what she does, it’s not enough to keep her family safe. Her only hope is to work with her former fiancé, the security specialist who drove her father to his death.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the stories behind the hilarious and heartfelt stories, plus behind-the-scenes character interviews, and much, much, more.

You may think you know the What Doesn’t Kill You series, but this Guide will fill in the gaps for you. Or maybe you’re new to the series and trying to decide whether to dip a toe into the water—the Guide will put you in the know.

The What Doesn’t Kill You series features romantic mystery and suspense characters whose lives are interconnected in a myriad of ways. The protagonists are smart, kickass women who solve whatever problems—including a few dead bodies—life throws at them as they navigate their unique and adventurous journeys of friendships, romance, career, families, amateur aka “”accidental”” sleuthing, and more: Katie, Emily, Ava, Michele, Maggie, and Laura, and counting. The novels are mostly PG-13, with a thread of everyday magic running through them.

Whether you’ve run the table on Pamela Fagan Hutchins’ USA Today bestselling and Silver Falchion Best Mystery-winning series and are yearning for a deeper dive or are wanting a low-cost way to see whether the novels or one of the multi-book box sets are right for you, this guide is your ticket.

NOTE: this guide does not contain the novels!

˃˃˃ See why Pamela wins contests and makes best seller lists.

 

• • USA Today Best Seller

• • #1 Amazon Best Seller

• • Top 50 Amazon Romantic Suspense and Mystery Author

• • Silver Falchion for Best Adult Mystery

• • USA Best Book Awards Cross-Genre Fiction

• • Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, Romance, Quarter-finalist

 

˃˃˃ Once Upon A Romance calls Hutchins an “”up-and-coming powerhouse writer.””

If you like Sandra Brown or Janet Evanovich, you will love Pamela Fagan Hutchins. A former attorney and native Texan, Pamela lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands for nearly ten years. She refuses to admit to taking notes for this series during that time.

˃˃˃ The reviews for the series are top-notch.

“”Hutchins’ Maggie is an irresistible train wreck—you can’t help but turn the page to see what trouble she’ll get herself into next.”” Robert Dugoni, #1 Amazon Best-selling Author of My Sister’s Grave

“”Murder has never been so much fun!”” — Christie Craig, New York Times Best Seller

“”You’re guaranteed to love the ride!”” — Kay Kendall, Silver Falchion Best Mystery Winner

“”Taut suspense.”” — Midwest Book Review

“”Quick, entertaining read.”” — Kirkus Reviews

“”Fantastic mystery.”” — Once Upon a Romance

˃˃˃ Catch the adventures of Katie, Emily, Ava, Michele, Maggie, Laura, and their friends in the What Doesn’t Kill You romantic mysteries.

Scroll up and grab your copy of The Essential Guide to the What Doesn’t Kill You Romantic Mystery Series to get started now.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucille Pfiffer sees, but not with her eyes. She lives with her beloved dog Vanilla (“Nilla” for short) in a cozy neighborhood that is quite “active” due to what occurred in the distant past. Though totally blind, she plays an integral role in helping to solve pressing and puzzling mysteries, one right after the other, which, without her, might remain unsolved.

The question is: How can she do any of that with such a handicap?  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is no boring librarian shushing people from behind a desk. This librarian corrals rogue magic. But more importantly, she has a frog and a cat, and she’s not afraid to use them!

I knew when I woke up with a migraine that things were going to get interesting. As a magical artifact wrangler, it’s not an unusual way to start my day. But I had no idea how bad it was going to get.

Until I found a frog sitting in my teacup.

Even that, I could explain to myself if I had to. After all, I have a creative mind. But when the frog started talking to me, yeah, I was pretty sure I’d taken the wrong kind of pill that morning for my headache.

If only I’d realized then what I know now. The talking frog was just the beginning of my problems. And quite a beginning it was!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She’s a talented pastry chef—with a secret recipe for solving crimes…

WELCOME TO THE COOKIE HOUSE
Kate McGuire’s life was sweet in Manhattan before she lost her restaurant job and fiancé both. But sometimes that’s just the way the cookie crumbles, and soon she finds herself starting from scratch in the island town of Coral Cay, Florida. It has everything she’s looking for: sunny beaches, friendly locals, and a Help Wanted sign in the bakery shop window. Once she convinces the shop’s crusty owner Sam Hepplewhite to hire her, Kate can’t tie on her apron fast enough. Little does she know that trouble, like warm dough, is on the rise. . .

WHERE CRIMINALS GET THEIR JUST DESSERTS
Stewart Lord is a real estate developer with a taste for a different type of dough: the green kind. He knows that he could make a killing by purchasing the Cookie House from Sam, who flat-out refuses to sell. But when Stewart turns up the heat on Sam—then turns up dead after eating a fresh batch of Sam’s cinnamon rolls—all eyes focus on the town’s beloved bakery. When the police arrest Sam for murder, Kate must somehow prove that her curmudgeonly boss is innocent. Enlisting the help of a team of lovable locals, Kate sets out to catch the real culprit with his hand in the cookie jar…before someone else gets burned.

“This delightful cozy has memorable characters…and a satisfying plot twist.” – Booklist  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

 

Review of Penne Dreadful

Penne Dreadful
Italian Chef Mystery, Book #1
Catherine Bruns
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Tomato sauce isn’t the only thing that runs red…

Local chef Tessa Esposito is struggling to get back on her feet following her husband’s fatal accident. And when the police knock on Tessa’s door, things just get worse. They’ve discovered Dylan’s death wasn’t an accident after all, and they need Tessa to start filling in the blanks. Who would want her beloved husband dead, and why?

With the investigation running cold, Tessa decides it’s time to save her sanity by reconnecting with her first love-cooking. And maybe the best way back into the kitchen is to infiltrate Dylan’s favorite local pizza parlor, which also happens to be the last place he was seen before he died. But the anchovies aren’t the only thing that stink inside the small family business, and with suspects around every corner, Tessa finds that her husband’s many secrets might land her in hot water. (G00dreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. I enjoyed getting to meet Tessa and her cousins, Gabby and Gino. You can tell they are a close knit family and they would do anything for each other. When Tessa loses her husband, her cousins have to help her get over it, somehow. When Tessa finds out that her husband’s death may not have been an accident, she knows she has to find the person responsible before she can move on.

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I also think the author is very capable of portraying an Italian family and how much family means. This made for a very emotional ride but there is also humor. I think that must be very hard for an author to do.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This author always delivers in her books.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

 

New Releases For the Week Of July 28th, 2019–Part 3

Here is a list of some of the new releases for the week of July 28th, 2019. I am going to divide the list into 4 days because there are so very very many of them for the week. Today is the third day of my list for this week. Hope you find some selections for your weekly reading. Enjoy and happy reading.

 

 

August 1925 

After a slew of cases for Jack, a new book, and a series of business meetings for Vi, and an excess of Violet’s stepmother for them both, Vi and Jack determine to flee to a lodge in the woods. A little fresh air, a ramble or two, afternoon naps, lingering mornings over a cup of Turkish coffee and perhaps all will be aright again.

Only one morning walk ends with a body and yet again, Violet, Jack, and their friends find themselves involved in a mysterious death. The main suspects for the killer are none other than the victim’s long-time friends. Just why do you turn on an old friend? And if you’ve done it once, will you do it again?

Book THIRTEEN in the Violet Carlyle Mysteries. Are you ready for the roaring twenties? You’ll love Vi, her patient husband Jack, her indulgent twin Vic, and their friends. For fans of Carola Dunn, Jacqueline Winspear, Georgette Heyer, and Lee Strauss. A light, cozy mystery with a fun peek into life in the life of a bright young thing. No swearing, graphic scenes, or cliffhangers.

The Violet Carlyle Mysteries
1- Murder & The Heir
2- Kennington House Murder
3- Murder at the Folly
4- A Merry Little Murder*
5- Murder Among the Roses
6- Murder in the Shallows
7- Gin & Murder
8- Obsidian Murder
9- Murder at the Ladies Club
10- Wedding Vows & Murder
11- A Jazzy Little Murder
12- Murder by Chocolate
13- A Friendly Little Murder
14- Murder by the Sea
15- Murder on All Hallows
16- Murder in the Shadows

*There are two short stories that fall between A Merry Little Murder and Murder Among the Roses. They are: New Year’s Madness and Valentine’s Madness.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missing shoes, stolen paperclips and stalkers. Oh, what an afterlife!

Bridget finally gets her first assignment as an Independent Authority agent: The not-so-glamorous case of The Paperclip Theft. Regardless, she is determined to close the matter quickly and move on to something more challenging.

And then the dead dead body of the Afterlife Arrivals Commander topples out of the stationery cupboard.

Within hours she’s the front runner to replace him which places her neatly in the killer’s sights. She’s also the front runner in the pool of suspect who murdered him which unsurprisingly places her neatly in Detective Johnson’s sights.

With help from unexpected quarters and discovering some unsettling facts about the Independent Authority, Bridget has some big choices to make about her future… if she can dodge the killer and a prison sentence long enough to make them.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mona Moon is not your typical young lady. She is a cartographer by trade, explorer by nature, and adventurer by heart. And she’s rich as Midas. There’s just one problem.
Some rich folk in the Kentucky Bluegrass don’t like Mona’s progressive programs for her employees and want to see her disgraced along with her new fangled ideas. So when Judge Garrett turns up dead on the Moon estates, they are beside themselves with glee until they start wondering if Judge Garrett was murdered just to frame Mona. And will one of them be next?
Mona’s reaction to all this hullaballoo? Bring it on!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Great Mysteries In One Package!

