Tag: New Series

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Otterly Irresistible-Book Review-Romantic Comedy-On Sale Now!

I am a gigantic fan of Boys of the Bayou. I’ve mentioned in several reviews of the original series how much the Landry family feels welcoming and how a story set in Autre feels like visiting home.

So, imagine how excited I was that there is a new spinoff series, Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild. The author cleverly hinted at the possibility in Four Weddings and a Swamp Boat Tour  by introducing grumpy Griffin, Mitch’s roommate, and Tori’s co-worker.

Side note: If you haven’t read any of these books, get started with My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding. Your enjoyment will be infinitely multiplied with the background on the Landry family that has been built over previous books.

About Griffin: he’s a grumpy bastard, pretty much by his own admission. He definitely prefers animals over humans. Honestly, who can blame him? Haven’t we all felt that way at one time?

What was hysterical to me is that the animals seem to return the favor – he is their favorite human. The otters adore him, the llamas respect him…and then there’s Sugar.

Sugar gets a special mention because she happens to be one of the funniest characters I have read in a long time. Her personality comes across clear and strong.

Charlie should also get a mention in here because the story is half hers. Just like the other women in the Landry family, she’s equal parts sass and strength, but with a vulnerability that makes her more appealing.

That’s another strength of the author. Her female characters are not perfect by any stretch. They’re not the shining ingenue who the reader loves to hate. Nowhere close.

Charlie, just like Tori, Maggie, Kennedy, and the other Landry women (either by blood or by marriage), is somebody I want to know. I want to be able to hang out with her, commiserating over lost jobs and obnoxious men, sharing Bayou gossip, and grilling her on the sexy times.

And oh, those sexy times. It’s a wonder Charlie and Griffin didn’t set the barn on fire. Yet another strength of the author – making me feel that pit in my stomach of a new love being explored in the most delicious ways.

I could go on and on about how many different things I liked about this book and highlight all of the parts that made me laugh, swoon, and even tear up.

But truly, you should just pick up the book and lose yourself in the Bayou. As I said earlier, this can be read as a standalone romance, but you’d be better to start with the first in the original series.

Do it for Gus, Al Pacacino, Bobby and Cindy, and (of course) for Sugar.

Treat yourself. You deserve it.

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The Girl from Silent Lake-Books On Tour (Review)-Crime Thriller-Available Now

There has been a spate of books lately, introductions to new series with strong female law enforcement protagonists who joined crime fighting due to some horrific event in their past.

Detective Kay Sharp fits squarely in that model. I don’t mean to reduce her story (because it’s a pretty good one), but the simple fact is that she is one of many on the market these days.

So, is there anything that sets her apart from the others?

Short answer: sort of.

You can read other reviews and blurbs for details. I’m repeating my mantra of “no spoilers” and “find the parts you like and are surprised by as you read.”

Buy Link: http://ow.ly/Rqfe50DwBBl

I thought the author did a fine job of illustrating the tensions that occur between local and federal law enforcement. Having experience with this, I am always interested to see how an author approaches it.

Historically (and again, in my experience) local law enforcement does not always appreciate federal law enforcement help…mainly because federal law enforcement comes in with a sense of superiority that they’re sometimes not worthy of.

In other words, the feds think they’re better than anyone else.

Because of this, I thought that Elliott’s initial distrust or wariness of Kay was warranted and well-done. And I liked how Kay kind of had to prove herself to win him over.

Her tenaciousness and feistiness, however, is also close to being her downfall as she bucks protocol and single-mindedly pursues leads without following the rules.

You can guess the results of that type of investigation.

I will also say that some readers may find the details of this particular perpetrator to be especially gruesome and disturbing. It’s important to recognize that there is an entire set of emotions that is triggered when the victims are women and (especially) children. So, be warned.

While Kay is one of a bunch of these types of characters, the plot is good, and most of the characters are developed enough to warrant continued reading. I look forward to seeing how things shape up as the series progresses.

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Author Bio:

Leslie Wolfe is a bestselling author whose novels break the mold of traditional thrillers. She creates unforgettable, brilliant, strong women heroes who deliver fast-paced, satisfying suspense, backed up by extensive background research in technology and psychology.

Leslie released the first novel, Executive, in October 2011. It was very well received, including inquiries from Hollywood. Since then, Leslie published numerous novels and enjoyed growing success and recognition in the marketplace. Among Leslie’s most notable works, The Watson Girl (2017) was recognized for offering a unique insight into the mind of a serial killer and a rarely seen first-person account of his actions, in a dramatic and intense procedural thriller.

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An Eye for an Eye-Blog Tour (Review)-Crime Thriller-Available Now

I am huge fan of Carol Wyer’s writing; you can read any of my reviews of the Natalie Ward series for proof of that (just go to the search bar on my blog and type in “Natalie Ward” – there are too many to link here).

So, of course, I was very excited to see that she is introducing a new series with this book. It marks the debut of Detective Kate Young. Right off the bat, I could tell that she would be another great character to get behind.

Ms. Wyer specializes in main characters who are strong, intelligent, and good at their jobs, but who have messy personal lives and the same character flaws that real people exhibit. That’s one of the strengths of her multiple series: she writes characters who are relatable.

In some ways, I think that Kate is one of her most complex yet.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2LdJpdV
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/35y4g2j

We know from the beginning that she experienced a traumatic event on the job, and the prologue sets up that there are several repercussions from that event.

What follows is an intricately plotted story in which Kate’s personal demons impact the investigation that she is called upon to undertake. Kate struggles but still knows she needs to do the job and do it well.

However, she soon realizes that there is more to both sides (personal and the investigation) and they actually may be intertwined. And that somebody may be manipulating both for their own personal reasons.

It was just sooooo good!

I liked the way that Ms. Wyer related the incident that affected Kate’s status in the department. The flashbacks throughout gave the reader the pieces of the puzzle but also illustrated Kate’s fragmented state of mind. It was very effective.

Likewise, I thought the investigation allowed for just enough guesswork to keep it interesting but still realistic and true to life. As it is a new series, there is the usual introduction of the main characters and laying groundwork for future books.

But it’s all very natural and doesn’t feel forced, as in “here’s another character and here’s their backstory.” That’s another strength of the author – the organic way that people are introduced, as if the reader is just dropped into a fully-realized world.

It was when the two paths crossed, and Kate put the pieces of the bigger puzzle together, that the author really showed her skill – it was truly woven together into a page-turning story.

Oh, and that title? Genius. You’ll know why when you read the book.

Honestly, it’s a helluva start to the new series and I cannot wait to follow Kate’s next case! Five stars, all the way.

About Carol Wyer:

USA Today bestselling author and winner of The People’s Book Prize Award, Carol Wyer writes feel-good comedies and gripping crime fiction. 

A move from humour to the ‘dark side’ in 2017, saw the introduction of popular DI Robyn Carter in LITTLE GIRL LOST and demonstrated that stand-up comedian Carol had found her true niche.

To date, her crime novels have sold over 750,000 copies and been translated for various overseas markets.

Carol has been interviewed on numerous radio shows discussing ”Irritable Male Syndrome’ and ‘Ageing Disgracefully’ and on BBC Breakfast television. She has had articles published in national magazines ‘Woman’s Weekly’, featured in ‘Take A Break’, ‘Choice’, ‘Yours’ and ‘Woman’s Own’ magazines and the Huffington Post.

She currently lives on a windy hill in rural Staffordshire with her husband Mr Grumpy… who is very, very grumpy.

When she is not plotting devious murders, she can be found performing her comedy routine, Smile While You Still Have Teeth.

Social Media Links

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First Girl Gone by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain – Books on Tour (Review)

This new crime thriller series is not your normal run-of-the-mill for one simple reason: its main character has a shall we call it…unique sidekick who also acts as her conscience.

Charlie always swore she would not return to Salem Island after her twin sister disappeared, tearing her family apart. But her uncle, a private investigator, is battling cancer, and Charlie is back to help out.

The story jumps off to a very quick start when Kara Dawkins goes missing. Charlie takes the case, but the investigation is off to a fairly slow start, with very few clues. Until another girl goes missing.

As Charlie tries to draw parallels and make connections, events happen that bring her past to the forefront, making the investigation even more challenging.

I’m not going to tell you anymore because that would be giving away the plot (which I don’t like to do). Suffice to say that it is well-plotted, well-written, drew me in, and kept my attention. That’s no easy feat these days.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3m81ebE Apple: https://apple.co/2NQmRh3
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2BNOBzU Google Play: https://bit.ly/2YEEhmW

Now, let’s talk characters.  

I really liked Charlie. She was human, with fears and foibles. Being back in her hometown, she meets up with a lot of ex-classmates, including Will who was an unrequited high school crush…or was he?

I also liked the interactions that Charlie had with pretty much everyone. As a private detective, she doesn’t have quite the authority of the police, which allowed her to be a little bit more relaxed in her investigation. I enjoyed that about her.

As for her Jiminy Cricket – her sister Allie is the one who keeps a running commentary in Charlie’s head. It was a super twist to a sidekick, and it allowed Charlie to have random thoughts and argue with herself (which we’ve all done).

She’s also the yin to Charlie’s yang, providing balance, levity, and a dose of tough love when Charlie needs to hear it the most. I loved their “conversations” and Allie’s monologues. They were a welcome aspect that gave a special twist to the story.

Just one more thing, though, and it’s totally nitpicky. A key character has the name Leroy Gibbs. Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m a huge “NCIS” fan. And, of course, the main character is Leroy Jethro Gibbs (better known as just “Gibbs.”)

Every time the character in the book was mentioned, I thought of the TV character – and they couldn’t have been more different. It was an unfortunate distraction. But as I said, that was for me. If you don’t watch the show, it won’t bother you one bit.

I truly enjoyed this book, and I hope there are more Charlotte Winters investigations to come.   

Author Bio:
L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain are the authors of the Violet Darger series and The Scattered and the Dead series among others, which have collectively tallied over a million downloads. Their book, Dead End Girl, peaked at #3 in the US Kindle charts and has remained in the top 10 in multiple sub-categories since it was published in 2017.  

Website: https://ltvargus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltvargusbooks/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ltvargus  
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One Left Alive by Helen Phifer – Books On Tour (Review)

It’s been a good year for new crime-solvers. This book is the first in the Detective Morgan Brookes series from Helen Phifer, who has a track record of writing feisty, smart female crime-fighters (see The Girls in the Lake for one example). This one is no exception.

We meet Morgan right away, as she is supposed to be on regular patrol. As a call comes in, she’s the first on the scene of death. Wrong place, right time? Because CID is short-handed, so Morgan makes the leap to the investigation squad. And there shortly is a lot more to investigate!

I really liked how the author rolled out the plot. I’ve commented several times on how first books in a series need to walk the fine line of too much backstory to provide a solid basis for going forward while still keeping the current events interesting.

The author succeeds with this, allowing the reader to get to know the other members of the squad through Morgan’s introduction to them. It’s effective and allows the plot to flow.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Helenphifer1 Twitter:      https://twitter.com/helenphifer1
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/helenphifer Website:     https://www.helenphifer.com

I also liked how the investigation progressed. It was interesting, a bit unique, and it kept me guessing. At 70%, I still hadn’t figured it out, and that’s unusual for me…usually I have at least some sort of idea. But this was well-plotted. As if I would tell you about the case….ha ha!

The only thing that stood out to me was that there were a few instances where Morgan acted out of character for a rookie. Her behavior would not be acceptable in most agencies, no matter how small. But I understand why the author chose them for plot points. It still jumped out (but I think only because of my connection to law enforcement).

All in all, it was a successful first outing, and I look forward to seeing how Morgan progresses.

AUTHOR BIO: Helen Phifer lives in a small town called Barrow-in-Furness with her husband and five children. Helen has always loved writing and reading. Her love of horror films and novels is legendary. Helen adores reading books which make the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Unable to find enough scary stories to read she decided to write her own. 

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Hidden Lake by Ruhi Choudhary – Books On Tour (Review)

My love for finding new mystery/crime series is well-known to anyone who has read this blog. It should come as no surprise, then, that I am happy to let you know I have found another one!

Detective Mackenzie Price has quite a family history. The book opens with an event that would be scarring to anyone. It is interesting, then, that Mackenzie chooses to go into law enforcement. But that is somewhat typical of many of these heroines: a pivotal event provides them motivation for future choices.

I thought that the author astutely tackled Mackenzie’s memories and the influence that the event had on her. The thoughts that plagued Mackenzie were woven naturally into the plot, which was effective.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0895Q93SRCover Apple: https://apple.co/36yGPoQ
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2X2Rlle Google: https://bit.ly/2XsJGM0

The case is fairly standard, but the author does a terrific job of not giving away everything all at once. The reader is able to put together the pieces as Mackenzie does, which is always more fun that knowing more than the characters (not that there is anything wrong with that style, but it’s always interesting to see how different authors approach policework).

Not only does the author drop hints about the case itself, there are also glimpses of potential relationship issues, both personal and work-related for “Mad Mack” (as her co-workers call her). Again, this is very effective because the author doesn’t give the reader a big exposition explanation, just little mentions here and there that hint there is more going on that we have yet to learn.

To say this was a page-turner is inadequate. I was definitely intrigued and drawn in by the style and the plot. This is quite a stellar debut, and I absolutely think that Mad Mack will be one to follow in future books.  

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RuhiSChoudhary

Author Bio:

Ruhi Choudhary discovered her passion for writing when she was seven years old and wrote her first Star Trek episode. Being a fan of the dark and twisted, she found her calling in crime thriller.

She likes to write stories that make you a little uncomfortable and characters that you struggle to make up your mind about but stay with you.

She lives in Toronto and spends her days training to be a scientist and wishing it rained more often!

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The Next Widow by C.J. Lyons – Books On Tour (Review)

I always love the excitement of a new series. I can’t wait to see how an author handles all of the details, from establishing backstories and relationships to addressing the plot at hand. If this book is any indication, the Jericho and Wright series promises to be quite thrilling, indeed.

The book kicks off strong with a gruesome trauma then careens into an even worse experience for Dr. Leah Wright and doesn’t let up for quite a bit. I liked how the author seemed to have no problem just jumping in and running with the story, as the first part was laced with tension and excitement.

There were just enough clues dropped that the reader was supposed to be kept off-balance. Are they legitimate or are they red herrings? I had my suspicions early on, but that’s only because of my background. Well, and the fact that I read A LOT of crime thriller and mysteries. I’m always looking for the alternative answers.

I’m not telling if I was right or not. Because that might give things away.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B087V762MFSocial Apple: https://apple.co/2SFxNkr
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2y7XbIx Google: https://bit.ly/2WhDqGe

I also thought it was interesting that the story sort of switched gears through the middle of the book. It became very “cat and mouse” as backstory was revealed, and possible motives came to the forefront. This worked somewhat, but also dragged in places.

The introduction of new “actors” was interesting though and set the stage for the last third of the book, which is when the author really hit a stride. It become much more “page turning” and interesting.

I’m not sure that all of the reasoning completely worked out. There were some things that didn’t ring true and felt forced. But overall, I liked where the plot ultimately ended up and was intrigued by the set-up for future stories.

I would definitely suggest giving this series a look and getting in at the very beginning. I have a feeling that the history of the two main characters will play a bigger role in books to come.

Author Bio

As a pediatric ER doctor, New York Times and USA Today Bestseller CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart.

CJ has been called a “master within the genre” (Pittsburgh Magazine) and her work has been praised as “breathtakingly fast-paced” and “riveting” (Publishers Weekly) with “characters with beating hearts and three dimensions” (Newsday).

Learn more about CJ’s Thrillers with Heart at www.CJLyons.net

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Books On Tour (Review): First Shot by John Ryder

One of three stunning thrillers I read this past week, this one had all of the expected action and then some! It’s a fantastic start to what looks like a new series. Get excited!

Grant Fletcher (our hero) has an intriguing backstory. He is a Royal Marine. While previously serving in Afghanistan, his life was saved by a US Marine, Don Ogilvie. When Don’s daughter goes missing, he calls Grant to help find her.

But it’s not all as simple as that.

In the course of following leads, Grant finds out that several girls have gone missing in a small, backwater town in Georgia, so the case becomes infinitely more complicated. He teams up with FBI Special Agent Zoey Quadrado, who is also investigating the missing girls. What follows is lots of page-turning action. And that’s all I’m going to say about the plot itself.

BUY LINK: https://geni.us/B085DXSTKLSocial

I liked Grant a lot. He was patient and astute but could kick some ass when necessary. He wasn’t a typical “fight his way through everything” action hero. He always thought through a problem. I liked his attitude and his demeanor when dealing with other characters. He actually reminded me a lot of Gibbs from the television show “NCIS.” Calm and measured most of the time, but don’t mess with him.

I was less taken with Zoey, although I did understand her character. Their initial meeting was less than ideal, and from that, I didn’t find her to be especially impartial. But they ended up having a relationship that has promise.

As to the town they were working in, holy moly was that a weird one. From odd characters (loved how Grant gave them nicknames to distinguish them) to a cult-like atmosphere, Daversville was a unique setting that gave angles and depth to what could have been a run-of-the-mill missper case.

I enjoyed this book overall, and I look forward to future thrillers featuring Grant Fletcher.

Author Bio

John Ryder is a former farmworker and joiner. He’s turned his hand to many skills to put food on the table and clothes on his back. A life-long bibliophile, he eventually summoned the courage to try writing himself, and his Grant Fletcher novels have drawn inspiration from authors such as Lee Child, Tom Cain, Zoe Sharp and Matt Hilton. When it comes to future novels, he says he has more ideas than time to write them.

When not writing, John enjoys spending time with his son, reading and socialising with friends. A fanatic supporter of his local football team, he can often be found shouting encouragement to men much younger and fitter than he is.

Author Social Media Links: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnRyderAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnRyder101
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Books On Tour (Review): The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey

Hands down, one of the most unique settings for a crime thriller that I have ever read, this book had me enthralled from beginning to end.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2zDKLbP Apple: https://apple.co/2AgcCic
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3c8HMWa Google: https://bit.ly/2THaEyb

I’m always excited to find a new crime series. Clara Jefferies is a detective to root for, not only because she is an intelligent investigator, but because she escaped a life that would have sent her in a completely different direction.

I thought the choice of a polygamist town was bold and fascinating. Making Elijah’s People a fundamentalist Mormon sect allowed the author to explore the nature of polygamy and all of the restrictions and rules that go along with it.

I found the perspective to be thought-provoking. On the one hand, there are aspects to that type of living that go against what is acceptable in society. On the other hand, there were times that they were quite sympathetic.

One such example is how the women and sister wives were left practically destitute when some of the men were arrested in previous years. It was a stark illustration not only of the rules they lived by but also how deep-rooted the beliefs were. Either the author has first-hand experience or did extensive research because the level of detail was incredible.

The author also did a great job of keeping the action moving even in times where not a lot was happening; the dialogue was crisp, and the interactions kept everything the investigation moving forward. I also thought that the chapters from Delilah’s point of view added to the mystery while also answering some questions.

I especially appreciated that the author kept me guessing until the very end. The clues weren’t exactly red herrings, but they were enough to keep me off-balance as to who the perpetrator was. Even beyond that, I liked how it ended. We have to wait for the next book to see what Clara’s final decision was, and I think that’s brilliant.

I look forward to reading Clara Jefferies’ investigations in many books to come!

Author Bio
A novelist and award-winning journalist, Kathryn Casey is the author of eleven highly acclaimed true crime books and the creator of the Sarah Armstrong mystery series. Library Journal picked THE KILLING STORM as one of the best mysteries of 2010. Her latest true crime, IN PLAIN SIGHT, investigates the Kaufman County prosecutor murders, a case that made worldwide headlines.

Casey has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, the Today Show, Good Morning America, the Biography Channel, Reelz, The Travel Network, Investigation Discovery, and many other venues. Ann Rule called Casey “one of the best in the true crime genre.”

Website: www.kathryncasey.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.casey.509
Twitter: @KathrynCasey
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Cover Reveal: An Eye for an Eye by Carol Wyer

If you love Natalie Ward, be sure to pre-order to check out this new series from Carol Wyer, featuring DI Kate Young!

Eye-catching, right?!? Here’s a blurb for more info.

AN EYE FOR AN EYE by Carol Wyer

A killer running rings around the police. A detective spiralling out of control.

DI Kate Young is on leave. She’s the force’s best detective, but her bosses know she’s under pressure, on medication and overcoming trauma. So after her bad judgement call leads to a narrowly averted public disaster, they’re sure all she needs is a rest.

But when Staffordshire Police summon her back to work on a murder case, it’s a harder, more suspicious Kate Young who returns. With a new ruthlessness, she sets about tracking down a clinical, calculating serial killer who is torturing victims and leaving clues to taunt the police.

Spurred on by her reporter husband, Young begins to suspect that the murderer might be closer than she ever imagined.As she works to uncover the truth, Young unravels a network of secrets and lies, with even those closest to her having something to hide.

But with her own competence—and her grip on reality—called into question, can she unmask the killer before they strike again?

Out February 4th 2021 but available to pre order now

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