Cozy Mystery Review: Third Time's a Crime (A Love Or Money Mystery #3) by Diana Orgain

Book Details:

Series: A Love or Money Mystery (Book 3)

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: January 3, 2017

ISBN-10: 0425271706
ISBN-13: 978-0425271704

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About the Book:

POOL YOUR RESOURCES...

After two hit reality TV shows brought ex-detective Georgia Thornton into America’s living rooms, audiences can’t get enough of her quest for love and justice. Now producers have come up with an all-new show set in a haunted castle in Golden, California. Georgia and nine other contestants will need to solve the mystery of a young woman who disappeared at the castle in 1960.

Except there’s one rather substantial problem waiting for everyone when they arrive: a groundskeeper is found drowned at the bottom of the castle’s empty pool. Now Georgia and the other contestants will need to work together, because there’s a different sort of game afoot—and it’s not one they can afford to lose...

My Review:

Georgia and Scott are now part of a new show set in a haunted California castle. All the contestants will be trying to solve the 1960 disappearance of a young woman. As the production begins and each person is sent out on a quest, the body of the groundskeeper is found dead in the empty pool. Between the squabbling of the contestants, the red herrings, and the intentional misguiding, something foul is afoot. The contestants and the crew must work together to figure out who among them is involved before another life is lost.

I'll be honest, Third Time's a Crime is not my favorite of the three. There was too much drama between Georgia and Scott, especially since this appears to be the final book in the series. The mystery itself was fine. I enjoyed trying to figure out exactly what was going on and how the death of the girl from 1960 tied into the death of the groundskeeper. The author certainly did a good job rounding all of that out.

The author presents a solid mystery with solid characters. While this is book 3 of a series, a reader could hop into the series with this book and not be completely lost. I do, however, recommend beginning the series with book 1. It's too bad there isn't a 4th book.

Review copy courtesy of my local library's interlibrary loan program.

#Romance Review ~ Her Royal Protector (Johari Crown, Book #1) by Alexandra Sellers @EntangledPub

Print Length: 156 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence (May 27, 2014)
Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Sold by: Macmillan
Language: English
ASIN: B00K48BOF8
Amazon

Aly Percy is her family's ugly duckling, and she's never been allowed to forget it. So she knows better than to imagine that Cup Companion Arif al Najimi's blue gaze holds anything but contempt for her as a woman, or ever will. But if he's offering to show her just how wild one night with him can be, wouldn't she be a fool to turn down his charity? She may never get another offer like this one.
Arif al Najimi isn't sure why he's dreaming about the little scientist who's so determined to take crazy risks for the sake of her research into the endangered turtles of his country. But as luck would have it, he's going to get the chance to do a little research of his own…into the question of why Aly believes her own negative publicity about how desirable she is—and how hard it will be to convince her of the truth.



Her Royal Protector is a cute romance complete with an exotic locale, a royal hero, a heroine with low self-esteem, and a little bit of suspense. Olivia Percy is a scientist working on a thesis that requires the monitoring and evaluation of the Johari turtle. Their conservation numbers are low and her research may help deduce the reason for the decline. After making a complete fool of herself at the fundraising dinner, all Aly wants to do is get to her boat and get to the turtles. When her research companions can no longer join her, her first instinct is to stop the research then she decides to do it all alone, in waters she knows nothing about. When Cup Companion Arif al Najimi demands she move her research equipment to his yacht and not proceed on this trek alone, at first Aly declines. When Arif al Najimi indicates she will not be allowed to go without him, and indicates there may be an accident with her boat, she relents.

Their relationship gets off to a weird start. Aly is attracted to him but judges him as harsh and too good looking for someone like her. Let's just say her rotten father tanked her self-esteem to the point of annoyance in her character's inability to look beyond a mirror. As they work together, both Aly and Arif have developed some off-the-wall conspiracies about one another. Their attraction really is cute, though. Once they get beyond the no trust issues, Aly and Arif soften and then their chemistry really rocks the boat.

