Category: Reviews 2018

#Review / #Giveaway – Do No Harm: A Dr. Katie LeClair Mystery by Dawn Eastman

Posted on By Dollycas 3 Comments on #Review / #Giveaway – Do No Harm: A Dr. Katie LeClair Mystery by Dawn Eastman


Do No Harm: A Dr. Katie LeClair Mystery
Mystery/ Amateur Sleuth
2nd in Series
Setting – Michigan
Crooked Lane Books (December 11, 2018)
Hardcover: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 1683317874
ISBN-13: 978-1683317876
Kindle ASIN: B078M3J4FK

Small-town doctor Katie LeClair is drawn back into an old murder investigation, a mysterious disappearance, and a dark undercurrent of violence.

The idyllic town of Baxter, Michigan, seemed like the perfect place for Dr. Katie LeClair to settle down after years toiling in medical school—until the murder of a patient shattered the peace she had found. Now on the mend and balancing the responsibilities of a new house and the joys of a new romance, Katie is finally ready to start enjoying life. But danger arrives just as the town is gearing up for its annual Halloween festival—and once again, this doctor-turned-sleuth will have to unmask a killer in their midst.

Trouble comes in threes this Halloween. Katie sees a new patient who has just been released from prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Inexplicably, the patient suddenly goes missing. And matters take an even more sinister turn when a college student who had been investigating Katie’s old murder case is found dead in the woods near Baxter.

Could Katie’s involvement with the case be responsible for the student’s violent death? Is her new patient truly a cold-blooded murderer? Is this Halloween about to become a real-life horror show?

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Dr. Katie LeClair is settling in and getting comfortable in Baxter, Michigan. Circumstances in book 1 have left the clinic shorthanded but Katie’s doctor boyfriend is filling in and picking up the slack.

Set in late October we meet Katie’s new patient Eugene Lowe, who has just been released from prison for a murder he still claims he didn’t commit. We also learn a young college student who had previously worked with Katie is missing. Taylor Knox just happened to be researching Lowe’s case for one of her classes when she went missing. After the girl’s body is found Eugene goes missing knowing he will be the prime suspect. Katie believes Eugene didn’t kill Taylor and probably didn’t kill the first woman either, she just has to prove it. With her brother Caleb techy knowledge and skills, she may be able to find the real killer.

I really like Katie LeClair, she is not only strong and smart she is compassionate and caring. She is not quick to judge and strives to get the true facts. Her brother Caleb has her back and is a great sounding board. New boyfriend Matt, also a doctor, wishes she would leave matters to police but knows Katie will not back away from the case so he also helps in any way he can. These characters are realistic and people I would like to know in real life. Ms. Eastman has also created a wonderful cast of secondary characters as well that clearly could be found in any small Midwestern town.

The mystery twists around and connects to Katie in different ways giving her the means to insert herself in key ways to follow up on clues and other information she has uncovered. I particularly enjoyed the way the police chief appreciated Katie’s input. The story had a rapid pace and elements that take this land this in the traditional mystery category. There was suspense in all the rights places and the author takes us on a great journey.

While this story can be read as a stand alone I believe the series should be read in order for maximum enjoyment. There are spoilers in this book if you plan to go back and read Unnatural Causes after reading this book.

Dawn Eastman has a writing style that I really enjoy. This is a great addition to this series.

‘

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You can read my review of Unnatural Causes here. 


About the Author

National bestselling author Dawn Eastman was a family medicine physician in Michigan. Now she lives in Iowa with her husband, son, and daughter. When not writing, she keeps busy catering to the whims of a bossy bichon-shih tzu mix who wants to rule the world. This is her first Dr. Katie LeClair mystery. She is also the author of THE FAMILY FORTUNE MYSTERIES.

Author Links

Webpage – Facebook – Goodreads

Twitter – @DawnAEastman

Unnatural Causes: A Dr. Katie LeClair Mystery Do No Harm: A Dr. Katie LeClair Mystery
Pall in the Family (A Family Fortune Mystery Book 1) Be Careful What You Witch For (A Family Fortune Mystery A Fright to the Death (A Family Fortune Mystery Book An Unhappy Medium (A Family Fortune Mystery Book 4)

Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy to give away!

The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US mailing address.

Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

 

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.

Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries.

Follow Crooked Lane Books on Twitter for 2 Bonus Entries!

Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.

If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

 

Contest Will End January 22, 2019, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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#Review – Batter Off Dead: A Southern Cake Baker Mystery by Maymee Bell @crookedlanebks

Posted on By Dollycas 1 Comment on #Review – Batter Off Dead: A Southern Cake Baker Mystery by Maymee Bell @crookedlanebks

Batter Off Dead: A Southern Cake Baker Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Kentucky
Crooked Lane Books (December 11, 2018)
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1683318781
ISBN-13: 978-1683318781
Kindle ASIN: B07D2GWH2S

Sophia Cummings may be unlucky in love, but she knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his sweet tooth. This evening, she plans to use that knowledge—and her skills as a New York City-trained pastry chef—to open the hearts and wallets of Rumford, Kentucky’s richest men. Sophia, proprietress of For Goodness Cakes, has been commissioned to cater the Heart of the Town Library charity fundraiser at Grape Valley Winery. She’s spent all her dough to make this a successful event, raise her profile, and win more plum catering jobs.

At first, the going is as smooth as an elegant chocolate ganache. After nibbling Sophia’s tasty treats, Ray Peel, the winery’s landlord, announces he will pay off Rumford’s library loan. But the evening soon turns decidedly frosty when Ray is murdered—before he can make good on his promise, and before he can pay Sophia for her catering services.

For Goodness Cakes will collapse if Sophia can’t collect what she’s owed. So Sophia once again puts on her sleuthing apron to figure out who iced Ray.

With authentic Southern recipes!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

For Goodness Cakes is open for business and Sophia Cummings is doing everything to build her clientele and bring in customers. She is thrilled to be catering the desserts at the Heart of the Town Library charity fundraiser at Grape Valley Winery.  The library is planning a huge addition and most of the money has been pledged by Ray Peel. He is the winery’s landlord and has his hands in many other businesses in the area.

Shortly after the fundraiser begins he informs the librarian he will no longer be funding the renovations, insults local realtor and Sophie’s friend, Madison Ridge, has an argument with woman in town for a wine conference, and  tells Giles Dugan owner of Grape Valley Winery that he will not be renewing their lease and plans to shut them down at the conclusion of the night’s event.

Sophia thinks with all the chaos caused by Mr. Peel she’s better get her money for her part of the fundraiser as soon as possible. On her way to the main office, she trips over something and comes face to face with a very dead Ray Peel. She quickly makes a call to boyfriend, Sheriff Carter Kincaid who does his best to calm her down. After looking at the crime scene and interviewing witnesses he decides Sophie’s friend, Madison is his prime suspect.  Seriously?? For Goodness Sakes! This put Sophie into a tizzy and she proclaims she will do everything she can to prove her friend had nothing to do with that man’s demise.

I was having a stressful day, my husband was having a long and complicated surgery and I really needed something to keep my mind off that and watching the clock. I can say this book was just what I needed. Maymee Bell’s (Tonya Kappes) story worked on me just like A Calgon, take me away bath. Of course, I had to keep my giggling internal because the waiting room was full of people, but I did share bits with the woman sitting close to me. She was quick to write down the author and the title as well as some of the author’s other books I told her about.  🙂

Maymee Bell has a distinctive voice and she creates such unique characters. Sophie softens up the suspects with treats from her shop to get them to talk. Carter is not happy with her “help” and sometimes she tells him her plan and then does the complete opposite that frustrates him to no end. At least he knows from the start, she is going to butt in, especially with her best friend involved. Sophia’s mother, Bitsy, just cracks me up. She was my favorite in this story. The dialogue between all the characters is very comfortable which makes the story so easy to read.

Solving this mystery wasn’t easy. It was fun to follow along with Sophie as Operation Merlot was put into effect and suspects were crossed off the “murder board”. The story was very well-plotted with plenty of red herrings. I was totally surprised by the ending.

Engaging characters and a delightful mystery. A truly Perfect Escape for me. Thank you, Ms. Bell, your story was just what the doctor ordered. The pages flew and so did my day.

Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent

You can read my review of Cake and Punishment here.

Maymee Bell is the pen name of USA Today Bestselling author Tonya Kappes. She lives in Kentucky with her family and her two schnauzers. She likes strong coffee, slow-country days, and fresh-baked cookies – but she like telling stores best of all.

Visit Tonya:

Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes    Kappes Krew Street Team

Cake and Punishment: A Southern Cake Baker Mystery Batter Off Dead: A Southern Cake Baker Mystery

Find more wonderful books by Tonya Kappes on Amazon here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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#Review / #Giveaway – Fear No Truth (Faith McClellan) by LynDee Walker @LynDeeWalker

Posted on By Dollycas

Fear No Truth
Suspense/Thriller/Women Sleuths
1st in Series
Setting – Texas
Severn River Publishing (December 17, 2018)
Paperback: 346 pages
ISBN-10: 1790580560
ISBN-13: 978-1790580569
Kindle ASIN: B07KYTLJ6S

Two dead girls.
One determined Texas Ranger.
Three horrifying truths.

After a series of murders, newly-minted Texas Ranger Faith McClellan races to unmask a killer lurking in one of Austin’s most sacred institutions. But the insidious truth at the heart of this case is darker than she ever imagined.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Tenley Andre had her whole life ahead of her. She was a star athlete and a great student. Then her body is found at the bottom of a cliff at Lake Travis. Her death is quickly ruled a suicide but Faith McClellan doesn’t think so. Faith is the newest Texas Ranger and still is being treated with kid gloves. She hopes solving this case will show the powers that be that she has earned her spot and not floating in on her father’s coattails. Teaming up with her former partner she tries to hide her investigation until she has real evidence to prove her case. It is when she finds a connection between Tenley’s death and another young woman’s death the gloves come off and some deadly secrets are revealed.

Faith McClellan is a fantastic protagonist. Flawed, real, believable, smart with a photographic memory, great instincts, has life experience that helps her tune into victims and be empathetic while wanting to fight to see justice served.  Being treated like the “new girl”, fetching coffee and running errands was not sitting well with her so she saw an opportunity to prove herself and she took it. This is a woman I can get behind and am thrilled this is the first book in a series and not just a one-off.

The author does an excellent job of introducing both the core characters and those involved in the murder investigation. It was easy to get a clear picture of all of them. What wasn’t clear was who killed the girls and why. This journey we followed with Faith was murky, scary, and intense.  There was a lot of circling back and double checking everything. Twists turned Faith’s thinking inside out. Even with two and three sets of eyes going over the evidence and giving their theories, it was hard to solve.

Having read her Nichelle Clarke series I was already of fan of LynDee Walker. Faith McClellan is a character just like Nichelle that will stick with me. A character you want to root for and know better. The fact the Faith is involved in such a wonderful, suspenseful mystery was just icing on the cake.

This series is off to an excellent start. I am really looking forward to many more adventures with Texas Ranger Faith McClellan.

Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent

About the Author

LynDee Walker is the author of six national bestselling novels of suspense, beginning with the Agatha Award-nominated FRONT PAGE FATALITY. Reviews have praised her work as “well-crafted, compelling, and fast-paced,” and “an edge-of-your-seat ride” with “a spider web of twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end.”

Before she started writing fiction, LynDee was an award-winning journalist who covered everything from ribbon cuttings to high-level police corruption. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the U.S.

Aside from books, LynDee loves her family, her readers, travel, and coffee. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel when she’s not juggling laundry and children’s sports schedules.

You can find her online at www.lyndeewalker.com, and connect with her on Facebook at lyndeewalkerbooks or Twitter @LynDeeWalker.

Front Page Fatality: A Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller Buried Leads: A Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller Small Town Spin: A Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller Devil in the Deadline: A Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller Cover Shot: A Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller Lethal Lifestyles: A Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller

I am giving away 1 Kindle Copy!
It will be sent directly from Amazon.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries.

Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.

If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

Contest Will End January 4, 2019, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Cloak and Dagger Challenge, E-Book Challenge, Giveaways, Reviews 2018, You Read How Many Books Challenge

#Review / #Giveaway – The Whispered Word (Secret, Book & Scone Society) by Ellery Adams

Posted on By Dollycas 2 Comments on #Review / #Giveaway – The Whispered Word (Secret, Book & Scone Society) by Ellery Adams


The Whispered Word (Secret, Book & Scone Society)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – North Carolina
Kensington (November 27, 2018)
Hardcover: 224 pages
ISBN-10: 1496712404
ISBN-13: 978-1496712400
Kindle ASIN: B07B77VBXX

Nora Pennington, owner of Miracle Books, believes that a well-chosen novel can bring healing and hope. But she and the other members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society know that sometimes, practical help is needed too. Such is the case with the reed-thin girl hiding in the fiction section of Nora’s store, wearing a hospital ID and a patchwork of faded bruises. She calls herself Abilene, and though Nora and her friends offer work, shelter, and a supportive ear, their guest isn’t ready to divulge her secrets. But when a customer is found dead in an assumed suicide, Nora uncovers a connection that points to Abilene as either a suspect—or another target.

Summer’s end has brought other new arrivals to Miracle Springs too. Entrepreneur Griffin Kingsley opens Virtual Genie, a cyber business that unloads people’s unwanted goods for cash. With the town in an economic slump and folks hurting for money, Virtual Genie and its owner are both instantly popular. A patient listener, Griffin dispenses candy to children and strong coffee to adults, and seems like a bona fide gentleman. But Nora’s not inclined to judge a book by its cover. And when a second death hits town, Nora and her intrepid friends must help the new, greenhorn sheriff discern fact from fiction—and stop a killer intent on bringing another victim’s story to a close . . .

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Secret, Book, and Scone Society Members

Nora, the owner of Miracle Books, tries to heal people woes with a unique set of books she personally selects for them.

Hester runs the Gingerbread House bakery. Customers tell her a little bit about their lives and what brought them to Miracle Springs. Then she bakes them up a “comfort scone”.

June works at the hot springs spa where people come to rejuvenate themselves.

Estella is a beautician who tries to help her clients find their true selves.

Working together they try to help people, like Abilene, a young woman that has found her way to Nora’s shop wearing a dress that is way to big for her, a hospital ID bracelet and visible bruises. The ladies try to take her under their wing by offering a job and finding her a place to stay. Abilene has secrets and she is nowhere close to being reading to share them. Nora has a feeling one of her secrets connects her to a woman found dead from an apparent suicide.

There is also a new business in Miracle Springs. A business that helps customers sell their collectibles and other goods online. The grand opening had people lined up and down the street. The shop seems to be on the up and up but Nora is keeping an eye on the place. She doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the new sheriff, and she has no trouble barging into any of his investigations, especially after another body is found.

As in the first book another victim of an apparent suicide until The Secret, Book, and Scone Society digs deeper. Until my son took his life I never realized how many deaths in mysteries are first categorized as probable suicides. Each time I come across this now in a book I have to pause and tell myself that 99% of the time, that is not the case and to keep reading.  I don’t want to spoil anything but the woman did not take her own life. In fact, what unfolds is a well-plotted mystery that tangles around and around and around again before the real culprit becomes clear. And again, like in the first book, the wonderful core characters of The Secret, Book, and Scone Society grow and learn more about themselves in the process.

I love the compassion these women have for almost everyone they meet. People in Miracle Springs are struggling due to the poor economy and immediately they try to do something to help. They have come up with a nice little idea to help some folks a bit. Also, the way they opened their hearts to a complete stranger in Abilene was so telling and heartwarming. These are flawed characters, with their own issues, yet they can set them aside for others in need.

Miracle Springs sounds like a perfect place to visit. A town based on healing the body, soul, and mind. It also a perfect place to set a cozy mystery series because there is always a new batch of people coming to town. Our family’s best vacation ever was to North Carolina, days spent by the ocean had their own healing effect, so I can totally understand why Ms. Adams has chosen this locale for this story and others.

Another great read from this author. It can be read all on its own too!

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About the Author

Craving For Cozies, Cruisin Thru Cozies, E-Book Challenge, Giveaways, Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge, Reviews 2018, You Read How Many Books Challenge
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