New Releases For The Week Of January 31st, 2021–Part 4

Hannah Hickok didn’t know she was a witch but life is certainly wickedly delightful for her now.
As the owner and proprietress of Casper Creek, a cosplay western town, she’s found her niche in life … and love in Cooper Wyatt.
It’s not all smooth sailing for the couple, though, because Casper Creek was built on a magical nexus. That means evil of all kinds is drawn to the property … and Hannah in turn.
It’s going to take wit, wisdom, and love to overcome all the obstacles in their way, but Hannah and Cooper … and the myriad of snarky friends they’ve made along the way, are up to the challenge.
Magic comes in many forms. Hannah is about to introduce you to the best one.

This three-book omnibus includes The Monstrous Seven, Dances With Witches, and All the Pretty Witches. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

One magical mishap and her world goes up in flames.

Cassandra Duke had her whole life figured out. She was going to stay away from magic, become a successful interior designer in a big city, and maybe finally learn how to waltz. But then, her magic acts up—without her permission—leaving her without a job and a plan.

Coming home was never in the stars. But when her aunt calls, Cassie packs up her stuff and heads to Crooked Windows Inn. Maybe with a little peace and quiet, and a remodeling gig, she can get her magic (and life) back under control.

But the universe is clearly out to get her!

Not only has she picked up an annoying cat sidekick, but then her childhood nemesis comes back into her life in the form of the (hot) new handyman, and things just can’t get any worse.

That is, until one of the inn’s guests turns up dead and Cassie’s aunt is the prime suspect.

Now Cassie has no choice but to take the matters into her own magical hands.

Can she solve the case before her aunt is arrested for a crime she didn’t commit?

If you love a little magic and wit with your murder, you’ll love this brand new paranormal witch cozy mysteries series from USA Today bestselling author, Valia Lind!

One click today! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Would you travel to the past to right a wrong?
Solve a cold case?
Meet one of the five witches who will.

New mom and time-traveling witch, Nuala Walsh, must put her own family obligations on hold to travel back to 1994 to save another family from a desolate future.

The women of the Devereux family are blessed with good fortune until a priceless magical heirloom is ripped from their grasps. Without the enchanted artifact, their lucky days are numbered.

The past is riddled with secrets, lies, and ulterior motives that will test Nuala at every turn. As the Devereuxes’ only hope, she will learn that when it comes to family, there is never enough time. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Penny wants a normal life but with Death shadowing her every move normal is not in the equation.

A new town, a new job, and a new friend tempt Penny’s nemesis to strike. When the Raven of Doom lands at Crushin’ It Gym he’s pumped and ready for action.

Penny catches a glimpse of the foreboding future in a puddle of pool water leaving her with two choices: will she run for the hills or stay to face down the black-winged fiend?

This clean, fast-paced mystery will have you dodging death and chasing down clues right alongside the Paranormal Penny Nicols and her quirky cat.

Download Crushed, book 2 of the series, today. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Shay Reynolds is having the time of her life. Her new business is booming, her relationship with Detective Garrett Locke is going great, and summer has come to Deadwood, South Dakota. What could go wrong?

The annual festival honoring Wild Bill Hickok is in full swing, and the town is packed with tourists. The strange death of an actor at one of the daily re-enactment shows is just the beginning. With too many suspects and a multitude of motives, solving this case will be a challenge.

Shay helps Garrett delve deep into the acting troupe’s lives and tries to determine who could be guilty. Little does she know she’s drawn a target on her back and on the people she loves the most.

When Garrett suddenly becomes ill and ends up in the hospital, it’s a race to figure out who could be responsible. Join Shay and the gang as they race to solve the mystery before it’s too late. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Passing through the Pearly Gates into the Desert Oasis shocked my system. Sweetie Bastard said San Fran would not miss me. How dare he move me, sight unseen, into the sizzling desert?
Learning the ropes in the Oasis takes a steep learning curve. Nice is hard for a girl with a twangy Texas accent, who dislikes girly crafts and friendly neighbors. Trying to please my man, I sign up for water aerobics, and I don’t do water.
Day one in the Oasis, the water aerobics ladies take a swim class with Dan, the Oasis athletic director, submerged at the bottom of the too-blue swimming pool. From there, living in the Oasis goes downhill. How will I ever acclimate to this new lifestyle?
Download my first story, learn what makes this ol’ Texas gal tick. Will I kill Sweetie Bastard for moving me to the desert? Can I adjust to living in a tin can underneath the broiling Arizona sun? (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Hiking the Kindling National Forest is a birthday tradition for the Sullivan siblings—pitching camp, roasting s’mores… a dead body? Not exactly the fun party outdoor guide Andie Sullivan planned for her brother, Kyle. Welp.

When the body is identified as a local who worked at the parks department, Andie decides to put her clue-solving skills to use. Winter tourism is at stake, and if word gets out that Bushwhack has another killer on the loose, she can kiss that sweet revenue goodbye. 

Easier said than done. Meanwhile, Sheriff Zac Mars is neck and neck with her on uncovering clues, proving solving the latest murder in town is harder than powering through a mountain bike tour on an energy bar breakfast. Racing against the clock, Andie must uncover evidence to make her mountain community safe for ski bunnies. But as one new plot twist turns into another dead body, Andie learns not everyone likes meddling civilian sleuths. If she’s not fast enough, the killer may find her before she finds them. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

Harboring resentment only leads to chaos.

Charlotte McKay is new to Sweetwater Falls, but that doesn’t mean she’s about to look the other way when everyone’s least favorite miser goes missing. Following her dream of selling her cupcakes at a bakery is put on hold as she follows a trail of clues, each more strange than the last. Nearly every person in Sweetwater Falls has a grudge against Amos, who was known more for his penny-pinching than his benevolence.

Everyone’s mourning looks more like griping over how much the cheapskate still owes the people he swindled. Only Charlotte and Marianne know the tender heart Amos truly had beneath his prickly exterior. When it becomes clear that Amos’ murder might go uninvestigated, Charlotte sets out to expose his killer once and for all.

“Marshmallow Murder” is filled with layered clues and cozy moments, written by Molly Maple, which is a pen name for a USA Today bestselling author. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

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It’s a dog’s day out as celebrations ramp up for the Founder’s Day parade when the president of the local Clown Association is found face down in his kibble.

The sixth book in the cozy Naomi & Winston Mysteries, Tickle His Funny Bone contains no adult situations or gore, only fun and high jinks as the heroine chases around behind her perpetually confused and endearingly curious Chihuahua. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Ride along on the riveting cases of the Tactical Crime Division — TCD. An elite team of FBI agents specializing in high-risk threats.

A prison break is a job for the Tactical Crime Division’s K-9 unit.

When K-9 handler Selena Lopez discovers her half brother’s a fugitive from justice, she must find him—and his dangerous crew. It’s a good thing that her partner is infuriatingly efficient and handsome lead agent Axel Morrow. But as smart and cunning as the duo may be, it’s a race against time to catch the armed and dangerous criminals before they kill again.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover the lives and loves of the remaining team members in the Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City series:
Book 1: Rookie Instincts by Carol Ericson
Book 2: Toxin Alert by Tyler Anne Snell
Book 3: Impact Zone by Julie Anne Lindsey
Book 4: Hunting a Killer by Nicole Helm (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover. Paperback, Audiobook

Mallory Hemingway is living the dream.
Ok, well, maybe not the dream, but it’s a promising start to her brand new life. When Mallory lands the nighttime caretaker position at the home and museum of her long-lost cousin Ernest Hemingway, she finds living in funky Key West is better than she could have imagined.

A hippie best friend who challenges her, a hunky scuba diver instructor who might have the hots for her, a cat that sometimes tolerates her, and plenty of free time to write the next great American novel—or find the next dead body … whichever comes first!

Only someone keeps leaving the gate open at the Hemingway Home and everyone is pointing their fingers at Mallory. The threatening messages and a pirate’s creepy warnings are just the beginning of a string of incidents that are intended to scare Mallory away.

When a dead body is found floating in Hemingway’s famous pool, Mallory is terminated from her caretaker position and forced to figure out who is setting her up to take the fall. Nasty co-workers, a massive lay-off plan, black market kittens, Hemingway look-a-likes for days, and a dead body combine into a smorgasbord of potential suspects, leading Mallory to race to save her job, the Hemingway Home, and maybe even her life.