Death By Malice 10
Josiah Reynolds opened her front door to find her neighbor, Sandy Sloan, clutching her little dog, Georgie. “Hi Josiah. Sorry to bother you. Can you keep my dog for a couple of days while I check on my mother? She’s ill and needs help.” Josiah reluctantly said yes, not because she didn’t want to take care of the animal. She had plenty of room for a little dog like Georgie. She was reluctant because she knew Sandy’s mother couldn’t possibly be ill. Her mother was, in fact, dead. Josiah knew this because she had attended the woman’s funeral.
Why would Sandy tell such a lie? And a stupid lie at that. Was Sandy trying to signal she was in distress and needed help? Josiah had no way of knowing that in four hours, Sandy would disappear from the face of the earth, and no one–not, even Josiah, would be able to find her.

Death By Drama 11
Josiah joins an amateur thespian group that puts on plays in quirky places like public parks and crumbling antebellum mansions. It is a way to socialize, and Josiah feels lonely when her boyfriend Hunter stops calling. Since the new play is being staged at Hunter’s ancestral home Wickliffe Manor, Josiah sees this as a win-win situation. She gets to have fun and remind Hunter that she is still alive and kicking. Hint. Hint.
What could go wrong? Everything!
Hunter ignores the acting group including Josiah, and it doesn’t help when the leading lady, Madison Smythe, drops dead on Hunter’s antique Persian rug. To make matters worse, Franklin, Hunter’s brother, is arrested for her murder!
Josiah does the only thing she can. She sends an S.O.S. to her daughter Asa to investigate the murder. Asa must also discover why a love note from Hunter was found in the dead woman’s coat pocket. Josiah is ready for romance, but she doesn’t want to fall in love with a cheater . . . and possibly a murderer!

Death By Stalking 12
Josiah, Baby, her mastiff, and Lady Elsmere rush to the rescue of their neighbor, Rosie, who is being harassed by Gage Cagle, a mean, old stump of a man.
Lady Elsmere confronts Gage and has him thrown in jail for trying to extort money from Rosie. Glad to be rid of this loathsome man, Lady Elsmere, Josiah, and Rosie attend the Bluegrass Antique Auction and Ball. To their surprise, Gage shows up and boldly threatens Josiah, Rosie, and even Baby.
Dismissing Gage as nothing more than a loudmouth fussbucket, Josiah enjoys the ball until she stumbles upon Rosie covered in blood and standing over Gage’s near lifeless body. “I didn’t do this,” Rosie swears before fleeing, leaving Josiah trying to save the life of a man they both detest. While Josiah attempts to staunch Gage’s bleeding, she can’t help but wonder, if Rosie didn’t assault Gage, then who?  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A brutal murder pits an innocent man against a killer in a manipulative game of cat and mouse that ends in a shocking twist.

Freedom tastes sweet to Chase Evans, especially after serving a five-year jail sentence for a crime he didn’t commit.  Aided by a new security job from his old Buddy Blake Rockford, he vows to stay out of trouble and get his life back on track … until he ends up accused of killing the very man he was assigned to protect on his first day on the job.

With the deck stacked against him and all the evidence pointing in his direction, Chase is desperate to find the real killer.  Help comes in the form of a surprising ally, Shelby Bryant, the daughter of the victim himself. But is she really trying to help, or is she part of the plan to frame him?

As the investigation follows a twisty trail, Chase’s bond with Shelby strengthens. Now he has a lot more to lose than just his freedom. But when the shocking truth is finally revealed, Chase is forced to make an unthinkable sacrifice.

NOTE: This book was previously published with the same title under my pen name Lee Anne Jones.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A familiar is a life-long companion. Choose wisely.

It’s hard being the youngest in a family of witches known for their power. It’s even harder when that magical power has all but passed you by.

Still, I was doing okay for myself. I like to think I was proving to the rest of my family that magic wasn’t a requirement to living.

Then Aunt Opal became the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Wouldn’t you know it would happen right when everyone else in the family but me was out of town.

Now it’s up to me to prove her innocence, and a little magic could go a long way in helping me do that. My aunt’s been after me to get a familiar for quite a while now. They are known for helping a witch channel her power and even strengthen it.

So, want to or not, allergies or not, I did it. I went to an animal shelter and found my familiar. A cute little black kitty. The allergy medicine companies were going to love me.

But for some reason, this little guy didn’t make me sneeze. Kind of weird, actually. Not that I was complaining.

I just really wish I’d known more about him before I did the binding spell…

All Too Familiar is Book One of the Accidental Familiar Series. If you like light-hearted, clean mysteries with a Paranormal twist (otherwise known as Paranormal Cozy Mysteries), give it a read! You might just fall in love with the Gemstone Coven… and its witches!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this pulse-pounding thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen, forensic sculptor Eve Duncan journeys to Africa to help families torn apart by a violent attack deep in the jungle–but she may be putting herself in more danger than she knows.

A journalist shows up on Eve Duncan’s doorstep with a plea for help. Jill Cassidy has just come from a small African village with a heart wrenching story: half the villagers–many of them children–have been killed in a horrific attack by guerilla soldiers, the bodies burned beyond recognition. Now, the families desperately need Eve’s help to get closure and begin to heal.

But when Eve arrives in the remote jungle, she begins to suspect that Jill’s plea may have been a cover story for a deeper, more sinister plot. Isolated and unsure who she can trust, Eve finds herself stranded in an unstable country where violence threatens to break out again at any moment and with only her own instincts to rely on if she hopes to get home to her family alive . . .

#1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen is back with one of her most exhilarating and dangerous adventures yet in this “riveting” high-stakes thriller (Publishers Weekly).  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harassed by unknown assailants…
Mechanic Tessa Johnson is up to her neck in trouble, not that anyone believes her. Someone keeps breaking into her house, but nothing is stolen. People are following her. At least, she thinks that they are. And then there’s the corpse in her living room.

Aided by a werewolf with a wicked smirk…
When werewolf Ajax Mytaras stops to save a woman from being kidnapped, he finds the woman that he was made for, his soul mate. Even better, she comes with a mystery. Ajax appreciates that in a woman. As a man gifted with a big Greek family, there’s little enough of that in Ajax’s personal life.

And on the trail of a ruthless murderer.
Tessa and her roommate weren’t particularly close, but as a lightning dragon, Tessa can’t let her murder lie. And as a police detective, neither can Ajax. Together, they team up to find out what’s going on before there’s another murder – namely, Tessa’s.

A sizzling, full length romantic cozy paranormal mystery featuring a curvy dragon in a band and a sly, insatiably curious police detective, Her Detective Wolf is #5 in the Lone Dragon Series. Every book in the series is a complete and standalone novel, and they can be read in any order.

If you love your cozy paranormal mysteries or romantic mysteries infused with humor, magic, and action, then this is a werewolf and dragon shifter romance that you won’t want to miss! Scroll up and one-click today!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sacramento Police Department has hired Camacho and Associates for one specific reason: They need Lola Cruz to go undercover at The Broadway, a salsa club suspected of running a prostitution ring.

She fits the description: Young, Latina, beautiful, and a PI.

But the secrets at the club go much deeper than anyone thought, and Lola finds herself embroiled in a dangerous game she may not be able to win.

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

WHAT LOLA WANTS by Melissa Bourbon | A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all.   (Amazon)

Editions Available<  Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keller serves up European-style cakes and teas in her family-owned tea house, but when a customer keels over from a poisoned cuppa, Hana and her tea-leaf reading grandmother will have to help catch a killer in the first Hungarian Tea House Mystery from Julia Buckley.

Hana Keller and her family run Maggie’s Tea House, an establishment heavily influenced by the family’s Hungarian heritage and specializing in a European-style traditional tea service. But one of the shop’s largest draws is Hana’s eccentric grandmother, Juliana, renowned for her ability to read the future in the leaves at the bottom of customers’ cups. Lately, however, her readings have become alarmingly ominous and seemingly related to old Hungarian legends…

When a guest is poisoned at a tea event, Juliana’s dire predictions appear to have come true. Things are brought to a boil when Hana’s beloved  Anna Weatherley butterfly teacup becomes the center of the murder investigation as it carried the poisoned tea. The cup is claimed as evidence by a handsome police detective, and the pretty Tea House is suddenly endangered.  Hana and her family must catch the killer to save their business and bring the beautiful Budapest Butterfly back home where it belongs.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two ramblers make a grim discovery in their walk along the Cotsworld Way, just outside the market town of Abbeyford: a severed human foot by the side of the path. Detective Inspector Kate Redman takes on the case, which turns even more bizarre when a second human foot is found a few days later. Is it just a gory prank or does it tie in with the mysterious disappearance of a local girl?

Tasteful is a new novella in the bestselling Kate Redman Mysteries series, from crime writer Celina Grace, author of Hushabye and Fury.

Praise for Celina Grace from Amazon and Goodreads reviewers:

“The gradual crescendo of action and pace remorselessly increases…”

“Love Kate. She is human, does not always make good choices just like us.”

“At last, a mystery that delivers…I found this novel superb because I got all I needed to know and none of what I didn’t.”

“…a gripping detective story but the main character engages you, and as well as wanting to know how the mystery turns out you want to learn more about her too.”

“…amazing book, read it front to back in one visit, couldn`t help myself…”

“…the most enjoyable Kindle book I have so far read since the ‘low cost electronic revolution’ which has been sweeping my reading habits for the last couple of years! Thoroughly recommended.”

“This was my introduction to the author, and I’m so glad I discovered the book. Well-written and a real page turner.”

“I was awake till the early hours to finish it !! I really enjoyed it and the characters in it so I’m pleased I also have the sequel downloaded to read at some point. I know it should be great.”

“Attention to detail and great character building coupled with a mystery that keeps you guessing are all the ingredients that make me keep reading till the early hours of the morning.”

“Celina Grace has done it again, she compels you from page to page and chapter to chapter, a great, riveting read…”

“I found it difficult to put down and was completely distracted from all the other things I should have been doing with my time.”

“This is a great series that I couldn’t put down and grabbed the next book right away at 1 a.m. to keep reading.”  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accidental witch, a job interview to die for—or rather, a test that could get you killed.

FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

In book one of an exciting new paranormal series, author Lotta Smith introduces accidental witch Fiorentina “Fio” Valentine.

The Napa Valley native is desperately seeking work after yet another job goes up in smoke. Her third employer in a row has gone out of business, and her only lead for gainful employment comes from the familiar voice of her late great grandma Jane, who tells Fio in a dream to seek a position at one of the country’s largest real estate agencies, Quest Realty.

After a disastrous interview with prospective boss Jack Adams, and a run-in with the apparition of a former Quest employee, Fio is ready to give up the ghost and accept long-term unemployment, but Jack has other ideas. He tells Fio if she can spend the night in a haunted apartment and get to the bottom of a supernatural mystery, she just might be right for the job.

Can Fio face her fear and calm a restless spirit? Is she destined for a desk in the Haunted and Hexed Property management division, or will it be back to the want ads in the morning, assuming she survives the night?  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FULLY REVISED NEW EDITION OF DEATH ON THE MARAIS

Praise for Adrian Magson:

“… a classic crime star in the making.” Daily Mail

“A gripping police procedural.” Eurocrime 

France, 1963.
It’s a time of great change in France, not least for Inspector Lucas Rocco. As part of a nationwide ‘initiative’ to broaden police operations, he finds himself moved from the Paris metropolis to a small village. His new patch might be rural, but it’s certainly not uneventful: on his first day, he finds a murdered woman wearing a Gestapo uniform lying in a British military cemetery.

When the body is removed by order of a magistrate from the police mortuary before Rocco can finish his investigation, he realises he’s up against a formidable enemy. An enemy who will go to any lengths – even murder – to stop his investigation.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Murder is ruff, especially when the only witness to the crime has four paws and a nose for trouble.

 

When one of the Potion Masters Society’s own goes missing, Libby and Marge are on the case. Not only do they uncover the woman’s secret laboratory, but they also stumble across the missing potionist. The problem is, she’s invisible.

But before they can call Deputy Jackson, they must first figure out a way to reverse the potion or risk exposing their underground community.

As they investigate, they uncover more clues that reveal their fellow potionist’s death wasn’t natural. Good thing there is a witness in the form of a delightful dog named Max.

In their search for a killer, no stone is left unturned, and that includes dealing with the coalition set to dismantle the Potion Master Society.

This whodunnit will require all of the tools at Libby and Marge’s disposal, including the eyewitness pooch, a sharp wit, and a suitcase-handbag full of potions.

If you enjoy talking pets, floating potions, and lots of laughs, you will love this second book in the paranormal cozy mystery series: Pet Potions.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlene Morris knew Salem, Massachusetts had a spooky reputation. But when she decided to open her B&B there, she expected guests—not ghosts…

A grieving young widow, Charlene needed a new start—so she bought a historic mansion, sight unseen, and drove from Chicago to New England to start turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. On her first night in the house, she awakens to find a handsome man with startling blue eyes in her bedroom. Terror turns to utter disbelief when he politely introduces himself as Jack Strathmore—and explains that he used to live here—when he was alive. He firmly believes that someone pushed him down the stairs three years ago, and he won’t be able to leave until someone figures out who. If Charlene wants to get her business up and running in time for the Halloween tourist rush, and get this haunting houseguest out of the way, she’ll have to investigate. Though truth be told, this ghost is starting to grow on her . . .  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

 

Review of Murder At Pope Investigations

Murder At Pope Investigations
Sand And Sea Hawaiian Mystery, Book #8
Kathi Daley
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Life has changed for Lani over the past eight months and in many ways she is still trying to get a feel for the new normal. The one thing in her life that seems to be going perfectly is her partnership with her father, a retired homicide detective. Pope Investigations has become Lani’s solace during a time when her life is otherwise in complete upheaval>

Things get dicey when she finds a body laid out across the entryway of Pope Investigations. When it looks as if the death of the local food truck owner might be related to the deaths of two other men, both who looked to have been left for Lani to find, she sets out to solve all three murders. Along the way she will reconnect with an old friend, say goodbye to another, and finally begin to understand the role of hope and hopelessness in her life. (Goodreads)

Review:

It was good to get to spend some time with Lani and her cousin and friends. I felt like I was visiting with old friends, catching up with what has been going on in their lives. Circumstances have changed for Lani, both professionally and personally, and things did not always work out the way she planned. But that is real life and I thought this made the book seem more realistic.

As is usual for this author, there is more than one mystery to solve. In this case, there are three dead bodies and a missing person. Lani and her dad will have their work cut out for them. There were a lot of clues to sift through and suspects to consider, and when you throw in some twists and turns, the mysteries were not easily solved.

I would recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. You cannot go wrong picking up any of this author’s books.

 

New Releases For The Week Of July 28th, 2019–Part 2

Here is a list of some of the new releases for the week of July 28th, 2019. I am going to divide the list into 4 days because there are so very very many of them for the week. Today is the second day of my list for this week. Hope you find some selections for your weekly reading. Enjoy and happy reading.

 

In 1360 Edward III issues a call to arms, as sporadic attacks by the French threaten to turn into a full-blown invasion. In Cambridge, fear of the enemy is magnified by the belief that foreign agents are lurking in the area. Tension runs ever higher as rumours and ignorance fan the flames of suspicion amid preparations for war.

And then the first murder occurs – of a French scholar living in the town.

At Michaelhouse, Brother Michael is now Master, but his reach of power in the University is under threat by the election of a new Chancellor and his cohort of dubious advisors. Soon, the Colleges begin to squabble amongst themselves, as well as with the town that never wanted a University in the first place.

Amidst this atmosphere of swelling distrust, physician Matthew Bartholomew is called upon to investigate mysterious deaths in a nearby hospital. He quickly realises that there is something odd about the inmates and their keepers – something dark and deadly, which seems to be connected to the growing number of murders in the town. Pressure mounts as the University and the town clamour for answers, leading Bartholomew and Michael in a frantic quest for a solution before the powder-keg of animosity in Cambridge is ignited.  (Amazon)

 

Editions Available:  Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book 2 in the Finger Lakes Wine Mystery series.

“This is a stand alone murder mystery novel for fans of traditional detective or cozy mysteries such as Midsomer plus food and culinary mystery novels.”

★★★★★

What starts with a flaming car rolling down a hill into Conesus Lake turns into the next Finger Lakes Wine Mystery for Investigator Louis Deville. He and Investigator Reginald Scudder work on what appears to be an accident. The local sergeant invites them to stay and help with a case he calls “sensitive”. The new death is not helping the town’s local economy, where the major draw is a local winery.

With the recent drowning of a young boy and now another death in the same lake, the Willows Pond Winery is struggling. While the owners try to keep the winery of the small town going, and what’s left of their family together, there is more mayhem underfoot.
Nearby, at a monastery which is eerily familiar to Deville, a nun is busy trying to save souls, while a drifter is missing and considered a suspect.

An autistic young man holds a troubling secret, a nurse who knows the victim all too well, and a mother who is suffering from her own demons all hold clues to horrific events.

Can Deville save a young girl from the same fate of her twin brother, while trying to solve a murder mystery case which has more twists than a lake itself? And can he keep his sanity from his own past and from the meddling innkeepers who seem to know everything about everyone?

This cozy mystery novel is set in the small town of Conesus in the Finger Lakes of New York, where food and wine are plentiful. This new cozy mystery series features a traditional detective who solves a murder mystery in each novel.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taken to Die (A Grace Gabbiano Mystery, Book 5)

Something is amiss in the night skies

It started with crop circles in farmers’ fields, and then more crop circles. And after that came the animal mutilations, one a cow, the other a sheep. An unidentified flying object appeared about the same time, shining a bright white beam down from its belly.

What in the galaxy is happening in Coburg?

Grace Gabbiano is determined to find out, but these events aren’t every-day occurrences that can be investigated like a shop-lifting or a barking dog complaint. They require specialized research, and assistance from a UFO specialist, a necropsy specialist, and anyone else with Mr. Spock’s knowledge of space.

The little green men aren’t green, they’re grey

The peeping alien has a big head and big black eyes, but he’s the least of Grace’s worries. For a change, Chief Aidan Cruz is on board with her outlandish theories, but that doesn’t solve the deeper problem they haven’t even recognized yet. The threat to Grace’s life is much more sinister than little green men.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A baffling whodunit arises while comical antics abound as USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne continues her Paramour Bay Mysteries…

Lady bugs, bumblebees, and butterflies are enjoying the humid summer days and nights in the quaint Connecticut coastal town of Paramour Bay. Completely exhausted, Raven Marigold is doing everything she can to keep her cool after the town mysteriously loses power. No electricity means no coffee…no coffee means that Raven’s nerves are more than a bit frayed.

After a bit of investigating, Raven discovers evidence that witchcraft might have been involved in causing the power outage that has puzzled the residents and left them a little bit cranky. Well, their irritability turns into straight up panic when a possible murder victim is discovered smack dab in the middle of the town’s cobblestone square.

