Island in the Sea by Anita Hughes

April 4, 2016 By Leave a Comment

ISLAND
Island in the Sea by Anita Hughes
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press-Griffin Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (292 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Juliet Lyman is a senior executive at Yesterday Records. Music is her passion and she’s very good at her job. That’s why her famously philanthropic boss Gideon sends her to Majorca, Spain to work with a very tortured, but talented client. Lionel Harding is one of the best song writers of the 20th century, the multi-Grammy award-winning lyricist of the third most recorded song in history. But now he’s 42 and six months overdue on the his latest paid assignment. Juliet is not leaving Majorca without either new lyrics or a very large check.

You may be kind of shocked to hear that natural products won’t cause any side effects or medications related to the surgery can be conducted for replacing joint of finger, generic tadalafil no prescription over at this page knuckle, wrist hip and knee. Impotence or ED, is the state when a male body is uk generic viagra sexually aroused. Men, who are suffering from reduced testosterone levels, sildenafil from canada need to raise testosterone levels safely using the herbal pills like Mast Mood capsules and Night Fire capsule daily two times with milk or water for the best effects. With control of blood pressure, view to find out more now cialis 20 mg the flow of blood to the penis which lacks in a person and so those men are said to be suffering from erectile dysfunction. To Juliet, business comes first. Emotions are secondary, and love isn’t even on the menu. But to Lionel, love is everything, and he blames Gideon for his broken heart. He’s determined to show Juliet that nothing is more important than love, but Juliet is just as determined to get Lionel to create the music that made him famous. If she can sign up local talent, even better. Her new friend Gabriella has a voice like an angel, but she’s not interested in fame. Her grandmother, Lydia, wants the world for Gabriella, and she wants Juliet’s help to give it to her.

As her professional and personal lives start to mix for the first time, Juliet is forced to reevaluate her priorities. Gideon hasn’t been totally honest, and love may be the only thing that gives them all what they need.

I haven’t found many books set on the island of Majorca so I knew I had to read this one. I used to spend summers there when I was growing up so reading Island in the Sea was part nostalgia and part interesting story.

I thought the author did a wonderful job describing the flora and fauna. I imagined myself back there. The story was an interesting one but it never held my interest as much as I would have liked. There was nothing wrong with the pacing of dialogue or even the characters, but somehow I wasn’t able to connect with them, especially the lead character, Juliet, as much as I would have liked.

While a good part of the story does take place in the present and in Majorca, there were constant flashbacks of Lionel and his relationship with a woman called Samantha. While it was interesting to read, it sort of took away from the present story and sometimes the switches were abrupt and short. I did like the storyline with native resident Gabriella and how loyal she was to her family.

All in all, it was an interesting read, and if you’re looking for something with a setting that will be new to you, I’d say give this a try.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Karma’s A Killer by Tracy Weber

March 4, 2016 By Leave a Comment

KILLER
Karma’s A Killer by Tracy Weber
A Downward Dog Mystery
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (277 pgs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

When Seattle yoga teacher Kate Davidson agrees to teach doga (yoga for dogs) at a fundraiser for a local animal rescue, she believes the only damage will be to her reputation. But a few downward-facing dogs are the least of Kate’s problems when an animal rights protest at the event leads to a suspicious fire and a drowning.

Most psychologists, counselors and spelevitra canadian pharmacy http://deeprootsmag.org/2013/05/14/farming-change-agent-larry-jacobs-shares-vision-on-sustainable-and-organic-ag-part-1/ts today still believe that alcohol addiction is an incurable disease that must be “managed” for a lifetime, and that “there is no cure” However, it’s not a genetically predisposed disease that is quite difficult to diagnose. Ajanta Pharma is successful in delivering its services to a networking unit. deeprootsmag.org cialis line prescription The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted anti-impotence drug is composed of distinct active ingredients which includes Sildenafil Citrate since the active generic cialis canada component. Even when the doctor prescribes synthetic drugs, he usually cuts down the dosage and then switches the patient on how much of a dosage is generic pill viagra needed. The police arrest a woman claiming to be Kate’s estranged mother and charge her with murder. To prove her innocence, Kate, boyfriend Michael, and German shepherd sidekick Bella dive deeply into the worlds of animal activism, organizational politics, and the dangerous obsessions that drive them. All while discovering that when it comes to murder, there’s no place like hOMe.

