Great Escapes Book Tour and Giveaway for Passport to Murder by Mary Angela

Passport to Murder (Professor Prather Mystery) by Mary Angela

 

Passport to Murder (Professor Prather Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series  
Camel Press (September 15, 2017)  
Paperback: 272 pages  
ISBN-13: 978-1603816533 

 

Start with an unlucky number. Throw in a romantic location. Include a dashing Frenchman and an uncompromising professor. And you have all the ingredients for a passport to murder. This semester, it seems that Professor Prather's dreams are about to come true. Ever since she was a young girl, she's imagined going to France, and her French colleague, André Duman, has finally made that trip possible. Over spring break, she and André are to lead a group of students and faculty to Paris to explore the City of Light. But before she can utter her first bonjour, a professor dies, and they are stuck in Minneapolis. She returns to Copper Bluff with an unstamped passport and a mystery to solve. When André becomes the prime suspect, Emmeline puts her research skills to good use, determined to find out who really killed the professor and spoiled their spring break plans. With thirteen travelers assembled, the possibilities are varied and villainous. Luckily, her dear friend and sidekick, Lenny Jenkins, is close by. Together, they will sort through the conflicting clues even if it costs them time, trouble, or tenure.

© Julie Prairie Photography 2016

About The Author

Like her protagonist in the Professor Prather mystery series, Mary Angela lives on the Great Plains and teaches college writing and literature. When she’s not grading papers (when is she not grading papers?), she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She and her husband have two amazing daughters, one adorable dog, and a cat who would rather not be limited by an adjective. For more information, go to www.maryangelabooks.com.

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Review

This book was even better than the last one since the characters are firmly established at this point. Em is all set to travel to Paris (where she has dreamed of going her whole life) as part of a University trip. Things get heated as the group gathers to set off since half of them seem to not get along. After a long bus ride to the airport they need they board the flight and things go smoothly until one of the Professor's traveling with them starts acting strange and collapses. She is quickly pronounced dead and the entire group is held for questioning as the plane is turned back to where they started. With her trip ruined Em finds herself investigating again even when she knows she should leave it alone. Again the ending surprised me as I did not expect the killer to be the one revealed. This is a great mystery novel that has a strong female lead, good supporting characters that offer some funny interactions, and enough action to keep the reader turning the page while guessing what will happen next. I highly recommend it to fans of the genre and give it 4/5 stars.

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 

September 13 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  
September 14 – StoreyBook Reviews - CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 15 – The Self-Rescue Princess - CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - SPOTLIGHT
September 17 – Island Confidential - SPOTLIGHT  
September 18 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST  
September 19 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW 
*September 20 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW 
*September 20 – Maureen's Musings - SPOTLIGHT  
September 21 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW  
September 22 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 23 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW 
*September 24 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW  
*September 24 – Brooke Blogs - SPOTLIGHT  
September 25 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW 
September 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy - INTERVIEW  

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Facebook Launch Party

An Act of Murder by Mary Angela

Book one in the Professor Prather Mystery series. Meet Professor Emmeline Prather who teaches in the English department (though she wishes it was the French that she really loves) at a smaller college in Copper Bluff, South Dakota. It is the beginning of the new school meaning a whole new batch of students. Things are going well until one of her students (that she just happened to be a little concerned with) turns up dead found in the theater. It is not apparent at first how he died but due to some odd behavior on the last day she sees him Em cannot help but find herself looking into what really happened along with her friend Professor Lenny. Of course this leads to some interesting developments and a finale that I did not see coming which is always a good thing. I have to admit that it was nice change of pace to read about lead character that is a professor as this is not a usual occupation for mystery novels but it did add a nice layer to the investigation that is not usually considered. Overall this is a nice mystery novel that keeps the reader guessing into the killer is finally revealed. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars.

Release Blitz for Cobbler and a Cat Show by C.C. Dragon

Cobbler and a Cat Show 

(Strawberry Top Short Mysteries, #4)

by C.C. Dragon

With a house under construction, I’m busier than ever. Grammy really didn’t need to sign Salt and Sugar up for the local cat show and then rope me into a cobbler demonstration at the senior center. I’m already volunteering with the food pantry…

First a cat goes missing from the show. I might be interested in a new guy when his brother asks me out. Then my ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend break up in my mom’s diner. My best friend flakes on my next video. More friend drama and joy. Cat searching…sorry, I just can’t juggle men like I did in high school anymore!

But when someone I love goes missing, I just can’t help myself…

RELEASE DATE: September 18, 2017

Purchase for 99¢
http://www.books2read.com/u/mVZgq6

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* * * *

ABOUT C.C. DRAGON

A loyal Chicago girl who loves deep dish pizza, the Cubs, and the Lake, C.C. Dragon is fascinated by mysteries, sleuthing, as well as the supernatural. The southern connection comes in because her sister moved down there and the material was too fun and entertaining not to set a series there.

C.C. loves creating characters, especially amateur sleuths who solve crimes in their spare time. A coffee and chocolate addict who loves fast cars, she’s still looking for a hero who likes to cook and clean…so she can write more!

