Cast On, Kill Off is a Treat to your Senses

Cast On, Kill Off

By Maggie Sefton

Paperback Copyright June 2013

Publisher Berkley

Wedding bells are ringing in Fort Connor, Colorado, and the House of Lambspun knitters are abuzz with excitement. But when a murder interrupts the wedding planning, Kelly Flynn will have to solve this crime fast to ensure the killer doesn’t wind up on the guest list…

Kelly Flynn’s knitting pal Megan is about to get hitched, and Megan has found the perfect seamstress, Zoe Yeager, to create the bridesmaids’ dresses. But Zoe is harboring a secret. Bruises on her face show a troubling side of her marriage, and just after she finds the courage to leave her husband, she’s shot dead.

Zoe’s husband is a key suspect, but there are others who might have had designs on her death. It’s up to Kelly and her knitting pals to use their sleuthing savvy to solve the case. They’ll have to stitch up all the loose ends before they can don their dresses and escort Megan into the land of happily ever after…

 

Amazingly good story… Kelly is sort of back with Steve, her friend Megan’s wedding is on the horizon, and murder hits the group. The dress maker is killed and there are way too many people who agree that Zoe’s (the dressmaker)abusive husband is the killer. With more things on her plate then you can shake a stick at, Kelly rallies to the call and starts asking questions that will lead to the real killer. Is it someone they all know and like? I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out.   FTC Full Disclosure: I received my copy of the book as a gift from a friend.

Antiques Chop is a Humorous Romp

Antiques Chop

By: Barbara Allan

Copyright: May 2013

Publisher: Kensington Books

The quaint Midwestern town of Serenity is about to hit the small screen. Brandy Borne and her dramatically ditzy mother, Vivian, will be starring in Antique Sleuths, a reality TV show based on the duo’s antiquarian adventures–and their troubling talent for solving deadly crimes. What better shooting set than a creepy old house, the site of a 60-year-old unsolved axe murder?

The location is perfect until Bruce Spring, the show’s producer, meets a fatal axe-ident, mortally mauled just like the home’s previous owner. The first suspect on the chopping block seems typecast for the role of killer–he was found at the scene of the attack, clutching a stained axe. But as Brandy and Vivian chop around for clues, plenty of other suspects stick out their necks…

It seems the show’s cameraman clashed with Bruce–could he be the culprit? What about the acrimony between Andrew, the harried homeowner, and Bruce, whose dirt-digging documentary all but accused Andrew of the original unsolved crime? And who’s driving that blood-red Toyota that keeps making unscripted cameo appearances? If Brandy and Vivian are going to get to the bottom of this mystery, they’ll have to be extra careful not to wind up on the cutting room floor–in pieces!

No matter how hard she tries, Brandy just can’t seem to divorce herself from her mother’s escapades.  This time out even her son pleads with her to join in.  It started out when her ex-husband Roger showed up looking for his runaway son, he was wealthy enough to worry that it might have been an abduction for ransom.

Brandy explains to Roger that she’d spoken to Jake about her recently finding out who her real parents were and that Jake might be having a problem processing it. Jake just needed to talk to his grandmother and came to visit without benefit of his father’s permission.

So Jake gets to stay for a few days, and Vivian drags the two of them into a new scheme… a reality tv show about Antiques and the buying and selling of them.  Murder happens, possible revenge, possible long held hatred and much more… Ya gotta read the book to find out the rest of the story.

I love the series, especially where Brandy and Vivian are posting possible chapters for their next book.  This is a series that will have you rolling in your seat, falling down laughing.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this ARC from the publisher who requested a fair and impartial review.

Killer Honeymoon Will Totally Enthrall You

Killer Honeymoon

By: G.A. McKevett

Copyright: April 2013

Publisher: Kensington Books

Now that plus-sized P.I. Savannah Reid has finally walked down the aisle, she’s ready for a romantic island getaway with new husband Dirk Coulter. The trip is supposed to be a blissful week of rum drinks and sunshine—but finding a dead body on the beach can be a real killjoy. Welcome to the honeymoon from hell…
Savannah and Dirk were hoping for a little honeymoon excitement, but eye witnessing a cold blooded murder wasn’t exactly what they had in mind. To their surprise, the recently deceased is none other than Amelia Northrop, the popular L.A. anchorwoman whose super sexy looks landed her a super wealthy husband. Savannah’s no expert, but she’s pretty sure Amelia won’t be hosting tonight’s evening news; she’ll be the lead story.

When the local police make it clear that they don’t want Savannah’s help, she decides to do a little digging on her own—and what she discovers could blow the case wide open. It seems Amelia led a far more twisted life than her cheery on-screen persona suggested, and crossed more than a few powerful people along the way. The question is, who hated Amelia enough to shoot her dead in broad daylight? Savannah isn’t sure, but she suspects Amelia found out the hard way that fate has a way of settling old scores—and karma can be a girl’s worst enemy…

Why is it that every time Savannah and Dirk step out of the house, even just to run a quick errand they run into either trouble or dead bodies?

Savannah, Dirk off on a romantic honeymoon on picturesque Santa Tesla Island have only one thought on their minds, relax and enjoy some time away from the gang and the office.  Of course waking up in a crummy motel isn’t any fun either. Dirk in his mind was being romantic since they had stayed there once before while on a previous case.

After renting a golf cart to save money they head to a gift shop to redeem something their friends John and Ryan arranged for them as a gift.  Little did they know it would lead them into a gruesome murder that would have too many suspects and not enough answers. 

Savannah, Dirk, Tammy and the whole crew get deep into solving a murder the two newlyweds witnessed firsthand. The runarounds, and snubs from the police chief would chase off anyone else, but the intrepid crew of the Midnight Magnolia Detective Agency are made of sterner stuff.  It takes them a while but in the end they find the killer, solve the problem and make a couple of new friends in the bargain.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, who only asked for a fair and impartial review.

Immortally Embraced is going to Keep You Enthralled

Immortally Embraced

By Angie Fox

Copyright March 2013

Publisher: St. Martin’s

Even during a truce, Dr. Petra Robichaud has her hands full as the M*A*S*H surgeon to an army of warring gods—especially when Medusa herself turns up pregnant. Petra has no idea what to expect when a gorgon’s expecting, but she won’t let it turn her to stone. As the healer-hero of an ancient prophesy, it’s Petra’s job to keep the peace. But as the lover to a warrior demi-god, she knows how impossible some jobs can be…

Commander Galen is sexy, strong, and sworn to lead his team to hell and back. But when he announces to Petra that he can no longer risk her life for his love, the doctor is on her own…Until a mysterious new entity—in the form of a hot-blooded male—enters the picture. Can he be trusted? Can he be resisted? Meanwhile, an oracle delivers another prophesy that places Petra back on the frontlines with the man she may be bound to for eternity—in love, or in war…

This is definitely NOT your TV M.A.S.H. program… This is the MASH from hell (even if it is only limbo) … Like the roach motels on TV, once you get drafted in, you can’t get out.  Our favorite MASH doc has her hands full even during a a truce…  Petra has to do her job and still keep her secrets unexposed.

In the middle of all this her boyfriend Galen breaks up with her, the Oracle comes out with another prediction, and she gets caught up with  having to work with someone from the other side in order to work on her new anesthesia.  Things are going to be moving at a fast pace and you the reader is going to be glued to your chair until you’ve finished this book, and started looking for more, But it won’t be there.  Siiiiigh.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book as a gift from the author, who only requested a fair review.

Kris Neri’s Latest “Revenge on Route 66″ is a Fun Read

Revenge on Route 66

By Kris Neri

Copyright: March 2013

Publisher: Cherokee McGhee

Historic Route 66: With its signs for “New Dead Things,” the Biker Bunny Bin, and the Kontiki Pizza and Chinese Restaurant that serves only waffles – it’s kitchy, crazy, and fun. How appropriate that it would hold a place of importance to unconventional Tracy Eaton and her dad, aging Hollywood hunk, Alec Grainger.

Their Route 66 adventures always included a stay in Tecos, New Mexico, but their regular stop at Lucy Crier’s Lunch Pail Cafe is now a thing of the past, since Lucy plugged her ex-beau and went to the big house for murder. That’s why it’s perplexing when Lucy, safely ensconced in her cell, is simultaneously seen dodging traffic along Route 66. Naturally, Alec uses that mystery to lure Tracy and her sweetie Drew back to America’s Main Street.

But the road takes a darker turn when Woody Crier, Lucy’s smarmy son, turns up dead, and an even stranger bend when the FBI goes gunning for Tracy, calling her one of America’s Most Wanted.

She has no choice but to go on the lam, but this time, the Mother Road provides no escape. As the danger escalates, Tracy knows if she can’t cut through the web of secrets and lies shrouding her favorite haunts and the pasts of those dearest to her, everything she cherishes could vanish in a Route 66 minute.

This story is being told in both the past (through flashbacks by Tracy and others) and the present.  Drew’s movie star father cons her into joining him on a trip down memory lane on the Mother Road, Route 66.  This road is famous in both song (Get Your Kicks on Rte. 66) and television history (Route 66).

Tracy, her husband Drew, her father, and “Uncle” Philly are doing their best to solve murders, and find answers to a decade old murder.  The situations can be silly, masterful, or downright crazy.  But they all do what they can to survive.  In the end everyone’s secrets will come to light (hopefully) and Tracy and Drew will be able to enjoy some time together without worrying about being chased by cops, robbers, and thieves.

I’ve enjoyed all the Tracy Eaton books I can get my hands on.  This latest one had me glued to my chair for hours at a time (potty breaks are definitely needed) and I was sorry when the book ended.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher who only asked for a fair review.

Parrots Prove Deadly is Clea Simon’s Best Mystery to Date

Parrots Prove Deadly

By: Clea Simon

Copyright: April 2013

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Parrots will repeat anything – they don’t talk sense. Or do they?

When Pru Marlowe is called in to retrain a foul-mouthed African gray after its owner’s death, the bad-girl animal psychic can’t help hearing the bird’s words as a replay of a murder scene. But the doctor on call scoffs at the idea, and the heirs just want their late mother’s pet to quit cursing.

With the only other possible witnesses being an evasive aide, the blind neighbor, and a single-minded service dog, Pru is stuck with what may be a feather-brained theory. Even her crotchety tabby Wallis doesn’t buy it, although she’s more than willing to “interrogate” the big bird, as Pru deals with drugs, jealousy, and a potential rabies outbreak….

What do you think happens when you take one foul mouthed parrot, a service dog with issues, a neighbor who is a major yenta, and a dead woman’s daughter who appears to be slightly OCD?  You get Pru’s latest adventure in murder.

It all began with an early morning of Sept. 3^rd. when Polly Larkin AKA “room 203” was found dead on the floor of her room.  Pru checked her messages and found a mail from a woman “I need your help, it’s or death”.   Pru was being asked to retrain a foul mouth parrot into one more kid friendly so that Mrs. Larking’s son could bring him home to his house.

I could write a page or so of my thoughts of each chapter, but I won’t! I’m not that talented or I’d have my own books on the market. (insert laugh)  As the story progresses, Pru meets the aid, the neighbor and her support dog.  She also gets to find out how creepy the director of the Nursing home is.  As her questions pile up along with the body count… It’s a race to find out how Polly died, who done it, and why so many people not involved with the home are interested.

Clea Simon is one hell of a talented writer and never fails to keep my interested in her books.  She is the author of three mystery series. The Theda Krakow Mysteries, The Pru Marlowe Pet Noir, and the Dulcie Schwartz Mysteries.   Each one a mystery which will entertain you and keep you involved till the last page.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher who  only requested a fair and impartial review.

Lexi George Has Struck Gold Again!

Demon Hunting in a Dive Bar

By Lexi George

Copyright February 2013

Publisher: Brava

 

Rebekah “Beck” Damian runs a demonoid bar where everyone’s welcome—even a reformed flesheater who’s strictly vegetarian, a musical ghost who’s looking for a piano bar, and a feline harbinger of doom named Wampus Kitty who’s scaring the customers. So when a big strapping demon-hunter walks into the bar, Beck knows it’s not the end of the world. She’ll treat him like any other customer.

If only she could. Conall Dalvahni is the toughest, meanest, sexiest demon-hunter Beck’s ever seen—and she’s finding it hard to hide her attraction. As far as Conall’s concerned, the feeling is mutual. But how can he trust a beautiful half-demon babe like Beck—when her demonic friends have the perfect weapon to destroy every hunter on earth?

 

This is the third book in the Demon Hunting Series.  Each one showcases another member of the Dalvahni “brother’s” lives and adventures in our dimension.  Beck Damian is the owner and manager of a demonoid bar.

Connall Dalvahni has been hanging out at Beck’s place trying to decide whether he should destroy her or not since she is half demon.  She puzzles the hell out of him because she doesn’t “smell” like a demon.  As the story unfolds Beck is employing a number of new people in the place.  She takes in a Vegetarian Zombie and a ghostly piano player.  Connall decides that she is the one he needs to help stop a major incursion by demon’s who have a new weapon to destroy him and his brothers.  The sparks fly, not only in battle but between Beck and Connall.

Lexi George has struck again. This third book in her Demon Hunting series is the most mind boggling one to date.  I’ve been totally drawn into the action and intrigue of this series right from the beginning… I started because the title of the book was so unusual and catchy, and stayed for the fighting, the romance, and the action.   I think you will also.

FTC FULL DISCLOSURE: I received my copy of this book from the publisher who only asked for a fair and impartial review.

Under the Gun Definitely Hits the Target

Under the Gun

By Hannah Jayne

Copyright February 2013

Publisher Kensington Urban Fantasy

When you’re near the top of the Underworld Detection Agency, the claws really come out…

Quick thinking and loyalty have taken human Sophie Lawson a long way in the UDA—along with a healthy dose of magic immunity. But when her old boss Pete Sampson asks for help after a mysterious two-year disappearance, she’s determined to find out what high-placed demon has put two ruthless werewolf killers on his tail. Of course, sucking up to her icy vampire department head and negotiating a treacherous inter-office demon battle are the kind of workplace politics that could easily get a “breather” way worse than reprimanded. And sexy fallen angel Alex is doing whatever it takes to heat up Sophie’s professional cool and raise feelings she’s done her best to bury. Too bad their investigation is about to uncover the Agency’s darkest secrets…and powerful entities happy to sign one inquisitive human’s pink slip in blood…

What would you do if your former boss, who everyone thinks is dead shows up at your apartment?  If you are Sophie Lawson you will be looking for a way to help him,  and at the same time find out who is killing supernaturals .

This is the fourth book in the Underworld Detection Agency series, and each adventure gets better and better.  Sofie and her friends have to use all their wits and any and all luck they have to stay alive long enough to solve multiple problems.  I love this series and have been following it from the first book.  I hope you will pick up a copy, enjoy it as much as I do, and share it with your friends.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my ARC of this book from the publisher who only requested a fair and impartial review.

Trouble in the Tarot is a Magical Treat

Trouble in the Tarot

By Kari Lee Townsend

Copyright:  March 2013

Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime

For psychic Sunshine Meadows, sometimes fortunes can be deceiving . . .

Lately Sunny has been experiencing a period of big opportunity: her business in Divinity, New York, is thriving, and Detective Mitch Stone has finally agreed to take Sunny on a date. But thanks to her clairvoyant abilities, Sunny knows better than anyone that life deals out bad cards along with the good.

When Sunny agrees to read tarot cards at the annual Summer Solstice Carnival, she meets her Granny Gert‘s “arch nemesis” Fiona Atwater, and is overcome by a vision of Fiona in a violent argument. Sunny knows trouble is brewing when Granny and Fiona start having squabbles all over town. But the fighting comes to a head when a local baker gets run over by a big white Cadillac—and Granny and Fiona are found at the crime scene.

Sunny knows she should step aside and let Mitch handle the investigating, but she’s not about to ignore her visions and leave her granny’s life in fate’s hands . . .

Sunny didn’t quite agree to read tarot at the annual Summer Solstice Carnival. Granny Gert pushed, pulled, chivvied, and basically guilted her into it by playing on her love of animals.  The money raised from the profits of the carnival was going to the new animal shelter in town.

So here she sits setting out her fortune telling supplies while her cat Morty (who has a traditional fortune telling turban tied on his head) give her what in our house would be the traditional “duh, ya think?” look.  Granny Gert group Trixie’s Sewing Circle was in charge of the carnival this year and they’d chosen .

So on an early Friday morning Sunny (not an early riser) was setting up her booth in the Gazebo, set in the middle of the park.  After hanging her shingle (five times)  from the roof which reads Sunny’s Sanctuary, a gentleman named Harry fixed it so it would stay up. Thereby giving her hope that maybe this week would turn out better then she’d hoped.  Sunny offered to do a reading  for Harry as sort of a thank you payment but he declined, explaining that he has a fishing pole waiting for him back at Divine Inspiration, the Inn her parents always stayed at.

Setting up the table by putting a silk scarf over it and setting out elemental symbols around the table representing the earth, air, fire and water.  Little knowing that her week would devolve into a murder , with her Granny Gert as one of the prime suspects.

I love this series (and own all of them) and think the characters are  very well thought out. Between Sunny, her disapproving parents, her cat Morty who knows Sunny is his, and Granny Gert, along with the ancillary townspeople make this a treat to read and twisty enough to have you wondering till the very end.

I’m not going to say any more… Not because of spoilers, but because I want you to be salivating at the thought of getting a copy of the book into your hot little hands and spending a wonderful afternoon or evening enjoying the story.

FTC FULL DISCLOSURE: I was given a copy of the book by the author who only requested a fair and impartial review.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Author Kari Lee Townsend will be guest hosting on my blog on March 12th.  Please stop by and talk to her… ask questions, or just leave comments and thoughts about this book and the whole series.

 

The Christie Curse Comes Out as a 5 Star Winner

The Christie Curse

By: Victoria Abbott

Copyright March 2013

Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime

 

In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared—making headlines across the world—only to show up eleven days later at a spa under an assumed name. During those eleven days, did she have time to write a play?

Jordan Kelly needs a new job and a new place to live. She’s back in Harrison Falls, New York, living with her not so law-abiding uncles, in debt thanks to a credit card–stealing ex and pending grad school loans.

Enter the perfect job, a research position that includes room and board, which will allow her to spend her days hunting down rare mysteries for an avid book collector. There’s just one problem: her employer, Vera Van Alst—the most hated citizen of Harrison Falls.

Jordan’s first assignment is to track down a rumored Agatha Christie play. It seems easy enough, but Jordan soon finds out that her predecessor was killed while looking for it, and there is still someone out there willing to murder to keep the play out of Vera’s hands. Jordan’s new job is good…but is it worth her life?  

 

Jordan needs a job and that’s something that is not easily available in her home town.  She answers an ad in the local newspaper for a position that seems perfectly matched to her degree and skills.  When she shows up for the interview she is interviewed by a wheelchair bound women with a scowling face and a nasty temperament.

Vera Van Alst is the most hated woman in the town.  Her family had previously supplied work for almost all the folks in the town until they shut down the shoe factory that they’d owned for multiple generations.   Looking at Jordan Vera tells her that she is wasting her time applying since she is looking for a man to do the job which is the only reason she was asked to appear for the interview, she has a man’s name.  Jordan was getting upset with this woman and wished she could just walk, but she needed this job desperately.  She needs to get out from under her uncles’ eyes, and to pay off her monstrous student loans.

Jordon is finally given a 3 month opportunity to prove herself.  She is asked to research and find a missing work of Agatha Christie’s.

With a lot of effort Jordon starts tracing the object and finds that she is not only not the first to work for Vera on this project, but that her predecessor died while on a trip into NYC regarding a possible purchase.  As the story proceeds Jordan makes new contacts in the book business, puts out calls for information through her uncle’s contacts, and finds herself getting deeper and deeper into a very dark business.

This story, the first in a new series by Victoria Abbott is intriguing and full of twists, turns, bad guys, good guys, and players who will show their true colors further into the book.  I highly recommend it to anyone who wants more than a cute entertaining read.

FTC FULL DISCOLOSURE: I received this book from the author, who only asked for a fair and impartial review.