Candle in the Wind

by

Kim Baccellia

Riveting tale of a cloistered dystopian cult and The Others who live outside their compound.

Candle is the Wind by Kim Baccellia is the riveting story of Esperanza "Espie" Hernandez, a teenager growing up in the secluded compound of the Branch of Thomas, and her sudden discovery that everything she believed about her life and about those outside the compound's walls was a lie. A climate crisis and a violent schism of beliefs have devastated what was once the United States of America. But Reverent Father and his followers "saved" God's chosen ones and created a society based on the spiritual leader's teaching and interpretations of messages he receives directly from God. The evil Others who would destroy their new life are kept at bay outside the boundaries of the Branch of Thomas by vigilance and force. But as the years pass, the Reverent Father's missives begin to relegate the women of their community to the sidelines and into submissive, subservient roles only, and the women don't go quietly. When Espie's sister, Xochi, and her best friend, Luz, join in questioning the latest of Reverent Father's scriptures, everyone's life takes a shocking turn, and soon Espie finds herself on her own, outside the compound, searching for her sister and a rumored cache of chemical weapons Reverent Father wants for his own. 

Espie is a great young character, trapped between her past upbringing and the actions she witnesses unfolding before her. She's initially timid, afraid, and obedient, but she follows along with Xochi, her more rebellious, sassy, free-spirited sister, who boldly asks questions no matter the consequences. 

The plot had me on the edge of my seat from the very start. Shocking confrontational scenes show the true nature of both the Branch of Thomas leaders and the survivors known as The Others. While both sides claim to corner the market on the truth, reality really lies somewhere in the middle. There are good and bad people on both sides of the conflict, acting with incomplete knowledge. The surprises kept coming and coming! 

While the story maintains a breakneck pace and engaging main characters, the edition I was reading contains numerous errors in grammar, spelling, and continuity, which I assume will be corrected before publication. I recommend CANDLE IN THE WIND to readers of young adult dystopian fiction. 

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

Case of the Bayfront Murder

Macaroni On Wheels Mystery, #1

by

S.K. Derban

Brisk and energetic new cozy mystery featuring two enthusiastic amateur sleuths!

Case of the Bayfront Murder is the first book in author S.K. Derban’s Macaroni on Wheels Mystery series, and it is a unique debut story for a couple of reasons. With its pair of very enthusiastic amateur sleuths who get involved just because they want to, and a faith-forward foundation underlying the plot, the book offers fresh perspectives on the cozy mystery genre. 

Terza Tiepolo, the owner of a catering business called Macaroni on Wheels, and her BFF and coworker, Moheenie Brickman, are the two amateur sleuths hot on the trail of a murder mystery. When Terza discovers the body of her catering client dead on his kitchen floor, she and Mo immediately agree they must conduct their own investigation into his murder. It’s not that they feel the detective assigned to the case is lame. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! The truth is, it’s just because they’re in a murder mystery book club that they adore and are proficient at guessing who-dun-it in the books they love. 

Terza comes with a lively Italian family that gathers for a weekly Sunday dinner with all the siblings, spouses, children, and any stray friends. While Mo is married to Ranger, a San Diego lifeguard, Terza is still unattached, and the attraction to Detective Nicolas Garza is keen from the start. Another viable romantic interest is DEA Agent Conner Reeves, but as of this book, he’s firmly stuck in the friend zone. 

The plot is well-paced, with the murder occurring early on and the women’s investigation starting the very next day. Terza is aggressive in her approach to digging up information, which both benefits and harms her. There are a couple of good suspects to consider and rule out, and the final resolution makes sense. I really enjoyed the women’s ingenuity and creative stretching of the truth and cover stories about what they were up to, which made for some fun and anxious moments! 

I recommend CASE OF THE BAYFRONT MURDER to cozy mystery readers who enjoy a fun, light story with a faith-forward foundation. 

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

The Wine Broker

Richard O’Brien, #3

by

Ian Rodney Lazarus

With its diverse cast of characters and clever, complex plot, this book was genuinely unputdownable.

The Wine Broker is the third book in author Ian Rodney Lazarus’s exciting Richard O’Brien series, but readers new to the scene will have no problem jumping in here and experiencing a riveting story. FBI Special Agent Richard O’Brien, assigned to the Los Angeles office, is on a special task force examining the sudden rise in the assassinations of their undercover agents and CIA covert operators. But as he delves deeper into their inquiries, his intuition leads him to suspect the contract killings of the agents may be connected to another case, involving money laundering and a new-to-the-U.S. winery that is fermenting their bottled products under the waters of the Pacific Ocean. He signs up for a wine-tasting course to casually increase his knowledge of wine and is immediately attracted to the instructor, Asha Chandra, a beautiful master sommelier from one of LA’s local restaurants. But as he gets to know her, he also shares details about his latest case as he picks her brain for information, which may have unforeseeable consequences for both his career and his continued safety. 

Richard is such a regular guy, looking to advance in his career on his merits and hoping to find someone new to share his life with after experiencing a heart-wrenching breakup with the woman he thought was “the one.” He’s diligent and dedicated, but he sometimes acts before thinking, which gets him into trouble on the job. He has a fun, free-spirited coworker in Jeff McAuley, who is an unusual mix of FBI agent and surfer dude, and I also liked that Richard’s former love interest arrives on the scene to join the same task force at just the right moment. Sarah Goodman has been through some life experiences that have changed her somewhat, and I rooted for her and Richard to reconcile their past relationship the entire time. 

The story unfolds from multiple, well-defined points of view, so a couple of different storylines are in play at all times. It was delightful watching the unique pieces of the plot gradually come together as the story resolved, and I was completely surprised when a final twist was revealed. As a bonus, the action unfolds globally across very exotic and unusual settings, and the vivid descriptions will have readers feel as if they are there alongside the characters. I also enjoyed the author’s incorporation of the U.S. Coast Guard into the plot; there are just so few stories that feature their service (compared to the other branches of the military). However, while I enjoyed the story, the book had some issues with unnecessary repetition and errors, such as character name changes, that I’m hoping were cleaned up before final publication. And while the narrative does reference bits and pieces from the previous Richard O’Brien books, these mentions will not spoil earlier books for new readers but will most likely tempt them to seek them out. 

I recommend THE WINE BROKER to readers of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense, especially those who enjoy a police procedural style of presentation. 

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

Her Last Best Friend

Shadow Lake Ranch Murders, #1

by

Nellie H. Steele

An adult summer camp ranch experience turns deadly.

Her Last Best Friend kicks off author Nellie H. Steele’s latest suspense-filled mystery series, the Shadow Lake Ranch Murders, and I couldn’t have asked for a better start. Besties Melanie “Mel” Halston and Lindsey Hartwell head to a Montana ranch for a summer experience of a lifetime with sunrise yoga, horseback riding, bonfires, personal renewal, and of course, daily chores; it is a working ranch after all. Mel is the more colorful, outgoing, big personality of the two, while Lindsey is shy and reticent, still getting over the breakup of her last romantic relationship. When a handsome ranch hand shows an interest in Lindsey, Mel thinks it would be cool to help push him in her bestie’s direction - until it becomes clear he only has eyes for Lindsey after all. Mel thrives on being the center of attention – everyone’s attention – and when she’s not, she’ll stop at nothing to set things straight. Unfortunately for Mel, someone else has other ideas. 

With its engaging main character and clever storytelling, I was glued to this book from the attention-grabbing epilogue to the final page. The premise of the adult summer-long ranch experience was intriguing and lent itself well to the romantic subplots and the subsequent turnaround of the relationship between Mel and Lindsey. Mel is the ultimate manipulator and, like a runaway speedboat, sucks Lindsey along in her wake. As the saying goes, “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” 

The plot unfolds from multiple points of view, both in the past and in the present. I enjoyed how the story begins with Mel’s death a fait accompli, with the details of what has gone on revealed as Lindsey and others are questioned by the investigative team from the local sheriff’s department. The remoteness and closed community of the ranch limit the cast of characters and, by extension, the possible killers, but because of Mel’s machinations, there are still a couple of good suspects. I’m certain some sharp-eyed armchair detectives will be able to figure out who the real murderer is before the surprising reveal. All in all, this book was an intriguing winner for me. 

I recommend HER LAST BEST FRIEND to readers of mysteries, thrillers, and tales of suspense. 

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

Trapped and Tested

DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery, #2

by

Sharon Marchisello

A great follow-up to the first book in the series!

Trapped and Tested is the second book in author Sharon Marchisello’s intriguing and informative DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery series and is a great follow-up to the debut novel, Trap, Neuter, Die. The suspense gets going right away with DeeLo’s niece, Demi, getting notice of a DNA relative match and the pair’s late-night discovery of an assault victim near the site of DeeLo’s current TNVR (Trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return) project. 

Demi Myer, the daughter of DeeLo’s older sister, Desiree, has long been curious about the identity of her birth father, a question her mother has steadfastly refused to answer. When she matches with a previously unknown half-brother, Kwintone Johnson, on a genealogical site, she includes DeeLo in her efforts to get to know him. He, too, is searching for his birth father, and may have found the answer for them both. But there’s something about Kwintone that doesn’t sit well with DeeLo; his secretive behavior, evasive answers, and too-smooth personality make her suspect his intentions, and when he signs up to do community service with her TNVR program, arriving far too late to help and leaving early, her opinion of him doesn’t improve. Leaving the site for the night, DeeLo finds his car abandoned on a nearby road, his cellphone inside, and no sign of Kwintone. Alarmed when he doesn’t soon return, she and Demi search the nearby area only to find a badly wounded man instead, whose cellphone shows Kwintone’s number as his last caller. 

In the meantime, DeeLo is struggling with her relationship with Barry, who is spending an inordinate amount of time and effort assisting his devious and unpleasant ex-wife, Victoria, with her campaign for an empty seat on the county’s board of commissioners. Victoria is no fan of DeeLo’s, and the feeling is mutual. But Barry suddenly seems blind to Victoria’s nastiness and may be a little too willing to lend his support. 

I love that DeeLo has really settled into her new life in Pecan Point, with her newly adopted cat, Manny, her volunteer work, and spending time with her mother, who is in memory care. She has taken charge of and champions the TNVR program every chance she gets and hasn’t given up on her mission to update the county’s outdated laws regarding the care and processes involving stray animals. She sees some light at the end of the tunnel in a rival candidate for commissioner, Zach Kirkpatrick, a seemingly perfect counterpoint to Victoria, and jumps at the chance to volunteer on his campaign, putting an additional strain on her personal relationship with Barry. Barry, on the other hand, is walking a treacherous path if he wants to do right by her. 

While Demi is only a year’s difference in age, she almost seems to come from a much younger generation. Both she and Kwintone are reluctant to share needed information with DeeLo, while expecting a lot in return from her. Their repeated avoidance of giving a straight answer is frustrating not only to DeeLo but to me as well! 

The story unfolds quickly, and I became invested in DeeLo’s life, struggles, and efforts to get answers right away. The little Town of Pecan Point gained more and more personality in this story as the locals debated their choices for the empty commissioner’s spot and all the proposed improvements for the future of their community. The author tackles the topic of animal testing head-on and offers a thought-provoking update on the current advancements that are making this horrible practice a thing of the past. There are several viable suspects to consider as DeeLo (and readers) work toward the final resolution of this latest case. 

I recommend TRAPPED AND TESTED to readers of cozy mysteries, especially those who enjoy stories featuring cats, feral cat colonies, and TNVR programs. 

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