Mystery – Page 4 – Books-n-Kisses

October 16, 2014October 15, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies by Janis Thornton

When it comes to murder, forget the butler . . . it’s the housekeeper who knows where the bodies are buried.

Small-town newspaper editor Crystal Cropper never takes “no” for an answer, hates to be called a “senior citizen,” and uses the power of her pen to expose corruption in her small town.

Cleaning lady Gertie has a knack for sweeping skeletons out of closets—which makes her one of Crystal’s best informants. But Gertie’s latest hot tip has landed her in a coma, courtesy of an unknown assailant.

Now Crystal must follow the trail of dirt and gossip right to the doorsteps of several prominent local families to solve a decade-old murder and the disappearance of a young boy . . .

Amazon

About the Author:

Janis Thornton is a freelance writer, personal historian, and award-winning journalist. She is the author of two local history books, Images of America: Tipton County and Images of America: Frankfort. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Indiana Writers Center, Association of Personal Historians, and the Midwest Writers Workshop Planning Committee. She lives in a small Indiana town not unlike Elmwood. Dust Bunnies and Dead Bodies is her debut cozy mystery.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies

Review (3.75 Stars): Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies is the debut novel by Janis Thornton that will definitely provide plenty of entertainment. Crystal Cropper is a hard-nosed newspaper editor for the small town of Elmwood, Indiana and she is one of those characters that is very strong-willed and used to getting what she wants. Her number one town informant is Gertie, the town’s cleaning lady, who just happens to be a big fan of conspiracy theories. She calls Crystal out late one night with the promise of information regarding the disappearance of a young boy almost twenty years ago. Crystal takes the bait and finds Gertie unconscious in her home as a result of what looks to be a foiled robbery. While Gertie lies in the hospital in a medically induced coma, Crystal must put together the clues quickly before someone decides to make Gertie’s condition a more permanent situation.

I liked Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies because it was a quirky and fun small town mystery. Crystal was a very strong-willed character that had a lot of personality and I could definitely understand why she always got in trouble with the sheriff. This mystery had a good story and very interesting plot twists, which made it an enjoyable read. Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Thornton will come out with next.

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October 8, 2014October 7, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Dead for a Spell by Raymond Buckland

Bram Stoker, business manager for London’s Lyceum Theatre, is never surprised to find the supernatural waiting in the wings—especially when a chilling murder appears to have origins in the occult…

March 1881. The Lyceum is abuzz with the news that American actor Edwin Booth is going to be sharing the stage with their own Shakespearean star, Henry Irving. But stage manager Harry Rivers has other matters preoccupying him. One of the regular actresses has disappeared, and after a disturbing tarot card reading, Harry’s boss, Bram Stoker, is convinced that something wicked is coming their way.

When the poor girl’s body is found, Stoker’s suspicions prove to be founded—the murder scene is riddled with strange clues that Stoker recognizes as the trappings of an occult ritual. Someone is conjuring up a pernicious plot against cast and crew of the Lyceum, and if Harry doesn’t track down the slaying sorcerer quickly, it could spell disaster for those he holds dearest…

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

In 1962 Raymond Buckland came to the United States from England, where he had written comedy scripts and was personal scriptwriter for a popular British comedian. His first book was published in 1969. Since then he has had well over fifty books published (both fiction and non-fiction), with nearly two million copies in print and translated into seventeen foreign languages. Raymond’s newest novel, Cursed in the Act, was released January 2014 from Berkley Prime Crime.

He has served as Technical Director for movies, working with Orson Wells, John Carradine, Vincent Price, and William Friedkin (director of The Exorcist). Of Romany (Gypsy) descent, he is an authority on Gypsies and has written several books on that subject. Raymond has lectured at colleges and universities across the country and has been the subject of articles in such newspapers and magazines as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, New York Sunday News, National Observer, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Look Magazine, Cosmopolitan, True, and many others.

Raymond has appeared on numerous national radio and television talk shows such as The Virginia Graham Show, The Dick Cavett Show (appearing with Faye Dunaway), The Tom Snyder Tomorrow Show, Barbara Walters’ Not For Women Only, The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, and has been seen on BBC-TV, England, RAI-TV, Italy, and CBC-TV, Canada. He has appeared extensively on stage in England and played small character parts in movies in America. He has taught courses at colleges and universities and been a featured speaker at conferences and workshops.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Dead for a Spell

Review (3.75 Stars): There were several things that I liked about this mystery, starting with the Victorian time period, thespian characters and having the infamous Bram Stoker helping to solve murders with his employee, Harry Rivers. In Dead for a Spell, Harry discovers that one of the actresses from the Lyceum theater is missing one morning and soon, her body is discovered in what appears to be a ritualistic murder. As the pieces of the puzzle start to come together, Harry and Stoker find that someone is using the occult as the means of harming the employees of the Lyceum and they must find the culprit before the curtain falls on another victim.

This is the second book in the Bram Stoker mystery series and I have to say that this was a very enjoyable story. I loved the time period and the eccentric characters of this mystery, which I found very entertaining. My only complaint with the mystery was the pacing of the story, it felt very slow in places and I found myself rereading passages just to make sure that I understood the dialogue. I would still recommend that readers spend time getting to know these characters and getting to see a different side to Bram Stoker that I never would have imagined.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Dead for a Spell. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by October 17th, answer me this question in the comments:

What is your favorite type of mystery? (historical, cozy, etc)

September 10, 2014September 9, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Deep in Death by Colleen Helme

Running “errands” for her mob-boss employer, Joey “The Knife” Manetto, often ends with Shelby in trouble, making her cautious about continuing her association with him. Instead, she focuses on a new client who hires Shelby to find her missing mother. What seems like a routine case turns into something more sinister and deadly than she ever imagined.

In the meantime, Uncle Joey has summoned Shelby to his office, where she runs into her former nemesis. Shelby inadvertently hears something that makes her fear for the lives of Uncle Joey and his hit-man, Ramos. This time, Uncle Joey is not sure he wants to involve Shelby in something he knows could get her killed. Keeping Shelby’s involvement to a minimum has disastrous results, sending Shelby on a dangerous path. As her investigation unfolds, Shelby finds death at every turn, and soon realizes she is in over her head. Can she escape from danger in time? Or will she find herself deep in death?

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

As the author of the Shelby Nichols Adventure Series, Colleen is often asked if Shelby Nichols is her alter-ego. “Definitely,” she says. “Shelby is the epitome of everything I wish I dared to be.” Known for her laugh since she was a kid, Colleen has always tried to find the humor in every situation and continues to enjoy writing about Shelby’s adventures. “I love getting Shelby into trouble…I just don’t always know how to get her out of it!” Colleen lives in the Rocky Mountains with her family. Besides writing, she loves a good book, biking, hiking, and playing board and card games with family and friends. She loves to connect with readers and admits that fans of the series keep her writing.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Deep in Death

Review (4.5 Stars): In Deep in Death, Shelby is recovering from a gunshot wound from her previous adventures while working for mob boss, “Uncle Joey” and hoping that things will finally settle down. To distance herself from Uncle Joey, she takes on a new assignment helping a young woman find out what happened to her mother who disappeared several years earlier. Shelby soon learns that things aren’t what they seem and she needs to solve this mystery fast before she finds herself in yet another dangerous situation.

First of all, the cover is absolutely beautiful and I love almost all of the covers in this series. Deep in Death is one of those books that you can start reading and it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the rest of the series. You are able to follow along with the action without missing a beat and I really like that about this author. I was immediately involved with Shelby and her investigation of Tiffany’s missing mother in this story, which turned out to be more than just a missing persons case. The clues started to lead to something more sinister and Shelby just happens to look like Tiffany’s missing mother and has to race against time before she finds herself as the next victim. Deep in Death is full of creative plot twists, fascinating characters and enough action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series but I want to start this series from the very beginning so I can really get to know these engaging characters.

