Tag Archives: Georgianna

A Season for Killing Blondes by Joanne Guidoccio – a Review

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A Season for Killing Blondes by Joanne Guidoccio – a Review

 

A Season for Killing BlondesAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Hours before the opening of her career counseling practice, Gilda Greco discovers the body of golden girl, Carrie Ann Godfrey, neatly arranged in the dumpster outside Gilda’s office. Gilda’s life and budding career are stalled as Detective Carlo Fantin, her former high school crush, conducts the investigation. When three more dead blondes turn up, all brutally strangled and deposited near Gilda’s favorite haunts, she is pegged as a prime suspect for the murders.

Frustrated by Carlo’s chilly detective persona and the mean girl antics of Carrie Ann’s meddling relatives, Gilda decides to launch her own investigation. She discovers a gaggle of suspects, among them a yoga instructor in need of anger management training, a lecherous photographer, and fourteen ex-boyfriends.

As the puzzle pieces fall into place, shocking revelations emerge, forcing Gilda to confront the envy and deceit she has long overlooked.

Review:

A Season for Killing Blondes by Joanne Guidoccio is a murder mystery with a touch of light romance. This is a delightful read if you like mystery/murder stories with a feel of community people. This takes place in October of 2011 in Sudbury, Canada, so for me, who has never been there, it’s already excitingly located.

The story begins as Gilda tells the story of why Carlo a detective is in the back alley of her newly opened re-careering office (I’m leaving out last names on purpose). On the day that was to be her grand opening, the body of a local blonde woman, Carrie Ann Godfrey was found posed in the dumpster in the alley behind her office. The dead woman is a town icon and had been the prom queen when Gilda and Carlo had been in high school, and the mystery begins.

The murder is investigated and Gilda is questioned, as is her cousin Sofia. When a second blonde is found murdered, after an altercation with our heroine Gilda, it becomes apparent to her that someone is trying to frame her for the murders. The handsome blue eyed detective goes above and beyond to secure her alibi, when our heroine could not prove her whereabouts and also promising a dinner date after the investigation is over. There are many suspects, some are more subtle while some are the usual. Then another cousin ends up murdered along with a Russian step-sister (not a blonde).

Okay, that’s the setup and all the murders…I don’t do spoilers. This is a story you must read to enjoy and I believe you will enjoy it. I certainly did and look forward to more from this author.

The writing is wonderfully descriptive but not overbearing. Characters are well described and events are discussed like imported pastries for her grand opening…giving you the feel you’re standing there with people you’ve known your whole life. Some you like, some you don’t. The location is also well described with points of interest, letting you pretty much picture where you are. However, the descriptions are done in small doses, totally enhancing the story without boring the reader.

The story builds slowly, letting you know many of the characters and leading you on a merry chase. It’s good entertainment and thoroughly enjoyable.

If you like a good mystery and a little murder, a possible blossoming romance…give it a read!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Author

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All for Love by Susanne Matthews-a review

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All For Love by Susanne Matthews-a review

All For Love

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 25, 2015

To overcome your fear, you must first face it.

Someone is out to destroy Greg Simmons and everyone he has ever loved. After an accident leaves his teenage daughter depressed and distraught, Greg will do anything to make her happy again, Olivia Marshall lost both her fiancé and her cousin in a deadly avalanche. She has vowed never to set foot on a ski hill again. But now, working as a bodyguard with Anderson Security, Olivia must face her greatest fears to save Greg and his daughter.

Something about Olivia’s determination strikes a chord in Greg, but will she be the salvation he needs, or will he be her destruction?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: All for Love is a new mystery/romance from author Suzanne Matthews. It’s fast paced and action packed, with intricate plotting.

The plot revolves around Andrew Gregory Robertson (aka. George Stanton, author) “Greg”. He is cousin to Tim Robertson, multi-billionaire and CEO of Robertson Enterprises.
Greg has a problem. He had an affair with actress Nadia, and she didn’t tell him she was pregnant until after they broke up. She needed money to raise their daughter Sheena, and he provided. She only let him see his daughter two weeks a year, and pretty much told the girl it was because he didn’t care about her (yeah, great mom). He loves his daughter, but essentially doesn’t know much about her.

A bad car accident killed Nadia and a bomb that was under the car, went off…severely injuring Sheena. She’s a great young skier and was hurt badly. She would like to try skiing again, but they don’t know who set the bomb under the car. Notes found say it’s someone trying to hurt Greg by killing those close to him. So he needs a bodyguard for Sheena and himself, a new identity to keep the press away. So, Tim and Jack have a plan.

