Tag: fiction

Review: A Death in the Flower Garden

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Series

4****

Blurb: It’s Independence Day weekend, and Maria Dolores, the descendant of Danger Cove’s first lighthouse keeper, is the new manager of the Lighthouse Farmers’ Market. While she may be a bit uncertain about her career change—trading financial planning for flower stalls and farm fresh produce—she’s still determined to get the market into shape and onto one of the region’s “best of” lists. From the very beginning, though, events conspire against her. Her mentor and attractive local farmer, Merle Curtis, fails to show up to introduce her to the vendors, the stalls are all in the wrong place, and an earthquake shakes up everyone in the market! In its aftermath, Maria realizes the flower vendor is more than shaken up… she’s dead. Maria suddenly finds herself embroiled in a small town mystery that’s got everyone on edge. Will it all lead to the end of Maria’s new career? Or worse yet… her life?

THOUGHTS: Danger Cove is aptly named as much as Cabot Cove is for Jessica Fletcher. Even though this is the 14th book in the series, it is the first one in the Farmer’s Market part of the series. So we are introduced to Maria Dolores as she takes over as manager of the farmers’ market in Danger Cove. And it’s the weekend of the 4th of July, so there is a lot going on—including murder x 2!

I love Maria Dolores and how she deals with Cary, who seems to be autistic (it’s never said, but the descriptions of his issues show that he is). And the curmudgeon woodworker. And the earthquake. And so many other things. I’m surprised her migraine wasn’t any worse than it was! But she deals with everything, including the potato farmer who hates her (he wanted the job) and just wants to cause problems for her.

I loved how the author put her own name in as the author doing a signing at the bookseller’s tent! That was a hoot. The mystery itself is well-done with clues placed here and there and lots of suspects. And a satisfying ending as she and Merle, the previous manager, get to finally enjoy some alone time together.

Recommended.

#GemmaHallidayPubblishing

Review: The Bleed-Through Effect

REVIEW: THE BLEED-THROUGH EFFECT by Amy DaSilva

Fiction, Science Fiction

4****

Blurb: Amidst a complex web of love, betrayal, and the quest for power, morality is tested, and two soulmates must face the consequences of choices they make across multiple lives.
Charlotte and Simon are ready to move on with their lives after dismantling the black-ops agency known as Quantym. But when Charlotte begins suffering from nightmares and disturbing visions, she fears events on the Periphery—her parallel life—are impacting her and she’s suffering consequences of the bleed-through effect. In a dual timeline between the main reality and the Periphery, Charlotte and Simon must confront the blurred lines between strength and weakness, love and loyalty, and their past and future. As they struggle to regain control over their lives, a catastrophic secret is revealed, a vengeful lover on a quest for power closes in, and Charlotte must figure out a way forward…even when the past refuses to let go.

THOUGHTS: This is the perfect sequel to the first book “Periphery”. Like the first one in the duology, this one involves Charlotte, Simon, and Jared—Charlotte’s dead husband. Or is he? The black ops company Quantym is not as defunct as Charlotte and Simon think it is and Jared and his father, Mitch, are after Charlotte in multiple universes because of her ability to understand and manipulate the multi-verses.

Like the first book, the characters are well-crafted and you find yourself hoping for a good outcome for Charlotte and Simon while wanting the demise of Jared and Mitch. There is a lot that goes on here and you have to pay attention to all the twists and turns or you’ll forget which one of the universes you’re in and what’s going on in each. Yes, it can be a challenging read, but the writing is so vivid that you’ll be engaged in the story. And there’s a satisfying ending that lets you know everything is going to be okay for Charlotte and Simon.

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”

Review: First Time’s a Yarn

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal (ghosts)

5*****

Blurb: Breezy Marston is almost 30 and doing her best to re-rail her derailed life plan. After losing the job she thought she would hold until she was old and decrepit, her best friend, Ammyleigh, throws out an idea for them to start their own business making homemade crochet items. As they are working on getting that off the ground, Breezy gets a phone call that she has to go pick up her youngest sibling, Oona, who is 15 and getting released early from juvie. Now, she is expected to be responsible for Oona in all areas of work, school, and home life. Then she also ends up with Juniper, Oona’s friend from juvie. More expectations. After they find Juniper’s ex-boyfriend and his older brother dead, Russian bad guys start chasing them, Breezy finds out she is some kind of “sleeper agent” for a government experiment, and, oh, she can talk with ghosts. Can she and her group figure out who killed the two boys before an angry Russian or ghost gets to her first?

THOUGHTS: I loved this story! I was expecting your standard cozy, but this is so much more. From the main character being part of a secret government experiment earlier in her life that lets her see ghosts, to the digital coding (and learning new words about it!) and the Russian mafia. She starts a business doing crochet and pulls in her best friend, juvie sister (Oona), sister’s friend (Jasmine), and the elderly Mary’s from the local church to help. Her brother is a cop and his partner is a hunk (of course). They find Jasmine’s boyfriend and his brother dead and the fun (not!) begins. There really is a lot going on in this story (loved the hidden basement!) and I can definitely see more books coming for Breezy and her “team”. This one has a satisfying ending with a surprise twist. Yes, it all may be a bit much for some people, but I really did enjoy this. And the crochet pattern at the end is a bonus. Definitely going to try that one.

Recommended.

Review: A Curse for Samhain

A CURSE FOR SAMHAIN by Dahlia Donovan

Fiction, Paranormal Cozy Mystery Romance

Blurb: Welcome to the Skeleton Crew. Bring your knitting needles and a good, strong brew. Gender fluid, autistic vampire Hyde Snodgrass runs Between the Leaves—a cosy village book store. Their life revolves around books, all things autumnal, and the two cats who rule their world. The shop also plays host to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew. When one of the leaders of the village coven fails to show up for the weekly knitting meeting, Hyde finds themselves investigating a horrific murder side by side with their long-term crush, Teresa Vega. Suspicion immediately falls on other members of their group. Hyde and Teresa struggle to find answers to the growing list of questions. It’s made all the more difficult when the killer has them in their sights. Can working together spark the romantic flame within them? Will they solve the mystery before death comes too close?

THOUGHTS: I absolutely loved the characters in this story. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was the ending. I felt a little let down by it. But…the characters! Thank you so much for making them who they are. Hyde is a youngish vampire who sometimes goes by she and sometimes by they; they are also autistic; and they own a bookstore in this amazing hamlet where paranormals who don’t fit elsewhere fit. Hyde’s girlfriend, Teresa, is a witch who owns a taco bus and has anxiety/panic attacks. Having two main characters like that, and having them live their lives as they are really touched me.

In this story, Hyde and Teresa are trying to figure out who killed another witch in town, broke into and trashed Teresa’s bus/home/taco business (all in one), poisoned Hyde, and more. We do find out who the murderer is but not necessarily who did all the rest. It’s a little fuzzy.

But even with fuzzy, I would highly recommend this book if only because of the characters and the setting. Nicely done.

Review: Return to Victoria Island

RETURN TO VICTORIA ISLAND by Karen Andover

Fiction, Romantic Suspense

4****

Blurb: When hardworking accountant Ava Morrison is passed over for her dream promotion, she is disappointed. But when her employer gives her two weeks to sign a high-value client or be fired, she is devastated. Victoria Island’s annual boat show seemed like a good place to recruit wealthy businesspeople. Someone is stealing from property developer Jack Rutledge and he needs the help of a discreet accountant. He asks Ava to audit his company books and in return he will introduce her to potential clients. But soon things turn dangerous. And the partnership becomes personal. Will it add up to love or a fatal miscalculation?

Thoughts: This was an entertaining story with a lot of angst and suspects. There was really good imagery, putting you on the beach, in the heat, in the parties with the rich people. The setting fit the plot in that it needed to be near the ocean for certain elements to work. The characters were unique and believable and the reasons for what was happening worked well too.

Ava has spent five years trying to build up her client list at the accounting firm where she works, but unless she can bring in big-name clients, she’ll be fired. I was mad enough at her boss to wish she’d just have walked out then and there, but that didn’t happen. She’s given two weeks to make it so she heads to her parents’ vacation condo on Victoria Island. Unfortunately, her “vacation” turns nasty when vandals continually harass her, both online and at the condo. She takes a temp job with the Rutledge firm to try to figure out who’s embezzling money. When she discovers the thief, things take a turn from bad to worse. It’s up to Ava and Jack to figure out who all the players are and why these things are happening.

The romance is nicely done – and this is a clean-cut story – no physical details at all. Which is fine for a change. There’s a HEA ending that satisfies, and hints at further stories on the island.

Recommended.

Review: Mele Kalikimaka Murder

MELE KALIKIMAKA MURDER by Aimee Gilchrist

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Aloha Lagoon Series

4****

Blurb: The only thing that Aloha Lagoon Resort manager Charlotte Conner hates more than her employees working on “island time” is Christmas. It isn’t just the over commercialized tripe, but it’s also the fact that once-upon-a-time her Christmas would-be wedding went up in spectacular flames. Now she has to share the hated Hawaiian holiday with her twin sister (the one responsible for Charlotte’s ruined vows), Alexander Cho (the one currently responsible for destroying Charlotte’s peace of mind and libido), and the body of one very dead assistant. Aloha Lagoon’s police department can’t find anyone else with a better motive for killing Charlotte’s assistant than Charlotte herself, so now it’s up to her, Alex, and her irritatingly ever-present twin to hunt down the real murderer before Charlotte spends her Christmas in a jail cell for a Mele Kalikimurder she didn’t commit. This is one holly-jolly holiday that just might end up deadly!

Thoughts: I enjoyed this book – and I hope there’s going to be a follow-up because I really want to know what happens with Charlie and Alex and Georgie and Martin.

Everything is chaotic at the resort the week before Christmas. There are luaus and parties and games and tons of guests and it’s up to Charlotte (Charlie) the manager to coordinate it all, which she does with lightning efficiency. But when her assistant ends up dead, things start to break down. Then her twin sister Georgie shows up and needs a job. And the assistant manager, Alex, becomes a problem for her emotionally. Charlie can’t afford to get attached. She can’t.
But she does.
As she and Alex and Georgie look into the woman’s death, they discover more than they bargained for. A lot more. Things are not all sunshine and sandy beaches on Kauai.

Definitely recommended.

A Contract Between Us

Doing something a bit different today. So pull up a chair, grab a favorite drink (green mint for me today) and let’s chat. I’d like to talk to you about reviews. Why I do them – or why I don’t.

As an author myself, I do reviews for other authors to help them out. This is not an easy career we have gotten ourselves into and I figure every little bit helps. And for some reason, review seem to be the way sellers decide where your book goes in their analytics. Plus, I love to read. And tell others about the books I read.

But, if you ask me to review a book for you, I see that as a sort of contract between us. Although you can’t force me to give a review, once I’ve accepted your book, I feel obligated to read it. That’s just who I am. But there are times… I’m reading one right now that I do not like. But I am slogging my way through it – mainly because it’s by a writer I have loved in the past. Had I read this one first, I would never have bought another by her. I had certain expectations when I picked it up and it is not living up to those expectations. In this past year, I have read almost 200 books. Of that 200, there were only two that I did not finish at all. One was sent to me as a paranormal fantasy – one of my favorite genres. When I opened the story, the first two pages were full of zombies and gore. If you read my “So You Want a Review” page, you will see the first thing I say is that I do not read horror. Or gore. Or zombies Or anything like that. Ever. I will not do it. And this person sent me his book anyway. His blurb (which I did read) lied about what was in the story. He lied to me about his story. And his name is now in my notebook to never read another book of his, to never recommend him, and to never help promote him. He broke his contract of expectations with me. I did not write his book up at all. The second one was a nonfiction book that was not well-written, had no citations for quotes, and no footnotes or endnotes for those citations along with other nonfiction issues. But understand this, reviewing is completely subjective. I may detest a book, but others may love it. What I will do is give those I enjoy as honest a review as I can. But as always, it is only one person’s opinion – mine.

Two books out of 200. Most of them I enjoyed. A few, like the current one, I slogged my way through, but I did finish them. A friend asked me why I kept reading if I didn’t care for the book. It goes back to that implied contract. I really do try to find something good in each book I read. I know how hard it is to write one, let alone get it published. And I will continue to promote authors (except that one guy!) when I am able. This is my contract with you, the author.

And coming up in the next few weeks, you will get a look at my favorite books for the year. So stay tuned for the Best of 2024 from me. And keep writing those 5 Sparkler books!