Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.
Today it’s all about thrills in the African bush.
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Safari
by Alexander Plansky
Genre: Techno Thriller
My Review
The synopsis mentions a comparison to The Island Of Doctor Moreau. Got me all kinds of curious so I gave this a go.
Couldn’t help but feel sorry for these characters. They think they struck gold when asked to assist in a study for the rich and powerful Billy Sans. Things change fairly quickly as they realize it’s actually a killing ground with a mad man as the puppeteer.
While this was fairly predictable, I still had a good read. Couldn’t wait to see what kind of creatures emerged and who would be picked off. Things moved quickly, people were torn to pieces, and I loved how some got a well deserved comeuppance.
A good ending too. Made me appreciate the thrilling cover.
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Synopsis
The Island of Dr. Moreau meets “The Most Dangerous Game” by way of Michael Crichton in this suspenseful new technothriller about the dark potential of genetic engineering.
For Sydney Marlowe, getting a coveted research position with enigmatic biotech CEO Billy Sans seems like a dream come true. She and three other interns are flown halfway around the world to a remote private game reserve in Tanzania, where they will implement new zoological technologies and analyze field data over the course of two weeks.
But when local animal behavior becomes increasingly unnatural and people begin to go missing, Sydney and the others realize that something sinister is lurking beneath this paradise. The truth, however, is more horrifying than any of them could have imagined.
Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.
Today it’s all abut some Paranormal Cozy Mysteries
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Alice In Murderland
Magical Bookshop Mystery#1
by Samantha Silver
Genre: Paranormal / Cozy Mystery
My Mini Review
This was such fun. What’s not to love in a paranormal cozy. And there’s books in it. LOL Delightful and quirky characters, a murder to solve, and witchy shenanigans made this a delightful few hours of reading for me. I will be following this series and anticipating much more fun to come.
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Synopsis
Moving from Miami to small-town Oregon was supposed to be boring…
When Alice Calliope takes over her recently deceased aunt’s bookshop in Sapphire Village, Oregon, she’s not expecting her world to be flipped upside down, but that’s exactly what happens when her cousin Cat reveals to Alice that she’s actually a witch. Add in the fact that the two of them stumble upon a dead body, and Alice’s first day in town ends up being a lot more eventful than she could have possibly imagined!
What was supposed to be a simple cross-country move winds up with Alice having to learn how to navigate a whole new magical world while at the same time trying to clear Cat’s name as she emerges as the main suspect in the murder. Add in the eccentric Grandma Cee, witchcraft lessons, a whiny old ghost and the laziest cat ever, and Alice definitely has her hands full.
With pressure mounting for the super-hot local sheriff to arrest her cousin, will Alice be able to hunt down the real killer before it’s too late?
Alice in Murderland is a full-length novel and the first book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series of paranormal cozy mysteries.
This book was a delight to read. The main character, Bridget, is newly dead, but that doesn’t slow her down a bit. The afterlife is every bit as busy and fashion challenged, and even ghosts can be murdered. Who woulda thunk it.
I had a rip snort of a read. Loads of snark, which I love, fun characters galore, and a challenging mystery to solve, all added up to a ghostly good time. I feel for this one and moving on to the next.
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Synopsis
Dead less than twenty-four hours, with a job that doesn’t pay, a fashion disaster for a uniform and more afterlife rules than she can shake a stick at, Bridget Sway thinks it’s as bad as it can get. And then she finds a dead ghost stuffed in her locker.
Since the police are desperate to arrest her for murder, Bridget’s new best friend convinces her the only way to save herself from an eternity in prison is to solve the murder themselves.
With a handsome parole officer watching her every move, an outlaw ghost befriending her and two persistent mediums demanding her attention, solving the murder is not quite as easy as it sounds. And when “murder” turns into “murders” Bridget needs to solve the case … before she becomes the next dead body stuffed in her locker.
Beyond Dead is the first book in a paranormal cozy murder mystery series set in a ridiculously bureaucratic afterlife. It is rife with cozy humor (or more accurately cosy humour) that cozy British mysteries are famous for.
The series follows the newly dead Bridget Sway as she tries to adjust to her new life as a ghost while solving the odd murder along the way. Bridget exhibits all the best virtues of cozy mystery women sleuths in terms of wit and humor but, as the amateur sleuth of a cozy ghost mysteries series, she is something most others are not – and that’s dead.
I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.
