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Friday, April 7, 2017


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PLAIN TARGET by DANA R. LYNN

From the opening words I knew this book was going to keep me on the edge of my seat. It starts with a fire in a barn that endangers horses. As Jess and the others rush to save the horses, the fire starts to pick up. What an exciting start to a story that I couldn't put down. I loved Jess instantly and thought the author did an excellent job of developing her into a smart, and determined woman. Her faith was first in her life and I loved how she never wavered from it. I am glad to see that the author has put a hearing impaired person in her story.  I always wanted to learn sign language because I had a child in my Sunday School class that was deaf. I took classes so she would not feel left out. I'm so glad that the author brought her expertise of working with the deaf into a story that highlights how someone like Jess can do anything by adapting to sign language , hearing aides and lip reading.

Jess loved training horses but she is still grieving the loss of her brother. She knows in her heart that he didn't commit suicide and is willing to risk everything to proof that. Jess is heartbroken to hear all the accusations about how her brother was mixed up in something illegal. When Jess runs into someone from her high school days, she isn't exactly excited to see him. Seth who is a paramedic remembers Jess well. He wasn't very nice to her during their school days. In fact he made her feel horrible about herself and pretty much bullied her.

As danger starts to follow Jess, Seth is there to protect her. I loved how they both had some things to work through and relied on God to help them forgive. Seth has turned his back on God and I thought Jess was very helpful in guiding him to find his faith again. The story is very fast paced and I loved how the author incorporated the Amish in the story. She weaves a story that has  Jess and Seth running for their lives. Can they prove Jess's brother was innocent? Who is behind the stalking of Jess? Why is someone trying to kill her? This is one book you don't want to miss if you enjoy intrigue, action, a bit of romance and the reminder that God never leaves us and is there to forgive us.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
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Thursday, April 6, 2017


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Silence of the Jams
by Gayle Leeson

A strong story about family and friendship, weathering life’s storms, and discovering that everyone has secrets.
~Laura’s Interests
The plot of Silence of the Jams is engaging and fast paced, pulling the reader along on a wild tale of murder and suspense.
~Sapphyria’s Book Reviews
I love that the author was able to write in a way that made me feel if I shut my eyes I could see the story unfolding around me.
~Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting
 
Silence of the Jams (A Down South Café Mystery) 
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Berkley (April 4, 2017)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1101990803
E-Book ASIN: B01IAUG44C

Synopsis

In the latest Southern cozy from the author of The Calamity Café, small-town chef Amy Flowers can’t take her freedom for granted when she’s served up as a murder suspect… 
It’s Independence Day in Winter Garden, Virginia, and the residents are gearing up for their annual celebration. The Down South Café is open and flourishing, and Amy Flowers is busy making pies and cakes for the holiday. The only thorn in her side is Chamber of Commerce director George Lincoln, who is trying to buy the café so he can tear it down and build a B&B on the site.
When George collapses while eating at the Down South, everybody assumes it’s a heart attack—until the autopsy declares it to be poisoning. Now, it’s up to Amy to prove her innocence before her liberty is lost.
Includes delicious Southern recipes!
Gayle&Cooper
About The Author –
Gayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. I also write as Amanda Lee. As Gayle Trent, I write the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. As Amanda Lee, I write the Embroidery Mystery series. I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I’m having a blast writing this new series!
Authors Links:
Gayle Trent Webpage – http://www.gayletrent.com
Purchase Links
Amazon     Barnes & Noble      Books-A-Million       Indiebound      Kobo




Review.jpg


I didn't get to read the first book in this series but it didn't stop me from enjoying this second addition. The writing is so good it kept me glued to the book. The author has a great way of developing her characters with ease. I loved the setting and could find myself sitting at one of the tables enjoying  the special of the day. Amy would be busy preparing her delicious cuisine while Jackie scrambled to get orders out. It would be a fun place to gather with friends and enjoy the delicious aroma that filled the cafe.

Amy is really busy in the cafe lately and hardly has time to visit with the customers. To her dismay in walks George Lincoln. He is the president of the Chamber of Commerce and is not very friendly. He seems to be pushy and intimidating. George has had his sight on Amy's cafe for some time. His plan is to tear down the cafe and build a B&B. Amy is having none of this and is really not in the mood for him this morning. After he is severed breakfast he starts talking to Dr.Kent. A commotion is heard as George falls to the ground. It doesn't look good for poor old George. Can you imagine eating at a cafe and suddenly a customer falls dead?

George's death raises suspicion when it is discovered that someone may have poisoned him. He had plenty of enemies and for some reason he had secret files on people in the town. What was George doing with these files? Did he know something that got him killed? The mystery is well written and I had a hard time figuring out who the killer was. It was fun reading about the different townspeople and to me they were all on my suspect list. I was very surprised when the killer was revealed and thought the author did a brilliant job of keeping readers guessing.

I really enjoyed getting to know more about Amy's family and applaud the author for writing about a subject that is hard to have a family member go through. It was written with sensitivity and I loved how the author gave details that were helpful and encouraging . I can't forget about Aunt Bess. She is quirky and funny and most definitely a hand full. She lightened up the story with her shenanigans and I loved her compassion for her family and friends. I will be looking  forward to  the next book in this series. I'm sure as you read the story you found yourself getting hungry with all the wonderful dishes being served up at the cafe. As a bonus the author has included several amazing recipes at the end of the book. I know what I'm having for dinner tomorrow.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

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Tour Participants
April 3 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
April 3 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
April 4 – Book Babble – REVIEW
April 4 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 5 – Bookworm Mom – REVIEW  
April 5 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW
April 6 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
April 6 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW *
April 6 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW
April 7 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 7 – Books,Dreams,Life – INTERVIEW
April 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
April 8 – Author Annette Drake’s blog – INTERVIEW
April 9 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 10 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW  
April 11 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
April 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW *
April 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
April 12 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW
April 13 – Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my! – REVIEW
April 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 14 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  
April 14 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW *
April 15 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW
April 15 – deal sharing aunt – REVIEW, INTERVIEW*
April 16 – Varietats – REVIEW
April 16 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW
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Wednesday, April 5, 2017


When The Grits Hit The Fan
by Maddie Day


When the Grits Hit the Fan (A Country Store Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Kensington (March 28, 2017)
ISBN-13: 978-1617739293
E-Book ASIN: B01GBAIXGK

Synopsis

Despite the bitter winter in South Lick, Indiana, business is still hot at Robbie Jordan’s restaurant. But when another murder rattles the small town, can Robbie defrost the motives of a cold-blooded killer?
Before she started hosting dinners for Indiana University’s Sociology Department at Pans ‘N Pancakes, Robbie never imagined scholarly meetings could be so hostile. It’s all due to Professor Charles Stilton, who seems to thrive on heated exchanges with his peers and underlings, and tensions flare one night after he disrespects Robbie’s friend, graduate student Lou. So when Robbie and Lou go snowshoeing the next morning and find the contentious academic frozen under ice, police suspect Lou might have killed him after their public tiff. To prove her friend’s innocence, Robbie is absorbing local gossip about Professor Stilton’s past and developing her own thesis on the homicide—even if that means stirring up terrible danger for herself along the way . . .

About The Author

Maddie Day is a talented amateur chef and holds a PhD in linguistics from Indiana University. An Agatha Award-nominated author, she is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and also writes award-winning short crime fiction. She lives with her beau and three cats in Massachusetts.
As Edith Maxwell, she write the Local Foods Mysteries (Kensington Publishing) and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Midnight Ink).
You can find all Maddie’s/Edith’s identities at www.edithmaxwell.com. She blogs every week day with the other Wicked Cozy Authors at wickedcozyauthors.com. Look for her as Edith M. Maxwelland Maddie Day on Facebook and @edithmaxwell and @maddiedayauthor on Twitter.
Purchase Links
Amazon  B&N 

Review.jpg


This was a really fun book to read. I loved reading about the restaurant, Pans N' Pancakes. It is a wonderful place for people to eat scrumptious food and visit with friends. The author does a great job of describing menu items and boy did I get hungry as I was reading. I could smell the biscuits and gravy and the fragrance of bacon as they were cooked to perfection. The town called South Lick, Indiana sounds like a perfect vacation spot.

Robbie is the owner of Pots N' Pans and really keeps herself busy with orders and visiting with  the  customers. I really liked her and loved how everyone seemed so at ease at her restaurant. When a group of graduate students and professors from the Sociology Department from the University meet at Robbie's place, business is brisk and everyone seems to be enjoying theirselves.  Things are going well until a heated conversation breaks out  between  Professor Charles Stilton and someone at the table . Who was Charles arguing with ?

The next day Robbie and her friend Lou decide to put on snowshoes and take a brisk walk . As they near Crooked Lake, Robbie becomes curious about an ice fishing hole   When she looks down into the hole , someone is looking back at her. I would have screamed so loud, I probably would have cracked the ice at the sight of bulging eyes looking at me. I was not surprised at who was stuck under the ice, but it was still interesting to find out how  many enemies the person had. I started to wonder if he was liked by anyone. The list of suspects start to fill a page and Robbie is determined to find out who the killer is. How did the person die? Who hated the person so much, they were willing to commit murder?

The author keeps the story moving at a good pace with quite a few surprises. There is another  intriguing mystery going on with Robbie's place above the restaurant. She is renovating it and finds some very unusual items . Someone is not happy with the renovations and tries to stop Robbie . The book is well written and had me so involved in the book I couldn't put it down. There are several characters you will meet as you read the story that are hiding secrets.  Can Robbie keep herself safe? Will the killer be caught?  Don't miss this exciting story that will keep you guessing and has a great and action packed ending.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escape Book Tours. The review is my own opinion.


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Tour Participants
April 3 – Classy Cheapskate – REVIEW
April 3 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW
April 4 – A Cozy Experience – REVIEW
April 4 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST
April 4 – Cozy Up With Kathy – SPOTLIGHT
April 5 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW
April 5 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW
April 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
April 6 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT
April 7 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
April 7 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
April 8 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
April 9 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
April 9 – Author Annette Drake’s blog – INTERVIEW
April 10 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST
April 11 – Varietats – SPOTLIGHT
April 12 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 13 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  
April 14 – Rainy Day Reviews – REVIEW
April 14 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW  
April 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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Treasure in Paradise
by Kathi Daley


A combination of local secrets, greedy land developers, devout environmentalists, moody preadolescents and TJ’s own emotional ride mixed with memories and recent relationship changes, investigating a murder seems to be the logical choice for our amateur sleuth.
~Laura’s Interests
…this book is just another great representation of Kathi’s hard work and great writing style. Tj is always ready to be kind to another person. She is just a fictional best friend to many readers, and to this reader.
~Bibliophile Reviews 
Treasure in Paradise (A Tj Jensen Mystery) 
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Henery Press (April 11, 2017)
Paperback: 252 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1635111910
KINDLE ASIN: B01N5OSSL2

Synopsis

Tj Jensen and her family head to Turtle Cove Resort for summer vacation, but their plans for rest and relaxation are thwarted when they find a dead treasure hunter in the attic of the resort’s main house. Initially vowing not to get involved, Tj quickly changes her tune when the Gull Island deputy on the case closes it after a bare bones investigation. All evidence points to foul play, and Tj’s determined to uncover what the deputy wants to keep hidden. With the help of her best friend and a chatty parrot, Tj digs up a centuries old legend, a hidden map, and secrets buried deeper than pirate’s treasure.
KathiDaley

About the Author

Author of the Zoe Donovan cozy Mystery Series, Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery series, Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Series, Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mysteries, and Seacliff High Teen Cozy Mystery Series.
Come for the murder, stay for the romance.
Kathi lives in the beautiful alpine community of Lake Tahoe with her husband Ken and dog Echo. When she’s not writing she enjoys hanging out on the beach with her children and grandchildren. During the summer she enjoys hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, wakeboarding, and sunset cruises on the lake. During the winter she enjoys cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and curling up by a fire with a good book.
Kathi uses her mountain home as inspiration for her books, all which include appearances by the wildlife she shares her life with.
Visit Kathi Daley:
Facebook at Kathi Daley Books, www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks
Kathi Daley Teen – www.facebook.com/kathidaleyteen
Kathi Daley Books Group Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/569578823146850/
Kathi Daley Books Birthday Club- get a book on your birthday – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1040638412628912/
Kathi Daley Recipe Exchange – https://www.facebook.com/groups/752806778126428/
Webpage – www.kathidaley.com
Twitter at Kathi Daley@kathidaley – https://twitter.com/kathidaley
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/kathidaley/
PURCHASE LINKS – Amazon
Books in the Tj Jensen Mystery Series:
I have come to really love the authors writing. She has such an expressive way to write that makes everything come to life. Her stories are always filled with fascinating facts and I appreciate her diligence to details. I loved reading about the plight of the turtles and loved learning about them.

Tj  has decided to spend her summer at Turtle Cove Resort helping her father's friend out. I love Tj so much and want to be her friend. She is someone you can trust and know she will always be there for you. Tj and her entourage pack up and head on an adventure that is exciting and action packed. The place they are staying at has an uninvited guest in the attic. Poor Tj finds a body that doesn't seem to be moving. It looks like Tj will have her hands full when the investigation starts .  Why was there a body in the attic where Tj was going to be all summer?

 Someone thinks there is a map that will lead them to a treasure that will make them rich. I was ready to join them as the author made the story so intriguing. How fun would it be to explore caves, and deserted land hoping to find buried treasure? Tj is suspicious when the death of the person in the attic is ruled  as natural causes. Who is hiding something about the death? I love how the author gives us a great mystery with subtle clues throughout the book. Her books are always fun to read and Tj is a character that I have enjoyed getting to know.  I have to mention Blackbeard the parrot. Oh my I enjoyed this bird so much. I could picture him talking away as he tried to give clues to Tj. As always the author delivers another powerful story that has interesting characters and a well written mystery that had me not wanting the book to end. I can't wait to see what is in store for Tj next.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my honest opinion.


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For a chance to win an ecopy of Treasure in Paradise, leave a comment . Be sure you provide an email and what format you need for your e-reader.
Tour Participants
April 1 – Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW
April 1 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 2 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  
April 3 – Dee-Scoveries – SPOTLIGHT
April 3 – Sleuth Cafe – REVIEW
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April 5 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW
April 5 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW
April 6 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW
April 7 – T’s Stuff – REVIEW
April 7 – Rainy Day Reviews – REVIEW
April 8 – Varietats – REVIEW
April 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
April 9 – Mystery Playground – GUEST POST
April 10 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 10 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – GUEST POST
April 11 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – INTERVIEW
April 11 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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