There is a bit of suspense and drama that add to the story. I wish the turtle research would have been expanded on a bit more. I felt Aly and Arif's over-dramatic thoughts about each other became an exhausting main focal point. I did like their bantering, it make their interactions a bit more interesting. Aly confronting her father's unfair treatment of her (unfortunately not directly with her father, though) helped improve her opinion of herself, as did Arif's assurances. 

Her Royal Protector is a cute romance that doesn't take much time to read.

I was provided a copy of this books to read a long time ago and I apologize that I'm just now getting to the book.

Urban Fantasy/New Adult Book Review ~ A Stream of Darkness by Avery Kilpatrick @avekilpatrick ~ Crymsen Crescent, Book One

A reformed killer, a dragon agent, and a lone shifter must work together to investigate four abductions…

A Stream of Darkness
Crymsen Crescent
Book One
Avery Kilpatrick

Genre: Urban Fantasy, New Adult with a dash of romance

Publisher: Avery Kilpatrick

Date of Publication: July 31, 2020

ISBN: B08DQRLCNC

ASIN: 9798645700447

Word Count: 62,358

Amazon

Cover Artist: Warren Design

About the Book:

I've always had a close relationship with death.

Six years ago, I was the Renegade, the Wolf of Eden, terrorizing the streets of a small town in Mississippi. Now, after a plea deal that saved my life, I work for the police as a consultant and unofficial cop.

Obsidian Moon, the Underworlder police agency, isn't doing anything about the disappearances of four college women. It falls to my shoulders while I'm stressing over my college assignments and the new transfer who thinks testing my control is a great pasttime.

Then there's him. The mystery shifter who danced with me at a club and reminds me of home. And he seems to be more than just a random stranger who walked up to an ex-murderer and danced rather than fight.

But I have bigger concerns than two sexy men on my tail as a stream of darkness hangs over Paradise Grove.

The opening of a new series, A Stream of Darkness, will have you guessing at every turn and turning the pages to learn more.



Where do I start with this review?! How about with A Stream of Darkness was amazing! I had very high hopes for the book and I was not disappointed. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. I started this book and could not put it down. Drawn into the mystery, I was as perplexed as Luce was as she dug deep into the case of missing women. When an evil presents itself, Luce finds herself going up against a rogue organization thought to be using ancient rituals to cause havoc.

Amid the danger and mystery the author weaves in a dragon pulling Luce's pigtails and a mysterious stranger Luce is uncharacteristically drawn to at a club where her friend Izzy works. The potential love triangle was subtle and perfectly crafted through the book. The chemistry between Luce and her men is evident and much stronger with one than the other. The relationships the author created are quick yet realistic. Like Luce, I also fell hard for one of the book boyfriends and am happy with how everything turns out.

The author created wonderful characters, well-developed, and likable. Her world building was descriptive and vivid, allowing me to visualize the story. I enjoyed getting to know these new characters, the new supernatural realm the author created, and follow the adventures of Luce, Izzy, Ari, Casimir, and the rest of the cast of characters. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Cozy Mystery Review ~ The Ghost and Mrs. McClure (Haunted Bookshop Mystery #1) by Alice Kimberly @BerkleyMystery

Print Length: 276 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 3, 2004
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B001QWDRV0

Amazon

Penelope Thornton-McClure manages a Rhode Island bookshop rumored to be haunted. When a bestselling author drops dead signing books, the first clue of foul play comes from the store's full-time ghost-a PI murdered on the very spot more than fifty years ago.

Is he a figment of Pen's overactive imagination? Or is the likable, fedora-wearing specter the only hope Pen has to solve the crime?

The Ghost and Mrs. McClure is the first book in the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries by Alice Kimberly, a pseudonym for Cleo Coyle (a husband-wife writing team). Penelope Thornton-McClure is running bookshop with rumors of being haunted. When, during a popular author’s books signing, said author falls over dead, foul play is suspected. When the resident ghost, a former PI murdered in the bookshop, presents himself to Penelope, he informs her that the death of the author was definitely suspicious.

Pen is picking up the pieces of the shattered lives of herself and her son after the suicide of her husband. She’s in a constant battle with her deceased husband’s family on how and where to raise Spencer, her son. They continually infer that she is not the one who should be raising their son’s child. Add in the murder of a popular author in her bookshop and her in-laws jump right on the tragedy. If that wasn’t bad enough, Penelope is now hearing and seeing the ghost of Jack Shepard, a PI who was murdered in that same space way back in the 40’s. If I were Penelope, I’d be losing my mind.

Pen, however, takes her in-laws, the murder, and her resident ghost in stride, as best she can anyway. Spencer is a strong child. His father is dead, his grandparents are continually trying to entice him to come live with them, and now his mother is dealing with a murder in her shop. I love his relationship with his mother and how he refuses to be persuaded against her by his grandparents. The author does a great job writing Jack as a true character from the 40’s, from lingo to clothing choices. He and Penelope get along well and I enjoyed their interactions. This is a great start to a new series, and I look forward to reading the next book.

I obtained a copy of this book to read from my library’s interlibrary loan program.

Cozy Mystery Review ~ A Just Clause (Booktown Mystery, Book #11) by Lorna Barrett @BerkleyMystery

Print Length: 313 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B01MA58VW8

Amazon

Tricia Miles, mystery bookstore owner and amateur sleuth, is in for a surprise when her ne’er-do-well father, John, comes to town—and promptly becomes a prime suspect in the murder of a woman with her own scandalous past. Even Tricia’s faith in the old man is shaken when the Stoneham police break the news that her father is a known con man who has done jail time.

But what about bestselling thriller author Steven Richardson? Is it a coincidence that he arrived for a book signing just before the crime or that the victim was found with a signed copy of his latest bestseller?

From merlot to murder, Tricia is determined to clear the family name before another body shows up and ruins Stoneham’s first—and highly anticipated—wine and jazz festival.

A Just Clause is my first experience with Lorna Barrett's Booktown Mystery series. I found Tricia to be a great heroine and amateur sleuth. She is reunited with her father after he skipped town earlier in the year, only to quickly have him accused of murder. During the investigation, Tricia and her sister Angelica also discover their father is not who they thought he was. John is a man with scandalous past including being a con man and serving jail time. To add more into the mix, a best selling author comes to town just prior to the murder. To top it off, the murder victim is found clutching a copy of the author's must recent release.

The author created a wonderful town with wonderful characters. While I'm new to Stoneham, the author, even in the 11th book, made the characters and town seem like the reader has always know them. I felt like I was inside the story, partnering up with Tricia as she worked hard to clear her father's name. The murder was interesting and had several viable suspects.

I enjoyed the book and will be going back and starting from the beginning.

Cozy Mystery Review ~ From Beer to Eternity (Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery #1) by Sherry Harris @SHarrisAuthor @KensingtonBooks

Print Length: 241 pages
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication Date: July 28, 2020
ASIN: B07ZPKTWCZ
Amazon

A whip smart librarian’s fresh start comes with a tart twist in this perfect cocktail of murder and mystery—with a romance chaser.

MURDER ON TAP

With Chicago winters in the rearview mirror, Chloe Jackson is making good on a promise: help her late friend’s grandmother run the Sea Glass Saloon in the Florida Panhandle. To Chloe’s surprise, feisty Vivi Slidell isn’t the frail retiree Chloe expects. Nor is Emerald Cove. It’s less a sleepy fishing village than a panhandle hotspot overrun with land developers and tourists. But it’s a Sea Glass regular who’s mysteriously crossed the cranky Vivi. When their bitter argument comes to a head and he’s found dead behind the bar, guess who’s the number one suspect?

In trying to clear Vivi’s name, Chloe discovers the old woman isn’t the only one in Emerald Cove with secrets. Under the laidback attitude, sparkling white beaches, and small town ways something terrible is brewing. And the sure way a killer can keep those secrets bottled up is to finish off one murder with a double shot: aimed at Chloe and Vivi.

From Beer to Eternity is the first book in a new series by Sherry Harris. As a lover of all things Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries, there was no way I was missing out on the first book in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. I was not disappointed at all. Chloe Jackson is everything I need in a cozy mystery heroine. She is likable (always important), realistic, imperfect - but the perfect person for this series, a little clueless, fiercely protective, and someone I would love to be my best friend. The story is not, however, all grins and giggles as Chloe tries to find out who murdered a long-time resident of Emerald Cove.

From Beer to Eternity is probably the most heart-wrenching cozy mystery I've ever read. The reason Chloe finds herself in Florida helping Vivi run the Sea Glass Saloon causes an emotional reaction in me that I never have happen with cozy mysteries - I cried. The author is such a wonderful writer and I love her ability to instill true emotional reactions in her readers, and not just shock, awe, and humor. This book has a theme threaded through it a lot of people have, are, or will work through at some point in their lives. Realism - that's where it's at for me in any book.

Chloe is actually in Florida under false pretenses. No one knows why she's staying in Florida while having an enjoyable career as a librarian in Illinois. When she finds the local resident dead behind the Sea Glass Saloon, Chloe knows she really can't go back home now until she tries to clear the police's number 1 suspect - Vivi Slidell. As a newbie to the town, Chloe stands out so sleuthing doesn't work as well for her as she would like.

Book 1 is a great start to a new series. I love the introduction of an assortment of secondary characters. Chloe considers several of the characters to be suspects, giving the reader several viable murderers. Her process of elimination leads to a twist I didn't see coming. The story is original and I was able to visualize the entire story as each scene played out. A fantastic story, a potential love interest, some tears, and a capable and competent main character make this 5 stars for me. The author has another hit on her hands!

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

#Romance Review ~ Fearless (Moto Grand Prix, Book #1) by Katie Golding ~ @KatieGolding_Tx @SourcebooksCasa

Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: July 28, 2020
ASIN: B085FTKRBX
Amazon

He's got one last chance
To make things right

Billy King may be smiling under his black Stetson, but the plain truth is this cowboy-turned-racer is hurting: for his horse back in Memphis, for his girl with one boot out the door, and for his faltering career thanks to an injury that's not getting any better. The moment he's free from the press circuit, Billy bolts home—resolved to heal, and ready to win Taryn's heart a second time.

Hopefully, before the love of his life is gone for good.

Taryn Ledell never wanted to fall for sweet blue eyes and a deep southern drawl. As a World Superbike racer, she had plans, and none of them involved playing second fiddle to any man. But now he's back, and she's forced to make some hard choices. With her sponsors eager for a decision, Taryn finds herself tangled in all the lines they've drawn in the sand. But broken bones and broken hearts don't heal overnight, and the cost of forgiveness can be sky high: unless Billy can prove that his heart never left the ranch...or her.

Fearless was everything I wanted it to be and more. Billy is a likable guy who doesn't always have his ducks in a row. His priorities aren't always aligned properly, causing heartache for himself and his girlfriend, Taryn. He means well and tries really hard but Billy makes some poor choices in Fearless. Taryn expects to be the #1 person in Billy's life. Most women do in relationships. However, Billy finds cleaning up after his brother to be one of those high priorities that gets him in trouble with Taryn. 

This book is told from multiple points-of-view, alternating between Billy and Taryn. While the story begins in the present day, the book also shifts into the past when Billy and Taryn first meet, building up their relationship, and dealing with both their lives, as racers, lovers, and during the hard times. The present day and past passages alternate with the past eventually meeting the present. 

I enjoyed the way the author presented the flashbacks. They are their own chapters instead of being tossed in the middle of the present, leaving the reader to try and figure out what is going on and when. The author did a wonderful job building up to the conflict that threatened to destroy the relationship between Billy and Taryn. The character development was astounding and the world-building has me feeling like I was there with them during the good times, the bad times, and everything in-between.

I was engaged from the start and the author's writing kept me engaged. Fearless is a sweet romance with wonderfully flawed characters, a slow trek to forgiveness, and love that will survive almost anything. This is my first experience with Katie Golding and look forward to reading more by her. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.