Today I’m sharing a sweet story about dreaming big.
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Can A Princess Be A Firefighter?
by Carole P. Roman
Genre: Children’s Book
Age Level: 5 – 6
My Review
Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were young? Was it a firefighter, an astronaut, or perhaps you wanted to join the circus? When asked if a princess could be a firefighter, a father encourages two young girls to dream big, tells them they can be whatever they want to be, and that they can always change their minds.
The delightful and fun illustrations show a multitude of choices.
I imagine your young ones will pour over each page, examining everything the pictures have to offer. Dreaming big and possibly wanting to play dress up.
The message is simple and told with lyrical prose. I read it once, and then again. I suspect many children will too, and this may join the family favorites.
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Synopsis
Two little girls pepper their father with questions about whether or not they can be a profession and still be a princess. Motivated by her granddaughter’s fascination with all things ‘princess, ‘ Carole P. Roman penned this adorable poem celebrating all the wonderful possibilities waiting ahead for them.
I’ve been reading Tonya Kappes Kenni Lowry Cozy Mystery series from the beginning and never miss a chance to read the next book. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries and haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend you try them.
Dead As A Doornail
A Kenni Lowry Mystery
by Tonya Kappes
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Dead As A Doornail (A Kenni Lowry Mystery) Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Henery Press (May 15, 2018) Paperback: 266 pages ISBN-13: 978-1635113341 Digital ASIN: B079V6DNFW
My Review
Being maid of honor in a wedding isn’t in Sheriff Kenni Lowry’s job description. Neither is wearing a hideous green dress. But, it’s quite the big deal, being the Mayor’s wedding and all, so she will suck it up and do her part. Or maybe not. Called to the scene of a dead body, Kenni runs into her grandfather. He’s long shed his mortal coil but returns to help Kenni when its a case of murder. Which she now knows this to be.
I’m enjoying seeing how Kenni grows in her role as Sheriff. It seemed to me she used to think of her job as not a permanent thing, and second guessed herself often. Now, she’s strong, confident and darn good at her job.
And the relationship between Kenni and Deputy Finn is steaming right along. They’re getting very close and I enjoy their encounters throughout the book. While Finn has no idea that the ghost of Kenni’s grandpa is helping her with the case, he is suspicious when she appears to have conversations with herself and acts on clues that seem to come out of thin air.
With plenty of suspects to choose from, the mystery wasn’t easy to solve. When the culprit is revealed its like that box of chocolates, you never who you’re gonna get. I sure had fun following along as Kenni, her grandpa and Finn got to work.
The quirky and endearing character’s, funny encounters and situations and convoluted mystery are something I’ve come to expect and look forward to in this series and Tonya delivers again.
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Synopsis
Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone. And doesn’t our Sheriff Kenni Lowry know that? Well, she knows a lot of things.
Lucy Lowell takes great pride in writing negative reviews in the local newspaper for anything that does not go her way. When Lucy is found dead, it appears to be from natural causes.
But Sheriff Kenni Lowry knows there is more to it because the ghost of her grandfather, the ex-sheriff, is standing over the body.
His presence can only mean one thing: Murder!
Since Kenni’s relationship with Deputy Finn Vincent has heated up, Kenni is having trouble conducting the investigation without Finn questioning her every move.
Can Kenni unravel the mystery on her own or will she have to tell Finn the real reason she knows it was murder—the ghost of her poppa?
It’s blowin’ up a storm and only Kenni knows how it’ll end.
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About Tonya Kappes
For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been publishing numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plot lines and quirky characters but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans.
Sign up for her newsletter on her website at Tonyakappes.com .
Maymee Bell has whisked a confection of mystery in her debut novel that will have readers savoring every word. ~Bibliophile Reviews
This cozy mystery has a little bit of everything that makes this book genre one of my favorites: Humor, mystery, romance, and likable characters. ~Ms. Cat’s Honest World
When reading anything written by this author, there are a few things you can be certain of exceptional characters, a homey setting, humor, and a great mystery. And of course, all of those things are found in this book. ~MJB Reviewers
Delightful characters, delectable southern banter, I guarantee you’ll pick up a few new phrases for your own use, and an unpredictable future for Sophia are all on the menu. ~Laura’s Interests
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Cake and Punishment: A Southern Cake Baker Mystery Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting – Kentucky Crooked Lane Books (May 8, 2018) Hardcover 257 Pages ISBN-13: 978-1683315711 Digital ASIN: B075QJM2W8
My Review
I’m a big cozy fan and, being, a southern gal, I enjoy books set in my neck of the woods. The icing on the cake for me was. literally, the dessert. The author described some sweet concoctions that had me craving something sweet. And there’s more than one kind. The possible romance between Sophia and Sherriff Carter of the adorable dimples added to the flavor.
