by admin | Apr 18, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery
MY REVIEW:
Christy Barritt’s latest book The Art of Eavesdropping is the first of her promising new series. Of course who could disagree with the fact that all her books are good? Once again this author offers her readers a cozy mystery with a somewhat quirky yet relatable heroine and more than one interesting male character who might or might not become a romantic interest in a future installment.
In this case the heroine is Elliot Ransom who grew up on the mission field in the Amazon jungle. Political unrest sent her family back to the states where life changed dramatically for them all. When Elliot takes a job as assistant to a private investigator she finds that the job description might include more than the expected desk job. Her first assignment involves trying to find evidence to prove a murder suspect’s innocence and she quickly experiences more than one close call with death. I loved Elliot. She is one sharp cookie whose unique observational skills and spatial intelligence are exactly what it takes to solve the mystery.
Its fast-paced plot, fun dialogue, and sometimes awkward situations make this book one that can easily be read in one sitting. A mystery in Elliot’s own life promises to add extra dimension to her future adventures. The Art of Eavesdropping has definitely hooked me and I must read the entire series because I have to know what happens next.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Missionary kid Elliot Ransom is restless after moving from her beloved Amazon home to a wealthy DC suburb. Though Storm River, Virginia, is beautiful, it’s also a playground for haughty politicians and wealthy playboys. She’s never felt so out of place.
Becoming an assistant to a hotshot private investigator changes everything . . .
Expecting to help with filing and background checks, Elliot is shocked when she’s catapulted into the frontlines of a murder investigation instead. While trying to prove their client innocent, she’s forced from the administrative role she usually plays. The change is surprisingly invigorating.
Learning the art of investigating shouldn’t be so dangerous . . . but this case just might be as dicey as the new town Elliot is living in. Could a little harmless eavesdropping lead to a big disaster?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
USA Today has called Christy Barritt’s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”
A Publishers Weekly best-seller, Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have sold almost two million copies, and one is currently being developed as a movie.
Christy’s books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.
She’s married to her prince charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious–but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.
Christy currently splits her time between the Virginia suburbs and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She loves spending time with her husband, her two sons, and her four dogs.
For more information, visit her website: www.christybarritt.com.
by admin | Mar 22, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery
MY REVIEW:
Angela Ruth Strong’s The CafFunated Mysteries series has been a real treat thus far. A Latte Difficulty continues the adventures of Marissa and Tandy, unlikely friends who run a small-town coffee and tea establishment. Once again they find themselves smack dab in the middle of another mystery and Marissa’s wedding plans are interrupted in order to protect her life that everyone believes has been threatened.
As always Marissa’s tendency toward clumsiness offers readers frequent laughable moments. Tandy’s attempts to run the shop alone while Marissa is in hiding also adds some touches of humor. She manages to recruit a new friend who seems to be a blessing from God – but is he?
A Latte Difficult was a fun read from beginning to end with the aforementioned humor along with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing as to who-done-it and why. Don’t miss this delightful series but I suggest you begin with book one to get the whole story.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Can two baristas track down a gunman after the espresso shot heard ‘round the world?
When Marissa witnesses an attempted murder during the 4th of July parade, it starts a battle for her independence. She is forced to hide out in a safehouse, leaving her co-owner, Tandy, to run their coffee shop, track down the criminal, and, worse, plan Marissa’s wedding. Thankfully Tandy has help, but can she really trust the P.I. in a bow tie, her new deaf barista who acts more like a bartender, or a wedding planner who’s keeping secrets?
The threat on Marissa’s future goes from bad to worse when her bridal gown is covered in blood. Though her fiancé, Connor, agrees to give up his identity to join her in the Witness Protection Program, Marissa refuses to wave the white flag. Instead, she enlists Tandy to help her fight for truth, justice, and the Americano way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK. Get to know her even better at www.angelaruthstrong.com.
by admin | Oct 10, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery
MY REVIEW:
Angela Ruth Strong adds an element of fun and humor to her latest cozy mystery. When two young women who want to buy the same antique shop for very different purposes find themselves suspects in the murder of the shop owner, they decide to team up to find the actual murderer. What ensues is a laugh-out-loud tale of blunders, delightful dialogue, and a host of unlikely suspects. As the unlikely pair of detectives work together, they might just have more in common than they thought – if they can stay alive long enough to find out.
I very much enjoyed this amusing novel that kept me entertained from beginning to end. Not only was it humorous but the mystery was well plotted and had me stumped for quite awhile. The story couldn’t have ended more perfectly as far as I am concerned. I look forward to the next book in this series!
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Solving a murder mystery is harder when you don’t trust your partner…or their taste in beverages. Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to the small town of Grace Springs to start a coffee shop, never imagining she’ll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects. The unlikely pair team up in an attempt to discover the real killer, though with the secrets in Tandy’s past and Marissa’s infamous clumsiness, they could be their own worst enemies. Despite their differences, they follow clues to question a sweet, apple pie baking antique store owner, a GQ Santa in the retirement center, and a hipster millionaire with no social skills. Will they be able to figure out whodunit and prove their innocence before one of them goes to jail…or worse?
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angela Ruth Strong writes light-hearted and life-changing love stories. The “light-hearted” part comes from her ability to get into interesting situations–such as a hamster ball race or riding on the shoulders of a unicyclist. The “life-changing” part comes from the power of God’s love and the beauty of her very own romance. The “story” part comes from her passion for books that she got from her writer mama. And there’s nothing else she’d rather do than share these stories with you. Find out more (than you ever wanted to know) at www.angelaruthstrong.com.
by admin | Jan 6, 2017 | Books, Cozy Mystery
MY REVIEW:
“Out of the Frying Pan” was a fun little change of pace for me. This cozy mystery featured several extremely quirky characters, especially Fern and Zula who attempt to help solve the murder of their retirement village chef. With all the off-the-wall characters, Detective Jared Flynn and the Hopkins sisters’ niece KC provide a level-headed counterpoint.
I enjoyed this somewhat nutty story and all the sisters’ crazy antics. I also enjoyed how the romance between Jared and KC played out as the story progressed. Yes, some of the sisters’ choices and actions were pretty over-the-top at times and not always wise but it added to the humor and I felt like they learned their lesson by the end of the story.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by The Book Club Network. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When the chef of Sunset Paradise Retirement Village ends up dead, life for sisters Fern and Zula Hopkins is whipped into a froth. Their zany attempts to track down the killer land them in hot water with Detective Jared Flynn. Should he be concerned about their safety or the criminal’s? But there are deadly ingredients none of them expect. Drugs. Extortion. International cartels. And worst of all…broken hearts–especially when the Hopkins sisters’ niece KC arrives on the scene.
Before the snooping pair gain any headway with the case, it becomes crystal clear that the sisters share a mysterious secret that takes life from the frying pan and into the line of fire.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
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Kelly Klepfer had ambitions to graduate from the school of life quite awhile ago, but alas . . . she still attends and is tested regularly. Her co-authored cozy/quirky mystery, Out of the Frying Pan, is the culmination of several of the failed/passed tests. Kelly, though she lives with her husband, two Beagles and two hedgehogs in Iowa, can be found at Novel Rocket, Novel Reviews, Scrambled Dregs, Modern Day Mishaps, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter with flashes of brilliance (usually quotes), randomocities, and learned life lessons. Zula and Fern Hopkins and their shenanigans can be found at Zu-fer where you always get more than you bargained for.
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Michelle Griep
I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I’ve been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write–except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager. |
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by admin | Jun 8, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery
MY REVIEW:
It takes a pretty talented author to pull off such diverse genres as A. H. Gabhart has written but she is definitely up to the task. Her latest cozy mystery series set in Hidden Springs is both fun and suspense filled as all cozy mysteries should be. In the second book of the series, “Murder Comes by Mail”, Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane is faced with yet another case to solve in his small hometown that used to be quiet and peaceful. Why can’t things stay that way?
When Sheriff Keane stops a man from leaping to his death off a bridge near town, the last thing the man tells him is that he will be sorry he stopped him from jumping. When photographs of a dead girl show up in his office mail and the jumper disappears from the hospital, it is a foregone conclusion that the jumper must be the murderer. Then why is it so difficult to locate the man? With more deaths and indications that the murderer is taunting him, Michael is desperate to protect the people he loves. Can he solve the case before anyone else dies?
“Murder Comes by Mail” is a bit grittier and darker than the first book of the series “Murder at the Courthouse” but even so there is still no graphic violence to disturb the reader. Once again the pages are filled with the lovable and quirky residents of Hidden Springs, a lot of mystery, a little humor, and even a touch of romance. I love trying to figure out “whodunnit” and wondering what role a pet will play this time in the story. I did wonder about a certain character from the first time he appeared in the story because he was just so weird but there was never any real evidence against him.
All-in-all, “Murder Comes by Mail” was a fun and satisfying read that held my attention until the end.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Doing a good deed never felt so bad
Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane doesn’t particularly enjoy being touted as the hero of Hidden Springs after pulling a suicidal man back from the edge of the Eagle River bridge in front of dozens of witnesses–a few of whom caught the breathtaking moments with their cameras. But the media hype doesn’t last long as a new story pushes its way into the public consciousness of Hidden Springs’ concerned citizens.
Photos of a dead girl arrive in the mail, and Michael becomes convinced she was murdered by the man he saved. With a killer one step ahead, things in Hidden Springs begin to unravel. Now Michael must protect the people he loves–because the killer could be targeting one of them next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Memories by Chris
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Words Spoken True, as well as several Shaker novels–The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted–and The Heart of Hollyhill series. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.
by admin | Jun 4, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Dectective, Mystery, Suspense
ABOUT THE BOOK:
MY REVIEW:
“Sister Eve and the Blue Nun” is the first book I’ve read by Lynne Hinton. I was uncertain what I could expect and it took me a little while to become fully engaged with the book even though it began quickly with a murder to solve. However, once I became better acquainted with the motorcycle riding, jeans wearing nun who doubles as a detective, it was easy to jump in and let the story pull me along for the ride.
I liked how Eve tended to be a bit of a lone ranger but also had a tendency to jump into things too quickly and make a mess of them. Her belief in her friend’s innocence was admirable as was her determination to prove it. Unfortunately that led her to make dangerous decisions that jeopardized her life. The way the legend of the Blue Nun played into the story was fascinating and I learned about a spiritual gift recognized by Catholics called biolocation that I had never encountered before.
All-in-all, I enjoyed reading about Sister Eve’s adventures in helping to solve another case enough that I will absolutely be open to reading more books by this author.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
After a murder at the monastery, Sister Eve may need a miracle if she is to prove a dear friend isn’t a cold-blooded killer.
Sister Eve, a motorcycle-riding nun with a natural (or is it supernatural?) gift for solving murders returns to the enclave she once called home and quickly finds herself confronting yet another mysterious death.
Someone has poisoned Dr. Kelly Middlesworth—a researcher on the life and ministry of 17th-century’s revered “Blue Nun”—and a set of irreplaceable historic documents have disappeared before they could even be examined.
When all evidence seems to point to the victim’s brother, Sister Eve sets out to expose the killer and learn the explosive truth those missing manuscripts might contain.
Chasing a killer is dangerous work, and as her two worlds collide, Sister Eve may need some heavenly help simply to survive.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynne Hinton is the “New York Times” bestselling author of “Friendship Cake” and “Pie Town.” A native of North Carolina, she received her undergraduate degree from the U.N.C. at Greensboro and her Masters of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. She also studied at Wake Forest University and the NC School of the Arts, School of Filmmaking. She has served as a chaplain with hospice and as the pastor of Mount Hope United Church of Christ and First Congregational United Church of Christ, both in North Carolina. Lynne is a regular columnist with The Charlotte Observer. She lives with her husband, Bob Branard, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Find out more about Lynne at http://www.lynnehinton.com.
