Tag: mystery
A Death in Door County (A Monster Hunter Mystery) by Annelise Ryan #Review @ryan_annelise
Release Date – September 13, 2022
A Death in Door County (A Monster Hunter Mystery)
Traditional Mystery
1st In Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Berkley (September 13, 2022)
Hardcover : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 0593441575
ISBN-13 : 978-0593441572
Kindle ASIN : B09N6MRYVV
A Wisconsin bookstore owner and cryptozoologist is asked to investigate a series of deaths that just might be proof of a fabled lake monster in this first installment of a new mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Annelise Ryan.
Morgan Carter, the owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin, has a hobby. When she’s not tending the store, she’s hunting cryptids—creatures whose existence is rumored, but never proven to be real. It’s a hobby that cost her parents their lives, but one she’ll never give up on.
So when a number of bodies turn up on the shores of Lake Michigan with injuries that look like bites from a giant unknown animal, police chief Jon Flanders turns to Morgan for help. A skeptic at heart, Morgan can’t turn down the opportunity to find proof of an entity whose existence she can’t definitively rule out. She and her beloved rescue dog, Newt, journey to the Death’s Door strait to hunt for a homicidal monster in the lake—but if they’re not careful, they just might be its next victims.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What lies deep in the waters of the Great Lakes? Could there be a monster or two? Morgan Carter is determined to find out. Her hobby is hunting cryptids—creatures whose existence is rumored but never proven to be real.
Police Chief Jon Flanders has learned of Morgan’s hobby and has asked her for help when bodies, human and animal, have washed up on the shores of Lake Michigan with unusual bites from an unknown animal. Morgan cannot turn the man down so she and her rescue dog, Newt take on the case of the “monster” in the Death’s Door strait. Will they survive or be the next victims of the monster lurking beneath the surface?
As a Wisconsin resident and a fan of Annelise Ryan, I was not sure where she was going with the Monster Hunter theme but was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this story.
Morgan Carter is a unique protagonist that has a sad backstory, her parents were killed a couple of years ago, an unusual hobby, hunting cryptids, and is the owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore which is filled with some really peculiar items. She is smart and driven especially when she is on a hunt. Her best friend is her rescue dog Newt. He goes along with her everywhere she goes. We also meet Police Chief Jon Flanders. He also has a painful past. Morgan’s employees, Devon and Rita, bring a lot to this story too. All these characters are well-developed, especially for the first book in the series.
The mystery was captivating. The weather on the lake was haunting most of the time. The search really drew me in. So much so that I physically jumped back in my seat more than once. Ms. Ryan paced the entire story perfectly. Near the end, I finally had some clues fall into place but I loved the final reveal. When I turned the last page I felt like I had been on a real adventure.
Setting this book in Door County was fun. I recognized the places Morgan traveled and those I was unfamiliar with were described perfectly to create the images in my mind.
The author adds some worthy themes into this story, like building trust and coping with past traumatic events. She also made the idea of cryptids actually believable, even though I have lived here my whole life and never heard of any such thing in any of the Great Lakes. The truth is you never know what you may find in those waters. Hear my diabolical laugh here.
A Death in Door County
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About the Author
Annelise Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of the popular Mattie Winston mystery series and a pseudonym for Beth Amos, who also writes the Mack’s Bar Mystery series
For more Mattie Winston fun and to keep up with the latest news, visit www.mattiewinston.com
Also by this Author
Written as Allyson K. Abbott
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.”
Book Blast – An Eyre of Mystery by G. Leeson
An Eyre of Mystery
by G. Leeson
BOOK BLAST
About An Eyre of Mystery
An Eyre of Mystery
Fantasy Portal/Mystery
Grace Abraham Publishing (July 12, 2022)
Print length : 177 pages
Kindle ASIN : B09ZDLM7B7
Classic literature is at risk of disappearing from the world…
When Gia accepts a job as a library archivist at a manor house in North Carolina, she has no idea what she’s in for. On day one, she finds herself outside her comfort zone when she accidentally travels through a magical portal to the world of Jane Eyre. She finds Edward Rochester imprisoned as he awaits his death sentence for killing his wife. But Gia has read the book, and she knows Edward is innocent of murder.
Soon, she realizes that there are sinister mystical forces working to rewrite the narrative, hoping to destroy the manuscript altogether. To restore order and reset the book to its original state, Gia must discover who actually killed Bertha Rochester and framed her husband for the crime.
But few of the people she meets are who they claim to be and they all have secrets…including Edward.
