September 19 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
Monday, September 18, 2023
Reading Writing and Murder Great Escapes Tour Rebiew & Giveaway
Matterhorn. The Saint Bernard Chracter Guest Post Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delaney Great Escapes Book Tour
September 18 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST
Matterhorn, the Saint Bernard
By Vicki Delany
It’s happened again. I can’t believe it.
Once again, someone is being murdered in Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, the décor and gift shop I own along with Merry Wilkinson.
And, once again, there’s nothing I can do about it as I’m trapped in this office in the back of the store. Unfortunately, I don’t have opposable thumbs, so I can’t get the door open even though I can hear what’s going on.
Merry, she of the limited intelligence and even more limited hearing and sense of smell, is happily filling my water bowl and tiding up the office. While someone is being murdered a few feet away!
Humans. I mean, really, what use are they? Except to use those opposable thumbs to open doors, fill water bowls, and open cans of dog food.
My name is Matterhorn, although most people call me Mattie. I’m a proud Saint Bernard. No, I am not a pony, and no your spoiled brats can not ride me.
I am a dog. Once upon a time my ancestors proudly protected the snowy passes of the Alps, helping save travelers lost in sudden mountain storms on impassable trails. We carried life-saving brandy and used our own great bulk to keep people warm and alive. Now, I understand, they carry phones and reply on GPS to find their way. Ha. As if a phone will keep them warm or pour fiery liquid down their throat.
But, I digress. I’m not complaining. Much. Generally, I enjoy my life with Merry. Like most of my kind, I don’t need a lot of activity and stimulation. I take life as I find it. Although I have to admit I hate those hot, humid Upstate New York summers. Give me winter and the colder the better.
Living in America’s Christmas Town (as they hope to be known) suits me. I get lots of nap time in the office of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, pleasant walks to and from work and along the lakeside path with Merry every day. The occasional play time with Ranger, Alan’s Jack Russell. (Believe me, when it comes to a Jack Russell, occasional is more than enough, thank you).
I even help Merry bring down a criminal now and again. When I can get out the door.
Yes, life is good.
Find out if Merry discovers someone dead in her own shop in HAVE YOURSELF A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, the sixth Year-Round Christmas mystery by Vicki Delany, from Crooked Lane Books
ABOUT THE BOOK: It’s the beginning of December in Rudolph, New York, America's Christmas Town, and business is brisk at Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a gift and décor shop owned by Merry Wilkinson. The local amateur dramatic society is intensely preparing a special musical production of A Christmas Carol. But it’s not a happy set, as rivalries between cast and crew threaten the production.
Tensions come to a head when a member of the group is found dead shortly after a shopping excursion to Mrs. Claus's Treasures. Was someone looking to cut out the competition? Everyone in the cast and crew is a potential suspect, including Aline, Merry’s mother, and Merry's shop assistant Jackie O'Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role.
It could be curtains for Christmas—and for Merry—unless the killer can be ferreted out of the wings.
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Sunday, September 17, 2023
BOOK Spotlight Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany-Character Guest Post-Great Escapes Book Tour
September 18 – My Reading Journeys
New Releases
Dead on Target
by M.C. Beaton with R.W. Green
A visit to the local village fete for a spot of fun and relaxation turns into a nightmare for Agatha Raisin when she discovers the body of the local landowner in the woods―with an arrow in his chest and trousers round his ankles.
Available on Amazon
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Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas
by Vicki Delany
It’s the beginning of December in Rudolph, New York, America’s Christmas Town, and business is brisk at Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a gift and décor shop owned by Merry Wilkinson. The local amateur dramatic society is intensely preparing a special musical production of A Christmas Carol. But it’s not a happy set, as rivalries between cast and crew threaten the production.
Available on Amazon
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Pups, Pumpkins and Murder
by S.A. Kazlo
Autumn has arrived in the small town of Wings Falls in upstate New York, and children’s book author Samantha Davies couldn’t be happier. She’s excited to attend the town’s annual Taste of Wings Falls craft and food festival with her boyfriend Detective Hank Johnson. The fair features several booths, like the one Sam’s rug hooking group, the Loopy Ladies, have set up as a fundraiser to send underprivileged children to summer camps, as well as home-grown vegetables, like the 2,000-pound pumpkin grown by Farmer Scooter that he’s proudly displayed on the back of his truck.
Available on Amazon
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Driftwood Deceptions
by Wendy Ledger
Maggie Romano is ready to embrace the quiet life she’s been building—a fulfilling job, a new boyfriend, and a remarkable talking cat named Pepper. However, when the tranquil haven of Harmony Beach is shattered by yet another murder, Maggie’s sense of security is once again tested.
Available on Amazon
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Murder and Mamon
by Mia P. Manansala
Lila Macapagal’s godmothers April, Mae, and June—AKA the Calendar Crew—are celebrating the opening of their latest joint business venture, a new laundromat, to much fanfare (and controversy). However, what should’ve been a joyous occasion quickly turns into a tragedy when they discover the building has been vandalized—and the body of Ninang April’s niece, recently arrived from the Philippines, next to a chilling message painted on the floor. The question is, was the message aimed at the victim or Lila’s gossipy godmothers, who have not-so-squeaky-clean reputations?
Available on Amazon
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The Last Devil to Die
by Richard Osman
Shocking news reaches them—an old friend has been killed, and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing. The gang’s search leads them into the antiques business, where the tricks of the trade are as old as the objects themselves. As they encounter drug dealers, art forgers, and online fraudsters—as well as heartache close to home—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim have no idea whom to trust.
Available on Amazon
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Reading, Writing, and Murder
by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside
Aspiring mystery author Emma Banefield and travel writer Nicole Earp are excited to attend a writers’ conference during their latest sisters’ getaway. Nic’s birthday should be all about relaxation, writing, and a chocolate martini to toast another trip around the sun, but the climate at the gathering rumbles like a sudden desert thunderstorm.
Available on Amazon
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One Smart Cookie
by Maria E. Schneider
Ivy finally lands a real cooking job, but there’s a catch: she must figure out who kidnapped Magnum, the bloodhound who saved her uncle’s life. Uncle Tom, always at the ready with a favor she’ll pay for later, hinders more than helps when he hires feckless Cousin Fidel to search for the puppy.
Available on Amazon
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A Secret Staircase
by Eryn Scott
Meg Dawson and the rest of the Morrisey residents can’t handle any more surprises in their beloved downtown Seattle apartment building. So, when Meg finds a secret staircase leading down to the famous Seattle Underground, she’s tempted to turn back. The area was supposed to be closed off long ago. But turning back isn’t so easy when she stumbles on not one, but two bodies in the hidden space. And even though the two deaths are separated by a century, the victims have more in common than Meg first realizes.
Available on Amazon
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Thursday, September 14, 2023
Murder At The Chocclatier
About the book
As secrets melt like molten chocolate, a determined detective must navigate a web of intrigue to uncover the bitter truth.
The life of innkeeper and vineyard owner, Avery Parker, is suddenly interrupted as she discovers two of her dear friends are suspected in the small-town chocolatier's sudden death.
Partnered up with her devoted golden retriever, Sprinkles, Avery dons her amateur detective hat and uses her keen observation to solve the case by uncovering truths about the most unexpected suspects.
But the clues aren’t adding up, and Avery is forced to question those closest to her in unimaginable ways.
As time runs out, she must not only clear her friends' names but also avoid a killer who just may attack her next.
Join Avery on a delectable journey through the charming small town of Los Robles, where she unravels a tantalizing blend of small-town charm, clean romance, and culinary cozy mystery in Murder at the Chocolatier.
Wine pairings and irresistible recipes included!
And I thought
A few of my favorite things in one book.
A great cover drawing me in and making wonder what clues might be hidden.
I enjoyed my first opportunity to meet Dani Simms and her Cozy Mystery World.
Avery is a great charector. She has a great cast to work with to follow clues and unravel who the killer is.
I loved the small town.
I like when recipes are included.
I enjoy making them and adding photos to my blog and fb posts.
Buy the book
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Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Christian Pomance New Releases
She's given up hope. He never had any. Will they find it together?
World War II is finally over, and America is extra grateful as the country approaches this year’s Thanksgiving. But for Francine life hasn’t changed. Despite working at Fort Meade processing the paperwork for the thousands of men who have returned home, she’s still lonely and very single. Is she destined for spinsterhood?
Grateful that his parents anglicized the family surname after emigrating to the United States after the Great War, first-generation German-American Ray Fisher has done all he can to hide his heritage. He managed to make it through this second “war to end all wars,” but what American woman would want to marry into a German family? Must he leave the country to find wedded bliss?
Available on
Amazon
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Fire. Family. Faith.
Last Chance Fire and Rescue
She sees the promise of freedom. He vowed to always be the hero.
EMT Trace Bently came back to Last Chance County to escape his past. After the loss of his wife, he gave up a promising career as a police officer for the chance to save lives every day as part of the Fire Department. When a hostage situation demands the help of a local counselor, Trace realizes the past he left behind has found him. He’s being given a second chance to save the life of someone he cares about.
If he can face the grief he buried.
Family Counselor Kelsey Scott has to secure this grant or admit failure. She can’t afford to lose any more pieces of the life she wants because of her own choices. When Kelsey becomes the target of a series of dangerous attacks, Trace steps in determined to protect his wife’s best friend. This hero breaks down all her resistance, but Kelsey can’t risk her own heart.
Even if it’s what will set them both free.
Available on
Amazon
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New Release list provided by
Monday, September 11, 2023
Something Borrowed, Something 90% Dark By Amber Royer
September 12 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
About the book
Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand is hosting the friends and family coming into town for her best friend Autumn’s wedding. As matron of honor, Felicity has a ton of tasks to complete – including making chocolates for the gift bags. She doesn’t have time to solve another murder. But when one of the bridesmaids becomes a prime suspect in the death of a visiting real estate agent, Felicity has to put her detecting skills to use again to keep the wedding plans from getting derailed.
She’s already nervous about the impeding deadline she’s given herself to finally choose between her two love interests – and figuring where life goes once she makes her choice. But add in a missing pigmy goat and a new coffee shop that wants to partner with her, and she’s frazzled.
She begins to discover that not everything is as it seems among the wedding guests. Can she handle the wedding preparations, pull off turning her shop into a concert venue, and unmask the killer – before anyone else dies
My Review
I have had the pleasure of reading all the books in this series.
Joining the tours when each book is released is fun and I am glad to help promote this great series.
I maybe biased just a tad because the Texas location is close to my heart.
Author Amber Royer is an experienced researcher and writes what she knows about.
The author brings fictional stories to life making the reader feel like they are walking the streets of Galveston with Felicity.
I know. I have walked the streets of Galveston following along in awe as the authors does research.
It is easy to walk along and imagine meeting Felicity and the other fun and sometimes qurkie characters.
There is always an animal that always steals the cover and the show or wedding in the case of Something Borrowed Something 90% Dark.
The mystery and plots are well developed and makes the pages turn quickly until you reach the end. Everything is solved.
And then you are hoping for the next book.
My thanks to Author Amber Royer and Great Escapes Book Tours for inviting me to the party.
Buy the book
Available on Amazon
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Giveaway
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Cozy New Releases
Muddy Murder
by Stella Bixby
In the idyllic Irish village of Ballywick, Shayla Murphy is living her dream. With her charming fiancé Seamus by her side, she’s just a week away from the grand opening of the Eyerloch Castle Hotel—a high-class haven she’s been tasked with managing. Just when the finishing touches are being made, unexpected visitors in the form of the richest family in Australia descends upon the not-yet-open hotel, seeking luxurious accommodations.
Available on Amazon
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All Is Now Lost
by Laura Elizabeth
Book #1 of The Island Mysteries series finds Carr Jepson arriving alone on Mongin Island, ready to start the next chapter of her life. Accessible by boat, Mongin Island has very few cars, no busy roads, no crowds, no traffic lights, no bridge, but boasts gloriously oak-lined roads, beaches of powdery white sand, marshes with tall beach grasses and an empty storefront that speaks to an unanswered dream in Carr’s heart: creating a gathering spot that happens to sell
Available on Amazon
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Pumpkin Spice Murder
by Laura Pauling
The most personal case yet for Belle and Lucas when a cranky real estate agent is murdered with millions at stake. Lucas’ dad has a weak alibi and refuses to talk to Lucas. He’s also a top suspect.
Available on Amazon
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Something Borrowed, Something 90% Dark
by Amber Royer
Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand is hosting the friends and family coming into town for her best friend Autumn’s wedding. As matron of honor, Felicity has a ton of tasks to complete – including making chocolates for the gift bags. She doesn’t have time to solve another murder. But when one of the bridesmaids becomes a prime suspect in the death of a visiting real estate agent, Felicity has to put her detecting skills to use again to keep the wedding plans from getting derailed.
Available on Amazon
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A Very Lively Murder
by Katy Watson
Ex-child star Posy Starling is finally filming her dream role – Dahlia Lively in The Lady Detective movie. But things take a nightmare turn when a prop weapon is replaced with the real thing – with almost fatal consequences for her fellow Dahlia, Rosalind King. There’s something very wrong on the set of The Lady Detective – which means it’s time to call in Caro Hooper, so the three Dahlias can investigate.
Available on Amazon
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Slaying at the Saloon
by Beth Dolgner
When a server is found with a stake through her heart onstage at Nightmare Saloon, everyone at Nightmare Sanctuary Haunted House worries a vampire hunter is in town. After all, the murder happened just before the curtain rose for Allie Nunes, a vampire singer traveling through Nightmare
Available on Amazon
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A Chapter on Murder
by Sue Minix
It’s Christmas in Riddleton and crime novelist turned amateur sleuth, Jen, is in desperate need of a cozy festive season running the town’s local bookstore. But, between trying to drum up business for Ravenous Readers and attempting to finish herHere latest novel, Jen is totally run off her feet.
Available on Amazon
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Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel by Glenda Young
Helen Dexter is enjoying the new four-star status of the Seaview Hotel. But she begins to wonder if this accolade is cursed when a series of disasters strike. It starts when a crazy golf team arrive to play in a Scarborough tournament. Their odd behaviour heightens when the rival team captain turns up. Yet, there’s worse to come for Helen when one of the guests is murdered playing crazy golf.
Available on Amazon
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Murder and Misdirection
by Sarah Osborne
In late October, Ditie and Lurleen attend a mystery book club given by a new-found friend. The evening turns sinister when a guest sees something terrifying outside a window and is murdered the same night. Lurleen feels compelled to protect her friend from a crime that twists and turns like a skeleton dangling in a storm.
Available on Amazon
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Monday, September 4, 2023
Mailbox Monday fest Sharon Michaels
Sharon shares an Excerpt from a recent newsletter . . .
An excerpt from my Sharon Michaels Author newsletter:
It's been an interesting couple of weeks!!!
1. What does a bat, a tarantula, cataract surgery and a micro-burst have in common?
Answer: Our house!!!
Yep, it's been an adventure around here, that's for sure.
A little bat decided to make its home in a tiny crack between the door frame and the wall just above the front door. (They have since moved on.)
A tarantula decided to pay us a visit and stay a couple of days under one of the benches on the front porch. (I am not a spider lover.)
My husband has now had successful cataract surgery on both eyes. (That's great news!)
Then, last Thursday we had a windstorm like I've never seen before (and I'm from the Midwest U.S.). It turned out to be a micro-burst. The wind was literally knocking little birds out of the tree behind our house. That tree was throwing branches and bark at the windows. When it was over we went outside and found our large Ocotillo tree had fallen over. Thankfully someone could come quickly and removed it from blocking the sidewalk.
Thank goodness we are okay, and our neighbors are okay - that's what counts. All of this is just a blip on the radar screen of life.
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/newsletter-stay-connected/
Sunday, September 3, 2023
New Releases
Seams Deadly
by Maggie Bailey
Lydia Barnes is excited for a fresh start when she moves to the quaint mountain town of Peridot, Georgia. Her friend, Fran, offers her a job at the Measure Twice fabric store and even sets her up on a date with the handsome Brandon Ivey, who also happens to be Lydia’s new next-door neighbor. Finally, things are looking up. But after a disaster first date that ends with a fist bump instead of a kiss, Lydia doesn’t think her night can get any worse. She’s soon proven wrong when she later stumbles upon Brandon’s dead body.
Available on Amazon
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Any Pot in a Storm
by Sandra Balzo
Coffeehouse owner Maggy Thorsen has reluctantly travelled north with her business partner, Sarah Kingston, to cater for a weekend writers’ retreat at Payne Lodge log cabin. The remote location deep in the Wisconsin forest is the perfect setting for mystery writing workshops . . . and murder. Format: Print, Digital
Available on Amazon
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Death in the Romance Aisle
by Lynn Cahoon
Rarity is excited about expanding the romance section of her store—but not nearly as excited as her best friend Sam is about reuniting with her brother after many years. Marcus makes the trek from California to Arizona, is welcomed with a party, and hints that he may stick around now that remote work is an option.
Available on Amazon
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The Raging Storm
by Ann Cleeves
When Jem Rosco―sailor, adventurer, and legend―blows into town in the middle of an autumn gale, the residents of Greystone, Devon, are delighted to have a celebrity in their midst. But just as abruptly as he arrived, Rosco disappears again, and soon his lifeless body is discovered in a dinghy, anchored off Scully Cove, a place with legends of its own.
Available on Amazon
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Death by a Thousand Sips
by Gretchen Rue
Ever since she moved to Raven Creek, Washington, Phoebe Winchester knew she would have to grow accustomed to having a lot on her plate. She’s beginning to make the Victorian manor she inherited from her dear and adventurous Aunt Eudora feel more like home, successfully running the bookstore and tea shop, The Earl’s Study, and learning to harness her recently discovered magical powers. But when she discovers a dead body at an estate sale—even Phoebe wonders if this is simply too much. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Available on Amazon
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Words With Friends
by Ines Saint
Secrets can be deadly, even among friends. When two old friends of Angie’s are found dead, Angie knows the murders are related to her parents’ case and that her friends knew more than they were letting on. If she solves their murders, she’ll finally learn who killed her parents. Format: Print, Digital
Available on Amazon
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Thursday, August 31, 2023
Hero Debut Blog Party Links
What I am currently reading . . .
About the book
Gemma Bennett is the leading lady of her own life, and her true love is writing
screenplays. With her trusty pink notebook in hand, she signs up for the Citizen’s Safety Academy to research her newest blockbuster hope, a rom-com with a police officer as the hero. And the fact that the handsome and heroic Lieutenant Karson
Zellner is the one leading the training? Well, who can blame her for wanting to spend evenings with the man she swooned over months ago when he responded to a call at her apartment?
The first line . . .
Karson Zellner is my hero.
On or around page 56 . . .
"Fine" I huff. "Besides the no-filming rule, I have one other rule for the demonstration. If you have any food in your purse or pockets, make sure you leave that inside.
What did you recently finish
What do you think think you ' ll read next . . .
Linking at the blog parties . . .