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Hi Everyone. Hope you had a great week and are looking forward to what comes next. We have had some cold and some okay weather the past week.
We had some friends of ours drop by and had dinner on the patio. Happy to report the weather cooperated and I was only a little chilly. LOL
Most of the time I have a book in my hand, but the past couple of days I have tried to put them down more often and catch up on reviews. I don’t review a lot of the books I read, because then I wouldn’t be able to read as many. LOL I want to start reviewing more of them, so that means keeping up on R2R books. That’s hard when some of my favorite authors hand me two, three, or four books of theirs at a time. How can they manage to write faster than I can read. LOL I know some of them are from their back books, but eventually I will have caught up and be in the present…or future. I don’t review anything that doesn’t appear on my blog first, but I do rate them on Goodreads.
I got the idea and the motivation to start doing Tackling The TBR from All The Book Blog Names Are Taken.
It has helped me to keep track of my reading shelf as far as current
events and I also started doing a post for Books From The Backlog,
from Carole’s Random Life in Books,
to tidy up my shelves. I feel better about my out of control TBR and
have even knocked off a couple of those old ones that had been
hanging around for years.
COME ON….JOIN IN.
Previous Total: 2173
Currently Reading
Books Read
Books Added
All these books were free at the time of posting. Check for the “0”
Eve Parrish is a new to me author, and Her First Mistake is her debut novel…as Eve Parrish. It bothers me when an author writes under different names. In old time publishing, I get it. It was probably the publishers that pushed an author to have different pennames for different genres. Myself, I don’t think it is necessary. If I love what an author is writing, I’ll read anything by them. Yeah, I might not rate it as high from one genre to the next, e.g. romantic suspense and plain romance. It would take something special about a plain romance to get a 4 or 5 rating from me. That being said, I enjoy 3 star reads all the time and do recommend them.
Well, I got off on a bit of a rant there, so let’s get back to the real reason we are here…Her First Mistake.
The eerie cover first caught my eye and as I investigated further, I saw – serial killer. I’m all over that. I have a fascination for serial killers, whether fact or fiction. I love teases and the Prologue did it’s job. I’m hooked.
“I’m a bad boy.” With a start like that, I think I may have issues stopping long enough to…well, whatever.
It is not bad enough they have a kidnapper, a rapist, a murderer on their hands, the Saxon County Sleeper is all three wrapped up in one and he is back with a vengeance.
Nina Viken is a detective for Saxon County, a single mother, and familiar with serial killers. She has blow after blow delivered to her, and gets up stronger each time. Her father is a convicted murdered and he says he knows who the serial killer is. The killers past is textbook, foster homes, abuse…
The book has a twist as Rayna enters the scene. Her spidey senses are sent tingling when her friend goes missing…and she wants answers, even if she has to find them herself. I love her and would hope to have a friend like her if I ever went missing.
I love reading a book with flawed, damaged characters and seeing we have a serial killer on the loose, it’s no surprise that we have one of them here. Most characters have baggage they carry, but they are caring, loyal, loving people, doing the best they can.
I love the turn the book takes at 50%. And Livie…she is so darn cute, but, aren’t most little kids?
There is a time or two where I didn’t like what NIna did or didn’t do, but I get it. That’s how we create suspense for a rousing ending. And then…another twist. Hmmmm, you are making me work for this Eve. We have plenty of suspects. My mind is bouncing around, using a process of elimination to find the last one standing. AHA…it’s you!
I felt Her First Mistake by Eve Parrish was a three star book through half of it, but the more I read, the the more the suspect list grew, the more twists that came up, the more I got involved, I knew I needed to bump it up. Good job Eve.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Her First Mistake by Eve Parrish.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Her First Mistake is a serial killer thriller with a female lead and mysterious love interests.
Detective Nina Viken is no stranger to the ominous clues serial killers leave with their discarded victims. It’s a typical method used to taunt and torture the authorities who are ruthlessly hunting them down. This time though, everything seems a little too close to home.
When Nina gets a call that a dead body is being pulled from the Hollow Pointe Ravine, intuition tells her she’s going to have her work cut out for her. Upon arriving at the crime scene, she sees various photographs scattered along the ground. The photos feature completely nude women–bound, shackled, bloody and bruised. At first it looks like it’s just another sick and twisted murderer on the loose…
But upon examining the body, Nina sees the signature of one of the East Coast’s most notorious serial killers–The Saxon County Slayer.
As if the pressure of finding him before he kills again wasn’t enough, Nina gets a call from her father–a convicted murder himself–saying he knows the identity of the infamous serial killer. With little evidence to point her in any other direction, Nina begins to look into her father’s claims.
Regardless of whether her father is telling the truth or not… The Saxon County Slayer is back.
And this time, he has a vendetta against Nina. A vendetta that he will stop at nothing to satisfy.
ABOUT EVE PARRISH (Victoria Ellis)
Meet Victoria Ellis: Victoria Ellis writing as Eve Parrish
Victoria Ellis started out writing primarily thrillers but slowly transitioned into both poetry and contemporary romance.
Now, she is a multi-genre author
that publishes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, and Romance novels. She is
also the author of two poetry collections.
Victoria has a penname, Gemma
Stone, for her upcoming romance novels that she plans on releasing. It was
important to her to separate romance from thrillers. Be on the lookout for more
Gemma Stone news in 2021 and 2022!
Victoria is the founder of
Cruel Ink Publishing, LLC.
She resides near Chicago,
Illinois with her husband, newborn daughter, and an abundance of animals.
For the Strange and Surprising: Where the Mongrels Are M.F. Adele (Where They Are, #1) Publication date: August 27th 2021 Genres: Adult, Reverse Harem, Romance, Science Fiction
I’m a catastrophe waiting to happen—I always have been.
When a waterspout drops me on the shores of a seemingly deserted island, I soon realize that I’m not on Earth, and I’m not alone.
This new world is full of dangers, from sea monsters and feuding tribes to poisonous food and beasts that lurk in the shadows. None of those things are as dangerous as the Mongrel men appointed to guard and teach me.
All I want to do is go home, but the island has no intentions of letting me leave.
I’ll be forced to interact with total strangers to survive this perilous land surrounded by treacherous waters.
My dreams of happiness sink into the dark depths below as I struggle to save myself from certain death.
The Mongrels will learn that fear makes a person reckless.
My name is Adelaide Storm. But they’ll call me Ada Stormbrave.
I just grin at him, unable to find a single care about what
he thinks of me or where I came from. He’ll figure out that I’m not lying when
I leave, when I finally get to go home.
“Could you find it in your heart to do one last, tiny favor
for me?” I ask in a sullen voice, making sure my eyes are slightly downcast.
I see Talodus smile while shaking his head, so I know that
he sees through me.
“What’s that?” Ecaeris questions dismissively, ready to
throw me out as soon as he can.
“Would you kindly check the beach where the guards found me?
I left something important there.”
His brows pinch together, not following why I would ask for
that. “And what should I be looking for exactly?”
“Any of the fucks I could have given you. I feel like I had
more when I started swimming toward the shore earlier.”
The prince glares at me, and I shrug.
“If they aren’t on the beach, then they probably sank
somewhere in the hundreds of yards that I had to swim to get to land. You’re
more than welcome to check with the huge fucking octopus that was chasing me,
too.”
Author Bio:
M.F. Adele resides in the outskirts of the Rocket City in Alabama. She lives in her overactive imagination, often fueled by caffeine and no sleep. When she isn’t writing, M.F. is outdoors with her family, obsessing over spicy margaritas and cigars, or reading books by her favorite authors.
If you’re looking for M.F. Adele, you can find her on social media in her group:
M.F. Adele’s Hellacious Hybrids.
M.F. loves to interact with her readers, hear character theories, and share embarrassing stories.
Professor Charlatan Bardot’s travel anthology includes many buildings, though no haunted houses. So…buckle your searbelt and let’s travel around the world.
I love the awesome cover for Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology by Eric Guignard. Some of the locales are real places, and, the rest, I’ll leave it up to you to decide.
The anthology includes short stories of horror from noted authors all over the world. Whether it takes place in a hospital, lighthouse, mining camp, wishing well…most everything but haunted houses, the anothology is sure to supply plenty of thrills and chills.
Might want to keep the light on…but, locked doors won’t keep them out.
Professor Bardot is as interesting as the beautiful book, with fabulous illustrations to go with the fantastic cover.
Travel around the world with horror as your companion. The Professor may have your imagination running wild on your travels when you visit your own hotel, cathedral…
I cannot think of anything that could be improved upon a book that gave me many hours of reading pleasure.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology by Eric J Guignard.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
“At Last, an Authoritative Compendium to (Fictional) Haunted Buildings for the Delight and Exploration of Reader-Travelers Around the Globe.”
For
nearly forty years, renowned paranormal investigator Professor
Charlatan Bardot has examined, documented, and acquired stories of
haunted buildings around the world. Partnered with leading anthologist
Eric J. Guignard, and gifted artists Steve Lines and James Gabb, the
greatest of Charlatan’s discoveries are made available now in this
comprehensive travel anthology!
From the Philippines’ tragic
Ame-Soeur Clothing Factory, to Sweden’s reverent Fish Church; from
Tanzania’s vengeful Unguja Restaurant, to Canada’s cursed Crow Island
Lighthouse, Charlatan Bardot presents a lifetime of experience and
insight into paranormal architecture.
27 feature stories and 36
tiny tales are included of haunted temples, diners, hotels, shops,
hospitals, outposts, theaters, and other building types, along with
maps, travel notes, illustrations, and more, all designed to provide an
immersive experience for veteran travelers and armchair ghost hunters
alike!
Enter Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology to the Most (Fictional) Haunted Buildings in the Weird, Wild World (2021 edition) and explore the strange and curious locales of the globe and of your imagination.
ABOUT ERIC J GUIGNARD
ERIC J. GUIGNARD is a writer
and editor of dark and speculative fiction, operating from the shadowy
outskirts of Los Angeles, where he also runs the small press, Dark Moon Books.
He’s twice won the Bram Stoker Award (the highest literary award of
horror fiction), been a finalist for the International Thriller Writers
Award, and a multi-nominee of the Pushcart Prize.
Outside
the glamorous and jet-setting world of indie fiction, Eric’s a
technical writer and college professor, and he stumbles home each day to
a wife, children, dogs, and a terrarium filled with mischievous
beetles. Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com, his blog: ericjguignard.blogspot.com, or Twitter: @ericjguignard.
From the outside,
Reagan “Rae” Doucet has it all: a coveted career in Washington, DC, a tight
circle of friends and a shoe closet to die for. When one of her crew falls ill,
however, Rae is done playing it safe. The talented but unfulfilled writer makes
a “risk list” to revamp her life. But forgiving her ex, Jake Saunders, might be
one risk too many…
From Harlequin Special
Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
The Friendship
Chronicles/Book 1: The Shoe Diaries
“Reminiscent of
Sex and the City and the Shopaholic series in the best possible way. Her
stories are a lot of fun and yet she still tugs at your
heartstrings.”–Gail Chasan, Special Edition Editor
EXCERPTS
Romance
February 13, 2016
“With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee
the treasures of my mind, heart and hands…”
Staring at my friends from my seat, I noticed more than just
their words as they recited their vows. I saw their hands clasped together
throughout the ceremony, and the smiles they wore even through their tears; the
way they focused on each other like no one else was present even while a
hundred and fifty of us stared at them with glee. But most important, I saw the
love that was undeniable between the two of them. Strange, but I was all at
once happy and sad, amazed and hurt. In them I saw hope for a future. Here were
two people who’d found love and decided that nothing else was more important
than their union. Yet, standing less than two feet away from them, I also saw
the man I’d hoped would be my future—and it hurt me to my core to know that we
would never have this same moment.
Every few minutes I caught myself peeking over at him during
the ceremony, hoping he would turn to me, and we would have some kind of
knowing thought between us. That we would have a brief second where no words
were necessary, and through our eyes, we’d say, “I know it didn’t work for us,
but I still love you.” I craved that moment more than anything I’d ever wanted
before, wishing with all my might he would just look over. Just glance at
me…and smile.
That look never happened.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Darby Baham (she/her)
is a debut author with Harlequin Special Edition and a New Yorker of five years
who sometimes desperately misses the sprawling shoe closet she had while living
in Maryland. She’s had personal blog posts appear in The Washington Post’s
relationship vertical and has worked in the communications industry for more
than two decades. The New Orleans, LA native is also a lover of big laughs and
books that swallow you into their world. Her first book, The Shoe Diaries,
debuts in 2022.
Author Website www.DarbyBaham.com
Linktree https://linktr.ee/darbybaham
Facebook /https://www.facebook.com/darby.baham/
Twitter https://twitter.com/darbybaham
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/darbybaham/
Darby Baham’s Washington Post bylines
I had the perfect date dress. Why did it hang in my closet unworn for more than a year? — March 2016
When it comes to relationship advice, sometimes it’s best to ignore your friends — February 2016
I’m the oldest sister in my family and I’m single. And that’s okay. — March 2016
I was afraid to say ‘I love you.’ Here’s how I found the courage. –
Save Her by Chris Patchell could have started out: It was a cold, wintry day and she found herself alone, stranded in a snowstorm…
Pacing, pacing, pacing…Chris Patchell is a master at keeping a high level of suspense going throughout the book. I know from her past books she will not fail to get my emotions roiling.
We’re back in Sweet Home, Oregon, with Lacey, who is struggling to adjust having Caleb home from Fort Hood on a permanent basis, though the kids are loving it. It sounds to me like she now has three kids to take care of and I’m uncertain if she hasn’t outgrown Caleb.
Being a cop in her home town isn’t easy for her either…A small town where she knows everyone. She’s quick with her words, witty and sharp, and I find myself laughing out loud, at times.
There is more than one person in the small town of Sweet Home, Oregon, that needs to grow up.
OMG…the rat bastard! I want to reach into my Kindle and beat him to a pulp! I am shocked, outraged and very pissed off!
Save Her may be a bit on the predictable side, but Chris Patchell has a way of creating tension, suspense, and a sense of urgency that has me racing through the pages to find out if or who will SAVE HER! I know Lacey is going to run into danger, but that’s okay. The pacing keeps me going. Gotta know…What’s…Next.
Lacey is too juicy a character for her story to end her. Next up: Tell Her, Book III in this stand alone series, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on it.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Save Her by Chris Patchell.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Abandoned on a remote mountain road, the storm closing in isn’t the only deadly threat she will face.
A New Year’s Eve party is the perfect time to reconnect with old friends and make resolutions none of you will keep. Still, Audrey Drummond sees it as a good way to pass the time now that she’s back in Sweet Home, Oregon. She hitches a ride with her high school ex, but their ride down memory lane takes a perilous turn, and Audrey finds herself abandoned, cold and alone on a mountain road—miles away from the party.
From that moment on, her situation only gets worse.
When Audrey vanishes in a winter storm, Officer Lacey James knows that left to the elements, she won’t survive long. But when the initial search yields no viable clues, the missing persons case takes a darker turn.
Time is running out, and the killer storm isn’t the only immediate threat Lacey will face in the desperate quest to save her.
ABOUT CHRIS PATCHELL
Chris Patchell is the bestselling author of In the Dark
and the Indie Reader Discovery Award winning novel Deadly Lies.
Having recently left her long-time career in tech to pursue her
passion for writing full-time, Chris pens gritty suspense novels set
in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her family and two
neurotic dogs.
Welcome to my tour stop for Pelagia, Between The Stars and The Abyss by Steve Holloway. I love this amazing cover and if I wasn’t so behind due to the holidays, I would have snatched this up for review.
Now, let’s have a few words from Steve Holloway about the cover.
What does the cover of Pelagia
tell you about the story inside?
This novel takes place fifty years
from now, within the drama of a group of families who are establishing a
community on the open seas. The community live and travel within vessels
similar to the one pictured on the cover.
What the cover hints at, by the lights
streaming out the underwater windows, is that this boat is home for a family.
However, the picture does not tell you any fascinating details about this
Yemeni household, the Battutas. Suliman the father, who leads this seafaring
clan and is a man of strong faith. Gideon, his eldest son, is a budding
engineer and pilot. Sophia, his young daughter, is autistic and designs marine
robotics.
The Battuta family are part of a
nomadic community who travel the South Pacific herding schools of tuna. You can
spot some sealife in the waters surrounding their boat. You can also see hints
of the seamount deep in the water, above which members of the community develop
sea farms.
This picture cannot tell you more
about the Battutas — that they are Yemeni, descendants of Bedouin tribes who
herded camels and goats across the expanse of the Arabian deserts. In this
novel, the Battutas have traded their beloved deserts for the vast seas, and
their livestock for schools of tuna.
As Captain Sul puts in, “There is a deep joy sleeping beneath the stars and above the abyss. We find peace, held in our suspension between two vast and measureless realms.”
This
vessel, home of the Battuta family, has an innovative design. Most of the craft
sits underwater, like a submarine, with only a small part above water
containing a deck and the control bridge. This design allows it to be stable
and comfortable as the craft travels through rough seas and storms. The cover
design is a peaceful image, hinting that, despite much turmoil and danger
within this techno-thriller, this roving community provide a safe sanctuary for
many. A place of love and healing.
After commissioning my book, my
publisher, Lion Fiction, sent me possible cover designs. However, I felt they
did not quite fit the story. As I was sharing these designs with my family, my
son asked if he could suggest his own. He came up with several stunning covers.
Another, depicting a seamount settlement is to the left.
The publisher was enthusiastic about the designs and chose the seacraft for the final cover.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I am always interested in who makes the final decision and how much input the author has in the final project. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Pelagia – Between the Stars and the Abyss by Steve Holloway
GENRE: Science Fiction
BLURB
Former special forces agent turned particle
physicist Ben Holden is on the run.
The New Caliphate will stop at nothing to get their hands on his
wife’s scientific research, which is believed to hold the key to unleashing
chaos in the West and advancing their cause.
But in reality it’s Ben’s biometrics that have the potential to unlock
the information they so desperately need. Within the oceanic world of Pelagia,
in the year 2066, Ben finds sanctuary among the sea settlers of the South
Pacific Pelagic Territory, but his respite is short-lived.
EXCERPT
Sophia’s Egg
9-year-old Sophia stepped across a short bridge onto her
Egg. The walkway retracted as she moved to the centre of the vessel. A small
brass sign on the floor was engraved: “To Sophia on her 9th birthday. With all
our love, Gideon and Baba.” A clear dome now rose from one side of the vessel
and encircled her small figure, sealing as it closed on the other side. The Egg
began to glow softly.
“Go,” she said quietly. Mooring cables released. The Egg
dropped below and behind the Ossë into the heart of the sea. A wave of
phosphorescence sparkled against the windows.
Sophia said quietly, “Squid, Nemo.”
“Yes, Ameera, a shoal of giant squid is feeding eighty
metres below us.”
The Egg now descended, deeper into the blackness. The
glittering phosphorescent became less frequent. It was now almost absolute darkness
outside, but at the edge of vision Sophia could discern darting shadows.
“Red light,” Sophia said. The orb’s faint glow clicked on
again, giving shape to the giant shadows. Giant squid, Architeuthis sp. Sophia
watched, entranced at the rushing activity around the vessel.
Putting her hands on the sapphire glass, Sophia peered
closely at a passing four-metre long squid. It slowed, caught by, then
returning her gaze.
In an instant the squid turned to reach for her. Its
tentacles struck against the dome.
Sophia didn’t flinch. The large squid, a modern-day kraken
that weighed much more than the child, hovered for a moment. It sent
exploratory tentacles to touch the shield gently, then withdrew. The squid
floated next to the glass contemplating this mystery. Sophia and the creature
stared eye to eye – one alien to another. Amberjack-like guardian bots emerged
from the darkness. The squid flicked a tentacle at one of the robots, hoping
for dinner, and was rewarded by an electric jolt. It flashed away, leaving a
cloud of ink in its wake.
AUTHOR Bio and Links
Steve Holloway
grew up on the beach cities of Los Angeles and has always loved the sea. This
passion led him to gain a degree in Aquatic Biology from the University of
California Santa Barbara; a background which opened many opportunities for him
in researching, developing, and engaging with mariculture activities around the
world.
Steve and his
wife have lived and travelled in many countries over their forty years of
marriage, successfully raising three kids in exotic locations in the process.
They have always engaged with the people and cultures they live among.
Currently Steve
lives in England and consults for a Christian charity in areas of research,
leadership development, adapting to new cultures, social enterprises, and
mariculture projects. Currently he is consulting for a Indo-Pacific mariculture
project – a social enterprise – growing sea cucumbers, a delicacy for the
Chinese market.
Steve has
always loved books and writing. The story of Pelagia reflects three of his
passions: science, the sea and the narratives of faith. The background, in his
words:
“I have for
many years believed that settling the open sea was within our grasp, and even
more accessible than space as our ‘next frontier’. So through the last ten
years or so I have been thinking just how this might happen, what would be
needed, where people would settle, what kind of livelihoods they might have on
the open sea, beyond the EEZs of terrestrial countries. My son Adam told me
about what would become a key component of Pelagia, Biorock or seacrete,
because of his experiments with it. Many discussions with other scientists,
engineers and others helped to begin to fill in the gaps and the concept of the
Pelagic Territories, similar to the unincorporated territories of the early US,
and what geopolitical contexts they would find themselves in.”
Steve finds any
excuse to get into the ocean: sailing, diving, swimming, or just poking around
tide pools.
Romance writer Maya Lange is stuck in the
small town of Two Forks, Wyoming. It’s not the happily ever after she wanted
for herself, but neither was dating a man who runs a criminal enterprise or
witnessing a murder. Now she’s in witness protection, with a new name she hates
and a permanent mistrust of men. That doesn’t keep the sparks from flying with
her neighbor, Josh Madsen, though she suspects he’s hiding secrets of his own.
She’s right to be wary. Josh is actually Jace Reed, a former undercover NYPD
officer hiding from the mob. Jace knows his beautiful and mysterious new
neighbor isn’t who she seems. Is she there to spy on him or to kill him? All he
knows for sure is that she’s tempting him to do things he hasn’t thought about
in years. How can either of them learn to trust when surrounded by so many
secrets?
Former bull rider Ryan McCallister has returned to
Two Forks with one goal in mind: to win back his childhood sweetheart, local
bakery owner Katie Crawford. Ryan left eight years earlier for all the right
reasons, but Katie doesn’t know that. All she knows is that he broke her heart.
Can she trust him enough to take a second chance on love?
As Katie befriends Maya, and Jace works with Ryan
on his ranch, their lives become entwined in ways none of them ever expected.
Will their shattered pasts destroy the hopes any of them might have for a happy
future? The truth is hiding in plain sight.
EXCERPT
Still staring at the lake, Jace shoved his phone into his
back pocket. Behind him, a familiar click filled the silence. The hairs on the
back of his neck stood up, and goosebumps rose on his arms. Turning slowly, he
found himself staring into the barrel of a gun. A gun held by the woman he now
knew was involved with the organization out to kill him. Tension filled the air
as their eyes clashed across the expanse of the deck. Gone were her smile and
welcoming eyes. Instead, her mouth was pressed into a tight grim line, and her
dark eyes burned like coal.
“You won’t need to make that call, Josh.” She held the gun
using both hands, her stance indicating she’d used a gun before. If she was
part of Alastair’s organization, she knew how to use it. His heart began to
hammer so loudly it seemed to echo off of the lake. He hadn’t thought to bring
his gun—a stupid mistake and one that could very well cost him his life.
“If you want to know about Maya Lange.” She paused, tilted
her head, and regarded him with disdain. “You can ask me. And maybe, just before
I blow your head off, I’ll tell you all about her.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Alison now lives in
the Southwest with her adorable rescue dog, Bailey. She writes heartwarming
contemporary romance with a dash of spice and loves chocolate, reading, and
taking Bailey for walks at their favorite park.
For
more information on Alison’s upcoming releases, you can sign up for her
newsletter at alisonpackard.com;
follow her on Twitter: @alleyfics, and Facebook: http://bit.ly/2uERElk
Scones and Scofflaws: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a TwistCozy Mystery1st in SeriesSetting – Cape May, New JerseyBlue Eagle Press (December 19, 2020)Paperback : 278 pagesISBN-10 : 0999110047ISBN-13 : 978-0999110041Digital ASIN : B08PW7M9JC
When a gorgeous man dressed as Bridgette Bardot buys her a Scofflaw and asks her out on a date, Anna McGregor begins to suspect her murder investigation has taken a wrong turn. Her previous work as a medical anthropologist exposed her to a variety of unexpected situations, but none quite like this.
“The story does a great job of setting up the mystery and then anthropologist turned B&B hostess, Anna McGregor leads us through a merry chase and I thought I had it partially figured out but then realized…red herring. I would suggest you skip to the back of the book to find the scofflaw recipe and make one to enjoy while you armchair sleuth your way through this charming and cozy mystery.” — Tracy’s Tidbits
It all seemed so simple: fix up the Cape May Victorian mansion she’d inherited from Great Aunt Louise and re-open it as the exceptional B&B it used to be. Everything’s going great, until her very first guest turns up dead at the breakfast table, crumbs from Anna’s blueberry scones scattered on the lace tablecloth.
As the town’s gossip mill goes into overdrive, Anna leaps into the fray to save her reputation, her business and Great Aunt Louise’s legacy.
With help from a handsome handyman eager to solve all of Anna’s problems and a young police officer new to murder investigations, Anna does her best to convince the town — and her future guests — that while her scones may be killer, someone else was responsible for this murder.
When her friend’s uncle is accused of murder, Anna McGregor dives into the boating life to prove his innocence. She soon learns that while lounging on a luxury yacht might be fun, matching wits with a killer can be deadly.
Life has finally settled down for Anna. The Cape May B & B she inherited from her Great Aunt Louise is fully booked and Anna is looking forward to a successful summer. Her peace is shattered when a body washes up in Spicer Creek and the police focus their investigation on her friend’s uncle. Determined to find the truth, Anna turns to skills she developed in her previous career in medical anthropology.
Once again, Anna teams up with her best friend Sammy, her young cousin Eoin and the local librarian to use their knowledge of the town and its people to solve this crime. But the disappearance of two local teenagers reminds Anna this is the wrong time for free fishing trips or relaxing on a yacht enjoying a Bee’s Knees cocktail. She needs to find the missing teenagers and identify the killer before anyone else gets hurt.
Purchase Link – Amazon – B&N – Alibris – IndieBound – Kobo – Books2Read –
When a love of wine becomes lethal, local B&B owner Anna McGregor discovers she’s the town’s connoisseur at defending the innocent and unmasking murderers. But if she goes after the killer, will the people she cares about most get crushed in the process?
Anna loves the new life she’s built for herself in Cape May, a town known for its historic beauty, picturesque beaches, developing wine culture and … murder? Thanks to some previous successes – and a close relationship with a local patrolman – Anna finds herself pressured into accepting the task of proving a new friend’s innocence in a tragic death at a local winery.
Her investigation reveals an embarrassment of suspects, not to mention one too many potential victims. As always, Anna relies on help from her friends to find the truth. This time, though, offering help means breaking the rules.
Now she must not only catch a killer but also save the reputation of one of her closest friends, all while getting ready to send her young cousin, Eoin, back to Ireland, trying to solve the riddle of her love life, and figuring out her future as a medical anthropologist.
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About Jane Gorman
Formerly an anthropologist, then a diplomat, then a park ranger, Jane Gorman now writes murder mysteries. Building on her knowledge of Philadelphia (her home for many years) and her varied experiences, her Adam Kaminski mystery series features a Philly cop who manages to solve complicated murders in far-flung locales, both in the U.S. and overseas. Her Cape May cozy mysteries paint a light-hearted, fun picture of the Cape May life of a former anthropologist who just happens to be good at solving murders – and trying out new cocktails!
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Cape May, New Jersey
Blue Eagle Press (December 19, 2020)
Paperback : 278 pages
ISBN-10 : 0999110047
ISBN-13 : 978-0999110041
Digital ASIN : B08PW7M9JC
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Blue Eagle Press (April 9, 2021)
Paperback : 270 pages
ISBN-10 : 0999110063
ISBN-13 : 978-0999110065
Kindle ASIN : B08TV5Y2Y9
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Blue Eagle Press (December 17, 2021)
Print Length 241 Pages
ASIN : B09MV26RSS