Bring a flashlight if you want to help Raven and the rest of the gang solve this latest blackout mystery that will have you scrambling to turn the pages until the very last sentence!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the authors of the best-selling series CHERRINGHAM

Sussex, England, 1929. Mydworth is a sleepy English market town just 50 miles from London. But things are about to liven up there, when young and handsome Sir Harry Mortimer returns home from his diplomatic posting in Cairo, with his beautiful and unconventional American wife, Kat. No sooner have the two arrived, when a jewel robbery occurs at Harry’s aunt’s home – Mydworth Manor. The police are baffled and overwhelmed with the case. But Harry and Kat have an edge in the hunt for the dangerous culprit: not only do they have certain useful “skills” they’ve both picked up in service of King, President and Country, they also have access to parts of English society that your average bobby can’t reach …

Co-authors Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the US), have been writing together since the mid-90s, creating innovative content and working on major projects for the BBC, Disney Channel, Sony, ABC, Eidos, and Nintendo to name but a few. Their transatlantic collaboration has underpinned scores of TV drama scripts, computer games, radio shows, and the best-selling mystery series Cherringham. Their latest series project is called Mydworth Mysteries.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this clever reimagining of Charles Dickens’s life, he and fiancée Kate Hogarth must solve the murder of a spinster wearing a wedding gown . . .

London, June 1835: In the interest of being a good neighbor, Charles checks in on Miss Haverstock, the elderly spinster who resides in the flat above his. But as the young journalist and his fiancée Kate ascend the stairs, they are assaulted by the unmistakable smell of death. Upon entering the woman’s quarters, they find her decomposing corpse propped up, adorned in a faded gown that looks like it could have been her wedding dress, had she been married. A murderer has set the stage. But to what purpose?

As news of an escaped convict from Coldbath Fields reaches the couple, Charles reasonably expects the prisoner, Ned Blood, may be responsible. But Kate suspects more personal motives, given the time and effort in dressing the victim. When a local blacksmith is found with cut manacles in his shop and arrested, his distraught wife begs Charles and Kate to help. At the inquest, they are surprised to meet Miss Haverstock’s cold and haughty foster daughter, shadowed by her miserably besotted companion. Secrets shrouded by the old woman’s past may hold the answers to this web of mystery. But Charles and Kate will have to risk their lives to unveil the truth . . .  (Amazon)

Editions Available:   Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth in the Catherine Patterson Mystery series.Catherine is delighted when her chambres d’hôtes has an influx of ‘gastro tourists’ attracted by the local Michelin starred restaurant, only to discover some unscrupulous dealings have been going on. Meanwhile her gîte guests get more than they bargained for when a ‘murder mystery’ scenario, set up for their enjoyment, goes seriously wrong. Catherine soon becomes deeply entangled in circumstances which can’t be resolved without the aid of Inspector Maupetit – and he’s not best pleased at her interference!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another murder. Another burger. And Christie Watson is back on the case! 

Suspended detective Christie Watson has decided not to get involved in any more murder cases. She’s got to keep her nose clean in case her old boss checks in on her. There’s plenty of fun to be had in Sleepy Creek–delicious double cheeseburgers, hilarious antics from the terrible twins, and… mysterious strangers hanging around?

When another resident of the town dies, Christie realizes that staying out of this case might be the one thing she can’t afford to do. Especially, when her best friend’s innocent cousin becomes suspect number one.

Can she solve the case before another Sleepy Creeker is killed?

Tuck into an afternoon of burgers and mystery. One-click purchase your cozy mystery caper now!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Amazon Bestselling author, Diane Moody – The Sibling.

A murder in Braxton, Tennessee? Poor little town. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. An untimely death under nefarious circumstances spawns an odd lineup of potential suspects. Who killed one of Braxton’s favorite sons?

New resident and pastor Peyton Gellar has already conducted more than his share of funerals for such a small town, but this one hits close to home.

Aubrey Evans, in town for her father’s funeral, is concerned by her mother’s state of mind. With the help of the handsome new pastor, Aubrey extends her visit to help her mother, and finds herself drawn into the local intrigue.

A fateful baptism, an estranged brother, a mysterious button, and a Vegas showgirl. Once again the stage is set.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While quilter Martha Rose awaits the birth of her granddaughter, a neighborhood girl appears at her door with a mystery that can’t be pinned down . .

  Martha’s eager to finish the baby quilt she’s making for her new granddaughter, but she scraps those plans when a young girl rings her doorbell begging for help. Poppy Halaby, the foster child of Martha’s neighbor, is an orphan whose parents were murdered by a killer who was never caught. When Poppy’s doting foster mom falls suspiciously ill, Martha is determined to keep the child safe. But she’ll have to unravel more about Poppy’s parents to stitch a broken family back together again—and prevent another crime cut from the same cloth . . .

Praise for Mary Marks and her Quilting Mysteries
 
“A pleasurable and satisfying addition to any quilting mystery fan’s reading list.”
—Library Journal on Knot in My Backyard
 
“A mystery combined with wry humor.”
—Kirkus Reviews on Knot My Sister’s Keeper  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘I am in book love with this series!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Discovering the 300-year-old skeleton of shipping tycoon Jedediah Biddeford in the ballroom wall is a big old hassle for Josie Waters, owner of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse. Especially when Biddeford’s descendants turn up, certain that a family legend about treasure buried nearby must be true.

Josie is too busy dreaming up the perfect cake for the Oyster Cove’s 250th anniversary celebration to worry about the Biddeford family – plus half the town – digging up her yard… until one of her guests is murdered in the guesthouse garden. 

With worries that her guesthouse will get a reputation for being the kind of place you only leave in a body bag, Josie must put her detective skills to work to find the killer. Lucky for her, Nero and Marlowe and their gang of cat sleuths are also on the case. 

From the old wharf, to the town common, to the guesthouse itself with its many nooks and crannies, the cats are sure to sniff out the killer… but can they help Josie stop the person behind the mysterious murder before they strike again?

A fantastic page-turner from a bestselling author, purrfeect for fans of Agatha Christie, Adele Abbott, cat lovers and everyone in between!

What readers are saying about A Whisker in the Dark…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I LOVE this new series!!!!!… Marlowe and Nero and their little street gang of pawsome detectives make this book truly loveable and such a joy to read… The story is an extremely well written mystery with humans and cats both on the search for the killer. The author crafts a mystery with twists and turns that leave the reader guessing until the end.’ Goodreads Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This is quickly becoming one of my favourite series!… Not only are the characters (human and feline) awesome, the mystery was complex and I didn’t figure out who-done-it until it was revealed.’ Goodreads reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐‘The second in this series, I have found it to be just as delightful as the first… a mystery that keeps you guessing. A wonderful cozy mystery that is quite a tale (tail)!’ Goodreads reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This book was an absolute joy to read! I feel in love with Nero and Marlowe. The story is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing.’ Goodreads reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A purrfect addition to your summer reading list.’ Goodreads reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Ms. Dobbs writes an entertaining and amusing story – a fun summer read and a treat for fans of feline sleuths.’ Goodreads reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A fast-paced read that is even better than its predecessor… I love this series and am very excited to read more.’ Goodreads reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A cute mystery with great characters… The book will keep you entertained till the last page.’ Goodreads reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐‘What could beat a murder mystery, with crime busting cats?! This book was great, both funny and intriguing. I enjoyed it very much.’ Goodreads reviewer  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardinal Woolsey’s Yarn Shop has been chosen to appear on TV
Great publicity!
Until a murder stops the cameras…

Celebrity knitting designer Teddy Lamont is coming to Cardinal Woolsey’s knitting and yarn shop in Oxford to run a special class that will be televised.

Lucy Swift can’t wait to host the popular, flamboyant designer and boost her business.

But from the first day things go wrong. One student is nothing but trouble on and off camera. When she winds up dead, the publicity Lucy was hoping for turns out to be the wrong kind.

Lucy and her band of undead amateur sleuths have to figure out who the killer is before her business winds up dead.

Book seven in the best-selling Vampire Knitting Club series can be read on its own, but it’s also fun to read the entire series. You’ll find quirky characters, genuine mysteries, a novice witch and vampires who love to knit, but no violence, gore or swearing. Just good, clean, (murderous) fun.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack’s a retired ex-cop from New York, seeking the simple life in Cherringham. Sarah’s a Web designer who’s moved back to the village find herself. But their lives are anything but quiet as the two team up to solve Cherringham’s criminal mysteries.

This compilation contains episodes 28 – 30.

A DINNER TO DIE FOR
When a new restaurant with a starred American chef opens in Cherringham, it seems the Spotted Pig has a worthy rival. But a series of disturbing incidents turns that rivalry into something dangerous – perhaps even fatal. Jack and Sarah get involved and soon discover dark secrets about the new chef Anna … Can they uncover what is really happening before both restaurants go belly-up?

THE DROWNED MAN
Accidents happen to Charley Clutterbuck. Always just scraping by, living on his ramshackle boat, not above the dodgy deal here and there … So when his body is found floating down river, accidental drowning seems the logical conclusion. But Charley’s pal Ray thinks it’s murder. And when Jack and Sarah get involved … they find themselves facing an unexpected danger as they uncover the strange truth.

THE GENTLEMAN VANISHES
Bernard Mandeville loves trains. Every Sunday, the elderly and frail Bernard, in perfect attire, purchases a ticket on the Great Cotswold’s Steam Railway, takes a seat in First-Class and revels in a journey from the past. But on one particular Sunday, in the midst of that short trip, the impossible happens. Bernard vanishes without a trace … The family reaches out to Sarah and Jack who must make their own remarkable journey on the rails … to track down the vanished gentleman!

Co-authors Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the US), have been writing together since the mid 90’s, creating content and working on projects for the BBC, Disney Channel, Sony, ABC, Eidos, and Nintendo to name but a few. Their transatlantic collaboration has underpinned scores of TV drama scripts, computer games, radio shows, and – most recently – the successful crime fiction series Cherringham.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether it’s getting to the bottom of a mystery or to the bottom of a liquor glass, these day drinkers will look for “proof” in more ways than one!

When the regulars at dive bar, Olive or Twist, discover their bank accounts are mysteriously being drained faster than their shot glasses, bartender, Brandy Alexander, takes the law into her own hands. Local police dismiss the crime as too menial to justify their resources, but Brandy knows the thief’s scheme is part of something much bigger. Will cozying up to a handsome police officer help Brandy glean the information she needs to launch her own investigation?

Between slinging drinks and hiding her canine bar bouncer, “Hairy Pawter,” from the health inspector, Brandy tries to cross suspects off her list. But her ride-or-die bestie, Emily, doesn’t help matters when she goes on a hilarious rogue crime spree of her own.

Can Brandy muddle a crew of loveable lushes into a crack investigative team? Or will the thief leave them all shaken and stirred?

Take one part mystery; mix well with one part humor; add a splash of romance, and garnish with some canine cuteness.

Book contains exclusive original cocktail recipes from a professional Mixologist!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a colleague of deputy coroner Mattie Winston, social worker Clothilde “Hildy” Schneider is no stranger to unsolved murders at Sorenson General Hospital. Except this time, it’s up to her to crack the case . . . 

Motivated by her own difficult past, Hildy has an unparalleled commitment to supporting troubled clients through grief and addiction in Sorenson, Wisconsin. But when a distraught group therapy member reveals disturbing details about her late son’s potential murder, Hildy goes from dedicated mental health professional to in-over-her-head amateur sleuth . . .

Alongside her loyal therapy Golden Retriever, Hildy stumbles through incriminating clues—and an unlikely partnership with Detective Bob Richmond, the irresistibly headstrong cop who shares her passion for helping others. With signs of foul play surfacing all over town, can Hildy and Detective Richmond pinpoint the deadly traits of a sharp-witted killer before another seat gets filled at grief therapy?
 
Praise for Annelise Ryan and her Mattie Winston series

“The funniest deputy coroner to cut up a corpse since, well, ever!”
—Laura Levine, author of Killer Cruise

“The forensic details will interest Patricia Cornwell readers . . . while the often slapstick humor and the blossoming romance between Mattie and Hurley will draw Evanovich fans.”  —Booklist  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

 

New Releases For The Week Of July 28th, 2019–Part 1

Here is a list of some of the new releases for the week of July 28th, 2019. I am going to divide the list into 4 days because there are so very very many of them for the week. Today is the first day of my list for this week. Hope you find some selections for your weekly reading. Enjoy and happy reading.

 

 

“A gripping, intense page-turner.” – Vineet Bajpai, Author of the Bestselling Harappa Trilogy.
“An amazing thriller.” – Vishakha Singh, Actor, producer.
“A brilliant, brilliant mystery.” – Tanvir Gill, Anchor, CNBC.

*Heliconia Lane was a spot of heaven until you discover the secrets that lay behind its closed doors.*

It was crazy really, for Darya to think she could have some peace and quiet at Heliconia Lane. Yes, it was located in a beautiful corner of south Goa—by the beach, no less—but after her Aunt Farideh disappeared twenty years ago—from this very place—nothing has been the same again. And now her uncle was dead under bizarre circumstances as were two of the neighbours on his street.

What was happening? Was there a murderer on the loose? Why were people dying? Was it connected to her aunt’s disappearance in some way?

And most importantly, was Darya going to be next?

A cozy, Agatha Christie-style whodunnit, Kiss of Salt introduces Darya Nandkarni, an amateur, and accidental detective, who is clever, spirited, resourceful, yet troubled and vulnerable. Her adventures will make you laugh, cry, gape, and marvel, and you won’t be able to put down the book until you’ve solved the mystery along with her in the beautiful side-streets of Goa.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drusilla “Granny” Rathmore is a powerful witch who’s busy running her bookstore and contending with her teenage daughter. A routine walk with her dog through the woods ends in typical Blackwood Bay fashion, with Granny stumbling upon the body of a local shapeshifter and reserve police officer. While she’d prefer to forget the day’s events via a few drinks at the local bar with some friends from her coven, she can’t stop thinking about the bizarre circumstances surrounding the case. After a chance encounter with one of the prime suspects, she decides it’s in the best interest of everyone if she gets involved in the investigation. Well, everyone except the killer …
*NOTE: This book is set in the past and can be read at any point. However, it does assume that the reader is familiar with the world of Blackwood Bay and some of the characters that appear throughout the series.

Books in the series include:
Haunted and Hexed, Book 1
Bad Magic and the Big Top, Book 2
Phantoms in High Fidelity, Book 3
Broomsticks and Bones, Book 4
Payback’s a Witch, Book 5 – Coming Soon
On a Witch and a Spell, short story
One Spell of a Time, short story  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*NEW COZY MYSTERY SERIES*

When Bree Dalton moves back home to Cranwell the last thing she expected after taking over her late father’s bakery was to be the centre of a criminal investigation.

Uncovering a secret box filled with jewels, Bree believes they belonged to her father. As John Dalton had always been wary of banks and safety deposit boxes, it’s no surprise the floorboards are filled with heirlooms.

But they’re not his at all. They were stolen. Now Bree’s about to take the fall for it, unless she uncovers the mystery hidden beneath the bakery.

A cozy mystery short story that can be read in two hours. Served perfectly as a light read. Set in a sleepy village and featuring a bakery-owning amateur sleuth and her friends.

Written in British English. No cliffhanger, swearing, or gore.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lost German Shepherd is the sixth novella in the Lost and Found Pets series. Alexandra Prescott is a licensed private investigator specializing in finding missing animals. Reuniting pet and owner is more than just a job.

Alex’s world has been turned upside down. Her new-found siblings have invaded her life, her boyfriend has mysteriously left town, and someone has been following her. When her own dog disappears, she knows something dangerous is going on.

Alex calls in every favor and uses every resource to gather clues that will lead to her cherished pet. She will break all the rules to solve the mystery of the lost German Shepherd.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s a serial killer in the neighborhood, and Sam is being stalked. When she turns to her former boyfriend, Clint Chastain, an innocent encounter turns into a case of extortion. Three months ago, sweet little Miley Harper was found suffocated by her own pillow. When reclusive neighbor Grace Hazelton turns up dead from carbon monoxide poisoning, Sam McNamee suspects a serial killer is at large in her neighborhood.Then Sam starts getting fan mail that quickly turns threatening. Someone has figured out her secret identity. The only way to find out who is to infiltrate the ranks of the local book club.When Sam gets the chance of a lifetime and needs a dog sitter for Bump, Clint volunteers. If things with him were complicated before they broke up, they’re doubly so now—his ex-wife has baby plans, and he’s the most likely baby daddy.Then Bump disappears. And Sam is apparently next on the killer’s list. This time, though, if she’s going to survive, she’ll have to save herself.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An innocent game turns sinister… 

Brenda, local amateur sleuth and B&B owner, is planning a special holiday treat for her guests – a Secret Santa. With token gifts spread throughout the bed and breakfast, it is set to be a real hit.

When Olivia receives two Secret Santa’s, she is suspicious and worried. Confiding in her best friend, Molly, she worries that she is being stalked. When she receives threatening notes, she doesn’t know what to do.

Things take a deadly turn…

Olivia is determined to find out who the stalker is before going to the cops, but things go dangerously wrong and Olivia is murdered.

Brenda and her husband, Mac, must work together to find out who killed Olivia and why? Time is running out. Can Brenda find the killer before it’s too late?

This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

Read all the Sweetfern Harbor cozy mysteries:

1. Posies and Poison
2. Dead in Bed
3. Captain Dead Man
4. Ghostly Tours
5. Turkey, Pies, and Alibis
6. Mystery, Snow, and Mistletoe
7. Festival Turmoil
8. Scandal at the Gala
9. The Elusive Wampum
10. Chest of Secrets
11. The Bead Seller
12. Fe Fi Fiddle Die
13. Is This Suitcase Taken?
14. Hidden Entity
15. Finishing the Game  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In late August 1898, reporter Emma Cross attends the final fête of the Newport social season and discovers the party’s over for a visiting prince . . .
 
The days are getting shorter as summer’s end approaches, which means it’s time for the Harvest Festival, the last big event of the season, held by Mamie Fish, wife of millionaire railroad tycoon Stuyvesant Fish, at their grand “cottage,” Crossways. The neocolonial mansion is decked out in artificial autumn splendor, and an extravagant scavenger hunt will be held. But the crowning jewel of the evening will be the guest of honor, Prince Otto of Austria.

As acting editor-in-chief of the Newport Messenger, Emma had hoped to leave her days as a society reporter behind her. But at the last moment, she must fill in and attend the Harvest Festival. With nearly every eligible daughter of Newport high society in attendance, Emma can almost hear romantic dreams shattering like glass slippers when the prince fails to appear. The next morning, he is found dead in the side garden at Crossways, making it clear a murderer crashed the party.

The prince has been stabbed in the same manner as another man, recently found on nearby Bailey’s Beach—who strongly resembles Emma’s half-brother Brady’s father, presumed dead for nearly thirty years after a yachting mishap. As Emma investigates a connection between the two victims, she is joined on the hunt by Mamie Fish herself. But they must hurry—before the killer slips away like the fading summer . . .  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAPD detective Michael Gideon, his K-9 partner, Sirius, and pit bull adoptee Emily try to outmaneuver not one but two serial killers, while investigating the suspicious death of a woman who belonged to a cult.

When a woman in Bel Air dies of a rattlesnake bite, the case doesn’t seem to fit the usual purview of LAPD’s Special Cases Unit. But Carrie Holder was no ordinary LA woman. She was a member of the city’s latest cult, the Church of the Gate, which counts Hollywood’s movers and shakers among its devotees.

