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.

A Truly Amazing Adventure Story

The Beads of Lapis Lazuli

By: Doris Kenney Marcotte

Copyright: September 2011

Publisher: Outskirts Press Inc.

 

Katheryn Marshall is just an everyday Cincinnati housewife and mother-until she purchases an ancient strand of lapis lazuli beads on holiday in Crete. That’s the start of a two-year obsession with ancient Minoan civilization, culminating in an unfinished novel about the culture’s greatest mystery of love and desertion. But as she delves deeper into the myth, Katheryn finds holes in the story that she refuses to accept, preventing her from completing the book. And what happens next could rewrite history-even as it stretches her marriage to the breaking point.

Now, against the vehement wishes of all those around her, Katheryn is about to drop everything to embark on a fact-finding mission that will take her to a deserted island in the middle of the Mediterranean. Along for the ride is Jake Deupree, a renowned psychic who helps archeologists locate important excavations. But as they hone in on their goal, it’s Katheryn who experiences odd premonitions. And neither of them is prepared for what their mission will uncover-and what it will uncover about themselves.

The Beads of Lapis Lazuli is part mystery, part psychological drama as it mixes history, obsession, and the paranormal for an exhilarating read. Bridging time and space, it is about seeking truth and taking control of our lives. And it is about discovering the unknown strength within us-that housewives can also be heroes and adventurers-as we write our own personal stories.

 

What do you get when you mix an everyday housewife who is an avid sailor, a surprise trip to Crete to avoid bad sailing weather and a Lapis Lazuli necklace?  You have all the ingredients necessary for an adventure worthy of Indiana Jones or Laura Croft.  Katheryn Marshal has always been interested in the Minoan civilization. Her interests have driven her to write a book answering the questions that remain about the Myth of Ariadne and Theseus.

Katheryn has been planning a return trip to Crete to look for more information but it seems that everyone around her is doing their best to keep her from going. Finally she just buys her ticket and plans to leave on her own.  She had read a short article in the paper about a man who helped a group of French Archeologists. He was a well known psychic who helped them select a new dig site. His success rate was unbelievable. She heads off to meet Jake Dupree and see if he can help her decide where to look and which island is the actual site.

Katheryn and Jake head off to Crete and from there, her adventure takes on a life of its own.

I love the stories of Ancient Greece and Rome. The pantheons of Gods and Goddesses, the heroes and heroines entertained me as a child and still hold me enthralled to this day.  Ms. Marcotte has produced a story of ancient love, paranormal adventure, history of a lost culture and an extremely must read book.

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

The Arranger is a Chilling Look at the Future

The Arranger

By L.J. Sellers

Copyright August 2011

Publisher Spellbinder Press

 

The year is 2023 and ex-detective Lara Evans is working as a freelance paramedic in a bleak new world. She responds to an emergency call and is nearly killed when a shooter flees the home. Inside she finds the federal employment commissioner wounded, but she’s able to save his life.

The next day Lara leaves for the Gauntlet—a national competition of intense physical and mental challenges with high stakes for her home state. She spots the assailant lurking at the arena and soon after, she lands in deep trouble. Who is the mysterious killer and what is motivating him? Can Lara stop him, stay alive, and win the Gauntlet?

 

Lara Evans has had a really bad couple of years.  She’s getting it together as a freelance paramedic and is a contestant in the Gauntlet. In this reality the country is in deeper shit then even we see in the daily papers or on the news.  By hopefully winning this contest, she will bring big money to her state and hometown, along with new jobs that will mean police and firemen can  be put back to work.

This story is shown through the eyes of two main characters who are introduced to us right from the start.   Paul Madden is an IT specialist working for the government and is given a new project to work on that will take up all his work time.  His normal routines will be covered by a co-worker.  At this point I wondered what these two people, in differing parts of the country, with two different jobs had in common, and therein sits the basis for this mystery based in a near and almost very real seeming America.

I’m not going to hand out any spoilers. The book blurb tells you a lot more then you need to know, and should entice you into buying, borrowing, or stealing this book for your reading enjoyment.

L. J. Sellers is the author of the Detective Jackson series, and two other freestanding stories.  I look forward to reading her next books, and will also be looking for the ones that are already on the shelves.

L.J. can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ljsellers and also at http://ljsellers.com/

FTC Full Disclosure: I was sent this book by the author who only hoped for a fair review of the story.

Killer Listing is a great buy

Killer Listing

By: Vicki Doudera

Copyright April 2011

Publisher Midnight Ink

 

Synopses

Million-dollar listings and hefty commissions come easily for Kyle Cameron, south Florida’s star broker. But her career ends abruptly when she is fatally stabbed at an open house. Because of a family friend’s longstanding ties to the Cameron clan, realtor Darby Farr gets pulled into the investigation and learns that Kyle had a shocking secret—one that could’ve sealed her violent fate. Suspects abound, including Kyle’s estranged suicidal husband; her ex-lover, Foster McFarlin, a ruthless billionaire developer; and Foster’s resentful, politically ambitious wife. And Darby’s investigating puts her next on the killer’s hit list.

Review

Darby is visiting with her friend and partner (in her New England Office) Helen Near down in Serenidad Key, Florida.  She’s there to meet and hopefully sell off her shares in the Florida business that she inherited from her aunt Jane.  Not to be picky but this now makes 3 companies that Darby is involved in. But she is a very sharp young woman and a well respected Real Estate Broker in her own right.

When Kyle Cameron is found dead at the site of a house showing, Darby is asked by the Detective in charge of the case to see if she can find out anything that would help.  It appears that Darby’s skill as an amateur detective have followed her from New England to Florida.  So doing what she does best (snooping around and asking leading questions) she extends her visit (since she also needs to find a new buyer for her share of Near and Farr) and starts putting together the clues that will ultimately reveal the true killer and put another notch in her legend.

On a personal note, I grew up in my family’s real estate business. And never in all my years of working in the office, helping with appraisals and collecting rents did I ever have adventures like Darby.

Vicki Doudera is a full time writer and Real Estate agent. She can be found at: http://www.vickidoudera.com/  and https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1242810940

FTC Full Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library with the full intent of reviewing it.

Murder Under Cover is a Hit

Murder Under Cover

By: Kate Carlisle

Publisher: Obsidian Mystery

Copyright – May 2011

Brooklyn’s best friend (and almost sister) is home from her trip to India and has a gift for her.   It’s an exquisite copy of the Kama Sutra which Robin brought home for her to appraise and restore.  Thus begins Brooklyn’s next adventure as Robin gets into trouble as deep as the Mariana Trench.  Robin wakes up next to the dead and bloody body of her latest boyfriend and to make her feel even worse, her apartment has been totally ransacked. What’s a girl to do?

Brooklyn is ready and willing to do whatever she can to help clear Robin, and thankfully her boyfriend, the British security expert Eric Stone is nearby ready and able to lend his assistance to the matter. You’ll meet strange Ukrainians and Russians, all looking for something that Brooklyn has no idea about.  Her apartment also gets searched and people near to her get hurt.  It’s taking on International proportions.

This is the fourth book in Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mystery series.  She manages once again to come up with interesting and plots, with twists and turns, lots of adventure, a bit of comedy, and more than a bit or romance tossed in for spiciness.  I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for its story, cast, location and all the good stuff in the middle that keeps us up at night till we finish reading it.

FTC Full Disclosure – This book was sent to me by the author in hopes that I would review it.

Kate Carlisle can be found at www.KateCarlisle.com and  www.Facebook.com/KateCarlisleBooks

A 5 Star read by a 5 Star author

A Deadly Cliché

By Ellery Adams

Copyright March 2011

Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime

“While out walking her poodle, Olivia Limoges discovers a dead body buried in the sand. Could it be connected to the bizarre burglaries plaguing Oyster Bay, North Carolina? The Bayside Book Writers prick up their ears and pick up their pens to get the story…

The thieves have a distinct MO. At every crime scene, they set up odd tableaus: a stick of butter with a knife through it, dolls with silver spoons in their mouths, a deck of cards with a missing queen. Olivia realizes each setup represents a cliché.”

This is only the tip of the story’s iceberg.  Olivia will be multi-tasking through this whole new adventure.  She has to weather the weather, help solve the burglaries, and oh, she also has to get that new piece of property she wants into shape.

To top off her week, she gets information informing her that her father, who has been missing and thought lost at sea and dead these past thirty years, is still alive.  That should be enough to make any normal person pull their hair out, but Olivia is made of stronger stuff than this and rises to the situation with life intact.

This is the second book Ellery Adams new “Books by the Bay” mystery series. I for one predict a long and enchanting run for Ellery and Olivia her heroine.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book as a gift from the author, and reviewed it for my own pleasure and to share my enjoyment with others.

Dead by Midnight is a great read

Dead by Midnight

By Carolyn Hart

Copyright April 2011

Publisher Wililam Morrow

I love the Annie Darling books. That being said, I was a tad put off by the opening chapter. I managed to get through it wondering why it wasn’t listed as a Prologue and then start chapter 1 with Annie’s opening lines.

The story though is definitely well plotted (as always) and full of wrong guesses for the readers and mouth’s dropping open with HUHHHHHHHH. In short this book is well worth reading, and putting on your home book shelf.

FTC Full Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library with the intent of reviewing it.

Carolyn Hart can be found at http://www.carolynhart.com

The Cruel Ever After is a HIT

The Cruel Ever After

By: Ellen Hart

Copyright December 2010

Publisher Minotaur Books

Jane Lawless, Minneapolis restaurateur has been in a bit of a slump lately.  She is just a few degrees off of normal, what with her love life almost nonexistent, and staying on top of two restaurants while still planning her father’s birthday party.  It’s no wonder she’s ready to jump out of her skin when her ex husband Chester Garrity shows up at her restaurant looking for help.

Chester is someone who would qualify as a “hustler” and at the moment he is trying to work a deal to sell a “priceless artifact” which was stolen from the Baghdad Museum.  Unfortunately his buy ends up dead and he is fingered for the murder.  He needs Jane to help him out, and when the brown stuff hits the fan, she ends up in the middle of the investigation with her BFF Cordelia, she is off to save the day.

Ellen Hart is the Nationally Award winning author of the Jane Lawless Mysteries, and also the Sophie Greenway Mystery Series.

Ms. Hart can be found hanging out at www.ellenhart.com and http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=549913842&sk=info

FTC Full Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library with full intentions of reviewing it.

A Roller Coast ride of a series

Grace Under Pressure

By: Julie Hyzy

Copyright June 2010

Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime

Grace Wheaton has always been fascinated by Marshfield Manor, and would consider working there as her dream job. She came home from out of state to help her ailing mother and then stayed on to make a life in the town she was born in. Grace gets a job as an assistant curator at Marshfield Manor and is settling in and very happy to be working with Abe, Mr. Marshfield’s  aged curator. Her position has her learning all the nuts and bolts of the Manor, and getting involved in many of the day to day events that take place there.

The story opens at an afternoon Tea in the Manor.  One of the patrons is giving the staff and guests a hard time, and making them all uncomfortable.  Grace is trying to settle the man down when he picks up a chair and threatens to toss it through the conservatory’s window.  It is during this little episode that Mr. Marshfield comes in to see what the ruckus is all about. He approaches the young man and speaks sharply to him. This is when the security people manage to grab him and take him into custody.  Just then the staff radios put an alert to go to private channel and report that there have been shots fired on the fourth floor.

Grace and Mr. Marshfield head to the site of this new incident and our real mystery begins. The victim is Grace’s boss Abe.  How will this affect her job, and how can she help Mr. Marshfield. This and other interesting questions will be answered as you delve into Ms. Hyzie’s newest mystery series.

The Manor House Mysteries.

This series is a roller coaster ride of energy, mystery and intrigue from beginning to end, and I’m looking forward to it having a long and successful run. BUY IT, STEAL IT, or GET IT FROM THE LIBRARY but read this book.

FTC Full Disclosure: The author sent this book as a gift and I chose to review it.