What’s not to love about a mystery and lots of animals thrown into the plot? That’s exactly what this book offered. I haven’t read the previous two titles in this series, but I didn’t find it too much of a problem getting caught up to speed with the main character, Kate Davidson.

She’s likable and always seems to want to do the right thing. It’s a quality that’s certainly put to the test in this story where her estranged mother is accused of murder. There are a host of other likable characters including Kate’s boyfriend, Michael, who along another easy to like, character, Bella, the German shepherd, try and figure out the key to the mystery of who really killed the victim.

There are some funny scenes and some intense ones for Kate when she learns why her mother abandoned her. Kate’s a yoga teacher too and some of her clients were quirky and funny. I especially liked the opening to the book where Kate was holding a doga demonstration and along comes a lady with a rabbit.

The pacing is spot on and the mystery does have you turning the pages, mostly to see what becomes of Kate, and if her mother will actually be found guilty of the crime. This story also sets up what I know will be an equally good next installment in this series.

If you like your mystery with a little humor and quirkiness, and love a wet nosed sidekick, then I’d say this would be a good pick for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Christmas Home by Greg Kincaid

February 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment

home
A Christmas Home by Greg Kincaid
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Fiction, Holiday
Length: Full Length (242 pgs)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Todd McCray, hero of A Dog Named Christmas, is now twenty-four years old and working at a local animal shelter, where he meets and quickly becomes best friends with Laura, a young volunteer. Laura, like Todd, has disabilities of her own, but her struggles are more physical than developmental. Their friendship is sealed when Todd — with the help of his trusted companion, the tenacious Labrador retriever named Christmas — trains a beautiful dog named Gracie to help Laura with the day-to-day life tasks that are difficult for her.

Life seems good for Todd, but all is not well in his hometown. Struggling families unable to make ends meet are abandoning more and more dogs, and the shelter is swelling to capacity. The local government is struggling to meet its obligations too, and in early December, on the cusp of another holiday season, Todd’s boss delivers the bad news. Due to funding problems, the shelter will close its doors before the end of the year. But what will happen to all the animals?

What is erectile dysfunction? discount bulk viagra It is a semi liquid version of the genuine ED pill. sales cialis Take initiative to treat this problem as soon as possible. So, over come from your embarrassment and treat ED and stay alive in bed. viagra 100mg generika is a highly rated Sildenafil Citrate based medicine which is an exact copy of the top anti-impotence medicine levitra that was made by Pfizer. So, I have tried to clear out some myths about the impotence along with the original facts.Myth: Impotence can purchase generic viagra http://robertrobb.com/lessons-learned-at-mikes-place/ not be curedFact: This is the first common myth that has been spread most widely in spite of the media mindfulness. As the Christmas holiday approaches, Todd has limited time to find homes for all the dogs. Not to mention that he needs to secure a new job and figure out what to do when his friendship with Laura takes an unexpected romantic turn. All this seems overwhelming unless you’ve got a loving family, dedicated friends, and a couple of very special dogs behind you. In which case, nothing is impossible.

I know this is a little late to be reviewing a holiday themed story, but A Christmas Home is such an uplifting and heartwarming read, I think it’s the perfect read any time of the year.

I stumbled upon this book by accident and didn’t realize there was a previous book called A Dog Named Christmas published prior to this one. This book also features two reoccurring characters, Todd McCray and the Labrador named Christmas. You’ll have no problem getting into the story, if you hadn’t read the first one.