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Great Escapes Blog Tour for Ax to Grind by Tonya Kappes

Ax To Grind (A Kenni Lowry Mystery) by Tonya Kappes

 

 

Ax To Grind (A Kenni Lowry Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Henery Press (September 19, 2017)  

Paperback: 256 pages 

ISBN-13: 978-1635112474  

E-Book ASIN: B0731M7RRM

 

Southerners keep their secrets swept under the rug, but what happens when that rug goes up for sale?

Bestselling author Berlye Stone, the most famous citizen to ever come out of Cottonwood, Kentucky, has died and put all her worldly possessions up for auction, but not without leaving one more manuscript behind. A hidden tell-all about Cottonwood that’s got more gossip than a ladies’ luncheon.

When Beryle’s assistant turns up with an ax in her back and the only witness is in a coma, Sheriff Kenni Lowry reckons someone in town will do anything to keep the manuscript from seeing the light of day. Her poppa’s ghost returns to help piece together the life of the Beryle he once knew, but his memory’s a little foggy, and any misstep could cause them a world of trouble. With the help of Deputy Finn Vincent, can Kenni sort through the secrets buried in Beryle’s books, or will this be her final chapter?

 



About the Author For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been publishing numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plot lines and quirky characters, but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans. Sign up for her newsletter on her website at Tonyakappes.com .  

Visit Tonya:  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortonyakappes  

Kappes Krew Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/208579765929709/  

Webpage: tonyakappes.com  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4423580.Tonya_Kappes  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11  

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N kobo iTunes  

Review

As the third book in the series I am fully attached to Kenni by this point. She has proven that she is dependable, smart, sweet, caring, and in my opinion a really good sheriff even if she is getting her training by being thrown into the deep end. This story is no exception. The death of a famous author is their small town really heats things up as the gossip rolls around about a tell-all book that was written before the author died. It must be a good one because it seems that everyone around town wants to get their hands on it including the killer as the bad person goes after anyone even remotely connected to the possible location of the thing. One woman is found dead outside the antique shop and another is found knocked out inside. The injured just happens to be her opponent for sheriffs wife making the run for election heat up as well. Events really come to a head as things keep happening one after another until Kenni is finally able to put all of the puzzle pieces together revealing the killer which I admit surprised me a little bit. This is a really good mystery novel with a leading female law enforcement officer that i highly recommend to fans of that genre. Since I really enjoyed it gets 4/5 stars.

  

Giveaway:    http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/55df6ee635/?

TOUR PARTICIPANTS  

September 19 – A Cozy Experience – REVIEW 
September 20 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
September 21 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW 
September 22 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW 
September 23 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT 
September 24 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana., Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! 
September 25 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW 
September 25 – FUONLYKNEW - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
September 26 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW 
September 26 – Dee-Scoveries - GUEST POST 
September 27 – My Reading Journeys - REVIEW, INTERVIEW 
September 28 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
September 28 – Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh my! – REVIEW 
September 29 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST 
September 30 – Becky's Bookcase – REVIEW 
September 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT 
October 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, GUEST POST 
October 2 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW 
October 2 – Christa Reads and Writes – INTERVIEW

 

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A High-End Finish by Kate Carlisle

Book one in the Fixer-Upper Mystery series. I have been wanting to try this series for a while now so I was happy that I was finally able to get to the first book. The setting is Lighthouse Cove which is a small seaside town in northern California where Shannon has lived her entire life. She grew up as the daughter of a contractor and loved going on jobs with him so as she got older she learned everything she could so she could be just as good as him. When dad had a heart attack and was forced to retire she was more than happy to step in as the head of the construction company and I will admit she really seems to know what she is doing. Her specialty is restoring Victorian houses to their previous glory. With several jobs going on at the same time Shannon bounces between them all checking on her crew until she gets call about running water in one of their jobs. She goes to check it out only to find the dead body of man she had a blind date with a few days before that really did not end well. The new chief of police believes she is guilty (at least for a little while) so of course she feels compelled to investigate to help clear her name. Soon little accident start happening which quickly becomes obvious are not really accidents. As the danger level increases so does the personal side of the story until the two collide in an interesting finale that I rather enjoyed. I highly recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries with a strong female character. Since I really enjoyed reading it I give 4/5 stars.

Southern Fried by Tonya Kappes

Book two in the Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Since most of the facts were established in the first book this one went real smooth as Kenni was already comfortable with the ghost of her Poppa being around. Book one ends with the discovery of a new body and this one picks up just as they show up to look at it. The dead guy was found on top of one ladies prize winning tomatoes and it was easy to see that electric barbed wire had been used on him even though as far as Kenni knows no one in the area uses any. The autopsy also shows he was poisoned. What follows is quite the in depth investigation into the dead mans family and quite a few secrets come to light all the way to surprise ending. The introduction of a new person running for the sheriff position leads to some interesting controversy that can spill over into further books increasing the drama even further. Overall this is a really good mystery novel with a law enforcement main character that I highly recommend to fans of that genre. Since I really enjoyed it I give it 4/5 stars.

