All sources are unknown
Monthly Archives: April 2019
Trudy’s Diary: A Libraries of the World Mystery by Amy M. Reade (Book Review)
Daisy Carruthers moved to Washington, DC, from New York City following an emotionally draining murder investigation, little knowing she would soon be involved in two more. But when her boss and her best friend come under suspicion for killing two adulterous lovers, Daisy has no choice but to help when they ask.
And when she comes across a diary and an old dime novel with suspiciously similar stories and unknown origins, she knows all the mysteries are somehow connected.
Can she figure out the identity of the killer–or killers–before it’s too late?
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
Trudy’s Diary was actually a multi-layered mystery novel. Daisy was investigating two murder mysteries in present day and the disappearance of Trudy from the 1800’s. As I was reading Trudy’s secret thoughts, I wondered how her story played into the events of the present. I didn’t see the connection. However, when all the pieces clicked into place, I was impressed on how Amy connected all the dots.
Whether I was stepping into the past or attempting to unmask today’s killer, I was thoroughly engrossed with the happenings in Trudy’s Diary.
You don’t have to be a history enthusiast to read this story. You just have to like mystery novels with a touch of love and romance.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
Amy M. Reade is a cook, chauffeur, household CEO, doctor, laundress, maid, psychiatrist, warden, seer, teacher, and pet whisperer. In other words, a wife, mother, community volunteer, and recovering attorney.
She’s also a writer. She is the author of Trudy’s Diary, A Libraries of the World Mystery (Book One: Library of Congress), The Worst Noel (Book One in the Juniper Junction Holiday Mystery series), The Malice Series (The House on Candlewick Lane, Highland Peril, and Murder in Thistlecross), and three standalone books, Secrets of Hallstead House, The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor, and House of the Hanging Jade. She lives in southern New Jersey, but loves to travel. Her favorite places to visit are Scotland and Hawaii and when she can’t travel she loves to read books set in far-flung locations.
Her days are split between writing and marketing her books, but uppermost in her mind is the adage that the best way to market a book is to write another great book.
Filed under Uncategorized
An Imperial Gambit: Wardens of Issalia Book 3 by Jeffrey L. Kohanek (Book Showcase)
A conflict of ideals – magic versus fire-powered weapons. The fate of Issalia hangs in the balance.
A new Empire has risen to power. Already in control of the east coast, the Imperial Army sets its sights on Issalia’s western kingdoms. Tensions rise as both sides prepare for war.
What deadly weapon will the Empire develop next?
Brandt and Quinn are espions – part spy, part thief, part assassin. Under false identities, these spies find themselves deeply entrenched within Empire headquarters. There, they gather information, seeking a means to foil the Empire’s plans for conquest.
One misstep by either warden could result in death – their own and thousands of others.
They are joined by a small squad of fellow wardens:
- Wildcats – warriors trained to fight while powered by magic
- Rangers – experts in nature, these archers scout enemy forces
- Gadgeteers – engineers who invent magic-powered machines and weapons
- Arcanists – those who can wield Chaos – a destructive, rune-based magic
Driven by the core belief that Chaos magic is evil, the Empire seeks to stamp out this scourge. If victorious, Chaos will be outlawed. Those who can wield it…will be executed.
The wardens must stop this Imperial gambit.
The game is afoot – a game like no other. The world is my Ratio Bellicus board. The game pieces are real people with hopes and dreams and lives they believe they control. I know the truth of it – a truth my peers don’t even acknowledge.
While my enemy hides their pieces from me, I know the hand that moves them. In that knowledge, I have an advantage. My opponent’s motivation remains clear and they believe in that clarity. They see Chaos as evil. I see it as a tool, not so different from a knife. A knife can carve beauty from wood, slice an apple, or stab someone through the heart. How the tool is used defines its purpose. Magic is no different.
To my opponent, my hand remains hidden – my game pieces and their abilities unknown to them. Within this subterfuge, I study and consider, and I scheme. I shift a game piece here and move another there. The game pieces used are as important as the schemes guiding them.
My prodigy and her counterpart now dwell inside enemy headquarters, feeding from a well of misguided trust as they prepare for an act of betrayal. Sometimes, piercing your opponent’s heart actually becomes the knife’s purpose.
There may soon come a time where I become an active participant rather than simply the hand that directs others. When the time comes, my enemy best beware that I am well versed in knives and betrayal. Beware the hidden assassin, for a successful Imperial Gambit hinges on the placement of such a game piece.
From the journals of Master Espion, Delvin Garber
Natasha, Amazon Customer, 5⭐: OMG this series by is so good! It just keeps getting better and better. Idk how he does it but Kohanek is able to create such vivid imagery that I just get lost in his books. And I love all the characters! Quinn is by far my favorite though. I admire strong, loyal, brilliant women and Quinn is a character every girl and woman should look up too. All the other characters are wonderfully dynamic and admirable too so there’s never a lack of of that hopeful feeling. The world building is perfectly balanced and there’s enough action to keep things interesting but enough intrigue to keep me guessing. I wasn’t able to predict any of the big moments about this book which is so refreshing. I can’t wait to continue this series and read everything else Kohanek writes!
illidia, Amazon Customer, 5⭐: Jeffrey Kohanek has written another gem in An Imperial Gambit. The books in this series just keep getting better and better. I loved reading about the continuing adventures of my favorite characters and seeing them grow. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Megan, Goodreads Contributor, 4⭐: Another great one in the series
This book is another great addition in the Wardens series. It is the best book so far and I like that the books keep getting better as the stakes for the characters keep getting higher.
This book focuses more on missions for various Wardens as well as some development of weaponry at the Ward. The story strikes a very good balance between these with all the events being directly related to the overall plot. There are no filler missions or filler characters which I really liked. Most of the book focuses on Quinn and Brandt. Their story is extremely interesting and somewhat unpredictable. The banter between. Them as well as Chuli and Jonah is quite entertaining. This book definitely builds up the tension between the Empire and everywhere else and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Fiona, Goodreads Contributor, 5⭐: As always another awesome adventure written in glourious wide sweeps of imagination. A world full of all sorts of people who are fighting to end the rule of a corrupt section of people. The characters are well written and described. The world of Issalia rocks. I love all of Mr Kohanek’s books. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this series, curling up with your favourite beverage and lose yourself in a fabulous series.
Filed under Uncategorized
DC MEETS LOONEY TUNES 2017!
|
 Amazon Purchase Link |
|
 Amazon Purchase Link |
 Amazon Purchase Link |
 Amazon Purchase Link |
 Amazon Purchase Link |
 Amazon Purchase Link |
 Amazon Purchase Link |
 Amazon Purchase Link |
 Amazon Purchase Link |
Filed under Uncategorized
Shades of Sepia: Book Two, Cover Model Series by Laura M. Baird (Book Showcase)
Tasha Linthrop paved a path all her own by becoming a cover model and opening her own boutique. Marcus Everly is a veteran who isn’t ashamed to put his physique in front of the camera to pay the bills while pursuing his passion of working with other veterans.
The two have been friends, dancing around their attraction to one another, and when they finally get together, it’s explosive. But can Marcus move beyond his doubts of being good enough for Tasha? Especially when another shows interest in her? Tasha will have to decide who holds her heart.
~~ Excerpt ~~
“Marcus,” Tasha whispered.
“Please don’t ask me to stop.”
As if she would. As if she could.
Marcus’s ragged breath across Tasha’s skin electrified her, bringing her body back to life after being dormant for what seemed too long. While one hand pressed into her back, his other pushed aside the fabric of her tank revealed beneath her off-the-shoulder sweater. His hot mouth moved down her neck and across her shoulder, licking and nipping and driving her insane.
Tasha gripped his steely arms, loving his muscles and the sheer size of him, trying to maintain balance as the world spun around her. Marcus was six feet of powerful man with delicious chocolate skin and soulful ebony eyes that always held humor.
Tonight his eyes seemed to hold a look of determination. A look that said he would have her.
The two had been acquaintances for a handful of years, both working as cover models for the same photographer, Jesse Steed. Since first meeting Marcus Everly, of course, she thought he was gorgeous. What woman wouldn’t? He was physically stunning, and his humor and intelligence were a nice change from the many self-absorbed pretty boys Tasha seemed to attract. Tasha had been modeling for Jesse for three years already when Marcus came on board. He was prior military, and now at the age of thirty-two, he continued to keep himself in fine shape. Over the course of two years, her fascination and attraction only grew stronger.
Of course, with Marcus’s heavy flirting, and Tasha’s ability to handle it as well as give it back, it was a wonder they hadn’t arrived at this point before now. They’d been circling one another more and more the past few months.
It was the start of February and they had just finished a nighttime shoot when Marcus said he’d see Tasha home. Once at the threshold of her apartment, he surprised her by backing her into her place, tearing off their coats, and kissing her senseless.
A niggling in the back of her mind wondered if this was a good idea, although she couldn’t exactly say why. But when a tempting male caused wicked excitement in your body, how could you possibly stop? Tasha yearned for his attention, for his ability to make her mindless. She wanted complete abandonment of everything but pleasure.
Check out book one in the Cover Model Series!
Audri’s a photographer’s assistant, and she secretly fantasizes about Carson, the sexy cover model they’re working with. She never expects him to feel the same way. When an impromptu photo shoot puts them in each other’s arms, they’ll learn that life can change in a flash. But with obstacles thrown in their way, like a vengeful ex and pain from the past, can they find a way to break through their barriers in order to win one another’s hearts?
Barnes and Noble Purchase Link
I’m a voracious reader myself, hoping to bring you years of joyous and thought-provoking stories filled with excitement and fun; sexy romance, laughter, and emotion.
Hubby and I enjoy watching our grown sons walk their path into adulthood. We’re always up for an adventure, and hope to one day fill our passports with stamps from Canada, Scotland, and Fiji.
I love to engage with readers and writers, please contact me through any of the following social network links.
Twitter Link / Amazon Author Page
Filed under Uncategorized