Sleeping in Eden by Nicole Baart

He's afraid his marriage might be over; when his wife had a stillborn baby, she has never really recovered from the loss.  Meg is a teenager who isn't sure what love is or which boy she really loves.  They have never met each other, but their lives will intersect before the story is complete...

Howard Books sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

Meg is a young woman who is coming of age and has two men interested in her.  One is her neighbor and she's known him all her life; the other is a new boy in town who has the feel of danger about him.  She initially gets involved with her neighbor, Jess, the safe one.  When he goes off to college, she breaks up with him.  Then she moves away so she can make a fresh start.

Lucas is trying to "fix" his marriage and going about it all wrong.  Little does he know that when he examines a dead body his whole life is going to blow up in his face.  The man committed suicide, but the body under the barn floor has been there a long time and belongs to a woman...

While he's trying to find out who the young woman was, the girl that he thought it was comes home to clear her father's name.  She knows he didn't kill anybody.  Lucas isn't so sure.

These two tales are dramatically different and you need to pay attention to which characters are in which life.  I found it to be an interesting read with a lot of emphasis on personal relationships.  It's not a happy ever after tale, but it does leave you with some hope.  That's how life is anyway for the most part, so it's realistic.

Happy reading.

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

She's a newlywed who is devastated to find her engraved cigarette lighter in another woman's purse.  No matter that the woman has a husband, Grace has one too.  She had that cigarette lighter home in her bedroom just the day before.  Her husband was having an affair! 

Harper sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published this month, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

While Grace is still reeling from shock, she gets a letter that throws her out of balance even further:  Some woman in Paris has left her a large inheritance.  She doesn't even know who she is.  But visiting the attorney and learning about her will be easier than dealing with her husband.  So Grace goes to Paris.

The author has written this from two points of view:  Grace's and Eva's.  Eva's story is even more fascinating than Grace's.  Eva is Grace's mother; she's also a kept woman.  While Grace tries to learn more about Eva, she also learns some things about herself.  

I wasn't sure how much I'd like this story, but the author grabbed my attention right at the beginning and held it to the very last pages.  This was an excellent read and I'm going to keep my copy of this book for my permanent library.  Rereading it will only make it better.  Why not get a copy and see what you think?  I loved the ending!

Happy reading.

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

So, how do you kill a vampire of youth who keeps the children's bodies in Christmasland anyway?  That's the burning question in this 686 page book written by Mr. Hill, son of Mr. King; you know, Stephen King?  And, yes, it's a horror story.

William Morrow sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It was published this month, so you can grab a copy at your local bookstore now.

Vic is young woman who has a talent for finding things.  She rides her bike across a bridge to the past, to another part of the country, to where the lost item has landed.  She retrieves it and leaves.  But each trip she makes she loses a piece of herself.

When children start disappearing on a regular basis, everyone is on guard and being careful.  But Vic suddenly finds herself too close to Christmasland and things almost go very badly for her.  She manages to escape, but the thought of what she saw makes her shudder.

There is a little bit of everything in this story:  ghosts, monsters, rape, murder, paranormal beings, a live car, and just a few determined good people.  The author keeps your attention but the novel is a bit wordy.  It could have been stated in fewer words without losing the central idea.

If you like horror and supernatural influences, this book will work for you.  The ending is interesting and was unexpected for me.  Why not give it a read and see what you think?

Happy reading.

Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century by Peter Graham

I couldn't believe that Anne Perry would ever have been involved in murder.  Not only was she, she spent some time in jail.

Skyhorse Publishing sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It was published this month, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

Anne Perry's books have always had a dark side to them.  The Thomas Pitt series with his wife Charlotte is my favorite.  After reading this and seeing the ghosts of her past, I'm amazed she has risen beyond her past and had a successful life after such a bad start.

The girls were fifteen and sixteen.  They were just beginning to explore sexuality and they were best friends.  They "understood" each other and they didn't want to be separated; it would be devastating.  So when Pauline said she wanted to kill her mother so they could be together, Juliet went along with the plot and participated in the killing.

Puberty is an odd time in a girl's life.  Both girls weren't close to their parents.  Pauline felt like she was picked on.  To them, Nora was just a road block in the life they were planning.  They didn't express remorse about the murder - ever.  Personally, I think they were bit insane at that point in their life.

There was speculation that they were lesbians.  Such might be true.  Or it may be just misinterpretation of Pauline's diary entries.  After all, not all young girl's diaries are truly factual.

I found the story interesting, it's full of facts and has a photo section.  Even all these years later, it still hangs over the two girls who have grown into old women.  No wonder her books are a bit dark...

Happy reading.

Fugitive by Shirlee McCoy

Laney has come to sell the cabin her husband built and the home her parents own.  That's all.  She's going to sell and then she's going home to the life she established after her escape from her parents.  Her husband and father have died and it's time to start a new chapter in her life.

Harlequin and Net Galley let me download an ebook of this story for review (thank you).  It was published May 7th, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.  

It's snowing at the cabin and she gets the fire going.  Then someone knocks at the door.  Who would be out here in the middle of nowhere?  When she opens that door, the past and present collide:  Logan, the young man who gave her the money to escape her parents, is at the door in an orange jumpsuit with cuffed hands.  Someone has framed him, he's supposed to be going to jail, and now they have killed one cop and just barely missed him.  He needs help.

The rest of this story is full of action as they attempt to escape the mysterious killer.  It's a good thing Logan has cop friends with lots of resources.  I found the cop support and safe house premise a bit unbelievable but it's an exciting story.

Laney and Logan find they are still very good friends and a romance begins to grow between them.  They are both protecting their hearts but when you get busy protecting your life sometimes you forget that.

It was a quick read that I enjoyed.  This is part of the Heroes for Hire series; check them out at the bookstore, too.

Happy reading.

Capacity for Murder, A Professor Bradshaw Mystery by Bernadette Pajer

Professor Bradshaw is asked to investigate an unusual death.  The dead man was killed by electrical current that should have just given him some gentle shocks.  How could this happen?

Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley gave me a chance to download this ebook for review (thank you).  It will be published June 4th, so check for it at your local bookstore.

This is the first Professor Bradshaw mystery I have read and what drew my interest most is that the story was set in my home state and took place down at a beach I also know well.  We used to vacation there.  While this is set in earlier years, the towns and places were still familiar.

Since Bradshaw was teaching a class at the time, he takes his students, his son, and his friend to see if he can solve the reason for the death.  Upon arrival, he finds a unit he built on speculation of future sales.  When the salesman told him another unit hit the market first, he took what money he could recover and forgot it.  Now here it was and it appears this was the murder weapon since it was not an accident.  It just so happens his sales agent/conman is here, too.  He has some questions for him.

Add in a manipulative female, another murder,  a new millionaire, a romantic interest for Bradshaw he must claim or lose, and an unknown motive and you have a pretty good mystery.

This is a low key quiet mystery where determination and hard work finally answers why the men died and how.  It also ends a happy note for Bradshaw and I liked that.

Happy reading.

The Romulus Equation, Cornelius Quaint Chronicles by Darren Craske

Cornelius Quaint is back and in more danger than ever!

Harper Collins UK sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It will be published at the end of May, so make a note.  This is the fourth and final (?) in this series and the first one I've read.  It was an enjoyable read as a stand alone, but if you want all the details, you'll need to pick up the earlier books, too.

Madame Destine sees into Cornelius' future and warns him of great danger and potential bodily harm if he travels to Rome.  She wants to go along, but he forbids it.  Of course, as soon as he's on his way, she follows him.

He heads to the headquarters of his enemy, determined to bring them down by whatever force necessary.  What he never expects is who his enemy actually is...

This is an action-packed story with violence and touch of steampunk.  It's easy to care about Cornelius.  He's an orphan and doesn't know how his parents died, he's fighting for a good cause, and he's fighting against tremendous odds.  You want to him to win, but the psychological toll on him is even worse than his physical injuries.  Will he recover?

At the very end, I'm not sure this is the final book in this series.  What Cornelius learns will give him a new focus on life and love.  Maybe he  find another quest to pursue, who knows?  We can hope.

Happy reading.

The Girl with the Iron Touch, The Steampunk Chronicles: Book 3 by Kady Cross

When Emily is kidnapped by an automaton, her friends are very worried.  They've suspected the Machinist might still be alive and this is proof...

Harlequin Teen and Net Galley allowed me to download an ebook of this story.  It will be published on the 28th of May and if you're like me, you were waiting for this book.  I've read this whole series and enjoyed every book.  If you haven't yet gotten on board the steampunk line, you should start with the first novel and work your way up.  You're in for a real treat!

Emily can work with metal and human components to repair anyone who has been badly hurt.  She did that with Sam, but he's not the same boy she fell in love with.  She still loves him, but a metal heart doesn't really feel love.

Finley is trying to decide if she loves Griffin or Jack.  Sam would follow Emily into hell.  Griffin is being tortured by the Machinist and a ghost.  And the perfect automaton decides she doesn't want to be the Machinist's body, so she escapes.

There is enough action for everyone in this story.  It's a dangerous and mean world out there in 1897 London and I don't think this series is done yet.  Somehow I get the impression that despite all that has happened, the Machinist will be back...

Happy reading.

Escaping West by Morgan K. Wyatt

Kitty Hamilton's future looks bleak.  She's nineteen, her Aunt has run any potential suitor off, and she gets treated like a servant.  That might not be so bad, but her Aunt is sour, strict, mean, and now has taken to whipping her.  There's only so much one person can stand...

The author and Goddess Fish Blog Tours gave me an ebook of this story to read for review (thank you).  You can buy a copy wherever ebooks are sold.

Kitty only has one really good friend in town; that's Harriet, a German immigrant.  Harriet has answered an ad for a wife and has been accepted.  She's travelling cross-country to meet him and tells Kitty to come along.  There are more men there to choose from and she and her new husband will help Kitty find one.  She thinks it's too risky and doesn't want to go.  But her circumstances change.

The next time her Aunt hits her, she grabs the whip and her Aunt loses her balance.  She hits her head and when she comes to, she wants Kitty to go get the sheriff, she's going to turn her in!  Kitty escapes by cutting her hair off and dressing like a boy.  Suddenly she's Harriet's brother Kit.

Kit has no interest in men or women.  Kit just wants someplace safe to live and a job.  She certainly never expected to fall in love...

This is a well paced tale with a good story line.  Not all men are nice, some saloon girls aren't either, and Kit has her hands full trying to pretend she's male.  I enjoyed the western touch and the growing romance between the gambler and Kit.  If you like stories with gentle romances, this one is for you.  It's almost like a cozy western.

Morgan will be awarding the winner's choice of ivory, peach, or white, cultured freshwater pearl necklace to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-review-tour-escaping-west-by.html

Also, don't miss this:

 

Secret Cravings Publishing is offering a sale during the Rebel Heartsong and Escaping West tours.All Morgan K Wyatt books bought May 15-31st are available for another 20% off publisher's site.

 

www.secretcravingspublishing.com

 

The code is Morgan20.

Happy reading.

I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty

Sean Duffy is back in Book Two of The Troubles Trilogy.  He's good cop but he has his foibles.

Seventh Street Books sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It is available now so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

Sean gets involved in a murder where a man's torso has been found in a suitcase which was partially buried.  It's a bit hard to identify, but he's willing to work on it.  After all, his romance has pretty well ended and she's moving to a different area for work, so he's got time.  Why an American tourist would be killed in Northern Ireland is another mystery.

Sean keeps plugging away even though the IRA, British Intelligence and the local death squads wish he'd mind his own business.  As he struggles to follow the clues and find the trail that led to death, he also finds a young widow who appears to have an interest in him.  He should pay more attention to the case than to her, but he's between relationships and she's tempting.

The author sets the stage for big money and big danger in an unfriendly town in such a way that you feel you're walking the streets there with Sean.  It wouldn't be somewhere I'd like to be and Sean almost doesn't get out alive.  What he accomplishes is linking a lot of important people together and discovering the money is dirty.

Are you feeling brave enough to walk the mean streets in Northern Ireland?  Then grab a copy of the book and find a comfortable chair...

Happy reading.

Carniepunk by Rachel Caine, Rob Thurman, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Jennifer Estep, Allison Pang, Kelly Gay, Delilah S. Dawson, Kelly Meding

Are you brave enough to visit the carnival?  Better take your hellhound with you...

Gallery Books and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this ebook anthology (thank you).  It will go on sale July 23rd, so make a note to remember to grab a copy.

This is an interesting mix of stories.  They are unique and have their own flavor.  They have zombies, vampires, the dark fae, monsters and the like in them.  Sometimes circumstances causes the problem; sometimes it's all in their minds.  Many of them are filled with horror; not one of them is boring.  If you enjoy tales that are out of this world, you'll enjoy this book.

I enjoy anthologies and this one has all kinds of surprises it it.  I enjoyed the one by Allison Pang even though it's a bit sad.  I especially liked Hell's Menagerie by Kelly Gay.  It was so good, I went online and bought her four books about Charlie Madigan.  Charlie wasn't even in this short story but Ms. Gay impressed enough with her style and story line that I have to read to more.  You might find yourself doing the same thing as you sample these different authors.

Just remember, you want to be careful about what might be hiding behind opening in that big tent on the midway...

Happy reading.

Spirit of the Revolution by Debbie Peterson

Jolena was looking for a home that would be right for her.  She didn't want anything new; she wanted an older one that could be refurbished to its previous glory.  After all, that would show off her antique goodies she had inherited and collected over the years.  She found just the one in Pennsylvania and began fixing it up.

The author and Goddess Fish Blog Tour gave me an ebook of this story to read for review (thank you).  You can grab a copy anywhere ebooks are sold.

What Jolena didn't know was that the house had five ghosts.  Mathias used to live there and he and his band of rangers have come to settle there after their deaths.  They had not completed their mission and weren't ready to move on.  It doesn't take long until the neighbors tell her the house is haunted.  She's skeptical and decides if it is, she doesn't care.

I liked the way the author explains history past and present and how old fashioned Jolena fits in with the boys.  You can feel her fondness for them and her growing attachment to Mathias, the leader of the group.  They protect Jolena and harass the intrusive neighbors (which makes her laugh) and work with her to solve the mystery about where the message was hidden.

My favorite part of the story is Christmas.  She wants to give them a good present and they all find gifts in their treasure boxes to share with her.  It's very sweet and nostalgic.

What would you do if a ghost materialized in your living room?  Why not read this book and see how Jolene handled it?

Debbie will be awarding a custom made piece of jewelery to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. This necklace called "The Jolena" was designed especially for this giveaway by "Shandra Kay." She will also award an Ebook copy of "Shadow of the Witte Wieven." The winner will have the choice of selecting a Mobi, epub or PDF copy of this book.

Encourage your readers to follow the tour and comment; the more they comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/03/virtual-excerpt-tour-spirit-of.html

Happy reading.

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

This story is set in a dystopian world filled with cruelty.  You get chosen for testing because you are strong and smart and an excellent student.  You only graduate from the testing if you survive...

Houghton Mifflin and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this ebook for review.  It will be published on June 4th, so make a note to grab a copy at your bookstore then.

Cia is hoping against hope she will be chosen for the testing.  She wants to be trained at the university like her father was.  No one else in her family has been chosen, not even her really smart eldest brother.  So when she gets chosen, Cia is very surprised that her father is fearful for her. They brainwash those who have been though the testing so he can't really remember why he's afraid for her, but he knows it's real.  He tells her to trust no one.  

As soon as  she gets to the school you can see why he told her that.  She thinks the cornbread her roommate brought is poisoned.  (Elimination of the competition gets you further ahead in the tests faster.)  Then she finds each test has consequences.  If you are wrong in your assumptions, you are dead.  And if you survive until the fourth and final test, you can yourself alone outside the protective walls with a task of walking back to the university.  The teachers have set traps, the mutant animals and humans are dangerous, and some of the students have turned to killers.  No place is safe and everyone is an enemy.

The rulers in this world care not about life; if you're not tough, you won't make it.  What I wonder is what is coming next.  The author has set the tone almost at despair.  Now the survivors will have to move on and learn from the university.  But what will the university be teaching them?  Some of the students have become just as cold and unapproachable as the teachers; is that what they want you to learn?  Even more scary is the fact that Cia has recorded some of what happened on the fourth test and when she listens to that it replaces the memories they wiped.  What will they do when they find out?  And why don't they want them to remember?  All said, this was an intriguing read and there's much more to this story to yet be told.  

If your child is looking for something to read after the Hunger Games, this new series should fit the bill.  Why not give a try?

Happy reading.

Mouse Guard: The Black Axe by David Petersen

Celanawe is the last of his clan and is the only one left to try to retrieve the Black Axe.  The axe is part of mouse tradition and the custodian of the axe is their protector.  But if you are the one who holds the axe, you have no life of your own:  no family, no permanent home, no real friends.  It's just you and the axe.

Archaia Entertainment and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this ebook for review (thank you).  It has been published, so you can grab a copy now.

Celanawe is a relatively young mouse and he's amazed to see an older mouse arrive on the back of a raven.  When he finds out she's looking for him, he's even more amazed.  

This story is full of action and challenges that will test  Celanawe's resolve and his strength.  This is an adventure that pulls no punches; people die and there is no happily ever after.  The illustrations are wonderful, depicting the land as it is described and showing the characters as small determined mice.  The ferrets are scary!

I enjoyed reading this graphic novel.  There are others in this series that will take you beyond this point in Celanawe's story, so check those out too.

Happy reading.  

Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie

Gen just cannot move on from the death of her stillborn deformed baby eight years ago.  She know it was delivered, her husband Art saw her and cried grievously, but Gen still feels that loss and sometimes thinks the child may still be alive...

Simon and Schuster UK sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It's being published this month, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

At first, I thought perhaps Gen was a bit touched in the head from the loss of her child.  She seemed to be too focused on the past and not capable of moving on.  Then a stranger appears on her doorstep and tells her that her baby didn't die.  It was spirited out of the hospital to someone else.  Dare she believe them?  How could this happen?  And why would the doctor, her husband, and the nurses do something like this?

This is a really, really creepy story.  What was done, why it was done, and how it will impact her life in the future is gritty and mean.  Witnesses die and people disappear.  It has to do with family, money, and the ultimate power of big money.  It turns a lot of Gen's life into a lie.  And while her quest for the truth ruins her life, it also opens a new life with new opportunities.

The ending whacked me up the side of the head; I did not see this one coming.  The epilogue sent chills up and down my body.  Why don't you read it and see what you think?

Happy reading.

The Gila Wars by Larry D Sweazy

Josiah Wolfe is back.  He's a ranger who lives his life on assignments and is never sure when he might get shot next.  Or even if he'll be coming back home after his job is finished.  He's focused on his goals as a ranger and hopes his personal life will still be there when he returns.  It is, but it's never works out quite like he thought...

The author sent me a copy of his book for review (thank you).  I always enjoy Mr. Sweazy's stories and have read several about Josiah now.  He tells me Berkley will no longer be publishing this series, so I hope someone else picks it up.  I'll miss Josiah.  You can grab this book at your local bookstore now and won't want to miss it if you like Westerns.

What makes Josiah so enjoyable to read about is that he's human, no super hero.  He gets shot, loses friends, gets his heart broken, and he still moves forward.  He's getting older and that influences his decisions, too.  

In this story, he's going after Cortina again.  He doesn't get far before he's shot again and has to heal up before going any further.  Scrap goes on, Josiah stays.  And there's a beautiful Mexican woman tending to him.  He's healing well and relishing the fact that he has a letter from Pearl.  What he doesn't expect is a "Dear John" letter.  All of sudden his life is upside down again. The battle against Cortina is hard fought and Josiah loses more friends. 

It's time for Josiah to decide what to do with the rest of his life.  I was surprised by his decision.  Maybe you will be, too.

If you haven't had the chance to meet Josiah yet, you'll want to pick up the earlier books in the series and follow his development as a character.  Mr. Sweazy writes a good western.

Happy reading.

Blueskin The Cat by Daniel Nanavati

Waking up in a damp cellar with achy bones is nothing new to him but when he discovers he's now a cat, it's a shock to him.  Then he remembers he was hanged the day before and has apparently been reincarnated as a cat.  What a strange thing to happen to a highway man!

The author sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

This story is graced with nine beautiful full page watercolours done by Gabriela Sepulveda. They are a bit haunting and fit the storyline well.  They made this read even better.

The first thing this former highway man decides to do it take revenge on the two men who captured him and turned him in for the reward.  He's amused when one of them "adopts" him and names him Blueskin; when he was a highway man he wore a blue vest and his fur shows hints of blue.  What he doesn't expect is to begin to understand why they turned him in and feeling a bit of sympathy for them.  He also has a big adjustment getting used to being a cat.

Before the story is over, he's crossed the sea to a new land, fought with pirates, and had to survive a storm.  He's not daunted, though.  I bet there will be more in this series.  Blueskin's story isn't over yet.

Happy reading.   

Honey Pie: A Cupcake Club Romance by Donna Kaufman

Honey is walking away from her old life, leaving behind the family home and the barn she used to work in.  It's more like the barn she used to hide in but that's why she's moving to Sugarberry Island and taking over her aunt's old shop.  This new inheritance will be the start of a new life and give her the opportunity to be a bit more social. 

Kensington Books sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

This is a sweet contemporary romance that I enjoyed very much.  Honey has a special power and can see into the future or the past when she touches someone or someone touches her.  It has brought her nothing but pain in the past and she has a "hands off" attitude now.  That has isolated her from the world but it's the only way she can hold on to her sanity.

Dylan is a man that was the brunt of two abusive men's anger in his youth, and he's not going to get attached to anyone.  He'll just work in his mechanic shop and have a few casual flings here and there.  That works just fine until he meets Honey.  She looks so forlorn after she finds out her aunt's business has been leased that he can't just ignore her.  Helping her means he gets to know her.  And he doesn't run when she goes into trance because he touched her...

There are some steamy scenes in this book but they don't overwhelm the story or the growing romance.  Watching two introverts trying to overcome their past is entertaining.  Ms. Kaufman really does a good job of making you feel their romance blossom and grow.

This doesn't have as much Cupcake Club as the previous books, but I like it best.  This one just talked to me and I will be buying me a copy for my personal library.  Why not get a copy and see what you think?

Happy reading.    

An Army of Frogs by Trevor Pryce with Joel Naftali

He's an usual frog.  He's training hard to be a member of the Kulipari, but he can't be.  He has no poison and no extra powers that come with it.  He's just a wood frog despite his desire to be a warrior like his father was.  It's a good thing he was practicing though; he's going to need his skills.

Abrams Books sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It's the first book in a new series and is written for middle graders.  It has just been published, so check for a copy at your local bookstore.

I enjoyed this tale.  Sanford Greene is the illustrator and I found his graphics really added to the story.  The ARC has them in black and white, so you'll get a real treat when the 50 illustrations are in color!

Darel has always been a bit out-of-place in his village because he's continually patrolling and practicing to fight any intruders.  Amphibilands is protected by magic, and no one can get in.  At least that's what everyone thinks.

This is the traditional fight of good against evil with animals featured as the characters.  This reminded me a bit of the Redwall series and is written for a younger crowd.  The bad guys are scorpions and spiders.  The good guys are frogs and turtles.  This sets the scene for an epic battle.  The trouble begins when Darel gets captured by the enemy...

Happy reading.    

Kneading to Die by Liz Mugavero

Stan is just moving into a beautiful Victorian home in a small town with her cat, Nutty, when she meets the city vet.  The female vet is even nuttier than her cat and demands that Stan bring the cat by the next morning for a health checkup.  To keep the peace, she does so.  And what she finds is a murdered veterinarian...

Kensington Books sent me an ARC of this book for review.  It's being published this month and is the first in "A Pawsitively Organic Mystery" series.   Check with your local bookstore for a copy.

It's hard to get a good start to a new life when you find yourself accused of murder.  Liz had actually been a bit glad to lose her high stress publicity job, but this isn't much better.  No one knows her, her old boyfriend isn't around much, and she doesn't like the looks or the gossip going around.  She decides to do some snooping on her own.

This story is filled with animals, mostly dogs.  I'm an animal person, so this story really appealed to me.  Animals and a mystery, what more could I want?

There are also gourmet pet food recipes in the back.  Want to make some healthy, taste-good recipes for your animals?  Here you go.

By the end of the story more than one mystery has been solved and Stan is working on a new boyfriend, one she's met in town.  This was a good story and I look forward to reading about her next adventure and seeing how her romance and new business advance.

Happy reading.    

Buyer, Beware: A Style & Error Mystery by Diane Vallere

Samantha is into fashion and had been a buyer for a very elite firm.  Despite doing an excellent job, her position is eliminated when the company downsizes.  That's no big deal; she can find another job.  Right now, she just wants to adjust and decide what to do next.

Polyester Press and Net Galley allowed me to download an ebook of this story for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

While Samantha is getting over the sting of her termination, the buyer at her competitor's shop is murdered!  When the owner offers her a job there to replace the murder woman, she's amazed at her luck.  It takes a bit before she realizes this new position might put her in a position to be killed herself.

This time she works with the police in an attempt to find a killer.  She misses her boyfriend who is in France and not there for moral support.  When she meets a new man who helps her get through her investigation, she's surprised at how he makes her feel.  I think James, who is also in the world of fashion, may lose out to Dante in the future.  It will be interesting to see which man wins her heart.  It will also be interesting to see what direction her career goes.  It appears being a buyer just isn't healthy for her...

Happy reading. 

14 by Peter Clines

Any time something is too good to be true, it probably isn't.  Nate's roommates are moving out and he's looking for a new apartment.  When he stumbles across one at really, really good price, he can't believe his luck.  It's not luck though; it's fate.

Permuted Press and Net Galley allowed me to read an ebook of this story for review (thank you).  It has just been published and you can pick up a copy now at your local bookstore.

This is an extremely fantastic story that has a bit of the flavor of H G Wells' work.  This would be an ideal story for young adults that love science fiction/fantasy tales.  I found it enjoyable to read myself.  

Mr. Clines gives you mutant cockroaches, apartments of all different sizes and configurations, rooms blocked off and forbidden, and several very curious tenants.  The monsters in this story are not tame and one of those locked rooms hides a black hole.  Things are not what they seem.

It's an action-packed tale that amuses and confounds you both.  I'm pretty sure it's not a story you will put down and forget about.  It'll keep creeping back into your mind even after you've closed the book.

Happy reading.   

Chinese Heritage Tales, Raggedy Chan and Nine-Tail Fox by Camille Picott

The first story is about a young princess and a dragon and the second is about a fox.  How could I pass up reading these?

The author and Goddess Fish Blog Tour gave me the opportunity to read these tales and review them (thank you).  You can buy a copy now at stores that offer ebooks. 

Part of the reason I wanted to read these novelettes and participate in this blog tour is that they are Chinese heritage tales.  Their fairy tales are different than ours and they have a different "flavor".  If you're not familiar with the tone of their stories or what kind of animals they use, you should read these.  If you are, you have a treat ahead of you.  They are excellent examples of lesson tales for the young ones in your life.

Raggedy Chan is about the young princess who has to save the island her family lives on.  An evil one has stolen the dragon that brings them rain and they are facing a drought.  She sacrifices herself to save them.  Emma, whose Auntie Grace is sharing the tale with her, has her own bully to deal with and the story helps her conquer her fear.

My favorite was Nine-Tail Fox.  It's a bit sad, but it shows how strong you can be if you need to, it's good to have a friend, and be sure to tell the truth.

I admit I have a soft spot for fairy tales and animals, but these two stories were both fun to read and had good underlying messages.  If your child hasn't read about the camps they put Asians in during the war and heard much about discrimination, these would be good topics to discuss after they have read the stories.

Camille will be awarding an autographed Raggedy Chan bookmark to every commenter; a Chinese Heritage Tale illustration signed by the author and illustrator to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and a grand prize of a Limited Edition Raggedy Chan Doll to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. A choice of a Raggedy Chan doll or signed Chinese Heritage Tale print will be awarded to a randomly drawn host. (ALL ITEMS US ONLY)

Please use this Rafflecopter code for entries: Raffle Copter 

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/03/virtual-review-tour-chinese-heritage.html   

Happy reading.