Spellbinder by Thea Harrison

*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley which I voluntarily chose to write an honest for.

Book two in the Moonshadow trilogy/series not sure which one yet though Goodreads implies it is a trilogy. I have to admit that while this book was really good it fell short of the excellence of the first book. For this installment we get to know Morgan a whole lot better which is nice since he had such a pivotal role in the first book as the bad guy. We find out that he only does what Isabeau tells him because he is forced to by magic. He fights it as much as he can, but has to cave eventually. When he is injured at the end of book one the Queen orders him to go away until he is healed so he disappears. Morgan uses the time as a chance for him to research how to get out from under her control. Things are going great until he goes to a music show to see Sidonie Martel perform and he becomes obsessed with her. Of course Robin (the puck) decides  this makes her the perfect person to use to break Morgan and Isabeau apart (he is unaware of the magical control issue). Once Morgan finds out he is kidnapped the rest of the book is pent keeping them both safe and finding a way out of the horrible situation they are both in. The magical twists and turns are pretty awesome and I enjoyed the development of the arching story line though they constant woe is me was getting to me after awhile. There is a nice little twist at the end that I did not see coming. Overall this is a really good paranormal/fantasy romance novel. I give it 4/5 stars.

Book Blast for Soul Warrior by Falguni Kothari

★.•**•.★ Soul Warrior Book Blast ★.•**•.★ 

15th to 17th September, 2017

The Age of Kali is a series of mythic fantasy novels by international bestselling novelist Falguni Kothari. The first book of the series, Soul Warrior, introduces readers to a fictional law-governed Cosmos made up of heavenly, demonic and human realms and its protagonist, Lord Karna, the legendary guardian of the Human Realm, who is coerced into training six godlings into demon hunters against a rising demon army. The series arc interlocks into a war of domination between the Light and Dark forces of the Cosmos and the race to control the one soul capable of total cosmic annihilation, demi-god Karna's and Draupadi's secret child.

Get Your Copy from AMAZON

Praise for Soul Warrior:

"A beautiful exploration of fantasy and mythology, Soul Warrior (The Age of Kali) is the latest release from Falguni Kothari and by any stretch of the imagination she’s delivered an awesome story. Rich, enchanting, evocative, she effortlessly blends an ancient Indian epic and South Asian mythology with grace and quiet elegance to create the canvas upon which her miraculous world finds form.... Beautifully written and enviably imaginative, Soul Warrior proves an exemplary example of Fantasy Fiction. Definitely deserving of your attention it is recommended without reservation!"
   —Book Viral 

"I loved the writing which... hit that nice spot between being evocative and descriptive and still keeping the story moving....It has a huge cast of fascinating characters, a deep and rich world and definitely something I’m interested in following."
   —Fangs for Fantasy 

"I loved the way Ms. Falguni has shown an eye for the details scattered throughout the novel.... Will I recommend this book? Oh yes, and be assured you will grab the next one too just to know more about the Soul Warrior."
   —Global Asian Times 

"The plot is intriguing, much in the tradition of a modern thriller.... Precisely sketched and nuanced with quirky detail, the characters enrich the story they inhabit.... The vibrant characters in the multi-hued setting are the stuff superhero animation films are made of. Soul Warrior engrosses and enthralls. A thumping good read, I would say."
   —Of Prose and Poetry blog 


Read an Excerpt:

SHUNYA: NOTHING AND EVERYTHING

Kuru Kshetra Battlefield.
        Day 17 of the Great Kuru War, seven thousand five hundred years ago.


Death is hot.

That surprises me. I’d imagined death as cold and brutal. Merciless. But in truth, death is hot as blood, and constant like a heartbeat.

Thrum. Thrum. Thrum. My lifeblood ebbs to the rhythm. My head ripped from its torso by Anjalika, the arrow of death that burns even now with the energy of the sun. Struck from behind like some novice. Felled in battle by that lily-livered usurper the Heavens smile upon—Prince Arjun. Brother Arjun.

What have I done?

I harness the thought. Cease all reflection and wrench free of my mortal body. I soar up, up into the gloaming, snapping the ties that tether me to life. Dead, I have no use for ties.

“A matter of perspective, Karna, O son of my godsire.” The unearthly words strum through the air, and I quiver like a plucked bowstring, overcome as much by the voice as its blasphemous claim. 

“Bonds of devotion nourish the soul, brother.”

There is that word again. Brother. Unpleasant laughter wells up in me. Alive, I am abandoned, denied my birthright—Celestial or royal. Death, it seems, changes everything.

A bright, nebulous light brings forth Lord Yama, the God of Death, atop his divine mount. His elephantine thighs ripple beneath a silken dhoti, ochre and crimson of color, as he guides the mammoth water buffalo to a halt. An iron medallion sways against the God’s powerful cerulean torso, its center stone an ethereal blood orange.

Hypnotic. Pulsing with life. I am drawn to the stone.

“Piteous waste,” Lord Yama mutters, surveying the carnage of war far below us.