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July 20, 2014July 20, 2014

Book Spotlight & Review: Fatal Fortune by Victoria Laurie

When police show Abby surveillance video of her best friend and business partner, Candice Fusco, shooting a man in cold blood, she can’t believe her eyes. And when the cops tell her they think the victim has ties to the Mob—and perhaps Candice does too—she can’t believe her ears. Surely there is a logical explanation. But Candice is nowhere to be found.

Abby decides the only way to find out the truth is to go to Vegas herself—which may be the biggest gamble of her life. Once in town she begins to uncover a rigged game of dirty double-dealing where the stakes are no less than life and death. And if she’s not careful, Abby can forget about ever leaving Las Vegas…alive.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Victoria Laurie is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty books. With two series in full swing, Victoria divides her time between The Psychic Eye Mysteries and The Ghost Hunter Mysteries. As a professional psychic herself, Victoria knows all too well the tricky world of the paranormal in which her protagonists psychic Abby Cooper, and spiritual medium M. J. Holliday tackle murder, mayhem, and the occasional demon with plenty of plucky humor and determination.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Fatal Fortune

Review (5 Stars): I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end and Abby is such an amazing character that I always look forward to spending time with her. In this book, Abby gets a phone call in the middle of the night from her best friend, Candice, saying “you have to trust me. It’s not how it looks.” From that point on, this story is a race against time for Abby to find out the truth when she discovers that Candice is seen on video surveillance footage shooting a man in cold blood in an airport parking lot.

There were so many clever plot twists and turns that will have you second guessing to who the killer is and why the victim was killed. Most of us have known and loved Candice from the very beginning and finding out that she could be a cold blooded killer shakes us to the core that someone we knew and trusted could have deceived us for so long. I understood Abby’s situation that her beloved friend was implicated in a murder and her having doubts that the person she loved like a sister could be capable of this kind of violence.

I loved watching Abby’s and Dutch’s relationship in Fatal Fortune as they settle down in their life as a married couple. As Abby was dealing with the stress of the investigation and subsequent manhunt for her friend, it was nice to see that having Dutch in her life helped her find that balance she needed. They have come so far in their relationship from the beginning of the series and you can see that their relationship just gets stronger and more loving as time goes on.

Fatal Fortune was a cleverly written mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat. Victoria Laurie is such a talented writer that has created such a delightful series that gets better with each novel that she writes. If you haven’t read any of her books, you should start with Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye to start from the beginning because this is one series that you should enjoy every moment of.

May 27, 2014May 26, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Fifty Shades of Greyhound by Sparkle Abbey

A big thanks to Books-n-Kisses for hosting this stop on our blog tour for Fifty Shades of Greyhound, book five in our Pampered Pets mystery series from Bell Bridge Books.

This book was so much fun to write and now we’re having even more fun sharing it with readers. It’s similar to the others in the series in that it’s a cozy mystery. To be more specific, all the books are pet-related, amateur sleuth, cozy mysteries. The main characters are cousins and former Texas beauty queens, Caro Lamont, a pet therapist, and Melinda Langston, the owner of Bow Wow, a high-end pet boutique in Laguna Beach, California.

The ideas for our books come from many different places: a news headline, an overheard conversation, an intriguing anecdote. However the idea for Fifty Shades of Greyhound came from none of those. In this case, the book started with the title. We’d brainstormed title ideas, hoping to continue the light-hearted theme started with Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck. (This brainstorming usually involves margaritas.) When we came up with the idea to use Fifty Shades of Greyhound for the next title, we felt like we had a winner. Then the fun began…Where would Caro and Mel find themselves in their latest adventure? And what kind of trouble could we stir up for the two cousins?

After pitching the idea to our editor and getting the green light, we began researching Greyhounds and found so much about the breed, the rescue efforts, and about rescue workers who are very devoted to the dogs. Just a few of the interesting factoids we learned were:

Greyhounds can live to be 12-14 years old, but they are at the end of their racing careers at 2-5 years.
Most have been raised in kennels and have little experience outside that environment, but they are quick learners. By nature the dogs tend to be friendly gentle dogs.
They can run 40-45 mph. But although they are fast runners, they’re known for their enjoyment of dozing and some sleep up to sixteen hours a day.

So after learning about the breed, it made sense to us that the story in Fifty Shades of Greyhound had to begin with Greyhound rescue and so it starts at a what Caro would call a “fancy smanchy” fundraiser.

Caro is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends, a stranger in their midst is dead.

Caro sets out to help the rescue group find the identity of the mystery guest but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone–oh, and federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next.

We’d also like to mention that we have some wonderful celebrity endorsement for the book:

“Fifty Shades of Greyhound gives ‘roll over and play dead’ a whole new meaning!”-Ethel Merman & Ella Fitzgerald, canine companions to award-winning author, Holly Jacobs

Thanks again, Books-n-Kisses for letting us stop by. Mwahh and XXOO to you!

About the Author:

Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of mystery authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They write the popular pet mystery series which features whodunits set in the wacky world of pampered pets, precious pedigrees, and secrets. The first book in the series Desperate Housedogs, an Amazon mystery series bestseller and Barnes & Noble Nook #1 national bestseller, was followed by Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck. Fifty Shades of Greyhound is the latest installment.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

It was a killer party.

Caro Lamont, Laguna Beach’s favorite pet therapist is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends a stranger in their midst is dead.

Caro sets out to help the rescue group find out the identity of the mystery guest, but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone. And federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next up.

Full of adorable pampered pets, the story re-visits lovely Laguna Beach, and some of the colorful characters readers have come to love in previous titles: Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck.

Amazon

Jennifer’s Review of Fifty Shades of Greyhound

Review (4 Stars): The humor in this book had me laughing out loud and I enjoyed every minute of it. Caro Lamont was attending a fundraising gala when a dead body literally falls into her lap. Finding herself involved in yet another mystery, Caro starts searching for clues when the brother of her receptionist is the prime suspect for the murder. She must hurry to find the real killer before she becomes the next victim.

I couldn’t believe how much I laughed while reading Fifty Shades of Greyhound. Caro is a great character and this mystery was very light-hearted and fun. I enjoyed reading about Caro’s career as a pet therapist and I thought her experiences with the animals were very interesting. Fifty Shades of Greyhound was a fun and hilariously entertaining mystery that will have you wanting more of these zany characters.

April 19, 2014April 13, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Small Town Spin by LynDee Walker

When a superstar athlete’s son turns up dead in a tiny town on the Virginia coast, crime reporter Nichelle Clarke gets the inside scoop. But she quickly spies a gaping hole her inner Lois Lane cannot ignore.

Determined to unravel the mystery, Nichelle fights off paparazzi cameras and an unexpected rival. She uncovers an illegal moonshine operation, a string of copycat suicides, and a slew of closets stacked with more skeletons than slingbacks. Chasing a killer who’s a breath from getting away with murder, Nichelle realizes too late the culprit has her number—and it might be up.

Amazon/Goodreads

About the Author:

LynDee Walker’s award-winning journalistic work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the nation. After nearly a decade covering crime, courts, and local politics, she left full-time reporting for motherhood with a side of freelancing and fiction writing. Small Town Spin is the third in her bestselling Headlines in High Heels Mystery series. The fourth arrives January 2015.

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 either playing with her children or working on her next novel (but probably not cleaning her house).

Website/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Small Town Spin

Review (4 Stars): I was first introduced to the character, Nichelle Clarke, in the anthology, Heartache Motel, that I had the pleasure of reading a few months back. Dateline Memphis was one of my favorite stories from that book and I’m so glad to read her newest adventure, Small Town Spin. Nichelle receives a phone call to do an exclusive interview with the famous family of a teenager who recently committed suicide. What she finds is a mystery that doesn’t quite add up when the clues don’t lead to a troubled young man but one that had so much to live for. As she investigates further, more teenagers are committing suicide in this small town and she is willing to put herself in danger to find answers.

I liked Nichelle because she is such a great character. During most of this book, she was fighting a sinus infection and working long hours to find answers to this mystery which I respected. She was smart, sassy and I loved her determination. The mystery was well-written and engaging until the very last page. I love Ms. Walker’s books and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

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April 1, 2014March 31, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Pretty Reckless by Jodi Linton

Welcome to Pistol Rock, Texas where secrets last about as long as the sporadic west Texas rain showers.

Laney Briggs has long been considered reckless, but she’s turned herself around—she’s respectably engaged and she’s become a Pistol Rock deputy sheriff. Everything’s fine until a dead body turns up and her ex, Texas Ranger Gunner Wilson, decides to stick his boots into the town’s first murder case.

Laney will be damned if she lets Gunner trample all over her turf and her chance at a quiet, contented life. His seemingly endless ability to undermine her resolve and her libido is only outdone by her constant urge to butt heads with him. But when the bodies start to pile up, Laney has to ask the lethal bad boy for a hand—and a truce in exchange for his help.

Having an ex-boyfriend as an ally might not be the best idea, but Laney has always been pretty reckless…

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:
Jodi Linton grew up across the street from a cow pasture, where she was more likely to be seen selling Kool-Aid in a Dixie cup at ten cents a pop, or inviting neighbors over to watch one of her plays staged on her father’s Bass boat.

In 2001, she traded in the rednecks, cowboys, and mesquite trees of her hometown to chase destiny out west. After a few years of mucking it around with the roughnecks, dust storms, and droughts, she decided to dust off her boots and head home. With a History degree in one hand and a marriage license in the other, she followed her husband in 2006 to central Texas the heartland, fabulous Austin.

After settling into the Texas Hill Country with her husband and two kids, she joined the Austin Romance Writers of America, and signed with The Belcastro Agency. Today she can be found cozied up to the computer escaping into a quirky world of tall tales, sexy, tight jean wearing cowboys, and a protagonist with a sharp-tongue quick enough to hang any man out to dry.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Pretty Reckless

Review (4 Stars): What a wild ride! I liked Laney a lot in this book because of her personality and the fact that she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle with two handsome men. Laney Briggs is a deputy for the town of Pistol Rock and is caught in the middle of a murder case that puts her working with her ex-boyfriend, Gunnar Wilson. Gunnar cheated on Laney many years ago and is back as a Texas Ranger to help solve the case and try to win back Laney. The problem is that Laney is engaged to be married to Nathan, the town’s veterinarian, and doesn’t need Gunnar coming back into her life and stirring up old feelings. She cares for Nathan but being around Gunnar stirs up feelings that she thought she was over and she doesn’t want to repeat her past mistakes with him. The murder case they are involved in is full of twists and turns and involves a hilarious cast of characters which makes Pretty Reckless an entertaining read. I was surprised at how fast I went through this book and I know you will too. I like Ms. Linton’s style of writing and looking forward to reading more about Laney in future books.

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March 27, 2014March 26, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Tip of a Bone by Christine Finlayson

Buried bones, a missing eco-activist, and a deadly fire? It’s not what Maya Rivers bargained for when she moved to the coastal city of Newport, Oregon to reunite with her brother, Harley. Yet when Harley is accused of an unthinkable crime, Maya insists on adding “amateur sleuth” to her career options. It isn’t long before she discovers an eerie clue . . . but the closer she gets to the truth, the closer a murderer follows.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Christine Finlayson borrowed from her “past lives” as a waitress, barista, environmental educator, and water scientist when creating her debut mystery novel, Tip of a Bone—a tale that takes place on the stormy Oregon coast. In her spare time, Christine loves to run on forest trails, watch waves break, compete in triathlons, and photograph anything Northwest-weird or wild. She’s now working on her second book, a novel of suspense.

Website /Blog/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Tip of a Bone

Review (4 Stars):The first thing that I liked about this book was that it takes place in Newport, Oregon which isn’t very far from where I grew up. Maya, the main character, has been struggling, trying to pick up the pieces after her divorce and working as a waitress at the Clam Strip Cafe. She spends her free time with her brother, Harley, trying to repair their relationship and hoping that her luck will change. Harley’s current involvement with the local activist group, The Coast Defenders, has Maya troubled especially since one of their members recently disappeared on a hiking trip. When a fire destroys a building and Harley is accused as the arsonist, it is up to Maya to help clear his name. But with each step, she finds that things aren’t what they seem and she may be the next person to disappear.

This mystery was a little on the darker side than the other mysteries that I have read but it doesn’t take away from this story. I liked Maya from the beginning even though things didn’t seem to be going her way. I liked her personality and the fact that she never gave up on clearing Harley’s name even though people were telling her to leave it alone. I enjoyed this mystery with all its twists and turns and I loved spending time with these characters in a city I know all too well.

March 20, 2014March 19, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Load the Boat by Rosalee Richland

Darla King left her position as a Florida investigator hoping to avoid any further involvement with law enforcement—but her curiosity keeps getting in her way. Darla is beginning to realize that what she envisioned as the simple life of a square dance caller is not so simple after all. When Darla agrees to serve as a square dance caller on a cruise, she plans on a little work and a lot of fun, sun, and romance. Her friends from Clearton Squares have the same ideas. Instead, she and her friends discover pornographic DVDs, a dead crew member, and a mysterious man with a satchel. She lands in danger, escaping with on-the-spot ingenuity. All that and Mandy, who has bad memories from a previous cruise and is getting a little too friendly with Doug. This is the second in the Darla King series and continues her adventures.

Amazon/Goodreads

About the Author:

Cyndi Riccio and Rhonda Brinkmann joined forces to create the Darla King cozy mystery series. Darla’s curiosity often puts her squarely in the midst of unusual circumstances, and Darla can’t let go until the mystery is solved. Through Darla and her friends, readers are exposed to the warmth and friendship among square dancers, as well as the enjoyment square dancing brings worldwide.

When not writing, Darla’s co-authors enjoy reading, traveling, meeting readers and fans, networking with other authors, and – of course – square dancing. Currently they are working on Darla’s next mystery and the twists and turns it will take. If you have a chance, stop in at a book signing and find out which half of Rosalee shows up! In the meantime you can stay in touch with Rosalee and Darla on on Facebook, Goodreads, or the Darla King Series blog (rosaleerichland.blogspot.com).

Jennifer’s Review of Load the Boat

Review (4 Stars): I admit I know nothing about square dancing so this was a very interesting mystery for me. Darla gets the chance opportunity to be a square dance caller on a cruise ship and is looking forward to a little relaxation while she is away. What she finds is a mystery that she hadn’t planned on and her vacation just turned into solving crimes instead of sitting poolside.

I liked Darla and the other characters and it was fun learning about square dancing, which I found very interesting. This was an enjoyable mystery that made me want to take a cruise with Darla and her square dancing friends.

March 15, 2014March 14, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Big Money by Jack Getze

In this jaunty follow-up to Big Numbers, a scruffy stockbroker returns to tangle with mobsters, women and his own big mouth. The good news, as the story opens, is that the hero is in the company of a gorgeous naked lady. The bad news is that she’s pointing a shotgun at him. It’s a typical predicament for Austin Carr, a semi-shady New Jersey financial professional temporarily in charge of Shore Securities…He’s being extorted into opening a money-laundering account for local crime boss Bluefish; an auditor who was investigating his company has turned up murdered; a fetching state police captain figures he’s the key to her organized-crime probe; and his boss’s mother has been picked up for fixing her church bingo game.

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:

Former Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Getze is Fiction Editor for Anthony nominated Spinetingler Magazine, one of the internet’s oldest websites for noir, crime, and horror short stories. Through the Los Angeles Times/Washington Post News Syndicate, his news and feature stories were published in over five-hundred newspapers and periodicals worldwide. His two screwball mysteries, BIG NUMBERS and BIG MONEY, are being reissued by DOWN & OUT BOOKS, with the new BIG MOJO to follow. His short stories have appeared in A Twist of Noir and Beat to a Pulp. Getze is an Active Member of Mystery Writers of America’s New York Chapter.

http://austincarrscrimediary.blogspot.com/

Jennifer’s Review of Big Money

Review (3.5 Stars): This is the second book in the Austin Carr mystery series and I’m was pleasantly surprised with this book. Austin Carr always seems to get himself in hot water especially when he is asked to “watch” over things for his boss while he takes a long vacation from the investment firm. Soon, he finds himself involved with the local mob boss, murder and dangerous women. Austin never seems to catch a break in this one.

I liked this fast-paced mystery with its crazy antics, over-the-top characters and side-splitting humor. I couldn’t believe the scenarios that Austin seemed to find himself in and they usually ended up with him on the wrong side of a gun. Looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Austin gets himself involved in with future installments of this series.

February 24, 2014February 23, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: The Sinister Sitcom Caper by Sally Carpenter

Sandy Fairfax, former teen idol and star of the ‘70s hit TV show “Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth,” is now a middle-aged recovering alcoholic who realizes that making a comeback can be murder. He’s the guest star on “Off-Kelter,” a corny family situation comedy, and the lowest rated TV show of the 1993 fall season. Before rehearsals barely begin one of the actors drops dead at Sandy’s feet. He investigates, enlisting the aid of two of his new cast mates: a dwarf and an animal actor. During his snooping, we meet Sandy’s ex, his parents and his teenage son, all with their own “situations” going on. During rehearsals Sandy also encounters a beautiful choreographer—could this be love? Will Sandy solve the murder before the Friday night taping of “Off-Kelter” or will the elusive killer cancel our hero before the final credits? This book was inspired by the author’s experience working as a tour guide/page at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood.

Amazon/Goodreads

About the Author:

Sally Carpenter is native Hoosier now living in Moorpark, Calif.

She has a master’s degree in theater from Indiana State University. While in school her plays “Star Collector” and “Common Ground” were finalists in the American College Theater Festival One-Act Playwrighting Competition. “Common Ground” also earned a college creative writing award and “Star Collector” was produced in New York City.

Carpenter also has a master’s degree in theology and a black belt in tae kwon do.

She’s worked as an actress, freelance writer, college writing instructor, theater critic, jail chaplain, and tour guide/page for a major movie studio. She’s now employed at a community newspaper.

Website/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of The Sinister Sitcom Caper

Review (4 Stars): The thing that I liked about this book was its sense of humor. The story was very entertaining, light-hearted with a crazy cast of characters. Sandy Fairfax, 70’s sitcom teen hearthrob, is making his comeback by doing a guest appearance on the soon to be cancelled TV show, Off-Kelter. On the first day of rehearsal, he finds a misfit group of actors that all seem to be at each others throats instead of trying to learn their lines. In the middle of all this drama, an actress falls over dead and Sandy is the only witness to the crime. Now, he is involved in solving a murder while trying to reinvent his career.

This was a very quick read for me. I liked Sandy who had a great acting career when he was younger but lost it all and is now a recovering alcoholic. He had a lot of character flaws and that is what endeared him to me. He knew he made a bunch of mistakes in his life and now he was trying to make a comeback. This was an entertaining mystery with lots of humor that takes you inside the fascinating world of sitcom television. I liked The Sinister Sitcom Caper and I would love to read more about this character.

February 21, 2014March 8, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Limoncello Yellow by Traci Andrighetti

I recently had the opportunity to read this amazing mystery and I am honored to have Traci here with us today to talk about her fun character, Franki Amato. Take it away, Traci.

Ten Things You Should Know about Limoncello Yellow’s Franki Amato

Instead of the usual “how-I-came-up-with-the-idea-for-my-book” post, I thought I’d share some fun facts from my character development sheet for Francesca “Franki” Amato. Franki is the tough-talking, 29-year-old private investigator protagonist of my debut novel, Limoncello Yellow.

Franki looks like the 1960’s Italian movie actress Claudia Cardinale, but she wears the signature cat-eyeliner of Sophia Loren.
She is 5’10”, 170 pounds and has an oversized butt. She can’t decide whether Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls” is her least or most favorite song.
Her motto is, “When life gives you lemons, make Limoncello.” But in extreme cases, she revises it to, ” When life gives you lemons, skip the ‘making Limoncello’ part and just go straight to drinking it.”
Thanks to her meddlesome Sicilian nonna, Franki suffers from Catholic guilt even though she’s not a practicing Catholic and precisely because she’s not a practicing Catholic.
She loves Murder She Wrote, trashy reality shows featuring New Jersey, and any and all variations of Say Yes to the Dress.
Although she’s OCD about the outward appearance of her apartment, inside her cabinets, closets and drawers total chaos reigns.
She has a passion for food, especially Nutella straight from the jar. She rationalizes that the ridiculously caloric chocolate hazelnut spread is basically just the Italian version of chocolate pudding.
When she’s at work at Private Chicks, Inc., Franki often spontaneously worries that she has forgotten to shave the hair that grows on her big toes.
She uses profanity–but mostly in Italian–so that it doesn’t seem as offensive to readers. And because it just plain sounds cool.
Her one intense dislike: mimes. She simply can’t understand why anyone would want to paint himself (or herself) white or monochrome and then pretend to do things like juggle or cry.

Any questions? If so, send them to me at traci@traciandrighetti.com. Franki doesn’t like talking about herself, and she can be kind of confrontational, especially if you ask her about her love life.

About the Author:

Traci Andrighetti is the author of the Franki Amato mystery series. In her previous life, she was an award-winning literary translator and a Lecturer of Italian at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a PhD in Applied Linguistics. But then she got wise and ditched that academic stuff for a life of crime–writing, that is.

If she’s not hard at work on her next novel, Traci is probably watching her favorite Italian soap opera, eating Tex Mex or sampling fruity cocktails, and maybe all at the same time. She lives in Austin with her husband, young son (who desperately wants to be in one of her books) and three treat-addicted dogs.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Francesca “Franki” Amato is a tough-talking rookie cop in Austin, Texas—until an unfortunate 911 call involving her boyfriend, Vince, and a German female wrestler convinces her once and for all that she just isn’t cut out for a life on the police force. So Franki makes the snap decision to move to New Orleans to work at her friend Veronica’s detective agency, Private Chicks, Inc. But Franki’s hopes for a more stable life are soon dashed when Private Chicks is hired by the prime suspect in a murder case to find out what really happened to a beautiful young boutique manager who was found strangled to death with a cheap yellow scarf. When she’s not investigating, Franki is hoping to seduce handsome bank executive Bradley Hartmann, but most of her time is spent dodging date offers from a string of “good Italian boys”—make that not-so-good aging Italian men—that her meddlesome Sicilian grandma has recruited as marriage candidates. As Mardi Gras approaches and the mystery of the murdered shop girl gets more complicated, Franki must decipher the odd ramblings of a Voodoo priestess to solve both the murder and the mystery of her own love life.

Amazon/Goodreads

Jennifer’s Review of Limoncello Yellow

Review (4.5 Stars): I absolutely loved this mystery and I know that you will fall in love with Franki as well. She was sweet, spunky and fun and I couldn’t get enough of her personality. I loved that this story takes place in New Orleans and I felt as though I was right there with Franki while she explored her new surroundings. Makes me want to go visit New Orleans immediately to spend time visiting the French Quarter and the fabulous restaurants. Ms. Andrighetti has created a great character and a delightful new series that will have you laughing out loud. Can’t wait to read more of these wonderful mysteries in the future.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Limoncello Yellow. This giveaway is for US Residents only. (If you have already won a prize on this tour, a new winner will be chosen) To be entered in the drawing by February 28th, answer me this question in the comments:

What is the best place to visit in New Orleans?

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