Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #583: Killer Vibes by Jack Friday

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

A wild and wickedly funny series debut, introducing readers to the irresistible and irrepressible private investigator, Peter Key.

"Peter Key is my new favorite amateur sleuth."—Elle Cosimano

Meet Peter Key: self-proclaimed “laziest private investigator in Texas” (it’s harder than it looks), full-time bisexual, dedicated stoner, and the surprised recipient of a windfall inheritance from an uncle he barely knew. Peter’s life was a mess before he became the owner of a dilapidated house in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Austin, but now he has a mountain of debt to deal with—and pushy realtors popping up on every corner to convince him to sell the land while the market is hot.

But Peter doesn’t like to be pushed around. And when he discovers a bag full of cash and a suggestion that his uncle's death might not have been an accident, he starts asking questions. When they said “Keep Austin Weird,” they weren’t joking. Just about everyone Peter meets seems to have a hidden agenda, and he soon finds himself pulled into a lethal game where not everybody plays by the rules. Fortunately for Peter, he’s never been a rule follower anyway.

Sexy, suspenseful, and packed with Austin’s quirks, Killer Vibes is the start of an iconic new series with a singular, unforgettable cast of characters.

Killer Vibes by Jack Friday is expected to be released July 14, 2026 from Minotaur Books. This is the first book in a new series.

Why am I waiting on this book? Peter sounds like an interesting character let alone a private investigator. I want to see how he handles things and what happens to him. And to be fair, the quote from Elle Cosimano makes it more desirable as well since I love her books.

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note about it in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Secrets and Stilettos by Gina LaManna

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"I tried to warn you," Cooper said, climbing down and helping me to my feet. "Can I get you a sweatshirt? Hot chocolate?"

"N-no," I said shivering. "Just find the murderer before these shoes kill me, will you? I don't want to be laid out at Franny's Funeral Parlor in handcuffs. My mother would die." (20% through on my Kindle)

Secrets and Stilettos by Gina LaManna was published on January 10th, 2020 by LaManna Books. It's book one in the Murder in Style series.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #292: The Bodies in the Library by Marty Wingate

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From Goodreads:

Hayley Burke's fresh start as the curator of The First Edition Society's library in Bath, England, is about to take a rotten turn in this charming new mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate. 

Hayley Burke has landed a dream job. She is the new curator of Lady Georgiana Fowling's First Edition library. The library is kept at Middlebank House, a lovely Georgian home in Bath, England. Hayley lives on the premises and works with the finicky Glynis Woolgar, Lady Fowling's former secretary.

Mrs. Woolgar does not like Hayley's ideas to modernize The First Edition Society and bring in fresh blood. And she is not even aware of the fact that Hayley does not know the first thing about the Golden Age of Mysteries. Hayley is faking it till she makes it, and one of her plans to breathe new life into the Society is actually taking flight--an Agatha Christie fan fiction writers group is paying dues to meet up at Middlebank House.

But when one of the group is found dead in the venerable stacks of the library, Hayley has to catch the killer to save the Society and her new job.

The Bodies in the Library is expected to be published October 8th, 2019 from Berkeley/Penguin Random House.

Why am I waiting on this one? I enjoy a good mystery. And I have a particular fondness for mysteries that are set in libraries and bookstores. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Review: The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian

I've read a lot of cozies, but this was the first one I've read with an alchemist and a gargoyle as protagonists.

Zoe Faust is an alchemist specializing in plants and herbs. She hasn't been practicing for a while, but now that she has transplanted to Portland, OR, she intends to remedy that. As she unpacks her crates, she comes to realize that she has picked up a stowaway - a living gargoyle! Dorian needs her help to fully understand what he is and to keep from reverting to stone. Together they plan to investigate the book he was born from until it's stolen.

Not only is Dorian's book stolen, but several others as well. And a murder occurs right on her doorstep. This isn't turning out to be the quiet life she envisioned her new digs to bring.

I enjoyed reading about the characters in the book. Zoe is a sympathetic character as is Dorian. I really wanted them to succeed in all they did. Dorian turns out to be an ace chef as well, catering to Zoe's vegan palate. A few recipes are included at the end of the book.

The mystery moves along at a good pace. The bits about the tunnels in Portland are interesting as is that the neighborhoods function like small towns.

One small drawback is the attention to detail about the food. It does mostly go to characterization, but I really didn't need to know each time Zoe consumed a green shake. On the other hand, Dorian is quite creative with his menus and after you read the author's note, it makes a little more sense why so much is included. Plus the cooking and reading that Dorian does help to characterize the dear fellow.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you like your cozies well-written with a touch of the paranormal and unique characters, then you should check out this series. I liked The Accidental Alchemist so much, I immediately downloaded the second book in the series as soon as I finished it.

The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian was published January 1st, 2015 by Midnight Ink. I read the Kindle version that I purchased myself.

Teaser Tuesday: Pecan Pies and Dead Guys by Angie Fox

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

Smoke curled from his nose. "I mean, if you're going to commit to a life of crime, doll, you ought to commit to doing it right." (18% on my Kindle)

That's Frankie the ghost talking to Verity who is very much among the living.

Pecan Pies and Dead Guys by Angie Fox is being released today, September 18th, 2018, from Moose Island Books. This is book seven in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Murder at the Mushroom Festival by Janet Finsilver

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

"Daniel, if someone wants to hurt me, there will always be opportunities, short of barricading myself in my room. I'm not going to do that. I'm also not going to take unnecessary chances. I won't wander off into the woods by myself." (61% through on my Kindle)

Murder at the Mushroom Festival by Janet Finsilver is the 4th book in the Kelly Jackson Mystery Series. It was released April 17th, 2018 from Lyrical Underground.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: Uneasy Prey by Annette Dashofy

In the sixth book in the Zoe Chambers series, an elderly woman appears to have fallen down a flight of stairs to her basement. On the way to the hospital, she recovers enough to whisper to Zoe that she was pushed. A pair of con men has been visiting older members of the community posing as utility workers and casing houses for future robberies. Are they responsible for her death?

When the robbers visit Zoe’s former landlady, she decides it’s a good idea to move back in short-term as protection. Police Chief Pete Adams, her boyfriend, is adamantly against this. Her decision ultimately places her in the path of danger, but it doesn’t stop her from trying to figure out who is responsible for the robberies and Oriole’s death.

For those of us who have older friends and family or perhaps are older ourselves, this mystery hits home. Anyone could fall for what those con men were doing.

Then there is the addition of a character – a pesky reporter type. Zoe finds she is suspicious of the woman and her motives. The chief just doesn’t really like her at first because of her pushiness.

The characters are interesting and varied. They range in age from adolescent to senior citizen. They all come across as real people. There is a little character development as they grow and react to things going on around them.

The plot moves along at a good speed. It flows smoothly, is complex, and is well written. There is a secondary mystery, but I don’t want to go into it because of spoilers.

This was my first Zoe Chambers mystery. You can read it as a stand-alone, but I found it whet my appetite for the earlier mysteries in the series. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The book is well-written. The characters come across as real people. And the mysteries are well done. There is enough background given to enjoy it even if it’s the first book you are reading in the series. I recommend it to people who enjoy cozies.

Uneasy Prey by Annette Dashofy is due to be released March 27th, 2018 from Henery Press.

Disclaimer: I received a  copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Review: Murder on the Rocks by Shawn Reilly Simmons

Penelope, Arlena, and Nadia are having breakfast outdoors at a local cafe when it's robbed. Just prior to the attack, Penelope noticed a man across the street watching the cafe, or them, or both. She wonders if he is part of the crew that robbed the place.

Not long after, Penelope, Arlena, and Nadia meet again on location in Vermont. Arlene is the star of the film. Nadia is a consultant. And Penelope is in charge of catering on site. Penelope seems to be developing PTSD since the robbery. And the people in charge of the film are making unusual requests of her – that the food be locally sourced and no plastics be used among other things. The goal, they say, is to lessen the carbon footprint of the film. An attack befalls Nadia. Penelope wonders if there is a connection to the events at the cafe.

Penelope's boyfriend, Joey, is a detective with the police. He is looking into the robbery. But, he is also suggesting to Penelope that they might be ready to take their relationship to the next level.

This is a good mystery. It's well-written. It grabbed my attention and held it. The characters are well drawn and interesting. The romance between Penelope and Joey is a minor plot, but it all flows together.

My only complaint is that the title of the book seems to have little to do with the plot. Otherwise, it is an excellent cozy mystery.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I liked it enough to look into other books in the series. It's written so that you could read it as a standalone, but if you like it you will want more of the characters. The incidental information about how a film set and catering service works is interesting. All in all, it's a good cozy read.

Murder on the Rocks by Shawn Reilly Simmons is expected to be published February 6, 2018 by Henery Press.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Henery Press via NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Teaser Tuesday: Murder on the Sugarland Express by Angie Fox

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

"I'm ready for bed, too," Stephanie announced, slipping past the lot of us. She wrapped both her arms around one of Beau's and leaned up, exposing her swan-like neck, her ruby lips hovering near his ear. "As long as I have some company," she purred.

Who did she think she was? Jessica Rabbit?

35% through on my Kindle

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: Southern Fried by Tonya Kappes

Southern Fried is the second book in the Kenni Lowry mystery series published by Henery Press. Kenni is a Sheriff in a small town. Her grandfather, and former Sheriff, has come back as a ghost to help her out in policing the town of Cottonwood, Kentucky. She has the help of her new deputy, Finn Vincent, as well.

When one of the local residents is found facedown in a greenhouse, Kenni and her deputy are called to the scene. The body has strange marks on its ankles that correspond to old electrical fencing. And he 's barefoot and his feet are clean. He didn't walk his ownself into that greenhouse. Someone deposited him there.

In spite of it being a small town, there are several suspects and motives to choose from. Finn seeks enlightenment at the local watering hole while Kenni attends a Euchre game where the gossip is hot. Small town investigating seems a little casual, but just right.

The characters in this mystery are interesting and quirky. There's the hard of hearing dispatcher, the feisty florist, and the devastatingly handsome new deputy from Chicago to name a few. Kenni's ghostly Poppa plays the role of a guide and co-investigator, but I think most of the investigation is done smartly by Kenni and Finn.

It has a good pace to it. And it has a good sense of humor. I love the attitude the town has about her dog. If people see him out and about, sometimes they just collect him in their car or truck and drop him back off at the sheriff's office. And there is an undercurrent of romance as Kenni fights her attraction to Finn.

It's a satisfying mystery. It has its twists. And there are surprises at the reveal.

Overall I give this mystery 4 out of  5 stars. If you like small town, southern mysteries,  you will enjoy this one. And to paraphrase Henery Press: if you have enjoyed one of the other mysteries put out by Henery Press, you will most likely enjoy this one as well.

Southern Fried is expected out April 4, 2017.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Teaser Tuesday: The Deep End by Julie Mulhern

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"When was the last time you saw her?"

"A week ago Tuesday. My husband and I had drinks with her and her husband, Roger." Polite drinks. Ignore the elephant drinks. We're-boinking-like-bunnies-and-you-don't-have-the-courage-to-do-anything-about-it-drinks.

~ p. 4 on my Kindle

The Deep End by Julie Mulhern is the first book in The Country Club Murders series. Ellison is being questioned by Detective Anarchy Jones in the teaser. After reading book 4 in the series last week, I wanted to go back and read the first book. It's pretty good. I enjoyed it. It is a humorous cozy set in the 1970s put out by Henery Press in February of 2015. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. 

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: Deader Homes and Gardens by Angie Fox

Verity Long and her ghostly companion Frankie are in desperate need of money for basics and to fix up the house. Verity takes on a case concerning one of the oldest homes in town - Rock Fall mansion. Frankie is a little disgruntled at first that she took on the job without consulting him. Then he is downright scared and refuses to enter the mansion

The mansion contains several ghosts. At least one of them may be violent. And the rumored, cursed, Egyptian treasure seems to have gone missing.

Will Verity be able to put the ghosts to rest before she  becomes the next victim to the curse? Will Frankie help her or just be a hindrance? Will Ellis Wydell, her love interest and deputy sheriff, be able to keep her out of trouble? Will they find the treasure?

Frankie has his stubborn moments, but generally gives Verity what she needs if not exactly what she wants. In order to solve the mystery of where the treasure is, she must get the ghosts to settle down. Unlike in the past, the ghosts seem to be reluctant to talk to her. The mystery itself is twofold - what happened to the family that was living there plus what happened to the treasure.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a good cozy, paranormal mystery. It's well paced. There is just a touch of romance. And the mystery itself has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.

Deader Homes and Gardens by Angie Fox is #4 in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery series. It became available October 11, 2016.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday #159: A Composition in Murder by Larissa Reinhart

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

The book I am waiting on this week is A Composition in Murder by Larissa Reinhart. it's #6 in the Cherry Tucker murder series.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

At Halo House, Cherry Tucker finds the tea deadly sweet…

With a new art teaching gig at Halo House—Halo, Georgia’s posh independent living home—and Halo society scrutinizing her family and her love life, Cherry Tucker needs to stay out of trouble. However, her sleuthing skills are sought out by Halo House’s most famous resident: Belvia Brakeman, the ninety-year-old, blind CEO and founder of Meemaw’s Tea. Belvia confides in Cherry that the family tea empire is in jeopardy. The CEO suspects her daughter, the COO, has been murdered and she might be next. Her offer is hard to refuse, but will have Cherry treading on Forks County Sheriff toes, namely her personal Deputy Heartache, Luke Harper.

Amid her town troubles, can Cherry put her reputation, romance, and life on the line for the final request of a sweet tea tycoon? While she juggles senior citizen shenanigans, small-town politics, and corporate family scandals, Cherry finds the sweet tea business cutthroat in more ways than one. 


Why am I waiting on this one? I love a good humorous cozy. This sounds like it will fit the bill. I've read a couple of the other Cherry Tucker mysteries and have enjoyed them. And southern, sweet tea and shenanigans? What's not to like? A Composition in Murder is due to be released November 15, 2016 from Henery Press.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by!

Review: Michelangelo's Ghost by Gigi Pandian

Expected publication:
October 4th,  2016 by Henery Press

Jaya is at it again. Not only are members of the general public reaching out to her regarding their treasures, but her former mentor, Lilith Vine, is as well. Lilith believes she has found a connection linking India and Italy art wise in the 16th century through some notebooks she obtained from a family in Italy. And as an added bonus, Lilith thinks there is a link between the artist in question and Michelangelo.

Jaya's interest is immediately captured by Lilith's revelations. Soon afterward, Lilith dies under shady circumstances. Jaya believes her death to be murder. This spurs Jaya on regarding the research necessary to prove Lilith was correct.

Meanwhile, Jaya's brother and his current girlfriend have been in town visiting Jaya. Her brother, Fish, decides that Jaya shouldn't travel to Italy alone. So, the three of them set off for the area of Bomarzo, Italy where the Park of the Monsters seems to hold clues to solving the mystery of just where is the studio of the artist in question. Will any of his works have survived? Just who or what is the ghost wailing in the rain? Who can Jaya trust as she investigates the connections?

Michelangelo's Ghost is a well written adventurous mystery. Jaya shows courage as she pursues her dreams, especially after some of the things that happened in the last installment, Quicksand, Some might argue that she is even a little reckless at times in her enthusiasm.

The plot is well paced and keeps you turning pages. Gigi Pandian does a good job of increasing the suspense the further you get into the book. I also enjoyed the afterward where she talks about the history behind the book and tells which things are pure fiction vs. fact.

Overall, I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. If  you like a suspenseful, adventurous mystery, then you will probably enjoy the Jaya Jones series. The books in the series get better and better. Michelangelo's Ghost is due out October 4, 2016 from Henery Press. This is book #4 in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday #118: A Muddied Murder by Wendy Tyson

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Due out March 29, 2016, A Muddied Murder is a promising start to a new series coming out by Wendy Tyson through Henery Press.

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

When Megan Sawyer gives up her big-city law career to care for her grandmother and run the family’s organic farm and café, she expects to find peace and tranquility in her scenic hometown of Winsome, Pennsylvania. Instead, her goat goes missing, rain muddies her fields, the town denies her business permits, and her family’s Colonial-era farm sucks up the remains of her savings.

Just when she thinks she’s reached the bottom of the rain barrel, Megan and the town’s hunky veterinarian discover the local zoning commissioner’s battered body in her barn. Now Megan is thrust into the middle of a murder investigation—and she’s the chief suspect. Can Megan dig through small-town secrets, local politics, and old grievances in time to find a killer before that killer strikes again? 

Why am I looking forward to this one? For starters, it's from Henery Press and I have yet to be disappointed with my reads from them. Secondly, a small town murder sounds appealing. I like the idea of her having to sift through town secrets to solve the mystery. I have to admit I am hoping there will be at least a tad of humor to it as well since it's coming from Henery Press. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share the title or a link in the comments so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Murder At Barclay Meadow by Wendy Sand Eckel

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can participate, just do the following:

• Grab your current read and open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and the author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

Expected publication: July 28th 2015
by Minotaur Books

Night had crept up the lawn, making shadows of the men as they worked. The lights on their vehicles bathed the house in manic red and blue flashes like a disco. 
- location 57 on my Kindle

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

Rosalie Hart’s world has been upended. After her husband confesses to an affair, she exiles herself to her late aunt’s farmhouse on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With its fields untended and the house itself in disrepair, Barclay Meadow couldn’t be more different than the tidy D.C. suburb she used to call home. Just when Rosalie feels convinced things couldn’t get any worse, she finds a body floating in her marsh grasses. When the sheriff declares the death an accident, she becomes suspicious. The dead girl, Megan, reminds her of her own daughter, and she feels a responsibility to find out the truth.

Rosalie confides her doubts to her friends in her creative writing class, and they ask to join her investigation, beginning the search in earnest. Meanwhile, Rosalie works on restoring Barclay Meadow to its former glory—with help from the rugged Tyler Wells, a farmer who once leased the land. When Rosalie discovers her aunt’s favorite bread recipe on a yellowed index card, she begins baking, and with her deep love for nourishing others rekindled, she starts to feel alive again. But as she zeroes in on the truth about what happened to Megan, she begins getting ominous threats. Determined to get justice for Megan and protect the new home she’s begun to build for herself, Rosalie races to catch the killer in this deftly plotted and heartwarming debut perfect for fans of Jessica Beck and Carolyn Hart.

So, it's a murder mystery, "a cozy debut." And I can tell you this much, the sheriff is not at all happy with her sleuthing ways. Much of the writing is like the teaser, at least so far. I'm about 40% through. Would you keep reading? Does this style suit you? 

And please drop a note in the comments and let us know about your teaser so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Review: With Vics You Get Eggroll by Diane Vallere

With Vics You Get Eggroll by Diane Vallere is #3 in the Mad for Mod series. It was released April 14, 2015 by Henery Press.

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:
Business as usual for mid-century modern interior decorator Madison Night involves a rundown ranch restoration and endorsing a set of retro paint colors. But when an investigation into a string of recent abductions turns up a murder vic, and evidence at the scene links the flirtatious Lt. Tex Allen to the crime, Madison’s priorities shift faster than she can say “Doris Day.”

Voluntary suspension keeps Tex off the case, and pesky reporters force him to live in his car. Madison’s own life is complicated by the return of her hunky handyman and her new demanding client. She immerses herself in routine, but suspects come out of the freshly-painted woodwork. When seemingly unrelated events lead back to the abductions, she exposes a secondary agenda, a copycat crime, and a vengeful plot to destroy someone she loves.

