Book Review: Sketcher In The Rye

Sketcher in the Rye:
(A Portrait of Crime Mystery)

4th in Series
InterMix (December 17, 2013)
Published by The Penguin Group
E-Book Only
ASIN: B00AVA4NH0

Synopsis
In her new job as a private eye, former police sketch artist Rory McCain has a spirited partner: Old West marshal Zeke Drummond. He may be a ghost, but when these two combine their skills, they reap justice…

Trouble has sprouted at Harper Farms. Top secret info has been leaked to the competition, and now there’s serious sabotage cropping up. So the farm’s beleaguered owner, Gil Harper, has called on Rory to dig up some dirt. But what Rory discovers raises a new field of questions…

Someone shucked Harper’s accountant and left his body in the farm’s corn maze. While Gil is quick to hire Rory to solve now not one but two crimes, the sketching sleuth isn’t so sure why the farmer wants her to focus her attention on his own family.

Regardless, Rory and Zeke will need to put their hands to the plow and solve this case before someone else is planted six feet under…

Review: There are too many reasons to love Sharon Pape's Sketcher In The Rye. It is a cozy mystery with a paranormal twist, and it is that paranormal side that really makes this book so fantastic.

It could be just like any other cozy mystery, with a female PI trying to solve a murder and the mystery of who is sabotaging Harper Farms. That would make for a fun cozy any day. But in this series, our heroine, Rory McCain, has a little help from a ghost named Zeke Drummond.

Sharon nicely blends the here and now mystery with flashbacks into Zeke's life for a fabulous read. Zeke really seems to be the star of the show with his antics at sleuthing and trying to protect Rory from harm, or at least from any guy she might try to date. I loved how the story pulled his past and Rory's present together towards the end.

The mystery was at times a bit slow, but the characters more than made up for it. I liked getting to know Rory's aunt Helene and I hope that Aaron might stick around as a love interest for Rory in upcoming books.

Overall, this was a nice light mystery. It is the 4th book in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone.

Rating: 5 flowers

From Sharon’s Webpage:

I started writing stories as soon as I learned how to put letters together to form words. From that day forward, writing has been a part of my life whether it was my first attempt at a novel in seventh grade or the little plays I wrote for my friends to perform for neighbors and family. After college, when I was busy teaching French and Spanish to high school students, I was also writing poetry — some of it in French.

After several years, I left teaching to be a full time mom, and when my two children started school, I went back to writing. To my delight I found that the muse was still there, still waiting patiently for me to come around. My first novel, Ghostfire, was published at that time. It went on to be condensed in Redbook magazine (the first paperback original the magazine had ever condensed.) Then came The God Children and The Portal. Redbook also published my first short story, which was subsequently sold to several foreign magazines. With two great kids, a golden retriever and a loving, supportive husband (whom I’d met at the beach when I was fourteen — but that’s a story for another day), I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be in my life. But fate had another plan for me, and it went by the name of “breast cancer.”

Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was that the cancer was discovered at such an early stage, but at the time it was all very overwhelming. Once I was back on my feet, I wanted to help other women who were newly diagnosed, worried and afraid. I became a Reach to Recovery volunteer for the American Cancer Society and went on to run the program for Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. A number of years later, with the help of my surgical oncologist and two other volunteers, I started Lean On Me, a nonprofit organization that provides peer support and information to breast cancer patients. When Lean On Me celebrated its tenth anniversary it no longer required as much of my time, and I once again found myself free to pursue my first love — writing.

Find out more about Sharon and her books here: http://www.sharonpape.com/index.html

Purchase Link at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sketcher-Rye-InterMix-Portrait-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00AVA4NH0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384291943&sr=1-1&keywords=sketcher+in+the+rye

Puchase Link B&N: http://www.amazon.com/Sketcher-Rye-InterMix-Portrait-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00AVA4NH0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384291943&sr=1-1&keywords=sketcher+in+the+rye

Great Escapes Book Tour Book Review: Heartache Motel w/tourwide giveaway

Heartache Motel: Three Interconnected Mystery Novellas
Genre:
Women Sleuths, Cozy Mystery, Humorous Mystery, Short Stories
Number of Pages:
225
Published by:
Henery Press (December 10, 2013)

SYNOPSIS
Heartache Motel, Three Interconnected Mystery Novellas
Elvis has left the building, but he’s forever memorialized at the Heartache Motel. Filled with drag queens, Rock-a-Hula cocktails, and a vibrating velveteen bed, these three novellas tell the tales of three amateur sleuths who spend their holidays at the King’s beloved home.

