Blurb: Paradise is shaken when the body of a young woman is dragged onto a university research vessel during a class outing in Hilo Bay. Cleo Cooper is shaken when she finds her favorite student is on the hook for the murder. Danger lurks on land and sea as Cleo and her friends are enticed to search for the true killer. In between paddling, swimming, and arguing with her boyfriend, Cleo discovers all is not what it seems on the Big Island of Hawaii. Will she find the truth before she becomes the next victim? If you love exotic danger entwined with romance check
out Evil Alice and the Borzoi!

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About the Author: DK Coutant graduated from Davidson College with a Psychology degree, and initially applied her behavioral training to animals at Sea World, working with dolphins and whales. After a couple of years, she realized that scrubbing fish buckets might get old, and went back to Graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology, specializing in Cross-Cultural Issues. She began her academic career in Maine. A few years later, she made the jump to Hawaii and worked at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, rising to Department Chair of the Psychology Department. After many happy years in Hawaii,  her love for travel led her to make the move out of academics. She accepted positions as a professional geopolitical forecaster with GJ, Inc and Rand Forecasting Initiative. She splits her time between Olympia, WA and Santa Fe, NM, with her husband and an Old English Sheepdog, Beasley. Evil Alice and Borzoi was released by the Wild Rose Press in 2023, and the second in the Cleo Cooper Mysteries, Elegance and Evil is planned for release in 2025.

DK Coutant; https://www.dkcoutant.com/

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: Winter has wrapped the Wisconsin Northwoods in a bitter chill, and Emmy Cooper’s family lake cottage resort, Cooper’s Cove, is no exception. But it’s someone from Emmy’s past who’s about to bring the real frostbite! A stormy mix-up at a local hotel reroutes an unwanted group of guests to Cooper’s Cove Resort, including Emmy’s former boss and the reason Emmy slunk home with her tail between her legs, Gwenda Caperwell. As if being face-to-face with an old grudge wasn’t bad enough, a fierce blizzard picks that moment to strike, leaving Emmy snowed in with her least favorite person on earth. But things go from bad to downright chilling when Gwenda suddenly turns up dead—colder than the January air—and Emmy’s snowed in with a corpse. With the roads impassable and the safety of the other guests at stake, the local law enforcement had no choice but to rely on Emmy and her parents to help solve the mystery and catch the real killer, much to the dismay of Emmy’s love interest, Officer Dean Erickson. But it quickly becomes clear that plenty of the other guests snowed in at Cooper’s Cove had a reason to want the Gwenda dead. Battling through drifts of secrets and lies, Emmy must navigate the frosty web of suspicion to uncover the murderer—before the next victim is iced!

Thoughts: This is the third in a series, but you don’t need to have read the first two to know what is going on. The author lets you in on who’s who and their background with a deft hand. The story has great imagery. Set in Wisconsin during a blizzard, her descriptions actually made me shiver and want a mug of hot chocolate!

Emmy runs a lodge with her parents, has great friends, and a cop boyfriend. The lodge is booked for the week with people coming in for a skiing competition and an ice fishing event. Unfortunately, her ex-boss and workers as well as others she knows from her past. Unfortunately, a blizzard traps them all at the lodge. When Gwenda (her ex-boss and the queen of mean) literally falls dead at Emmy’s feet, the entire family comes together to help solve who killed the woman. In addition, they have to provide unexpected meals, entertainment, and comfort to the guests – even Emmy’s old high school nemesis.

While they survive the blizzard, nasty guests, and solve the murder, there are a couple strings left dangling (lightly) so you know there is more to come (yay!). I loved that Emmy is a bit of a klutz. And the introduction of Mr. Cat was fun.

Definitely recommended! I can’t wait for the rest.

Most mothers-to-be spend their pregnancy leafing through baby names and shopping for nursery furniture. Minka Avery spends hers trying to hunt down a murderer on the open seas. Minka’s promotion to Orlando PD’s homicide department has some bumps at first, including her growing baby bump. Just as she and her partner begin to hit their stride, Logan Baris’s suspicious death baffles them. The investigation leads the detectives to believe he had a hand in a shady operation, but the cruise ship worker’s troubles seem to voyage into the ocean blues with him. After they meet up with some dead ends on land, Minka convinces her partner and his wife to join her and her husband to embark on a covert investigation on the ship. Will they be able to uncover whatever scheme is underway on the vessel? Or will the choppy waves of personal drama make it run ashore?

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About the Author: Karina Bartow hails from Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. Her works include Husband in Hiding, Forgetting My Way Back to You, Brother of Interest, Wrong Line, Right Connection, Accidental Allies and Undercover Babymoon. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!

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Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: An impending divorce. A hot homicide detective. And spontaneous time travel.
Midlife in Glimmerspell is proving to be magical. If I thought the first half of my life was a bumpy ride, I’d better buckle up because I’m about to go over the hill and off the rails. After catching my husband in bed with another woman, I gave him the heave-ho, put our house on the market, and moved away to an enchanting little town for a brand new start. What I didn’t count on was the fact that enchanting little town might just be—enchanted. Glimmerspell is rumored to be home to vampires, werewolves, and fae, but those are just simply gimmicks to lure tourists to their snowy little town—aren’t they? Nevertheless, I’ve got a job at the Haunted Book Barn where my niece films her infamous video blog—Murder, Mayhem, and Baking. She’s somehow wrangled me into helping out with whipping up the sweet treats, and in the middle of filming an episode a hot flash strikes and I’m transported to another time, place, and another day entirely. Midlife in Glimmerspell can be a real killer. 

Thoughts: Wow, does Billie ever have issues! She moves herself and her daughter Harper to Glimmerspell to get away from her cheating ex-to-be. And immediately gets decked by a huge hourglass filled with sparkly sand, then is accosted by a dead body. And sees her ghostly dead niece. And then gets hit with hot flashes that move her around in time. Billie is not having a good day. 

But the incredibly handsome detective who is looking into the murdered body is also looking at her in a rather interesting way. And so is the equally handsome sheriff. What a time for her to swear off men. 

There are all sorts of shenanigans going on in Glimmerspell. And this is just the beginning for Billie.

Recommended.

MEDAL FOR MURDER by Leslie Langtry

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Humor, #34 in series

4****

Blurb: It’s not news that the Iowa towns of Bladdersly (Home of the Raging Bladders) and Who’s There (the Fighting Who-rish) are rivals and have been for more than a century. And as everybody knows—the best way to deal with a rivalry is to exploit it! So Who’s There’s youngest mayor creates The WhoBla Olympics to settle things once and for all! Everyone is going to compete, including ex-CIA agent turned Girl Scout leader Merry Wrath Ferguson and her troop. The events are a bit strange, with Extreme Hide & Seek and Dodge Archery, but all’s fair in the spirit of competition, right? Sure, there’s a little cheating and sabotage going on, but it’s nothing…until a body turns up with Merry’s arrow in its chest. And what could go wrong when you have two police departments taking the spirit of competition too far in seeing who will solve the crime first? Will Merry and her teammate, Hilly, medal in Dodge Archery? Will the event heal the rift between these two towns? Can Merry solve the crime before Chief Magnum of the Bladdersly PD locks her up? Get your nachos and take your seat in the stands to see who comes out on top…and who is going down!

Thoughts: The crazy teen mayor of Who’s There, Iowa, and her cronies are up to their usual hijinx once again. In this case, they’re holding Olympics style contests—though who would want to compete in Dodge Archery (think dodge ball, but with bows and arrows), or hide-and-seek that turns deadly? While Merry attempts to keep a lid on the shenanigans (and the cheating), she’ll also need to figure out who killed the mayor of Bladdersly before their sheriff throws her in the clink.

These books are a hoot to read. A mayor who’s only fourteen? An ex-CIA agent who’s in charge of the Girl Scouts? A pal of the mayor who is as bloodthirsty—and sly—as they can get? Four hamsters who are actual deputies? Raccoons who bake? There is so much going on in these stories—most of it definitely in the “unbelievable” realm of thought. But they’re full of ridiculous fun. So if you want to just shake your head and laugh…

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”

MARY CHRISTMAS by Hanna Park

Fiction, Holiday Romance

3***

Blurb: I saw her through the melee of holiday shoppers, decked out in an ugly Christmas sweater with an elf hat atop her strawberry curls. Her emerald eyes sparkled. Her smile dazzled. Mary Christmas, the girl who stole my boyish heart and years later sent the man packing. I vowed there and then to rekindle the fire in her heart.

I could have married Christopher Northbrook. When he popped the question, I hadn’t said no—I didn’t say yes. Like my father and grandfather, I was charged with keeping the Christmas secret safe. Leaving Forest Falls was out of the question. So, I watched the love of my life walk away. Now he’s back, a handsome widower with twin boys in tow. Fa La La La La. In Forest Falls, second chances come wrapped in holiday magic!

Thoughts: This was a cute, magical Christmas story. The story itself is told in first person from the POV of both Christopher and Mary. Fortunately, the author kept them in separate chapters so there’s no confusion. The characters were well done, and there is beautiful imagery. Although promoted as steamy, there is very little of this until the end. Yes, there is attraction and tension, but they are not sexual in nature.

Mary is a character who has a secret—actually several secrets. One of which is that Santa and his reindeer are real and she hosts them in her barn. And keeps the secrets of the Fey to herself. Her magic helps keep the Christmas spirit alive. And she has to convince Christopher that it is all real. It’s much easier to convince his little boys.

What I had an issue with was that this would have worked better as a much longer story. Sometimes, the brevity made it hard to follow what was going on. Still, this was a quick read and a good holiday story.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: 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”

FIRE AND IRON by Andrew Grey

Fiction, Gay Contemporary Romance, Level 4+ heat

4****

Blurb: Gregory Montrose and Fillian O’Connell grew up next door with a tall fence separating their families. Fillian, now a state trooper, grew up with plenty of love and little else, looking over the fence at the neighbor’s pool he never got to swim in.  His family barely made ends meet and he worked hard for everything he has.  Including making it to the police academy and graduating at the top of his class, and landing a posting in the Carlisle area. Electrician, Gregory had everything growing up, at least on the surface, but it was for appearances.  He looked over the fence at the family who did everything together, and listened to his parents fighting most nights.  His parents made sure he had all the advantages money could buy, but little else. A domestic disturbance call reunites them with Fillian talking down a deranged assailant.  Both men have changed, and yet they are so very different.  Fillian has the life he’s always wanted and Gregory is struggling to raise his niece and nephew.   Attraction is a  surprise for both of them and as heat builds between them, family disasters threaten to either blow them apart or forge them stronger, like steel.

Thoughts: This is the final book in this series – and I’ve enjoyed each one. First, they take place in a town I know well, so it’s nice to read about roads and places I’ve heard of. And if any of the readers are interested, all they have to do is look at a map of Carlisle and they’ll know too. It really puts you into the setting.

As for the characters, I didn’t really care for Gregory at first, but he grew on me, especially once I understood his background a little more. He and Fillian were neighbors growing up, but they came from two very different worlds—which they discover as their romance deepens. The romance works well, but the instant heat seemed a bit much. Still, like all of the author’s books, he makes them work. The touch of mystery in the story was nicely done—though I knew who the perp was from the outset. Still, it added a level of suspense to the story.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) 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: Melody is fostering her niece while her sister, Captain Opal Erickson, is deployed to Kuwait. A chance meeting at work with Clayton, a construction manager, awakens feelings of the love and romance. Everything is perfect until Opal reveals a family truth and swears Melody to secrecy. To honor her sisterly pledge, Mel attempts to reject any advances from Clayton, until he guesses the truth. Torn between loyalty to Opal and love for Clayton, she pours herself into work, making a mess of everything. When the dust settles, Mel is left wondering if she’ll be able to put the pieces of her life back together.

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About the Author: I am thrilled to be back writing and eagerly anticipating the release of Chance Meeting on January 8, 2025 and I’d Rather Kiss You Goodnight to be released in 2025 or early 2026. These novels culminate my passion for storytelling, and I can’t wait to share them with you.
Eighteen years ago, while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I published several short stories and a novel with The Wild Rose Press. Then, I took a brief hiatus that lasted thirteen years., traveling the United States in a 40’ 5th wheel camper with my husband. This journey, from the Midwest to the West Coast to the East Coast, has inspired my writing. Now, we’re settled in North Carolina, living the dream in a stick and brick dwelling (apartment). And I am back to doing what I love-spinning tales that captivate and inspire. 

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