About G. Leeson
Gayle [G. Leeson, for this book] has taken a real leap of faith with An Eyre of Mystery and the world of Literatia. She decided to explore what would happen if a reader–or in this case, an archivist–actually got lost in a great book. But when she travels through the portal into the world Jane Eyre, she finds it to be a topsy-turvy mess. Edward Rochester is facing a death sentence, and Gia has been tasked with finding out who really killed his wife so that Edward can go free, the book will reset to its original form, and Gia may return home. If you’d like to get a sample of the book, please check out this extended sneak peek (first five chapters) at https://BookHip.com/SFPWRLD.
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A Death in Eden: A Novel (A Sean Stranahan Mystery) by Keith McCafferty #Review / #Giveaway @penguinusa
On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
A Death in Eden: A Novel (A Sean Stranahan Mystery)
Mystery
7th in Series
Setting – Montana
Publisher : Penguin Books (July 3, 2018)
Print length : 317 pages
Kindle ASIN : B077CTG2B5
When scarecrows appear in the cliffs above Montana’s famous Smith River and a little girl reports being chased by one in the night, state investigator Harold Little Feather is brought in to find the culprit. Are the menacing effigies related to a copper-mining project that threatens the purity of the Smith? That’s Harold’s initial suspicion, but his investigation takes an ominous turn when a decapitated body is found in the river.
As Harold’s search leads him back in time through the canyon’s history, Sean Stranahan launches his raft upriver. He has been hired to guide a floating party that includes Clint McCaine, the manager of the mine project; Bart Trueblood, the president of “Save The Smith,” a grassroots organization devoted to stopping the project; and the documentarian filming their arguments. McCaine and Trueblood grew up on the Smith on neighboring ranches, and as they travel downstream, it’s revealed that the two share a past that runs much deeper and darker than their opposing viewpoints.
The currents of the seemingly unrelated trips will soon flow together, and Stranahan’s long-time love Sheriff Martha Ettinger will enter the fray as the boats hurtle toward a date with danger at a place called Table Rock.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
There is something strange happening along the Smith River in Montana. Several scarecrows have been erected on the cliffs above the endangered waterway. Is someone putting them up to protest the proposed copper-mining project or is there something else going on. After a little girl claims to have been chased by one of the scarecrows State Investigator Harold Little Feather is brought in to put the matter to rest. Instead, his investigation turns up a headless body floating in the river.
While Investigator Little Feather digs deep into the canyon’s history to find answers, our protagonist Sean Stranahan is hired to guide a floating party down the river. The party includes the manager of the mine project, Clint McCaine, and the president of “Save the Smith”, Bart Trueblood, his group is trying everything to stop the mine project. They are joined by a documentarian who is filming their journey down the river and their arguments about the project.
Soon Sean’s group and Harold Little Feather come together and Sheriff Martha Ettinger joins them as they set up for a dangerous showdown.
I have enjoyed this series from the start and am a huge fan of the author’s laid-back writing style. From casting a line in the water to the characters traversing up, down, and around the river and its cliffs everything just comes to life. You can almost hear the rush of the water, smell the smoke from the campfires, and reach out and touch the cliffs. Mr. McCafferty does this better than many other authors that I have read. He really takes his readers on the journey.
This time our characters are a ways away from home and we meet several new characters with their own agendas. Harold Little Feather really shares the spotlight with Sean and Martha this time. He had expected a pretty low-key investigation so he invited the son he barely knows to meet up with him for the trip for a bit of bonding. I enjoyed getting to know him better and meeting his son very much. The acidic documentarian, Lillian Cartwright, brings her own drama to the situation. Anything to make a name for herself as she tees up “discussions” between McCaine and Trueblood. But there is a dark underbelly to this story. Someone has a score to settle and will go to any lengths to get what they want.
I was really drawn into this book by so many things. The fact that the scarecrows were located by ancient petroglyphs left by Native Americans. The history of it all was very captivating along with the mystery of Why? The Smith River itself and that people wait years for their names to be drawn in a lottery for the opportunity to float down the famous river. The dangers faced when you stop to camp like wild animals and rattlesnakes and other humans as well. All the character’s interactions were so enjoyable to observe.
The author’s keen wit can be felt throughout the story. Especially when it comes to Sean and Martha. Where will their relationship lead? I wonder if we will ever know but until then they do this unique dance throughout each story. One thing I do know is that they have each other’s back. When the bullets start to fly or a threatening menace arrives on the scene they will pull out all the stops to rescue each other and save the good people caught in the chaos. This time I was right up to the very edge of my seat and I am surprised there wasn’t smoke pouring out of my Kindle as everything came to a head.
A Death in Eden
*Note the story does contain some explicit language.
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About The Author
Keith McCafferty is the Survival and Outdoor Skills Editor of Field & Stream. He has written articles for publications as diverse as Fly Fisherman Magazine, Mother Earth News, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and the Chicago Tribune, and on subjects ranging from mosquitoes to wolves to mercenaries and exorcism. Based in Montana and working on assignment around the globe–he recently spent a month in India trekking the Himalayas, fishing for golden mahseer, and studying tigers–Keith has won numerous awards, including the Robert Traver Award for angling literature. He has twice been a finalist for a National Magazine Award. Find out more about Keith and his books on his webpage here.
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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.”
Book Blast – Death Under The Perseids (A Havana Mystery) by Teresa Dovalpage #Giveaway
Death Under The Perseids (A Havana Mystery)
by Teresa Dovalpage
About Death Under the Perseids
Death Under The Perseids (A Havana Mystery)
Mystery
Hispanic American Literature & Fiction
4th in Series
Soho Crime (December 7, 2021)
Hardcover : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1641292164
ISBN-13 : 978-1641292160
Kindle ASIN : B08Y8DT7GL
There’s no such thing as a free cruise in Cuban American author Teresa Dovalpage’s addictively clever new Havana mystery.
Cuban-born Mercedes Spivey and her American husband, Nolan, win a five-day cruise to Cuba. Although the circumstances surrounding the prize seem a little suspicious to Mercedes, Nolan’s current unemployment and their need to spice up their marriage make the decision a no-brainer. Once aboard, Mercedes is surprised to see two people she met through her ex-boyfriend Lorenzo: former University of Havana professor Selfa Segarra and down-on-his-luck Spanish writer Javier Jurado. Even stranger: they also received a free cruise.
When Selfa disappears on their first day at sea, Mercedes and Javier begin to wonder if their presence on the cruise is more than coincidence. Mercedes confides her worries to her husband, but he convinces her that it’s all in her head.
However, when Javier dies under mysterious circumstances after disembarking in Havana, and Nolan is nowhere to be found, Mercedes scrambles through the city looking for him, fearing her suspicions were correct all along.
Praise for Death Under the Perseids
“Dovalpage allows Mercedes a vivid, emotional tour of Havana as she explores the areas where she grew up and how the city still lives in her heart . . . Death Under the Perseids offers as many surprises as the meteor shower it is named after.”
—Oline H. Cogdill, South Florida Sun Sentinel
“From the start of Teresa Dovalpage’s Death Under the Perseids, a highly entertaining mystery set in Havana, there’s an ominous tone, a hint of something repressed beneath the main character’s narration . . . Like the Perseids meteor shower that once every hundred years or so lets us ‘look back across time’ in the universe, this trip to Havana forces Mercedes ‘with a biting awareness’ to confront her past.”
—Carole E. Barrowman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“[A] refreshing and elusive Cuban crime novel.”
—Jack Batten, The Toronto Star
“[Death under the Perseids] has wonderful descriptions of mouth-watering food, Cuban architecture, history of the island, and the lifestyle of an average Cuban (in this case, Mercedes’ grandmother).”
—Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine
“Beyond being a riveting and pleasurable read, Death Under the Perseids by Teresa Dovalpage provides an uncommon perspective on present-day Havana, one that is apolitical and unclouded by nostalgia . . . Savor the delectable food and evocative place details, the crafty plotting, and laugh-out-loud humor . . . Death Under the Perseids makes an outstanding contribution to the whodunit genre and to contemporary Latinx literature as a whole.”
—Latino Book Review
“The latest Havana Mystery won’t disappoint Dovalpage fans or newcomers alike. The combination of plot, setting and characters make for a compelling read.”
—Ms. Magazine
“Dovalpage excels in her portrayal of old Havana.”
—The Taos News
“Death under the Perseids is much darker than Dovalpage’s three earlier mysteries . . . A must for the shelf.”
—Kingdom Books
“Highly captivating . . . If Agatha Christie was Cuban, she would have written this mystery . . . Teresa Dovalpage’s expertly penned mystery, Death under the Perseids, is a character-driven revenge thriller.”
—Gumshoe Review
“[An] engagingly escapist mystery.”
—Everything Zoomer
“[T]he last third of the novel [Death under the Perseids] delivers revelations like hammer blows. They’re well worth waiting for.”
—Booklist
“Armchair travelers will appreciate the views of Havana through the eyes of Mercedes and her grandmother . . . Dovalpage remains a writer to watch.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Sharply-plotted, highly readable, evocative, and timely—Teresa Dovalpage’s latest is her best yet. Death Under the Perseids is an author at the top of her game, and a must-read for mystery fans who love great locations paired with even better characters. I couldn’t put this book down.”
—Alex Segura, acclaimed author of the Pete Fernandez Miami Mystery series and Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall
“A twisty mystery filled with complex characters caught under a cloud of suspicion, Death Under the Perseids will keep you guessing until the end. Teresa Dovalpage transports readers to Havana on an ill-fated cruise where danger abounds.”
—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba
“In this tale of love and betrayal, Dovalpage reminds us that, much like the meteors that illuminate the night sky, so will the past catch up to cast a light on our darkest moments.”
—Melissa Rivero, Author of The Affairs of the Falcóns
On Sale During the month of June at Amazon $2.99
About Teresa Dovalpage
Born in Havana, Cuba, Teresa Dovalpage has a PhD in Hispanic Literature from the University of New Mexico and is currently a Spanish professor at New Mexico Junior College. She is also the author of twelve novels, three collections of short stories, and three theater plays. Her Havana Mystery series, published by Soho Crime, debuted with the culinary mystery Death Comes in through the Kitchen (2018). The second novel, Queen of Bones (2019) was chosen by NBC News as one of the top 10 books by and about Latinos in 2019. The third and fourth — Death of a Telenovela Star (2020) and Death under the Perseids (2021) — are set on Caribbean cruises. You can find more about her on her English blog or Spanish blog.
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House Edge: A Spotted Pony Casino Mystery by Paty Jager – #AuthorInterview / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour
House Edge: A Spotted Pony Casino Mystery
by Paty Jager
I am pleased to welcome Paty Jager to Escape With Dollycas today!
Hi Paty,
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Howdy. I’m Paty Jager. I’ve lived my whole life in rural areas. My husband and I currently live on 280 acres in SE Oregon. Our closest neighbor is half a mile away and the closest town to purchase groceries is 40 miles away. I enjoy living rural, raising cattle and hay. Being rural gives me time to write in between all the other chores. Currently, I’ve published 53 novels, 8 novellas, and I’ve had stories in numerous anthologies. I started out writing historical western romance, added contemporary western romance, and now am writing the genre I have enjoyed reading the most, murder mystery.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
The research all depends on how many things I plan to put in a book that I don’t know. Like an occupation, a unique murder method, or an area I’m unfamiliar with. The way I work, I’m writing one book, while mulling over a book or two that will be the next to be written. So, while I do look up things for coming books and as I write I add something and then think, “Do I know enough about this?” and take off to research it before I write any more, there is no set time limit for how much time I spend researching before beginning a book. I’m constantly reading and checking on things. Maybe for a book that won’t be written until next year. For this book, House Edge, I read the stories in the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla newspaper, articles online from power companies and other newspapers, and saw a documentary about breaching the dams. Yet all the information I gleaned is barely touched on in the book because it is about the murder. But I hope what I didn’t write will make people who haven’t heard about it, stop and do their own research to see how it impacts everyone.
Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block?
Writer’s Block? No. I have a list of books to be written in the two mystery series I’m writing. I have never been unable to write due to a block. I might write myself into a corner and it takes some time away from the computer and doing something completely unrelated for my brain to figure out how to fix what I did, but I always have two or three ideas cavorting around in my head ready to be brought forth and written.
The first thing you need to do is sit down and write every day. Don’t expect to have the first thing you write be the first thing that gets published. I had written 7 books before #8 was picked up by a publisher. It took me that long to hone my writing skills and perfect my storytelling. You never write a perfect book. You write the best book you can and make sure it is edited to the best of your ability. If you are self-publishing, you get other people to read your work and pay for an editor.
When you are not writing what do you like to do?
When I’m not writing I like to ride my horse, go for walks, and sew quilt tops.
How has the COVID pandemic affected you and you’re writing.
Honestly, because we live so rural, we haven’t been affected as much as people who live in populated areas. Sure, we put on masks when we go to the stores in town or when we visit friends in Central Oregon. I do dislike having to wear a mask while visiting with my dad in a senior living facility because he can’t hear what I’m saying half the time. As for my writing, it’s still perking along. I won’t write the pandemic into my stories because readers read to get away from the real world and by putting the pandemic in my books might be the facts of what is happening now, I feel the readers would prefer a few hours each day to forget it.
I went to Iceland a few years ago and would love to go back and see more of it. I also would love to go to England, Scotland, and Ireland. I’ve read so many books and watched so many shows set in those countries that I would like to see things for myself.
What is next on the horizon for you?
I am currently writing book 9, Owl’s Silent Strike, in the Gabriel Hawke Novels 
Thank you for having me on your blog!
Thank you Paty for visiting today.
Keep reading to learn about Paty’s new book.
About House Edge
House Edge: A Spotted Pony Casino Mystery
Murder Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Oregon
Windtree Press (February 18, 2022)
Paperback : 294 pages
ISBN-10 : 195763801X
ISBN-13 : 978-1957638010
ASIN : B09QXZF12Z
Zealous Environmentalists
Greedy Power Companies
…and a body
A bitter dispute over the breaching of dams in Idaho sparks emotions at a summit held at the Spotted Pony Casino. When the keynote speaker is murdered, Dela Alvaro, head of security, teams up again with FBI Special Agent Quinn Pierce.
The suspects are many since it appears the victim was playing both sides of the controversial environmental issue. Did someone take advantage of a marital dispute… witnessed by a crowd of casino spectators? Or did an angry wife murder her husband?
Book 2 in the Spotted Pony Casino Mysteries has Dela Alvaro not only trying to keep her job by discovering the killer before word spreads about the murder, but she also has to deal with FBI Special Agent Quinn Peirce butting heads with her high school sweetheart who has returned to the reservation as a tribal policeman.
About Paty Jager
Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 53 novels, 8 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Paty and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.
Author Links
Website Blog FB Page Amazon Pinterest Twitter Goodreads Newsletter- Mystery Newsletter- Western BookBub
Purchase Link – Amazon
Find more books by Paty Jager here.
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Cozy Wednesday featuring Wolf Hollow by Victoria Houston #Review / #Giveaway @crookedlanebks
Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am thrilled to feature Victoria Houston’s Wolf Hollow today!
Wolf Hollow (A Lew Ferris Mystery)
Cozy Mystery/Women Sleuths
1st Book in the Series with this Publisher
Setting – Wisconsin
Crooked Lane Books (January 11, 2022)
Hardcover : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 1643858009
ISBN-13 : 978-1643858005
Kindle ASIN : B0928652Q3
Murder stalks the Wisconsin Northwoods in a gripping novel from the author of the acclaimed Loon Lake mysteries.
It’s mid-May in the tiny Northwoods Wisconsin town of Loon Lake, and the fish are biting. Walleye’s not the only thing on the hook. There are rumors that a precious vein of nickel and copper is buried on the property of wealthy Grace McDonough, and the drilling is about to begin. But not if environmentalist Pete Ferris can help it.
When Grace’s 24-year-old son, Noah, is caught in a sordid sex crime, police chief Lew Ferris makes the arrest. But a day later, Lew is stricken when her brother Pete turns up dead, a bloody pry bar found in the woods nearby. Then, Grace’s body is discovered in a car at the bottom of a river–and Noah has vanished. Lew puts out a statewide APB, but before long, Noah is also found murdered on the McDonough property.
It’s beginning to look like mother and son were killed by the same person. And when Lew learns that her brother had planned to file a lawsuit to prevent drilling for the sulfide mine, a key piece of the puzzle suddenly falls into place.
Lew is beginning to close in on the truth. But has the killer set his bait again, angling for his biggest catch yet?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Wolf Hollow has bodies dropping like flies!
While she would rather be fishing her job is keeping her darn busy. First, she has to arrest Noah McDonough for a scheme to kidnap a minor. Then she learns his mother Grace, is about to sign a huge deal to mine the nickel and copper buried on her land. Lew’s brother Pete is part of a group trying to stop the entire thing in its tracks. But then Pete is found dead and Lew calls in the “Wausau boys” to help find the killer. Then they find Grace’s SUV at the bottom of the river with her dead body inside. Noah is nowhere to be found at first but then his body is found by some kids in the woods. All the deaths have to be connected and Lew leans heavily on the crew from Wausau, Doc, and Ray as she tries to piece all the clues together but the killer has another target on his list . . . Lew!
I am so happy this series has found a new home at Crooked Lane Books. It has been a favorite series of mine since the beginning but don’t worry the author gives plenty of background so new readers will be able to read and enjoy and old fans will love it too.
Ms. Houston has created a group of very down-to-earth characters. They take their jobs seriously but know sometimes it takes putting on your waders, getting in some water with your fly reel in your hands to think through the clues until they all fall into place. In this story, another woman joins the group and she wants to learn to flyfish too. She is welcomed with open arms and Lew is happy to teach her. Her exploits delivered a few good chuckles. This being a long-running series the characters feel like old friends. They are genuine, strong, smart, kind, and each quirky in their own way but Ray is the signature odd duck and one of my favorites.
There are a lot of lines to untangle in this well-plotted mystery. The story starts with an attempted citizen’s arrest of a probable sexual predator by some unexpected characters and then spins out of control as bodies start to pile up. It was very interesting to watch the investigation pan out. The characters have worked a lot of cases together and each has their strengths. The whole story unfolds at a very comfortable pace with drama and suspense in all the right places.
The series is set on Loon Lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The author is very familiar with the area and she describes each place so well. I felt like I was right there for each scene. Mentions of real places also drew me into the story. Ms. Houston also imparts her knowledge of fly fishing throughout the story. My grandfather was a fisherman and I always picture him there on loon lake casting his rod. I am sure there are some great lakes and streams in heaven where he is now casting his line.
While fly fishing is the main theme of this series you need to fish to enjoy this book/series. They are truly stories about family and relationships and coming together to find justice for the victims. I love that a woman is in charge and her influence and knowledge may expand farther than the reaches of Loon Lake in future installments. She did put her job first and I don’t think she has really experienced the grief of losing her brother yet, but I was so happy with the farewell she put together to honor him when the case was put to bed.
Wolf Hollow
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About the Author
Victoria Houston is the author of the Loon Lake mysteries
To find out more about Victoria Houston
visit her webpage here and Facebook here.
Check out The Loon Lake Mysteries
to see how these characters started out.
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Contest Will End February 9, 2022, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
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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.”
#FlashbackFriday – Hope Never Dies: An Obama Biden Mystery by Andrew Shaffer #Review / #Giveaway
On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
Hope Never Dies: An Obama Biden Mystery
Mystery/Humorous
1st in Series
Setting – Delaware
Quirk Books; First Edition (July 10, 2018)
Paperback : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1683690397
ISBN-13 : 978-1683690399
Kindle ASIN : B075HY5NPF
Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama team up in this high-stakes thriller that combines a mystery worthy of Watson and Holmes with the laugh-out-loud bromantic chemistry of Lethal Weapon’s Murtaugh and Riggs.
Vice President Joe Biden is fresh out of the Obama White House and feeling adrift when his favorite railroad conductor dies in a suspicious accident, leaving behind an ailing wife and a trail of clues. To unravel the mystery, “Amtrak Joe” re-teams with the only man he’s ever fully trusted: the 44th president of the United States. Together they’ll plumb the darkest corners of Delaware, traveling from cheap motels to biker bars and beyond, as they uncover the sinister forces advancing America’s opioid epidemic.
Dollycas Thoughts
Joe Biden is trying to adjust to life after his term as Vice President and his life seems quite boring when compared to his best friend who seems to be jet-setting around the world and living the high life. But when Amtrack Joe learns from the former President that one of his favorite railroad conductors has died a gruesome suspicious death they decide to work together to get justice for a man Joe thought he knew pretty darn well. What they are saying about him just doesn’t add up and Joe is determined to prove it.
Oh, my stars! Why did I wait so long to read this book? I had snapped it up soon after it came out and it had been languishing on my To-Be-Read shelf ever since. Seeing it was set in Delaware instead of Washington like I first thought I moved it up the stack to help me hopefully complete my Literary Escapes Challenge this year.
Told from the former VP’s viewpoint we are taken on a fabulous journey involving serious topics but in a way that will have you laughing out loud.
The world-famous bromance had hit a bit of a bump in the road until tragedy strikes and brings the dynamic duo back together in an adventure that takes them to the deep dark underbelly of the state Joe calls home. Filled with edge of your seat moments and hilarious interludes this book was very hard to put down.
I am amazed to learn that Hope Never Dies 
The one word that comes to mind about the author’s treatment of the characters and the situations is clever. While the death and the crimes that take place could be very real he has cleverly put two of the most well-known people in the world into the position of detectives but I use the term of detectives very loosely.
If you are looking for a fantastic escape, look no further than Hope Never Dies 
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
I am giving one Kindle Copy!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old.
(I had intended to giveaway by paperback copy but my laughter piqued another resident in this household’s interest
and he doesn’t read as fast as I do.)
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 Following 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 share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End December 10, 2021, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
*This book was from my private collection.
Mystery in the Hill by Aaron Qualio #Review
Mystery in the Hill
Mystery/Thriller Short Read
Setting – Wisconsin
Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc. (March 13, 2021)
Print length : 79 pages
ASIN : B08YXG27JG
A small Wisconsin town is shaken to its core when four high school boys stumble upon an unexpected discovery. As past and present secrets are exposed, more unsolved mysteries are revealed, leading to more danger than anyone could have ever imagined.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Set in 1997 four teenagers uncover quite a find. A find that will rock their world and change their lives forever as the past and present collide in a heartwrenching way. Ashbelle Wisconsin will now have a deadly history that started in 1944 and culminated in 1997.
I was contacted to read and review this book by a publicist who saw I like to support and feature Wisconsin authors. She told me this book was written during the pandemic by a man who was reflecting on his small-town life and how it affected him in big ways. I have to say that really came through in this story. His descriptions took me back to a simpler life in a small town. While I was older in 1997 than the teenagers in this book I could relate to their high school lives. Their friendships, actions, interactions, and curiosities were very familiar. I had a much harder time relating to the people from the past. Their choices and actions gave me chills. Because of the emotions invoked by both time periods, I would say the author did a fine job of telling this story.
Reading the first chapter 1 was unsure if this was a story for me but by the end of chapter 2, my own curiosity was building, and mid-way through chapter 3 I was completely engaged. With each subsequent chapter, my reading pace increased. I liked that the chapters went back and forth between time periods wrapping up with the final chapter set in 2015. It gave the story a good rhythm and pace.
Mr. Qualio’s Mystery in the Hill
*Does include some explicit language.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Aaron Qualio is the author of ‘Mystery in the Hill’, rated a #1 Amazon best-selling book. Aaron is a husband and a stay-at-home dad to two girls. He resides in Green Bay, WI, and grew up in a small Wisconsin town, where much of his inspirations come from.
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.”
Dark Night: A Mystery (Alaska Wild Series) by Paige Shelton #EarlyReview @MinotaurBooks @AuthorPaige
I had planned on reading this book closer to its release date of December 7 but I kept seeing it pop up on Facebook and on my Kindle so I just had to read it now.
Dark Night: A Mystery (Alaska Wild Series)
Suspense/Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Alaska
Publisher : Minotaur Books (December 7, 2021)
Hardcover : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 125079627X
ISBN-13 : 978-1250796271
Kindle ASIN : B08R2KMM3M
Dark Night marks the third book in the gripping, atmospheric Alaska Wild series from Paige Shelton, in which Benedict, Alaska is met with some unexpected visitors…and then disappearances.
Winter is falling in the remote town of Benedict, Alaska, and with the cold comes a mysterious guest. The dreaded “census man,” seemingly innocuous, is an unwelcome presence to those members of this secretive community who would prefer to keep their business to themselves. Meanwhile, thriller writer Beth Rivers has received her own unexpected company: her mother. The last Beth heard, Mill Rivers had gone underground in the lower forty-eight, in search of Beth’s kidnapper, and Beth can’t help but be a little alarmed at her appearance: If Mill was able to track down her daughter, who knows who else might be able to?
Beth doesn’t have time to ponder this for long after a battered woman stumbles into the town bar one night, and her husband is found dead the next morning. Suspicions immediately turn to the census man, but when he, too, goes missing, everyone in Benedict—including the police chief—is suspected, and Beth and Mill must work to uncover the truth.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The days are getting darker and colder and winter comes to Benedict Alaska. The ferry and aircraft come and go less frequently so making the trek to Juneau is hit or miss depending on the weather. Some of the residents handle the darkness, cold, ice, and snow better than others. People who have lived in Benedict for years all have their own ways of coping and for most, it is just their daily lives.
Residents were surprised when the “census man” arrived in town and he definitely was not welcomed with open arms. He made a definite impression with his visit to Ned and Claudia Withers. After the man left their home Ned beat up his wife and by the next morning, Ned was dead.
Also making the trip to Benedict is Mill Rivers. Her daughter Beth has been hiding in this faraway town since recovering from the injuries sustained when she was kidnapped while her captor is still at large. He was injured when her mother found and shot him but he got away again. She was charged for her actions but has gone on the run. So Beth is both shocked and scared that her mother tracked her down after all her efforts to stay safe. If her mother found her can her kidnapper be far behind?
So with a murder to solve, a couple of fugitives in town, a census man wandering around, and the probability of a kidnapper stepping off the ferry and day now, Police Chief Gril has his hands full. Maybe Beth and her mom can assist him or will they die trying? Who knows when everyone in town and beyond are on a very long suspect list.
Again, I was thrilled to receive an early copy of this book for review and I couldn’t wait to start reading. The first two books in this series, Thin Ice
Ms. Sheldon doesn’t disappoint. So much happens within these pages, it is the kind of book that has you opening it up and holding on tight until you reach the end.
First, the setting of Benedict, Alaska is a character in itself. It is a living and breathing place. The weather is frigid, a blizzard can blow through quickly or take up residence and drop multiple inches of snow, or it can be a clear cold day where business can go on as usual. It can have secrets and reveal them at its will. The author describes the place so well I had shivers running up my spine and was tingling when its residents ventured out in the vastness of Alaska.
Beth has survived a horrific experience that left her scarred physically and mentally. She is a powerful character but she still has demons she needs to remember and face before she can truly start to heal. She does have a heartwrenching breakthrough in this story. She also gets several answers thanks to her mother showing up in Benedict.
Her mother is a hard woman due to the life she has lived and her need to track down Beth’s father and now her abductor. She is also a bit of a loose cannon as you never know what she is going to say or do.
These two women are surrounded by a vast supporting cast. I am in awe of the way the author has created so many characters with so many layers and so much depth. And not everything about their lives has been revealed. The characters are well-developed but still have room to continue to evolve.
Yes, there is a murder mystery to be solved in this book but there are a plethora of mysteries swirling within these pages. Secrets abound. Delving into people’s lives to find a murderer opens doors that lead to astounding revelations. Masterfully plotted this is a story that is impossible to put down.
The Alaska Wild Series
I have totally escaped into every book in this series. They have held me spellbound and kept me thoroughly entertained. I finish one and get immediately excited for the next installment. Dark Night 
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Read my review of Thin Ice
Dark Night is available for pre-order now and will be delivered to your inbox on December 7.
You can also pre-order a print copy as well.
About The Author
PAIGE SHELTON had a nomadic childhood as her father’s job as a football coach took the family to seven different towns before she was even twelve years old. After college at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, she moved to Salt Lake City where she thought she’d only stay a few years, but she fell in love with the mountains and a great guy who became her husband. After a couple of decades in Utah, she and her family recently moved to Arizona. She also writes the Scottish Bookshop Mystery
Paige Shelton is also the New York Times Bestselling author of the Farmers’ Market Mysteries
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.”
One of Us: A Tower District Mystery by Lorie Lewis Ham #Spotlight / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @mysteryrat
It is my pleasure to shine my
spotlight on One of Us today!
One of Us: A Tower District Mystery
by Lorie Lewis Ham
About One of Us
One of Us: A Tower District Mystery
Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher : King’s River Life (August 1, 2021)
Paperback : 306 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8544783145
Digital ASIN : B09BBJ8X6X
At 35, children’s book author Roxi Carlucci finds herself starting over again after her publisher drops her book series. With no income, she has to pack up her life on the California Coast, along with her pet rat Merlin, and move in with her cousin, P.I. Stephen Carlucci, who lives in Fresno, CA. The one redeeming factor is that Stephen lives in the Tower District—the cultural oasis of Fresno.
Stephen talks Roxi into helping out with a community theatre production, which is also a fundraiser for a local animal rescue. Little did she know that someone would be murdered during a rehearsal, and that she and Stephen would be hired to find the killer. The killer has to be one of Roxi’s new acquaintances since the theatre was locked at the time of the murder, but no one seems to have a motive. How can they solve a murder without a motive? Could the local gossip website hold any clues? Can they stop the killer before they strike again?
Great Escapes Praise for One of Us: A Tower District Mystery
by Lorie Lewis Ham
Well-written, Ham walks you through the twists, turns, and surprises that face Roxi and Stephen as they work with the local police to solve the murder.
~Christa Reads and Writes
I loved how the author maintained a consistent focus on the plot. After a brief introduction to the protagonist, the plot starts to move and never stops until the end.
~Mysteries with Character
About Lorie Lewis Ham
Lorie Lewis Ham lives in Reedley, California and has been writing ever since she was a child—her first stories were about her stuffed animals. Her first song and poem were published when she was 13, and she has gone on to publish many articles, short stories, and poems throughout the years, as well as write for a local newspaper. Four out of 5 of her previously published mystery novels feature gospel singer Alexandra Walters and are set in the San Joaquin Valley. Those books were inspired by the many years she spent traveling and singing gospel music with her family. One Of Us is the first in a brand new mystery series set in the Tower District of Fresno, California featuring podcaster and part-time detective Roxi Carlucci. Lorie has also been the publisher of the online magazine Kings River Life for the past 11 years (kingsriverlife.com), and of its sister website KRL News & Reviews (krlnews.com). She also launched a mystery podcast called Mysteryrat’s Maze (mysteryratsmaze.podbean.com) 3 years ago which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors, including the first chapter of this book. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and all of the other usual places. You can learn more about Lorie on her website mysteryrat.com and find her on Twitter @mysteryrat and Facebook. Another way to keep up with Lorie’s writing is to subscribe to her newsletter—you can find info on doing that on her website.
Lorie has been married to Larry for 30 years and they have 2 grown children—Jayce and Joseph Ham. She currently has 5 cats (Merlin, Sam, Dean, Sidney, and Willow), 4 dogs (Lestat, Huey, Xander, and Phoebe), and a pet dwarf rabbit (Sherlock). For many years, she worked in pet rat rescue and has had many pet rats of her own over the years.
Author Links
Website – Facebook – Twitter –
Purchase Links –
Amazon – B&N – Kobo – IndieBound –
The author is giving away 1 Digital Copy of the book!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old.
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 Following My Facebook Fan Page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.
Leave a comment for the author for 5 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End September 28, 2021, 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.
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 15 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
September 16 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST
September 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
September 18 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST
September 19 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
September 20 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 21 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
September 22 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
September 23 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW
September 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
September 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 26 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 27 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 28 – Reading Authors Network – GUEST POST
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