I trace the trajectory of his gaze and behold the battered remains of my army drenched in the evidence of its mortality. Is it true? Have we died in vain?

Words form inside me and I will them out. “Shall we go, my lord?”

“Ha! Impatient to be judged, are you? Anxious to have your fate revealed?” asks the Judge of the Hell Realm. His red-black eyes burn with intelligence and compassion in a blue-tinged face that is long and lean and hard. “Rest easy, brother-warrior. You are not bound for the Great Courtroom.”
Not bound for Hell? Where then? Fear has eluded me for so long that I take a moment to recognize it. 

A hollow-bellied feeling it is, as annoying as a bone stuck in my throat.

“My lord, I have done bad deeds…terrible deeds in my life. I have waged wars, this horrendous bloodshed, and all because my pride could not—would not abide rejection. I have sinned. I must atone for my actions.”

Lord Yama smiles in a way I do not like. “You have redeemed yourself admirably, Karna. You forfeited your life for the greater good today. The deed far outweighs any misguided ones. Be at peace, brother, and enjoy the fruits of your karma.”

There is but one place to enjoy such fruits—the Higher Worlds.

I’d rather burn in Hell for eternity. I say so. “I won’t live amongst the Celestials.” Coexisting with the very souls who’ve spurned me is unthinkable. Watching her—for she would surely reside in Heaven soon—will be eternal torture.

Yama shakes his head, the horns on his crown slashing to and fro. “I thought you might say that. Relax. Your destiny lies elsewhere.”

“Am I to be reborn then? Am I to begin a new life, and forget the past?” Pain, sharp as a blade, lances through me at the thought. Forget my past? My family? Even her? Was that my punishment? To forget all that made me human?

It must be so. For have I not betrayed them as surely as I’ve betrayed my prince regent?

“Human rebirth is not your destiny, either. You are chosen, brother. Your war skills are needed for a higher purpose.” The God slips off his mount, his garments rustling in agitation. “This unjust war has pushed the Cosmos to the vortex of a cataclysm. Tomorrow, the Kuru War will end. Fearing its outcome, the Celestials rolled the Die of Fate and have unwittingly bestowed on Demon Kali untold powers.” Lord Yama bares his fangs in disgust at the foolish gamble. “Imagine the havoc that asura and his minions will wreak on the weak if left unchecked. The Human Realm must be safeguarded during Kali’s dark reign.”

I can imagine the horror only too well as I have battled with evil all my life. But I am done with wars. 
I am done with defeat. I won’t waste another lifetime fighting.

“With due respect, my lord, I am not the man for this task.”

“You are not a man at all,” Yama thunders, fists shaking. “You are the son of Surya, the Sun God. Accept that you are no ordinary soul.”

I say nothing. I think nothing. I feel something but I squash it down.

Lord Yama’s thick black brows draw together. “Demon Kali will try to pervade every particle of good that exists in the Cosmos, beginning with the corruptible Human Realm. Once he obliterates all of humanity, he’ll set his sights on the Celestials. Kali will not stop until he’s destroyed our way of life. But you can stop him. You are light to his darkness. Do you understand now why you had to betray him? Your beloved humans need you, Karna. I need you. Our father believes in you. Claim your rightful place in the Cosmos.”

Impatiently, Lord Yama removes the iron medallion from his neck and holds it out. The vermillion sunstone glows as if its soul is on fire. Nay! It is my soul that is on fire.

Indescribable energy curls through me. I gasp, though not in pain. I shudder and feel myself grow large, grow hot. Was this rebirth?

I am strong, full-bodied and lethal once more. Then I roar as light bursts forth from my very core and I throb with glorious, blinding power. When I come to myself, my world has changed again. Bubbles of color shimmer all around me: cobalt and saffron, azure and rose. By karma! They are souls. Infinite floating souls.

“Behold the spectrum of life: the worthy, the notorious, the righteous and the sinners.” The God of Death’s soul was a worthy sapphire blue with a tinge of silver. “Your duty, should you choose to accept the office of the Soul Warrior, is to hunt down the red-souled asuras and crush them. Whatever you decide, I wish you a long and successful Celestial existence, Karna,” Yama booms out and vanishes into the purpling sky.

The parley has stunned me. The world of color holds me in thrall. I was dead. Yet, now I am not. A new path lies before me. Unwanted, unwelcome, I insist on principle. I close my eyes. Open them to stare at the medallion cupped in my hand—a golden-hued hand at once familiar and not—and know myself for a fool. I do want this. It’s what I am.

Bastard-born. Rebel. Son. Husband. Father. Warlord. And protector. I fist the talisman, buoyed by its concrete warmth. This is who I am.

I am the Soul Warrior.

About the Author:

Falguni Kothari is a New York-based South Asian author and an amateur Latin and Ballroom dance silver medalist with a semi-professional background in Indian Classical dance. She’s published in India in contemporary romance with global e-book availability; Bootie and the Beast (Harlequin Mills and Boon) and It’s Your Move, Wordfreak! (Rupa & Co.), and launches a mythic fantasy series with Soul Warrior (The Age of Kali, #1)

I’m embarrassed to admit how many social media accounts I own :

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Pinterest

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Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton

 

Book twenty five in the Kinsey Millhone series. I will admit that I have been addicted to Kinsey since book one so I was eager to get my hands on this newest installment. Kinsey is jumpy after everything she went through with Nate in the last book and he is still at large. While looking over her shoulder every second she is haired by the parents of a man who just got out of jail because he is being blackmailed with a sex tape he made with his friends before he went away. Of course all the key players are also the ones that were involved in the original murder that sent the kid to jail in the first place. As she is trying to figure out what is going on in her own way she also has to deal with the killer that has popped back up to look for his trophies that were taken from him. The addition of the peripheral characters in the story provide some excellent entertainment in between the action which makes for a smoothly flowing mystery novel that does justice to this long serving series. I really enjoyed reading it so it gets.

The Chick and the Dead by Casey Daniels

Book two in the Pepper Martin series. Pepper firmly accepted the fact that she could see the ghost of the dead mob boss in book one but she thought he would be the only one. This is so not the case. Directly after the first ghost moves on she is confronted by the ghost of a woman who claims to be the dead sister of a famous author that is from the area and is coming back to promote the anniversary of her one and only best selling book. Didi (the ghost) says that instead she wrote the book and will Pepper please help her do that? Of course Pepper does not want to do so but when the sisters visit interferes with her job causing a temporary layoff because no tours will be given she decides that she really needs something to do with her time. Just as she starts looking into things a woman turns up dead and the events just build from there. She solves several murders and the case of who really wrote the book by the end and I admit to being a little surprised by the culprits. This is a nice blend of reality, fantasy, and murder making it a very enjoyable cozy mystery that I recommend to fans of that genre. Much more lively than the first book though I really enjoyed them both so this one gets 4/5 stars.

Don of the Dead by Casey Daniels

Book one in the Pepper Martin series. Meet Pepper who was raised as the spoiled child of a plastic surgeon who had to recreate her life after Daddy was convicted of Medicare fraud bringing all the bad things that entails. Of course she had to get a job though she had no qualifications for anything. She finds one as a tour guide at a well known local cemetery. Things are looking fine until she stumbles hitting her head on the side of a mausoleum. That would have been the extent of the bad but then she starts seeing and hearing the ghost of the guy whose resting spot she rammed into. He was a former mob boss and has the behaviors to prove it. He asks her to solve his 30 year old murder and then promises to fade away. What follows is quite comical as Pepper, who had no investigation experience, stumbles around asking questions of people she does not know while trying to hide the fact that she is taking to the murdered man. By the time it is over she has found herself in danger, several people thinks she a little wonky, and the dead guy is happy he can finally move on. Overall this is a cute cozy mystery that involves ghosts and an unskilled yet lovable sleuth that will have to learn what not to do along the way. It took a while for me to really get into this one so I can only give it 3/5 stars.

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

Book six in the Throne of Glass series. I love this series so I could not wait to get my hands on this so I could see what happened to Chaol since he was noticeably absent from the last book since he went in search of healing and possible reinforcements for the war from Antica. Nesryn travels with him and the whole beginning of the book is the set up for the country, people, and what is going on. I admit that this part took a little while to really get moving though it was all necessary to the story. Once the healing with Yrene starts and Nesryn starts looking into things the story really heats up getting some momentum with several things happening all over the place. I especially liked the updates on what Aelin is doing so the timelines can be put together. The ending was a bit of a surprise though considering the authors skills I should have been expecting something to happen that I did not anticipate since she does that every time. Now that I am all caught up I cannot wait for the next installment as it should be magnificent. This is perfect for fans of YA fantasy novels but I highly recommend reading the series in order to receive the full impact of the story. I really enjoyed reading this one so it gets 4/5 stars.

Moonshadow by Thea Harrison

Book one in the Moonshadow series. I absolutely loved this book!!! If you like paranormal romance novels that have Fae stuff, magic, and a touch of normal in it then this is definitely the book for you. While recovering from being shot as a consultant for the police Sophie Ross finds out that she could possible inherit a house and property if she can just figure out how to get into the magically protected house that no one has been able to enter for quite some time. She figures what the heck it is at least a free vacation while she recovers (the house is in England and she lives in Los Angeles). When she arrives her car breaks down before she gets to her hotel and while walking she stumble across what looks like a stray dog though it has a few too many parts to be just a dog. What she doesn't know is the dog is really a puck that has been a prisoner for a long time that finally escaped. Having him near draws Nikolas Sevigny to the scene and just happens to be the captain of the dark court that is trapped on Earth after the portal to their home was shattered. Their two worlds collide thanks to the puck and the property making them stuck with one another as they try to find the key to all their problems before the light court attacks them all. Of course a romance develops that they both try to fight though in the end they have no choice but to deal with it however they can. The puck had me cracking up once he started talking and the fireworks between the Sophie and Nik was hilarious to say the least. In a world where magic is obviously accepted this story is the perfect blend of normal and magic that kept me hooked until the very last page. This book was incredible so I give it 5/5 stars.