I like a story about starting over too. Been there. Done that. And with loads of humorous scenes and eccentric character’s I couldn’t help but laugh and relate. Sophie might have begun the story in emotional shock from a cheating boyfriend, but after returning to her roots, her sassy mother shows her she’s tough and smart enough to begin anew and her friends lend charming and funny support.
The mystery wasn’t easy to solve either. I couldn’t pick any obvious suspects. And the thing with the new frying pan kept me especially intrigued.
The author mixed together all the right ingredients for a fun cozy mystery.
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Synopsis
In the first of a delectable new Southern-set baking cozy series, Sophia Cummings, pastry chef extraordinaire, must craft the perfect cake for an old friend’s wedding while sifting through the suspects in a murder.
Bucolic Rumford, Kentucky has glowing fields of bluegrass, a fine selection of bourbons, and now a professional pastry chef. Broken-hearted Sophia Cummings has come home from New York City. She’s not there a minute before she’s charmed into making her high school friend Charlotte’s wedding cake. The kitchen at the Rumford Country Club seems perfect until Chef Emile’s body is discovered, sprawled near the stove, a cast iron skillet on the floor close by.
With one look at the shiny, new frying pan, Sophia knows it’s not Emile’s. She offers her knowledge to Sheriff Carter and her talents to Evelyn, the manager, who needs an interim chef. The mood in the country club is grim: Emile’s peppery personality had burned members and staff alike. Sophia wonders which one of them burned him?
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Author Maymee Bell
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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. This is her first SOUTHERN BAKER MYSTERY.
WHITE WITCH by Larry D. Thompson Publisher: Story Merchant Books Pages: 291 Genre: Thriller
My Review
When I read the synopsis I was a bit worried that there was so much going on things would be confusing. Not the case at all. The author starts you off by taking you back to Jamaica in 1817. You get a brief history of the White Witch, a nasty woman, and the Maroons, the poor slaves that were at her mercy. Then he drops you in modern day Jamaica and the White Witch may still be up to some of her tricks and the Maroons are still fighting for freedom and what is rightfully theirs.
An American company comes in to strip mine on land supposedly owned by the Maroons. One side attacks, the other returns the favor. The bodies keep piling up. A few brave people band together to settle the conflict once and for all. But will they survive to get their day in court?
I loved the mix of mysticism and modern culture clashing. I was kept guessing whether the Obeah priestess had a hand in certain events. There were some weird things happening at her old plantation. It lent a heavy atmosphere to the story. And it had many of the characters wondering too. Not all of the attacks could be explained away and with people switching sides and having their own agendas and beliefs, nothing was certain.
I’ve acquired a taste for the author’s writing and plan on reading more. White Witch is a fast read. The story flows smoothly. And the mystery and suspense gradually build, leading to a thrilling conclusion.
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BOOK BLURB:
Jamaica is a place where the surreal is simply everyday reality. When a ruthless American aluminum company plans to strip mine the Jamaican rainforest, they send former Navy SEAL Will Taylor to Montego Bay to deal with local resistance on their behalf. But he’s unaware that the British had signed a treaty deeding the rainforest to the Jamaican Maroons, descendants of escaped slaves, over 300 years ago. The Maroons fought and died for their land then, and are more than willing to do so now, whether it’s the British or the Americans who threaten them this time around.
Upon Will’s arrival, a series of inexplicable murders begin, some carried out with deadly snake daggers that were owned and used by Annie Palmer, a voodoo priestess better known as the White Witch. She was killed 200 years prior, but is said to still haunt the island at night, and the local Jamaicans are certain she’s responsible for the gruesome murders, her form of retaliation against the new turmoil taking place in the rainforest.
And Will has been forced directly into the middle of it. After a few close calls, he’s finally convinced to leave his company and join forces with the Maroons, headed by Vertise Broderick, a Maroon who resigned from her position at the New York Times to return to Jamaica to stop the mining. Together they hire a Jamaican attorney to prove that the Maroon/British treaty is still valid to stop the mining, and they take it upon themselves to solve the White Witch murders, because the legend of the White Witch can’t possibly be true…
Will returned to his room, too wound up to sleep. He stripped to his underwear and flipped channels on a large screen HD television until he ran across First Blood with Sylvester Stallone. Having lived that life for a few years, he never passed up the opportunity to watch it again. He settled back and had drifted off to sleep when his cell chimed. He glanced at the television to make sure it was not coming from there and found Fred Astaire waltzing Ginger Rogers around a ballroom. He turned off the television and reached for his phone.
“Taylor.”
“Will, Alexa here.” It was nearly three in the morning and Alexa was still at her desk. Smoke drifted from a cigarette in her ashtray while she sucked on a Tootsie Pop. She was on the speaker phone. When Will answered, she walked to her window and stared at the lights of Baltimore.
Will turned on the nightstand light, glanced at the clock, and swung his feet into a sitting position on the side of the bed. “Yes, ma’am. Little late for a booty call.”
“Cut the crap. Kaven was just found at Rose Hall. He’s dead.”
“What? Are you sure? I just saw him a few hours ago.” Will got to his feet and began pacing the room. “Shit.”
“Must be those goddamn Maroons. He called me last night once he got back from Accompong. He told me about what happened up there. By the way, they let the pilot go. They said they had no beef with him.”
“So I heard. What was Kaven doing at Rose Hall? When I saw him, he was going to his room.”
“How the hell should I know? I got a call from some local detective. They found his employee identification in his wallet. When the detective called here, the operator knew I was still in my office and put the call through to me. You need to get to Rose Hall now.
“Yes, ma’am,” Will agreed.
“And I’m flying down there tomorrow before this gets any more out of hand. See if you can keep anybody else from being killed until I get there.”
Will’s cell went dead. He put it on the nightstand and picked up the hotel phone. Pleased to find it working, he punched the key for valet parking.
“Good evening, Mr. Taylor. How can I be of assistance?”
“Bring my company Land Rover to the front as quickly as possible.”
Getting assurance that it would be there when he got downstairs, Will hung up and walked to the bathroom. Five minutes later he was met at the hotel entrance by a valet.
“Can I give you directions, Mr. Taylor? It’s a little late at night.”
“No thanks. I know exactly where I’m going.” Will got in the car, fastened his seat belt, and left the hotel.
When Will got to Rose Hall, he turned onto the road they had just come down the evening before. At the top of the hill he could see the mansion, now well lighted. He dodged tree limbs and utility wires and parked among several other vehicles. Police cars were positioned so that their headlights focused on the steps of the mansion where Will could see the yellow police crime scene tape. He walked up a path from the parking lot between the police cars that faced the mansion to the yellow tape where an officer stood watch. The officer came to attention as Will approached.
“Sorry, mon. I can’t let you past here. We’re investigating a murder.”
Will kept his voice even but controlling. “I know, officer. That’s why I’m here. Name’s William Taylor. I’m head of security for Global American Metals. Here’s my identification.” Will tried to hand him an ID. The officer just shook his head. “Officer, the dead man is one of Global’s employees. Can you get someone in authority to let me up there?”
Before the officer could reply, Miles Harper, the St. James Parish Chief of Detectives, approached. Harper was a lean, fit man with a shaved head and a no nonsense manner. He was dressed in a brown suit, yellow shirt, and matching tie. He looked like he just stepped out of GQ Magazine, even at three in the morning.
“Mr. Taylor, I’m Miles Harper, Chief of Detectives in this parish. I was told by your company to expect you.”
Will extended his right hand. Harper ignored it. Instead, he nodded at the officer and motioned for Will to follow him. Harper went up a dozen steps and turned to Will as he stood beside Kaven’s body, sprawled on his back with dagger in his chest. Will bent over for a closer look and found that the handle of the dagger was in the shape of a snake. At the top of the handle was the snake’s head. The snake’s eyes were two bright rubies.
“Shit,” Will muttered, “He was almost killed because of one snake on the road today and now someone finished the job with a, what would you call this, a snake dagger?”
“That’s as good a name as any, Mr. Taylor. My officers reported what went on up in Accompong and the incident with the boa.”
Will continued to study the body. “Looks like he’s been dead a couple of hours. I last saw him about ten last night. Who found him?”
“The hotel has a security guard that roams the mansion grounds and up to the club house in a golf cart. He spotted the body.”
“Where’s your coroner?”
“He’s a local Justice of the Peace, not a medical doctor. He won’t set foot on these steps until morning. My men here won’t go past the tape either. They believe the White Witch did it.”
Will shook his head in disbelief. “Come on, Chief, this is the twenty-first century.”
“Old beliefs die hard, Mr. Taylor. Come on. Let me show you something.”
Harper stepped around the body and climbed the steps with Will behind him. Entering the ballroom, Will said, “I was just in this room yesterday evening during the storm.”
Harper turned to study Will. “Would you care to explain?”
Will covered the details of the previous day and their time in the mansion while they waited out the storm. “You know a woman named Vertise?”
Harper nodded his head. “She’s a local. Works for the paper and tends bar for the hotel. Since you were in this room a few hours ago, come over here.”
Harper led Will to a glass display against one wall with pictures of two snake daggers above it along with the history of the daggers. The glass had been broken and the daggers were gone.
“You see this case when you were up here?”
Will studied it and thought back to the day before. “Can’t say I did, Chief.
It was pretty dark in here, lit only by candles since the storm knocked out power. I wandered around the room but never glanced toward this case. And I don’t believe anyone else mentioned it. Now that I think about it, Vertise told us the legend of Annie Palmer and her using a snake dagger to kill an overseer. evening during the storm.”
Harper turned to study Will. “Would you care to explain?” Will covered the details of the previous day and their time in the mansion while they waited out the storm. “You know a woman named Vertise?” Harper nodded his head. “She’s a local. Works for the paper and tends bar for the hotel. Since you were in this room a few hours ago, come over here.” Harper led Will to a glass display against one wall with pictures of two snake daggers above it along with the history of the daggers. The glass had been broken and the daggers were gone.
“You see this case when you were up here?”
Will studied it and thought back to the day before. “Can’t say I did, Chief.
It was pretty dark in here, lit only by candles since the storm knocked out power. I wandered around the room but never glanced toward this case. And I don’t believe anyone else mentioned it. Now that I think about it, Vertise told us the legend of Annie Palmer and her using a snake dagger to kill an overseer. Surprising that she didn’t show us these daggers when she was telling the story.”
“Interesting,” mused Harper. “You have any idea why your man would come up here in the middle of the night?”
“Not a clue. Have you checked his cell phone? He always carried it.”
“Yeah. The last calls were with you yesterday afternoon and one with Ms. Pritchard later in the evening.”
Will nodded. “He called me from Accompong, warning me of trouble up there. I should have gone with him.”
Harper shook his head. “Whether you were there or not wouldn’t have made any difference. Just would have been one more person that was in my police car that rolled, assuming, of course, you didn’t take a bullet up on the mountain.”
“Understood.”
“How did you get in the mansion?”
“Vertise said she knew where a key was hidden and let us in.”
“Strange that she could get into the locked mansion. It was my understanding that only the manager of Rose Hall had a key. He locked it and left when the storm was hitting. The hotel spent a fortune on period pieces to recreate how it looked two hundred years ago. One of his jobs is to make sure they are not stolen.”
“Any signs of a break-in?” Will asked.
“This is not for publication, you understand, but when I got here the mansion was locked and the lights were off.”
“So, you’re saying that someone got into the mansion, stole two daggers, let themselves back out, killed Kaven, and left no trace.” Will paused to absorb all that he had just said. “Wait a minute. If someone wanted to kill Kaven, why not just use a gun? Why go to all the trouble of getting that dagger to do it?”
“I’ve been wrestling with that very question,” Harper said. “It’s illegal for a private citizen to own a gun in Jamaica, but that doesn’t mean they are not available if you know the right people. My working hypothesis is that the killer or killers wanted the public to think voodoo was involved, or maybe even the White Witch. The only other possibility that comes to mind is that the Maroons are trying to send a message to Global. They tried to kill Tillman in Accompong and failed. Maybe the message is that they finish what they start. Either way, someone is trying to make trouble for your company. I have another problem that may not be apparent.”
Will looked quizzically at the detective.
“As you can see, there were two snake daggers in this case. One’s accounted for out on the steps. The other is gone. Nearly everyone around here thinks that they are voodoo daggers with magical powers. They were found in an overseer’s grave during the restoration of the mansion thirty years ago.”
“Does ‘everyone’ include you? Looks to me like the killer or killers are just trying to mess with the minds of my co-workers, maybe keep some locals from hiring on with us.”
Harper stuck his hands in his pockets. “Not up to me to decide if they’re magic or not. I’ve got a murder with one of those daggers. My job is to solve the murder and along the way, find that other dagger before someone uses it.” Will’s eyes searched the room in a futile effort to see any clues to the crime.
Then he focused on the chief. “Look, I’m going to need a gun. My company is obviously under attack. I’m licensed to carry back home.”
“No way, Mr. Taylor,” Harper exploded. “Foreigners are not permitted to have guns in Jamaica. For that matter, as I just told you, neither are Jamaicans. And I want you to stay the hell out of my investigation. We don’t need your help. Understand?”
“Yeah, I understand. You know that each of our mines on this island is permitted a certain number of guns for our guards. I’ll just get one of those.”
“The hell you will. Don’t you dare go behind my back. Those guns never leave mine property. I have an officer that inventories them. If one turns up missing, I’ll confiscate every damn weapon that Global has and put you under house arrest. Clear, Mr. Taylor?”
Will clinched his fists and tried to hold back the anger that was apparent in his face. Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the mansion, pausing only to gaze at Kaven and say a prayer for him and his family. At the bottom of the steps, he got in his car and glanced toward the mansion. The lights from his car somehow caught the ruby eyes of the snake, making them appear briefly to be alive. Will shook his head, put the car in reverse, and returned to the hotel.
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Author Larry D. Thompson
After graduating from the University of Texas School of Law, Larry spent the first half of his professional life as a trial lawyer. He tried well over 300 cases and won more than 95% of them. Although he had not taken a writing class since freshman English (back when they wrote on stone tablets), he figured that he had read enough novels and knew enough about trials, lawyers, judges, and courtrooms that he could do it. Besides, his late, older brother, Thomas Thompson, was one of the best true crime writers to ever set a pen to paper; so, just maybe, there was something in the Thompson gene pool that would guide him into this new career. He started writing his first novel about a dozen years ago and published it a couple of years thereafter. He has now written five highly acclaimed legal thrillers. White Witch is number six with many more to come.
Larry is married to his wife, Vicki. He has three children scattered from Colorado to Austin to Boca Raton, and four grandchildren. He has been trying to retire from the law practice to devote full time to writing. Hopefully, that will occur by the end of 2018. He still lives in Houston, but spends his summers in Vail CO, high on a mountain where he is inspired by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
His latest book is the captivating thriller, WHITE WITCH.
I’m sure many of you know of my love affair with zombies. Being always on the lookout for the next brain chomping adventure, I was super excited to get my hands on Anthony’s newest one. I was lucky to get my hands on an ARC and can’t wait to share about it!
Gas Station Of The Dead
by Anthony Renfro
Genre:Horror / Apocalypse
My Review
I’ve been reading Anthony’s short stories for several years and he always has fun twists to them. You never know what the brain eaters can and will do. Ever heard a zombie sing Christmas Carols? How about seeing one surf? Some of the zombies in this story are stuck on strange.
And while many of the author’s stories connect in some way. Gas Station Of The Dead is more of a stand alone. I really liked Cal, a former fuel tanker driver. He’s on his own. He has a plan. If he fails, there’s no one to mourn him. He sets it in motion. And, lo and behold, he meets someone who wants to help. No longer alone, he begins to hope there may be a future.
I was sucked right into this book. You get inside Cal’s head. Learning what motivates him to do what he does makes him a compelling hero in my book. He could have simply continued on his way, hopefully hooking up with other survivors and having a better chance at survival. I for one, wouldn’t want to be out there all alone. Instead, he chooses to try to help others. Doing it all by himself. A very risky, lonely choice.
For you zombie fans, there’s plenty of them and lots of on the edge of your seat action. The apocalypse is in the early stages when you start the book and they are often moving in large packs. Cal has to strain the brain pan to come up with some tricky ideas on how to accomplish his goal with so many chomping at his heels.
Gas Station Of The Dead easily joined my list of favorites from Anthony. And as he often does, included are a couple of fun bonus stories to nibble on.
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Synopsis
This short story is about a former tanker truck driver who decides to use his skills to deliver gas to those in need during the Zombie Apocalypse.
