Review: Dark Lover by: J.R. Ward

Title: Dark Lover
Author: J.R. Ward
Publisher: Penguin Group
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #1
Pages: 393
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

My Thoughts: 

I was reluctant with all the vampire crazy to read this book and only recently read it.  This one surpassed in my opinion The Vampire Diaries or Sookie Stackhouse.  It paints the story so fast moving that putting it down just isn't an option.  The story is set up with the death of one of the brotherhood Darius who was hoping to have his daughter helped through the transition of being a vampire.  With his death Wrath knows it now falls on him to honor his brother's final request.  The question is will Beth let him?

Beth being human was great then finding out she was half vampire made it all the more intriguing.   Add to that the dark Vampire King Wrath who wants anything but to be King.  He finds protecting Beth comes with all sorts of complications like a cop who becomes a pain in the rear getting in the way.  To vampire slayers that would love nothing more than to take out the brotherhood.

I was totally taken in by this story and had a roller coaster ride with the adventure and couldn't put it down until the cover closed.  I can't wait to see what is next in this crazy adventure!

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Review: Private London by: James Patterson

Title: Private London
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Century
Series: Private #4
Pages: 357
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

SOMETIMES WHEN THE NIGHTMARE ENDS - THE TERROR IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING

For Hannah Shapiro, a beautiful young American student, this particular nightmare began eight years ago in Los Angeles, when Jack Morgan, owner of Private - the world's most exclusive detective agency - saved her from a horrific death. She has fled her country, but can't flee her past. The terror has followed her to London, and now it is down to former Royal Military Police Sergeant Dan Carter, head of Private London, to save her all over again.

In central London, young women are being abducted off the street. When the bodies are found, some days later, they have been mutilated in a particularly mysterious way. Dan Carter's ex-wife, DI Kirsty Webb, is involved in the investigation and it looks likely that the two cases are gruesomely linked.

Dan Carter draws on the whole resources of Private International in a desperate race against the odds. But the clock is ticking... Private may be the largest and most technologically advanced detection agency in the world, but the only thing they don't have is the one thing they need - time.

James Patterson's white-knuckle rollercoaster has just reached London. Buckle up, it's one hell of a ride!

My Thoughts: 

This book is about Hannah Shapiro a young American studying in England and suffered a trauma when she was a young child and her mother was murdered and Jack Morgan came to her rescue now Jack has his London office keeping watch over Hannah who suddenly goes missing and Dan Carter's goddaughter gets injured in the process.  We also learn about Dan and meet his ex-wife.  

This book was all over the place for a roller coaster just when you thought it was winding down you found more action and adventure.  Never a dull moment in the land of Private.  This series is very addicting and quick to read it pulls you in and won't let go until the last page is turned and the mystery is solved!

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Review: Some Girls Bite by: Chloe Neill

Title: Some Girls Bite
Author: Chloe Neill
Publisher:  Berkley Books
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #1
Pages: 341
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Description:

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker–and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred-year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately, he expects her gratitude–and servitude.

But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war–and there will be blood. 

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Merit who finds herself waking up and not feeling like herself finding out she's been changed after someone tried to kill her.  Now she is a newborn vamp.  She has alot to learn in a short amount of time.  It takes a bumpy ride to find her way.  Meanwhile someone is killing women and trying to pin it on Merit's master Ethan Sullivan and his house Cadogan.  Who is committing these crimes and why?

I enjoyed this different take on vampires and the supernatural world.  Was definitely different then other books on vampires.  Merit is definitely a kick butt character who doesn't take crap from anyone and is very different from the other vamps.  Can't wait to see where her journey leads!

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Review: Eggs on Ice by: Laura Childs

Title: Eggs on Ice
Author: Laura Childs
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: A Cackleberry Club #8
Format: Hardcover
Source: GEBT

Description:

The Christmas season at the Cackleberry Club café is marred by murder in the latest book in the New York Times bestselling series.

Some say that casting crusty attorney Allen Sharpe as Scrooge in the Kindred Players production of "A Christmas Carol" is just playing to type. He's not the most beloved man in town. In fact, you'd have a dickens of a time finding someone who liked him. Still it's a shock when the Ghost of Christmas Past stabs him during the first rehearsal. Suzanne, co-owner of the Cackleberry Club café, Kindred's favorite combination diner, craft store and bookshop, chases the murderer out of the building but loses him in the alley. 

As the days pass the list of suspects grows longer. Is it the disgruntled partner? The former secretary whom Sharpe sexually harrassed? Or is it fellow owner of the Cackleberry Club, Toni's almost ex-husband, Junior? The women of the Cackleberry Club are determined to find the killer before he can add another victim to his Christmas list.

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My Thoughts:

This book follows Suzanne and her friends as they get ready for the upcoming play A Christmas Carol and the holiday season.  What no one counted on was the death of Scrooge for real.  Who would want to kill him and why?

The deeper Suzanne digs the more prospects of murderers are on the horizon.  Then when someone targets Junior's mobile home Suzanne really wonders what is going on in this town she loves so much!  Suzanne has her work cut out for her will she solve it or become scrambled herself?

I love this series it's such fun to go back to Cackleberry Club and see what everyone is up to.  Then you also get to see and watch as Suzanne solves the crime or if the murderer can actually stump her.  Such a fabulous blast to read about!

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Review: NC-17 (Maizie Albright Star Detective) by: Larissa Reinhart

Title: NC-17 (Maizie Albright Star Detective)
Author: Larissa Reinhart
Publisher: Past Perfect Press
Series: Maizie Albright Star Detective #3
Pages: 370
Format: e-book ARC
Source: GEBT

Description:

#StillDetectiveing

As an ex-star of a hit teen detective show, Maizie Albright gets the youth demographic. Or so she thought. Now that she’s adulting, today’s kids make Maizie feel out of date. At least the youth she meets while doing community service at Black Pine’s exclusive healing resort, the Wellspring Center. When these teens aren’t vlogging their attempts to track down Big Foot, they’re trying to prove the Center is up to no good. Starting with the disappearance and possible murder of their not-as-young commander. A murder the police find as likely as Big Foot.

Maizie has her own suspicions about the new celebrity retreat. Particularly when she learns her ex-fiancé has been hired to run the Center. Kind of an issue when she thought Oliver was in prison. Kind of an issue when Nash, the man of her dreams, is out of commission.

Wait, not man of her dreams.

Boss of her fantasies. Professionally speaking, of course.

While Maizie’s helping adolescent Youtubers detect a disappearance, she’s wrangling her mother’s wedding, assuaging an overzealous probation officer, and struggling to keep Nash Security Solutions solvent. Conspiracy theories collide with real-life catastrophes beginning with murder and possibly ending with Maizie’s life.


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My Thoughts:

What started out as a simple tailing of Roger Price has turned into so much more.  When Nash winds up in the hospital in a coma and Mazie is a hot mess of everything.  She tries hard to keep the business afloat and realizes how hard it is.  Mazie is approached by three teenagers looking for Chandler a man they work with on their YouTube channel.  They are determined that something happened to Chandler.  What could of happened and how much danger are the teens in?

Mazie also has a new therapist Dr. Trident whose into selfie therapy.  Apparently taking selfies will help heal your mind.  She is also working for Dr. Trident at the Wellness Center.  As Mazie spends time at the Wellness Center she learns there is more going on especially with ex's that should remain long gone.

I love Mazie and her hot mess of everything. She tries so hard to channel inner acting jobs to help her get through everything and when the chips are down Mazie is someone I definitely would want on my side.  Mazie can make you laugh and want to reach into the book and give her a boost of confidence when she needs it!  Can't wait to see what Mazie deals with next especially with the cliffhanger to the story!

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Review: No Ghouls Allowed by: Victoria Laurie

Title: No Ghouls Allowed
Author: Victoria Laurie
Publisher: NAL
Series: Ghost Hunter Mystery #9
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Description:

On a trip to Georgia to see her father, M. J. Holliday finds herself trapped in a haunted mansion and discovers...

THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN—FROM THE DEAD 

M.J. has had a distant relationship with her father since her mother died more than two decades ago. But when M.J., her boyfriend, Heath, and BFF, Gilley, take a break from their show, Ghoul Getters, and visit her family home in Valdosta, Georgia, they find Montgomery Holliday a changed man. The source of his happiness seems to be his new fiancée, the charming Christine Bigelow.

But despite the blush of new love, Montgomery and Christine are dealing with a big problem in the form of the antebellum mansion she is having renovated. After a series of strange accidents, the work crew is convinced the place is cursed, and the contractor has walked off the job. At Christine’s request, M.J. and her pals agree to find out if they’re really dealing with some spirited saboteurs and a possessed plantation home.

My Thoughts:

In this adventure Heath, MJ and Giley are heading back home for the wedding of MJ's father and his girlfriend.  When MJ and Heath learn about things going on at Christine's new house that seems haunted they volunteer to check it out what they didn't count on is some nasty evil spirits reeking havoc on anyone who enters the house.  Will the trio figure it out in time or will the Sandman put them out for good?

I love this series it has everything spooks, mysteries, and so much more including the trio being deputized during this investigation.  I just love going back and seeing what everyone is up to and how they are handle things.

This series is great for anyone who loves mysteries and good ghost stories!  I have been enthralled since the first book and it definitely hasn't lost anything through the many adventures can't wait to see what is next for the trio!

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Review: Shades of Wrath by: Karen Rose Smith

Title: Shades of Wrath
Author: Karen Rose Smith
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery #6
Pages: 352
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

SHADES OF WRATH is book 6 in Karen Rose Smith's Caprice De Luca Home Staging cozy mystery series.  Between her booming business, her family, and her work rescuing stray animals, home stager Caprice De Luca's life is packed. But when a murder unsettles peaceful Kismet, Pennsylvania, she adds amateur sleuth to her resume. 

Thanks to a wealthy patron, Kismet's women's shelter, Sunshine Tomorrow, has inherited a run-down mansion. Now the shelter's director, Wendy Newcomb, wants Caprice's decorating expertise. Caprice is happy to help, but when she glimpses a few heated encounters between Wendy and some locals, she fears that Wendy may be in need of protection herself. 

When Wendy is found dead inside the old house, Caprice is compelled to poke around in her affairs--and discovers she had her share of enemies. Now, with countless clients, a TV gig that could make her a household name, and rumors of a marriage proposal on its way, Caprice must find time to design an investigation that will lure a crafty killer into the wide open--before someone else winds up in a state of permanent disrepair...

My Thoughts:

In this book Caprice De Luca is working on a women's abuse house to help decorate it when the owner ends up murdered and Caprice wonders if there is more going on than meets the eye.  Could the murderer be one of the enraged husbands whose wives disappear.   Will she figure it out in time or will the murderer strike again?

I love this staging book mysteries.  They are such fun seeing what Caprice, Bella, Nikki, and Vince are up to.  This one didn't disappoint.  It made it such a pleasure to spend sometime in Kismet and seeing how Caprice unveils a murderer.

Anyone who loves decorating and mysteries will definitely enjoy reading about the whole De Luca family and how they handle various situations!  Can't wait to see what is next for Caprice.

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Review: Santa Puppy by: Lynn Cahoon

Title: Santa Puppy
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Kensington
Series: A Tourist Trap Mystery #9.75
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

’Twas the season of Christmas, and all through South Cove, California, Santa is working overtime to deliver a special gift . . .

Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby’s human is a daunting task. But there’s no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season.

Playing Santa’s Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened —and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . .

My Thoughts:

This book follows Jill Gardner and her boyfriend Greg King who are helping gets pets adopted in time for Christmas when Jill finds herself drawn to a dog named Baby.  The story behind Baby is one that is sad and bittersweet.  Baby's owner died being a homeless vet on the street looking for someone he lost long ago.  Will Jill figure out the mystery behind Baby?

This was such a cute novella as Jill unwraps the threads of the story of Baby and her owner.  We also watch as Jill celebrates the holiday season and is more welcoming of it when a man approaches her many times and has you wonder if it was Santa or just someone guiding her. 

Such a fabulous series.  Such fun and the dynamic with everyone is like going to visit a friend you haven't seen in a while.  They draw you in so you can walk with them and see where everyone is at now!

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Review: Thread Herrings by: Lea Wait

Title: Thread Herrings
Author: Lea Wait
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Mainely Needlepoint #7
Pages: 304
Format: e-book ARC
Source: GEBT & NetGalley

Description:

Angie's first auction may turn out to be her last--when she bids on a coat of arms that someone would literally kill to possess . . .

Tagging along to an estate sale with her fellow Needlepointer, antiques shop owner Sarah Byrne, Angie Curtis impulsively bids on a tattered embroidery of a coat of arms. When she gets her prize back home to Haven Harbor, she discovers a document from 1757 behind the framed needlework--a claim for a child from a foundling hospital. Intrigued, Angie is determined to find the common thread between the child and the coat of arms.

Accepting her reporter friend Clem Walker's invitation to talk about her find on the local TV news, Angie makes an appeal to anyone who might have information. Instead, both women receive death threats. When Clem is found shot to death in a parking lot, Angie fears her own life may be in jeopardy. She has to unravel this historical mystery--or she may be the next one going, going . . . gone . . .

My Thoughts:

This book follows Angie Curtis whose gone to her first auction and bought a coat of arms what she didn't count on was what was inside the artwork.  A certificate given when a child is given up to a hospital with only the name Charles.  What happened to the baby is anyone's guess.  Angie finds herself caught up in wanting to know the truth and with her friend Clem puts up a video on the news to find out more about the coat of arms.  What she didn't count on was the Clem being murdered and why?

Angie's life becomes in more danger as the days go by and Angie is reduced to hiding out.  Will the threats being sent to her ever end and how is it connected to a coat of arms?  Can Angie solve it with her normal methods when she is in hiding?

I love this series Lea Wait offers up so much in her latest book.  She pulls you in  the and won't let go until you uncover the murderer.  This book is so addicting you can't help but getting pulled in to Haven Harbor Maine.  Can't wait to see what is next for Angie and her family and friends!

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Review: A Vintage Death by: Mary Ellen Hughes

Title: A Vintage Death
Author: Mary Ellen Hughes
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Series: Keepsake Cove Mystery #2
Pages: 264
Format: e-book ARC
Source: GEBT & NetGalley

Description:

Callie Reed has put together a special event, but a killer is ripping it apart at the seams

As the new owner of a music box store in Keepsake Cove, a quaint town full of collectible shops on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Callie Reed is eager to get more involved in her community. So she volunteers to plan the fall street decorations and welcome a visiting author who's come for a special book signing. But the celebratory mood is cut short when the local B&B owner is found dead, killed with a pair of vintage scissors.

Suspicion is cast on the victim's estranged wife, Dorothy, who owns Keepsake Cove's vintage sewing shop. Callie is sure Dorothy is innocent, and the visiting author agrees. Together, they begin their own investigation, only to discover that many people in Keepsake Cove have secrets. Secrets that are worth killing to keep.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Callie Reed who is getting more involved with Keepsake Cove and volunteers to plan the decorations for fall on the street and help with the book tour coming to town.  Not long into this the local innkeeper is found dead and Dorothy his estranged wife is being looked at way to closely.  When the pressure is on and another person winds up dead Callie and local author Lyssa decided to help those involved and get to the bottom of what is going on.  Will Callie and Lyssa figure it out in time or would their goose get cooked.

This book is such a great add on to the series.  We get to see how the locals are doing and meet new people as they introduced.  This one brought on Lyssa a local mystery author who became fast friends with Callie.  She fits quite well with the locals.  You get the pleasure of the girls working through the case to find out the murderer and why!

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Review: Cry Wolf by: Annette Dashofy

Title: Cry Wolf
Author: Annette Dashofy
Publisher: Henery Press
Series: A Zoe Chambers Mystery #7
Pages: 267
Format: kindle e-book
Source: GEBT

Description:

Rural Pennsylvania’s Vance Township Police Chief Pete Adams is down an officer and has been dealing with extra shifts as well as a pair of bickering neighbors, one of whom owns a machete and isn’t afraid to use it. 

Golden Oaks Assisted Living is outside Pete’s jurisdiction, but a murder in the facility his Alzheimer’s-afflicted father calls home makes the case personal. 

Paramedic and Deputy Coroner Zoe Chambers has been itching for an opportunity to take the lead in a death investigation. She gets her chance when her boss is hospitalized and not only assigns her to the Golden Oaks homicide but puts her in charge of the county coroner’s office. 

As if she doesn’t have enough to handle, a long-lost, over-protective, older half-brother walks into her life threatening to drive a wedge between her and the man she loves. 

A second dead body leads them to realize the case may have dark ties to a distant past…and if Zoe doesn’t untangle the web of lies, Pete will be the one to pay the ultimate price.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Zoey and Pete Adams who are working a case where one neighbor is trying to hurt the other.  As Zoey and Pete try to get to the bottom of this issue there is the situation at Golden Oaks where Pete's father resides.  When a retired cop winds up dead the pressure is on to resolve the issue before Pete's dad becomes a target!

Zoey finds out she has a long lost half brother who seems intent on helping Zoey fix up her house her mother gave her.  Pete wonders about the lost brother and whether it's legit.  As they dig deeper and deeper it become evident he's more than he claims.

This book was great it pulls you into the world of Zoey and Pete and their friends and co-workers.  It makes you wonder if they will ever figure out who killed the cop.  I love this series it's fun and you see it from a different angle of Police Chief and EMT.  Can't wait to see where they lead to next!

Giveaway!

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Review: Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts by: Erin Johnson

Title: Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts
Author: Erin Johnson
Publisher: Self-Published
Series: Spells & Caramels Book #7
Pages: 278
Format: e-book ARC
Source: GEBT

Description:

A hostile town. A mountaintop mission. Will their magic save the day or spoil the pudding?

Imogen thought escaping the king's wrath would give her everything she wanted. But her relationship with Prince Hank is tougher than an overcooked flan and the welcome they get on Badlands Island is far less than friendly. Accused of kidnapping, Imogen proposes they prove their worth by traveling through a deadly forest to retrieve a magical herb at the top of a mountain…

Forced to take her baking skills on the road, Imogen and her friends must navigate monsters, secrets, and a possible traitor. And the little matter of the impending typhoon is seriously compressing their timeline…

With the storm and creatures closing in, can Imogen complete the quest or will her next meal be her last?

Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts in the seventh book in the Spells & Caramels series of paranormal cozy mysteries. If you like amateur witch sleuths, unbreakable friendships, and fascinating magical creatures, then you'll love Erin Johnson's page-turning adventure.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Imogen and her friends as they have escaped the King's wrath only to find themselves in a worse scenario the Bad Lands.  There they get brought to an area where people reside and Imogen has to prove they haven't done what they have been accused of and the only thing Imogen can think of is to go on a wild goose chase for an herb for medicine for people back into the depth of the Bad Lands and hope that they get what they are looking for and arrive home to prove their worth.  Will they survive or will a possible typhoon impend their travel?

This book has so much going on including continuing exactly where they left off.   Of course they have their issues going on especially between Hank and Imogen.  Watching to see how everyone will succeed or not was captivating.  Definitely a fabulous series for all those witch mystery lovers.

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Review: Death, Diamonds and Freezer Burn by: Tricia L. Sanders

Title: Death, Diamonds and Freezer Burn
Author: Tricia L. Sanders
Publishing: Soul Mate Publishing Inc.
Series: Grime Pays Mystery Book #2
Pages: 224
Format: e-book ARC
Source: GEBT

Description:

An unwelcome visitor, an unrequited love, and a dead body create chaos in a middle-aged woman’s plan for a productive summer. 

Despite a looming divorce, an empty checkbook, and a struggling cleaning business, Cece Cavanaugh is determined to land on her own two feet. Adamant about staying a safe distance from the handsome detective who has her fantasizing about violating the morals clause in her prenuptial agreement, Cece dives headlong into her work. 

Even though she has no free time to spare, Cece finds herself guilted into cleaning a hoarder’s home. Her discoveries in the condemned house are too shocking to ignore. Diamond-laden pachyderms, a secret cache of money, and a dead body lure Cece into launching an investigation that places her in direct contact with the one person she’s desperate to avoid--hunky Detective Case Alder. 

With clues in hand, Cece runs down leads and eliminates suspects one by one. Her conclusion and brave accusation put a friend’s life in peril forcing Cece to hatch a plan to outsmart the killer. A daring move could either save Cece and her friend or lead to their demise.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Cece whose moving past her married life and getting a divorce and learning to be on her own two feet.  Cece finds herself helping her friend clean her mother's house which is a horder's dream come true.  When a murder occurs she winds up in contact with Case Adler the detective she's been trying to avoid will she figure out who the murder is and why?  Or will she become the next victim?

This book was a great adventure to read and also showed how moving on from bad things can be hard but you can over come anything.  The book has a great set of characters that you meet from Cece's friends to a nosy neighbor.  Definitely a great series for all mystery lovers!

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Interview with Duffy Brown author of Tandem Demise

I recently had the chance to sit down with author Duffy Brown and talk to her about her latest book Tandem Demise.  So I think you will enjoy it as much as I did!

How did you come to write cozy mysteries?

I used to write romance. I wrote for Harlequin and Kensington until my editor said my stories were more mystery than romance and I realized I liked writing the mystery part much more than the romance. I love Janet Evanovich! I love the humor and the setting and decided I wanted to make readers laugh too. I work at a consignment shop and they say write what you know so I started the Consignment Shop mysteries. Then I took a trip to Mackinac Island and knew I wanted to set a series there. Cycle Path...take off on psychopath...was born.

Who Inspires your books?

Everyone and everything. So often I’m talking to someone and they say something funny or tell me what happened to that that is hugely entertaining and I always say…that’s going in a book! Inspiration is everywhere. I want to have fun things happen and still have a murder mystery. I do that by killing off the bad guy or gal, the one who has it coming. This also gives me a ton of suspects as everyone is doing the happy dance this person is toast. The settings are so inspiring. Anyone who visits Savannah or Mackinac Island has surely wanted to set a story there. Savannah is so, so, so haunted and Mackinac Island with no cars and big horses and bikes is made for a terrific mystery.

Do you have a favorite character or book?

Auntie KiKi from my Consignment Shop series is the auntie we all should have in our lives. She jumps firsts then thinks about where she’ll land. To KiKi, family is everything. She’s a southern belle with lots of spunk. She says all the things I wish I’d said in tough spots. She’s married to a heart surgeon that everyone calls Doc Putter because he carries a putter everywhere. Two of the most fun characters ever, they write themselves.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Writers are always writing. LOL Also, I have 4 grandkids and work at the Snooty Fox consignment shop. There are never enough hours in a day. I do love watching Midsomer Murders and Father Brown. Anything Sherlock and I’m IN! My license plate is Shrlok 1 and Shrlok 2.

What made you decide on the cycle mysteries? Was it the location or the whole riding bikes around?

Everything about Mackinac is so much fun. That there are no cars and rotten cell phone service adds a lot on intrigue all by itself. Also that the only way to and from the island is ferry service is terrific. Once the last ferry leaves you are stuck on the island. And in the dead of winter there is no ferry service. Gotta love that for a good mystery. There are only 500 fulltime residents on the island and the rest tourists makes for a very close group of friends.

If you were stuck on a deserted island what are three things you would have with you out of anything?

Well, I’d like to have my husband. He’s one of those guys that if they had a toothpick and a knife they’d build you a bridge. My husband could get us off the island for sure. LOL But if it’s just me I’d want books. You can find out how to do anything in books. That way I could survive and be entertained. And what good is live without diet Coke and of course I want paper and pencil to write. I cannot imagine life without writing.

Do you have any new books out or coming out you'd like to share with my readers?

Tandem Demise, book 3 in the Cycle Path mysteries just came out. I’m starting on book 6, Wedding Day and Foul Play, of the Consignment Shop mysteries. Thanks so much for asking.

Author Biography:

Duffy Brown loves anything with a mystery. While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She is a National Bestselling author and now conjures up who-done-it stories of her very own. She has two series the Consignment Shop Mysteries set in Savannah along with rescue pup Bruce Willis and the Cycle Path Mysteries set on Mackinac Island with judgmental cats Cleveland and Bambino.

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Review: Back Stabbers by: Julie Mulhern

Title: Back Stabbers
Author: Julie Mulhern
Publisher: Henery Press
Series: The Country Club Murders #7
Pages: 253
Format: e-book ARC
Source: GEBT

Description:

All Ellison Russell wanted was an update on her stock portfolio. Instead, she found her broker dead.

With an unexpected out-of-town guest at her house, Ellison is too busy for a murder investigation. Only this time, Detective Anarchy Jones wants her help, and she can’t deny the handsome detective. Can Mr. Coffee supply her with enough caffeine to keep her brain sharp and everyone else happy?

Juggling bodies (one, two, three, four), two-faced friends, her social calendar, and a cat (yes, a cat) is taxing but Mother might be the biggest challenge of all.

With a killer drawing closer, can Ellison put together the pieces or will she be the one getting stabbed in the back?

My Thoughts:

This book follows Ellison whose back with Anarchy Jones and gets put in an unusual situation when she visits her broker.  Even worse the situation she finds him in.  Add that to another broker having a heart issue and collapsing in front of Ellison.  Then there is her father who wants Ellison to have a house guest Karma.  Ellison definitely has her hands full in this episode.

It's so great to read Ellison and Anarchy back together again.  This story went all over the place with all sorts of situations being brought to Ellison and finds herself helping all sorts of people where she can.  I love going back to this time frame where people talked and not texted it was such fun!

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Review: A Deadly Brew by: Lynn Cahoon

Title: A Deadly Brew
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Kensington
Series: A Tourist Trap Mystery #9.5
Pages: 67
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley & Goodreads Giveaway

Description:

As Halloween approaches South Cove, California, four couples get into the spirit of the holiday by conjuring up spirits. . .

The house has sat empty for fifteen years, taking up prime real estate along the picturesque coastline. Built by one of the founders of South Cove, its last known owner, Maryanne Demerit, vanished without a trace. Now her home will be demolished for a condo development, but until then, it’s the perfect spot for a Halloween haunted house.

Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, her boyfriend, and three other couples are spending the weekend in the Demerit home. But what begins as an all-in-good-fun fright fest turns into a mystery begging to be solved as Jill is contacted by the ghost of Maryanne . . .

My Thoughts:

Jill, Greg, and their friends have decided to spend the weekend in a abandoned house which is being demolished to make way for a condo development.  They are hoping to solve the mystery of what happened to Maryanne Demerit who disappeared fifteen years ago.  While there Jill feels a strong connection to Maryanne leading to some weird dreams/visions.  What happened to Maryanne and will they figure it out or pay the price for snopping?

Some believe Maryanne was a witch and something went wrong.  But as they search deeper they learn Maryanne had a baby and something happened with the baby.  Now if only they could solve the bigger questions being brought to the surface.

I love this series it's fun and never a dull moment with Jill at the helm uncovering the clues and adding to the mystery.  Definitely a great Halloween treat to read.  I found myself captivated and unable to put it down!

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Review: Slay in Character by: Lynn Cahoon

Title: Slay in Character
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Cat Latimer Mystery #4
Pages: 320
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Staying in character can be murder when Cat Latimer and the members of her writers' retreat head for a ghost town . . . 

Cat and the members of her writers' retreat have just arrived in Outlaw, Colorado, an "Old West" tourist town complete with inhabitants dressed up as famous figures from history. But this authentic slice of Americana takes a murderous turn when a college student masquerading as a 19th-century saloon girl becomes history herself.

Was she the intended target? Or did she take a hit meant for someone else? With a cast of suspects to choose from--including some notorious gunslingers and the sleazy town founders--Cat must unhorse the real culprit before a real-life ghost story is given a killer twist . . . 

My Thoughts: 

Cat, Shauna, Seth and Uncle Pete are back to entertain us again this time Shauna and Cat are hosting another retreat this one has a lot of historical romance authors and Jessi Ball whose gotten the opportunity to be here as part of the college.  They are having fun going to Outlaw Colorado and visit the old west dress up as saloon girls and having a great time when something seems off with Jessi and Cat tries to help her but of course not long and Cat is being informed how Jessi's roommate Danielle has been found strangled.  Who killed the young college girl and why?  

The more Cat and Jessi learn about Danielle the less they seem to like her.  Add to the mix something mysterious happening with Jessi's financial accounts.  Someone seems determined to destroy Jessi and Cat can't figure out who or why?  Will Cat figure it out in time or will someone shut down Jessi once and for all?

I enjoy these trips to Colorado we learn so much and this one also shows you how Shauna has been dealing with her boyfriend's murder.  Of course in this one Cat has her work cut out for her as these authors are determined to play the role of Jessica Fletcher.  Will Cat ever stop getting calls from Uncle Pete about the authors running off where they shouldn't be?

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Review: Shadow Dancing by: Julie Mulhern

Title: Shadow Dancing
Author: Julie Mulhern
Publisher: Henery Press
Series: The Country Club Murders #7
Pages: 210
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Visiting a psychic is outside the norm for Ellison Russell. Finding bodies is not. Unfortunately, the psychic's crystal ball says she'll soon be surrounded by death. Again. Drat. Now there's a corpse in the front drive, a witchy neighbor ready to turn Ellison and her (not so) little dog into toadstools, and a stripper named Starry Knight occupying the guest room. 

How did 1975 go so wrong so quickly? Ellison must handle Mother (who's found a body of her own), make up with a certain handsome detective, and catch a killer, or the death surrounding her might be her own. 

My Thoughts: 

Ellison Russell should have known her life would go downhill when she went to a psychic with her friend.  What she didn't count on was how wrong it would go from teenage prostitutes to her parents having issues to having Det. Jones back in her life.  Will Ellison ever have a quiet day in her life?  Will she figure out what Starry Knight knows or who killed another prostitute?  

This book had everything from teen angst lots of that to of getting Det. Jones off her radar as they have recently split.  Will Ellison ever find the one or is she destined to be alone which is fine by her, but it won't keep her bed warm at night.

I really enjoyed this book and have everyone ever since.  Ellison handles things with only the style she can.  She also does it proving that women even back then could do more than keep home and have parties!

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Review: Designed for Haunting by: Sybil Johnson

Title: Designed for Haunting
Author: Sybil Johnson
Publisher: Henery Press
Series: Aurora Anderson Mysteries #4
Pages: 215
Format: e-book ARC
Source: GEBT

Description:

October brings a message from Beyond The Grave... 

Halloween is fast approaching in the quiet Los Angeles County city of Vista Beach, home of computer programmer and tole-painting enthusiast Rory Anderson. While her painting chapter prepares to open its annual boutique house, Rory receives an unexpected email from Beyond The Grave, a company that automatically sends out messages when someone dies. 

“I think I have a stalker,” the message reads. “If you’re reading this I’m either missing or dead. My life may depend on what you do. Please find out what happened to me.” 

Haunted by her friend’s disappearance and possible death, Rory begins her search with the help of best friend and fellow painter, Liz Dexter. Can they discover who has designs on the missing woman and uncover the truth before one of them becomes the stalker’s next victim?

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Rory Anderson whose received a message from the beyond from a friend of hers.  Zelena begs Rory to find out what happened to her.  Of course Rory isn't sure what is going on and with the help of her friend Liz Dexter she is determined to find out what happened to Zelena and why.  With not much to go on they search to find out what happened to Zelena even when they are warned not to investigate by Rory's boyfriend.  Will they figure out in time or will they be sending messages from beyond?

I really enjoyed this adventure and everything it brought definitely a great spooky mystery in time for Halloween.  You can't help but love following along with Rory and Liz as they try to get to the bottom of this mystery.  Definitely a great mystery to spend your time this holiday season!

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Book Tour: Murder, She Sent --Subscription Box

Murder, She Sent Subscription Box

Murder She Sent mainly works with Penguin Random House and Kensington to offer a Cozy Mysteryor First in a Series box each month.

It is a cozy mystery subscription box with a new release cozy mystery paperback book, 4 homemade/handmade artisan items from small US-based businesses, exclusive author content and exclusive discounts.    First in a Series box is the first book in a cozy mystery series, either an Alfred Hitchcock or Ellery Queen magazine, an exclusive keychain, and 1 artisan item.

Billie Jenrette.  Owner and curator for Murder,  She Sent. 39 years old. Have had this subscription box company for a year in September.

The logo. His name is Fletcher the cat. He’s named after Jessica Fletcher of Murder, She Wrote.

Billie’s Links:   www.facebook.com/cozysubbox.   twitter.com/sent_she.   www.instagram.com/murdershesent

Purchase Links: www.cratejoy.com/murder-she-sent  AND  murder-she-sent.cratejoy.com

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MURDER SHE SENT TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 15 –

Maureen’s Musings

FUONLYKNEW

Island Confidential

Brooke Blogs

The Book Diva’s Reads

StoreyBook Reviews

October 16 –

Babs Book Bistro

Mallory Heart’s Cozies

Celticlady’s Reviews

The Montana Bookaholic

Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews

October 17 –

Community Bookstop

fundinmental

Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!

Books a Plenty Book Reviews

T’s Stuff

Ruff Drafts

October 18 –

Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews

My Devotional Thoughts

A Chick Who Reads

That’s What She’s Reading

Handcrafted Reviews

October 19 –

MJB Reviewers

Here’s How It Happened

Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

Laura’s Interests

Readeropolis

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