What's good about this book? The mystery itself is really good. It kept me guessing until the end. And as it says in the last paragraph of the synopsis, there is more to it than just a simple solution. The romance is good. It doesn't feel like a love triangle to me even though there are 2 love interests. She is drawn to both of them for different reasons. It becomes apparent as the book progresses which one she is being drawn to more. The guys don't really compete for her. There is also humor to the book.

The bad? There is just a little repetition about how Madison came to be in Dallas and what motivates her to keep her emotional walls up. I didn't need it repeated as much as it was, but it is a minor complaint.

Overall this is really a well written, engaging mystery. If you like Doris Day type characters, Madison Night is for you. And even if you don't like Doris Day all that much, I think you could still enjoy the mystery. 

I give it 4 out of 5 stars. 
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday #77 - Ripped from the Pages by Kate Carlisle

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Expected publication: June 2, 2015
 by NAL

This week the title I am waiting on belongs to a series I've just begun reading. It's #9 in the Bibliophile series featuring book restoration expert, Brooklyn Wainwright.

Synopsis from Goodreads.com: 

When book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright temporarily relocates to her parents’ place in Northern California, she finds that wooden barrels aren’t the only things buried in the wine caves of Sonoma….

Excited to explore the secrets of wine country, Brooklyn attends an excavation of the caves hidden deep under her parents’ commune—and the findings are explosive. A room is unearthed, and it contains a treasure trove of artwork, rare books, a chest of jewelry…and a perfectly mummified body.

A closer examination of the murdered man’s possessions reveals a valuable first edition of Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Hidden in the book is a secret map that unveils an even greater hoard of treasures brought to California by French winemakers fleeing the Nazi invasion with the commune leader’s grandfather, Anton, among them.

As reporters and art appraisers flock to Sonoma to see the precious bounty, questions begin to rise—did Anton hide these items to protect them, or did he steal them for himself? Who is the mysterious man left for dead inside the cave? But not all crime is buried in the past. When a new presence threatens the town’s peace, Brooklyn decides to do a little excavating of her own and solve the mystery of the treasure before anyone else is written off.

Why am I waiting on it? 

Well, books. It's a book about someone who loves books solving mystery and mayhem that includes among other things a first edition book. I'm hoping because it is book 9 in the series that it means that the rest of the series is worth reading as well. After all, if people weren't liking and buying this series, there would be no ninth book. So, yeah, books. =0) Also curious about the alternative lifestyle her parents have living in a commune. 

So, what book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out. And Happy Reading!

Review: Swan Dive by Kendel Lynn

Expected Publication is 3/17/15
 byHenery Press

Swan Dive by Kendel Lynn is the third book in the Elliot Lisbon mysteries. Elliot Lisbon has been learning how to be a Private Investigator. She is supposed to use her tools of the trade to find out who murdered the Sugar Plum fairy backstage at the first night of the performance of the Ballantyne's production of the Nutcracker. It's murder by cupcake and the curtain goes down on the dancer.

Elliot is the director of the Ballantyne and as such feels she needs to try to solve this  mystery before something else tragic occurs. As the mystery progresses, it's like nothing and no one is exactly quite what they seem to be or want to be. 

While this book is the third one in a series, it can be read as a standalone. Everything you need from clues to suspects to humor is included in the book. The protagonist, Elliot Lisbon, is a very human sleuth. She is a smart woman, but will sometimes still make mistakes about how much she should share with the police, especially Ransom, her handsome next door neighbor and one of the 2 men she is dating at the time of this book. The murder occurs early in the book which is a plus. You won't find yourself reading 40 pages of backstory here before the action begins. It's off to a strong start and the revelations come at a good pace. 

I give this book 4 stars. I would definitely buy it for someone as a gift. I think it would make a great Christmas gift because of the timing of the mystery, but would be enjoyable at any time of the year.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest  opinion.