Through intricate plotting I think you should read yourself, Greg will marry Olivia Cummings, and employee of Marshall Security and ex-Olympic skier until the killer is revealed, then marriage will be annulled. She will help train Sheena and be the bodyguard. What is it they say about best laid plans?

So no more spoilers…the book is fast paced and well written with entwined romance, humor and all that dangerous stuff to boot. It’s very hard to put down…so of course I didn’t. If you’re in the mood for a wonderful exciting ride and a growing love story…this is your ticket!

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. What seems a stretch, is actually well explained with a bit of logic and some female intuition for good measure. I loved it, I think you will too! Enjoy!

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Scheduled to Die (A Carter Mays Mystery #2) by Alan Cupp- a review

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Scheduled to Die (A Carter Mays Mystery #2) by Alan Cupp-a review

 

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO

Click HERE for Georgianna’s review of book 1 MALICIOUS MASQUERADE

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 2, 2015

Carter Mays’ newest client, Dana Carrington, has been given a year to live. Her prognosis didn’t come from a medical professional, but rather the handsome, charming man she met while on a business trip. After an evening with charismatic stranger, Mike Sweeney, filled with potential and intrigue, things quickly deteriorate into the most frightening and traumatic experience of Dana’s life.

Presented as an opportunity to be envied, Sweeney instructs Dana to spend the next year living life to the fullest, pursuing every extraordinary opportunity she ever dreamt about. When the year is up, Mike intends to reconvene for a romantic evening that will end with Dana’s death. However, if Dana dares to contact law enforcement, her impending death will come much quicker and be far more brutal.

Paralyzed by fear of the seemingly ever-present Sweeney, Dana hires Carter to protect her and stop her psychopathic suitor.

••••••••••

Scheduled to Die is a wonderful mystery story with a delightful bit of romance on the side. This is the second in the Carter Mays Mystery series and it’s almost impossible to put down. By that I mean that I didn’t until it was about three in the morning and I was nodding. I actually had to come to a lull in the action before I could give up for the night.

Alan Cupp, the very talented author, has penned an exciting and masterfully written tale of terror. We get another chance to follow the handsome and fiercely honorable Carter Mays, PI in his latest case to help protect a lovely young lady who has been targeted by a sociopath and murderer. I don’t do spoilers, so I’ll just say this is a magnificently twisted and thrilling story.

The neatly chronicled detective work, mixed with expertly choreographed acts of terror and suspense take you on a thrilling ride through the absolute hell of a deranged mind. This story has so much fine and well documented action it leaves you practically breathless, but compelled to keep turning those pages.
Grab something bracing to fortify your nerves, maybe a few tissues and a nail file (for the damage your teeth will inflict on said nails) and get comfy for this exciting journey.

Enjoy, and don’t forget to breathe!

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Day Shift by Charlaine Harris – Review & Giveaway

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Day Shift by Charlaine Harris – Review & Giveaway

Day Shift Banner

Day Shift
Midnight, Texas #2
by Charlaine Harris
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, mystery
Release Date: May 5, 2015

 

Day Shift

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves. Even in a town full of secretive people, Olivia Charity is an enigma. She lives with the vampire Lemuel, but no one knows what she does; they only know that she’s beautiful and dangerous.

Psychic Manfred Bernardo finds out just how dangerous when he goes on a working weekend to Dallas and sees Olivia there with a couple who are both found dead the next day. To make matters worse, one of Manfred’s regular—and very wealthy—clients dies during a reading.

Manfred returns from Dallas embroiled in scandal and hounded by the press. He turns to Olivia for help; somehow he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight…

Review:

Day Shift is book two of the new series by author Charlene Harris, who also authored The Sookie Stackhouse Novels. The first book in this new series is Midnight Crossroad.

This story begins in the Texas crossroad town of Midnight, with Manfred Bernardo noticing the sudden silence after the rumbling of trucks in this quiet and sleepy small town. He takes a break from his work as an online psychic, and notices that his neighbors are doing the same all of them, which can be counted on two hands. Yes, it’s a very small community.

It seems a company has purchased the Roca Fria Hotel and intends to renovate and open it as a new enterprise. They plan on making a place for older folks who don’t need full care and are waiting on a permanent bed in a nursing facility; but this will also have a few short term places for regular working folks and a few more rooms for travelers, at least that’s the plan.

They are all surprised at the new situation, most of the residents of Midnight are unhappy about all the commotion and extra people in their comfortably quiet and predictable village. They’re not comfortable with ‘strangers’ in their midst. They are also unsure of how the new business will affect their town dynamics.

We’re introduced, gradually to all the town residents. Each with a quirkiness and charm of their own. Our main focus, for this story, is Manfred Bernardo, with the town dynamics unfolding alongside and into this intriguing story.

The action begins with Manfred going to Bonnet Park and the Vespers Hotel to meet personally with various clients and do readings. While there he sees Olivia, another resident of Midnight, having dinner with a couple in the hotel restaurant. When said couple ended up dead the next morning, he had misgivings about Olivia’s occupation and wondered if she’d been the one to do them in.

During that same day, one of his best patrons, an elderly lady with a husband that had passed and Manfred helped her communicate with, Rachel Goldthorpe. Rachel was elderly with two daughters and one unruly and neurotic son. During their session, Rachel fell over dead.

That’s the setup! I don’t do spoilers…the reading of a fine story is the thing that entertains and makes our books worth their ‘weight’ in gold! This story is intriguing and quirky. It’s well written by a master of the craft. The people of Midnight are not at all what they appear to be, each has their own quirks, such as Lemuel, Olivia’s boyfriend, and a vampire! Everyone in town knows this and is okay with it, as each of the residents has their own quirks…finding out what they are is such fun!

Do yourself a great favor and pick up this series while it’s young! It’s such a fun read and makes you needy for the next story. So get the books, your favorite beverage and prepare for a wonderful time! Enjoy, I did and can’t wait for the next in this series.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied by Publisher

 

giveaway

Charlaine’s publisher Penguin/ACE is offering a paper copy of MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD (book #1 in the Midnight, Texas series) to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

7. Follow Charlaine Harris   on Facebook.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from May 1 to 4, 2015

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The Mistake by Lily Maxton – a Review

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The Mistake by Lily Maxton – a Review

 

The MistakeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM


Description:
Childhood love never disappears…

Infamous courtesan Julia Forsythe is the former mistress of a ruthless marquess. She’s also expecting his child. But while she longs to flee from his cold clutches, the welfare of her unborn babe prevents it. Now she must find a way to remain a “mistress” in name, if not in deed. And her plans are only complicated by a growing affection for the estate’s head gardener…

Fifteen years ago, Adam Radcliff once shared a close friendship with Julia. Now they stand worlds apart in both lives and statuses, sharing only the memory of that old friendship. But even as Julia slips out of the marquess’s lascivious clutches, she finds herself seeking the pleasure of Adam’s company. Now Adam is falling more deeply for Julia, even knowing that wanting another man’s mistress will only bring ruin upon them both.

Review:

The Mistake by Lily Maxton is a historical romance set in London in the 1800’s and is part of the Sisters of Scandal series. A wonderfully romantic era it was also an era that had little security for women. Not many avenues to advance themselves financially without marrying a rich or titled man. This is well written and I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s style.

The prolog begins in London, 1802. Adam Radcliff, a young man of 16, a poor Irish/English child without much prospect goes looking for his runaway friend and first love, Julie Forsythe. Her father has died after years of drinking since the death of her mother, and she’s overwhelmed with fear of being poor all her life. He finds her but she’s already met a Lord Stanley and he’s suddenly aware that she can have more of the security she needs with this man than with him, so he lets her go by stepping into the shadows and leaving.

Fifteen years later the story picks up with Julia now the mistress of Henry Eldridge, the Marquess of Riverton. While she detests the man, she is also pregnant with his child and has a contract with him that he will provide for the child a specified amount and even an education if she will fulfill her part of the contract and be available sexually to him for as long as he wants her. She makes him think she’s ill and he sends her to his country estate of Blakewood Hall by herself for a month. She finds Adam again, he’s the head gardener at the estate.

That’s the setup, I think everyone will enjoy this intriguing tale of love and life, things we think we need and things we truly need. It’s well written with the talented author using time to relate the tale of the two young people in love, and the background of their stories. It’s an intricate but fast paced story of rediscovering self and others, a good look into the society of the time. Will true love win, or will security and greed overcome yet again?

Grab a good beverage, a few tissues and snuggle up for a lovely quick read. You’ll love it! I did!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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Ballad Beauty by Lauren Linwood-a review

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Ballad Beauty by Lauren Linwood-a review

Ballad Beauty

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 25, 2015

After ten years apart, Boston schoolmarm Jenny McShanahan receives a letter from her beloved father that instructs her to join him in Texas. She has no idea that he’s become Famous Sam McShan, the Robin Hood of the West. She arrives to find Sam already gone, but he left instructions for Jenny to hire a guide and rendezvous with him in Nevada.

Texas Ranger Noah Daniel Webster knows Sam personally because his father, Pistol Pete Webber, was Sam’s longtime partner in crime. When Pete is killed during their last big score, Noah requests the assignment to bring Sam to justice. Going undercover, he volunteers to act as Jenny’s escort across the dangerous prairie, using her to track her outlaw father’s location.

As they journey through rough country, love blossoms—but Noah knows the second he arrests Sam, his betrayal will kill Jenny’s love for him. Should the lawman do his duty as a Ranger, or should he let love rule? The choice Noah makes will change their lives forever.

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: Western and Romance fans rejoice! Lauren Linwood has written another magnificent tale of the Old West that thrills the heart and mind.

Ballad Beauty is a masterfully written story of rough beginnings, family drama and finding love and more to build a life on. Noah Daniel Webster is a Texas Ranger determined to make up for his criminal father, Pistol Pete Webster. Pete is a bank robber, thief and killer. Noah was raised by his mother with a decent education and a guilt complex (courtesy of Mom) that makes him want live a life on the right side of law and order. When he decides he has to bring in his father’s partner, Famous Sam McShan, who he believes killed his father, Noah sets out to find Sam. Knowing Sam has a daughter he will contact, Noah decides to follow said daughter until he finds Sam.

Jenny McShanahan, was raised in The Thompson School (for girls) after her mother died and her father wanted a safe and good place for her. Jenny knows her father intends to send for her…but it’s been over ten years. Finally a letter arrives and gives her directions and money on how to meet her father in Texas. Jenny is unaware of her father’s way of making a living…she doesn’t know he’s Famous Sam McShan. She sets out to find him, and finds much more than she thought.

That’s the set up for the story…of course there’s much more to it, but discovery is all the fun, right? Let me tell you that this story is well written. The characters are believable and as colorful as the Old West itself. Ms. Linwood has done a magnificent job of transporting the reader to times past with realism and yet romance. The attraction and building love between the main characters is swoon-worthy.

Grab your favorite beverage, some snacks, maybe just a couple of tissues and get ready for a thrilling and compelling story that will curl your toes and warm you heart! Enjoy, I certainly did.

Copy supplied by author.

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Rothaker/Everett by Jenifer Ruff – Reviews

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Rothaker/Everett by Jenifer Ruff – Reviews

 

Rothaker
Everett Series – Book #2
by Jenifer Ruff
Release Date: April 1, 2015

RothakerAmazon / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Another school….another disappearance…

Brooke is thrilled to be a first-year medical student at Rothaker. Committed to winning a coveted scholarship for future surgeons, she has vowed not to repeat the “necessary”, but extreme acts from her years at Everett College. She is also intrigued by a classmate, the mysterious Xander Cross, a former college football player and veteran of the war in Afghanistan, hiding dark secrets of his own. Thanks to her single-minded obsession with excellence and achievement, Brooke’s plans are rolling along smoothly, until her integrity is questioned by Rachel, a rival student.

Does Brooke discover a soul-mate when Xander is forced to confront the truth of his haunting past? Or, will her determination to vanquish all obstacles, remain unscathed, and come out on top be her undoing?

This chilling mystery of psychological suspense will have readers wondering just how well they actually know their friends, neighbors, or classmates.

Review:
Rothaker is the continuing story of Brooke Walton medical student and psychotic killer. This thrilling mystery/murder story is has many similarities to a recent series on cable titled Dexter. However, where Dexter was taught to kill only other killers, our lovely Brooke only kills those who get seriously in her way.

Jenifer Ruff has a created an interesting world focusing on this lovely blonde with a passion for physical fitness and dissection. This year, Brooke broke up with her “boyfriend” Ethan due to his move back to California after graduation from Everett. This year she’s a medical first year student at Rothaker and has vowed to herself to have a few differences. Namely a better social connection to others, and more tolerance for those who get in her way.

The plot thickens when Rachael, another student threatens to go to the dean about Brooke writing a part of a project for another student who had to return to India for his father’s funeral and to help his family. Brooke falls back into her default position of eliminating problems by killing those who make them.

Okay, that’s the set up and no more spoilers…you have to read this for yourself to get the full effect and believe me it’s effective! Author Ruff brings back or mentions a few familiar people from the first book and spices this one up with a real boyfriend and love interest for Brooke. Just to make it more interesting, he’s suffering from PTSD…and having flashbacks.

The manipulations, interesting interactions, and great storytelling make this a page turner and while it is a serial story, it doesn’t leave you on a breathless cliffhanger…just an interesting…Oooohhh what’s next! Grab a bracing drink and something to chew on besides your fingernails and enjoy!

 

Everett
Everett series – Book #1
by Jenifer Ruff
Release Date: September 15, 2014

EverettAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
At Everett, perfection has a dark side….

Brooke is a highly-motivated coed at prestigious Everett College. She is determined to graduate number one in her class, get accepted at a top medical school, and become a surgeon. She is brilliant, tenacious, and beautiful.

Everything is going according to plan, although she’s not sure what to do about Ethan, an attractive guy who would like to be more than just friends. Her classmates and professors are all captivated by her achievements and her outward appearance, with the exception of one student. Only Jessica, a wealthy socialite and Brooke’s complete opposite, senses that Brooke might not be all that she appears. But Jessica has her own problems, fueled by too many prescription pills, energy drinks, and a huge case of snobbery. She’s too busy looking down her nose when she should be watching her back.

As the semester progresses, Brooke’s carefully laid plans are inadvertently threatened. Her sinister past is revealed, and nothing is off limits when it comes to achieving her goals.

 

Review:

Everett is a mystery suspense novel by Jenifer Ruff. Centering on life at Everett, an elite and prestigious college in New Hampshire. Brooke Walton has transferred to Everett from Cedarhurst due to the death of her academic mentor. She’s brilliant, lovely, focused on fitness and becoming a surgeon. Oh yes, there just one other small thing, Brooke’s a psychopathic killer.

Most descriptions are of normal college life and scenery. Some focusing so much on secondary characters that it may seem to be moving slow…it only seems that way. There is a lot of description and information, but it’s setup for the story. Brooke also has a boyfriend, well sort of. He’s wonderful and he thinks he’s in love, but she has to work at doing the things that appear to be what normal people do when they’re attracted or in love, because she doesn’t have those type of feelings. Ever hear of the TV series Dexter? Similar affliction.

The situations are interesting, her stressors are equally interesting. She’s absolutely driven to the physical workouts, even inventing her own workouts and teaching large and satisfied classes. This actually a symptom of her disease, as is being driven to be the best academically and to become a surgeon. It isn’t clear if she also intends to help some people, but she definitely has an interest in cutting into others and seeing the causes of death and what happens.

It’s an interesting read, a few small misspelled words…no big deal, doesn’t effect the story at all. Basically, if you like psycho-type stories and mysteries…this is really interesting. It’s a bit strange to hope the “bad guy” or in this case “bad girl” doesn’t get caught. It’s fun!

Everett is the first book in this story. A sequel Rothaker is also out and I’ can’t wait to delve into its mysteries and dark thrills!

Reviews by Georgianna

Copy provided by Author

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Uncharted Territory (Angela Panther) by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson – Reviews

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Uncharted Territory (Angela Panther) by  Carolyn Ridder Aspenson – Reviews

 

The Angela Panther Series…what can I say. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m somewhat frugal. My husband would disagree, but since when is a husband happy about his wife’s spending habits? I read the first two books of this series and went to Amazon and bought them for a friend. How’s that for a recommendation?

 

Uncharted Territory
Angela Panther series – Book #3
by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Release Date: February 6, 2015

Uncharted TerritoryAmazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / BAM


Description:
Just when psychic medium Angela Panther thinks she’s got her gift figured out, the universe smacks her in the head with a curve ball.

When an unidentified fourteen-year-old boy takes a dive off an interstate overpass, Atlanta Detective Aaron Banner asks Angela to find out if it was suicide—or murder. But the young boy’s spirit has other plans for her: help another lost soul and forget about him.

Fortunately, Angela’s never been good at taking orders.

With the help of her dead-but-not-gone mother, Fran, and her newly single best friend, Mel, Angela sets out to discover the truth about both the jumper and the girl he wants to help.

And boy, is she out of her league.

Armed with little more than their double lattes and a tiny pink bottle of wannabe pepper spray, Angela and Mel must venture into the dark underbelly of Atlanta to solve two mysteries. Will they be able to help the dead finally rest in peace?

Review:

Uncharted Territory is the third book in this marvelous series and is every bit as witty and wonderful as the first two. I was thoroughly entertained by the dialogue and characters. Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is a gifted author and I hope this series continues for a very long time. I’m now a fan!

Angela Panther is a lacrosse mom (aka soccer mom) with two children and a sexy, simply loveable and wonderful husband (yes, I’m so envious! LOL). She has a teenage daughter Emily who has given her fits with her angst and issues (I’m so not envious, been there done that.). She also has a son around age 10 who’s wonderful, loving and respectful, plays too many video games (pretty realistic, huh?). Oh yeah, Angela can see and hear dead people!

Angela could do this for awhile as a child, but the ‘gift’ faded for most of her life and she forgot about it. Then her mother passed and suddenly there it was again. Hopefully, you’ll also read the short synopsis of the first two books, probably before or after this. Suffice it for now to say she’s struggling with this ‘gift’ changing her normal life to something…well…abnormal. Yeah, it seriously would!

In this book, Angela works with Detective Aaron Banner to help solve crimes and deaths. In the previous book, Unbreakable Bonds he witnessed her gift firsthand and asked her to help him, unofficially and unpaid.

Her best friend Mel, recently divorced, is one of the main secondary characters in the books and the relationship is absolutely entertaining and serious fun! Mel is witty, wild, hurting and horny. The two together with her dead mother, vastly surpass the wit and humor of other well-known detective-mystery type series characters (aka – Stephanie Plum), at least in my humble opinion.

The team tackles the cases of a young ‘thug’ who died from the fall off a bridge. Did he jump, was it murder? He doesn’t remember… Another case is the girl in the white gown, who disappears before getting to give her much information, is she actually dead? This and much more make this book a completely entertaining and wonderful read.

Grab a great drink, snacks! Jump onboard the Angela Panther train…ride along and watch her develop this marvelous talent. Don’t forget the tissues, there tears both happy and sad, but totally awesome coming!

 

Unfinished business

Unfinished Business
Angela Panther series – Book 1
by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Release Date: March 26, 2014
Amazon / B  & N / The Book Depository / BAM

Review:
The setting is in Atlanta, GA. Angela Panther is a housewife and mother of two Emily 15 and Josh 10, with a sexy and loving husband, Jake and their Pit Bull/Greyhound mix Gracie. Her She’s just lost her mother to cancer and is appropriately sad and grieving, when mother pops back into her life as a spirit. She thinks she’s having a breakdown, but her mother assures her this is not the case. She’s come to make sure the funeral and burial is done the way she wants.

This first book builds a new world for Angela and her family. Her mother’s spirit helps, and she begins the process of learning to accept and use her gift. The story is kept very real with teenage angst and drama (drug parties and the death of a friend), as well as a loving relationship with her husband. There are many things to learn for both Angela and her mom. She consults a medium to help her learn. She manages to help a few people get closure along the way, with the support and love from her understanding husband. Then has to prepare for the eventual death of her father who has COPD. The characters and dialogue in these stories is absolutely the best!

 

 

Unbreakable Bonds

Unbreakable Bonds
Angela Panther series – Book #2
by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Release Date: March 28, 2014
Amazon / B & N / The Book Depository / BAM

Review:
This book deals with Angela temporarily losing her gift, then getting part of it back, then with cooperation with “the universe” all of it back and more. Now she can only hear the dead. All due to her not wanting to do as “the universe” wants and use her gift without worrying about her own life. It’s as hilarious as the first, the dialogue and characters are so real and wonderful. Some of the spirits are sweet and need help, all are very grateful and some are just plain hilarious.

Emily (Angela’s daughter) gets her first taste of sex, with the wrong type of guy of course. By the end finds a much better boyfriend. Mel, (Angela’s BFF) deals with a cheating husband, and has to come to terms with a divorce and raising her children. She learns much, and plans on rejoining the world and thinks about dating. Fran (Angela’s mother’s spirit) helps sleuth out the facts and even gets a little revenge on the “Cheat”. Lots of fun adventure, heart-warming aid to a tiny little spirit, and so much more. Ending with a sort of partnership with Detective Aaron Banner, unpaid help to solve crimes and give closure to the dead and their relatives

Reviews by Georgianna

Copies provided by Author

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