Ink and Intrigue at the Ivy Tree Inn

Ariadne Winter Mystery, #1

by

Ellen Butler

A fabulous start to an exciting new, historical cozy mystery series.

Ink and Intrigue at the Ivy Tree Inn is the first book in author Ellen Butler’s Ariadne Winter Mystery series. This new historical cozy series features a modern young female journalist set in the final years of the 1950s. With its sympathetic, kind, and engaging protagonist and nostalgic setting, the story has a unique and vibrant feeling that had me captivated from the very start. 

Ariadne Winter is hoping to advance from the copy desk at the Ladies’ Lifestyle Magazine to reporter with her first feature piece: an exclusive interview with famed Hollywood actress Donna Morgan, who is shooting her final film before giving up her career to marry the prince of a small European country. All is going well until Ariadne discovers a dead body at the inn where she is staying, altering her plans. Ariadne is a lovely young woman, smart, ambitious, and sophisticated, but also kind to those around her. As she provides one of the main points of view, I enjoyed her inner thoughts on events as well as her ‘modern’ attitude and way of thinking. The author includes many wonderful little details that help place the story in the latter days of the 1950s, and I enjoyed coming across them, almost like finding hidden treasures. The death is foreshadowed in the prologue, but the actual event isn’t until the story is well underway. By this time, the author has revealed the details and connections between the characters necessary to reach the final resolution. Under the circumstances, the extensive buildup was quite enjoyable and never tedious. I loved every minute. 

I recommend INK AND INTRIGUE AT THE IVY TREE INN to cozy mystery fans who enjoy a historical setting. 

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

The Nephilim’s Fate

War of the Nephilim, #1

by

Eliza Hampstead

Exciting beginning for this intensely passionate paranormal romance series.

The Nephilim’s Fate is the first book in author Eliza Hampstead’s War of the Nephilim paranormal romance series, and the action and passion are front and center, and oh so well done from the very start. A witch and a Nephilim have a fated connection but are barred from consummating their passion because intimacy between the two supernatural species is believed to be deadly fatal for both. 

But who better to discover the validity behind the ancient beliefs than the main female character, Alissia Parker, who is a practicing research scientist with an entire lab at her off-hours disposal and a witch. Alissia was oblivious to her true nature; she was abandoned as an infant, adopted, and raised by mortals. It is Nate, a Nephilim, who clues her in on the presence of auras and their properties of identification, which reveals her to be a witch and delivers her to the helping hands of the local coven. Although having to keep his desire for Alissia in check constantly, Nate is literally sex on legs and the man of Alissia’s dreams. The passionate scenes in their dreams are spicy-hot but turn to frustration when they are unable to fulfill their desires in person or face certain death. 

The plot is robust, with a mysterious backstory for Alissia’s origins, the doubly forbidden romance (the danger and the prevailing attitudes of their people), and the resulting consequences of their love. The author’s choreography of ‘action’ scenes is extremely well done. These scenes are vividly described and without pretense. In addition, there are engaging, well-developed secondary characters, some of whom are featured in later books in the series. Thankfully, the subsequent novels are already available because this story has a cliffhanger ending that many will want to follow up on without delay. As a bonus, right now, those who sign up for the author’s email newsletter receive a short story featuring Nate’s Nephilim brother, Mike, and Alissia’s gal pal, Charlie. 

I recommend THE NEPHILIM’S FATE to readers of spicy paranormal romance. Sensitive readers should note this book contains potentially difficult topics and scenes that may be outside their comfort zone, such as graphic violence, SA, rape, and very graphic language. 

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

Richard Coke: Texan

by

Rosser Coke Newton, St.

Brimming with the passion of the past and the parallels with the present.

Richard Coke: Texan is a new biographical account of the 15^th governor of the state, following the tumultuous period of Reconstruction under the radical unionist Governor Edmund Davis and ushering in a 100-year-dynasty of Democratic leadership. Fascinating reading, complemented by snippets from contemporary periodicals, the author’s deep research and engaging writing style make his story compelling and relevant, revealing eerie parallels in our current political landscape. 

One of my favorite elements is the breadth of quotations from a variety of original source documents. The language, while formal and reflective of the discourse of the times, is still often bitingly critical of the political figures, decisions, and events. I don’t remember seventh-grade Texas history class ever being this compelling. 

I recommend RICHARD COKE: TEXAN to those interested in Texas history, especially during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

The Cadieux Murders

Historic Homes Mystery, #3

by

R.J. Koreto

Intriguing tale of secrets and murder!

The Cadieux Murders is the latest novel in author R.J. Koreto’s Historic Homes Mystery series and this intriguing tale of family secrets and murder does not disappoint. Although the third book in the series, readers new to the story will easily be able to read and enjoy it as a standalone. 

Successful romance writer Bronwyn Merrick has retained architect and ‘house whisperer’ Wren Fontaine to update her new home, the historically significant house designed by the famed French architect Marius Cadieux and the site of a tragic, unsolved murder in 1955. Cadieux was Wren’s father’s mentor and a man whom she herself had fond childhood memories, so she is eager to take on the project. But before work can even begin, a woman who is stalking Bronwyn and the attorney representing the house’s previous owner are found murdered, one in the very room where the original murder occurred. Wren senses that, somehow, the home is central to the deaths, and as she researches the past, she hopes to find the answers to what is going on in the present. 

Wren has progressed so much, both emotionally and socially, since her first appearance in The Greenleaf Murders, the first book in the series, and much of that growth can be attributed to her relationship with her cool, supportive girlfriend, Hadley Vanderwerf. They are such a complementary couple, and I’m so glad to see Wren’s new confidence. Together, the pair draws on their social and academic connections to build a complete picture of the design and conception of the Cadieux House and the history of the individuals involved: Marius Cadieux, his muse Rebecca Rodriguez Blaine and her husband Dennis and daughter Shoshana, and the new owner Bronwyn Merrick. 

The storytelling is absorbing, and well-placed twists really surprised me along the way to the final resolution. Wren repeatedly informs anyone and all that she is not good at seeing beyond people’s public faces, but she proves time and time again that she’s more adept than she realizes. Important pieces to the puzzle come from several different sources and putting them together to reveal the truth behind the Cadieux House murders is sure to entertain. 

I recommend THE CADIEUX HOUSE MURDERS to cozy mystery readers, especially those interested in old houses, home makeovers, and historic architecture. 

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

I Know a Guy Named Noah Guy

by

Jeanne Ward

Everything as described and more!

I Know A Guy Named Noah Guy is a fun and inspiring new children’s picture book by Jeanne Ward featuring the adventures of an “everyone’s good friend” type of boy named Noah Guy. The simple narrative, which becomes catchy as can be in the musical rendition by Ward’s son, Tyler, emphasizes never giving up, being a good friend, and working together to accomplish whatever is needed. The story is illustrated in bright, vivid colors in heartwarming scenes that will make readers smile and inspire children to imagine the possibilities ahead. 

As mentioned above, the entire text of this first book in the series has been set to music and recorded by the author’s son, Tyler Ward, and is available for listening online through the author’s website or YouTube. 

I recommend I KNOW A GUY NAMED NOAH GUY to young readers and reading aloud in the classroom, during afterschool programs, or at home with family. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.