Bonus Short Story: Devil at the Wheel
A Joyride in a Chevy Chevelle. The car was just sitting there for the taking. What could possibly go wrong? Vinnie and Mike are about to find out what can and will go wrong once they turn the key. Evil awaits. Ride shotgun if you dare with this short story.
Bonus Short Story: The Dragon
A simple machine. Able to answer requests. Able to play music. Able to turn on lights and answer questions. Fun and enjoyable technology. But what happens when this machine is able to manifest actual things? In this short story two guys worst fears will come to life.
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Check out the excerpt:
Donald Cal, or Cal to those who knew him, sat on top of a flat roof looking down at his two discoveries. The question running through his head was difficult to find the answer to. When so many zombies were shuffling about, how did he get from one place to the other and vice versa without getting bit or ripped apart? He knew that his plan was strong, it could work, it would work, but he wasn’t sure how he could keep himself alive long enough to see it put into action.
He sat back against the faded brick wall (which helped to give him shade), looked up at the sunny blue sky, and then out onto the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. He watched the waves for a while, trying to find some peace of mind as he ate a bit of processed snack food and sipped on a warm bottle of water. He closed his eyes when he was finished eating, and fell asleep, drifting off into the world of pleasant dreams and happier pre-zombie days. This current dream was one of his happiest, a girlfriend, a party, lots and lots of friends out on the beach drinking like idiots by a rip roaring fire.
A sound of thumping tore him out of his pleasant dreams and pushed him back into the harsh world he now called home.
Welcome to my Saturday Screams where I share books that, well, make you scream!
Today’s book is creepylicious!
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They Feed
by Jason Parent
Genre: Horror
My Review
I’m a pushover for books like this. Give me a bunch of people wandering around in a park in the dark with something hunting them and I’m a happy camper. Jason doesn’t let me down.
As each group encounters something in the night, it’s a mad dash to find safety. They all wind up in the same place, a falling down shack in the middle of the park. What’s outside wants in. But those inside want out. Most of them aren’t nice people and they all have a reason to want to harm each other. The group dynamics are a big part of the story and I eat that stuff up.
As for the things outside, the author dreamed up some nasty ones for ya. They’re relentless when the attack begins. There’s lots of running and screaming, and one by one, the character’s fall like dominoes. Don’t worry. You won’t mind when some of them bite the dust. The weren’t very likable anyway.
And Jason added some twisted surprises that caught me off guard and sure did contribute to the suspense.
If you like creature feature horror, you might want to give this one a go. It reads fast and definitely keeps you entertained. The title lives up to it’s name.
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Synopsis
The night uncovers all we wish not to see.
A troubled man enters a dusky park before sunset. A young woman follows, hidden in shadow. Both have returned to the park to take back something the past has stolen from them, to make right six long years of suffering, and to find justice or perhaps redemption—or maybe they’ll settle for some old-fashioned revenge.
But something evil is alive and awake in those woods, creatures that care nothing for human motivations. They’re driven by their own insatiable need: a ravenous, bottomless hunger.
The campgrounds are full tonight, and the creatures are starving. Before the night is over, they will feed.
An unrelenting tale of terror from Jason Parent, acclaimed author of People of the Sun and What Hides Within.
There are many things I enjoy about cozies. I like meeting all of the quirky characters. The stories are usually set in small towns. I live in one and can relate. And the mysteries, while mostly murders, aren’t gruesome.
Anne Freemont hasn’t even had time to settle into the old Victorian she just purchased before she’s tangled up in the murder of her neighbor. While not a suspect herself, a young woman she’s become friends with is the main suspect and begs her to help clear her name. Having no idea how to go about it, the town rallies and they all put on their sleuthing caps.
I easily connected with Anne. Moving from a bustling city to a small town takes getting used to. Everyone knows each other’s business and don’t hesitate to butt into hers. When her new friend, Kandi, is arrested for murder and asks her for help, I found it a fresh angle that she has no idea where to start. Most cozies have the character diving in enthusiastically, having some ideas on how to go about it. Anne has none. Luckily, she has a secret that helps her.
The friendship between Anne and Kandi is a fun one. Years separate them but they have a lot of common interests. Kandi’s use of the work like in every other sentence drives Anne nuts but they soon find it a source of amusement.
The small town of Carolan Springs is filled with a slew of interesting characters. How they welcomed Anne into their midst was comical and heart warming. Anne recognizes that being a newcomer might help her in her investigation as she might notices things that the residents, being so familiar with each other, might not. A fresh set of eyes and ears you might say.