Investigating the cult’s secrets takes Detective Michael Gideon, his German shepherd K-9 partner, Sirius, and pit bull adoptee Emily across Los Angeles’s canyons, neighborhoods, and movie studio lots—but all the while, an even darker threat looms closer. The All-In Killer has left a trail of victims across the Southwest, but he’s no longer content to couch his threats in poker clues—the latest crime scene leaves no doubt that he’s coming for Gideon, and Sirius, too. With the FBI pressuring Gideon to visit Ellis Haines, aka the Weatherman, for insights on the case, can Gideon outwit not one but two serial killers?  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four strangers arrive at the solicitors’ office of Puckle, Puckle, and Nunnery. They have never met, and have no idea why they have been invited. But they – along with a missing man – are descendants of the late Algernon George Culver Mayton, the inventor of ‘Mayton’s Marvellous Mixture’ and each entitled to a portion of the Mayton Fortune. But before they can split the money, the missing man must be found.

Two months later, Detectives Sloan and Crosby receive a call that one of the legatees has died following an attack of food poisoning. Did the deceased merely ingest a noxious substance by accident, or are the legatees being picked off one-by-one?  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When last we met, good people, the biggest wish I’ve ever made came to fruition. It didn’t happen without some help—okay, a lot of help. Either way, let’s just say the deed was done.

My outrageously handsome, smart, sometimes persnickety (read mostly persnickety) Spy Guy, Winterbottom, is finally here on earth with me, recuperating from his afterlife jaunt.

And I couldn’t be happier…

Sure, he can be a difficult patient. He’s forever bellowing my name from his sick bed. He likes his socks ironed and his toast cut in triangles, thank you very much. Add in the fact that some of the spells I’ve cast to make this dream a reality have had repercussions (an understatement), and it’s been sheer chaos.

But all tomfoolery aside, Win’s here with us, and I’m thrilled, as you can imagine.
Mostly.

So when it’s decided amongst my favorite men I should take a day for myself and hit Seattle for some much-needed shopping, I hesitantly head out.

And then I die.

As you can imagine, it only goes downhill from there…  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Teaberry Farm Bed & Breakfast Cozy Book 23
Good things are worth waiting for. A late arrival brings joy in the midst of a deep mystery. Megan gets a lot of help from friends and family to drill down to the clues for this puzzle. This mild cozy mystery offers a clean read with a female amateur sleuth and friends in a small-town setting. Main characters in the series are multigenerational.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She’s over fifty, overweight, and in way over her head!

What could be worse than having a gangster onboard the world’s finest cruise liner? Having several of them obviously! 

The Aurelia plays host to an underworld crime boss and his bodyguards, but when the gangster’s reluctant-looking bride-to-be goes missing and a ransom note is left in her place, Patricia puts her sleuthing hat on to help the new deputy captain solve the crime.

With new friend, eccentric socialite Lady Mary Bostihill-Swank, gym-bunny Barbie, and her ever faithful butler by her side, Patricia intends to find out who has the missing woman and discover why so many rival gangs are trying to find her.

However, with no actual skills to call on and a niggling reminder that she was cleaning houses for a living just a few weeks ago, will she find the girl in time or just lead her friends into danger?

Expect the author’s usual blend of humour, mystery, and action as Patricia Fisher gets in too deep again.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hotly anticipated release of book 4 in the Rachel Prince Mystery series.

When you spurn a cold-blooded killer, vengeance will someday follow…

Rachel Prince is drawn to investigate when the leader of a Bucket List tour party is discovered in the library on the first day of her Antipodean cruise. Can this seemingly harmless group of elderly people have a killer among them?

Rachel thinks she is living the dream. Taking a cruise around Australia and New Zealand as a guest lecturer and meeting up again with her best friend, cruise ship nurse, Sarah. The scene is set for the holiday of a lifetime!

Difficulties abound for everyone when an interim chief of security causes countless problems and appears to take an intense dislike of Sarah. Not trusting the new chief to get to the bottom of the murder, Rachel investigates on her own, soon discovering that the dead woman from the Bucket List tour party had been receiving anonymous threatening emails. To make matters infinitely worse, Rachel’s ex turns up on board, and things start to go horribly wrong.

The cruise ship sleuth needs to work fast to find out if one of the gentle elders on the bucket list tour is a murderer while avoiding her ex like the plague.

“Dawn Brookes has done it again. I said this about the last one but this is the best yet!” SD
“I absolutely love this series – unputdownable.” RL   (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finale of The Nathan Miccoli Mystery series.

Lily’s secrets will lead to more than one funeral.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomato sauce isn’t the only thing that runs red…

Local chef Tessa Esposito is struggling to get back on her feet following her husband’s fatal accident. And when the police knock on Tessa’s door, things just get worse. They’ve discovered Dylan’s death wasn’t an accident after all, and they need Tessa to start filling in the blanks. Who would want her beloved husband dead, and why?

With the investigation running cold, Tessa decides it’s time to save her sanity by reconnecting with her first love-cooking. And maybe the best way back into the kitchen is to infiltrate Dylan’s favorite local pizza parlor, which also happens to be the last place he was seen before he died. But the anchovies aren’t the only thing that stink inside the small family business, and with suspects around every corner, Tessa finds that her husband’s many secrets might land her in hot water.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

 

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours–The House On Xenia

 

 

I’m so excited to be a stop on the blog tour for author Rita Moreau and her new book The House Of Xenia.  This is the fourth book in her A Mary Catherine Mahoney Mystery Series.

 

The House on Xenia (A Mary Catherine Mahoney Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Independently Published (May 8, 2019)
Paperback: 332 pages
ISBN-10: 1096120712
ISBN-13: 978-1096120711
Digital Print Length: 209 pages
ASIN: B07R9Q682Y

 

Purchase Links – Amazon 

 

 

 

 

 

The House on Xenia, a full-sized YaYa (Greek grandmother). It’s also very much extraordinary . . .
~INTO THE ABYSS

This was just so much fun to read. There’s fun, zany characters, house included, and more than one mystery to figure out. Made me grin enough my face hurt.
~ fuonlyknew

This story was not what I had expected it to be but I was entertained from the first page to the last. I found The House on Xenia to be an enjoyable read and a nice escape.
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

 

 

A government conspiracy. A life-threatening secret. Can a psychic accountant balance the books of justice?

Mary Catherine “MC” Mahoney prefers numbers to her supernatural powers. But when a cold-case corpse shows up under her cousin’s family home, the only calculations that add up are paranormal. And deep within the floorboards of the house on Xenia, MC and her madcap Greek family uncover evidence pointing to visitors from another planet…

Pursued by military agents intent on keeping the secrets buried, MC will have to play by the house’s rules to expose the alien mystery. And there’s only one member of the family who can get to the hidden truth…

Can MC reveal the cover-up, or will a dangerous hush job close her books forever?

The House on Xenia is a standalone novel in the Mary Catherine Mahoney cozy mystery series. If you like psychic female sleuths, crazy family antics, and long lost aliens, then you’ll love Rita Moreau’s quirky tale.

 

Rita Moreau is the author of the Mary Catherine Mahoney Mystery series.

A workaholic by nature, upon retirement, Rita Moreau began work on her bucket list, writing a book. Traveling the national parks with her husband George in a vintage Bluebird motor home, (on George’s list), Rita completed her first novel Bribing Saint Anthony. Back home she completed Nuns! Psychics! & Gypsies! OH! NO, Feisty Nuns, The Russian & Aunt Sophia and The House on Xenia. Rita and her husband live in a postcard called Florida where he has fun telling everyone he is the author’s husband. When not writing she joins PatZi Gil on the Joy on Paper radio program with Book Buzz Mysteries or you can find her teaching fitness classes and doing her best to keep busy. She loves connecting with readers.

Visit her at http://www.RitaMoreau.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RitaMoreauAuthor. She would love to hear from you.

Author Links

Website – http://www.ritamoreau.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RitaMoreauAuthor/

Blog – http://www.radio-joyonpaper.com/book-buzz-mysteries/

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6587803.Rita_Moreau

 

 

 

 

When did you know that you wanted to be an author?  What things, if any, influenced that decision?

To be honest with you I don’t  remember a light bulb moment. Years ago I took a handwriting analysis that was offered in Parade magazine (yes I did say years ago) and it told me I had to stay busy. After I retired I needed something to do. I could not sit still. I left a profession as a CPA for the Treasury department. You can fill in the blanks.  I needed to do something with my brain. I have always wanted to write and so after I retired I started down that road.

With so many cozies being written today, what makes your books stand out from the crowd?I would say I write a cozy with an edge. It’s a hybrid between cozy and a traditional mystery with an amateur sleuth.  I do have a different cast of characters, a protagonist that is retired IRS/CPA that uses her accounting skills to solve murders or find something lost.  Follow the money. She is also psychic and has two Greek fortune telling aunts who keep her busy. Two nuns that she has met and take her on a wild goose chase. I also have some Russians and a retired Special Forces guy who tends bar at Hotel Florida. My books are set in Florida. In my latest book I have aliens. I am doing all I can to have my books stand out in this very crowded field. I don’t cook but I do have recipes or Greek food in my books and my last book has a couple of dogs. 

Do you work from an outline or plot or do you just see where the characters take you?

I work from an outline and a character synopsis. I write a first draft and that is where the characters take over. They pretty much run the joint from that point on.

Do you read your reviews?  Do you respond to them, good or bad?  Do you do anything special to get those reviews? I read every review like it was a letter from a long lost friend. I do not respond to reviews and I try not to get too upset over a bad review but I do pay attention to those negative reviews, especially if they are constructive. You can’t  please everybody, I’m not pizza. No I don’t do anything special to get reviews, except pray I get more.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Someday you will be as old as your mother, so live in the moment and not the future and the past is in your rear view mirror.  

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in someone buying your book(s)?   Who designs your book covers?Yes I do because I always am attracted to the cover of a book if I am in a bookstore. My husband has done the covers on the first four books. He is my best friend and biggest fan. The last cover was done by Janet Holmes. She did a great job. I found her when I saw the work she did for Jana DeLeon Miss Fortune series. 

Please give us an insight into your main characters.  What do you think makes them special? 

My main character is the house on Xenia. This house protects those who live within its walls and has done so for many years. The house symbolizes the strength of a single mother who would move heaven and earth to protect her brood. It can also talk to you if you listen. You know, like a mother or YaYa which is Greek for grandmother.

What have you learned about yourselves since becoming an author?

That I can write a book and actually I can write more than one book. 

Do you write full-time or part-time?I write full-time on a part-time basis.

What do your plans for future projects include?

I am starting a new series with a new character that appears in the house on Xenia.  I may even query a few publishers or agents with the hope that they can open the door to Hollywood. I would love to see my books on the big or little screen. I’ve been told more than once they would make good cinema. 

What do you think the hardest part of writing is?  What is the easiest?

The hardest part is writing and writing as quickly as the market demands currently. I write one book a year. That is fine for Mr. Connelly but not for me.  I need to pick up the pace and write more books. There are some authors that are writing and publishing books every other month. I have no idea how they do that but they do. Marketing is very difficult and has been a big learning curve. The easiest and my favorite part are talking to my readers. I enjoy the book launches and engaging with my readers at the launches or book clubs or on social media. 

What type of books do you like to read?  Who are some of your favorite authors? I like to read mysteries and detective novels. Michael Connelly, Tim Dorsey, Sheldon Siegel, John Grisham, Sue Grafton to name a few. 

What is the one thing you would like your readers to know about you?

If I can write a book – so can you. Never give up on your dreams. 

Do you have anything specific you would like to say to your readers? If my books give you a good belly laugh and a few hours away from whatever worries you than my job is done. 

 

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

Author Links

http://www.ritamoreau.com

https://www.facebook.com/RitaMoreauAuthor/

http://www.radio-joyonpaper.com/book-buzz-mysteries/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6587803.Rita_Moreau

 

 

 

To enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway, please click on the link below:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792911/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0

 

 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 18 – Into the Abyss Reviews – REVIEW

July 19 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 20 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST

July 20 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

July 21 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

July 22 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

July 23 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

July 24 – Ascroft, eh? – GUEST POST

July 25 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

July 25 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 26 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

July 27 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 28 – Brooke Blogs – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 29 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – CHARACTER GUEST POST  

July 31 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews– REVIEW

 

 

 

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours–You’ve Been Volunteered

 

 

 

I’m so excited to be a stop on the blog tour for author Laurie Gelman and her new book You’ve Been Volunteered.  This is the second book in his A Class Mom Mystery Series.

You’ve Been Volunteered: A Class Mom Novel
Humorous Fiction
2nd in Series
Henry Holt and Co. (July 23, 2019)
Hardcover: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 1250301858
ISBN-13: 978-1250301857
Digital ASIN: B07HLZH7BH

Purchase Links – Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Kobo – IndieBound – Google Play 

 

 

In the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Laurie Gelman’s “irreverent and hilarious” (The New York Post) hit Class Mom, brash, lovable Jen Dixon is back with a new class and her work cut out for her

If you’ve ever been a room parent or school volunteer, Jen Dixon is your hero. She says what every class mom is really thinking, whether in her notoriously frank emails or standup-worthy interactions with the micromanaging PTA President and the gamut of difficult parents. Luckily, she has the charm and wit to get away with it—most of the time. Jen is sassier than ever but dealing with a whole new set of challenges, in the world of parental politics and at home.

She’s been roped into room-parenting yet again, for her son Max’s third grade class, but as her husband buries himself in work, her older daughters navigate adulthood, and Jen’s own aging parents start to need some parenting themselves, Jen gets pulled in more directions than any one mom, or superhero, can handle.

Refreshingly down-to-earth and brimming with warmth, Dixon’s next chapter will keep you turning the pages to find out what’s really going on under the veneer of polite parent interactions, and have you laughing along with her the whole way.

 

 

 

 

This book is so funny and I enjoyed it so much.  Although I was never a room mom, I was involved in my children’s classrooms from time to time, and this book brought back so many fond memories.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read.  The author is witty, sassy, irreverent (in the best way) and she had me laughing throughout the entire book.  Her emails were funny and sometimes outrageous. But she also takes some more serious subjects (like pregnancy and aging parents) and presents them in a way that did not bring the book down.  I think that is something difficult to do.    

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys humorous women’s fiction.  I have already ordered the first book in the series and I cannot wait to read it.  If I could give this book more than five stars I would, that is hard much I enjoyed it.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Henry Holt & Company, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

 

 

 

 

Laurie Gelman was born and raised in the Great White North. She spent twenty-five years as a broadcaster in both Canada and the United States before trying her hand at writing novels. The author of Class Mom, Laurie has appeared on Live With Ryan and Kelly, Watch What Happens Live, and The Talk, among others. She lives in New York City with her husband, Michael Gelman, and two teenage daughters.

Author Links – Twitter: @lauriemgelman     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriegelman/

 

 

 

To enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway, please click on the link below:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792913/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0

 

 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 22 – Books Direct -SPOTLIGHT

July 23 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 24 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

July 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

July 26 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

July 27 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

July 28 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

July 29 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

July 29 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

July 31 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW

August 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW  

August 2 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

 

 

 

Spotlight–Moonstruck and Murderous

 

Today on my blog I have a Spotlight for Moonstruck and Murderous by Blanche Manos.  It is the third book in her Ned McNeil Mystery series.

A cold wind can send shivers down your spine! The month is March—a strange month, noted for its fickle weather—but this March has an added strangeness in the form of two full moons. Could they be the reason for murder to strike the small town of Ednalee, Oklahoma? Some think so. In the quiet little town, who could be to blame? But there is more than one suspect, and before the month ends, the murderer strikes again and yet again.Could the slayings involve the Carver Mansion? Mystery surrounds the estate. Does the ancient house attract evil?Perhaps the bloodthirsty predator who stalks these historic grounds is affected by the blue moon? Amateur sleuth Ned McNeil must find out before even more people die. Is the killer moonstruck or murderous—or both?What readers are saying about the Ned McNeil books:“A unique story”“Lovable characters”“Faith, friends, and tension”“The story pulls the reader in”“Engrossing, suspenseful, a pleasure to read”“Skillfully plotted, likable heroine”“Delightful”   (Goodreads)

Nettie Elizabeth McNeil returning to her hometown of Ednalee, looking forward to a reunion with her only living relative, her Uncle Javin. The reunion fails to happen and Ned, as her friends call her, discovers that she is involved in a web of lies and mysteries that have their origin in a murder that happened decades ago. Moonlight Can Be Murder indeed. More excitement takes place under a full moon in By the Fright of the Silvery Moon. The third Ned McNeil book, Moonstruck and Murderous, follows Ned and her two childhood friends into the mystery surrounding a 200-year-old house that is lovely to look at but is built around a deadly secret of its own.

Nettie “Ned” McNeil cannot imagine why her Uncle Javin feels that he is in danger, but she loads her suitcases into her car, leaves Atlanta and her late husband, and makes the long trek to Ednalee, Oklahoma, to help out. When she arrives, Uncle Javin’s white Victorian house is strangely dark and silent. Inside she finds him lying on the floor in a pool of blood.

So begin her first moments back in her old home town, where the mystery of Uncle Javin’s violent death pulls at Ned. But his mysterious murderer seems to always be just a few steps ahead of her search. How can she protect her own life as she pursues a killer who will stop at nothing to guard a deadly secret?  (Goodreads)

Is it Moonlight or is it Murder?

Ned McNeil is haunted by a nightmare that wakes her in the middle of the night, leaving her gasping for breath. A dog—or is it a wolf?—howling in her yard under the brilliant autumn moon sends chills down her spine. Is the moonlight and the fact that she is alone in Granger Mansion causing her imagination to work overtime?

Hidden by a dense fog, an unknown driver pursues Ned to the edge of a cliff, an innocent-appearing luncheon ends in violence, a neighbor drops dead for no apparent reason, and a hidden shooter waylays her in a deserted cemetery. Surely, these are not coincidences.

Every old house has a history and Ned thought she knew everything about Granger Mansion, but the house holds some deep secrets of its own. Those secrets very nearly cost Ned McNeil her life.

By the Fright of the Silvery Moon is a page turner; a cozy mystery with an extra shiver that just may keep you up at night, even when the moon isn’t full!

Praise for By the Fright of the Silvery Moon

“Ned McNeil has gone back to the ‘home place’ and the great old house her uncle left her. While she settles into the community, renews old friendships, meets new people, and one loving guardian, she begins to realize that there are some members of the community that are not so welcoming. Blanche Manos weaves a suspenseful story with characters good and evil, which will keep you turning the pages. Her clear, fast-paced writing is a delight to read, and just when you think you know it all, a twist may change your mind!”
– Janice Gilbertson, Author of Summer of ’58 and The Canyon House

“By the Fright of the Silvery Moon is a delightful read. You will feel right at home in Granger Mansion, along with ‘Ned’ McNeil, her cat, Penny, and a dog named Ulysses. The fireplace is lit and the coffee is on. This is a mystery that will keep you in suspense until the very end.”
– Sharon Mierke, author of The Widow’s Walk and the Mabel Wickles cozy mysteries  (Goodreads)

In her previous life, Blanche Day Manos was a kindergarten teacher, part-time writer of feature stories for a newspaper, and writer of stories and poems for children’s and Christian magazines. Now, she lives in a bustling Arkansas town near her family. In between writing books, she enjoys painting and playing the piano.
Blanche specializes in clean mysteries that have middle-aged women protagonists with a tendency to become involved in strange and mysterious happenings in their hometowns.
Darcy Campbell, retired newspaper reporter, and her mother Flora Tucker, protagonists, can’t stay out of trouble in Levi, Oklahoma. On the surface, this lovely town seems tranquil, filled with law-abiding and peaceful people. As Darcy and Flora discover, more is going on than meets the eye. The Cemetery Club, Grave Shift, Best Left Buried, and Grave Heritage follow these courageous women from one harrowing adventure to another.

New Releases For The Week Of July 21st, 2019–Part 3

Here is a list of some of the new releases for the week of July 21st, 2019. I am going to divide the list into 4 days because there are so very many of them for the week. Today is the fourth and final day of my list for this week. Hope you find some selections for your weekly reading. Enjoy and happy reading.

 

 

A witchy bride. An itchy groom. A flower girl squirrel. And a dead wedding planner. Why is nothing ever easy in Paradise Falls.

Witch Hazel Kinsey is finally marrying the love of her life, werebear Ford Baylor, in a ceremony that will bind their souls for life.

Unfortunately, party crashers have other plans for the anxious bride. Like killing her before the ceremony. Haze and Ford, with the help of Tizzy the squirrel, and Lily Mason are determined to track down the killer and make the midnight deadline, but if they can’t stop the person behind the bounty on Haze’s head, the wedding may be off. Permanently.

What’s a Witchzilla to do when everything on her special day goes wrong? Everything she can to make sure she doesn’t lose her one shot at true happiness.

For Hazel and the gang, it’s just another day in Paradise Falls.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A secret message hidden inside of an antique wooden box, an unidentified dead body, and a mother determined to marry her off to the high school crush whom she hasn’t seen since…well…high school. There’s no doubt about it; Finn Bartusiak’s life in the seaside town of Port New is about to get interesting.

Coming into possession of a 19th-century, bronze and mahogany writing box under somewhat suspicious circumstances, Finn’s accidental discovery of a coded note leads her and Spencer Dane, bestselling novelist and love of her life (though he doesn’t know it yet), on a quest to unravel the mystery behind the jumble of letters. But they’re not the only ones interested in the cryptic message. There’s a con man on their trail, and he’ll stop at nothing, including murder, to claim the ‘treasure’ for himself.   (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph Coggins has been one of Jamie Lang’s mentors and friends for years. A world-renowned master penman and calligrapher to queens and presidents, his script is perfection. So perfect that someone wants him out of the way. When Jamie stops by Ralph’s house to deliver the 24K gold fountain pen nib he ordered, she finds him slumped over his drafting table, freshly dead. It takes her good friend with the bedroom eyes, Ridge Calhoun, Cedar Valley’s chief of police and hottest bachelor, to determine what killed Ralph. And the cause of death is almost unbelievable. Now the question is—who killed Ralph? And how did they do it?

Ralph was well loved and respected in the lettering community. So Jamie thought. Until she finds herself embroiled in a world full of jealousy, secrets, revenge, unrequited love, and greed. Even some of Ralph’s powerful and wealthy clients have motives for wanting him dead. And it isn’t because they can’t pay. As Jamie sifts through the clues, consuming copious amounts of coffee, she enlists the help of her rival hand letterer, Hot Hugh. With his sexy British accent and tight black T-shirts, it’s hard not to be distracted by him. Now the only question is whether Jamie can find the killer in the nib of time. Before they still her pen for good.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with something new, or if you’re a fan of hand lettering, pen and ink art, graphic design, watercoloring, typography, calligraphy, and creative inspiration, this series is for you! Indulge your inner artist and sleuth. Welcome to Cedar Valley, a thriving tourist town and popular wedding venue. Once you slip into town, you’ll want to stay and grab a cup of coffee with Jamie while she solves crimes.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK THREE in the Cowan Bay Witches Cozy Mystery series.

As Cowan Bay’s ‘Annual Winter Bake Sale’ gets underway, death strikes the village.

Celebrity chef, Nigel Whisker is a controversial television personality, so it’s no surprise someone had it out for him… which means nobody is safe from speculation, including three-time winner Gwen Waterhouse.

Detective Hodge wants to sweep the crumbs of this death under the rug with an easy arrest, but Gwen has other plans. Pies, palmistry, and poison, oh my!

Will proof be in the pudding?

A paranormal cozy mystery set in a coastal English village. An amateur female sleuth, a coven of witches, and an anxious pet cat. Written in British English. No swearing or gore. *previously published under Crystal Cafe cozy series*

COWAN BAY WITCHES SERIES
1: Muffins, Magic, and Murder – SOON
2: Cupcakes, Crystals, and Chaos – JULY 10
3: Pies, Palmistry, and Poison – JULY 24
4: Treats, Tarot, and Trouble – AUG 21  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte and Ally Sweet are excited to be visiting a nearby farm to try a new range of jams to use in their baked treats. They take their trusted companions, Peaches and Arnold, along for the outing. The animals are enjoying the farm and the jams are delicious…. but not everything goes to plan.

Their fun day out comes to a grinding halt when Arnold and Peaches land up in a sticky situation….and then someone ends up murdered. Charlotte and Ally do a little sleuthing and reveal that the victim has some surprising secrets, and quite a few enemies. When someone they love dearly is put at risk, Charlotte and Ally will do anything to ensure their safety.

Will Charlotte and Ally find the culprit before tensions reach boiling point and there is another victim?

Recipe Included: Raspberry White Chocolate Cake  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third novel in 6 times New York Times best-selling author Lois H. Gresh’s Sherlock Holmes vs. Cthulhu series.

THE OBLITERATING SHADOW

The deadly dimensions over London have been sealed, and the monsters have departed. But word has come to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson of a more terrifying creature still – the great Cthulhu has been sighted off the waters of Innsmouth, Massachusetts. Only Holmes can defeat him.

And in the muddy village of Innsmouth, surrounded by villagers who are more sea-monster than human, Holmes meets again his nemesis, Moriarty, and yet greater foes: Amelia Scarcliffe and Maria Fitzgerald, harbingers of Dagon, who have called forth Cthulhu. Their task: to bring about the end of humankind, and begin the realm of nightmares on Earth.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a touch of her hand, Octavia Hollows can restore life. Yet, she couldn’t save the man she loved from the horrific accident that stole him from her. Octavia thought she could outrun the pain, but ghosts from the past refuse to be silenced. Out of options, she chooses to retrace her wayward journey across the country in search of answers. Surrounded by baffling mysteries of the undead, what she learns about herself along the way might become her greatest weapon.

Tallahassee, Florida: Where the love of her life died.

Octavia’s coven has gone missing, and a demented stalker is sending her body parts in the mail. Tired of playing along with his twisted games, the pink-haired necromancer and her swinekick are preparing for war. But this is one battle she won’t face alone. Friends, both living and deceased, will rise to stand beside her. Will it be enough to end the creeper’s murderous vendetta? Or, will death come for the one person Octavia can’t resurrect… herself?   (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELL-WRITTEN AND FAST-PACED MYSTERY…

“The Ambitious Card is intelligently written and … entirely engrossing.” – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

“This is a hugely entertaining crime novel, packed full of comedy….Warm, funny and well-plotted–a book to brighten any grey day. Do read it!” – FictionFan’s Book Reviews

“The Ambitious Card is a must read!” – Books and Looks

“Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast paced and exciting.” – The Frugal Mennonite

“The deftly-plotted mystery is enriched by Eli’s relationships with his ex-wife, her new husband, his old-school stage magician Uncle Harry, and an interesting collection of people and places in and around St. Paul…This stylish novel is filled with interesting details, snappy dialogue, and appealing characters.” – More Than a Review

“This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!” – A Simple Taste for Reading

“I had a great time reading The Ambitious Card. I don’t read many series, but I’m definitely willing to go on another adventure with Eli.” – The Writerly Reader

“Well, Dear Reader, would I recommend The Ambitious Card? Would I read another Eli Marks mystery? Yes, I would do both.” – Charlie Britten, Write On

* * *

The life of a magician isn’t all kiddie shows and card tricks. Sometimes it’s murder. Especially when magician Eli Marks very publicly debunks a famed psychic, and said psychic ends up dead. The evidence, including a bloody King of Diamonds playing card (one from Eli’s own Ambitious Card routine), directs the police right to Eli.

As more psychics are slain, and more King cards rise to the top, Eli can’t escape suspicion. Things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic, and Eli discovers she’s the next target for murder, and he’s scheduled to die with her. Now Eli must use every trick he knows to keep them both alive and reveal the true killer.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Whispering Falls, where magic and mystery collide.

Bubble… Bubble…

Summer in Whispering Falls is in full swing.

Cures and trouble…

When a local Audubon Society hears a very rare and nearly extinct bird species is seen in Whispering Falls, in Petunia Shrubwood’s head of hair of all places, the society comes to Whispering Falls bound and determined to find the rare bird.
Petunia will go to any lengths to keep her animals safe…after all, they are the lost souls of those who have passed.

Magic stirs…

The Karima sisters are haunted by a ghost that demands they help him cross to the other side, only the ghost’s human form is not dead…yet.

And troubles double…
After one of the Audubon Society members is found dead, Petunia Shrubwood becomes the number one suspect.

June Heal is going to have to use some very special magic if she’s going to get Petunia off the hook before another person in the Audubon Society becomes extinct…like the bird they are hunting.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback