EVERYONE IN THIS BANK IS A THIEF by Benjamin Stevenson
Fiction, Mystery, Australia
4****

Blurb: Nothing is quite what it seems in this spin on the classic bank heist, with more suspects, more puzzles, and more danger than Ernest’s ever faced before. I’ve spent the last few years solving murders. But a bank heist is a new one, even for me. I’ve never been a hostage before. The doors are chained shut. No one in or out. Which means that when someone in the bank is murdered, everyone is a suspect.
The Bank Robber       The Manager
The Security Guard    The Kid
The Film Producer    The Priest
The Receptionist        The Patient
The Caregiver            Me
Turns out, more than one person planned to rob the bank today. You can steal more from a bank than just money. Who is stealing what? Are they willing to kill for it? And can I solve the crime before the police kick down the door and rescue us?

REVIEW: At first, I had trouble with the Australian terminology and grammar, but by the second chapter, that was over and I got into the story. Yeah, it was confusing at times, but it was also intriguing. We are in the mind of the “detective” both as the person investigating the case, but also as one of the hostages. There are multiple suspects and multiple reasons for what’s going on. Our detective employs some rather unorthodox methods to solve multiple problems. I love that he’s rather inept, but still gets the job done. Oh, and the fact that most of the story is told from him being trapped in a safe and running out of air!

The main character reminds us multiple times that he loves the old-fashioned noir mysteries, and this has the feel of one at times. Especially the “parlor recap” at the end that exposes the villain(s). An interesting read and I know I’ll go look for more books in this series.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Mariner Publisher and Netgalley for providing this ARC.

HOMICIDE ON THE RANGE by Rosalie Spielman
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Wounded Veterans, Western
Coming in May
5*****

Blurb: US Army retiree Tessa Treslow is ready for a much-needed and romantic getaway with her boyfriend, Nick, to volunteer on a dude ranch for recovering combat veterans in Montana. What she gets instead is a whole crew from her little town of New Oslo, Idaho, tagging along. Her BFF Freddie, aka Deputy Frederickson, her aunt Edna, and the Prunn sisters are happy for a little vacation as well, but little do they realize, it’s not going to be the rustic, idyllic visit to the range that they think it will be. The other volunteers at the ranch are a variety of characters, from a jealous wife, to a multi-limb amputee, to a blast from Tessa’s past, and a combative and unpleasant ranch cook. When the cook ends up dead along with sides of beef in the walk-in freezer, Tessa realizes the one of them is also a murderer! With Freddie stranded in town, Tessa teams up with the New Osloans—the only ones she can be sure didn’t commit the crime—to take a closer look at the other volunteers. They soon learn that each and every cowboy wannabe knew the cook for more than just her buttery cooking, and each of them had a motive to want her dead. To make matters much worse, not one but two wildfires are closing in on the ranch and cutting them off from the outside. What results is a locked-room style mystery where the crew from New Oslo are unsure which will prove more dangerous—a murderer or the wildfires!

REVIEW: I love these “wounded veterans” stories by Rosalie Spielman. While the mysteries are really good, showing the issues veterans have and giving places for someone to call at the end show that she really knows what she’s talking about.
In this story, Tessa and her gang (Freddie, Aunt Edna, the Prunn sisters, and Nick) head to Montana and a “Dude” ranch built specially for wounded veterans and owned by a friend for a little working R&R. But they’re in for a lot more than they figured on. The cook at the ranch is nasty and does her best to irritate everyone she comes in contact with – so of course, she’s the body. But that’s the easy part. They need to figure out who the murderer is while trying not to get overrun with wildfires burning all around them. Tessa and her team are the designated sleuths since they have the experience. They decide to keep the death secret so they can judge who might have done the deed. In addition, wildfires are surrounding the ranch and they need to cut firebreaks, bring in the livestock, wet down the buildings and more.

There is a lot going on in this story. I knew who the body was going to be almost from the minute we meet her. As for the murderer – wow. That surprised me. With a cast of suspects, I did not figure it all out by the end. Well done. As for the wildfires, we get to feel the terror, the exhaustion, the hopelessness – and then the hope – that goes with this. The world building in this story is excellent. The emotions are realistic. And the conclusion… surprising. And satisfying. Though this is a stand alone story, I suggest you start at the beginning of this series so you understand who the people are better. And believe me, they (the stories) are worth the read.

Definitely recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Gemma Halliday Publishing for providing this ARC.

STAY FOR A SPELL by Amy Coombe
Fiction, Fantasy
5*****

BLURB: A cursed princess must discover what her heart truly longs for in this charmingly cozy romantic fantasy for everyone who’s ever lost – or found – themselves in a bookshop. Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar is disillusioned with life as a princess. She longs for real conversation, the chance to build a life of her own making, and uninterrupted reading time. During a routine royal visit to the town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she unlocks her heart’s desire. Certain that someone will figure out how to break the curse eventually, and delighted by the prospect of an entire bookstore of her own, Tandy settles into life among the stacks. She finds it easy to exchange balls and endless state dinners for teetering piles of books and an irritatingly handsome pirate who seems bent on stealing her stock. She even starts to believe she’s stumbled into her very own happily ever after. There’s just one, minor problem: as Tandy’s royal duties go unfulfilled, her frantic parents start sending princes to woo her, each one of them certain their kiss will break the curse. After all, what more could a princess want but a prince?

THOUGHTS: This book was so much fun that I want to go back and read it all over again. The characters were really well-done, as was the world building. I was a little confused at first about women being “princes” but kind of understood it toward the end. Tandy (Tanadelle) is a princess because she’s not first in line for the throne. Her sister, who is first in line, is a prince. Tandy spends her life going from one town to another cutting ribbons, kissing babies, attending everything her parents send her to. Her secretary, Honeyrose, is her best friend, but answers to the Crown (Tandy’s parents). While attending another event at a small town in the middle of nowhere, Tandy is bored and wants a book to read so she goes to the local bookstore and meets an elderly woman. When Tandy goes back the next morning for another book, the old woman gives her a key and curses her by telling her she won’t be able to leave until the curse is broken and she finds her heart’s desire.

And thus begins her new life. When her parents find out, they start sending the seven princes from surrounding realms because the kiss from true love can break a curse and of course, a prince’s kiss is the most potent. Tandy settles into her new life with a bit of reluctance, but also glee. Except the bookstore is a mess. When a morose teenager shows up, Tandy hires her to help clean up the place. They spend the next few months turning the mess into a sparkling bookstore. Oh, and there’s also a cursed pirate who shows up and makes a nuisance of himself. And seven princes. And a cat who looks to be one place, but is actually another. And so much more.

Tandy is a good character who is coming into herself as she learns about being a regular person and not just a princess. The pirate is a hoot. He steals stuff, but then leaves something in exchange (like a seashell for a cobweb). And Sasha (the teenage assistant) is amazing. I love how she breaks down in front of her parents, but then stands up for herself. She has grown a lot since taking over the bookstore. It’s a fun story I couldn’t put down with an ending that satisfies.

Definitely recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

MARES AND MURDER by Leslie Langtree
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Humor (coming May 2026)
5*****

Blurb: Hold your horses! The end of summer still holds surprises when ex-CIA agent turned Girl Scout leader Merry Wrath Ferguson gets an offer to take her troop of girls to a dude ranch in Colorado! Demon’s Point Dude Ranch is owned by a college friend who wants Merry’s troop to test the staff and trail ride. The girls are gung ho, rounding out the troop with goth girl Draconia and Future Espionage Agents of America member Ardith. You can’t look a gift horse in the mouth… The troop is really champing at the bit to go on the remote, three-day trail ride through the Rockies and find the abandoned gold mining camp hidden there, until disaster happens and they find themselves cut off from the rest of the world. When the only person who knows another way back ends up murdered, the group has to change horses in midstream to figure out how to get back to the ranch. Merry needs her horse sense to find the killer before Happy Trails turns into Murder Trails!

