Review: Curiosity Thrilled The Cat by: Sofie Kelly

Title: Curiosity Thrilled The Cat
Author: Sofie Kelly
Publisher: Signet
Series: Magical Cats #1
Pages: 324
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchase

Description:

When librarian Kathleen Paulson moved to Mayville Heights, Minnesota, she had no idea that two strays would nuzzle their way into her life. Owen is a tabby with a catnip addiction and Hercules is a stocky tuxedo cat who shares Kathleen's fondness for Barry Manilow. But beyond all the fur and purrs, there's something more to these felines.

When murder interrupts Mayville's Music Festival, Kathleen finds herself the prime suspect. More stunning is her realization that Owen and Hercules are magical-and she's relying on their skills to solve a purr-fect murder.

My Thoughts:

I love this book probably cause I have a thing for cats I have had them growing up and still have a soft spot for the feline species I'm warming up to dogs but due to a trauma as a child I am still skiddish around them even the little hot dogs go figure.

In this book Kathleen is working on getting the library up and running after having work done on it.  Like most mysteries it doesn't take long for a murder to appear this one is Gregor Easton someone who volunteered to preform at Mayville's Music Festival.  Of course Kathleen finds herself the prime suspect due to a letter that was on the victim when he was killed.

Kathleen is adamant she didn't commit the murder, and it's up to her and her magical cats Owen and Hercules to help her figure out who killed Gregor Easton.  The big question is who is Gregor Easton?  What connection does he have to the people of Mayville?  With the help of Lise a friend of Kathleen's from Boston to dig up the dirt on the victim.

I love this book for so many reasons the way the people in town open up to Kathleen and include her when many times including an outsider isn't heard of.  The cats are too cute when they get involved. As for the ending it ended in a way I didn't think it would such a fabulous mystery!!

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My Top Romance Authors

We all have our favorite romance authors the ones that make your heart beat a little faster and have you on the edge of your seat wanting the couple to get together, then there are those that send women into hot flashes with your glasses steaming up from the intimate scenes, then there are the ones many call bodice rippers where the cover picture is enough to send women into a cold shower!  You know the ones I'm talking about don't you?

This post is about the first type of romance that have you cheering when the couple gets together, those are the ones I love contemporary romance or chic lit.  So here is my list of authors I love!

1. Jill Shalvis: (off her website) New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold.

2. Kristan Higgins: (off her website)  I live in my hometown, a small, pretty place in Connecticut where there’s a beautiful library and a wicked good ice cream stand. I’m the mom of two lovely children who have very long eyelashes and excellent vocabularies, the wife of a heroic and brave firefighter and the willing love-slave to a naughty mutt named Willow. Our cat, Huck, occasionally deigns to sit on my lap, especially when I'm typing.

   I love to write books about relationships, since the search for love and security is one of the driving forces of life. My characters are regular people, folks like us, and I hope to give them a big, memorable love story rich with family, pets, food and laughter. When I’m not writing, I like to be with my kids, goof around with my husband, read, watch baseball, ride my bike and bake.

3. Robyn Carr: (off her website) Robyn has always written about strong women, no matter the period in which they live. For the first fifteen years of her career she wrote romance, the early books of which were all historical, but later included contemporaries.  After writing twenty Virgin River stories, Robyn is now taking her readers into another fictional community, a picturesque coastal town on the Oregon coast she calls Thunder Point. Like her Virgin River novels, the Thunder Point books will make readers laugh, sigh, and fall in love: with a small town filled with people they’ll never forget.

Robyn and her husband enjoy traveling, often taking research trips together. Their son and daughter are grown. Robyn says that, in addition to reading her novels and making snide remarks about how she’s used family scenarios to her advantage, they have made her a happy grandmother.

4.  Susan Mallery: (off her website) New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has won the hearts of millions of readers around the world with books described as “immensely entertaining, intensely emotional” (RT Book Reviews), “hilarious” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram), and “heartwarming” (Publishers Weekly). One major retailer recently described her as “the queen of romantic fiction.” While she deeply appreciates the accolades of critics and booksellers, Mallery is even more honored by the enthusiasm of her readers and the word-of-mouth that catapults her toward the top of the bestsellers lists time and again.

Mallery lives in not-so-sunny Seattle with her husband and a toy poodle who makes her laugh every day and who’s not even a little bit impressed by her growing fame. 

5. Melissa Foster: (off her website) Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the  World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

These authors write great contemporary romance series everything from Fool's Gold Series by: Susan Mallery, Lucky Harbor Series by: Jill Shalvis, Blue Heron Series by: Kristan Higgins to Virgin River Series & Thunder Point Series by: Robyn Carr to Love in Bloom Series by: Melissa Foster!

If you haven't checked out these books you really are missing out on great characters that stay with you even after the story has been told, and as with great series just because you finish one book doesn't mean those characters don't return that is my favorite part that the characters return long after their story has been told!

Who are your favorite contemporary romance authors?  What series do they write?  Feel free to share in the comment area below!  We love to interact with our followers!

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Review: Sisters in Bloom by: Melissa Foster

Title: Sisters In Bloom
Author: Melissa Foster
Publisher: World Literary Press
Series: Love in Bloom #2
Pages: 372
Format: ebook
Source: Purchase

Description:

Kaylie Snow has always been the fun, flirty, pretty sister. Now, her burgeoning baby bump, hormone infused emotions, and faltering singing career are sending her into an unexpected identity crisis. Watching her older sister Danica glide through a major career change and a new relationship with the grace of a ballerina, Kaylie’s insecurities rise to the forefront—and her relationship, with fiancé Chaz Crew, is caught in the crossfire.

Chaz Crew has everything he’s ever wanted: a lovely fiancé, a baby on the way, and soon, the film festival he owns will host its biggest event ever. When he’s called away to woo the festival’s largest sponsor—and the lover he’s never admitted to having—secrets from his past turn his new life upside down.

With her baby shower around the corner, and her fiancé’s big event looming, the pressure is on for Kaylie to pull herself together—and for Chaz to right his wrongs. In a few short weeks, the couple who had it all figured out will learn things about life and love that may change their minds—and their hearts. 

SISTERS IN BLOOM is a testament to the bond of sisters, the strength of women, and the pains and delights that accompany motherhood. A book for every mother, sister, and daughter, SISTERS IN BLOOM will resonate with readers who love to explore family dramas.

My Thoughts: 

In this book we find Kaylie Snow is pregnant and having a pity party for herself as her music career has kind of stalled out after all who wants to hire a pregnant girl to sing at clubs?  She has her wonderful fiancé who supports her and loves her even if she is very pregnant.  Kaylie finds herself doubting his love and whether he will love her after the baby is born?  After having only one viewing of the baby in her belly she keeps trying to figure out what to do with herself, what if she can't sing anymore or doesn't want to what will she do?  Kaylie's biggest fear is turning into her mother whom she hasn't reconnected with in quite a while.

Chaz has his hands full with Kaylie being pregnant and very emotional and also working on his festival and getting sponsers when the biggest regret of his life comes back to haunt him Lea.  He tries to work with Lea but finds out Lea still wants Chaz and will do anything to have him including bumping Kaylie out of the picture.

Chaz and Kaylie learn that sometimes being truthful with each other is the best medicine.  Kaylie also learns that after everything she has been through sometimes seeing a therapist isn't always a bad thing.  She starts going to therapy which seems to help center and ground Kaylie.  In the end like all great romances Chaz and Kaylie figure out their issues and work together to have a successful relationship.

Also Danica and Blake are around helping Kaylie and Chaz, along with other friends from the previous book like Michelle Danica's little sister program who is in a better place than the previous book.

God I love this series!  I love Kaylie's wildness and so sure of herself even when she's falling apart.  I also enjoyed watching Blake and Danica grow in their relationship, and watching Chaz straighten out a few messes.  These characters are so real they could be in your town or school friends.  Melissa Foster's ability to weave such great romance is incredible.  I think she is the next big romance author!  I have always been a fan and will continue to be.  Can't wait to read the next book in the series!  Incase anyone wants to see the cover the next in the series is:

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Review: The Homecoming by: Robyn Carr

Title: The Homecoming
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Harlequin
Series: Thunder Point #6
Pages: 400
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley

Description:

At the age of nineteen, Seth Sileski had everything. A superb athlete and scholar, handsome and popular, he was the pride of Thunder Point. Destined for greatness, he lost it all in a terrible accident that put an end to his professional football career when it had barely begun. The people in his hometown have never forgotten what might have been. 

Seth has come to terms with the turns his life has taken. But now he's been presented with an opportunity to return home and show his father—and the people of Thunder Point—he's become a better, humbler version of his former self. 

Winning over his father isn't the only challenge. Seth must also find a way to convince his childhood neighbor and best friend, Iris McKinley, to forgive him for breaking her heart. With his homecoming, will Seth be able to convince the town, his family and especially Iris that he's finally ready to be the man who will make them all proud?

My Thoughts:

This is the latest in the Thunder Point series and it doesn't disappoint in this book Seth and Iris need to over come something that happened when they were teens that changed their lives forever.  Seth is coming home to take over for Mac who has moved up in the police force making way for Seth to take over Thunder Point and Iris is trying to put the trauma of Seth away and move on with her life when he keeps turning up everywhere she turns.

Seth also is dealing with an estranged father who seems to be on the outs with Seth, which Seth assumes centers around his car accident that ended his football career.  Then there is the situation with Iris and Seth finds out how bad she was hurt by him.  Seth does everything he can do to show that he has changed and wants Iris in his life.  Also going on is a case in the high school where a popular girl Rachel is being abused by someone and it's up to Seth and Iris to protect this girl and find out who is hurting her.

I love this series and I love how everytime you start the book you learn new things about different people and how they are connected and the obstacles they have to overcome to get where they are.  This is such an incredibly addicting series that pulls you in and won't let you go until the book is done and the last page is turned can't wait to see what is next for Thunder Point!

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Review: The Promise by: Robyn Carr

Title: The Promise
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Harlequin
Series: Thunder Point #5
Pages: 363
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Scott Grant has a bustling family practice in the small Oregon community of Thunder Point. The town and its people have embraced the widowed doctor and father of two, his children are thriving, and Scott knows it's time to move on from his loss. But as the town's only doctor, the dating scene is awkward. That is, until a stunning physician's assistant applies for a job at his clinic. 

Peyton Lacoumette considers herself entirely out of the dating scene. She's already been burned by a man with kids, and she's come to Thunder Point determined not to repeat past mistakes. When Scott offers her a job, at a much lower salary than she's used to, Peyton is surprisingly eager to accept…at least for now. She's willing to stay for a three-month trial period while she explores other options. 

Scott and Peyton know the arrangement is temporary—it isn't enough time to build a real relationship, never mind anything with lasting commitment. But love can blossom faster than you think when the timing is right, and this short visit just might hold the promise of forever.

My Thought:

In earlier Thunder Point books we were introduced to the widowed Dr. Grant and his kids Jenny and Will.  We first met him when Gina went a few dates with him before she married Mac.  Then he has sort of fumbled around trying to move on from the death of his wife Serena.  In this book Dr. Grant meets and falls in love with Peyton Lacoumette a farmer's daughter.  Payton came to Thunder Point looking for a job after a horrendous breakup with Ted a fancy rich doctor who had no time for Peyton or his kids.  Peyton decides to take a risk on the small town clinic and joins the practice.  Scott and Peyton go circles around each other, eventually they both take a risk Scott on loving someone again. As for Peyton the risk is falling for a single father of two kids.  Her previous relationship left her damage with unruly children and Peyton can't put herself there again, but she learns over time that Will and Jenny are the opposite of Ted's kids and that Scott is very involved with his children as much as with his clinic.

Peyton finds herself struggling when Ted's daughter Krissy ends up in a bad place and Peyton finds herself helping the girl and trying to get Ted to understand she isn't coming back for him but for his daughter.

I love this series going back and seeing everyone is like taking a trip back home after being away for a while.  We get to see what everyone is up to including baby Summer Cooper who is too cute.  I love seeing the kids that are graduating move on in their life, watching Spencer and Devon get married and have their honeymoon!  What a great series!

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Title: The Chance by: Robyn Carr

Title: The Chance
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Harlequin
Series: Thunder Point #4
Pages: 368
Format: Nook ebook
Source: Purchase

Description:

With its breathtaking vistas and down-to-earth people, Thunder Point is the perfect place for FBI agent Laine Carrington to recuperate from a gunshot wound and contemplate her future. The locals embraced Laine as one of their own after she risked her life to save a young girl from a dangerous cult. Knowing her wounds go beyond the physical, Laine hopes she'll fit in for a while and find her true self in a town that feels safe. She may even learn to open her heart to others, something an undercover agent has little time to indulge. 

Eric Gentry is also new to Thunder Point. Although he's a man with a dark past, he's determined to put down roots and get to know the daughter he only recently discovered. When Laine and Eric meet, their attraction is obvious to everyone. But while the law enforcement agent and the reformed criminal want to make things work, their differences may run too deep…unless they take a chance on each other and find that deep and mysterious bond that belongs to those who choose love over fear.

My Thoughts:

This was a great book like all the other Thunder Point books it's great to go back to this small town and see what people are up to like Cooper and his very pregnant wife Sarah who are expecting their first child.

In this book we follow Laine Carrington who was connected in the book The Hero as Laine is recovering from getting shot by cult leader Jacob, she is trying to figure out what to do next continue her FBI work or something else.

We also follow Eric Gentry who's reconnecting with his daughter Ashley.  When Eric meets Laine the attraction is very obvious but like any great book the couple have to figure out what they want and if they will work together.  Laine also has to deal with her father known as Senior who has all sorts of issues when it comes to Laine's work.  But when the times get hard Laine steps up into a job she didn't think she would have too.

We also meet Al who has been running since the death of his son Ethan and the failure of his marriage.  He meets and is attracted to Ray Anne a real estate agent in town.  Al finds his calling with Justin Russell who's mother is fighting MS and the three boys have been working a long time to care for their mother.  Justin and Al work out a way to keep the boys together and happy.

I love Robyn's ability to story tell she pulls you in with interesting characters that aren't prim and perfect but have their issues and work to resolve them or make them work for them unlike most romances she doesn't offer a picket fence she offers so much more a realness of the characters that you don't read about everyday!

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Title: The Hero by: Robyn Carr

Title: The Hero
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Harlequin
Series: Thunder Point #3
Format: Nook ebook
Source: Purchase

Description:

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero.

My Thoughts:

I love going back to Thunder Point and seeing what everyone is up too.  In this book Devon is running from a cult she was living with and runs into Rawley as he is heading to Thunder Point to go to work.  Rawley can tell by looking a Devon that something is up and decides to help the single mother.  He sets them up in his house and helps her find work and friends.

Not long into this story Spencer feels a connection to the single mother and wants to connect with her but he has to let go of what he knows to see if he can fit in her life!  Spencer learns not everything is black and white and that sometimes a girl just needs a hero and sometimes the girl is the hero.

I really enjoyed this book going back seeing how everyone is and what they are up to next!  It's such a great adventure that makes you long for that small town where everyone knows everyone!

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Review: Clam Bake by: Mary Daheim

Title: Clam Wake
Author:Mary Daheim
Publisher: William Morrow
Pages: 291
Series: Bed-and-Breakfast Mysteries #29
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher Request

Description:

Innkeeper and irrepressible sleuth Judith McMonigle Flynn and cousin Renie face off against a cold-blooded killer in a beach community in this delightfully charming Bed-and-Breakfast mystery from USA Today andNew York Times bestselling author Mary Daheim.

With the holidays gone and Hillside Manor almost empty, Innkeeper Judith McMonigle Flynn has a bad case of the blues. A housesitting stint at her aunt and uncle’s retirement home on Whoopee Island with cousin Renie seems like the ideal pick-me-up. Surrounded by retirees in the off-season sounds peaceful and pleasant--or so the duo thinks. But it isn’t long before a dead body pops up in their vicinity. Not surprising in an area full of older folks—until they learn it wasn’t a bad ticker that did in the victim, but a very sharp knife. With clouds of suspicion hovering over her and Renie, Judith reluctantly begins sleuthing—if only to prove they didn’t commit the crime.

But what she finds is puzzling. The victim reputedly didn’t have an enemy in the world--except for the killer. Digging for clams and answers, the cousins discover that retirement can be deadly—at least among the eclectic, eccentric residents of Obsession Shores.

My Thoughts:

In this book we follow Judith and Renie cousins who are staying at their aunt and uncles house why their aunt is tending to her sister.  Not long into this they stumble across another murder and have to put their sleuthing skills to the test to find out who wanted the victim dead?  There is no shortage of possible motives to kill for was it due to someone hating him?  Or did the killer have an ulterior motive beyond stabbing the victim?  So many possibilities.

This was great I love the Aunt and Uncle they are hilarious!  They keep you laughing and Renie and Judith do the same in their quirky ways!  I really enjoyed spending time with Obsession Shores and the many characters that reside there.

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Review: Bewitching Boots by: Joyce and Jim Lavene

Title: Bewitching Boots
Author: Joyce & Jim Lavene
Series: A Renaissance Faire Mystery #7
Pages: 214
Format: ebook
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours

Description:

Jessie is thrilled when she finds Bill Warren, an old fashioned shoemaker, and he agrees to come back to Renaissance Village with her. She’s not so thrilled when claims to have elf magic, and he falls for Princess Isabelle. The dancing slippers Bill makes for Isabelle make him a suspect when the princess takes a leap from the castle terrace. Now, Jessie must find the lady or lord who helped the princess with her last dance before she loses her star attraction.

My Thoughts:

Oh my gosh did I love meeting Bill the newest member to the Renaissance Village the new shoemaker.  You also learn about his elven history.  When Princess Isabelle comes into his shoppe for a pair of shoes Bill is smitten with the Princess and promises to bring her shoes to her at the Castle.

No long after this incident the Princess is found dead, having fallen over the balcony of the Castle.  The last person she saw was the shoemaker did he do in Princess or was it someone else with an axe to grind as Isabelle has wronged alot of men at the village?  Or could it have been on of her ladies that walk around with the Princess?  It's up to Jessie, and all her friends and family at the Village to help figure out who did in the Princess and why?  Or will it be too late and Jessie will join the Princess?

This book was incredible so much going on.  The shoemaker angle was great, so was meeting the new training knights the Chase was training, there was on in particular I really enjoyed but you will have to pick up this book to find who it was?  I also enjoyed the way Jessie relates to the ghost Wanda and Isabelle and how she works through the various characters to figure who the killer was!  If you haven't picked up the series yet you are really missing out and need to check out this series!  Can't wait for the next book in the series!  Keep up the great work in the Village can't wait to return to see what everyone is up to next!

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10 Reasons Why I’d Rather Hang Out With Fictional Characters

I’m good at socializing when I have to, but I just don’t like it. People are mostly annoying, exhausting and either way too simple or way too hard to crack. Therefore, except for my close group of friends, most of whom I’ve known for more than ten years, I’d rather hang out with fictional characters in books instead of real people.

Here are 10 reasons why:

1. Books are easy to acquire.

Books aren’t reluctant about introducing themselves to you (as in you read the back cover for the introduction). You can examine them as you wish—harass the cover, turn the pages, have a look at the characters, even read a few pages to get an idea of whether or not the characters are a fit for you. Then you just walk to the cashier, pay and ta da! You have people to hang out with right away. Or, if you’re lazy, you can just order a book online and they’ll show up at your doorstep. 

2. Fictional characters never leave you.

Leave your book at home when you go out, and the characters will be waiting for you when you get back. They won’t ask you where you’ve been, won’t complain about you for being away too long… And, most of the time, you don’t even need to leave them at all; just stick your book in your purse, and you can hang out with the characters whenever you like, wherever you like. Carrying my current read with me always makes me feel great, especially on work days because I know that once the clock hits 6 pm, I can just get on the bus and tune out the real world.

3. YOU decide when YOU want to hang out with them.

No “you were going to call me, why haven’t you?” No “aren’t you coming to bed?” No “Why won’t you take me to the movies?” YOU and you only decide when you want to read and hang out with fictional characters. And, they don’t give you an attitude or complain when you want to put them down and go do something else.

4. If you get bored, you can dump them and not have to feel bad about it.

I have to admit that fictional characters can disappoint you just like real people do. They die, they make bad choices, they end up with the wrong guys or at the wrong place at the wrong time… But you don’t have to deal with all that if you don’t want to; they won’t get mad or cry or declare war when you get rid of them. You can move on with relief knowing you are not leaving a weeping being behind.

5. They always smell good.

Now that summer is really here, I don’t at all like the smells coming out of fellow humans. Fictional characters never need to wash their hands, brush their teeth or even shower, but they always smell so good. Characters in aged books smell even better; just crack a page and suck it in!

6. They take you to places. 

Fictional characters always take you to places and hardly the same place twice. Some might take you to a country, city or town you’ve been to before, but your experiences won’t be the same since you’ll be in different houses, schools, work places and meeting interesting side characters. And the best part is that even if you meet those people for the first time, you’ll feel at home and like you’ve known them all your life.

7. You can have multiple book boyfriends.

Mr. Darcy, Edward Cullen, Christian Grey, Santiago Nasar, Alex Cross… You name it; he’s yours. No hard feelings. No jealousy. No fights. No breakups. No separating your record collections.

8. They don’t get uncomfortable when you cry.

Most men I know get very uncomfortable when women cry in front of them. Not fictional characters, though. You can cry as much as you want while reading and they won’t say a word.

9. The books they’re part of fuel your creativity.

Do I even have to explain this one? Different places, different people, different set of events, different professions, words and sentences and paragraphs and even designs… While you’re reading, you can get all sorts of ideas, learn all sorts of things, question life and death and everything in between, get a chance to experience feelings you might think you could never feel.

10. They never talk back at you.

Even when you yell, “damn you for making me cry all the way through,” fictional characters will not say anything. They’re okay with any and all your reactions. What more can a girl want?

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Review: Mission to Murder by: Lynn Cahoon

Title: Mission to Murder
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Kensington
Series: A Tourist Trap Mystery #2
Pages: 230
Format: ebook
Source: Great Escapes Book Tour

Description:

In the California coastal town of South Cove, history is one of its many tourist attractions—until it becomes deadly…

Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books, and More, has discovered that the old stone wall on her property might be a centuries-old mission worthy of being declared a landmark. But Craig Thomas, the obnoxious owner of South Cove’s most popular tourist spot, The Castle, makes it his business to contest her claim. When Thomas is found murdered at The Castle shortly after a heated argument with Jill, even her detective boyfriend has to ask her for an alibi. Jill decides she must find the real murderer to clear her name. But when the killer comes for her, she’ll need to jump from historic preservation to self-preservation …

My Thoughts:

This book takes place in a tourist attraction area of South Cove California.  The main character is Jill Gardner who owns Coffee, Books and More and is looking to have a mission relic declared on her property that is if Craig a local building owner doesn't stand in her way?

When Craig winds up dead it's up to Jill and her family and friends to get to the bottom of the mystery and find out who is trying to set Jill up as the murderer?  Not long into this book Craig's not quite ex-wife shows up and reveals she is still married to Craig and claims their dog that had been tied up at the beach.

Was Craig killed by someone in town he angered?  Or was it his wife who finally got sick of him?  There are so many possibilities.  I enjoyed meeting the people of South Cove seeing what they were about and how they interact with each other was a great adventure and a book I couldn't put down I read it all in one day it was that good.

Giveaway Time:

I have one ebook copy of this book to giveaway in the comments leave me your email address.  This contest is open to USA residents only!  Good luck to everyone!

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Review: Avoidable Contact by: Tammy Kaehler & Giveaway

Title: Avoidable Contact
Author: Tammy Kaehler
Publisher:  Poisoned Pen Press
Series: A Kate Reilly Mystery #3
Pages: 250
Format: ebook
Source: Great Escapes Book Tour

Description:

Racecar driver Kate Reilly is suited up and ready for the start of the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona. But what lies ahead is not just a racing challenge but a harrowing test of her will and nerve off the course. 

Even before the green flag waves over Daytona International Speedway, Kate receives word her boyfriend Stuart is hospitalized nearby in a coma, fighting for his life after a hit-and-run. Stunned by the news, Kate can do nothing better for Stuart than complete her scheduled laps driving her team’s car. But more shocks follow as Daytona’s clock starts ticking. An on-track accident ends tragically. Some of her complicated family is spotted with other teams—why? And an eyewitness claims Stuart was run down deliberately by someone from the race paddock. 

Alternating stints behind the wheel of the team’s Corvette with stretches of quizzing colleagues and searching for clues, Kate circles the police and taps every possible source—friend, foe, and family—to find out who’s after Stuart and why. As the race clock counts down to zero hour, Kate must come to terms with her own fears rising from her past and decide who she’s willing to trust. Only then can she identify who’s willing to kill to keep a secret buried.

My Thoughts:

In this book we meet Kate Reilly a race car driver whose is performing at the 24 hours of Daytona.  Early in this book Kate gets word that her boyfriend has been in a horrible accident and is in the hospital under going various surgeries to repair the damage.  Kate unable to leave the race, stays even though her mind and spirit are with Stuart her boyfriend.

Not long into the race a team mate winds up dead and with the team mourning a mysterious texter begins texting Kate from Stuart's cell phone, with Kate's help hopefully they can figure out who tried to kill Stuart and why?

Kate uses allies from her team and her manager along with her father and grandfather to figure out who the bad guy is and what they are trying to gain from all of this?

This book had everything you could expect when you combine NASCAR racing and mysteries, it pulled you in and wanted you to find the answers so that you were along with Kate looking for answers as to who did what.  This book was fabulous and such a difference from many cozy mysteries now adays.

And now on to the giveaway I have one copy of the first book in the series to giveaway to one lucky winner.  The book is called Dead Man's Switch and I'll add the synopsis so you can see what is about.

Synopsis:

Aspiring racecar driver Kate Reilly goes looking for a full time ride in the American Le Mans Series-and stumbles over a dead driver. When she takes that driver's job just hours later, she also takes pole position on the list of suspects in his murder. Suddenly she's in the hot seat with little time to clear her name and get ready to race a Corvette at Lime Rock Park.

Amidst suspicion, Kate buckles down, quickly getting to know the racecar and team, bumping into plenty of suspects who might have committed murder. Clues fly at her as fast as the turns on the track, including a cryptic list of blackmail victims, unexplainable car performance at racing speed, a jealous husband with an adulterous wife, and drivers and crew who are openly happy her predecessor is dead. Kate finds exhilaration and hazards exist on and off track as she throttles up both the Corvette's V8 and a murder investigation.


The green flag countdown ticks away, and Kate must decide who she can trust to help probe alibis, untangle rumors of team breakups and personal betrayals, and determine whose drive to win also constitutes a willingness to kill. Because what's at stake in Kate's race to the truth is her career … only by uncovering a murderer can Kate restore her reputation and prove she belongs in the racing world.

To enter the contest which is open to USA residents only sorry for those international viewers.  Please include an email address to contact you, and tell me some of your favorite 2014 cozy mysteries either authors or titles will work I will pick a winner at random!  Good Luck to all who enter!

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