DINERS KEEPERS, LOSERS WEEPERS by Terri L. Austin
A Rose Strickland Mystery Novella (follows DINER IMPOSSIBLE)
When Rose and the gang head to Graceland right before Christmas, they get all shook up: the motel is a seedy dump and an Elvis impersonator turns up dead. Rose discovers missing jewels tie into the death and her suspicious mind flips into overdrive, questioning her fellow guests, the staff, and even a cute impersonator who keeps popping up. Will Rose be able to find the murderer and get home by Christmas day? It’s now or never.

QUICK SKETCH by Larissa Reinhart
A Cherry Tucker Mystery Novella (prequel to PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY)
Sassy Southern artist Cherry Tucker and her poker-loving boyfriend, Todd, pop into Memphis to help Todd’s cousin who’s been hustled out of his savings, right before Christmas. Staying at the shady Heartache Motel, Cherry can’t tell a shill from a mark and fears everyone is playing them for chumps. Cherry and Todd quickly find themselves in a dangerous sting that could send them to the slammer or mark them as pigeons from cons looking for an even bigger score.

DATELINE MEMPHIS by LynDee Walker
A Headlines in High Heels Mystery Novella (follows BURIED LEADS)
Crime reporter Nichelle Clarke thinks she’s going home for Christmas. But a quick stop at Graceland proves news breaks in the strangest places. When the King’s home gets locked down with Nichelle inside, she chases this headline into the national spotlight—and the thief’s crosshairs. Christmas dreams of blue suede Manolos fade, and all Nichelle wants from Santa is to land the story before the thief cuts off her news feed for good.
 Purchase Link:
Amazon
Not up om B&N or Book World yet.

Review: This is a fabulous collection of novellas that all tie in together in a round about way. I had read the first two Cherry Tucker Mysteries so I had to give this one a go and I have one of of Terri's books on my nook waiting to be read.

As I was familiar with those two authors, those were the short stories that I enjoyed the most. My favorite was Diners Keepers, Losers Weepers. There's something about a story with Elvis impersonators that you just can't help but love.

Quick Sketch is a must read for anyone following the Cherry Tucker series. It gives that little back story on Cherry and Todd and the events that led up to their brief marriage.

Dateline Memphis was another great story, but I didn't connect as well with Nichelle as I did the leads in the other two stories (series) I may come back and re-read this story after I read Buried Leads.

If you are a cozy mystery lover, I can't recommend any book more, because you are going to be introduced to three great authors and their series. (I love Cherry Tucker>

I really think the premise of setting these stories around a (flea bag?) motel in Memphis and of course Elvis Presley. 

Rating: 5 flowers

TERRI L. AUSTIN
As a girl, Terri L. Austin thought she’d outgrow dreaming up stories and creating imaginary friends. Instead, she’s made a career of it. She met her own Prince Charming and together they live in Missouri. She loves to hear from readers!

WEB: www.terrilaustin.com
FOLLOW: www.twitter.com/terrilaustin
LIKE: www.facebook.com/terrilaustin

LARISSA REINHART
After seeing Paper Moon as a child, Larissa Reinhart fell in love with stories about confidence capers. QUICK SKETCH is the Cherry Tucker prequel to PORTRAIT in the mystery anthology THE HEARTACHE MOTEL. HIJACK IN ABSTRACT is the third in the Cherry Tucker Mystery Series from Henery Press, following STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW (#2) and PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (#1), a 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist. She lives near Atlanta with her minions and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit.


WEB:  larissareinhart.com
Follow: twitter.com/RisWrites
Like: facebook.com/RisWrites


LYNDEE WALKER
LynDee Walker grew up in the land of stifling heat and amazing food most people call Texas, and wanted to be Lois Lane from the time she could say the words “press conference.” An award-winning journalist, she traded cops and deadlines for burp cloths and onesies when her oldest child was born. Writing the Headlines in Heels mysteries gives her the best of both worlds. LynDee adores her family, her readers, and enchiladas. She often works out tricky plot points while walking off the enchiladas. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel. Find her at www.lyndeewalker.com.
WEB: www.lyndeewalker.com
FOLLOW: www.twitter.com/LynDeeWalker

LIKE: www.facebook.com/lyndeewalkerbooks

Follow the tour: http://www.escapewithdollycas.com/great-escapes-virtual-book-tours/upcoming-tours/new-tour-heartache-motel-three-interconnected-mystery-novellas-by-terri-l-austin-larissa-reinhart-and-lyndee-walker/

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Book Review: Death Comes To The Village

Author: Catherine Lloyd
Title: Death Comes To The Village
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: Nov 26, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

A wounded soldier and a rector's daughter discover strange goings-on in the sleepy village of Kurland St. Mary in Catherine Lloyd's charming Regency-set mystery debut.

Major Robert Kurland has returned to the quiet vistas of his village home to recuperate from the horrors of Waterloo. However injured his body may be, his mind is as active as ever. Too active, perhaps. When he glimpses a shadowy figure from his bedroom window struggling with a heavy load, the tranquil façade of the village begins to loom sinister. . .

Unable to forget the incident, Robert confides in his childhood friend, Miss Lucy Harrington. As the dutiful daughter of the widowed rector, following up on the major's suspicions offers a welcome diversion--but soon presents real danger. Someone is intent on stopping their investigation. And in a place where no one locks their doors, a series of thefts and the disappearance of two young serving girls demands explanation. . .

As Robert grapples with his difficult recovery, he and Lucy try to unearth the dark truth lurking within the village shadows, and stop a killer waiting to strike again...

Review: I love a good cozy mystery and I really loved the regency setting. Historical cozies are my my absolute favorite.

It is a shame that this particular mystery just seemed to plod along at a snail's pace. It is the first book is the first book in the Kurland St Mary Mystery series and most of the time seemed to be spent getting to know the two main characters, Lucy Harrington and Major Robert Kurland.

More time seems to be spent on Robert and Lucy and what seems to be a possible romance then the actual mystery and that would be fine, if there ended up being a romance when you hit the last page. Instead, you end up unsatisfied and unsure of whether or not you want to anticipate the next book in the series.

I truly felt bad for Lucy. She wants a Season in London, but her father who is a rather lousy rector in my estimation would rather her be the daughter that cares for him. I think that's why the ending wasn't satisfying to me.

When all is said and done, I wanted Lucy and Robert to be a couple, but maybe that is something for the next book.

The mystery involves, things that go bump in the night, some thefts and finally a murder. Since the Major is unable to get about due to his injury, Lucy is the one that does the poking about. I have to admit, I had no clue who the killer was and when it was revealed I was more than a little bit surprised.

Hopefully when the next book comes around, there will be more mystery, now that we've been introduced to the primary characters. I think Ms Lloyd has created an interesting setting for this series and it should be one worth revisiting.

Rating: 3 flowers

Great Escapes Book Tours Interview & Review: Joyce & Jim Lavene - Murderous Matrimomy

What is it like writing as a team?

For us, it’s like working with your best friend each day. Not that it’s always easy and nothing bad ever happens, but we have a very good time working together. We have fun, and we get things done!

What is your favorite thing about working together? 

It’s the lattes. Jim is the best barista in the world! Also, we don’t have to sit at a table alone signing copies of books when we go to stores and libraries.

What made you set a cozy series in a Renaissance Faire?

We LOVE the Ren Faire! We were introduced to it with free tickets from a friend and have always enjoyed it. That same friend took us ‘backstage’ to some of the crazy things that happen when a bunch of funny people live together for a while pretending to be characters from another time or place. Their lives make our Ren Faire books  look tame.

Why do you think series are so popular in all genres of novels?

We think it’s because people love characters. They like them in a story and then like to follow them later and see what happens to them. At least that’s what WE like about reading series.

Who is your favorite character from the Renaissance Faire series?

That is hard to say. We love Jessie, of course, because she’s so normal. We also love Chase because, well, he’s Chase Manhattan! We also love Daisy, who makes the swords, and the new character, Madame Lucinda, who may or may not have a pet dragon.

What is next for you?

Wen just finished the first book, ONE WITCH IS NOT ENOUGH, in our new witches series which will be out December 2014. The second book in our Volunteer firefighter series, PLAYING WITH FIRE, featuring our resident fire chief ghost, will be out January 2014. And our new food truck series starts with DEATH ON EAT STREET, in April 2014.

Thanks for having us here!

Murderous Matrimony

(Renaissance Faire Mystery)
6th Book In Series
E-Book
Release Date: November 15, 2013
Available For Pre-Order Soon
Synopsis:In less than two short weeks, Jessie Morton will marry Chase Manhattan at Renaissance Faire Village and Marketplace. But so much can go wrong in that short time. A man is murdered in Jessie’s new Arts and Crafts Museum and her assistant is being scrutinized for the deed. Chase’s brother and parents have arrived and are still against their marriage. Wanda’s ghost is busy making Jessie’s life miserable. The Ren Faire wedding of her dreams may never take place. Can Jessie talk Chase into eloping before it’s too late?

Review: Murderous Matrimony is the 6th book in the Renaissance Faire Mystery series. Once again, I jump into a series that is really established. Since I've read many of books Joyce and Jim have written, I wasn't worried about that.

I jumped right into this series and instantly felt like the characters were old friends. I loved the two lead characters, Jessie and her soon to be husband, Chase. They are a wonderful pairing, and I liked that Chase doesn't totally discourage her from trying to find out who killed David and then Bob. She goes with her instincts when it comes to her friend's innocence. I loved her loyalty.

The best part about the mystery is that when it is solved, the reader (at least I was) will be totally surprised. Yes, you get hints at who is involved, but the actually murderer is really a surprise.

But this book is more than just a murder mystery. There's some paranormal elements, one of them is the blue ghost Wanda, whose rather ornery? obnoxious? antics will leave you laughing until you cry. She really makes the book!

If you are a fan of Renaissance Festivals, you will have to love this book. It really feels like you are getting a inside look at how these festivals work and the kind of people that work for them. All I needed was to have an appearance by Cast In Bronze with the wonderful carillon and it would be like being at the Pittsburgh Renfest.

Oh and let's not forget Chase and Jessie's wedding. It was so wonderful, and I let out a squee of delight when they read the inscriptions on their wedding bands.

This is definitely a series not to be missed.

Rating:  5 flowers

Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family.



Visit them at www.joyceandjimlavene.com
Plus:
Website: http://www.renaissancefairemysteries.com/
Blog: www.romanceofmystery.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyceandjimlavene
Twitter: @authorjlavene
Amazon : amazon.com/author/jlavene
Purchase Links: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GOA74N6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GOA74N6&linkCode=as2&tag=musreamys-20
A Book Excerpt 
Before I could call out again, the principle wonder of Madame Lucinda’s tent walked immediately in front of me in a challenging stance.
“Nice dragon.”
I know. There was no way the dragon, the size of a large terrier, was real. Believe me I had investigated every other possibility.
It wasn’t a puppet. It wasn’t a holographic image. It wasn’t a person in a costume, like Fred the Red Dragon. I checked out all those ideas.
The green dragon had yellow eyes that were fastened on me. Its mouth showed rows of sharp teeth. I’d seen it spit fire before. Though it seemed impossible, even here at the Renaissance Faire, I was pretty sure the dragon was real. I don’t know how it was possible, but I had no other answer for it.
When I’d mentioned it to other residents of the Village, they were all fine with the idea that there was a dragon inside the purple and gold tent. No one even seemed to question how a real dragon could be there.
Of course, residents of the Village are not always the most logical, practical people in the world. Let’s face it, we live in a fantasy land where visitors from outside come to be immersed in another time and place. We’re encouraging people to use their imaginations.
My imagination was having a hard time wrapping itself around this very real dragon confronting me like a guard dog. I feinted one way, and he followed me. I was definitely in his sights.
“Oh. It’s you, Jessie.” Madame Lucinda suddenly appeared in the quiet darkness of the tent. “I’m sorry about Buttercup. She doesn’t like surprises, or unannounced visitors, for that matter.”
“Buttercup? It’s a girl dragon?”
Madame Lucinda laughed daintily as though my ignorance was amusing. She was a deeply stooped older woman who always wore a long purple robe. She had a hard time walking. I thought maybe she was crippled, or in some way injured, since she hid herself in here, even after the Village was closed each day.
She moved her long, gray hair away from her face as she sat down carefully in her chair behind the tiny table with the glowing glass ball on it. “Actually, in their fight to survive, dragons have learned to be flexible in their gender. Buttercup is a female right now. She may be a male someday. She’s not old enough to mate as yet. We’ll see when the time comes.”
I moved quickly as Buttercup jumped up on a shelf where she usually perched above Madame Lucinda. I took the chair opposite the fortune teller at the table.
“Are you telling me Buttercup is a real dragon?” I said it with all the authority of a master’s degree in medieval history could bring. “Because you know dragons were only mythology. They weren’t even like dinosaurs. At least existed and went extinct.”
I just wanted to hear her say it. I don’t know why since I probably wouldn’t believe it.
“Mythology is hard to define,” she said in a gruff voice. “One person’s mythology is another person’s truth.”
I looked up at the dragon that made a kind of purring noise on the shelf above us. “That doesn’t really answer my question.”

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Tiara Trouble

Tiara Trouble:
A Destinee Faith Miller Mystery
New Series
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (August 27, 2013)
Paperback: 230 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1939816160
E-Book File Size: 609 KB
ASIN: B00EWSB3GG

Synopsis
What happens when Dynasty meets Honey BooBoo, they have a baby, and that baby is raised by Charlie’s Angels? You get TIARA TROUBLE, a bedazzled cozy mystery full of gritty glitz.

One foreign policy question five years ago sent Destinee Faith Miller’s dreams of being Miss American Universe up in flames and landed her back in her hometown of Phenix City, Alabama, with her tail between her legs. But like the mythological bird that her hometown is misspelled after, she rose from the ashes to create Destinee’s Dolls, a thriving pageant consulting business knee-deep in pink, prints and tulle.

A death at the local level of a national event lands her the job of pageant emcee, and Destinee dares to dream of bigger things—maybe even a reality TV show! But when judges start dropping like flies, she has her hands full keeping herself alive long enough to see those dreams come true. Contending with catfights, car bombs, and the camouflage-colored funeral of a redneck’s dream, Destinee gets a little help from her friends, family, and a pit bull named Clarabelle.

Review: Lane Buckman writes this cozy with what she knows best, the pageant circuit. This is the first novel in a new series and it proves that this is going to be a wild ride. 

The book starts with Destinee witnessing the murder of a beauty queen who pretty much breaks her neck on a pad of butter!

Destinee is just a fantastic character and her business is a hoot and her rivalry with fellow pageant girl, Tishelle, who just happens to be a royal Bee-oytch! And yes that is with a capital B! makes this book a riot.

I have to admit, I'm not the kind of girl that goes in for all the pageantry stuff and it took me a little while to warm up to Destinee, because well, its hard not to take her as shallow at first, but she really is a good one. And I want her closet.

Who wouldn't!

Tiara Trouble starts off a bit slow as far as the murder goes. It is almost to the midway point when you know that Harland's death was possibly foul play and then another pageant judge turns up dead and well that's when all the real action starts.

As for the killer, you will definitely be surprised! Which is always a good thing when reading a cozy mystery.

This was really a super fun read and hopefully a start to a long and hilarious series

Rating: 4 flowers

About This Author
Lane Buckman is a former beauty queen from Phenix City, Alabama. Growing up, she wanted to be Miss America, a criminal lawyer, a super model, the President, a Bond girl, a brain surgeon, a journalist, a back-up singer for Duran Duran, and a college professor of Medieval Literature. In order to fulfill those dreams, she became a writer. She lives in Texas with her family, and enjoys every miserably hot second of it.
Her solo debut novel, TIARA TROUBLE, is available from Cozy Cat Press on October 28, 2013, with a sneak peek launch the week prior at the BOSTON BOOK FESTIVAL. TIARA TROUBLE, a light-hearted cozy mystery, marks a departure from Lane’s earlier works in the darker horror/fantasy genre.

The well-received THE ORDER OF THE BLOOD (Black Bed Sheets Books, April 09, 2011), co-authored with Nicole Vlachos, was Lane’s first novel. She has ghost written and consulted on two others.
Follow Lane on Facebook and Twitter, and keep up with her world on her blog.

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/lanebuckmanauthor
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/lanelese
Website:  http://www.lanebuckman.com


Purchase Links:
AMAZON              B & N

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Murder At The Maples

Book Details
• Murder at the Maples (A Flora Lively Mystery: Book 1)
• Mirrorball Books (September 16, 2013)
• Genre: Cozy mystery
• Number of Pages: 274


Synopsis:A tragic death. A reluctant sleuth. A childhood prank that went horribly wrong.

When Flora Lively inherits her father’s business she’s totally out of her depth. Shakers Removals is in trouble, and manager Marshall isn’t helping one bit – the ex-pat American delights only in winding her up. But Flora has other things on her mind, like Joy: surrogate grandmother and resident of the Maples Retirement Village. When Joy’s pet pug has a brush with death, Flora is pulled into a series of bizarre incidents at the Maples, where fear is starting to take hold.

Could harmless old Mr. Felix really be the boy from Joy’s past, determined to exact his revenge, or is it Joy’s guilty mind playing tricks on her? And what about the Captain’s death? Accidents happen, even to the most careful people, but Flora’s not convinced the old man simply fell down the stairs … Playing detective seemed like a good idea at first, but before long Flora realises the stakes are far higher than either she or Joy imagined.

Full of warmth and humour, this gripping puzzle will appeal to fans of M. C. Beaton and Edie Clare.

Review: I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Murder At The Maples when I started reading it. Flora and I just didn't click and Joy's backstory troubled me. (I really have issues with anything that involves an animal getting hurt). But I kept on reading and I was really glad that I did.

About mid-way through the book, Flora comes into her own as a sleuth and it becomes more of a good cozy mystery and there are a lot of things going on at The Maples Retirement Village that would have red flags going off.

The book has a lot going for it, with the characters at The Maples and at Shakers, especially Marshall, Flora's manager that you'll come to see she has a love/hate relationship. Her boyfriend Heston, the librarian (love a male librarian) and the dog Otto!

There's also a mystery within a mystery. What's happening at The Maples...starting with the Captain's death, which doesn't seem quite right, and then there's Joy and her paranoia about that event from her teenage years. (That in itself makes me shudder)

Flora takes awhile to come around to Joy's way of thinking. Things really come to a head when they plan to move Joy to the 3 floor..the special needs floor of the retirement community. (The Maples reminds me of that Britcom Waiting For God)

There's a good mixture of Flora's personal life, with her moving company, as well as the mystery at the Maples to give the story balance. 

