Say You Love Me (Eva Rae Thomas Mystery #4) by Willow Rose

Say You Love Me

(Eva Rae Thomas Mystery #4)

by Willow Rose 

Kindle Edition, 418 pages

Published September 30th 2019 by BUOY MEDIA

Goodreads synopsis: 

Former FBI-profiler Eva Rae Thomas is back and embedded in a true nightmare reaching deep into her own family.

What would you do if your brother was accused of a horrible crime, and you were certain he didn’t do it?

Life is not done throwing Eva Rae Thomas curveballs.

A phone call turns her life upside down – once again. The call is from her father, the man she hasn’t seen in thirty-six years, not since he kidnapped her sister in a supermarket.

Now, he is back in Florida, and he needs her help. Her younger brother – who she didn’t know existed – has been arrested on Amelia Island. The boy is in a coma after being shot by an officer during the incident. But his father doesn’t believe the police, and he asks for Eva Rae’s help to prove it.

At the same time, a serial killer is planning one of the most horrific mass killings in history.

Will Eva Rae find it in her heart to help her father after what he did to her? Will facing him again set her free or pull her under?

***

5 stars

This is the fourth book in the Eva Rae Thomas mystery series by Willow Rose.

Eva Rae connected with her super star sister a few books back but now she is getting to know her real biological father. She also discovers she has a young brother, Adam, who recently went into a school and shot up the place. Apparently, Adam was not the normal type of child who would do such a thing. Soon, Eva Rae realize that there is a madman out to prove something to her and plans ever more horrific killings.

Wow, these books are sort of stressful to read.  You wonder if she is ever going to find out what is going on and then wonder if she will actually catch the guy behind it all. Such an amazing read.

Awesome book. Definitely check out this series.

Never Ever (Eva Rae Thomas Mystery #3) by Willow Rose

Never Ever

(Eva Rae Thomas Mystery #3)

by Willow Rose 

Kindle Edition, 357 pages

Published August 25th 2019 by Buoy Media

Goodreads synopsis: 

Former FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas returns in Willow Rose’s most hair-raising thriller yet.

Ex-agent Eva Rae Thomas is on the run. The past month she has done things she never knew she was capable of while hunting for her kidnapped daughter.

Eva Rae has risked everything,

-her career,

-her newfound love,

-her freedom.

She’s looking for the man they call the Iron Fist. The trail has led her to Miami.

Meanwhile, Miami is under attack. Hundreds of passengers in the Metrorail are exposed to a deathly nerve gas on a peaceful Monday morning. When Eva Rae Thomas sees her daughter on the surveillance footage from the attack, she knows it is no coincidence. But by the time she uncovers the chilling truth of how it is all connected, it might be too late.

***

5 stars

This is the third book in the Eva Rae Thomas mystery series by Willow Rose.

Another great follow-up story in the Eva Rae series. Eva Rae is out trying to find her daughter, Olivia, risking everything including her freedom to get her child back. Olivia was sold via the Dark Web to an unsavory character called the Iron Fist at the end of the last book.

The dual storylines always make sense at the end when you get to see why this story not featuring Eva is shown alongside the normal action by our main character. I love the way Willow Rose puts together her plots. They are very masterfully written. The characters are so complex they feel like you are reading about a real person and not a character in a book.

Awesome book. Definitely check out this series.

Murder on the Dance Floor (A Miss Underhay Mystery #4) by Helena Dixon

Murder on the Dance Floor

(A Miss Underhay Mystery #4)

by Helena Dixon

Kindle Edition, 267 pages

Published October 28th 2020 by Bookouture

Goodreads synopsis: 

Kitty Underhay’s dance card is full… of death.

November 1933. Amateur sleuth-cum-dutiful granddaughter Kitty Underhay stifles a sigh of boredom as she attends the annual Hoteliers' Association Dinner and Dance on behalf of her grandmother, the proprietress of the Dolphin Hotel. She hopes the company of ex-army captain Matthew Bryant will enliven the otherwise dull evening. That is, until bullish and overbearing local councillor Harold Everton drops dead into his bowl of consommé.

While the local police are still scrambling for their whistles, Kitty and Matt waste no time leaping into action. Soon they find themselves caught up a dangerous search to uncover who amongst the distinguished guests used cyanide for seasoning?

When their digging throws light on a corruption scandal brewing in the local council involving Everton’s assistant Thomas King, they are sure they’ve cracked the case. But before he can be questioned further, King’s body is found in a smouldering car wreck. Meanwhile, the murderer has made a sinister plan to avoid detection or punishment, and it will lead Kitty and Matt into a dangerous dance with death…

A fast, fun and utterly unputdownable Golden Age cozy murder mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T E Kinsey and Lee Strauss.

***

4.5 stars

This is the fourth book in the A Miss Underhay mystery series by Helena Dixon.

This book reads like it is set in the twentieth century. My meaning by that is that it is a very easy book to navigate and get through. Sometimes historicals set in this century are hard to muddle through. There are the normal 30’s aspects of the text that bring you into the setting that surprise you and make you read on.

Kitty Underhay and Captain Matt Bryant are drawn into a mystery while at a dinner party when the host is poisoned with cyanide. They leap to action and discover a controversy at the local level of government.

This is definitely a fun historical mystery to follow. I always enjoy seeing what Miss Underhay is up to today. 

If you love a good historical cozy mystery, definitely check this one out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Deadly Hunt (Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations #1) by Margaret Daley

Deadly Hunt

(Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations #1)

by Margaret Daley

Kindle Edition, 190 pages

Published March 28th 2014

Goodreads synopsis: 

From #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Margaret Daley comes a new romantic suspense Deadly Hunt

All bodyguard Tess Miller wants is a vacation. But when a wounded stranger stumbles into her isolated cabin in the Arizona mountains, Tess becomes his lifeline. When Shane Burkhart opens his eyes, all he can focus on is his guardian angel leaning over him. And in the days to come he will need a guardian angel while being hunted by someone who wants him dead.

Can be read as a standalone.

***

3 stars

This is the first book in the Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations series by Margaret Daley.

I thought this book was okay. The characters were good but the writing was sort of simplistic and it felt like this was written by someone inexperienced and green. I assume this is the author's first attempt at writing and will get better in future books.

I enjoyed the story as a whole but felt it was wrapped up too quickly and some tension and suspense were glossed over that would have made this a much better read overall.

Good bones but it needed work to make it really good.

What Not to Wear to a Graveyard (Resale Boutique #2.5) by Debra Sennefelder

What Not to Wear to a Graveyard

(Resale Boutique #2.5)

by Debra Sennefelder

Kindle Edition, 190 pages

Published March 28th 2014

Goodreads synopsis: 

After trading her Manhattan digs for her upstate hometown, fashionista Kelly Quinn has big plans for her grandmother’s consignment shop. But this All Hallow’s Eve someone is already dressed to kill . . .

 

A socialite’s missing dog has made front page news in Lucky Cove—complete with a hefty reward. But between renovating the consignment shop, planning her costume for a 1970s themed Halloween party, and scouting a location for a fashion shoot, Kelly doesn’t have time to search. Yet a visit to the local colonial-era cemetery—ideal for the moody atmosphere she’s after—soon turns up the precious pooch. Kelly’s looking forward to collecting the check—until she makes a gruesome discovery in an abandoned farmhouse: The dog’s owner, stabbed through the heart.

 

Kelly can’t help wondering why Constance Lane was traipsing around the farmhouse in stilettos. But as Kelly gets decked out in a vintage disco caftan, that isn’t the only fashion misstatement spooking her. Hidden in the dead woman’s past is a secret that could be the motive for the murder. And as the Halloween party gets started, even a menacing clown and a threatening bearded lady can’t keep Kelly from trick or treating for the truth—even if it means her last dance . . 

Can be read as a standalone.

***

3 stars

This is the 2.5 book in the Resale Boutique series by Debra Sennefelder.

I think this story had a lot of promise but the flow of the writing was not consistant. Plus the plot was too easily wrapped up. There were two sections I thought were perfect for a suspense scene but things were strangely wrapped up and moved on from. I can see now that this was a novella but I think the story really needed to be expanded on and made into a full blown book. The quick wrap up made it feel like the author hadn't edited the book and just wanted to move on to the next story. I totally hate that this is how I felt when I can see all the promise this story has. Please add some suspense in a few places, work on the writing flow and give us more details about the characters. I think it would add greatly to the reader's enjoyment of the story.

Good bones but it needed work to make it really good.

What You Did (Eva Rae Thomas Mystery #2) by Willow Rose

What You Did

(Eva Rae Thomas Mystery #2)

by Willow Rose

Kindle Edition, 276 pages

Published June 23rd 2019 by BUOY MEDIA

Goodreads synopsis: 

Former FBI-profiler Eva Rae Thomas faces the most personal case in her career, as bestselling author Willow Rose’s new hit-series continues.

Three girls disappear on prom night at the local high school. One of them is the prom queen.

FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas is chasing her long-lost sister when detective— and boyfriend — Matt Miller asks her to join the investigation of the three girls’ disappearance. They were last seen walking home together after the dance.

When the body of a young girl shows up in her backyard, Eva Rae knows she can no longer watch from the sidelines, and soon she realizes not only is she involved in this investigation, she’s also this killer’s target.

WHAT YOU DID is the second book in the Eva Rae Thomas Mystery Series and can be read as a standalone.

***

5 stars

This is the second book in the Eva Rae Thomas mystery series by Willow Rose.

This story moves forward in time focusing on three teens who go missing from Prom. At the same time, Eva Rae is looking into the disappearance of her sister years earlier. She is immediately thrust into the investigation when the body of one of the young girls is found in her back yard.

Definitely a real thrill ride. I loved how the two storylines mixed and mingled. This one has a mind blowing twist at the end that will have your jaw dropping in shock! Don’t miss this one for sure!

Don't Lie to Me (Eva Rae Thomas Mystery #1) by Willow Rose

Don't Lie to Me

(Eva Rae Thomas Mystery #1)

by Willow Rose 

Kindle Edition, 342 pages

Published April 15th 2019 by BUOY MEDIA

Goodreads synopsis: 

When twelve-year-old Sophie Williams went on a Girl Scout summer camp, she never returned home.

Three months later, her body is found inside her sleeping bag in the most frequented area of Cocoa Beach, and the town is outraged.

The girl isn't just any child. She's the town's most beloved surf idol, and it was believed that she could be the next Kelly Slater.

As another child, the son of a well-known senator is kidnapped, and the parents receive a disturbing video, FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas — who has just returned to her hometown, divorced and out of a job — plunges into the investigation, breaking her promise to her children not to do police work again.

Local law enforcement, with her old flame Matt Miller in charge, are the ones who ask for her help in a case so unsettling that only she can solve it. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier it becomes for Matt and Eva Rae. Soon, everyone she holds dear is in grave danger as this case hits a little too close to home.

DON’T LIE TO ME is the first book in the Eva Rae Thomas Mystery Series and can be read as a standalone.

***

5 stars

This is the first book in the Eva Rae Thomas mystery series by Willow Rose.

I am glad I started this series with book one since the story moves forward in time from book to book and this particular series makes more sense when you read it in order.

Eva Rae is a compelling main character. She is reeling from her husband who has left her for a younger woman and in charge of three young children. She gave up her FBI job in order to take care of her kids but as a popular profiler, her skills are in demand. The only problem is that her skills as a mom are lower than average.

She comes across a woman running in front of her car and is drawn into an investigation about an abducted girl, a popular surfer, alongside her old friend Matt Miller.

This book is excellent in so many ways! I looks so unassuming but definitely worth the read. PICK THIS ONE UP FOR SURE!

The Escape (US Marshals #1) by Lisa Harris

The Escape

(US Marshals #1)

by Lisa Harris

Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: November 3rd 2020by Fleming H. Revell Company 

(first published November 2020)

Goodreads synopsis: 

US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are thrust into a high-profile case when they are called on to transport two prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest.

When Madison and Jonas regain consciousness, they find both pilots and one prisoner dead--and one fugitive on the run. They'll have to negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry through Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado while tracking a murderer who is desperate to disappear--and will do anything to stop them.

This high-octane game of cat-and-mouse from bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris will have your heart pumping as you try to catch a fugitive with nothing to lose.

***

4.5 stars

This is the first book in the US Marshalls series by Lisa Harris.

This story features US Marshalls Madison James and Jonas Quinn. They have known each other from their early training days but haven’t interacted much with each other since. Madison is on the verge of moving away when called to transport two prisoners to their hearings. When the plane crashes, they are pitted against a clever killer who has a lot of associates he has conned to believe in his innocence. The chase is on!

I think my favorite parts of this were the ones with Madison and Jonas when they were vulnerable and asking God for His assistance in their circumstances.

This was a fun mystery to follow. The next book also features these two same characters. Can’t wait to see what unfolds next in THE CHASE coming in 2021!

If you love a good romantic suspense, Christian fiction, mystery, definitely check this one out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Puzzling Ink (Crossword Puzzle Mystery #1) by Becky Clark

Puzzling Ink

(Crossword Puzzle Mystery #1)

by Becky Clark

Kindle Edition, 227 pages

Expected publication: November 3rd 2020by Kensington Books

Goodreads synopsis: 

1 DOWN: DEATH BY HOMICIDE

Quinn Carr wishes her life could be more like a crossword puzzle: neat, orderly, and perfectly arranged. At least her passion for puzzles, flair for words—and mild case of OCD—have landed her a gig creating crosswords for the local paper. But if she ever hopes to move out of her parents’ house, she can’t give up her day job as a waitress. She needs the tips. But when a customer ends up dead at her table—face down in biscuits and gravy—Quinn needs to get a clue to find whodunit . . .

6 LETTERS, STARTS WITH “M”

It turns out that solving a murder is a lot harder than a creating a crossword. Quinn has plenty of suspects—up, down, and across. One of them is her boss, the owner of the diner who shares a culinary past with the victim. Two of them are ex-wives, her boss’s and the victim’s. A third complication is the Chief of Police who refuses to allow much investigation, preferring the pretense their town has no crime. To solve this mystery, Quinn has to think outside the boxes—before the killer gets the last word . . .

“FRESH, FAST, AND FURIOUSLY FUN . . . Becky Clark writes with wry wit, a keen eye, and no shortage of authority.”

—Brad Parks , Shamus Award-winning author (on Fiction Can Be Murder)

Includes original crossword puzzles!

***

4.5 stars

This is the first book in the Crossword Puzzle mystery by Becky Clark.

This was a fun and witty mystery that really kept my attention and pushed my pulse higher with each chapter. Great characterization and whodunit.

I have to admit I felt this was more a culinary/diner mystery than a crossword mystery. Yes, the crossword did play a part in forwarding the storyline but I didn’t see it as a significant factor. I thought it was a hoot to have Quinn’s mom and dad take over the diner when she needed to investigate some of the clues.

I thought it was weird that the man seen with the victim wasn’t looked into until near the end of the story.  And even though the failed date between Quinn and Rico went sideways, I think the romance between the detective and the amateur sleuth is always a good choice. I am hoping maybe she and the chief might find some common ground in future books.

This was a fun mystery to follow.

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Cold Conviction (Aspen Adams #3) by Daryl Wood Gerber

Cold Conviction

(Aspen Adams #3)

by Daryl Wood Gerber

Kindle Edition, 260 pages

Expected publication: October 27th 2020 by Beyond the Page

Goodreads synopsis: 

Agatha Award–winning author Daryl Wood Gerber returns with private investigator Aspen Adams taking on a cold case that has haunted her for years . . .

When her parents were murdered fourteen years ago, Aspen Adams coped as best she could as a college freshman and numbly moved on when the case was never solved. Living since then with almost daily reminders of how the tragedy shaped the lives of her and her sister, she’s always known that someday she would launch an investigation of her own. And now, with her sister in crisis, she draws on all her experience as a private investigator to untangle a case that left the police baffled and her family in ruins.

Interviewing the detectives who worked the case, scouring endless pages of their notes, and even tracking down the original suspects, Aspen discovers aspects of the crime and her parents’ lives she never knew about—and ignites a menacing series of events that threaten to engulf everyone near her. Certain she’s on the trail of the killer and unwilling to be deterred, Aspen faces down her own fears about what she’ll find in her search for answers—and justice—before a killer who scarred her life can resurface to wreak havoc on her family once again . . .

***

5 stars

This is the third book in the Aspen Adams series by Daryl Wood Gerber,

I am glad this book took on the uber monster in Aspen’s background that we all were wondering about… who killed her parents? I kind of missed seeing Candace and Nick in this book. They were there but not enough cameos for me. Those two really help make this series awesome! Aspen started off her investigation with Nick but he is quickly called away on first a family emergency and then later a case that cannot wait.

Her druggie sister asks Aspen to look into the mystery and she reveals that the gun in their mother’s hope chest is probably the murder weapon. This story is extremely personal and leads to an amazing conclusion that I am sure Aspen and us never saw coming!  There is also a great heartwarming aspect to the story you won’t want to miss so keep on reading all the way to the end!

I loved it so much! Great series worth digging into! I need to read more ASAP!

If you like police procedural/detective fiction, mystery, cozy or thriller, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Bending the Paw (Paw Enforcement #9) by Diane Kelly

Bending the Paw

(Paw Enforcement #9)

by Diane Kelly 

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: October 27th 2020 by St. Martin's Press

Goodreads synopsis: 

Make way for the long paw of the law as police officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner Brigit investigate a baffling new mystery in Bending the Paw, by Diane Kelly.

A MURDER WITHOUT A BODY IS LIKE A DOG WITHOUT A BONE

A bloodbath is a shocking new challenge for Megan and Brigit when Detective Audrey Jackson calls them to the scene of what could only be a brutal murder. But the one thing the nightmarish scene is missing is a victim. The frantic homeowner’s husband is gone, seemingly without a trace—and so is the money he was holding. Has a vicious killer committed what might just be the perfect crime?

Meanwhile, it’s hailing cats and dogs all over Fort Worth, and roofing contractors have descended on the city in droves. With plenty of damage and continuing storms, work delays are building up like so much runoff, but Megan is suspicious that one roofer may be a scam artist. Determined to leash every lawbreaker she and her K-9 partner find, Megan is building a case for prosecution, all while Brigit has her nose to the ground for a murderer…

***

5 stars

This is the ninth book in the Paw Enforcement series by Diane Kelly.

This book was greatly complex and so well written. I loved how this was easy to get into and I didn’t need a ton of backstory to understand all the characters. This is totally in the standalone category even though it is in a series. If you are looking to try out a book in a series, pick this one for sure!

We started off with what seemed to be a crime scene in a woman’s house with three sets of men’s footprints over the house. Megan’s K9 dog Brigit, can tell there is a difference in the blood samples left all over the floor but they don’t realize what this clue means until later. They only know that no one could lose that much blood and live.

We get a perspective of the killer after he leaves the scene of the “maybe” killing and watch him as he lives out the next month during Megan, Brigit and Det. Jackson’s investigations.

There is a secondary story featuring a con man trying to get residents to sign on to his roofing contracting business after a pretty bad hail storm hit the area. Megan does a lot of digging on this mystery and it is so fun to follow.

I loved it so much! Great series worth digging into! I need to read more ASAP!

If you like police procedural/detective fiction, mystery, cozy or thriller, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Rookie Instincts (Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City #1) by Carol Ericson

 

Rookie Instincts

(Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City #1)

by 

Carol Ericson

ebook, 256 pages

Expected publication: November 1st 2020 by Harlequin Intrigue

Two women dead…with the same ID?

Time to call the Tactical Crime Division.

New TCD team member Aria Calletti is determined to find out why women are turning up dead—especially since an infant was left at the most recent crime scene. Fortunately for the TCD’s newest operative, the baby’s uncle, Grayson Rhodes, has sacrificed everything to discover the truth following the disappearance of his half sister. But can a civilian-turned-undercover-dockworker and a brand-new agent take down a formidable drug kingpin?

***

4.5 stars.

Aria Called to is new to the Tactical division team but quickly makes a name for herself. Grayson Rhodes is undercover on the rocks trying to find into about his step sister. When his step sibling turns up dead, he works with Aria to uncover a killer.

This was a great read. I definitely loved the growing relationship between Aria and Grayson. This story really keeps you on your toes. What a roller coaster ride. Totally loving the Tactical Division series. One of my favs!

I received this as an ARC for an honest review from NetGalley. TY!

Curses Are for Cads by Tamara Berry, Eleanor Wilde mystery #3

 

Curses Are for Cads

Eleanor Wilde mystery #3

by 

Tamara Berry

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: October 27th 2020 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

***

4.5 stars

This was a unique mystery where the main character wasn't the traditional good girl. Eleanor Wilde is a charlatan who surprisingly does have psychic powers.. She goes to an island at the request of her boyfriend to uncover cursed gold.

This story was a fun read. Especially loved the character of Birdie, the uncooth psychic who ingratiates herself into the roose.

Loving this series so much. Love how mixed Eleanor's feeling are and how truly complex the mystery was. Almost felt like a historical cozy. Definitely a series I want to continue with.

I received this as an ARC for an honest review from NetGalley. TY!

High-Priority Asset (Hard Core Justice #3) by Juno Rushdan

 

High-Priority Asset

(Hard Core Justice #3)

by 

Juno Rushdan

Mass Market Paperback, 256 pages

Expected publication: October 27th 2020 by Harlequin Intrigue

To safeguard California's Witness Protection Program
recovering leaked information is the top priority.

The safety of every person in California’s Witness Protection Program rests in US marshal Dutch Haas’s capable hands. So inserting himself into Isabel Vargas’s life to get the drop on her criminal uncle is a no-brainer. Except his target is fiery and intelligent—and she quickly becomes his partner instead of his mark. With threats stacking up, will Isabel and Dutch be able to stop Isabel’s past from catching up with her before it is too late?

***

4.5 stars

This book felt like more than a normal romantic suspense piece. I could totally see this expanded into a successful movie. Dutch is a Marshall undercover and Isabel the niece of a drug kingpin. She thought her family was normal, yet overprotective. Little did she know how awful her brother and uncle really were. Dutch goes undercover to romance Isabel and give the marshalls their inside source. Then he has to go and develop feelings for her.I

This was a nail biter that I enjoyed all the way through. I wouldn't mind seeing Dutch as the lead of his own series. Definitely a character I would want to see again.

Great storyline and a wonderfully exciting read.

I received this as an ARC for an honest review from NetGalley. TY.

Fortune Favors the Grave (Tea and Tarot Cozy Mystery #2) by Kirsten Weiss

 

Fortune Favors the Grave

(Tea and Tarot Cozy Mystery #2)

by 

Kirsten Weiss

Kindle Edition, 181 pages

Independent Abigail Beanblossom finally has the tea room of her dreams, even if it is chock full of eccentric Tarot readers. But when her Tarot reading business partner, Hyperion Night, becomes embroiled in a rival’s murder, Abigail discovers that true partnership is about more than profit and loss.

***

4.5 stars

Hyperion is protesting tarot licensing and while he is chaining himself to a pole and shouting his position, a popular psychic is killed.

Lots going on in this story. The tarot licensing is keeping Amy's regular customers from the tea room, but the tarot themed tea blends were doing well. There is a vast distance between Abby and Brik in in this story.

Loving this series and I look forward to every chapter in this ongoing drama.