ARC Reviews

Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts

27/04/2021

Letters to a Lover (Crime & Passion #2) by Mary Lancaster. Historical Romance / Mystery. Release & ARC Review.


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Will blackmail wreck their marriage? Or save it?

Welcome to Book 2 in the bestselling Crime & passion series by USA Today Bestselling Author Mary Lancaster.

When Azalea, the beautiful Viscountess Trench, receives a note threatening to expose her adulterous love letters unless she pays up, she faces even greater anxieties than most blackmail victims. Not only is her marriage a little too frail to withstand such revelations at this moment, but she can’t actually remember the adultery, let alone writing the letters.

In fact, there seems to be a great deal she can’t remember, which puts her at considerable disadvantage when facing down a blackmailer. In desperation, she turns to her sister Grizelda, recently returned from her honeymoon, to track down the culprit before her beloved husband finds out.

But Eric, Lord Trench, has grown tired of waiting patiently for his wife to come back to him. When he finds her in a bizarre assignation, he sees red, and demands that she gives him her trust and her love. If it is not already too late.

For worse dangers than scandal stalk Azalea and they will need to work fast if they are to save their marriage – and Azalea’s very life.

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Azalea,  Viscountess Trench suffered with "the baby blues" after the birth of her daughter.  That caused a rift between her and her husband.  Now she finds herself the victim of blackmail.  Did she do what the blackmailer says??  She can't remember, that is causing her to doubt her sanity. 
Eric,  Lord Trench loves his wife desperately, but they have drifted apart. He knows that something has changed and wants to fix it. 
This is a lovely historical romance that has a big mystery to solve.  Just how naughty has our heroine been in her "brain fog"??
Can our loving hero see past what might or might not have happened??? 
Really great fun,. This is the second book in this series but easily read on it's own.  I don't know if the rest of the series has the Tizlas involved,  if not I can see a possible series related to Griz and her husband's special talents being used by others.  
I loved every page and can't wait to read more.  


AMAZON.US * AMAZON.UK * AMAZON.ES



Mary Lancaster's first love was historical fiction. Since then she has grown to love coffee, chocolate, red wine and black and white films - simultaneously where possible. She hates housework.

As a direct consequence of the first love, she studied history at St. Andrews University, after which she worked variously as editorial assistant, researcher and librarian. Although she has always written stories for her own entertainment, she began to make serious efforts toward publication in order to distract herself from a job she disliked. She now writes full time at her seaside home in Scotland, which she shares with her husband and three children.

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * BookBub







26/03/2018

The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth, by Callie Hutton. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.


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From USA Today Bestselling Author Callie Hutton is a new captivating and suspenseful historical romance...

Recently widowed, Charlotte Pennyworth is relishing her independence and it rankles to have to rely on a man to help her with an increasingly sinister stalker. Former Yardman, Elliot Baker, is reluctant to take on Charlotte's case but despite himself and his history with another woman, he is drawn to the bright, attractive widow.

Sparks smolder between the PI and his client but neither is looking to form an attachment. Elliot thinks Charlotte is hiding something. Charlotte has no desire to marry again, especially to a private investigator, no matter how handsome, brave and kind he is. The risk to his life and her heart is too great. But more dangerous than a menacing stalker is secrets and when Charlotte's come to light, even the passion between them might not douse the flames of Elliot's distrust.

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Widowed Mrs Charlotte Pennyworth has been receiving strange gifts left on her doorstep. Some of them rather nasty. The police in Scotland Yard are extremely busy with the murders of several prostitutes in London, so advised her to hire an investigator. 
Our heroine has a secret she doesn't want uncovered,  but that can't have anything to do with what is happening.  Can it???
Mr Elliot Baker left his job with Scotland yard after he made an drastic error in judgement that caused another policeman to be injured. Now occasionally the police recommend him for investigations. 
Our hero has a very black and white view of the world.  Someone is either good or bad.  He knows his latest client is hiding something,  but he is only being paid to find who is stalking her.
A lovely mystery for us to solve.  There is no way to tell who our villain is until our author tells us.  The "gifts" get more strange as time goes on.  Police investigation in Victorian times was a rather hit and miss affair.  Find proof of guilt could be almost impossible. 
A fascinating story.  I enjoyed every page. 


AMAZON:US * AMAZON:UK * AMAZON:ES


Callie Hutton, USA Today bestselling author writes both Western Historical and Regency romance with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). 

Callie lives in Oklahoma with several rescue dogs, two adult children, a daughter-in-law, twin grandsons and her top cheerleader husband (although thankfully not all in the same home!). Living in the Midwest provides plenty of opportunities for Callie do pursue her interests: researching history, meeting readers, spending time with her adorable two year old twin grandsons, and discovering new adventures.

Callie loves to hear from readers and welcomes the opportunity to become friends, both in person or virtually. Find her online:




26/01/2018

Scone Cold Killer (All Day Breakfast Cafรฉ Mystery, #1) by Lena Gregory. Cozy Mystery Release & ARC Review. & Giveaway.


Scone Cold Killer
by Lena Gregory
Series: All Day Breakfast Cafรฉ Mystery, #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Release Date: January 23, 2018



For Florida diner owner Gia Morelli, there’s no such thing as too much breakfast—unless it kills you . . .

When Gia Morelli’s marriage falls apart, she knows it’s time to get out of New York. Her husband was a scam artist who swindled half the millionaires in town, and she doesn’t want to be there when they decide to take revenge. On the spur of the moment, she follows her best friend to a small town in Central Florida, where she braves snakes, bears, and giant spiders to open a cheery little diner called the All-Day Breakfast Cafรฉ. Owning a restaurant has been her lifelong dream, but it turns into a nightmare the morning she opens her dumpster and finds her ex-husband crammed inside. As the suspect du jour, Gia will have to scramble fast to prove her innocence before a killer orders another cup of murder . . .


Gia nodded as she held the door for Savannah to reenter the shop, then hurried through after her. “I want to make sure everything is perfect for tomorrow. I’ll probably do a lot of the prep tonight.”

“So we should swing by the shelter on the way to the house.”

“Shelter?” The glass-domed cake dishes lining the counter distracted her from whatever Savannah was going on about. They’d be perfect to display quiche and breakfast pies, a variety of muffins, and scones. A row of stools allowed for counter seating, which would give her room for an extra ten or twelve customers. She started counting the stools.

“Yeah. Can you believe they just shut down a pet store last week? The animal shelter is overloaded with puppies.”


Her concentration faltered, and she lost count. “Puppies?”

“Yeah.” Savannah grinned.

“You’re getting a puppy?”

“No, you are.”

“Why in the world would I do that?” The thought of a pet was appealing. She’d never had one before, not even as a kid, and the company would be nice, but she’d probably choose something less…intense. Like a fish, or maybe a parakeet.

“For protection.”

Hmm… She hadn’t thought of that. Her ex had left some very angry former clients in his wake, some of whom had pounded on her apartment door and others who had gone into the deli where she worked looking for her on more than one occasion.  But surely they wouldn’t find her over a thousand miles away. And, hopefully, whoever had sent the death threats wouldn’t follow through on his promise to hunt her down. Okay…a dog might not be a totally bad idea. “I doubt any of Bradley’s…” The name left a sour taste in her mouth. “Victims would follow me to Florida.”

“Well, you never know. And you’ll be living out at the edge of the forest alone, so you’ll get a dog, because it’ll make me feel better.” She grabbed her bright orange canvas bag from the counter, fished out her car keys, and opened the front door. “Besides, a dog will warn you if there’re any bears around.”

Wait. What! “Bears?”

“Coming?” she tossed over her shoulder with an innocent smile as she walked out.

“Hey,” Gia called, running after her. “You’re kidding about the bears, right?”

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Divorcรฉ  Gia  Morelli is trying to start a new life away from the victims of her ex-husband's crimes.  He conned a lot of people out of a lot of money,  and some people refuse to believe she is innocent. 
The first day in her new business starts well but ends with a body in the garbage. 
Detective Hunter Quinn is a good honest cop and will do all he can to protect his cousin's friend.  Unfortunately she is not making it easy. 
Our heroine has brought her troubles all the way from New York to Florida.  Can she hope to make a good life in her new home?
A very entertaining murder / mystery with great characters.  It was impossible to guess who the villain was until we are told.  Just the way I like it. 
Really good fun.



Coming June 19
Pre-Order Now!
Book 2: Murder Made to Order


Lena lives in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island with her husband and three children.

When she was growing up, she spent many lazy afternoons on the beach, in the yard, anywhere she could find to curl up with a good book. She loves reading as much now as she did then, but she now enjoys the added pleasure of creating her own stories.







29/06/2017

The Binding (A Lamb & Lavagnino Mystery) by E.Z.Rinsky. Mystery/Detective Release Tour




 


Title: The Binding: A Lamb and Lavagnino Mystery
Author: E.Z. Rinsky
Release Date: July 4, 2017
Publisher: Witness Impulse
Genre: Mystery/Detective

Fans of Marisha Pessl and Christopher Moore will be captivated by the twists and turns of E.Z. Rinsky’s second chilling noir mystery

 When a US Senator offers to have private investigator Frank Lamb's criminal record wiped clean in return for retrieving a set of old books, he jumps at the opportunity. In the five years since his last paying job he’s been an international fugitive, separated from his daughter Sadie. He's willing to do anything to return to normal life. 

But once Frank and his old partner, Courtney Lavagnino, get to work, it becomes clear that the job is far more treacherous than they'd assumed. The books were written in prison by Oliver Vicks, a self-proclaimed prophet with a trail of grisly murders behind him. Frank and Courtney are soon piecing together a horrifying puzzle, devised by a prisoner who seems more god than man. 

In this riveting novel, Frank and Courtney find themselves mired in a tangle of desperation, cult-like fervor, and deception that will lead them to uncover an evil of biblical proportions.








E.Z. Rinsky has worked as a statistics professor, copywriter and--for one misguided year--a street musician. He currently lives in Tel Aviv. More at ezrinsky.com








Monday, June 26
Book featured at Books, Dreams, Life
Book featured at CBY Book Club

Tuesday, June 27
Book reviewed at A Fold in the Spine
Book featured at Mello and June

Wednesday, June 28
Book featured at Just Us Book Blog
Interviewed at Yah Gotta Read This
Book featured at EskieMama Reads & Dragon Lady Reads

Thursday, June 29
Book reviewed at Warrior Woman Winmill

Friday, June 30
Book featured at Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm

Saturday, July 1
Book reviewed at I'm Shelf-ish
Book reviewed at SimpliRead

Sunday, July 2
Book reviewed at Bibliophile Ramblings

Monday, July 3
Book reviewed at Doing Some Reading
Book featured at Book Reviews and More

Tuesday, July 4
Book featured at A Title Wave

Wednesday, July 5
Book featured at Authors and Readers Book Corner
Book reviewed at Turning Another Page

Thursday, July 6
Book featured at Voodoo Princess

Friday, July 7
Book featured at The Dark Phantom


11/05/2017

Secret Lives and Private Eyes, by Heather Weidner. Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Release & ARC Review

 


Title: Secret Lives and Private Eyes
Author: Heather Weidner
Release Date: May 2016
Publisher: Koehler Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense




Business has been slow for Private Investigator Delanie Fitzgerald, but her luck seems to change when a tell-all author hires her to find rock star Johnny Velvet. Could the singer—whose career purportedly ended in a fiery crash almost thirty years ago—still be alive?

As if sifting through dead ends in a cold case isn’t bad enough, Delanie is hired by loud-mouth strip club owner Chaz Wellington Smith, III, to uncover information about the mayor’s secret life. When the mayor is murdered, Chaz becomes the key suspect, and Delanie must clear his name. She also has to figure out why a landscaper keeps popping up in her other investigation. Can the private investigator find the connection between the two cases before another murder—possibly her own—takes place?

Secret Lives and Private Eyes is a fast-paced mystery that will appeal to readers who like a strong, female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of difficult, and sometimes humorous, situations.



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Delanie Fitzgerald is a private eye.  These new cases will be a nice change from cheating husbands.  She has a strip club owner with quite a few problems to solve,  and research for a biography of a dead rock star.  
Our heroine and her business partner are very good at their jobs,  even when the danger starts.  
The characters are a lot of fun.  A really good mystery to solve and plenty of action to keep us interested.  I look forward to following our heroine on some more adventures.  
I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

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Heather Weidner’s short stories appear in Virginia is for Mysteries, Virginia is for Mysteries Volume II, and 50 Shades of Cabernet. Currently, she is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime Central Virginia, Guppies, Lethal Ladies Write, and James River Writers. Secret Lives and Private Eyes is her debut novel. 

 Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers. 

 Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.

Visit her at http://www.heatherweidner.com or on social media at: