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The Booker

Sam Quinton Mystery, #6

by

Kevin R. Doyle

 

A great new mystery adventure featuring the former pro-wrestler turned PI.

 

The Booker is the sixth novel in author Kevin R. Doyle’s fun and addictive Sam Quinton Mystery series, featuring the witty, straight-shooting former pro-wrestler turned gym owner and private investigator. If that description captures your imagination, then you’ll understand how it also appealed to a couple of Hollywood producer types who come knocking on Sam’s door wanting to make him a reality TV star. However, not long after delivering their pitch, one of the out-of-towners is murdered in their hotel room, and Sam sees his dubious chance at, honestly, reluctant stardom end up just as dead. 

Sam Quinton is back and finds himself involved with the case of the flaky John Carson when the man’s business partner, Wendy Truell, is found dead in her hotel room, with John suspiciously nowhere to be found for a day or so. Sam hooks the man up with an excellent criminal defense attorney, but ends up along for the ride anyway as questions that need answering arise. I loved that several familiar characters from the previous books return, including Sam’s friends Detective Sergeant Josh Nichols and Lieutenant William Santiago representing law enforcement, Talia Sanderson as Sam’s cool love interest, and the dangerous Sean O’Flaherty, who gets the ball rolling with some initial insight into what may be the impetus for the murder. 

The plot is well-paced and unfolds through Sam’s clever but self-deprecating narrative that keeps the story engaging and grounded. The story is not as straightforward as Sam’s delivery, and I was constantly questioning where it would end up. The author’s storytelling brought the action and settings to life, making it easy and satisfying to get lost in Sam’s adventures once again. 

I recommend THE BOOKER to readers of mysteries, crime fiction, and thrillers, and even though this is the sixth Sam Quinton book, readers new to the series can easily read and enjoy it as a standalone. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Elvia and the Gift of Passion

Tales by Moons-light, #3

by

Ruthy Ballard

 

Perfect for reading aloud and sharing with the entire family.

 

Elvia and the Gift of Passion is the third book in the imaginative and fun middle-grade fantasy series, Tales by Moons-light, by author Ruthy Ballard. With its dramatic yet engaging ten-year-old main character and adventuresome and whimsical storyline, this may be a perfect book to read aloud and share with the entire family. Elvia is fed up with her boring life and hovering parents and longs for some excitement. But when she uncovers a long-held family secret, she gets more than she bargained for and the adventure of a lifetime when she suddenly finds herself 64,000 light-years from Earth. 

The main character is Elvia Elizabeth Hill, a fun, typically self-absorbed, and oh-so-relatable pre-teen who is convinced she’s grown up in the wrong family. (And hasn’t everyone at some time during their childhood wondered if they had been switched at birth?) It seems to be a universal experience during adolescence to feel you don’t quite fit in with your crowd, are majorly different from your siblings, or are totally mismatched with the ideals of your parents. I loved Elvia’s total buy-in with the DNA results and her complete lack of questioning because it supported her suspicions. 

Elvia interacts with a variety of colorful and well-developed secondary characters, many with interesting quirks, backstories, motives, or agendas; it’s such a robust story! I loved Lacie’s part-time career as a “color appellation artist,” her inventive color names, and how she used this “trivial” strength to improve her performance as an “uppy.” 

The different settings introduced as the fantasy unfolds are creative and well-developed. Real Earth locations or part of the world of Urth, the descriptions are vivid and put me right next to the characters in the middle of all the action. There was an immediate and satisfying sense of place. In addition, the book includes delightfully eye-catching illustrations. 

The author’s easy-to-read writing style and perfectly sized chapters, along with its fast pace and engaging characters, make ELVIA AND THE GIFT OF PASSION a story that’s sure to please middle-grade readers, including those of a reluctant nature, and the family as a whole. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Hear Me

Dark Sides, #2

by

Lynn Crandall

 

Well-crafted world, much like our own, overlaid with a unique paranormal layer.

 

Hear Me is the second book in author Lynn Crandall’s unique urban fantasy series, Dark Sides, and is an intriguing story of light vs. dark and good vs. evil as modern-day descendants of the people of Atlantis strive to save this world from those who’ve chosen the Dark Side. With its suspenseful story, atmospheric setting, engaging characters, and tantalizing romance, the story had my attention from start to finish. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous book in the series first to experience the full impact of these satisfying stories. 

The Aeons of Auralia team up and coordinate their efforts to understand the goals of the Dark Aspects and to influence the choices these minions of the Dark Side make, especially Diane Butler, a particularly persistent foe and one of their own. Each of the remaining Aeons has an unusual ability or gift that they discovered when they were children and use for the good of all. The creepy Dark Aspects seemingly appear out of nowhere, adding to the suspenseful nature of the story. However, a unique element of the story was the ability of the Aeons to project their inner love and light to those lacking in goodness, such as the Dark Aspects, and I enjoyed their various reactions when they were impacted. 

This book focuses on the relationship between the couple, Ainsley and Keegan. They are both conflicted individuals who have known each other since childhood. As they’ve matured, so have their feelings for each other, but both have reasons for holding off from acting on them. The push-pull of their desires was a tantalizing one, keeping me wondering if they’d finally come to realize they would be better together. 

I recommend HEAR ME to readers of romantic urban fantasies. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Hammers and Homicide

Hometown Hardware Mystery, #1

by

Paula Charles

 

Excellent debut of a new cozy mystery series with a touch of the paranormal!

 

Welcome to Pine Bluff, Oregon, the idyllic setting of Hammers and Homicide, the first novel in author Paula Charles's new cozy Hometown Hardware Mystery series! In this excellent debut, long-time resident and small business owner Dawna Carpenter works with her youngest daughter, April, to discover who committed a murder in their family-owned hardware store. Not only has a family friend been wrongly accused of the murder, but the investigation and tragedy could put Carpenter's Corner permanently out of business. 

The story is told in the first person from Dawna's own viewpoint, and what a kind and interesting person she is. A widow of three years, Dawna has a secret past of seeing or sensing the presence of the dearly departed, and she suspects her beloved husband, Bob, is keeping an eye on her, though he has yet to manifest himself so she can see him. I liked how the author has Bob communicate his presence to Dawna through the scents of coffee and sawdust, as well as the occasional and fleeting glimpses in her peripheral vision. I loved that Lilac, the cat, was still visiting at night. Dawna is slowly working through her grief, and you can almost feel her love for her lost husband. I enjoyed how she held frequent conversations with herself, in case he was there listening, and she realized her actions may look crazy to her children. However, April realizes that, unlike what her elder sister and brother told her, her mother still has all her faculties about her. 

The murders are committed at the hardware store, and the scene is shut down until the perpetrator is brought to justice. Mother and daughter are compelled to investigate when they feel the police chief is going in the wrong direction. Their reasoning for getting involved felt legitimate, and they did a pretty good job of stirring things up to prompt the killer to show their hand. The killer was someone that I'd pegged early on, but couldn't quite piece together a solid motive on my own. The big reveal is tense and dramatic, with a surprising twist in its resolution. 

As this is the first book in a new series, the author must do all the heavy lifting of world-building, creating the small town of Pine Bluff, and providing backstories for the main characters. A lot of information is woven into the story, and I thought the author introduced just the right number of townspeople, neighbors, business owners, and city officials to make the town real and robust without dragging the story out unnecessarily. When all was said and done, I was still left with a strong desire to find and try Pine Bluff's famous barbecue French fries. 

I recommend HAMMERS AND HOMICIDE to cozy mystery readers, especially those who like a touch of the paranormal in their stories or small-town settings in the Pacific Northwest. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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The Bulls of Bashan

by

Jodi Lea Stewart

 

High-energy adventure spurred on by a mysterious mission of global proportions.

 

The Bulls of Bashan by Jodi Lea Stewart is a gripping, high-energy tale of action and adventure, set in the early 1950s. Young waitress Savannah is swept up into the adventure of a lifetime when two strangers to her small west Texas town recruit her to join them on a lucrative, exciting, but mysterious mission. Having recently come to realize she wants more out of life than to own the diner she manages, she agrees. Still, the specifics of their upcoming journey and duties remain a murky secret, all engineered from afar by the unseen Mr. A. What follows in a great adventure story that finds her traveling around the world with a team of three additional people: Malone, a former military officer and their leader, the only one in contact with Mr. A., Reno, a handsome, charismatic rogue, and Shifrah, a spoiled socialite, with a secret or two in her past. 

Savannah is a delight as the main female protagonist. Disenchanted with her current life, she does the unthinkable and jumps at the chance to join Shifrah and Malone as they travel to, literally, parts unknown to complete tasks undisclosed. Malone (and Mr. A) take "need-to-know basis" to new heights. It was a little unnerving how much Shifrah, Malone, and Reno knew about Savannah at the book's opening, having thoroughly vetted her background, all without her knowledge. Yet, she knew nothing about them. Naturally, I was delighted when she was able to surprise them with skills they didn't know she possessed. 

My other favorite character is Shifrah. I love a fun fish-out-of-water trope, and this certainly fits the bill. Just like Savannah did, I enjoyed Shifrah's sophistication and fashion sense (loved the descriptions of all the clothing selections), and the hints about secrets in her past had me glued to the page waiting for an eventual reveal. 

The plot moves fast; it's an absolute whirlwind of action as Savannah and the rest of the crew would be mobilized at a moment's notice to strange and exotic locales to fulfill the next task. The author's descriptions of their surroundings are vivid, and the ensuing plot twists were riveting as danger soon entered the picture. I was literally out of breath after some scenes, but I enjoyed every minute! 

I recommend THE BULLS OF BASHAN to readers of thrillers, mysteries, and action and adventure. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

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Silent Killer

by

Tracy Burnett & Ross Weiland

 

An unconventional, autistic, and unrelenting protagonist.

 

Silent Killer by Tracy Burnett and Ross Weiland is an exciting, suspense-filled novel featuring Special Agent Gordon Stone of the Food and Drug Administration, a dedicated and relentless investigator whose autism is both a curse and a gift. While his gift is hyper-focus and the ability to see the important details others overlook, the difficulties he encounters, the anxiety in social situations, and his emotional struggles were a tough reminder of what he had to overcome just to show up and function.

When an FDA investigator is ordered to close his current case involving what appears to be one of those ubiquitous African charity scams, he has a gut feeling that this time, there's more to what's going on than meets the eye. Gordon Stone is autistic, and, oftentimes, he accurately identifies connections that no one else can. This time, his perception compels him to go rogue and follow the clues. 

The plot grabbed me from the beginning, and I really enjoyed how the authors employed multiple points of view to tell their story, even though there was considerable setup required to get everyone in place. The authors do a great job developing their characters into real human beings, and their depiction of the manifestations of Gordon's autism was realistic and emotionally affecting. Having said that, he makes for an engaging and memorable main character I enthusiastically rooted for. 

I recommend SILENT KILLER to readers of mysteries and thrillers, especially those with an interest in a unique protagonist or representations of autism. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Lefse Holmes: Murder in Hotdish County

by

Annabelle Lewis

 

Entertaining who-done-it, sprinkled with family, food, and a hint of romance.

 

Lefse Holmes: Murder in Hotdish County by Annabelle Lewis is an entertaining cozy “who-done-it” mixed with family drama, regional food, and a hint of new romance on the horizon. Lavinia Dahl returns to her hometown of Arendal, Minnesota, from her new life in Minneapolis for the wedding of her best friend, Nora Hedstrom, to her childhood sweetheart, Isaac Pitt, whose family has been locked in an ongoing feud with each other for over a century. But rather than uniting the two families, the joining of this young couple tragically invites death and the revival of old grudges to the ceremony. 

Events unfold through the eyes of Lavinia Dahl, who grew up in Arendal but had left for college and, subsequently, a career in the Twin Cities. Although not a frequent visitor to her old hometown, she maintained regular contact with her parents, who still lived there, and I enjoyed her parents’ playful and loving banter with each other and their daughter. Lavinia also remained in touch with her school chums, Nora and Isaac, both of whom had returned to Arendal after college, even traveling together when possible. Their wedding is a labor of love, and perhaps a little bit of showing off, by Nora’s Aunt Effie, and the descriptions of the scenes were vivid. The characters were so well developed already that I teared up as I read of the groom’s reaction to seeing his bride coming down the aisle. 

After the initial setup, the plot progresses quickly with not one, but two unexpected murders occurring early in the story. Lavinia decides to investigate the suspicious deaths on her own because they are interfering with Nora and Isaac’s honeymoon plans, and the fear that these may be just the tip of the iceberg in the resurrected feud. The investigating officer is the local sheriff who plays his cards close to the vest, as he should. 

The small Minnesota farming town setting was a lot of fun, with its popular town bar, shared culture, holidays, and traditions, as well as a charming and strong sense of community. I enjoyed Lavinia’s enthusiasm for the familiar dishes of her childhood, especially her self-admonishment to pace herself in sampling them, as it was going to be a long day. I loved that the author appends a generous collection of recipes for many of the foods mentioned at the end of the book. 

It turns out the little town of Arendal is no stranger to secrets. The resolution to the original conflict that put the two families at odds with one another was an unexpected and heartbreaking surprise. The reveal of the who, why, and how of the deaths happened suddenly, the clues to the answers are in plain sight, yet I still thought some of it felt a little under-explained. I can’t say more without providing spoilers, though. 

I recommend LEFSE HOLMES: MURDER IN HOTDISH COUNTY to cozy mystery readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

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The Wrong Liza

by

Jazz Voss

 

Clever psychological thriller about identity with twists you won’t see coming!

 

The Wrong Liza by Jazz Voss is a short, suspense-filled psychological thriller about identity and the ultimate example of identity theft. While the initial setup was somewhat confusing and, perhaps, compounded by a staccato stream-of-consciousness narrative style, the plot soon coalesced into a riveting tale of deception and frightening manipulation —one I couldn’t put down. 

Set in present-day Manhattan on the Tuesday after Labor Day, Liza Connors prepares for work at her corporate job like any other normal business day, when she discovers a notice affixed to the door of her apartment building displaying her picture on it, along with the sentiment “In Loving Memory – Liza Connors,” with the eyes ‘X’ ed out with black marker. Was it a sick joke? A heart-stoppingly tragic error? Or, if possible, was it something even more alarming, like a truthful indication of her actual condition? Neither Liza nor the reader knows for certain at this point, but it is absolutely attention-grabbing. 

Continuing to her office, the situation gets odder as her access badge is no longer functioning, and security confirms it had been deactivated the previous Friday. Kara, a coworker, arrives just as Liza is on the verge of collapse and escorts her to Janet Thompson in the HR Department for their firm to figure out what’s going on. Unsurprisingly, HR is no help except to add to the mystery. Janet claims Liza resigned by email early Friday morning, and there is both digital and video evidence to corroborate her statement. Unfortunately, the company has a policy of no “take-backs.” 

Accompanied out of their offices, things are about to take a turn for the worse as Liza begins to receive reports from friends and family about interactions with her that she has no memory of whatsoever. From that point, it is a non-stop barrage of gaslighting and taunting indications that someone is literally taking over Liza’s life as she watches helplessly from the sidelines. With Kara still by her side, Liza no longer knows who she can trust or who could possibly be behind the unrelenting takeover. 

Time after time, just when I thought I knew where Liza’s story was headed, a new twist in the action was introduced. By the final page, the story resembled nothing I could have possibly imagined it could have evolved into. I was compelled to return to the beginning and read the whole story again to see how it ended up where it did. I recommend THE WRONG LIZA to readers of psychological thrillers, mysteries, and suspense. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

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Amethyst, The Shallows

by

Kellye Abernathy

 

Return to Dipitous Beach for the exciting and satisfying continuation of the story begun in THE AQUAMARINE SURFBOARD!

 

Amethyst, The Shallows is the second book in the series or companion book to author Kellye Abernathy’s middle-grade/young adult magical realism novel, The Aquamarine Surfboard, which I read a little over a year ago and thoroughly enjoyed. With its variety of characters’ experiences, multiple points of view, and atmospheric portrayal of the small oceanside community, this magical return trip to Dipitous Beach even surpasses the wonder of the first. 

The main characters are a core group of friends who attend the same school and share many of the same interests, perfect for their setting as a beach town, such as surfing, oceanography, and preservation of marine life. Their hometown is slowly coming out of quarantine after a devastating sickness has swept through the country, and the friends have suffered through a long period of isolation and fear. Many of their parents or adult acquaintances died during the pandemic, and the story reflects how grief continues to affect them all. The characters’ behaviors are individualized, showing that not everyone reacts to their loneliness, fear, or sorrow in the same ways. 

Two particularly interesting characters are Tad, Lorelei’s younger brother, and Isaac, the son of the aquarium director. Tad, who quickly became my favorite character, is doing his best to be there for his mother, who is in a coma and is still ill from the recent sickness. He is neurodivergent but growing in his ability to control his emotions, which he experiences as colors. Isaac has just arrived in town from back East to live with his non-custodial father after the death of his mother from the sickness. He’s angry and resentful and hates the beach and ocean. His only solace seems to come from music. He, too, is neurodivergent and experiences musical notes as colors. I loved these two very different characters together. 

As in the first book, there is a brief sojourn underwater for a couple of the characters. While this visit isn’t as extensive as the first, the wonder and the magic are still ever-present and provides some new surprises. 

While this book could be read independently, I feel it should be read after the first one for the best reading experience and comprehension. While time has passed and new life situations and struggles present themselves and are the focus of this companion story, the previous book lays a necessary and magical foundation on which these subsequent events rely. 

I recommend AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS to middle-grade and young-adult readers of fantasy and magical realism.

 

For this and other book reviews and recommendations, visit BOYS' MOM READS!

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What the River Keeps

by

Cheryl Grey Bostrom

 

Damaged souls find healing much like the river valley where they live.

 

What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom is a complex and ultimately satisfying story of two damaged souls whose meeting sets them both on journeys of healing. Biologist Hildy Nybo leaves her life in Seattle and returns to her family’s fishing retreat in the Elwah Valley of the Pacific Northwest when her mother succumbs to early-onset dementia. She intends to oversee her mother’s care while taking a leading role in the ecological research needed prior to the removal of the two dams on the river, an overly ambitious plan from the get-go if you’ve ever been a caretaker for a loved one suffering from this horrible disease. 

Hildy is a wonderful underdog, scarred from a childhood of dealing with unexplainable misperceptions of her daily activities, the constant loss of random everyday objects, and later, the disappearance of her beloved father, the parent who had unconditionally accepted who she was and encouraged her love of nature and building things. The disconnect between what she thought she’d done during the day and what she was told she’d done had led her to some compulsive activities intended to ground her in the day and offer physical proof that what she remembered was true. However, these activities filled her small living spaces with collected objects that her older sister described as hoarding, and isolated Hildy from others, preventing her from building meaningful relationships. 

Luke Rimmer is a kind, nurturing man, recovering from his own tragedy. He sees similarities in his healing journey in Hildy and believes he can help, and soon develops deeper feelings for her. His love is not an easy path, as Hildy is so wounded by her past. His patience and faith are put to the test, but it is exactly what he and Hildy need. 

The details of Hildy and her team’s research in preparation for the dams coming down were fascinating and, at times, I just wanted to know more about their activities and observations. Their days in the field are both exciting and frustrating due to the uncooperative weather. The vivid descriptions of the natural areas created almost cinematic visuals and had me wanting to see these places for myself. 

The storytelling is compelling, and I read this book through in one evening, staying up late for the shocking resolution of the mysteries behind Hildy’s childhood experiences and missing father, with no regrets. I recommend WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS to readers of Christian fiction, domestic drama, and mystery. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.