NoraAdrienne's Reviews

Killer Honeymoon Will Totally Enthrall You

noraadrienne — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:15:54 +0000

Killer Honeymoon

By: G.A. McKevett

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

noraadrienne — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:02:12 +0000

Immortally Embraced

By Angie Fox

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

noraadrienne — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:17:54 +0000

Revenge on Route 66

By Kris Neri

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.

Sneek Peak at Long Gone Man by Phyllis Smallman

noraadrienne — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:56:27 +0000

Here’s an advance look at a new mystery series by Award Winning Author Phyllis Smallman. The Singer Brown Mystery Series. If this short blurb gets your interest, then you need to put it on your TBR list and pre-order it as soon as it hits the usual bookseller’s sites.

Long Gone Man

By: Phyllis Smallman

Publisher: TouchWood Editions

Singer Brown’s life takes a nosedive after the suspicious death of her lover, Michael, a roadie for a rock band called Vortex. Twenty years later, she is looking for revenge. In a thick fog, a ferry docks on Glenphiddie Island and Singer’s decrepit van unloads. The homeless singer is there to find the man who destroyed her life all those years ago. But she arrives too late. Someone has already killed Vortex’s lead singer, Johnny Vibes. And now the murderer is coming after Singer.

Each of the former band members is hiding sins, both old and new—secrets worth killing for. But Singer has one potential ally: Johnny Vibes’s wife, who has just as much to lose as Singer. While trying to clear her name and solve the mystery of Michael’s death, Singer enters a dangerous and deadly world of jealousy, greed, and murder.

Set in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, this series follows Singer Brown, a homeless woman who sings on the streets for coins and watches life ebb and flow around her. With a knack for being in the right place at the wrong time, Singer is one of society’s invisible people. And being unseen is an incredible advantage to have when you’re digging for secrets.

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

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

noraadrienne — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:19:03 +0000

Parrots Prove Deadly

By: Clea Simon

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.

Elaine Viets – New Book Trailer

noraadrienne — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:40:20 +0000

This latest Dead End Job Mystery will be released on May 7, 2013

The Hard Cover book is published by NAL Hardcover

Order it now so you can be the first of your friends to read it.

Back Cover Blurb

Husband and wife PI team Helen Hawthorne and Phil Sagemont won’t be sparing the sunscreen on their latest assignment, but they’re about to find out murder is no day at the beach….

Will the Real Paddleboard Killer Please Stand Up?

There’s a dark cloud over Sunny Jim’s Safety First Parasailing and Stand-Up Paddleboarding business on Florida’s Riggs Beach—especially after one of his clients is killed in a tragic paddleboarding mishap. Sunny Jim is sure it was no accident, and he hires Helen and Phil to find the murderer.

Between cutthroat competitors poaching his territory, the city threatening to revoke his license, a restaurant owner wanting his beach spot for a parking lot, and a wrongful death suit filed by the victim’s husband, Sunny Jim may soon be up the creek without a paddle.

But he does have Helen and Phil on his side, and as the couple start to investigate, they discover dark undercurrents of corruption behind the cheerful facades of the beachfront businesses, as well as domestic secrets. But the sands of time are running out, and if they don’t catch the killer soon, Sunny Jim won’t be the only one to go under….

My April and May book release lists

noraadrienne — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:37:19 +0000

Multi Genre and oh so good.

April 2013

Honey Pie – Cupcake Club #4 – Donna Kauffman
Parrots Prove Deadly – A Pru Marlow Mystery – Clea Simon
Chihuahua Confidential – A Barking Detective Mystery – Waverly Curtis
If He’s Tempted – The Sherlockes – Hannah Howell
The Killer Clown – Terry Sullivan with Peter T. Malken
Sinner’s Heart – The Hellraisers – Zoe Archer
Strong and Sexy – The Sky High Series – Jill Shalvis
Oak and Dagger – White House Gardener Mystery #3 – Dorothy St. James
Bronze Gods – An Apparatus Infernem Novel #1 – A.A. Aguirre
The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy – Wishcraft Mystery #3 – Heather Blake
The Darkling – R.B. Chesterton (Carolyn Haines)
Falling Blind – The Sentinel Wars – Shannon K. Butcher
One For the Wicked – A Dark Mission Novel – Karina Cooper
Going, Going, Ganache – A Cupcake Bakery Mystery – Jenn McKinlay
That Old Flame of Mine – A Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery – J.J. Cook
Malled to Death – A Mall Cop Mystery – Laura Disilverio
Curse of the PTA – Laura Alden
Widow’s Tears – Susan Wittig Albert
A Broth of Betrayal – A Soup Lover’s Mystery #1 – Connie Archer
The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy – Heather Blake
Dark Triumph – Robin LaFevers
Warrior Rogue – Drift Lords #2 – Nancy J. Cohen
Nameless – Tales of Beauty & Madness #1 – Lili St. John
Echo – SciFi/Fantasy – Alicia Wright Brewster
Final Settlement – Darby Farr Mystery #4 – Vicki Doudera

May 2013

Touch of the Angel – Rosalie Lario
Dead Ever After – Last Sookie Book – Charlaine Harris
Killer in Crinolines – Consignment Shop #2 – Duffy Brown
Tempest Reborn – Jane True – Nicole Peeler
The Cat, the Mill, and the Murder – A Cats in Trouble Mystery – Leann Sweeney
Twice Tempted – A Night Prince Novel – Jeanine Frost
Fall of Night – Morganville Vampire Novel – Rachel Caine
Smarty Bones – Sarah Booth Delaney #13 – Carolyn Haines
The League of the Black Swan – Alyssa Day
Frost Burned – Patricia Briggs
Topped Chef – Third book in series – Lucy Burdette
Alien in the House – Gini Koch
Board Stiff – A Dead End Job Mystery #11 – Elaine Viets
Heard it Through the Grapevine – A Dead Sister Talking Mystery – Lizbeth Lipperman
Brush With Death – Karen MacInerney
Hex on the Ex – Book #3 – Rochelle Staab
Picture Perfect Corpse – Joanna Campbell Slan
Drop Dead Beauty – Wendy Roberts
Loki’s Wolves – K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr
Binding the Shadows – Jenn Bennett
A Spear of Summer Grass – Deanna Raybourn
A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses – Molly Harper
Dead Man’s Deal – The Asylum Tales #2 – Jocelynn Drake
The Cursed – A new Paranormal Romance Series – Alyssa Day
It Had to be You – Lucky Harbor Novel #7 – Jill Shalvis
Born of Illusion – Terri Brown
Dead, White and Blue – Death on Demand #23 – Carolyn Hart
Time Thief – A Time Thief Novel – Katie MacAlister
South of Surrender – Hearts of the Anemoi Book #3 – Laura Kaye

Lexi George Has Struck Gold Again!

noraadrienne — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:41:49 +0000

Demon Hunting in a Dive Bar

By Lexi George

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

noraadrienne — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:47:47 +0000

Under the Gun

By Hannah Jayne

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.

Special Guest Post – Kari Lee Townsend author of Trouble in the Tarot

noraadrienne — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 03:45:34 +0000

I’m taking another day off and turning the blog over to a friend and neighbor (we live in the same state) Award Winning Author Kari Lee Townsend.

TROUBLE IN THE TAROT (book 3 of the Fortune Teller Mysteries – March 5, 2013)

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…

Granny Gert’s Top 10 Cookies for Everything!

10 ~ Romance ~ Hershey Kiss Cookies are so romantic
9 ~ Broken Heart ~ Double Chocolate Chip for when the romance doesn’t work out
8 ~ Loss ~ Raison Oatmeal Cookies for the old-fashioned comfort of home
7 ~ Anxiety ~ Molasses Spice Cookies ooze relaxation and warm your heart
6 ~ Illness ~ Peanut Butter Cookies give you energy and protein to fix you right up
5 ~ Anger ~ Oreo Cookies are great for attacking the cream filling and releasing anger
4 ~ Jealousy ~ Pistachio Cookies are such a pretty green to turn your mood around
3 ~ Celebration ~ Frosted Sugar Cookies are a shiny, sparkly party in your mouth
2 ~ Guilt & Innocence ~ Half Moon Cookies tell both sides of the story
1 ~ Perfect Cookie for Any Occasion ~ Special K Bars!

I grew up on Special K Bars and proceeded to make them for my family and pass on the tradition. They were the first cookies I ever made. So easy, yet they look like they took a lot of time. I usually don’t share my cookie recipes, but since you all are just so darn nice, I decided to share the deliciousness J Enjoy!

Special K Bars

1 cup light Karol syrup

1 cup sugar

1 ½ cups peanut butter

6 cups Special K Cereal

1 bag Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Melt chocolate chips (double boiler style) on the stove. While chips are melting, bring 1 cup Karol syrup and 1 cup sugar just to a boil and then remove from heat. Stir in 1 ½ cups of peanut butter until melted. Stir in 6 cups Special K Cereal until mixed well. Press mixture into 9×13 inch pan. Pour melted chocolate chips over the top and refrigerate until hardened. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Kari Lee Townsend lives in central New York with her understanding husband, her three busy boys, and her oh-so-dramatic daughter She is the National Bestselling Author, Agatha & RT Reviewer’s Choice Award nominee for her Fortune Teller Mystery series. Kari also writes romance under the name Kari Lee Harmon. Small towns, mystical elements, quirky characters and a few chuckles along the way are what her books are all about. To find out more about Kari and all of her books, check out her websites at: www.karileetownsend.com & www.karileeharmon.com