Fixin' to Die by Tonya Kappes

Book one in the Kenni Lowry series. I have read so many cozy mysteries lately that I think I forgot what it was like to read a regular mystery novel with an actual cop that has legal status so this was a nice change of pace for me. Kenni is the sheriff for the small town of Cottonwood, Kentucky. She was elected after her Poppa had a heart attack leaving the position open though her parents do not approve so they are estranged. Things were going great with pretty much no crime until a murder happens. Kenni panics because she has no clue what to do, and starts hearing a voice in her head helping her with the investigation. Just as she thinks she is losing it the ghost of her Poppa shows up so now she really thinks she is crazy. She is able to solve the case though with the help of Poppa once she goes with the flow. I really liked the mix of suspense, supernatural, and normal. This is a must read for fans of mystery that are not overly gory with a strong female character. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars.

Her Dark Half by Paige Tyler

*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

Book seven in the X-Ops series. So after the events of the last book things obviously have to change around the DCO. All of the past couples are currently in hiding so they can stay alive and look for dirt on Thorn. Trevor chose to stay acting as the inside man regarding what is going on inside though this is risky since shifters are essentially hated by the new recruits. Alina is brought in because she has special skills at being able to locate traitors and Dick demands that she narks on Trevor in regards to pretty much everything he does. Of course this does not make it easy for them to work together since neither trusts the other one but as secrets start to come out they both learn what they are really fighting for making them true partners when it comes down to it. There is yet another surprising grand finale for this book which I did not see coming though I relish every bit. The set-up for the next book has me hooked so I will be looking forward to learning when we get the next installment. This book is a must read for fans of the series and for those that enjoy a good paranormal military like romance novel. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars.

Her True Match by Paige Tyler

Book six in the X-Ops series. I have just have to say WOW!!! I so did not see the end of this coming and it completely changes the story making me eager for the next installment in the series. For this one we finally get Dreya's story which I was curious about since she previously popped up stealing Thorn's stuff. After returning to town she gets restless and decides to go back to her thieving. What she doesn't know is that Braden (a local cop) is determined to catch in her in the act no matter what he has to do so when he shows up during her heist she gets nervous. It gets even worse when he finally arrests her showing that he caught her on video. Of course being a shifter the video has her extremely worried until the DCO shows up to save the day, but Braden refuses to let her go even following her to headquarters. When John sees how determined he is he recruits him to matching the two of them up as partners. As usual they are thrown into the deep end fast forced to sink or swim. Just as they start to work well together all hell breaks loose which leads up to shocking finale which blew my mind away. This is an absolute must read for fans of paranormal romance novels with a military lean to the story. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars.

Love & Death in Burgundy by Susan C. Shea

I wanted to like this book a whole lot more than I did. It takes place near a small town in France which seems to be quite populated with arrogant outsiders. The Americans in the story were especially hard to deal with and I found myself cringing at the message it was conveying about them though I have to admit that it was not that far off. Besides that there is a whole group of characters that I just could not get into no matter how I tried. I found this frustrating because there is usually at least one that I like. On top of that the mix of languages was giving me a headache and the development moved like molasses. While I can totally agree that this book is probably quite enjoyable to those with different taste then me I did not care for it so it only gets 2/5 stars which I hate to give any book.

Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly

Book on in the Magical Cats Mystery series. I just have to say that I loved this book. It has the perfect combination of magic, cats, a strong character, a library, and enough intrigue to keep it all moving right along to make this the perfect cozy mystery. We get to meet Kathleen who moved to Mayville Heights, Minnesota to take over as the head librarian in heir old Carnegie library as it is being overhauled by a massive renovation that will bring it up to today's times when it comes to the collection and the technology. Ever since the project begun little accidents keep happening that only seem to hurt Kathleen. As if that is not bad enough when a dead body is found she becomes the prime suspect because he has a note in his pocket asking him to meet her and the murder site is found in the library itself. Against her better judgement she finds herself asking questions and being helped in her efforts by her two cats Hercules and Owen. She thinks she is losing her mind as Herc seems to walk through walls and Owen can disappear. As they keep doing though she quickly realizes how special they really are and how much they mean to help her with her investigation. This is a very well written novel that kept me hooked from the very first page until I found myself unable to put it down. I loved it so much it gets 5/5 stars.

Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase

*I received an ARC copy from Netgalley which I voluntarily decided to write an honest review for. Expected publication date is September 12, 2017.