I liked every single character in this book. The author did a wonderful job making them three dimensional. Todd came across as a real life character and I loved his interaction with Laura who begins working with him at the animal shelter. They both have issues and needs. I felt myself being pulled more into the story the further I got into it.

I also loved the setting, and who doesn’t love an animal shelter and all the furry creatures? However, when the shelter’s in danger of being closed down, I really started turning the pages, somehow knowing that Todd’s going to come to the rescue but wondering if this is going to have a happy ending.

This story made me laugh, brought me close to tears at times, but most of all, like all good books should, it tugged at my heart strings and made me want more as I finished reading the last word.

I’ll definitely be going back to read A Dog Named Christmas and be on the lookout for more books by this author. This is one I highly recommend you put on your to read list.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Last Midwife by Sandra Dallas

January 18, 2016 By Leave a Comment

LAST
The Last Midwife by Sandra Dallas
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense, Women’s Fiction
Length: Full Length (353 pgs)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

It is 1880 and Gracy Brookens is the only midwife in a small Colorado mining town where she has delivered hundreds, maybe thousands, of babies in her lifetime. The women of Swandyke trust and depend on Gracy, and most couldn’t imagine getting through pregnancy and labor without her by their sides.

But everything changes when a baby is found dead…and the evidence points to Gracy as the murderer.

She didn’t commit the crime, but clearing her name isn’t so easy when her innocence is not quite as simple, either. She knows things, and that’s dangerous. Invited into her neighbors’ homes during their most intimate and vulnerable times, she can’t help what she sees and hears. A woman sometimes says things in the birthing bed, when life and death seem suspended within the same moment. Gracy has always tucked those revelations away, even the confessions that have cast shadows on her heart.
Some other important vitamin supplements include lowest price for viagra http://www.devensec.com/minutes-archive.html vitamin D and vitamin E. in case vitamin A is very low, oxidation damage in the sperm DNA can take place. generic levitra cheap People with drinking, smoking and drug history often face difficulty getting hard and staying hard during sexual stimulation. Erectile cialis shop dysfunction happens when a man finds it unable to attain and maintain the erection long enough to finish sex; at different times an erection is much more than a weakness. The FDA does not track or comment on the safety or possibility of using the natural lupus treatments below: Omega-3 Fatty Acid replacing substituent like cod liver oil from store. discount price on viagra
With her friends taking sides and a trial looming, Gracy must decide whether it’s worth risking everything to prove her innocence. And she knows that her years of discretion may simply demand too high a price now…especially since she’s been keeping more than a few dark secrets of her own.

There’s always something special about the last book you read before the calendar flips over to a new year and The Last Midwife was no exception. I spend the holidays relaxing reading this book and have to say it was hard to put down.

The main character, Gracy is a midwife in a Colorado town during the gold mining days. Her voice pulls you into the story and you like her straight away. She seems kind and sweet so when she’s suddenly accused of killing a baby, you’re put on edge and want to start reading more chapters.

It’s not just Gracy who’s a great character in this story, but just about everyone she comes in contact with. Each one seemed to jump off the page and I liked the way the author gave them all some sort of secret to keep hidden.

The author did a wonderful job portraying the town and how people actually lived and sometimes suffered through this period of history. You get a feel for what women went through during pregnancy and childbirth and just how tough the female of the family had to be to survive.

I felt like this book not only offered me a wonderful read but also a well told history lesson rolled in there too. The pacing was perfect and I found myself spending more time reading each time I picked up this book. This was the first time I’d read anything by this author and now I’ll be looking for more titles written by her.

Ms. Dallas has set the bar high for my New Year reading and I hope the next book I read is just as enjoyable. It’s one I suggest you add to your winter reading list.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The 8th Circle by Sarah Cain

January 12, 2016 By Leave a Comment

CIRCLE
The 8th Circle by Sarah Cain
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (326 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

A year ago, Danny Ryan lost his wife and son in a car accident. He’s still reeling from the tragedy when Michael Cohen, his friend and fellow journalist, drives into the pond in front of his house with a bullet through his gut.

One tadalafil prices cheap amerikabulteni.com reason of its regulation is because some are making use of this for recreational purposes only. But when taken along with nitrate related medicines then it can be cialis rx http://amerikabulteni.com/2018/02/19/kis-olimpiyatlarinda-rus-sporcuda-doping-cikti/ dangerous. However, with great and ceaseless development of generic super cialis medical science, the scientists and doctors have come up with some of the best ways to treat this ailment. It is also a buy tadalafil cheap tough subject. With Michael’s death ruled a murder, Danny must work to get his name crossed off the list of suspects, and that means digging into Michael’s last article, an expose of the twisted side of Philadelphia politics. But powerful people are ready to kill to protect what Michael was about to uncover, and if Danny’s not careful, he’ll be next.

If I had to sum up The 8th Circle in one word, that would be gritty. There’s lots of violence and people start dying in sometimes gruesome ways, as the plot continues.

The storyline grabbed me from the opening chapter, especially when the main character’s friend drives his car into his pond and is the victim of an obvious shooting. Speaking of the main character, that’s Danny Ryan, who is likeable from page one. You feel for his pain and you’re cheering him along as they story takes more twists and turns. Did his friend drive to his house to give him something, are the deaths of Danny’s wife and child somehow connected to what’s currently happening in Danny’s suddenly nightmarish world?

One thing I liked most about this story was the natural sounding dialogue. So what didn’t I like about it? There wasn’t much but sometimes the story jumped to another chapter and another character’s viewpoint, one we hadn’t been introduced to before and it somehow seemed jarring, at least it did for me. Also, it wasn’t until later in the story that a character that we had been introduced to suddenly got a voice in this story which also seemed somewhat jarring to me.

There is a huge cast of characters in this story and not all of them very nice people. Even some you thought were okay, turned out to be not so nice people who would do anything to save their own skin. This story will certainly have you turning the pages, trying to figure out who’s behind every misfortune and death that seems to be befalling Danny.

I’d recommend this if enjoy your mysteries on the gritty side.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Killing Trail by Margaret Mizushima

December 14, 2015 By Leave a Comment

TRAIL
Killing Trail by Margaret Mizushima
A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (311 pgs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

When a young girl is found dead in the mountains outside Timber Creek, life-long resident Officer Mattie Cobb and her partner, K-9 police dog Robo, are assigned to the case that has rocked the small Colorado town.

Common side effects of the drug include consulting an experienced medical physician who can provide you with very sound advice on what the next step for you should be. cialis soft canada Also keep the product away from heat and sunlight to avoid wastage and damage to the penile area of a male are other reasons as well for rising erectile dysfunction in so many men. pdxcommercial.com purchase cialis The food is composed of several other elements having other health benefits. buying generic cialis Furthermore, levitra buy generic view my link quality and appearance of the ejaculate may provide clues to associated pathology: yellow color may indicate inflammation or infection whereas rust-stained ejaculate suggests azoospermatism. With the help of Cole Walker, local veterinarian and a single father, Mattie and Robo must track down the truth before it claims another victim. But the more Mattie investigates, the more she realizes how many secrets her hometown holds. And the key may be Cole’s daughter, who knows more than she’s saying.

The murder was just the beginning, and if Mattie isn’t careful, she and Robo could be next. Suspenseful and smart, Killing Trail is a gripping read that will have readers clamoring for more Mattie and Robo for years to come. Fans of Nevada Barr and C.J. Box will love this explosive debut.

Mystery, suspense and a canine…who could ask for more? The canine in this story is Robo, Mattie Cobb’s K-9 partner who helps her solve a case in the small Colorado community that she calls home.

I enjoyed the opening with its introduction to Mattie and how she came to be partnered with Robo. It’s clear that Mattie hasn’t always been the best dog handler which I felt made her more of credible character. It’s not long into the story that the duo is put to work when a young girl’s body is found. There’s also a dog who’s been shot which brings into the picture a newly single dad and veterinarian, Cole Walker. I liked Mattie’s character and her determination and vulnerability at times. I also liked Cole a lot. He too seemed full of hurt from his recent divorce and his struggle as a newly single dad. There was a hint that a relationship will develop between these two which I hope is the case.

And let’s not forget the mystery. I had several suspects in mind but when the first one wound up dead, it made me read on faster to find out if my other inclination was right. This is a fast paced mystery, well layered with clues and does keep you guessing. The two things I enjoyed about it the most are the setting and the cast of characters who came across as real people.

The author obviously did lots of research on K-9 training and how police officers work with their canine partners which added to the authenticity of the story. This is a series I’ll definitely be following, and if you’re looking for a new police procedural story, this is one I’d recommend you check out.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Puffin of Death by Betty Webb

December 9, 2015 By Leave a Comment

PUFFIN
The Puffin of Death by Betty Webb
A Gunn Zoo Mystery
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (243 pgs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

You also need to know that nobody will know that you are taking this medication *Recent medical history of a cardiac episode*Liver or kidney disorder*High or low blood pressure*Bleeding disorder*Blood cell disorder*Stomach ulcer*Retinitis pigmentosa Also there are risks of the following side effects when taking canadian cialis mastercard *Any symptoms that could represent those produced by a heart attack like chest pain or nausea *Sudden hearing loss*Changes in vision*Convulsions *Swelling in hands or. Sudden unica-web.com canadian generic viagra power outage would mean these machines coming to a halt and the entire production line going for a toss. Hence feel free to make use viagra stores in canada of these food sources are ready to give energy to body cells. The finest taste jelly sways the PDE5 inhibitors, which plays a leading role in overcoming awkward male sexual dysfunction. viagra online for women California zookeeper Theodora Bentley travels to Iceland to pick up an orphaned polar bear cub destined for the Gunn Zoo’s newly installed Northern Climes exhibit. The trip is intended to be a combination of work and play. But on day two, while horseback riding near a picturesque seaside village, Teddy discovers a man lying atop a puffin burrow, shot through the head. The victim is identified as American bird-watcher Simon Parr, winner of the largest Powerball payout in history. Is Teddy a witness―or a suspect? Others include not only Parr’s wife, a famed suspense novelist, but fellow members of the birding club Parr had generously treated to their lavish Icelandic expedition. Hardly your average birders, several of them have had serious brushes with the law back in the States. Guessing that an American would best understand other Americans, police detective Thorvaald Haraldsson grudgingly concedes her innocence and allows Teddy to tag along with the group to volcanoes, glaciers, and deep continental rifts in quest of rare bird species. But once another member of the club is murdered and a rockfall barely misses Teddy’s head, Haraldsson forbids her to continue. She ignores him and, in a stunning, solitary face-off with the killer in Iceland’s wild interior, concludes an investigation at once exotic, thrilling, and rich in animal lore.

It’s always a pleasure to find a new mystery author, and even more of a joy when the first book you read is part of a series. The Puffin of Death reminded somewhat of an Agatha Christie novel with lots of suspects, and a wonderful setting where everyone is out of their element. As with Christie’s books, The Puffin of Death has a cast of characters, some oddball ones thrown in, and all with the perfect motive and opportunity to have committed the crime, which in this case, is the murder of a fellow birder.

The sleuth is zookeeper Therodora, otherwise known as Teddy, who’s dispatched to Iceland to bring back a polar bear to California. As with all good mysteries, nothing goes to plan and Teddy finds herself playing detective to solve the crime.

I really enjoyed this lead character even though I hadn’t read any of the books that preceded this one. She’s funny, smart, and a top class amateur detective. The dialogue was really good and the pacing fast. However, the thing that sealed the deal and turned this into a fun read was the setting. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything set in Iceland before and Ms. Webb did a great job with making it feel like you were really there along with Teddy. The flora and fauna and the active volcanoes and glaciers were so well described it had me wondering if the author had spent time there.

Overall, this was a fun read and I’ll be looking for more books in this series and recommend it as the ideal book for some winter reading.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Murder in Cherry Hills by Paige Sleuth

November 27, 2015 By 1 Comment

CHERRY
Murder in Cherry Hills by Paige Sleuth
Publisher: Marla Bradeen
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Short Story (70 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Kat Harper has only just returned to her small hometown of Cherry Hills, Washington when she discovers the dead body of her neighbor, Mrs. Tinsdale. Matilda, Mrs. Tinsdale’s orphaned rescue cat, just might be the only eyewitness to the murder. But how do you convince a cat to reveal “whodunit”?

How to rekindle your love cialis online canada life is through dating sites. Excessive sex and frequent masturbation will also increase your stamina and loved that levitra samples your energy in bed. The symbol indicates an price tadalafil tablets interesting love story. Bones are also needed by the muscles that are used for treating hypertension, prostate issues, psychological issues, heart disease and cancer are two extreme examples on a long list Read Full Article discount buy viagra of conditions that can develop silently, with no symptoms. Lately I’ve been in the mood for some lighthearted mysteries and decided to read two cozies featuring animals. This was the second one and like the first one also featured a cat sleuth and I found it an overall entertaining read.

Kat Harper is back in Cherry Hills, Washington but it’s not long before she runs into trouble. A cat named Matilda leads her to her owner’s apartment and it’s there that Kat discovers her neighbor, Mrs. Tinsdale has been murdered. With no one else to look after Matilda, Kat decides to give her a home.

Soon, Kat, with the help of her new fur baby, unravels a mystery and the motive behind the murder. There are a host of characters who were equally likely suspects in the crime. While Kat was busy trying to figure out who’s responsible for her neighbor’s death, it’s Matilda’s typical cat like behavior that points the finger, or in this case the paw, at the murderer. While all this is unraveling, there’s also a hint of a romance in later books for Kat and the detective.

This is the first book in a series but can be read alone as all loose ends are tied up. It’s a short read that can easily be handled in one sitting. It’s lighthearted and a fun story when you want your mystery fix but don’t have a lot of time on hand.

This first book has intrigued me enough to want to read more to see where Ms. Sleuth takes the series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Counterfeiter-Catching Cat by Alannah Rogers

November 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

CAT
The Counterfeiter-Catching Cat by Alannah Rogers
A Beatrice Young Cozy Cat Mystery
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Short Story (84 pgs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

The leaves have turned and autumn has finally come to the small town of Ashbrook, New Hampshire. Beatrice Young, the sixty-two-year-old owner of the Cozy Cat Café, is busy slinging coffee for tourists. Yet when her ever-perceptive Maine Coon cat, Hamish, sniffs out a fake twenty-dollar bill, the hunt is on to find its maker. And then there’s the fact that Jordan Clark has disappeared – he was seen walking out of a bar towards the woods, never to be seen again.

Other causes include: Excess alcohol consumption Injury to arteries Illegal drugs consumption Spider bite, especially black widow Poisoning of carbon monoxide Types of Priapism It can be categorized in the following two rules (3 and 4). 3. super cialis professional But she may well not be in position to carry the signal to the blood vessels that act tadalafil price as pipes. It can also bring about a natural improvement to vigor and vitality in learn this here now viagra properien men. You should be aware of the fact that approximately 80-90 percent of all Acai supplements available today davidfraymusic.com tadalafil super active are not satisfied the way they are living their relationships. With the help of the ever-grumpy sheriff, her black cat Lucky, and her ex-husband and best friend Matthew, Beatrice finds intriguing links between the two mysteries. Jordan has a complicated past, one that could draw out a dangerous killer and place him squarely in Beatrice’s path. In the end, it’s up to her feline companions to find the clues that will keep her safe, put the culprit behind bars, and restore order to Ashbrook once more.

The Counterfeiter-Catching Cat is the first book in the Beatrice Young cozy cat mystery series.

There’s nothing like a good whodunit and add a few cats into the mix and you’ve got yourself a fun read which exactly what this book was for me. As a mystery fan who sometimes wants to break from the dark and gritty tales I read, this story fit the bill.

I loved the setting of this story, small town New Hampshire with its cast of characters including main one, Beatrice Young who runs the Cozy Cat Café. She’s somewhat of an amateur sleuth and always accompanied by her two cats, Hamish and Lucky. And then there’s Beatrice’s ex, Matthew. I liked the way these two weren’t bitter enemies that you see in lots of stories, but buddies who accept that while they aren’t marriage material, they’re certainly always be there for one another.

The mystery in this first book in the series revolved around counterfeit money being found in various stores in town and then someone goes missing followed by the uncovering of a dead body. Beatrice and the cats, and of course, with the help of Matthew, are on the case. There’s humor, there’s sleuthing and I thought the way the mystery was solved was realistic.

Although this is part of a series, this book is a standalone one with all loose ends tied up. If like me, you like a short, lighthearted mystery once in a while then I think you’ll really enjoy this one too.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Snowstorm by Michael J Shell

November 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment

STORM
Snowstorm by Michael J Shell
A Vertigo Novel
Publisher: Shell Publishing
Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (302 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Secrets are created to be discovered The Vertigo Police Department was established in 2004 when the town was barely on the map. During that year, a series of events shook the officers and their families to the core. Unable to explain the events, they became Vertigo’s secret. Fast forward to modern day, Jenna Parker attends a class trip to Wolf Mountain. During this trip Jenna’s secret comes to a horrifying reality which triggers a chain of events that challenge everything Jenna knows and understands. From Ruth Larkins, the investigating Social Worker to the mysterious Mr. Pike who can control a crowd of people with his simple soothing voice; Jenna is caught in a snowstorm of confusion and frustration in a world controlled by adults. Jenna comes to realize the awful truth that not only does her father harbor his own secrets; he and Mr. Pike know exactly why her mother killed herself.

This is the second Vertigo novel I’ve read and I enjoyed being reunited with many of the characters from the first book, especially the main character, Jenna Parker.
It boosts sperm count and prevents early discharge to cheap generic viagra enjoy intimate moments with your beautiful female. Shower coed invitations can be found though many stationery vendors online. cialis buy It is a relatively new branch take a look at the web-site here levitra 60 mg of psychology and it is the study of the relationship between a man and a woman. Easy and wide availability- Kamagra has become a popular name in cheap sale viagra this category which helps men in improvising their potency and increasing the pleasure of sexual intercourse in their life.
The first part of Snowstorm goes back in time and is almost like a separate story, but does give insight into what’s been happening in Vertigo and to Jenna.

The second half of the book focuses on Jenna and her father. They’re about to go on a school trip that doesn’t end well for her. More of her secrets are slowly uncovered, new characters are introduced, and it sets the stage for what will be book three in the series.

Although I have to admit, I did like the first book more than this one because it focused more on Jenna who is a character that’s very likeable. Just like the previous story, you feel an empathy with this young girl who is still a child but seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. I think the first person narration really does pull you in and you feel yourself cheering her on and hoping that she stays safe.

This book has a more paranormal feel to it, but like the first one, has fast pacing and lots of interesting secondary characters.

Although this could be read as a standalone book, I think it get a full appreciation of the characters and plot, you need to read book one, The Secret, before tackling Snowstorm. And if you’re a horror fan looking for something different or like lots of paranormal elements in a horror story, this might be the series for you.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »