Review – Homecoming Chaos by D W Brooks @pumpupyourbook

Title: Homecoming Chaos

Author: D.W. Brooks

Publisher: The Reboot LLC

Publication Date: November 21, 2023

Pages: 448

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Contemporary/African American

MY REVIEW

Homecoming Chaos by D W Brooks was, all in all, a homecoming that kept me turning pages as the characters developed and the mystery unfolded.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

After a quick visual scan, Rachel couldn’t find anything wrong with him,; his only flaw was that he was there.

I was cracking up from the getgo…But it was all downhill from there for Rachel, and it opened the mystery.

In the middle of her first night home her mother wakes her at midnight. There is a murder at the lab the family owns and she wants Jamie there.

Jamie had run as far from home as you could get, avoiding her helicopter mother. Her Homecoming was sure to be Chaos. Her life seemed to invite chaos. She was determined to live her own life this time.

“…Your mother lives fro drama, your brother dates chaos whenever he can, your sister married into chaos, and you search it out. I should call you Trey Chaos.”

Detective Nick Marshall is on the case and Jamie revels in her ability to annoy him. I thought it was funny too.

As the mystery unfolds and I become more familiar with the characters, the pacing speeds up, the danger amps up, and I am eager to get all the answers before something else happens some of the characters I have come to care about.

I love that the Atlanta are was familiar to me. It’s always fun to visit a place I have been. I love the characters are not your run of the mill characters. They are African American from the wealthy suburbs of Buckhead.

Secrets from the past are revealed and romance flourishes. I feel there will be more to this story. Will this be a series? I do think it will be fun to spend more time with the family. 🙂

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

BOOK BLURB:

Jamie Scott’s life fell apart four years ago when she broke off her engagement, turned down a dream job, and went overseas to run away from her life. Now she’s back, but the reunion is not without problems. She arrives home just in time to attend the soiree her mother planned, but she’s not prepared for what she finds—a dead employee in the parking lot.

Detective Nick Marshall is assigned to the murder case at the forensics lab owned by Jamie’s family. He meets the headstrong Jamie, but he has a job to do. And his attraction to her… well, he’s a professional.

Jamie knows the stakes are high. She has to face the past and save her parents’ business while dealing with her family drama and an uncertain future. She also has to deal with Nick, who wants her out of the way of his investigation. But fate keeps throwing them in one another’s paths… and into chaos that they both want to avoid, but neither can seem to escape.

 

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Book Excerpt:

The sound of the flight attendant on the loudspeaker startled Jamison Jones Scott out of her light sleep. Despite having traveled frequently in her lifetime, she still couldn’t sleep comfortably on a plane. The seat location— first-class or economy—didn’t make a difference. The plane was nearing its destination, so the passengers needed to finish filling out their declaration cards. Jamie was returning to Atlanta to stay at her parents’ home with only the clothes on her back, a computer bag, the few items of clothing in her duffel, and a stethoscope. She had nothing to declare.

Her seatmate appeared to be sleeping through the announcements. Jamie was jealous. The four-year-old in front of her turned around and started babbling excitedly in French. She must have noticed that Jamie was finally awake. With her head still fuzzy from her nap, Jamie couldn’t completely follow the child’s rapid words, but the gist was that she wanted something from Jamie. Something about a playdate? Jamie smiled at the girl and hoped the girl’s mother would intervene. No such luck; she was asleep as well. The child eyeballed Jamie expectantly. Jamie realized she and the seatmate had started this situation by playing with the dark-haired child while they were over the ocean. Now, when she didn’t agree to the latest request, the little girl scrunched up her face to cry.

“Nous atterrissons bientôt. Elle ne peut pas aller avec vous,” Jamie’s seatmate answered, eyes still closed. “Mais vous pourriez être en mesure de visiter. Je suis sûr qu’elle tu aimerait garder les enfants.” He grinned.

Jamie gasped while the young girl clapped. This guy had just volunteered her as a babysitter!

“Je suis désolé, mais il se trompe. Je ne serai pas disponible,” Jamie stated. “Je parie qu’il a une surprise, pour toi.” The child looked at Jamie’s seatmate for her present and clapped again. This reply made him open his eyes.

“Qu’est-ce que c’est? Qu’est-ce que c’est?” the child asked. Startled, her pregnant mother woke up and turned around in her seat sheepishly.

I’m sorry, she mouthed. She made her eager daughter turn around in her seat and asked her to leave the other passengers alone. The girl was disappointed, but her mother handed her a shortbread, which made her forget the people behind her.

Her seatmate smiled, opened his eyes, and said, “I could have given her the stuffed bear I bought. I have a daughter the same age.” He stretched gingerly. “I can’t wait to get home. I’ve been traveling for too long. What about you? Looking forward to getting home?”

Jamie thought about her return to Atlanta. She hadn’t been home in a while, so she wasn’t sure how she felt.

Revel in the chaos.

Revel in the chaos.

Revel in the chaos.

Jamie tried to live by this motto for most of her life because her life seemed to invite chaos. She learned to expect—and sometimes encourage—complications. As the plane taxied to a halt, she repeated her motto to herself. This phrase, tattooed on her right hip, particularly applied now.

The international terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport had changed since she was last there. Her brother, Jonathan, would pick her up at the baggage claim—alone, she hoped, and not sporting a clingy girlfriend. Time to re-acclimate and re-establish family bonds. Dealing with an unknown woman in her face when she wanted to spend time quietly with her brother wasn’t at the top of her to-do list.

As she waited in line to get through passport control, she thought about how she got to this point—back in Atlanta after several years abroad. She had spent two of those years working with the non-profit organization Doctors Overseas. Jamie worked in several locations, including the Central African Republic. She had her reasons for joining the charitable organization; not all were altruistic, and she kept those to herself during her entrance interview. The horrors she witnessed overseas helped her put her personal chaos into perspective. She realized her issues were nothing compared to what people endured in other parts of the world. This realization allowed her to embrace her job and enjoy what she was doing, despite the frequent threats of bodily harm. To help maintain her sanity while overseas, she traveled a lot and spent six months in Italy working with a designer friend.

The agent summoning her snapped her out of her reverie. Handing over her passport, she said, “Nothing to declare. Coming back home for my mother’s birthday and Christmas.”

At the check-in counter, the inspector carefully examined her and her passport photo. Jamison understood the scrutiny. At the time of that picture, she had been at the height of her glamor phase with a history of modeling and a resulting, above-average concern about how she looked. In medical school, she often showed up at rounds with perfectly coiffed hair and more than a swipe of mascara and lip gloss.

But in Africa, those concerns fell away. Right now, Jamie was makeup-free, and a baseball cap covered her hair. She was still beautiful, but now it was a girl-next-door beauty. Jamie had high cheekbones, almond-shaped dark brown eyes, a straight nose, a square jawline, and her golden-brown skin was still smooth. She wasn’t stomping down runways anymore, as in her past life, because she had shifted her priorities.

Her mother would hate it.

“Welcome to Atlanta,” the inspector said as she stamped her passport. “Have a pleasant stay.”

About the Author

The author lives in Texas with her husband and children. She enjoys trying to stay in shape, sporadically cooking, reading (still), writing, and working on her blog. She is eternally grateful to the woman who donated a kidney to her over 5 years ago and continues to advocate for organ donation as much as she can.

Author Links   Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Giveaway – Vivienne In Paris by Maria Castellucci Moore @ireadbooktours


 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Vivienne in Paris by Maria Castellucci Moore
Category:  Children’s Fiction (ages 5 to 9), 38 pages
Genre:  Children’s Book
Publisher:  Mascot Kids
Release date:   May 2, 2023
Content Rating:  G.  Suitable for everyone.
Book Description:

Vivienne in Paris follows a young Parisian girl on a journey through Paris to find what makes her tick. Join Vivienne as she discovers the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of the city that make her feel alive. What better place to explore, observe, and delight in her senses than Paris?

This book tells a story of mindfulness and insight into how the surrounding world can really move you. It unites curiosity, wonder, and marvel to enlighten, surprise, and tickle your deepest spirit. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that bring you the greatest joy.

Meet the Author:

Entrepreneur, first-generation American, writer, and mother to four children, María strives to bring passion and enthusiasm to all her endeavors. A lover of all things European, María has found great passion through her travels to Paris, Italy, Spain, and South America. Her affection for winemaking, foreign languages, the arts, ballroom dancing, and traveling has given María a unique and grateful perspective on life. Her love for her family and helping others through charitable giving has enabled María to thoughtfully curate purposeful life adventures.

María Castellucci Moore earned her bachelor of arts degree in finance from Dominican University on a tennis scholarship, and later pursued studying at New York University and the London School of Economics with a focus on global affairs. In 2016, with her siblings, María founded Castellucci Napa Family, a luxury wine and real estate brand. María runs her wine label and a family real estate development company in the greater Bay Area. She is a board member of the San Francisco Opera Guild and is enthusiastic about building opportunity and community through the arts.


connect with author: website facebook instagram goodreads

Enter the Giveaway:
Vivienne in Paris by Maria Castellucci Moore Book Tour Giveaway



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  • Sherry’s Shelves 1.21 – 1.27.24

    Hi Everyone. Got lost in a book, so I thought I shared it. Want a good fright?

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    • Sherry’s Shelves
    • Giveaway – Vivienne In Paris by Maria Castelluci Moore
    • Review – Homecoming Chaos by D W Brooks
    • Twenty Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate
    • What Hides In The Cupboards by Cassondra Windwalker
    • Tackling The TBR
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    Giveaway – Hunted By Proxy by Manning Wolfe @partnersincr1me @ManningWolfe

    Hunted By Proxy

    by Manning Wolfe

    January 15-February 2, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

    Synopsis:

    Hunted By Proxy by Manning Wolfe

    In this lawyer on the run action suspense, can attorney Quinton Bell hang on to his new life as he hides in plain sight?

    Hunted By Proxy takes you on a heart-pounding journey through the life of a criminal defense attorney, whose world, as he knew it, was wiped out by the very client he tried to save.

    Quinton establishes a new life and law practice in Houston and thinks he’s outrun the dangerous adversaries who chased him there. Just as he begins to relax, he receives a mysterious note that proves to him that he’s still in danger and running from a powerful and relentless adversary. But who?

    With each passing moment, the noose tightens, and he must draw on every ounce of wit to outsmart those who still want him exposed, or worse, dead.

    Will Quinton Bell find a way out, or will he forever be a target in a deadly game of cat and mouse?

    Book Details:

    Genre: Legal Thriller
    Published by: Starpath Books, LLC
    Publication Date: January 2024
    Number of Pages: 300
    ISBN: B0CFWWCX7F
    Series: Proxy Legal Thriller Series, Book 2
    Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

    Read an excerpt:

    Quinton heaved a box of thick books onto the conference room table in the new Law Office of Quinton Lamar Bell in Houston, Texas. He’d recently moved to The Galleria area around Westheimer and Post Oak and opened a solo practice. Quinton was now what they called a loop lawyer, one who offices around and outside the 610 Loop. It circled the city from Interstate 10 to Highway 45 to Highway 59 surrounding the downtown high-rises poking out of the ground in the middle of the ring. He had been working downtown for the last year but, seeking distance and maybe a little safety from the legal community, found his perfect new office and began to make it his own.

    Clients were not hard to come by as Quinton had created a reputation on his last big case, a murder involving the defense of his friend and lover, Joanne Wyatt. That seemed a lifetime ago, and he had become a loop lawyer in part to get a fresh start, but also to protect his former firm, Jamail, Powers & Kent, from his past life in New York City. That’s another story, for another day, but it involved Quinton’s pseudocide off the Staten Island Ferry.

    Quinton Lamar Bell was not his real name, it was Byron Douglas, but only he knew that and one other person. A potentially dangerous person. When Quinton had opened his new office, he thought he was the only one on earth who knew he had faked his own death in New York and come to Houston to hide in plain sight. He looked different with a little plastic surgery, and had assumed not only the face, name, and demeanor, but the entire life of a childhood friend. He did so, not because he hated his prior life but because it was too dangerous to live it anymore. Besides, Q, as he’d dubbed his friend and benefactor, no longer needed his name or his face as he had been cremated and sprinkled in the Gulf of Mexico. So, in essence, Quinton had been killed twice, and he wasn’t even dead.

    The new Quinton had worked for a downtown Houston firm at the insistence of his faux father, Judge Sirus Bell, who was also now deceased, in order to establish himself as Quinton. When he’d left the downtown firm, on good terms, he’d agreed to split any profits fifty-fifty on the files that were open prior to his departure. Any new cases were all his, even if they were referred by the old firm. It was generous to Quinton. He’d been supported a great deal by the three women partners in his prior office and would not forget their kindness. It was one of the reasons for the separation and move, to protect them, and to get out of their hair.

    The women’s firm didn’t really want criminal cases running through their office and Quinton didn’t want the firm to get caught in the crossfire, in the event that his past came back to haunt him. And his past did haunt him. He could never go back. He’d broken the law, lied, cheated, stole, and taken Quinton’s legacy as his own. Now, he went through each day hiding in plain sight and living the life of a dead man.

    After Judge Bell’s death, he’d found that he, as Quinton, was the sole heir of the Bell estate. He’d put most of the inheritance into a charitable trust, but had kept one asset, and only one asset. He loved the Bell house in Galveston, a beautiful Victorian home near the beach, that he could not bear to part with. It was the source of many childhood memories with both his friend, Q, and mentor, Judge Bell.

    Giving the bulk of the estate to charity was the right thing to do, but if the authorities found out about his true identity, his altruism would not stop them from charging him with crimes from fraud to murder. Yes, murder. That’s the aforementioned part of the long story for another day.

    With the help of Judge Bell, Byron had stolen Quinton Bell’s persona, deliberately adapted to his new life in Houston, and felt that he had truly escaped the danger he’d left behind. After a while, it felt to the new Quinton like he’d learned another language and was now immersed in it. He actually became the new Quinton Bell, a fusion of his former self and new persona speaking the acquired language as if he’d been born to it. Still, he’d walked on proverbial eggshells every day for months, finally settling in, to what he thought was a fairly safe place.

    That is, until a strange card arrived in the mail at his new office. It revealed his former name, Byron Douglas, shook him to the core, and left him wondering who knew about his past and what they wanted from him. It had been several weeks since the card had been delivered. One side was adorned with a photo of the New York skyline and the Staten Island Ferry. The other side had a cryptic note: “Hello, Byron. I know who you are, and I know what you’ve done. Be seeing you.”

    No demands, no further contact, and no requests of any nature. It was like waiting for the proverbial ‘other shoe’ to drop. Was he going to be blackmailed? If so, why send the card? The sender wanted something, but what? Would Quinton one day be arrested without further notice? Law enforcement wouldn’t send a warning. Who was the sender, and what did they have planned for him?

    “Be seeing you.” It gave him a chill. Waiting to find out was worse than the many scenarios he imagined would flow from his discovery.

    ***

    Excerpt from Hunted By Proxy by Manning Wolfe. Copyright 2024 by Manning Wolfe. Reproduced with permission from Manning Wolfe. All rights reserved.

     

     

    Author Bio:

    Manning Wolfe

    MANNING WOLFE, an award-winning author and attorney residing in Austin, Texas, writes cinematic-style, smart, fast-paced thrillers and crime fiction. Manning was recently featured on Oxygen TV’s: Accident, Suicide, or Murder.
    * Manning’s legal thriller series features Austin attorney Merit Bridges, including Dollar Signs, Music Notes, Green Fees, and Chinese Wall.
    * Manning’s new Proxy Legal Thriller Series features Houston attorney Quinton Bell and includes: Dead By Proxy, Hunted By Proxy, and Alive By Proxy.
    * Manning is co-author of Killer Set: Drop the Mic, and twelve additional Bullet Book Speed Reads.
    As a graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, Manning’s experience has given her a voyeur’s peek into some shady characters’ lives and a front-row seat to watch the good people who stand against them.

    Catch Up With Manning Wolfe:
    manningwolfe.com
    Goodreads
    BookBub – @ManningWolfe
    Instagram – @manningwolfe
    Twitter/X – @ManningWolfe
    Facebook – @manning.wolfe

     

     

    Tour Participants:

    Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

     

     

    Don’t Miss Out! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

    This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Manning Wolfe. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

     

     

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    Giveaway & Review – Cold Pursuit & Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl #partnersincr1me @NancyMehl1

    Bonus Review for Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl

    MY REVIEW

    I was excited when I won a copy of Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl.

    River and Troy both had nightmares about their run in with a serial killer and their almost death. They left the FBI behind and started their own private investigation firm in Mehlville (HAHAHA).

    Killers are running amok. One is in prison, one is up front and personal, and one is stalking River from the shadows….waiting.

    One story is told and one story is ongoing. I can hardly wait to see what happens in Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl.

    Amazon

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos

    4 Stars

    Amazon / Goodreads

    Cold Threat

    by Nancy Mehl

    January 22 – February 2, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

    MY REVIEW

    I’ll start out by saying, I was hooked on the Ryland & St Clair series right out of the gate. Cold Pursuit lured me in, and I am here for the duration of this trilogy, which will be wrapped up in the summer of 2024. So, let’s get to it…

    The Ryland & St Clair series is Christian fiction. With that in mind, the first book was light on the religious angle, but shared River’s doubts, an element of looking and finding…something. In Cold Threat it plays a bigger part.

    I love a great Prologue, and Cold Threat has one. It starts twenty four years previously with a fire, a saved child, and a snowman ornament.

    River Ryland and Troy St Clair have left the FBI behind, and now have their own private investigation firm. Troy’s father calls with an urgent request. He had been the one to save the girl in the Prologue, and the case was never solved. Now, twenty four years later, the arsonist has come to town.

    They discover that the Salt River Strangler had a partner, and, though Joseph Baker is in prison, his accomplice has his sights on River. We will need to solve the arsonist’s case, before we move on to River’s stalker, though he lurks in the background, watching. I love the tension created on every page, knowing of one ongoing danger from the stalker and the urgent need to figure it out and stop the arsonist to keep more lives from being taken.

    We have plenty of suspects to keep me guessing. There is no real romance, but the attraction between River and Troy grows throughout the story. The feelings are there and it’s just a matter of time before they act on them.

    So I am buckling up, getting ready for the conclusion of the the Ryland & St Clair series.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    SYNOPSIS

    Twenty years ago, several people were murdered in Des Moines, and the only evidence left behind was a snowman ornament hanging ominously on a tree in the victims’ front lawns. With a suspect behind bars, the killings have come to an end–or so everyone thought. But now crimes with a similar MO are happening in a small Iowa town, and a local detective believes the killer is back and ready to strike again.

    With little time left on the clock before they have another murder on their hands, private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair must work alongside Tony’s detective father to find evidence that will uncover an evil that has survived far too long. As the danger mounts and the suspect closes in, it will take all they have to catch a killer–before he catches one of them.


    Book Details:

    Genre: Suspense
    Published by: Bethany House Publishers
    Publication Date: January 2024
    Number of Pages: 336
    ISBN: 978-0764240461 (ISBN10: 0764240463)
    Series: Ryland & St. Clair, 2
    Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Baker Book House

    Read an excerpt:

    PROLOGUE

    DECEMBER, TWENTY-­FOUR YEARS AGO

    I watched as fire devoured the house as if it were a living, breathing monster, ravenous for death and destruction. It took effort not to smile as I observed the fire department desperately trying to quench the ferocious flames, the firefighters slipping and sliding on the snow and ice. But winter is no match for me. They would lose this fight. The nightmare has just begun. Inside they will find my Christmas offering. Those whom I’d judged and executed. The beast was at my command and would destroy any evidence that could lead to me.

    “It’s perfect,” she whispered. “I love it.”

    I smiled at her. “It was a long time coming.”

    “But you did it. I’m so proud of you.”

    I had to blink away the sudden tears that filled my eyes.

    “Shouldn’t we leave?”

    I nodded. She was right. At some point, the police would arrive and would most certainly look through the people gathered across the street since many times those who set fires like to watch their creations dance and light up the night. They might even take pictures. This was the only time I felt comfortable hanging around for a few minutes—­before anyone had time to scan the crowd. This was important. The first. My debut performance.

    I’d just turned to leave when a couple of police cars pulled up, lights flashing, their blue-and-red beams cutting through the night and the falling snow. I walked down the street, hidden behind a curtain of white. I stopped to watch as they exited their vehicles. The sight only added to my excitement. Two officers approached the fire department chief. As they talked, another officer stood on the sidewalk, staring at the structure that was being consumed. Suddenly, he shouted and pointed up toward the second floor. I had to walk back to see why. I stood behind a tree, trying not to look suspicious. That was when I saw it. A face peering through one of the windows.

    “Oh no,” she said, her voice breaking. “How did you miss her?”

    The officer who’d spotted the unthinkable began to run toward the front door, but two firefighters grabbed him and held him back while another one grabbed a ladder and put it up against the house. It was clearly a child staring at them, her eyes wide with fear. They tried to climb toward her, but it was impossible. The flames from the first floor blocked their way. I felt a wave of anger. She had defiled my righteous mission. I fought to push back my rage. I had no desire to hurt a child. She shouldn’t have hidden from me. I would have kept her safe. I sighed in frustration. This was her fault. Now all of us would have to watch as she died. There wasn’t anything I could do. I felt the urge to leave, but the police were concentrating on her. No one was focused on the crowd, so I risked staying a minute or two longer.

    Suddenly I heard a shout and saw the police officer who’d tried to enter earlier suddenly run toward the compromised house and through the front door before anyone could stop him. What a fool. The monster I’d created was too strong. Now there would be two additional lives sacrificed. This wasn’t my mission. Only the guilty were supposed to die. I consoled myself with the knowledge that the blame was theirs. Not mine.

    “Maybe he’ll get her out,” she said quietly.

    I didn’t respond. I knew she was upset. I couldn’t find the words to tell her that it was too late for both of them.

    Part of the house collapsed on the other side, away from the window where the child still stood. Everyone watched in horror. Two firefighters started to follow the officer into the house, but their chief called them back. It was clear they were frustrated, yet the chief obviously thought it was too dangerous for them to enter. He’d probably already written off the officer and the child.

    “It’s not your fault.”

    “I know,” I said.

    I waited for the rest of the structure to fall, but as we all watched, the unbelievable happened. The police officer ran out of the house, something in his arms wrapped up in a blanket. A firefighter ran over to take the bundle from him as the rest of the building collapsed. The officer fell to the ground. I could see his burns from here. It looked as if the cloth from his shirt had melted to his skin and part of his dark hair had burned away. Now he would always remember this night. I felt no anger toward him. Truthfully, I was relieved that the child had a chance. I’d still accomplished my mission. This was a lesson learned. I had checked out the couple carefully, and I’d watched the house. Hadn’t seen any evidence of a child. Still, I’d missed something important. I would never make this mistake again.

    She sighed with relief. “I’m so glad she’s okay.”

    A thought suddenly struck me. I hadn’t seen the child, but had she seen me? Was she now a liability to my mission? As soon as the thought came, I dismissed it. She’d been hiding. Trying to make sure I couldn’t find her. She would have been too afraid to look at me knowing I might see her too. Besides, she was so young no one would take her seriously anyway. Even if she had caught a glimpse of me, soon I would look very different. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. I was safe.

    The firefighters began treating the girl and the officer until an ambulance roared up. It was time to leave. I pulled my jacket tighter and let the darkness and the dancing flakes shroud me as I slipped away, but not before I glanced at the snowman ornament hanging on the tree planted near the sidewalk.

    As I walked away, I couldn’t help but sing softly, “Frosty the snowman . . .”

    CHAPTER ONE

    DECEMBER, PRESENT DAY

    River Ryland stared at her phone, willing it to ring. Unfortunately, it seemed it didn’t respond well to mental telepathy. The pastor at the church she’d started attending with Tony had taught on faith yesterday. He’d brought up Mark 11:24 and Philippians 4:6. From what she could understand, faith was something you needed before your prayers were answered. As a child, she’d listened to her father preach, but he’d never mentioned anything like that. His sermons had been about sin and judgment. How to stay pure. Which was laughable since he ran off with the church’s secretary and left his daughter, son, and wife behind, humiliated and without any way to survive financially.

    As she continued to eye her phone, she wondered if she should start believing that God would bring more clients to Watson Investigations. Was it okay to have faith for something like that? It was clear that faith was important to God, but she didn’t want to treat Him like some kind of genie in a lamp who would bring her whatever she asked for. What was His will, and what was selfishness? She sighed quietly. Life with God was proving to be interesting.

    She glanced over at her partner, Tony St. Clair, and asked herself the question she’d posed so many times. What was he doing here? She’d had to leave the FBI. Severe PTSD had made it impossible for her to continue working as a behavioral analyst. Tony had been shot by the Salt River Strangler, the serial killer who’d tried to kill her, and was still dealing with some of the aftereffects. Even so, he could have gone back to work. Instead, he talked her into starting this detective agency. They’d only had two cases so far. The results had been positive. One case had to do with teachers at a local high school selling drugs—­something they stumbled across. The teachers were arrested, and the drug trade shut down. No paying client with that one. The other case had been pro bono. They’d solved that too. Thankfully, someone connected with the case—­not their client—­had given them a generous stipend. But how long would that last without some new cases? Was asking herself that question a lack of faith? She really didn’t know the answer.

    Tony’s long legs were crossed, his feet up on his desk. He was leaning back in his chair, writing in a notebook. He reminded her of Benedict Cumberbatch. His curly dark hair was longer than most FBI agents had worn their hair. His long eyelashes sheltered eyes that sometimes looked blue and other times appeared to be gray. Tony was an enigma. A handsome man who never dated. He used to. Before the shooting. There were definitely some women at church who had him in their sights, but he clearly wasn’t interested. Of course, she wasn’t dating either. Didn’t want to. Right now, she just wanted to figure out who God wanted her to be. It was hard to believe He needed a private investigator. She didn’t see that among the gifts listed in the Bible.

    “Okay, God,” River whispered. “I’m asking You to make this agency successful. I thank You for hearing me. And . . .” She gulped. “And I thank You for our new cases.” There. She shook her head. Weird, but Pastor Mason would be proud of her. She jumped when Tony’s phone rang.

    River listened closely. If this was a case . . . Well, Pastor Mason also said something about patience. Surely answers to prayer didn’t happen this quickly. If so, she should have started praying this way a long time ago.

    “Slow down, Dad,” Tony said. “I’m not sure I understand.”

    River was almost relieved that it was Tony’s father. If it actually had been a new case . . . well, it would have freaked her out a little. She began to straighten her desk again, only slightly listening to Tony’s conversation. It seemed to be a little one-­sided.

    Finally, Tony said, “I’ve got to call you back, Dad. Let me talk to River and see what she thinks. You know her mother is ill.” Pause. “All in all, doing pretty good. She has full-­time help now.” Another pause. “Okay. I’ll phone you in a bit.”

    After he hung up, he pulled his feet off his desk and sat up straight in his chair. His blue sweater was the same color as his eyes . . . when they were blue. Why was she paying attention to his eyes? She gave herself a virtual kick in the pants and realized that Tony looked upset.

    “Everything okay?” she asked.

    “No, not really.”

    “Is your dad all right? Your mom?”

    “No,” he said, cutting her off. “They’re fine. And before you ask, my sister’s good too.” He looked away and cleared his throat. Something he did when he was troubled or thinking. Finally, his eyes met hers. “I told you that when my dad was a rookie police officer, before he was promoted to detective, he was badly burned in a fire?”

    She nodded. She remembered the story. It was hard to forget. “He saved a little girl’s life.”

    “Yes. Well, they found two bodies in the house after the fire was put out. The little girl was the granddaughter of the couple. Thank God, Dad got her out in time.”

    “Yeah. Your father’s a hero.”

    Tony smiled. “Don’t say that to him. He won’t put up with it. I also told you that they never found the person responsible?”

    She nodded again, then waited for him to finish. It was obvious what was coming next. She swallowed. Was this just coincidence? Of course, this was Tony’s dad. They couldn’t charge him anything for their services. River should have mentioned in her prayer that they needed a paying case. She didn’t realize God was so literal.

    Trust Me.

    Although she hadn’t heard an audible voice, it was so clear it made her jump.

    Trust Me.

    She swallowed hard. “Uh, he wants us to help him solve a twenty-­year-­old crime?” she said. Why was her voice squeaky? “Why now? I mean, I assume he tried to close this case himself. From what you told me, he’s an excellent detective.”

    “He is, but he’s retiring.”

    “And he wants this solved before he leaves?”

    Tony nodded. “In a way. You see, there were two other similar murders with the same MOs in Des Moines not long after that one. The police arrested someone. Charged him with all three. Dad was never sure they got the right person.”

    “You never told me that.”

    “I never went into details because I thought it was a closed case.”

    “So, your father wants to make certain the case is truly closed before he leaves? It’s still a really cold case. You know how tough they are to solve after so long.”

    “Well, except he says it’s happened again.”

    “In Des Moines?”

    Tony shook his head. “No, up in Burlington, Iowa, where they are now. They moved there years ago because Dad felt it was a better place to live. He was convinced that Des Moines was getting too big. Too dangerous. He wanted a slower-­paced life. A safer place for Mom. Truthfully, I think he had a tough time working in Des Moines. He couldn’t get anyone he worked with to believe they’d arrested the wrong person for those murders.”

    “Wait a minute. So, your dad thinks the killer followed him?”

    He shrugged. “He doesn’t know, although I agree that it seems strange. Look, I know you have questions. I do too. Can you come to Burlington with me so we can write a profile? He wants to see if we can add something to what he has so far.”

    River hesitated a moment.

    “I know you’re thinking about your mom. Sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. I can go alone. I shouldn’t have put you on the spot.”

    River shook her head. “You’re not. Now that we have Mrs. Weyland, I may be able to come with you.”

    Hannah, the young woman who had come in to help River’s mother during the day, had quit after finding out she was pregnant. She’d recommended her aunt, who had recently lost her husband. Agatha Weyland was sixty-­three years old and had nursed her husband through Alzheimer’s. When Hannah told her she was pregnant and had to leave her job, Mrs. Weyland had begged her to set up an interview with River. At first, she wasn’t sure if it would work since Mrs. Weyland wanted to move in.

    “I just can’t stay in my house anymore,” she’d told River when they talked. “Too many ghosts. Hannah and her husband love the house and they’ve offered to buy it. I was goin’ to move into an apartment, but if you have a spare room . . .” Her hazel eyes had filled with tears, and River had been touched by her. But would she change her mind and quit once she was stronger? She didn’t want Rose to get used to someone and then have her leave. River’s mother was still dealing with Hannah’s quitting. She had loved and trusted the young woman.

    “I’m not lookin’ for anything temporary,” Mrs. Weyland had said as if reading River’s mind. “I intend to take care of your mother until . . . well, until she no longer needs me.”

    This time it was River’s turn for tears.

    “Oh, honey,” the older woman had said, taking River’s hand. “I know what Alzheimer’s is like. I know how to take care of your precious mama. My Harold was a happy man until the day he died. I learned how to go with him wherever he was . . . and how to be whoever he needed me to be. We were happy, and your mother will be happy too. You have my word.”

    River had really wanted to hire Mrs. Weyland, but she was certain Rose wouldn’t give up another one of her rooms. She’d gotten upset when River and Tony had moved her original sewing space to another room even though they set it up exactly the same. They’d moved things around so River could be closer to her mother in case she needed help during the night. Now she’d have to give up her sewing room completely, even though she never used it. River was prepared for a meltdown. But after spending a couple of hours getting to know Mrs. Weyland, Rose had said, “Can’t we just move the things in the sewing room down to the basement, River? Either Agatha could move in there, or you could move into that room, and Agatha could be right next to me.”

    Although she was more than surprised by her mother’s request, she quickly agreed. River moved into the old sewing room, and Mrs. Weyland set herself up next to Rose.

    “Let me talk to Mrs. Weyland,” she told Tony. “She’s barely had time to get to know my mother. She might feel uncomfortable with me leaving town so soon. How long do you think we’ll be gone?”

    “Why don’t we say the rest of the week?” he said. “I think that’s enough time to create a profile. My father’s already put together a murder book, although I’m not sure how much information he’s been able to get his hands on. Hopefully, we’ll at least have some pictures and reports.”

    “Okay, but if Mrs. Weyland or my mother is uncomfortable . . .”

    “I’ll go alone and bring everything back with me.” He frowned. “I’d really like you to talk to my dad. See if he can convince you the cases are related. I know that’s not what we do when we write a profile, so we’ll be using our ace deductive skills as well.”

    River laughed. “I’ll call Mom now, but you might as well plan on going alone. My mother will probably have a conniption fit.”

    “A conniption fit? Where do you get these expressions? I truly think an old lady lives somewhere down deep inside you.”

    River picked up her phone, stuck her tongue out at Tony, and dialed Mrs. Weyland.

    ***

    Excerpt from Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl. Copyright 2024 by Nancy Mehl. Reproduced with permission from Bethany House Publishers. All rights reserved.

     

     

    Author Bio:

    Nancy Mehl

    Nancy Mehl is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.

    Catch Up With Nancy Mehl:
    NancyMehl.com
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    BookBub – @NancyMehl
    Twitter/X – @NancyMehl1
    Facebook – @nancy.mehl

     

     

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    Giveaway – Murder At A Scottish Castle by Traci Hall @dollycas @tracihallauthor


    Murder at a Scottish Castle: A Scottish Cozy Mystery
    (A Scottish Shire Mystery) by Traci Hall

    About Murder at a Scottish Castle


    Murder at a Scottish Castle: A Scottish Cozy Mystery (A Scottish Shire Mystery)
    Cozy Mystery
    5th in Series
    Setting – Nairn, Scotland
    Kensington Cozies (January 23, 2024)
    Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
    ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496744373
    ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496744371
    Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C3WTZYGT

    USA Today bestselling author returns with the latest novel in a Scottish seaside cozy knitting mystery series featuring busy single mom Paislee Shaw, owner of a specialty sweater shop, knitting enthusiast, and reluctant sleuth who must untangle another murderous yarn!

    With the summer days getting shorter in the seaside village of Nairn, the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle promises to be quite the end-of-season blowout. Paisley has snagged a special invitation from the Dowager Countess, who wants to showcase her cashmere goods in the castle gift shop, and she’s brought her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace.

    There’s a fierce rivalry between Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon, and last year’s winner Jory Baxter, with Grant loudly vowing to show up the blowhard Baxter and claim clan bragging rights. But the reigning champion has barely put the reed to his lips when he turns red and collapses, soon to take his dying breath. DI Zeffer confirms foul play, suspecting the reed may have been poisoned.

    With a murderer in their midst, the rest of Nairn won’t breathe easy until Paisley applies her sleuthing skills to make sure justice is served and the killer pays the piper . . .

    About Traci Hall

    From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite tale for everyone.

    Mystery lovers, check out her Scottish Shire series, set in the seaside town of Nairn, or the Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it’s her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.

    Traci wants to hear from you!

    Traci@TraciHall.com

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    Dragon Shifter Island – Dragon Protected by Scarlett West @iamscarlettwest

    Amazon / Goodreads

    MY REVIEW

    I am excited to be back on Dragon Shifter Island, seeing I enjoyed my first visit so much in Dragon Craved. I mean, hunkalicious dragon shifters, a police officer eye witnessing a hit and run and being kidnapped by one of the hunkalicious dragon shifters…I can’t help but see sparks flying and plenty of laughter, seeing Scarlett West’s writing style weaves some fun amongst the danger.

    This time, in Protected Dragon, it is Falcon’s turn to share his story. I do love a damaged character who can turn into a silvery, flying dragon. I envy Emma, when she gets the opportunity to take to the skies with Falcon.

    There is so much more to the story than just a hit and run. Emma doesn’t know it yet, but she’s a draca, a human that shares dragon blood and able to become a mate of a full blooded dragon. They are so important to the clans, because dragons are dying out Draglings…how cute is that. I want to read about baby dragons.

    The dialogue had me, at times, laughing out loud, so beware of reading in a public place.

    Saaamokin’, fiery hot sex sets my reader on fire! I love that Emma didn’t jump right into the sack, even though she had met Falcon in the first book and was verrrry attracted to him.

    Sarnai is Emma’s best friend, her only ‘family’ she has left. They bring her to Dragon Island to protect her, but she gets caught in the crossfire. I think we know who’s story is next. How about it Torin? Are you ready to tell your story?

    I highly recommend anything written by Scarlett West. She writes of vampires, werewolves, and the fae bureau of investigation, sure to capture a fantasy lovers’ heart.

    I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dragon Protected by Scarlett West.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    GOODREADS BLURB

    Can they deny their attraction long enough to catch a criminal?

    Emma Getting kidnapped by a dragon shifter was not part of my job description. I needed to be investigating a crime, not spending time with one of my suspects, tempting though he may be.Too bad he’s determined to stay involved and protect me from the stalker I inadvertently acquired.

    Falcon As a dragon clan enforcer, I will risk everything in the line of duty, except my mate.With my clan and job in jeopardy, I should walk away, but she incited an undeniable hunger in my dragon, one I should resist. But there’s a problem.Someone is hunting her, and I have to find out why… before it’s too late.

    If you love broody alphas, sassy heroines, and hot paranormal romance with a heart, Dragon Protected is for you. Dragon Protected is a standalone in Dragon Shifter Island Series. The books can be read alone but best in order.

    Grab this steamy dragon shifter romance that’s bound to pull your heartstrings.

    • Genre: Dragons, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural
    • 214 pages, Kindle Edition
    • Published January 14, 2024 by Passion Press
    • Series: Dragon Shifter Island, #2

    ABOUT SCARLETT WEST

    Scarlett West

    Scarlett West writes steamy, paranormal romance featuring sexy Fae. Deep characters and hot romance are her thing.

    An avid reader and writer who will never stop dreaming, Scarlett has traveled to many countries and been on tons of adventures. She draws her stories from these places, life experiences, and her grand imagination.

    Besides writing, she’s a hobby herbalist and a dancer. If she’s not by the computer typing these things up, she can be found in a forest, on a mountain, or by the ocean.

    Scarlett West would like to thank her three F’s: Fans, Family, and Friends. Thank you forever for your support.

    Website / Facebook / Twitter

    MY SCARLET WEST REVIEWS

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    The Spotlight Is On Shield Of The King by M B Mooney @ireadbooktours

     



    Book Details:

    Book Title:  Shield of the King by M.B. Mooney
    Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 298 pages
    Genre:  YA Fantasy
    Publisher:  Yorkshire Publishing
    Release date:   January 2024
    Content Rating:  PG. YA Fantasy
    Book Description:

    She may not be the hero they want, but she is the one they need. Born in a kingdom where women are kept from power, Elowen has been trained as a warrior by her father, a former general. When her father is ordered out of retirement, she joins him on a journey to thwart a plot to assassinate the king. Tragedy strikes in defense of the royal family, and Elowen begins her own mission to expose the rebellion. She discovers secrets about her past that threaten to destroy her homeland and her own life, and she must find a way to fight for what is right in a corrupt kingdom. 
    Buy the Book:
    Amazon B&N 
    add to Goodreads

    Meet the Author:

    MB Mooney has traveled the world, teaching in the Republic of Korea and visiting places like Fiji, China, and the Philippines. He loves to write books, stories, and songs. His books are fantasy/sci-fi related, and his first published novel is The Living Stone: The Eres Chronicles Book 1.

    Mooney lives in Lawrenceville, GA with his amazing wife and three energetic kids.


    connect with author: website facebook instagram goodreads




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    Giveaway – Dead Letters by P J Murphy @ireadbooktours

     



    Book Details:

    Book Title:  Dead Letters by P.J. Murphy
    Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 349 pages
    Genre:  Mystery, Literary Fiction
    Publisher:  P.J. Murphy
    Release date:   May 2023
    Content Rating:  PG-13 +M. The book is not violent, and swearing is infrequent. There are a number of references to ghosts, but the atmosphere is more gothic than scary (with one exception). However, it is a book aimed squarely at adults, with references to depression and mental illness.
    Book Description:

    “If you want to find me, search within these pages.”

    Bestselling author Richard Debden is missing. The only clue: a copy of his unpublished final novel delivered to his ex-girlfriend, Amy. When those closest to Richard reunite for his memorial, Amy turns to Chris, his former best friend, to help unravel the mystery. Could Richard still be alive and in need of their help?

    Richard’s manuscript tells of two abandoned children in wartime Britain, instructed by a shadowy Postmaster to deliver letters to ghosts and release them from their torment. As Chris and Amy delve into the text, they identify parallels between fiction and reality; clues to a trail that leads across the country and – they hope – to Richard.

    But they are not the only interested party. A mysterious society is following them, their motives unclear. Can Chris and Amy unlock the secrets of Dead Letters, or will more sinister forces get there first?

    Dead Letters is the captivating second novel by P.J. Murphy, author of Troubleshot.
    Buy the Book:
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    Meet the Author:

    P.J. Murphy writes novels that introduce unusual and humorous twists to classic genres. If you pick up one of his books, you’re in for an interesting read that never loses its sense of fun. As a writer, P.J. tries to stick to the adage ‘write what you know’, although with the addition, ‘just make sure you exaggerate and distort it beyond all recognition’. He is planning to write a novel about taking a road trip with a parrot. He has never owned a parrot.


    connect with author: website facebook goodreads
    Enter the Giveaway:

    DEAD LETTERS by P.J. Murphy Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway




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    Enemies To Lovers – Blood Champion by Kay Widow @KayWidow @booksirens

    Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

    MY REVIEW

    He calls me Lady Death. I am his weapon to wield as he pleases, sharpened like the fatal point of a wooden stake. In the ring, I am nothing but blood, bone, and fury.

    I love the soft colors and sweet look of the cover for Blood Champion by Kay Widow. It hides the viciousness and savagery of the cage fights inside.

    Monique feels a debt of gratitude to her master, Felix Fee, never questioning his demands. Because of her, his destiny as the heir to the Fee dynasty has never been questioned. He had saved her life, giving her everything she now has. But what exactly is that?

    Now, he has given her a task that could end up costing her her life. She is not the only one given this task, and it will lead to changes she never could have anticipated. When she meets Noah, she is awakened to possibilities.

    Noah, a werewolf, is in New York City, given the task to obtain the Book of Lilu from Lord Blackwood, the vampire hosting the games that Monique will participating in. I think we can all see what is on the horizon, but the journey will not be an easy one.

    Noah is bold, determined, walking a very dangerous path by putting himself amongst the vampires, hiding behind cologne and the humans sprinkled throughout. He ends up playing a part in the fights that could be the end of him. He is not one to go down without a fight, but how can a werewolf survive being caged with a vampire, surrounded by other vampires.

    The quotes below, at 20%, made me sit up and pay attention. The descriptions Kay Widow created are powerful and something I have not read before:

    I hate crowded places. Most of my kind do…we remember just how much louder and brighter and more intense this world is now that we’re monsters. A simple breath of laughter becomes a shrieking whine to our ears, often accompanied by the stench of stomach bile or curdled coffee and cream. The muted glow from a chandelier becomes painfully blinding, overloading our senses with out mercy.

    The never ending thirst hits at the peak of it all. Razor sharp claws raking down your throat. The ripping and shredding of your gums as you fight to keep your fangs at bay. That wild, primal part of you that seeks to satisfy those discomforts by orchestrating a bloodbath.

    Amongst all the debauchery and violence, we do have our moments of lightness and laughter. I do like that the ‘love’ is not an immediate hop in the sack and, as Monique’s feelings for Noah develop, so does she. Possibilities….

    Blood Champion is the third in the series, and, by far the best. Monique is a character that quickly became someone I couldn’t turn away from. She is challenged at every turn and I loved that she didn’t turn away from the hard questions, but opened herself up to the chance of a new life…and freedom. I want more.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    GOODREADS BLURB

    I’ve lived a warrior’s life defined by death, cage fights, and submission to my vampire master.So when commanded to infiltrate the underground fighting pits of Manhattan and retrieve a coveted tome, my mission takes priority.But that resolve is tested upon crossing paths with an infuriating werewolf who seeks the artifact for his own pack’s survival.Though we are sworn enemies, an electric attraction sparks between us that I find difficulty resisting.Noah’s defiant spirit and the thrilling risk of our affair make me feel alive in ways I’ve never experienced.Compelled into a shaky alliance by our common goal, we fight through sadistic opponents while confronting vampire lords at every turn.Both grappling between loyalty and our dangerous liaison that should not be.Dare I continue falling for a man from the enemy werewolf pack?Something or someone will break.Plunge into the seductive, gritty underworld of a vampire-shifter romance fused with lethal action today!

    • Genre: Enemies to Lovers, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters, Supernatural, Vampires, Werewolves
    • 242 pages, Kindle Edition
    • Published December 26, 2023
    • The Bloodline Dagger Series, Book 3

    ABOUT KAY WIDOW

    Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce.
    If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels.
    Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.

    Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

    MY KAY WIDOW REVIEWS

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