THOUGHTS: I have to say that I think this was my favorite book in the “Merry Wrath” series. In this one, we had just the Girl Scouts (plus two) and Merry and Kelly. Even without the others, this was still full of action, adventure, and mystery. I will admit that I would love to have Inez and Betty handle my paperwork and “stuff”. But Betty does scare me! LOL

In this one, an old friend of Merry’s is starting up a Dude Ranch in Colorado and asks Merry and her girls to be their first guests for a trial run before they open. The staff (all women except the cook) and they plan to take the girls on a trail ride. One member of the staff–the trail leader and the only one who knows the trails–is hated by all and ends up dead. And because of a landslide, they cannot turn around and go back the way they came. Unfortunately, nobody else knows the way back to the camp so they are stranded in the mountains.

But that’s no problem for Merry’s girls. They set up camp, pan for gold in a stream (and find a bundle!), talk to a deranged mountain lion who acts like a big cat, while Merry quietly investigates the murder. She has five suspects – and no clues. At least, not until they finally get a sat phone that works and can get word out about what has happened.

My favorite quote was near the end when Merry asks one of the new girls if she’d like to continue with the group. The girl’s answer: “If my first outing with you guys,” Draconia began, “included murder, sabotage, theft, gold nuggets, and kidnapping that ends in a knife fight…I’m in.”
LOL – This is just one of many “nuggets” in the story.
Best Merry Wrath story yet!

HIS SWEET OBSESSION by Twilla Kay Lamm

Fiction, Historical Romance, Western

4****

Blurb: Following the Civil War, Captain Ethan Reed is recruited to find the truth behind the Lincoln Conspiracy. The facts are not as they appear. John Wilkes Booth pulled the trigger, but did someone else point the gun? Ethan’s job is to answer this question and see justice served, no matter the personal cost. Tormented with no answers about the death of her fiancé, Doctor Sabrina Clay seeks the truth—was it suicide or murder? If there is an answer, she must find it. On a hot day in Fort Hex, Kansas, Sabrina’s and Ethan’s lives intersect. They’re soon entangled in a web of deceit as attraction sparks. Will they discover the truth, even at the risk of their love?

THOUGHTS: This story takes place in 1866 in a western fort – Fort Greer – shortly after the end of the Civil War. Army Captain Ethan Reed has been assigned to investigate Lincoln’s assassination and the people involved. Booth may have fired the shot, but there were others who worked with him. His investigation leads him west to Fort Greer where the fort doctor has supposedly committed suicide. The doctor, William Nelson, was suspected of being a conspirator and Reed needs to discover the truth.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sabrina Clay refuses to believe her fiancé, William, killed himself so, with the blessings of the Secretary of War (a friend of the family) she heads west to find out what really happened. At first the head of the fort refuses to accept a woman as a doctor, but she saves the life of a woman giving birth as well as several injured men. Oh, and she saves a wolf who was attacking their horses! I loved that part!

The connection between Sabrina and Ethan is well-done, at least until she discovers he has lied to her about William from the beginning. I also love the relationship between Sabrina and her mother and sister. The way the author brought out the reasons behind her sister’s animosity was well done, as was the reason behind her mother’s “abandonment” when Sabrina was little.

I really enjoyed the story, the suspicions and suspects are multiple – and I actually did not really guess the perp! An unusual failing on my part so kudos to the author. The only thing I had a problem with was the ending. It just seemed abrupt to me. Yes, everything was wrapped up nicely, but… it just felt like there could have been more.

Still, recommended as a good read with a lot of suspense and a satisfying outcome.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

WITH THIS HEART by Heather Alexander

Fiction, Time Travel Romance, Third in Kincaid Brothers Series

5*****

Blurb: When a mysterious portal thrusts 19th-century physician, Dr. Caroline MacKenzie, into present-day Montana, she discovers two irresistible cutting-edge medicine and the smoldering gaze of James Matheson Kincaid. Despite his burning hatred for the portal that once tore his family apart, James can’t deny the fever the raven-haired beauty from another time ignites within him. Their days together become more precious when they learn about the portal’s looming Caroline must return to 1883 before December 31st or cause severe catastrophic reconfigurations to the timeline. The couple gives in to the passionate desire building between them and confesses their love for each other. But Caroline uncovers a painful truth that tips her decision and sends her back through the shimmering portal to save her mentor. Can James overcome his deepest fear of the portal to reclaim the woman who’s captured his heart…or will Caroline be trapped in the past forever without the love of her life? 

THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this book though I did have a little trouble getting into it at first. I wasn’t sure who some of the people were and what the relationship was between them all, but the author brought in the backstory in such a way as to make it clearer. By the end of the story, I was completely invested in the relationship between Caroline and James. And yes, there was an issue since she was in 1883 and he… wasn’t. But come on, this is a romance so you knew something had to work out between them somewhere and somehow.

In this story, Caroline is a doctor in a small western town in 1883. While it’s unusual for a woman to be a doctor in that time, she works with a trusted doctor and the townspeople come to trust her (eventually). When a bright blue light appears in her barn, she investigates and gets pulled into current day and into the life of James Kincaid. His two brothers and their girlfriends/wives got pulled back in time and then back to now so he knows what’s going on—sort of. Over the months that Caroline is here, he falls hard for the smart, beautiful, intriguing woman. When she gets pulled back, he feels as though a part of him has died.

I do recommend that you read the entire series, especially the first two books first so you know what’s going on better. I love the whole “Malachai from the future” part. This is a good story with an intriguing background. Recommended as long as you read the first two first.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

A BLUE RIBBON MURDER by T.C. LaTempio

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Urban Tails Pet Shop Series

4****

Blurb: When the organizer of a major cat competition is murdered and the grand prize is stolen, Shell McMillan will have to claw through the clues to catch a killer . . .
The Kitty Club Cat Show has come to Fox Hollow, and everyone from casual cat lovers to competitive breeders has shown up for the contest. Pet shop owner Shell McMillan has two cats entered, and like everyone else she has her eye on the grand prize, a vibrant red leash with a solid gold cat-head figurine attached. As the judging begins, cat owners clash and the fur flies, until a power outage throws the whole arena into darkness. But when the lights come back up, the event’s organizer is found dead and the grand prize is missing. Shell knows the obvious suspect is the victim’s stepson, who’s up to his neck in gambling debts and would kill to get his hands on his inheritance. But there are plenty of disgruntled competitors to consider too, including some who had an old score to settle with the victim. Every clue is catnip for Shell, especially as she puzzles out whether the thief and the murderer are the same person. Either way, with two crimes to solve and a killer on the loose, she’ll have to tread carefully so that her dreams of Best in Show don’t end with Rest in Peace . . .

THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this story, but was a bit lost on some of the characters. I will note that I haven’t read the other books in the series so I was coming into this without that background. The mystery was well done without the background, but the relationships between the characters was a touch confusing. At first, I thought Shell and Gary were a couple. I mean, they live in the same house and work together. Then I find out that she has a boyfriend, Josh, and Gary is just her bff. They used to work together on a hit TV show but now work in a pet shop. And Shell has three cats who help them solve mysteries. In this one, there’s a cat show competition going on and Shell has entered two of her cats. There’s a $25,000.00 grand prize and a special secret prize from a noted artist. So of course, there’s a murder and a theft.

It was obvious to me from the start that the two things were connected, though not everyone in the story thought so. And there are a lot of suspects. Shell and Gary go to work trying to solve the mystery. Who killed the two women? Who stole the special prize?

I especially loved the ending with the cat helping to take down the perp. Nicely done.

Recommended, but like most series, I suggest starting with the first one in the series first so you know who’s who and what the relationships are.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Blurb: Joss Dane is not overly worried about her husband Sam going alone to London for the 1814 Peace Celebration until she gets a letter from his former commander telling him he must assassinate an innocent Quaker, an advocate for permanent peace. She rushes to the city to consult with Sam. Sam is staying at Dane House but cannot control his former captain or make sense of the minor official who wants to hire Sam to protect the Quaker. The suspicion that both Sam and the captain are having their strings pulled forces Sam to protect the innocent man on his own while looking for another target higher in public recognition.

Buy link

https://amzn.to/4av936A Amazon Barnes & Noble

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Bio: Barbara Jean Miller taught in the Master of Fine Arts, Writing Popular Fiction, graduate program at Seton Hill University from 1999 to 2024, when she joyfully retired. She writes in several genres but her favorite is historical romantic suspense where the heroine and hero share equally in the solution. Barb lives with her computer expert husband on a farm in western Pennsylvania with a pack of unruly dogs and a pride of contented cats who now have their own observation deck.

Find her at her newsletter site:

https://barbarajeanmiller.substack.com

Substack link

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LEGACY LIES LOYALTY by Darlene Fredette

Blurb: When loyalty is tested, and lies run deep, the legacy they inherit could cost them everything. Bound by a loved one’s promise, Jordan McKenzie is devoted to caring for the historic estate she calls home. But a string of mysterious accidents pulls her into a web of danger. When a hidden family connection surfaces, and an innocent kiss lands at the worst possible moment, she’s left questioning trust, devotion, and the people closest to her. Chef Logan Crane returns to Redford Falls, hoping to claim an inheritance that could make his dream restaurant a reality. Meeting Jordan changes everything, and her warmth becomes an anchor in the storm he never saw coming. As old wounds reopen and loyalties shift, he realizes she’s the one person he can’t imagine facing the truth without. With danger looming and long-buried secrets emerging, Jordan and Logan must decide what—and who—is worth fighting for.

#LegacyLiesLoyalty #RedfordFallsSeries #SmallTownRomance #ContemporaryRomance #RomanceMystery #RomanceSuspense

Buy Links:

Amazon

Author Bio: Darlene Fredette is a multi-published author of contemporary women’s fiction that celebrates resilience, romance, and the small-town magic woven into ordinary days. Step inside her world for heartfelt stories, character-driven moments, a touch of charm, wit, twists, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning the page. Residing on Canada’s scenic Atlantic Coast, where summers are too short and winters too long, she finds inspiration from family, nature, and the quiet moments that ignite the imagination, and enjoys life with her husband, daughter, and two oversized, loveable dogs.

Social Media

Website: http://www.darlenefredette.com/

Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenefredette1/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/darlenefredette.bsky.social

Note: A few years ago, I read this book under a different title (Finding Home Again). I loved it then, and it’s still a good read. Definitely recommended.

Blurb: How do you fight something that has the ability to turn into fog? It’s up to Jade Pike and her team to figure that out before an ultimate evil is released in the world.

Jade Pike is a paranormal bounty hunter for Scythe, a part of Other World Logistics (aka OWL). When her old training partner, Malachai, meets up with her on a job, she knows something is wrong. And when her twin brother and Mal’s cousin also show up, there’s no doubt trouble is brewing. Together, they must solve a 300-year-old mystery in order to keep an evil witch from becoming unstoppable. But it will take everything they have…and more to overcome their foes.

Buy links:

Amazon

Author Bio: It seems like I’ve been writing and editing forever. And, in a way, I have. But only professionally for the last twenty years or so. I’ve worked for newspapers and magazines, done policy and procedures manuals for organizations and the government, and worked as an editor for a variety of publishers and private clients doing everything from novels to college-level textbooks.

As a writer, I write fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and romance novels and novellas. At various times in my life, I have been a teacher, librarian, computer specialist, short-order cook, DJ and more. I’m married to the most supportive guy in the world and together we raised four great kids.

Social Links:

http://www.vicky-burkholder.com

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