Book three in the Kitty Couture Mystery series. I fell in love with this series after the first two books thanks to the pet treats, the pet costumes, and Lacy herself. Those three together are the perfect combination to create something funny, mysterious, and captivating all at the same time. Lacy has gotten comfortable with her life and is gearing up for Valentine's day which is just around the corner. Things are going smoothly until she goes to drop off a party pet treat order to discover that one of her Dad's friends has been found dead. As if that was not bad enough he quickly becomes the number one suspect  once they know he was murdered even though Jack does not really think that he did just that the evidence at first suggests so. Before she even really gets involved in the investigation she starts receiving threats that cause her to spend quite a bit of time with Jack as he stays around to protect her which I admit I enjoyed since I am rooting for him and not Chance. The case quickly collides with the secret case the two of them have been working on making things become a whole lot clearer then they were in the last two books. This book is a must read for fans of cozy mysteries that include animals since I smile every time that Penelope climbs onto the Roomba for a ride. I really enjoyed reading this installment so it gets 4/5 stars.

The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands

Book three in the Highlanders series. Meet Saidh as she travels to the lands of the Laird MacDonnell. She decided to travel there to visit her cousin after she heard that her husband had recently died. This in itself would not be troubling but Saidh knows that her cousin killed her first husband because she helped to cover it up and the newest one is number four. The raises some questions that need to be answered in order to ease her conscious. Shortly after arrival she stumbles across the laird naked swimming in the loch which piques her interest despite her protests. He is intrigued as well since Saidh does not act like a normal lady after being raised a s the only girl amongst several brothers. Their mutual attraction grows until he finds himself unable to stop himself from "ruining" her but before he does so he writes a letter to her brothers which stirs up all kinds of drama. While the romance is developing there is also lots of other drama that keeps the story moving along nicely until they wrap things up at the very end. I highly recommend this book for fans of highland historical romance novels and since I really enjoyed it i give it 4/5 stars.

A Shattering Crime by Jennifer McAndrews

Book three in the Stained-Glass series. Georgia feels like she has finally gotten her life together by this book. She is still creating her stained glass pieces but now she also works part-time for the local lawyer as well as at her granddads movie theater. She thinks are swell until her mom comes for a visit with the newest step-dad and the two of them try to convince her that she needs to move out of granddads house. The problem is they did not ask her or him so they should really stay out of it but we all know how parents are so what can you do. Things get worse when she discovers that Friday is now in heat making her act a little crazy. Thankfully Fifi does not seem to mind (she adopted the dog at the end of the last book). While dealing with the previous insanity a local activist is found dead and Rozelle (grandads main squeeze) becomes the main suspect since she cooked the danish that was used to poison him. Of course she has to investigate and I have to admit I about died laughing when I read how the police decided to go about the end of their investigation (no spoilers so that is all I can say). This is a wonderful cozy mystery that combines some well developed characters with lots of quirky little things that keep the reader turning the page until they hit the very last one. I really enjoyed so it gets 4/5 stars.

Death Under Glass by Jennifer McAndrews

Book two in the Stained-Glass series. Georgia is still happy to be back in her home town even if she is having a hard time finding a job. To help make some extra money she jumps on the chance to create a custom stained glass window for the new B&B in town when Carrie asks her to. While the two are together Carrie gets a call that her ex-husbands business is on fire (she just happens to own 50% of the building) and he is no where to be found meaning she gets to deal with the issues. As if that isn't bad enough Carrie's own office and apartment are robbed though she has no idea why since her and the ex do not really communicate at all. Now Georgia can't help but get involved in the investigation even it is only to help out her friend. Things take a twist toward the end and Georgia is able to figure it all out just in time. This a an excellent cozy mystery that teaches about making stain glass while still keeping up with the murder. The addition of Fifi the bulldog had me smiling and reading how Friday has grown was quite nice as well. I really enjoyed this well written book so it gets 4/5 stars.

Her Rogue Alpha by Paige Tyler

Book five in the X-Ops series. This book gives us the story of Jason, the man that was injured before book one but is still friends with Landon, and Ivy's sister Layla. The two of them have been in love with one another since the met. The problem is that Jason keeps pushing her away because he feels inadequate due to his injuries and she pushes him away due to her shifter secret. This is a recipe for disaster that comes to a head when she gets sent on her first mission. While she is away Dick convinces Jason to be injected with the hybrid serum he claims in an effort to heal his back but really Dick is just manipulative. Thanks to some secret shenanigans he makes it though the procedure and then is sent off on his own mission in an effort to raise his hormones to the appropriate levels. Thanks to a douche bag partner he finds himself in hot water. When Layla hears about it when she returns she goes against orders to save him. Of course the two work great together but the whining was driving me a little crazy. Every time the book started to get good one or the other of them would whine some more going over the same things over and over and over again. I felt like a shrink before it was all over though I did enjoy the new developments in the arching story line. While I still enjoyed this book the whining lowered it so this one only gets 3/5 stars.

Death of a Chocoholic by Lee Hollis

Book four in the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery series. After her man has to move out of town Hayley decides to give on up dating. Just trying to go about her life she gets caught up in the drama of Bessie. As if that was not bad enough Bessie starts making her own chocolate and want Hayley to try it, promote it, and more. The problem is that Bessie is a cat hoarder making her house very unsanitary and is shows when it comes to the chocolate. Just as Hayley is getting annoyed Bessie turns up dead and she finds a note from her fearing for her life in one of the chocolates. Of course Hayley has to get involved and she finds herself in danger yet again. This one has me laughing. First the evil cat is back, there is a new vet, and the police decision at the end (no spoilers) had me rolling. This is a great new installment in this series making it a great choice for fans of cozy mysteries. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars.

Her Fierce Warrior by Paige Tyler

Book four in the X-Ops series. This book is the story of Minka, the hybrid that escaped in the last book, and Angelo one of the members of Landon's old Special Forces team making them both somewhat known characters which I always like. Angelo comes across Minka while he is on another mission just as she is being attacked. Unable to control herself yet she clings to him (literally) when she discovers how calming his presence is. Of course this means that Angelo will transfer to the DCO now but I admit they make a great team working very well together. This whole mate thing seems to work out nicely for their teams making them work seamlessly together. The two of them have to go on a mission together to the area where Minka was found in order to hunt the scientists that experimented on her and find the lab. Of course Dick wants the men alive but the team decides to play it by ear since they need some type of evidence to tie Thorn or another member to what is going on. This is an excellent paranormal romance novel that focuses on the couple while still being able to keep up with the big story line that has been going on for several books now. I especially enjoy how each of the past couples are mentioned in some way or another so I can keep up with what is happening in their worlds. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars.

Body on Baker Street by Vicki Delaney

*I received and ARC copy from Netgalley which I have voluntarily chosen to write an honest review for. Expected publication date is September 12, 2017 though I admit that it may be out already because Amazon had me a little confused.

Book two in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. Gemma still owns and runs the Sherlock Holmes Emporium and Jane still runs the tea shop. Gemma is contacted last minute with a request to host a popular author of current Homes type books. So last minute that she has like 72 hours or less to prepare. She decides she can pull it off so she agrees to the arrangements despite the short notice. Things are going fine until the actual event when a local man comes in to argue about how wrong she got the Holmes character and the author collapses dead. It quickly becomes apparent that she was murdered and being very like Holmes Gemma cannot help but investigate. She finds some juicy secrets along the way and the murderer was a bit of surprise. Overall this is an excellent cozy mystery that has a cast of characters a reader can love and enough action/suspense to keep you turning the page. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars.

Dead and Berried by Peg Cochran

*I received a free copy from Netgalley which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

Book three in the Cranberry Cove series. After the events of the last book Monica and her brother were able to build the commercial kitchen they had been wanting after the salsa and other orders exploding causing a demand and way to pay for everything. Now it is time for pollination of cranberry bogs. Monica was unaware  that bee hives are brought in to accomplish (I was too to be honest). The hives are brought in but thanks to an incoming store it is decided that will not be released until the following day. This is why Monica is surprised to hear the bees swarming later when she goes outside. To make matters worse the bee keepers assistant is laying dead in the middle of them looking like she is covered in stings with no protective equipment around. Being on the farm Monica has to get involved to figure out what happened especially when her and her brother keep finding evidence thrown all about the farm as well. I am really loving these stories by this point and I like learning more and more about cranberry bogs as we go along. The characters are easy to get attached to and I find myself really looking forward to the next installment whenever that may be. I give it 4/5 stars.

The Store by James Patterson

Well this book was certainly interesting. We are introduced to a world where a company known as "The Store" is essentially taking over everything and making the world one without physical stores making online ordering a must and constant surveillance with cameras absolutely everywhere. We get to meet a couple, Jacob and Megan, and their children. Jacob and Megan are authors though in a store run world they cannot get published. So as they lose pretty much everything they decide to go to work for the store in order to do some research into the company itself as inside sources. They have to move across the country to do this and move in "The Store"  provided housing, jobs, and lives that have been set up for them. As they are get settled Jacob starts rebelling while the other three seem to adapt. What follows is quite a bit of craziness that leads up to the end which I found surprising and interesting at the same time. I quite liked this book and recommend it to fans of suspense type novels. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.

Death of a Coupon Clipper by Lee Hollis

Book three in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery. This book starts with lots of bad luck for Hayley as her garage roof collapses on her vehicle totally and the furnace gives up the ghost at the same time. Considering these are all huge expenditures she has to scramble to figure out how to pay for it all before her kids return from visiting their dad. She has no clue what to do while she stays with her brother who is happy for the company since Sergio is out of the country visiting his family. TO make matter even worse an elderly resident is in the hospital and needs a sitter for her extremely evil cat. Things start to look up when she finds out that a reality coupon clipping show will be filming in town and there is a $10,000 prize for the winner which would just cover all the things that broke. She applies for a spot and is so excited when she is chosen at least until she founds out who her opponent is anyway. Things get even worse when the opponent is found dead because without Sergio around as the chief the cops have no clue what to do so Hayley has to help of course. Mona becomes one of the suspects making things even more urgent. Thankfully Hayley is able to figure it all out and still participate in the show. I admit that I liked this one a lot more than the last one though I would have had to do something with that evil cat. That would have driven me a little bonkers to have him peeing everywhere, tearing things up, and being mean to the dog. Good character development though with a chance for some others to shine through. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries. It gets 4/5 stars.