The mystery is a tough one. I usually spot a few bread crumbs, but didn’t catch one this time. When the author finally reveals what happened, I was caught completely by surprise. Never saw it coming.
And I really liked the ending. Some might think it was sappy, but I thought it was precious.
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Synopsis
Finally healing after her heart-breaking divorce, Anne Freemont is ready to put the painful past behind her.
Discovering an old Victorian for sale in the small mountain town of Carolan Springs may be just what she needs. The beauty of Colorado beckons, so Anne heads west to start her new life.
Yet, before Anne’s completely settled in, her neighbor is found dead in his compost pile. What’s worse is that Anne’s quirky young neighbor, Kandi Jenkins, could be the killer. When Kandi begs for her help, Anne feels she has no choice but to help the young woman.
However, she finds herself quickly at odds with the local sheriff. And while she uncovers more of the community’s secrets, she’s also exploring her awakening feelings for Sam Powers, the town’s deputy coroner.
Once Anne starts looking at who could be the real killer, the suspect list keeps getting longer and longer. It seems that Carolan Springs is a place of many secrets. But who would want to murder Ralph and who’s willing to kill again to keep their secret?
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About Author Vikki Walton
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Vikki Walton is a suburban homesteader aka the Havensteader. She has chickens, gardens, and bees and is a certified permaculture designer. She’s also the author of nonfiction books. She loves to travel, is a global house and pet sitter and when not out in the garden or hiking in beautiful Colorado, is plotting her next mystery.
I can’t ever pass up one of Lauren’s books and this is the first in a brand new series!
Check out Ice. Watch the book trailer.
Enjoy my review.
And don’t forget to enter the awesome giveaway!
Ice
Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries #1
by Lauren Carr
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Category: Adult fiction, 380 pages Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Cozy Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: February 26, 2018 Tour dates: April 2 to 30, 2018 Content Rating: PG (It’s a murder mystery and there is mild violence. Very mild swearing no F-bombs. No on-stage sex scenes.)
My Review
I started reading this at night and finally had to set it aside when my eyes got blurry. I woke up n the dark, around 5:46 A.M. and the booked popped right into my head. So, I turned on the light and started back up with it, devouring it in a couple of hours.
I’ve read other books by Lauren and shared reviews saying how much I loved her mysteries and her characters, both human and other. This was a brand new cast of characters and I had such a great time getting to know them.
Chris retired from the FBI. A man in his mid forties, he moved home to his mother’s farm to raise his three daughters after his wife was killed in a terrorist attack overseas. It works well for all of them.
The opening scene is a bit sad as Chris is spreading the ashes of his beloved german shepherd companion. Kind of bittersweet, but it doesn’t stay that way for long because a new dog enters the life of the family. Sterling is a two year old german shepherd who was recently retired from the police force after he was injured and his handler and fellow officer was killed. I had a feeling these two would help each other heal. What I didn’t expect was how Sterling would steal my heart. I confess he was the character I wanted most to read about. Lauren makes the non human character’s as much a part of her stories as their human counterparts. Some of Sterling’s quirks are hilarious. The scene at the casino was so fun. As was his penchant for country music. And what can I say, I’m a dog lover.
On to the mystery, or I should say mysteries, as there are several to untangle. From a couple of cold cases to recent murders, Chris is dragged back into law enforcement as a consultant and things get hairy. Lauren can create such great plots. You really have no clue who did what until right at the end. I did catch one bread crumb that turned out to be right. The rest, I couldn’t figure out the culprits til they were caught. One character I had hopes for didn’t go the way I wanted. Shows how the author can deliver such genuine characters, take you down so many false trails, and serve up the culprits in ways that keep you guessing.
A big bonus that Lauren does is supply a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. She details each one and also puts them in the order they appear in the story. Even the non human ones. It helps when you can’t quite remember who someone is. But even with so many characters, you easily become familiar with them and nothing slows down the reading.
I couldn’t find one thing to fault with Ice. It kept me riveted. I connected with and loved so many of the characters. Cracked up more times that I could count. Enjoyed the brushes with romance. And was very satisfied with how it was all wrapped up.
An exciting, superb new series and I can’t wait for more.
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Synopsis
The clues for a close-to-the-heart missing person’s case heat up when Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on the cold case.
When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappear, the court of public opinion finds young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot!
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
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