Though it started out slow for me, this book really wowed me in the end.

Rating: 4 flowers

About The Author Joanne Phillips lives in Shropshire, England with her husband and young daughter. She’s the author of commercial women’s fiction Can’t Live Without and The Family Trap, and the Flora Lively series of cosy mysteries. Can’t Live Without was an Amazon top 100 bestseller in 2012 and her books regularly appear on category bestseller lists. Joanne blogs about writing and publishing at www.joannephillips.co.uk

Author Links:
Website: http://www.joannephillips.co.uk \
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joannephillipsauthor
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Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: The Eggstone Murders

The Eggstone Murders
by Herbert L. Smith

Book Details: The Eggstone Murders: A Starfire Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Published by: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Release Date: July 13, 2013
Number of Pages: 218
Synopsis: A thick-headed sheriff, a young, unsure, wannabe detective, and a savvy older criminal-turned- investigator, are only the beginning of the cast of characters included in this story of small-town life in southwestern Iowa, set in 1953. Meet them on the streets of Hillville, at the town square, or at a big-business farm nearby. They all have a story to tell, and some of them have a few things to hide. Others have quite a few. Enjoy the storms, the intrigues, and the mid-western hospitality –including the wonderful food – of Hillville, Iowa, as its down-to-earth folk work their way through the dailyness of their quiet lives. There are the murders, of course, which cause dismay, but the con-man turned detective, Guy, is able to resolve them, after a few hard bumps, and the guilty are punished – or, as is sometimes Guy’s choice, forgiven. As a whole, it’s a pleasant outing on an Iowa summer’s day.

Review: This is the second cozy mystery that I've read that is set in the 1950s. Guy is a con man who is trying to run away from his past. His running takes him tho Hillville, Iowa. He meets the taxi driver/detective, Caleb who says "shit" more than anyone you know and suddenly the two are in business.

Things start out simple with an embezzling case, but then there's a murder and the sheriff asks for their help, and then there's another murder and everything seems to be connected in one way or another.

In the course of the investigation, Guy and Caleb discover (well mostly Guy) that everyone at Eggstone Farms has secrets and so do a few of the townspeople.

I like Guy's version of justice in a few of the cases. (He forgives certain crimes...I'll let the readers guess which ones).

I think Guy's closeness to the underworld made him a good detective, but Caleb may just surprise you when things are all said and done.

I loved the little country town and all the inhabitants. This is the first book in the Starfire Mystery Series, and I look forward to seeing how things progress with the characters.

Rating: 4 flowers

About The Author Herb Smith was born and raised in ‘Hillville,’ Iowa, a town situated close to Omaha, across the mighty Missouri River and a few miles south. He lived there until he was a young adult, and gradually made his way out into the rest of the world from that unique beginning. He has lived and worked on four continents and many different countries, and has crisscrossed the Atlantic more times than he wants to remember. (The trip was fun for the first few times. After that it was more painful.) His books include: Cairo, The Mother Of The World, Crossing Borders, The Great Sphinx Of Amun-Ra, Songs Of Saints And Angels, The Names Of The Days – A Novel Of Egypt’s 2011 Revolution, and other, as-yet-unpublished, Starfire Mystery stories. He is a musician and composer, teacher, and reader. All those things add up to a lifetime of books, music, and looking into a computer screen. He and his wife, Glenda, live in Eugene, Oregon, where they retired several years ago.

Purchase Links: Amazon Book World B&N

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Strangled By Silk

Book Details:
Title: Strangled by Silk (Poppy Cove Mysteries)
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Number of Pages: 275
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (January 30, 2013)
Book Blurb:
Darlings! Here’s the scoop on my latest mystery STRANGLED BY SILK. It’s all about Daphne and Margot––two independent young California women in 1957––own their own dress shop called Poppy Cove.

When one of their top clients––Constance Stearns-Montgomery––is strangled to death with her own silk scarf at the opening ceremonies for her new girls’ academy, Daphne and Margot are shocked. They can’t believe that such a horrid crime could take place in their sleepy little oceanside village of Santa Lucia. Worse, they’ve lost one of their best clients. The two women quickly become embroiled in solving the crime. After all, if anyone can track down the killer, it should be them. Margot’s long-time beau is the town’s top cop, and Daphne is a master at using her flirtatious wiles to extract information from unsuspecting men.

Of course, neither girl will let their snooping get in the way of more urgent tasks such as choosing new textiles and accessories for Poppy Cove or planning their fall fashion show or––most important––selecting the appropriate ensemble to wear for each and every occasion. But these two fashion detectives are on the case, and the murderer––and the poorly attired––had better watch out!

Barbara Jean Coast is the pen name of authors Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff, both of whom reside in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Barbara Jean, however, is a resident of Santa Lucia, California (eerily similar to Santa Barbara), where she enjoys long lunches, cocktail parties, fancy dinner dates with attractive and attentive gentlemen. Her interests include Alfred HeatherHitchcock movies, reading Carolyn Keene, music by popular musicians, such Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, shopping for new dresses, attending society events and always looking fabulous in kitten heels. STRANGLED BY SILK is her first novel in the Poppy Cove Mystery Series.

Review: Strangled By Silk is a very unique novel, the first in a new series by Barbara Jean Coast, which is the pen name of Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff.

The first thing you will notice in this series, is the detail to fashion. The two heroines Daphane and Margot own a dress shop named Poppy Cove. The descriptions of the clothes and jewelry made me want to go shopping. Plus, there are 50s Fashion tips at the end! Really, who wants to go shopping, right now?

The other thing that sets this book apart from the rest is the time period. It is set in the 1950s. What a fun time for fashion and for sleuthing! Especially as the murder involves a very prominent member of Santa Lucia society, at the opening of her new girls academy nonetheless.

The best part was not knowing whodunit until the end. There's some great foreshadowing on who it might be, and there's one character that you'll wish did do it, so they could get hauled away for good, but the real killer wasn't someone you will have on your primary list of suspects.

This cozy was such a joy to read! If you like cozies by Rhys Bowen, you might want to give this one a try for its attention to historical detail and its fun society setting.

Rating:  5 flowers

Author Links
Blog: http://welcometopoppycove.wordpress.com/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbaraJCoast 
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bjcoast/ 
Facebook: “Friend” Barbara Jean Coast & “Like” Poppy Cove Mysteries
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/BJCoast 

Purchase Links: AMAZON B&N Book World

TLC Book Tours: Aunty Lee's Delights

Author: Ovidia Yu
Title: Aunty Lee's Delights
Publisher: William Morrow
Publish Date: Sept 17, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tours
Book Blurb: 

This delectable and witty mystery introduces Rosie "Aunty" Lee, feisty widow, amateur sleuth, and proprietor of Singapore's best-loved home-cooking restaurant

After losing her husband, Rosie Lee could have become one of Singapore's "tai tai," an idle rich lady. Instead she is building a culinary empire from her restaurant, Aunty Lee's Delights, where spicy Singaporean meals are graciously served to locals and tourists alike. But when a body is found in one of Singapore's tourist havens and one of her guests fails to show at a dinner party, Aunty Lee knows that the two events are likely connected.

The murder and disappearance throws together Aunty Lee's henpecked stepson, Mark, his social-climbing wife, Selina, a gay couple whose love is still illegal in Singapore, and an elderly Australian tourist couple whose visit may mask a deeper purpose. Investigating the murder are Police Commissioner Raja and Senior Staff Sergeant Salim, who quickly discover that Aunty Lee's sharp nose for intrigue can sniff out clues that elude law enforcers.

Wise, witty, and charming, Aunty Lee's Delights is a spicy mystery about love, friendship, and food in Singapore, where money flows freely and people of many religions and ethnicities coexist peacefully, but where tensions lurk just below the surface, sometimes with deadly consequences.

Review:  If the cover of this wonderful cozy mystery doesn't draw you in, I don't know what will. There is just so much to love about this book.

In fact...

How do I love thee...let me count the ways.

1. Aunty Lee aka Rosie Lee is the most awesome older lady. She's smart and fun, and at times smarter than the police heading the investigation

2. The cast of characters. All of Rosie's family members, as well as all the suspects, gave new meaning to the word quirky.

3. This was a different kind of cozy. There is s certain formula these days to cozy mystery series, but Aunty Lee is different. The cops aren't so bumbling and Rosie is smarter than the average cozy heroine.

4. The mystery doesn't give itself away. I love that you really didn't have any idea of who the killer was. That made the pages worth turning.

Aunty Lee really made this book. I can't say that enough. I loved reading a cozy that wasn't set in the US or England as well. I also loved Aunty Lee's cooking. Reading this book can definitely make you hungry.

You also got to look at how another nation views homosexuality. Some of this may upset readers, because in Singapore this is not accepted and is in fact, illegal. (It is also part of the crime)

I absolutely loved this book. It a great start to what we can hope will be a long series of novels.

Rating: 5 flowers

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Still Life In Brunswick Stew

Book Details:
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Humorous – 2nd in Series
Published by: Henery Press
Release Date: May 17, 2013
Number of Pages: 298

Synopsis Cherry Tucker’s in a stew. Art commissions dried up after her nemesis became president of the County Arts Council. Desperate and broke, Cherry and her friend, Eloise, spend a sultry summer weekend hawking their art at the Sidewinder Annual Brunswick Stew Cook-Off. When a bad case of food poisoning breaks out and Eloise dies, the police brush off her death as accidental. However, Cherry suspects someone spiked the stew and killed her friend. As Cherry calls on cook-off competitors, bitter rivals, and crooked judges, her cop boyfriend get steamed while the killer prepares to cook Cherry’s goose.

Review: Still Life In Brunswick Stew is the 2nd book in the Cherry Tucker Mystery series. If you are a cozy mystery lover, you definitely want to grab this book and Portrait Of A Dead Guy. I reviewed the first book awhile back and really enjoyed it. This book, however, I loved.

Cherry is so quirky and so is everyone around her, from her boyfriend Luke to her ex-husband, Todd. This is a very fast paced read, and one you won't want to put down. Cherry has really grown as a character. She's a bit obnoxious, but very much someone who will open a can of whoopass on you if needed, and since the mystery involves the death of her friend Eloise, it's very personal. I love her devotion to people she considers friends, even if that devotion can get her in some pretty hot water.

Eloise's family want to get to the bottom of their daughter's death and Cherry jumps into the investigation, much to the chagrin of her uncle and her boyfriend.

It doesn't help matters that where Cherry goes, trouble follows. She reminds me a bit of Stephanie Plum. Where she goes, mayhem is sure to follow. That's what makes these books such fun reads. You've got a great cozy style mystery and  you have a lot of humor. All in all, a feel good book that you'll devour in a few hours time, because I guarantee that once you start this book, you won't want to put it down.

I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I'm still not sure if I'm Team Luke or Team Todd!

Rating: 5 flowers

Author Info:

Larissa Reinhart loves small town characters, particularly sassy women with a penchant for trouble. STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW (May 2013) is the second in the Cherry Tucker Mystery Series. The first, PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY, is a 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist, a 2012 The Emily finalist, and a 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial winner. She lives near Atlanta with her minions and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit. Visit her website, her Facebook page, or find her chatting with the Little Read Hens on Facebook.



Author Links
Website: larissareinhart.com
Blog: larissareinhart.blogspot.com
Facebook page: facebook.com/RisWrites
Goodreads author page: goodreads.com/author/show/5806614.Larissa_Reinhart
Twitter: twitter.com/RisWrites
Publisher: henerypress.com
https://www.facebook.com/LittleReadHens
Amazon: amazon.com/author/larissareinhart


Buy Links:

PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY:
Amazon Kindle     B&N Nook     Kobo
Amazon Paperback     B&N Paperback



STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW:
Amazon Kindle  B&N Nook  Kobo
Amazon Paperback Barnes&Noble Paperback

TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Bride Wore Size 12

About The Bride Wore Size 12

• Paperback: 400 pages

• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (September 24, 2013)

Book Blurb: Heather Wells is used to having her cake and eating it too, but this time her cake just might be cooked. Her wedding cake, that is. With her upcoming nuptials to PI Cooper Cartwright only weeks away, Heather’s already stressed. And when a pretty junior turns up dead, Heather’s sure things can’t get worse—until every student in the dorm where she works is a possible suspect, and Heather’s long-lost mother shows up.

Heather has no time for a tearful mother and bride reunion. She has a wedding to pull off and a murder to solve. Instead of wedding bells, she might be hearing wedding bullets, but she’s determined to bring the bad guys to justice if it’s the last thing she does . . . and this time, it just might be.

Review:  AGH!!! Why have I not read this series before now? There are 4 books prior to this, and now I've got to hunt them all down!!!

Why?

Because they are awesome

Heather Wells is a former pop star turned assistant residence hall director and she is just fun.

The book is the 5th in a series, but Cabot like most cozy mystery writers gives you enough to go on that you can jump right into the book and read on. I will tell you, that if you like cozies and chicklit, you'll be squealing and running to the bookstore or library to get the first four books before you are done with this one.

This book is the best of my favorite genres rolled into one.

So many quirky characters and so much drama and even a bit of wedding mayhem. It doesn't get much better than this. Toss in a dead RA and a prince from the middle east who is a real ladies man, and things get a bit tricky.

It seems that it is hard to plan a wedding and solve a murder at the same time. This is a light, fluffy read but satisfying. It is also a mystery that will keep the pages turning.

Meg Cabot had so many things going on, from Heather's mother, the Prince, the murder and all the fallout that results from it, that you don't realize nearly 400 pages have flown by.

If you've not met Heather and Cooper, they'll become you favorite literary couple after you are done. If you have, I'm sure they already are.

This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year!

Rating: 5 flowers

Meg Cabot

About Meg Cabot Meg Cabot was born in Bloomington, Indiana. In addition to her adult contemporary fiction she is the author of the bestselling young adult fiction series, The Princess Diaries. She lives in Key West, FL with her husband. Find out more about Meg at her website, follow her blog, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.