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MURDER AT PEACOCK MANSION

a Blue Plate Cafe Mystery

by 

Judy Alter

Title: MURDER AT PEACOCK MANSION

Author: Judy Alter

Genre: Cozy Mystery

# of pages: 258

Arson, a bad beating, and a recluse who claims someone is trying to kill her all collide in this third Blue Plate Café Mystery with Kate Chambers. Torn between trying to save David Clinkscales, her old boss and new lover, and curiosity about Edith Aldridge’s story of an attempt on her life, Kate has to remind herself she has a café to run. She nurses a morose David, whose spirit has been hurt as badly as his body, and tries to placate Mrs. Aldridge, who was once accused of murdering her husband but acquitted. One by one, Mrs. Aldridge’s stepchildren enter the picture. Is it coincidence that David is Edith Aldridge’s lawyer? Or that she seems to rely heavily on the private investigator David hires? First the peacocks die…and then the people. Everyone is in danger, and no one knows who to suspect.

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Praise for the author

“Kate Chambers continues to impress. This third book in the Blue Plate Café mysteries opens with two intriguing story lines that intermingle flawlessly and will keep you captivated until the final page.” Terrie Farley Moran, Agatha Award-Winning author of the Read ’Em and Eat cozy mysteries. 

“With Murder at Peacock Mansion, the showy feathers of a rich woman's birds aren't enough to save either them or relatives of the recluse who thinks someone's out to get her. Judy Alter, in her third Blue Plate Special mystery, serves up more than chicken-fried chicken as cafe proprietor Kate Chambers fights to save the ones she loves and figure out who the killer is, while keeping herself and her business alive, too.” Edith Maxwell, Agatha-nominated and national bestselling author of the Local Foods Mysteries, the Country Store Mysteries, and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries

“How did you meet Mr. Aldridge?”

“I was a cocktail waitress at the old Baker Hotel in Dallas. You might say I was Eliza to his Henry Higgins. He taught me to dress, speak, eat properly, even dance—he made a lady out of me, and I was always grateful. But once I was “finished”—his term, not mine—he found other Pygmalion-like subjects. In other words, he cheated on me, including financially, railed that I couldn’t run the house on the reduced budget he gave me.

“I used to lie in bed and listen to him roaming about downstairs, sometimes throwing things—I always hoped it wasn’t the Limoges he’d given his first wife, Alicia—and several times I thought I heard him fall. His best friend at night was a bottle of bourbon.

“One night I woke and realized he hadn’t come upstairs. By then I kept a derringer for self-protection, and this night I grabbed it and put it in my pocket. I found him at the foot of the stairs—he fallen apparently. What I didn’t realize until after I called the police was that he’d been shot too.

This tale was getting more bizarre. I itched to check it out on the Web, but for now I was a captive audience and, I admit, mesmerized by the calm recital of this woman’s life story. “What makes you think his children are trying to kill you now?” After all she’d lived this way for thirty years.

Judy Alter retired from Texas Christian University Press after thirty years, twenty of them as director. At the same time she developed her own writing career, focusing primarily on women of the American West. Now she writes fiction and nonfiction for all ages. She lives in Fort Worth.

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Kate Chambers runs the Blue Plate Cafe and it keeps her pretty busy. It is a cute little cafe that serves delicious food and has great service. But trouble walks in her cafe and its name is David Clinkscales. They team up to help Mrs. Edith Aldridge . She once was accused of killing her husband. Even though she was acquitted , people still whisper behind her back. I guess once you get accused of something, people will always have doubts of your innocence. I loved her character. She is a feisty woman determined to not give in to her step children's greed. After an attempt on her life, Kate and David must move quickly to solve the case before it is to late. Between running a cafe, starting a relationship with David and trying to solve a mystery, Kate has her hands full. Who wants Edith dead? Are Kate and David's lives in danger ? Is it a coincidence thst Dsvid just happens to be Edith's lawyer? Unexplained things start to happen that take this mystery on a great adventure . I loved the writing that was engaging and held my attention. Get ready for a twist that will surprise you as Edith's stepchildren suddenly surface with an agenda. Seems there is some bad blood between dear old stepmom and stepchildren. Why do bodies  and dead peacocks start turning up?

This is a great book that I couldn't put down and it has all the elements of intrigue and action that are sure to satisfy any mystery buff.

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LUCKY SHOT

by

B.J. Daniels

He's determined to uncover the truth behind a decades-old disappearance—even if it kills him.

When hotshot reporter Max Malone gets a rare shot of Buckmaster Hamilton with a blonde woman near Beartooth, Montana, he chases down one of the senator's daughters to verify that the woman is his supposedly long-dead first wife. But Kat Hamilton won't give him the time of day, let alone any information about her mother.

With his tousled blond hair, sexy stubble and an old straw cowboy hat topping off his long, lean frame, Kat can just tell Max isn't used to female sources denying him anything. But when her own life is put in jeopardy, it's Max who comes to her rescue. Seems someone is prepared to kill to keep the past in the past. Kat can't deny she needs Max to find out what happened to her mother, but will getting closer and closer to each other lead them to the truth…or to danger?

Praise for B.J. Daniels

“Daniels has succeeded in joining the ranks of mystery masters.” —Fresh Fiction

“Daniels is truly an expert at Western romantic suspense.”

—RT Book Reviews on Atonement

“Fans of Western romantic suspense will relish Daniels’s tale of clandestine love played out in a small town on the Great Plains.” —Booklist on Unforgiven

“Romantic suspense that will keep readers guessing. If you like Longmire, this is the book for you.” —RT Book Reviews on Forsaken

BUY LINKS

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New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author B.J. Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels, Spot, Jem and Ace. When she isn’t writing, she quilts, snowboards, camps, boats and plays tennis. 

You can write to B.J. Daniels at PO Box 1173, Malta, MT 59538, or email her at bjdaniels@mtintouch.net. 

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Twenty-two years ago, a person named Sarah Johnson Hamilton disappeared. It seemed strange that she would leave behind a husband and six daughters. That mystery is about to surface again in an explosive series of events. Buck Hamilton is very ambitious and has decided to run for president. It is funny as soon as someone throws their name out there for office, skeletons from their past suddenly appear. Buck is in for a shock when his wife suddenly shows up out of the blue . She has no memory of her past and the story takes off on a mystery adventure that doesn't let up.

Max Malone , who is an investigative reporter has taken on the job of trying to find out about Sarah's vanishing for over twenty years . How  does one disappear for so long and suddenly appear out of thin air? Does she really have amnesia? Max is soon partnered with Kat, one of the daughters as they join forces trying to uncover this mystery. Get ready for a journey of intrigue  and action that will have you guessing who to trust . Is there a secret  from the past that could destroy someone? The two main characters will face danger and grow close to each other as they try to unravel this mystery that could impact many. I must warn you that the book ends with a cliffhanger . This will be a story that  you want to continue as the author  has done a great job of piquing readers curiosity . I look forward to  the next book that  continues this action packed story.

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L.A. Starkey's 

SOUL KEEPER SERIES

They say a soul is the immaterial essence, the animating principle, the actuating cause of an individual life.

But what if you had to share yours with the one person you hated the most?

The soul mate principle states that for every one soul there is another that will recognize its match, hence creating the perfect union.

But what if you had two soul mates, which would you choose?

What if your choices had eternal ramification?

Deceived, the debut novel in the Soul Keeper Series, is a modern day love story about the implications of having more than one soul mate, and having to choose between the two of them. The decisions of the gods has left the next generation, their heirs, torn between fate and reality, and the balance of the future hangs in anticipation of what's to come.

Praise for DECEIVED

"This book! Oh my word. To sum it up in one word: amazing! L.A. Starkey absolutely slayed me with Deceived." - Kristen, Pretty Little Pages Blog

"I love how the Greek myths are woven into this story with detail yet its still a modern high school romance. Sam is just an ordinary girl, mostly. The writing is tight and I got lost in the characters." - Loren Weaver, Author of The Victoria Novak: Paranormal Division Series

"I read this book in one day because it kept me so engaged with the story that I didn't want to put it down. There's lots going on in the story, but it all flows really well and I like books with the ancient Gods and mythology of any nation." - Rosie, Roses are Amber

"Just found LA Starkey and I am so excited I did! I love her writing style and the Soul Keeper series! I purchased book one and then went straight into book 2!" - W.J. May, Author of the The Chronicles of Kerrigan & The Senseless Series

"All I can say is WOW I was not expecting this at all. Deceived, (Soul Keeper Series 1) is a wonderful book and will keep your interest until the very end and leave you wanting more." - JC Brennan, Author of The Fine Line, The Beginning

"The first thing that wow'ed me was the beautiful storytelling by Starkey. Just beautiful. This book had me guessing from the get-go - a sure sign that I'm hooked." - KK Allen, Author of The Summer Solstice

BUY LINKS

DECEIVED is FREE for download everywhere

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BOX SET of entire SOUL KEEPER SERIES

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Nicolas looked around Marcus’s room and sneered. “This place looks almost inviting. I mean with the warm, beige and black color scheme matching the furniture and even the picture frames on the walls. God, Marc you’re such a pansy.” Nick smiled devilishly. “Did a girl decorate it for you?”

Marcus walked over to the corner and stood before his brother. It was like looking into a twisted mirror, as their physical appearances were identical. Marcus had never understood their intertwined existence, and his mother never was one to give up family secrets. Much to his annoyance, the mystery remained. 

Each year he’d encounter Nick once, possibly twice if he was truly unlucky. Once upon a time, long ago, seeing Nicolas would be the highlight of his day, but that was irrelevant now. 

“I hate you,” Marcus growled.

A white cloud of smoke rose from Marcus’s feet, filling the room. He was ready for a fight and there was no one better to beat than his worthless half-brother, Nick. As usual, Nicolas crossed his arms across his chest, lowered his head and gave Marcus his best sardonic smile. 

“What’s the matter, little brother? Not up for some healthy competition? Worried she’ll choose me?” Nicolas deepened his smile and arched a playful eyebrow, though Marcus knew from their sordid past that Nick had no intentions of being friendly nor playful, not anymore.

Marcus charged forward. The strength of his opponent equaled his own, as if they were two halves of a whole, which is what Nicolas believed to be true. 

Ridiculous, Marcus scoffed.

As always, he plowed into an invisible shield and cursed. “Don’t call me little brother. I disowned you a lifetime ago. Don’t call me anything. Regardless of your belief that we are two parts of a whole, I refuse to believe the words of some jacked up prophecy. I’ll warn you for the last time, Nicolas—she’s mine. If you cross this line again, so help me, I’ll find a way to break the disgusting curse that protects your pathetic existence.”

“Bravo. Good performance. Bravo, Marc.” Nick applauded. “I’ll leave you to your craziness shortly, Brother. Just let me reiterate what a fool you are to actually believe that you love her. Your feelings are far beyond your control. Fate’s reared its ugly head and created in you an unbreakable bond. Sounds poetic, but really it’s all a crock, Marc. Wake up and regain your independence, Brother.”

Marcus growled low in his chest.

Nick laughed and held up his hands. “Fine, fine. I know I’ve said this all before, and yet you still refuse to believe my words. But you’re the poor, ignorant schmuck that’ll get what he deserves.”

Marcus responded with another violent punch that resounded off the invisible shield.

“Calm down before you wake your guardian, little brother,” Nicolas said, rubbing his jaw in mock pain from the punch that had never landed. “Besides, it’s not like I did anything with her tonight you haven’t done yourself. You should really try tasting her while you’re in spirit form—she’s just … What's the word people use today? Oh yeah, the same as we’ve always used … delicious.” Nick winked and licked his lips.

Marcus knew better, but lunged again with resolve. Nicolas vanished as quickly as he’d appeared, flipping the bird on his exit.

What’ve I done to be so cursed? To be immortal with no one other than him to haunt me for all of eternity?

L.A. Starkey is the author of the Soul Keeper Series, a supernatural young adult series, and The Liarus Detective Series, a supernatural middle grade series.

She is a fulltime writer, and loves spending time with her family and reading a good book. With more ideas than one person should be allowed, she is blessed to have a muse that doesn't seem to take a vacation and more energy that one might consider healthy.

She also writes under the following pen name: Kate Thomas - NA/Adult Paranormal (http://amzn.to/1SKV9ey)

Never miss a new release! Join LA Starkey's readers group and grab your free copy of The Beginning: The Prophecy for the Soul Keeper Series! http://eepurl.com/9Nrc1

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DRIVEN TO BE LOVED by PAT SIMMONS

Brecee has grown up in a very faith filled home. God has always been first in her life and her  three sisters are very protective of her.  In this story we find  how important family and God is to each of them.   Brecee is a very established pediatrician and works hard but loves what she does. When her path crosses with Adrian Cole her life will take on challenges and showing how strong her love for God is.

I loved how Adrian is described as a transportation problem-solver. It made me chuckle at his fancy term for car salesman. He is very much taken with Brecee but he will soon find that she has a test he will gave to pass in order to date her. I loved the ten statements they each write down on what they expected from someone they became serious with. Bravo for Brecee having God first in her life. Her mate must love God and put Him first above everything. Will Adrian be able to meet her requirements?

The book is filled with scriptures that I thought really showed how much Brecee depends on God and never wavered from her faith. It reminded me to be more diligent about seeking God for  answers and taking time to read scriptures that will help me everyday. The story is very well written with strong characters and shows how important it is to be equally yoked with the person you want to spend your life with. This is a great book that I would recommend to anyone looking for a clean romance that is faith filled and has strong family values.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.