A Willing Murder by Jude Deveraux

She's leaving home and moving to new town.  She needs a fresh start and wants to live her own life.  She didn't imagine her first task would be to solve an old murder case.

Mira and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published September 18th.

Her aunt has offered her a room where she has privacy and her own space.  She also has another tenant but neither her aunt or Jack are anything like her mother told her to expect.  She already has job lined up and is ready to go to work but then a tree falls on a property Jack owns.  When they get there, they find there are two bodies under the tree...

This small Florida town has those with money and those without.  Never will the two mix.  The past is filled with good and bad behavior.  As the team of three begin asking questions and tracking people down, more people are showing up dead.  The sheriff asks them to stop. Then he demands it.  But they are so close.

Some secrets just won't stay buried...

Santa Fe Mojo: A Vincent Malone Novel by Ted Clifton

Vincent lost his wife, his practice, and all of his respect due to a drinking problem.  He's not drinking anymore, but he's looking for a cheaper place to live so he decides to move to New Mexico.  Before he reaches his destination, he sees an ad for van driver for a new hotel.  He applies and gets the position.

Purple Sage Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can grab it now.

The new inn's first guests are meeting on finances.  When the money man tells them all their money is missing, all hell breaks out.  No one is happy and some even give him death threats.  When he's found dead the next day, the most vocal of the group gets picked up by the police.  They have him on camera fighting over a baseball bat with the man.  However, he was shot and it's Doug's gun that did the deed but there are no prints on the gun.

Vincent finds himself helping the defense attorney and making enemies of the local police.  He doesn't think Doug did it, so he's checking the others out.

The killer amazed me.  I liked Vincent as a character.  I'll be watching for another in this series.

Hair of the Dog by Carlene O’Neil

First her cousin has a problem with drugs being stolen from the veterinarians clinic and then she is caught holding a knife that killed her partner, Brian.  She said she removed it by reflex trying to help him.  It's a good thing she just arrived with her cousin so there wasn't time for her to do it.  But try telling the cop that...

IBPA and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy now.

Brian had no enemies.  The more evidence Penny gathers, the more confusing it gets it.  Everyone has secrets.  None are worth dying over.  She has to find out why he died to save her cousin.  Can she do it?  Will  she have any friends left after the investigation?

A Sea of Love by Wilfrid Lupano, Gregory Panaccione

Here's a graphic novel with no words.  The illustrations tell the story so have no worries...

Lion Forge and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It's being published July 31st.

He's a fisherman who goes out each day after his catch.  He and his wife live a simple life and they are content with each other.

Except one day he goes out and doesn't come back.  She prays, she waits for a sign and finally she visits a fortune teller.  As she follows the path the fortune teller set her on, her husband is trying to get disconnected from the big boat that ran into him.  Then he runs out of gas.  She continues to search for him, he keeps trying to get home.

All hope is not lost.  They eventually reunite at home.  But, boy, do they have adventures to talk about!

Tempted by Love by Jennifer Ryan

She's going to her two brother's weddings, so how did she end up in bed with their best friend?

Avon and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 21st.

They are both very attracted to each other but she knows her brothers won't approve.  So does he.  They attempt to go their separate ways.  Good luck with that.

He's a DEA agent and in danger all the time.  So are her brothers so she's familiar with that.  She's a pharmacist and should be safe, but she's not.  With people trying to kill them both, who's safe where?

In between hospital visits, hunting for killers, and life in general, there's some wild sex.

It gets pretty tense and danger is everywhere.  They better hold on tight to each other!

Little Tails Under the Sea by Frederic Brremaud, Federico Bertolucci

This is a beautiful graphic display of the animals beneath the sea. 

Lion Forge and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published so you can grab a copy now.

The puppy and squirrel take a submarine in exploration beneath the sea and see all kinds of wonders.  I learned about some new animals reading this and I bet you will, too.  The graphics are lovely.  

Check it out, I bet you end up buying a copy.  This is a lovely series.

Timmy on the Toilet by Peta Lemon, Maria Dasic Todoric

Timmy is on his way to school when he hears the sound of someone in distress.  It's a fairy caught in spider web on a flower.  He frees her and she grants him one wish...

The author sent me a ebook of this story to read for review (thank you).  It has been published so you can grab a copy now.

You know how you have the best intentions but somehow they just don't work out?  That's Timmy's problem.

He's sitting on the toilet when he has this swell idea and says he wants to fly like the birds do.  He does fly, only he's still on the toilet...

This is a silly story that should charm the little ones and make them imagine they are flying, too.  It made me smile.

The Gift of Dark Hollow by Kieran Larwood, David Wyatt

Podkin is an old rabbit approaching death but his little brother, the bard, remembers his tales from the past.

Clarion Books and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 7th.

I always enjoy reading stories with animal characters.  This series is has lots of info about rabbit's instincts and character as well as an exciting adventure that goes against nature.

The Gorm are an ugly enemy that even scared me, so don't let real young ones read this yet.  And don't read it at bedtime...

They are on a quest to get the powerful talisman artifacts to protect themselves against the Gorm.  The Gorm want them so they can take over the earth.  There are more Gorm than rabbits. Who will win?

Relic by Alan Dean Foster

What if you were the last of your species?  The last human alive?

Del Ray and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 14th.

Some friendly aliens picked him up and have been caring for him and studying him.  He doesn't mind, it's nice to have company even if they look funny.

As he ages, he he knows he's the last of his kind and it grieves him.  The virus killed the other humans.  Then they find a young female!

Mr. Foster has a marvelous imagination.  His stories always intrigue me.  This one is no exception.  The girl is a firecracker, afraid of nothing except predators.  She comes with him and adjusts to life in a new world.

Then a long time search finally finds earth.  What will they find when they visit there?  Read it and find out...

Kat's Law by Samantha St. Claire

Kat went away to school to become a doctor and now is home and helping her father.  But everything is not good at home.

The author and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published July 26th.

The more she learns about the outlying ranches, the more upset she gets.  Innocent people are dying because they are in the way. When she goes out to brace the killers, she takes her ex-Ranger with her and it's a good thing.

This was a good western tale with a slowly growing romance.  I really enjoyed the read.

To Catch a Witch: A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake

Everybody loved Abby so how did she end up dead?

Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 7th.

With a mix of mortals, good witches and a few bad witches, this town has a lot of different people to talk to and about.  There are weddings coming up, rumors of a pending elopement, and more and trying to figure out who's telling the truth and who isn't is difficult.

I was amazed by the identity of the killer.  With all the suspects, that person wasn't even on my list.  I like stories that do that to me.  Give it a read and see if you figure it out.  Bet you don't! 

The Butterfly Conspiracy: A Merriweather and Royston Mystery by Vivian Conroy

She and her uncle are doing a presentation and she's brought her latest accomplishment:  A huge butterfly that is gorgeous and she brought to maturity at home.  The only problem is that the disbelievers make her open the container she had it in, it lands on the lady in the group, and she dies.  They accuse her uncle of murder...

Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 7th.

She knows the butterfly wasn't poisonous.  The woman hadn't eaten or drank anything before she came or while she was there.  How could she have been poisoned?

I like this team of sleuths, they complement each other well.  They also work hard on the case.  

It's an odd little mystery but they solve it.  I hope to see more of this team in another novel.

Lily Pond by Shelley Daniels Lekven

This is a charming little story about a frog who is enthusiastically thinking of all the things she could be in the future.  She dresses up and she's very cute in her costumes. 

Claytown Press and Net Galley let me read this book for review.  It will be published January 1, 2018.

The frogs are made from colored modelling clay and are very realistic.  With great graphics and the enthusiasm of the little frog featured, it's fun book to read.
 

Death on the Menu: A Key West Food Critic Mystery by Lucy Burdette

Her mother has been asked to cater an event showcasing Cuban food and bringing Americans and Cubans closer together.  It doesn't go well.  A Hemingway artifact is stolen and one of the waitstaff is killed...

Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 17th.

Besides learning about various Cuban foods, there are squabbles between the guests, Haley almost gets killed, and her mother's career is almost ended.  Haley is going to help the family of the dead man, help her mom, and solve the mystery of who stole the medal or die trying.  She almost does...

The Coroner by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

She's called home because her father had a heart attack.  He's the coroner, they have a young dead woman and he can't do the autopsy, so he volunteers her.  She's a doctor but not a coroner.  But she worked with him in the past, so she knows what to do.  Suddenly an accident turns into murder...

Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 7th.

The girl is an equestrian champion on her way to a fully paid college tuition at an exclusive school.  She had no enemies.  Who hated her enough to kill her?

Emily has just become engaged but as her future mother-in-law starts arranging the wedding, including the date and the venue and more, she finds herself backing away.  That was what she wanted; why does it feel so wrong now?

The killer was a surprise to me and the ending left me wanting more.  Where will Emily go from here?  Hopefully there will be more to this series and we'll find out.

The Deepest Grave: A Medieval Noir mystery by Jeri Westerson

Dead bodies rising from the cemetery and walking at night carrying their caskets?  That's what the priest says he saw.  He wants Crispin to investigate.  If that's not enough to keep his attention, he's also asked to look into a case of murder against a 10 year old boy.  It's even more devastating when he realizes he is his son he never knew he had...

Severn House and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 1st.

Neither case is easy to solve but Crispin works on them diligently and comes up with answers.  They aren't pleasant, but they are answers.  It's hard for him to walk away from his son, but he's got a got a good home, a father who loves him and more opportunities in life than Crispin could offer.  Besides, his assistant's wife just had a baby they've named after him.  He'll be busy enough in the future... 

Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit by Amy Stewart

She's been a deputy for a year now and likes her job.  The current sheriff can't run for re-election so her future is unsure but she's hoping for the best...

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published September 11th.

She runs down thieves, braves a raging river to save a convict, visits women who need help staying out of trouble, and is matron at the jail.  But not everyone thinks she's necessary.

You see part of her life, learn how hard it is to be the first one in any field and you find yourself hating the new sheriff, too.  It's a good thing she has a sister that finds them all a new job.  She'll soon be busy again with new goals.  But she's left a path open for others behind her.  I admire her character. 

Sabotage Stage Left (Howard Wallace, P.I. Book 3) by Casey Lyall

They are putting on a play this year that should do them proud but so many things are going wrong...

Sterling Children's Picture Books and Edelweiss gave me the oppotunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published September 4th. 

Howard has two cases going on at the same time and that's a challenge.  He can't be in two places at once.  But he does the best he can.

The play is getting closer and the troubles are getting bigger.  Can Howard figure out who's messing with the set and costumes?  Can he overcome the frame up?  Howard's got his work cut out for him...

JoJo and the Food Fight by Didier Lévy, Nathalie Dieterlé, Lisa Rosinsky

Why can't everybody play nice?  They were getting along fine and then:  Food Fight!

Barefoot Books and Edelweiss let me read this picture book for review (thank you).  It will be published September 1st.

When a little elephant walks into the battleground armed with only a small umbrella and announces he's lost his memory, everyone goes to help.  Soon the food fight is forgotten.  And, guess what?  The elephant's memory returns, too...

The Hotel Between by Sean Easley

His mother is dead, his father is missing and his twin has cystic fibrosis.  They are living with his grandmother.  He worries all the time.  But now he has something to worry about...

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published September 4th.

By accident (or was it?), he stumbles across a new development on the way home.  He finds The Hotel Between and manages to get inside because he's wearing his father's coin around his neck.  This will help him find answers to his questions but will he like the answers?

With a bundle of characters, both good and bad, and him not sure who to believe and who's lying, things are tough for him.  He has to be careful or he might die. He has to get back to his sister but can he?

Lots of action, a mixture of truth and lies, and no way for him to know if he is making things better or worse makes the story move ahead quickly.   All he can do is do his best.  Will it be enough?

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

For some reason, her human seems to be trying to rehome her.  They're happy together, no problems.  She doesn't understand why but she is getting some nice road trips out of it.

Berkley sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published October 23rd.

Written from the cat's perspective made this an entertaining read.  This author understands cats and their actions.  She also understands humans who love their cats.

We get glimpses of the human's life in the past on the way, as he visits those who might take his cat in.  No one seems suitable so he and his cat remain together.  He doesn't seem sad about this.

His secret comes out before the end and it's sad but his journey is easier with a cat who loves him.

Animals can make your life better.  My cat takes care of me.  Do you have a four-legged caretaker?

StarPassage: Honor and Mercy: Book 3 by Clark Rich Burbidge

They have a new patient in rehab who is without hope.  As they try to encourage him, they have no idea he carries a secret.

P R by the Book sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can grab a copy now.

Ronnie has been taken over by a traveler.  This traveler has plans to change the outcome of the Civil War and he's going to use the other kids and their star to do it.

As they go where the star takes them, they never know what to expect.  But it doesn't take them long to figure it out when they find themselves on the battlefield.  How will they stop Clynt?

These stories are fantasy with some historical facts interspersed.  They're not boring and you always wonder where they are going next.  One event in this book was a little far-fetched but it's all part of the fantasy.

Two Spells by Mark Morrison

The twins are going to spend the summer with their grandparents on their farm.  They're expecting chores and some boredom but there's no boredom here...

The author shared an ecopy of this book with me for review (thank you).  It ha been published and you can grab a copy now.

It turns out the twins are magical, but they don't know it. There's a local castle that has a huge library and that library holds secrets.  Imagine opening a book and stepping into a story?  Wouldn't that be fun?  It would if it was a nice story, but what about horror stories?

There is a fight between good and evil, monsters of all kinds, the twins don't know who to trust, and a virus is tearing the library apart.  There's lots of action, lots of danger, and plenty to hold your attention.

One final warning:  Watch out for those worms...

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Imagine waking up in a place you don't know wearing a body not your own.  Impossible?  Not in this story...

Sourcebooks/Landmarks sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published September 18th.

This was a strange read.  He spends a day in each of his hosts trying to determine who is killing Evelyn.  Everyday it starts again with Evelyn alive.  As he does this, he has to work hard at holding on to his own identity.  The longer it's submerged, the harder it is.

Then there's the mysterious Anna he's searching for who doesn't want to be found.  Can he find her and solve the mystery?

The further the story goes, the more confusing it gets.  This author has a very complex mind and likes to challenge yours.  I never saw this ending coming...

Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia

He's a boy who grew into a teenager in the woods with his father, hiding from the world.  She's a therapist, trying to get him to talk...

Atria Books sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you),  It will be published September 4th.

The boy's father is sick and still at camp.  He refuses to lead a search party to their hideout. Without meaning to, his therapist becomes sympathetic to his cause and tries to help him.  She's willing to go with him.  But she's taken off his case because of her personal interest in him.  She doesn't let that stop her.

This is an unusual story.  The therapist intends to help him, he helps her learn what happened to her mother, and the ending is appropriate if not happy.  Want to take a walk in the woods?

Harry Moon Professor Einstone by Mark Andrew Poe, Christina Weidman

Harry's teachers are changing, and not for the good...

Rabbit Publishers sent a ecopy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published August 28th.

They've always had good teachers that can make subjects fun, but now they are all sort of mechanical and don't seem to have much interest in the students.  It seems they have a new principal who even has a new curriculum for them.  Henry is not enthused.  Henry knows there is something wrong.  But will he figure it out?  Will he be able to stop it?

Read the book and see...

City of Ink (Li Du Novels #3) by Elsa Hart

Li Du is living a quiet life working as a secretary for his ex-brother-in-law.  Then he gets involved in a murder case that draws him out of himself...

Minotaur Books sent me an ARC of this to read for review (thank you).  It will be published August 21st.

It looks like a straightforward case.  The two were having an affair, the husband came home drunk, and they were dead.  But it wasn't that easy of a case.  Li Du knows there is more to the story and he begins his own investigation.

It will bring him a lot of answers as well as some painful memories of the past.  These deaths lead high into the hierarchy and make the truth hard to say but Li Du does what he must.

This was a fascinating tale, give it a try. 

Vox by Christina Dalcher

This story hits too close to home.  Changes I see now are not so far from this you can blow it off as fantasy...

Berkley sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published August 21st.

This is a world where all women's rights are taken away.  No more jobs outside the home, no cellphone or laptop.  No reading.  And no talking if you're female.  You're limited to 100 words a day.  If you speak more, you get shocked.  No more birth control.  We're back to women belong to men...

This is almost too much for me to contemplate.  What an ugly world.  So how can she change it?  She's only one woman.  She has to watch for her chance...

Ozy and Millie by Dana Simpson

This graphic novel is done in comic strip form and is fun to read.  It's a good thing that Ozy is sensible...

Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 28th.

Millie is a little rascal that loves getting trouble and doing outrageous things.  Ozy tries to keep her contained as best he can.  You find yourself turning the pages to see what is going to happen next.

Millie reminds me of some of my family members.  Do you have some like that, too?