Put on some tea or grab an ice cold lemonade, because you won’t be able to put this one down until you get to the end!

And don’t forget to read all about how Mallory ended up in Key West in the exciting prequel called, A Death In The Afternoon here: books2read.com/death-in-the-afternoon. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Things appear to be settling down in the island parish of St. Bridget’s, and Rev Jess Ward is enjoying the relative peace in the lead up to Pentecost. So, maybe it’s unwise to invite in the local archaeological society to dig up the old well?

What will the dig beneath the floor of the baptismal font uncover?

Spring is a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. Is that romance we smell in the air?

Life is skipping along until a sudden death takes the spring out of Jess’s step.

Old rivalries, deception and ambition are all viable motives for violence, but could it be a crime of passion or even self-defence?

In a mystery that appears to involve some of her closest family and friends, Jess turns to her ancient past to help solve this latest tragedy.

Divine Death is the fourth book in the Isle of Wesberrey Series.

Find out more about the island’s history as the latest mystery unfolds. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Duty always has a price.

When Ivan Novak is shot dead putting out his garbage bins in Sydney’s west, his family wants revenge, especially his father Milan, a notorious crime boss. It’s a job for the second son, Ivan’s younger brother Johnny.

But Johnny loves his wife Amy and their son Sasha. And she’s about to deliver her ultimatum: either the three of them escape this wave of killing or she’ll leave, taking Sasha.

Torn between loyalty to his family and love for his wife, Johnny plans the heist of a lifetime and takes a huge risk. Is he prepared to pay the price? And what choice will Amy make?

The Second Son is a brilliant action-packed crime debut that creates a world where honour is everything, violence is its own language, and love means breaking all the rules.

Loraine Peck started her career as a portrait painter and magician’s assistant in Sydney. After being sawn in half one too many times, she switched to dealing blackjack on the Gold Coast. Bartending and slinging lobsters in the US led to a sales job in the movie industry, before she was propelled into a career in marketing in Australia, the Middle East, Asia and the US. Consumed by a desire to write crime thrillers, she decided to stop everything and do a writing course—to learn how to write the kind of book she loves to read.
The Second Son is her first novel and she is at work on the sequel.
Loraine and her husband spend their time between Sydney and the Gold Coast.

‘Tight and tense, The Second Son is a wonderfully sharp-toothed crime thriller.’ Christian White

‘At first glance, The Second Son is a modern-day Godfather that paints a brutal, bullet-ridden picture of gang warfare in Sydney’s western suburbs. Look again, and it’s a compelling exploration of inherited trauma and the endless cycle of violence. Get right up close and it’s a tender story of fear, love and—ultimately—hope. A sharp and striking debut.’ Anna Downes

‘Outstanding…a gripping whodunnit. Original and straight from the heart.’ Kate London, author of Gallowstree Lane (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

“Master of craft and narrative” Walter Mosley returns with this crowning achievement in the Easy Rawlins saga, in which the iconic detective’s loyalties are tested on the sun-soaked streets of Southern California (National Book Foundation) 

It is 1969, and flames can be seen on the horizon, protest wafts like smoke though the thick air, and Easy Rawlins, the Black private detective whose small agency finally has its own office, gets a visit from a white Vietnam veteran. The young man comes to Easy with a story that makes little sense. He and his lover, a beautiful young woman, were attacked in a citrus grove at the city’s outskirts. He may have killed a man, and the woman and his dog are now missing. Inclined to turn down what sounds like nothing but trouble, Easy takes the case when he realizes how damaged the young vet is from his war experiences—the bond between veterans superseding all other considerations.

The veteran is not Easy’s only unlooked-for trouble. Easy’s adopted daughter Feather’s white uncle shows up uninvited, raising questions and unsettling the life Easy has long forged for the now young woman. Where Feather sees a family reunion, Easy suspects something else, something that will break his heart.

Blood Grove is a crackling, moody, and thrilling race through a California of hippies and tycoons, radicals and sociopaths, cops and grifters, both men and women. Easy will need the help of his friends—from the genius Jackson Blue to the dangerous Mouse Alexander, Fearless Jones, and Christmas Black—to make sense of a case that reveals the darkest impulses humans harbor. 

Blood Grove is a novel of vast scope and intimate insight, and a soulful call for justice by any means necessary.(Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook