Tag Archives: Mystery

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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Forsaken by S.J. Harper – a Review

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Forsaken by S.J. Harper – a Review

 

ForsakenAmazon / Barnes & Noble

Description:
Join Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.
She protected him. He loved her.
They can trust one another with their lives, but what about their hearts?

Special Agent Emma Monroe is a Fallen Siren seeking redemption. Thousands of years ago, she was banished from Mount Olympus by Zeus and cursed by Demeter for failing to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone by Hades. Now she’s working for the FBI, seeking salvation while searching for and finding the missing. Her partner, Zack Armstrong, is a werewolf with a grievance of his own.

The former Black Ops sniper who once carried out a string of questionable assignments is atoning for his past. Ironically, Zack’s just discovered an important piece of his past has been magically wiped from his memory—an affair with Emma. It doesn’t matter she used the spell to save his life, that’s something he’ll never know. With trust eroded and love overshadowed by betrayal the only thing holding them together is the job.

When the son of multi-billionaire Roger Maitlan is kidnapped and his babysitter murdered in cold blood, Emma and Zack travel to New York to work the case. They go undercover, infiltrating a playground of private dungeons where those who are rich and powerful can live out fantasies without consequence. What they find is a conspiracy born of a twisted mind and fueled by greed. The clock is ticking. Will Zack and Emma be able to find the missing boy and their way back to one another?

 

Review:
Forsaken by S.J. Harper is book 2.5 of their Fallen Siren series. This is a novella that picks up right after the second book ended. In Forsaken, S.J. Harper continues the trend of exciting, tense filled stories that are filled with pulse-pounding action. Emma and Zack continue to work together to solve major crimes, despite their intense feelings for each other. Zack cannot remember his relationship with Emma, but knows deep down that something did happen, and he continues to feel the chemistry between them. Emma cares strongly for Zack, but she knows showing those feelings could be the death of him.   They make such a great couple, even if they fight it. He is a werewolf and she is a Fallen Siren, and together they are wonderful team.

In Forsaken, a child is kidnapped and Zack with Emma’s help must find the boy; the son of Zack’s billionaire friend, before he is killed. With a race against the clock, the suspense multiplies after discovering the motive of revenge and greed that insures the boy will not be saved by just money. There are betrayals, and twists that make story even more intense as we head to the finish.

During all of this, the romance between Zack and Emma continues to get hotter and hotter.   Will Emma allow herself to continue this romance with Zack, putting him in danger? Will Zack discover the truth why he can’t remember what he knows has happened?

Jeanne C. Stein and Samantha Sommersby make up the writing team of S.J. Harper, and they do a fabulous job of creating such a wonderful series. Each book is filled with excitement, suspense, intrigue, sexy romance and a wonderful couple.   Fallen Siren is a great series that I suggest you read, and please start with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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Wild Blue Yonder/Forget Me Not by Megan Tayte – Reviews

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Wild Blue Yonder/Forget Me Not by Megan Tayte – Reviews

 

wiild blue YonderAmazon

Description:
IN A WARPED HEAVEN, SHE MUST CHOOSE HER FATE: OBEDIENCE OR REBELLION

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?

When Scarlett Blake chose life-after-death as a Cerulean, she expected to grieve for all she left behind: her boyfriend, her best friend, her mother, her home. But at least Cerulea, her heaven, would be… well, heavenly. Right?

Wrong.

The world in which Scarlett awakens is very far from her idea of a utopia. Picturesque, sure, and serene. But there can be no paradise within the unforgiving walls of a prison, be they of cold, hard stone or beautifully blue water.

Now Scarlett faces her hardest decision yet: be a good, dutiful Cerulean, or be true to herself and fight for freedom.

And if she can find a way to escape, what then? Can she finally reunite with her lost sister? Can she save Sienna from the murderous Fallen? Can she evade her destiny with the Ceruleans?

Can Scarlett Blake ever reclaim her life-before-death… or must she let go of all she loves?

Review:

Wild Blue Yonder by Megan Tayte is book three in The Cerulean Series. Scarlett Blake has made it safely to Cerulea. But she is none to happy to be there. It is nothing what she expected – nor myself for that matter. Yes, it is beautiful but she arrives in winter and it just isn’t what she pictured. I found it all quite sterile and strict and in my personal opinion something is off.  Not at all what we were lead to believe. While she knows she can never return to the life she has known, she can’t stop thinking about those she has left behind. She has agreed with Jude to come to Cerulea to continue her life and do good for others. Starting over on Cerulea, with Jude, will be the hardest thing she has ever done. With Luke, her boyfriend now gone to her she only has memories to keep her going. But it seems like everything she has been told about Cerulea is masked in some kind of a lie.

She soon comes to realize what exactly she was brought there for and she is not happy about it. Nor would I be. Major revelation on exactly why she is there! Shocking even! With only one way to find out what has happened to her sister Sienna and where she is now – Scarlett decides to behave herself and go along with what is asked of her. Following the rules and committing herself to Jude. The hopes of doing all of this will please the Cerulean mother, Evangeline and with that comes the hope that she will be able to leave Cerulea, and search for her sister.

But that all comes crashing down with an overheard conversation. Scarlett soon realizes that nothing is what it seems and there isn’t a lot of room to trust anyone. But one way or another she will escape Cerulea and she will find out what has happened to her sister! Again, the writing is beautiful and defining. It draws you in and submerges you into the world of Scarlett Blake. I ran the gamut of emotions with this book. Happiness and smiling, anger and cursing, skepticism and shock, and sadness and loss. You want to believe that no matter what true love always wins out – but you just have to question if it will! It is all beautifully written into an epic story! Don’t let the pretense sway you, this series is amazing! And I couldn’t have been happier to find out there will be two more books! This series calls for a standing ovation! It’s that good! 

 

Forget me NotAmazon

Description:
The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?

Death is stalking Scarlett Blake. As if the encroaching darkness in her head wasn’t enough, she’s become disturbingly accident prone. Falling off a cliff isn’t ideal when all you want is as much time as possible to live, to love.

Her fate is horrifying. Unbearable. And inescapable. No one can save Scarlett from The End that’s looming. Not Jude, the Cerulean who is intent on Claiming her. Not Luke, the boy who is intent on loving her.

The clock is ticking, louder with every heartbeat. Now Scarlett must decide how best to protect the people she loves. Will she trust in Jude and the life-after-death he promises? Will she stand against the Fallen, who have her sister captive? Will she carry the burden of her death alone – every headache, every hallucination, every wrenching, aching emotion?

And when the clock falls silent, when the darkness eclipses the light, will Scarlett fight for life? Or will she have no choice but to surrender?

Review:

Forget Me Not by Megan Tayte is book two in The Cerulean Series. This book begins right where the first book leaves off. Scarlett Blake is still dealing with the fact that she is Cerulean and soon death will take her to a place where she is told she belongs – Cerulea. Cerulea – the place where her people come from – where she must go to help the workd and do good.  She is in the struggle of her life. Fighting to stay in the here and now and knowing that soon all that she holds dear will be taken from her.

This book concentrates on the fact that Scarlet does not have much time left. Even though that’s the one thing she craves more than anything else. And all she wants to do is spend it with her boyfriend Luke, his sister Cara (who is also her best friend) and those that she has come to love in her little coastal town of Twycombe. She knows that with death comes the chance of finding out what exactly has happened to her sister Sienna since her passing and what exactly she is doing with the Fallen. And can Scarlett save her? 

This book was superbly written and did not miss a beat in continuing the story. This book brings us closer to Jude, the Cerulean that has been sent from Cerulea to claim Scarlett when the time comes. He is there to keep her safe until the time of her passing and deliver her safely to Cerulea. While the first book brought us the romance and the new love that blossomed between Scarlett and Luke, this one shows us what happens once Scarlett realizes that she is going to die and there is nothing she can do to change it. We also struggle with the fact that she is trying to keep as much from Luke as possible. She doesn’t want to cause him or bring him anymore pain. So we follow her through the final months of her life and the relationships she holds so dear and close. And the love you feel between her and Luke is breathtaking. This book is a surreal look at the life of young girl with a destiny with death. The ending was heartbreaking – even though you knew it was coming – the surprise of how it happened and the gut-wrenching pain of two in love now separated by death was pure unfiltered sadness.

Reviews by Erin

Copy provided by Author

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Missing Melissa by Alretha Thomas -a Review

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Missing Melissa by Alretha Thomas -a Review

 

Missing MelissaAmazon

Description:
Twenty-two years old with a journalism degree from UCLA and a promising entry level position at a television station, Madeline Patterson is ready to take on the Universe. Raised by two loving parents, adored by her grandmother, protected by her dog, Pepper, and supported by her best friend—Madeline has it all. There’s only one thing missing—literally missing—her identical twin, Melissa.

When Madeline and Melissa were three-years-old, their mother was carjacked in broad daylight while taking them to a doctor’s appointment. She was able to get away with Madeline in tow, but the assailants left the scene before she could rescue Melissa. A long and massive search ensued, but Melissa was never found and is believed to be dead. However, a dream Madeline has on her twenty-second birthday, wherein Melissa appears to her as a grown woman pleading for help, convinces her Melissa is still alive. Against her parents’ wishes, Madeline vows to find her twin. However, in doing so, she unknowingly stumbles upon a series of startling clues that point to her parents’ possible involvement in Melissa’s disappearance. Paralyzed by fear, Madeline doesn’t want to face what could possibly be the ugly and grim truth about her parents. However, her desire to find Melissa propels her forward—but nothing could prepare her for what she discovers.

 

Review:

When Madeline awakens on her 22nd birthday, she has one thing on her mind. Her twin sister, Melissa, who was abducted nineteen years earlier. She had no idea at the time how much her life would change in a relatively short time. When she confides in her best friend, Ruby, that she believes Melissa is still alive, Ruby, more or less, tries to convince her to give up on that notion. After all, her birthday party is starting in just a few hours.

Once Madeline makes her appearance downstairs and the party gets rolling, she is greeted by lots of friends and family, and in particular, one friend from a long time ago who brings up her twin, Melissa. It’s actually this old friend that really motivates Madeline to reinvigorate her search for her sister, even though he’s a little on the creepy side. Madeline eventually broaches the subject of Melissa’s disappearance with her dad who shuts her down. Hard. Which only adds to her curiosity.

Things really get rolling once Ruby decides to help and sets up a Facebook page, Missing Melissa, and tips start coming in. Madeline eventually contacts the cold case detectives at the police department and is almost immediately befriended by Sam, one of the detectives, who proves to be instrumental in the investigation. Through a series of events, Madeline finds out that some of the things she thought she “knew” all of her young life, were indeed not the way at all. Once she starts delving deeper into things from her family’s past, the more mysterious things become. She doesn’t want to believe that her parents are hiding things from her, but a conversation with her paternal grandmother changes everything……….

Missing Melissa is another wonderfully written story by Alretha Thomas. There were lots of twists and turns, and when the ultimate reveal was made?? Let’s just say that I thought that I had it all figured out. To say I was way wrong is a slight understatement. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! Madeline was a wonderful young character who followed her heart, and her gut. Even though she seemed a little naïve at times, I had to remember that she was only twenty-two. I also loved that Ms. Thomas wrote Madeline’s romance with Sam. Even though they were attracted to each other, she didn’t have them jumping each other’s bones. She let it slowly evolve, which was refreshing. Ruby, her BFF, was a wonderful character as well. I have my Ruby, and I can only hope that all of you have one as well!! Missing Melissa is ultimately a story about not giving up and following through with determination that would make anyone, friend, parents, etc., proud. If you’re looking for a refreshingly different storyline with a lot of mystery, lovely developed relationships and a big ole who done it, this one is for you! You will cheer, you will jeer and you will definitely shed a tear…… Well done Alretha Thomas!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

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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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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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Charade (Swept Away 1.5) by J.S.Cooper-a review

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CHARADE (Swept Away 1.5) by J.S. Cooper-a review

Charade

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 16, 2015

From New York Times bestselling author J.S. Cooper comes an e-novella prequel to the Swept Away series, best read after Illusion. Bianca is determined to avenge her father’s death, but to do that, she must get in bed with his enemies…

When Bianca’s father died, she was left with nothing but her memories—and a box full of secrets. Had her father really been squeezed out of the company he founded? And could his betrayers have something to do with the death of Bianca’s mother years before?

Bianca will do anything to find out—even pursue the heir to Bradley, Inc. But the road she’s on is a dangerous one, and if David Bradley sees through her charade, it could be deadly…

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: CHARADE is the prequel novella to J.S Cooper’s Swept Away series focusing on Bianca London and her personal investigation into Bradley Inc. Upon her father’s death, Bianca discovered that there may have been more to her mother’s death than purely an accident. What ensues is Bianca’s attempt to get closer to the Bradley heirs in order to uncover the truth about her father’s claims; betrayal at the hands of a friend; and years of lies and fraud.

J.S. Cooper’s CHARADE reveals some of the background information leading to Bianca and David’s relationship; their eventual break up; and hints at a struggling friendship, betrayal and manipulation. There are hidden clues and forewarnings regarding the people in Bianca’s life. No one can be trusted-even a best friend named Judas turned to save his own life.

We are introduced to Bianca, David Bradley, and Bianca’s best friend Rosie. We learn a little more about what motivates Bianca, her friendship with Rosie and her attempts to seduce a member of the Bradley family.

CHARADE is a quick and revealing read with a hint of betrayal and control; deception, dishonesty and duplicity. The storyline is a build up of deceit, lies, evasion and disbelief. While Bianca is desperate to uncover the truth, she is incapable of taking her plans through to the next level.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Series Spotlight Black and White

IllusionAmazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 11, 2014

Click HERE for our review of ILLUSION book one in J.S. Cooper’s SWEPT AWAY series.

The day started like every other day…

Bianca London finds herself kidnapped and locked up in a van with a strange man. Ten hours later, they’re dumped on a deserted island. Bianca has no idea what’s going on and her attraction to this stranger is the only thing keeping her fear at bay.

Jakob Bradley wants only to figure out why they’ve been left on the island and how they can get off. But as the days go by, he can’t ignore his growing fascination with Bianca.

In order to survive, Bianca and Jakob must figure out how they’re connected, but as they grow closer, secrets are revealed that may destroy everything they thought they knew about each other.

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