An Act of Murder
by Mary Angela

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was filled with mystery. I was guessing till the end a few twists and turns. A very well written book.
~Books, Dreams, Life

I got a kick out of quirky English professor Emmeline Prather, who is just bloody-minded enough to continue to investigate a mysterious death on campus, against the advice of…well, just about everyone.
~Island Confidential

There are numerous interesting angles and twists and turns in An Act of Murder that make it a most enjoyable read.
~Back Porchervations

An Act of Murder (Professor Prather Mystery)

Series: Professor Prather Mystery (Book 1)
Setting – South Dakota
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Camel Press (October 15, 2016)
ISBN-13: 978-1603813754

Synopsis

In the sleepy college town of Copper Bluff, South Dakota, English professor Emmeline Prather is enjoying the start of a new semester. But when one of her students dies working on the fall musical, it disrupts life on the small, quiet campus. Although the police rule the death accidental, Prof. Prather has good reason to suspect foul play.

Unmasking the murderer proves much more challenging than finding dangling participles, so Em recruits fellow English professor Lenny Jenkins for assistance. Together, they comb the campus and vicinity for clues, risking their reputations and possibly their jobs. After an intruder breaks into Em’s house, Lenny advises caution–and perhaps a change of address. Em, on the other hand, is all the more determined to forge ahead, convinced they’re on the brink of an important breakthrough.

About The Author

Like her protagonist in the Professor Prather mystery series, Mary Angela lives on the Great Plains and teaches college writing and literature. When she’s not grading papers (when is she not grading papers?), she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She and her husband have two amazing daughters, one adorable dog, and a cat who would rather not be limited by an adjective. For more information, go to www.maryangelabooks.com.

·         Author Links

www.maryangelabooks.com

http://maryangelabooks.com/blog/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15342425.Mary_Angela

https://www.facebook.com/maryangelabooks/

Twitter: @maryangelabooks

·         Purchase Links 

Amazon

B&N

I absolutely loved the setting where the story took place. The author takes us to a little college town nestled in Copper Bluff, South Dakota. I could picture   an older university with elegant architecture with the campus filled with young adults eagerly rushing to class. Emmeline Prather is an English professor who loves her job. As the new semester starts she welcomes the students to her class. What a treat it was to read a cozy mystery with such vivid descriptions that place you in the center of the story. There were times I felt like I was sitting in the student hangout and listened in on  their conversations.

I loved everything about Emmeline, from her directness, attention to details and a never give up attitude. When someone is murdered in the theater everyone is shocked. I must say I was shocked as well. I never saw it coming and it took me completely by surprise. The author really knows how to write with twists that shake up the story with surprise and excellent snippets of intrigue.

Lenny,  who is Emmeline's friend and co worker at the university is someone I would instantly want to be around. He is funny, smart and has a sense of loyalty. I don't know how Emmeline does it, but she talks Lenny into helping her solve the murder. They find themselves deep in the investigation with suspects that range from students to well anyone. The story flowed with ease and I loved how I was so sure I knew who did it, when the brilliant writing gave me a reason to suspect someone else. Why is it so important to Emmeline to solve this mystery? Will she and Lenny find themselves in danger? The ending was explosive  with secrets  that will leave you hanging  on the edge of your seat . When the reason for the murder  is brought to light, readers will be in for a big surprise. I loved everything about this book and thought the author captured my attention right away. It is definitely a page turner and I'm excited for  the next installment in the series.

I received a copy of the book from The Great Escape Book Tour. The review was my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Participants

October 15 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW

October 16 – Books,Dreams,Life – REVIEW, SPOTLIGHT

October 17 – Island Confidential – REVIEW, SPOTLIGHT

October 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

October 20 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW

October 21 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

October 22 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, SPOTLIGHT

October 23 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  

October 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW

October 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW  

October 26 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

October 26 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

October 27 – Jane Reads – REVIEW

October 28 – Varietats – GUEST POST

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

LOVE, CHRISTMAS-HOLIDAY STORIES THAT WILL PUT A SONG IN YOUR HEART

There is a great collection of stories out called, Love, Christmas-Holiday stories that will put a song in your heart. I read , We Need A Little Christmas by the talented Leanne Banks. It was sweet, well written and I loved the characters very much.

Lilly is a wonderful , caring person. She spends her time helping the homeless and checking on her neighbors that aren't able to always get out . I loved how the author shared about the homeless and made readers aware that this is an ongoing problem. It was very emotional to read how Lilly would take the coat off her back and give to someone living on the streets . Have you ever helped someone in need?  Lilly wants to provide coats to the homeless this Christmas and hopes to get lots of donations.


Justin is the CEO of a prosperous retail company. He does  do charity work, but tries to avoid cameras or publicity. It reminded me of the verse in the Bible about doing things to help others without trying to get recognition for it. I loved his giving heart and humble attitude. He is always being asked to give to so many charities and of course they want to meet him. What happens when Lilly asks Justin's company for donations?

I loved how the two meet and makes the story so interesting. There is a theme of trust, forgiveness and giving that makes the story an uplifting read.Be sure and pick up your copy of this beautiful story and find out what happens between Lilly and Justin.

I received a digital copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

CATCHING HEAT by JANICE CANTORE

I'm so excited that the author has a new book out. Her writing is always fresh and keeps you guessing to the end. I love the details of police work which really makes the story like front page news. Abby Hart is a hard working and and somewhat stubborn  detective. But there is one case she needs, no must solve to finally give her peace.  After the brutal deaths of her parents years ago, Abby knows it's time to lock the door on the culprit and throw the key away.

Abby is teamed up with PI Luke Murphy to investigate the murder of a college student in St Obispo. It's time to get out all the training they have and get this criminal behind bars. What challenges will they face as they get closer to the truth? Can Abby and Luke work together ? I did enjoy Luke and thought his character complimented Abby's tough as nails attitude.

This is the third installment of Cold Case Justice and fans will not be disappointed. Luke and Abby are such a great team even though there may be a bit of a trust issue going on. They plunge forward trying to solve the crime and run into another case. Can they keep up the fast pace of their assignment? The story is filled with many twists and the action is top notch. Will Abby finally put the person responsible for her parents death behind bars? Get ready for high octane suspense , fast pace action and an ending that is sure to bring gasps of surprises.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

A Killer Closet
by Paula Paul

A Killer Closet: A Mystery

Genre – Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Alibi (October 11, 2016)

Publication Date: October 11, 2016

ASIN: B01AQO16S4

Synopsis

In a fashionably cozy short mystery novel, Paula Paul introduces a tenacious heroine who leaves big-city life behind and returns to picturesque Santa Fe, New Mexico—where murder lands on her doorstep.

Irene Seligman loves the warmth and beauty of her Southwest hometown, but only one thing could make her quit her prestigious job as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan to return there: the guilt applied by her demanding mother, Adelle. After Adelle’s most recent husband dies, leaving her with nothing, Irene decides to take a break from prosecuting criminals to move back to Santa Fe and open an upscale consignment store. With Irene’s determination and her mother’s eye for haute couture, they’re sure to make a killing.

But on the day of the grand opening, Irene discovers the body of one of Adelle’s friends in her storeroom. And although the intrigue causes business to boom, when someone else from Adelle’s social circle is murdered, Irene begins to suspect her mother might be in danger too. Ever the protective daughter, Irene investigates her mother’s friends, suspicious that they’re hiding more than designer clothes in their closets. But as she gets closer to uncovering some real skeletons, Irene might not live to regret coming home again.

About The Author

Award-winning novelist Paula Paul was born on her grandparents’ cotton farm near Shallowater, Texas, and graduated from a country high school near Maple, Texas. She earned a BA in journalism and has worked as a reporter for newspapers in both Texas and New Mexico. She’s been the recipient of state and national awards for her work as a journalist as well as a novelist. She’s the author of many mysteries, including the Alexandra Gladstone series and the Mystery by Design series, which she wrote as Paula Carter. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Author Link:

Webpage – http://www.paulapaul.net/

Purchase Links:

Amazon – B&N

Irene seems to have a good life. She is an assistant  district attorney in  Manhattan. . She has her own apartment and seems to be content .  I loved her spunk and strong personality. Yes, Irene is feeling good and loving her life. What could possibly mess it up? Could it be the phone call from her mother?   That little phone will change Irene's life forever.

In a blink of an eye, Irene is moving to Santa Fe to take care of her seventy year old mother. I did think it was quick for Irene to give up everything she worked hard for, but what do you do when your mother needs you? I think my favorite character was Adelle. Adelle is Irene's feisty and mean spirited mom. She says it like it is and is very stubborn. She is a woman who knows what she wants and is not shy about hurting any ones  feelings. Irene  and Adelle have a very strained relationship and I loved their banter between each other. The author did a great job of making Adelle a woman you hate and love at the same time.

To make money Irene opens a consignment shop which Adelle thinks is ridiculous. The adventure really starts when Irene discovers a dead body in the closet at the shop on opening day.  How did the body get there? What connection does she have to Adelle? There were lots of characters that I suspected as more tragedies keep happening. Irene was impressive with her investigation and I thought the author wrote a story that was filled with deceit, secrets, and a great adventure that kept me interested in reading till the end.

The author really kicks the story in gear as the motive for murder starts being revealed and leads to a heart pounding ending. There were times when the language was a bit rough for my taste though. Overall I enjoyed the story and thought the author gave readers a good mystery with lots of action. I did appreciate the description the author gave of Santa  Fe and made it easy to picture the mountains and beautiful scenery .

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour . The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

A KILLER CLOSET – Tour Participants

October 11 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT

October 12 – Books,Dreams,Life – REVIEW

October 12 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

October 13 – Island Confidential – REVIEW, SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW

October 15 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy ! – SPOTLIGHT

October 16 – The Girl with Book Lungs – SPOTLIGHT

October 17 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

October 18 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

October 18 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW, SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST

October 20 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, GUEST POST

October 21- Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

October 22 – Varietats – REVIEW

October 22 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

October 23 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

October 23 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

October 24 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

More Tales from Suburbia:
Yes, It Gets Even Crazier
by Brandi Haas

More Tales from Suburbia: Yes, It Gets Even Crazier

This book is not up on Amazon yet but will be soon!

Synopsis

Life in the suburbs ain’t easy. Squeezing into those tiny chairs on the back-to-school night. Finding the beloved pet fish floating at the top of his bowl.  Planning a romantic evening –only to fall asleep on the couch with your honey.

Lucky for us, we’ve got Brandi Haas to make us laugh.  As the author of the popular blog “Tales from Suburbia,” Brandi tackles the big issues of our day—like whether to pay six bucks to valet park or search for a spot and walk ten blocks to the restaurant. Her stories about the daily absurdities of life will make you laugh out loud.

Heartfelt and seriously funny, More Tales from Suburbia: Yes, It Gets Even Crazier is like sharing a bottle of wine and conversation with your best girlfriend.

 About The Author 

Brandi Hass is a former high school English teacher. Born and raised in California, she now lives in Missouri with her husband, daughter and their dog. She is consistently inconsistent about her weight and age because, really, it’s no one’s business anyway. She sees humor in everything and began writing stories about her life as a way to share her insanity with the world. You can read Brandi’s Blog and connect with her at talesfromsuburbia.com or follow Tales From Suburbia on Facebook.

Purchase Links – Coming Soon
Amazon 
Print: 978-1-939403-36-0

Kindle: 978-1-939403-38-4

EPUB: 978-1-939403-37-7

This is my first book from this author and I have not  laughed so hard reading a  book in a long time. The author gives us a great and hysterical look at anywhere  suburbia. It's not easy running a household, playing cab driver to your child and being a supportive wife everyday.

There are so many funny stories that I could relate to. I remember when my youngest child won a goldfish at the school fair. Oh yes the excitement was overwhelming. We walked through  the school with our prize in a ziplock bag. As late as it was, we had to stop at Walmart to get the proper tank and accessories for Lucky the fish. It's funny how my story and the authors are so similar. My child lasted two days until Lucky became my pet. I loved how the author takes everyday things that go on in life  and makes them funny. It's like she is in my home and we are experiencing the same life. She handles situations with humor and makes readers feel better as they go through their day.

We have to laugh at ourselves at times as the silliest things happen to our family . Children think we intentionally try to embarrass them, but maybe we are just trying to have fun. Well maybe we do like to embarrass them a little. Who hasn't gone in their pajamas to drop their children off at school at least once?  The author really has a knack for turning bad situations into funny laugh out loud stories. I loved the story about the fall party. Who hasn't gone to a party realizing that they were not dressed correctly? I found the writing to be crafted with great humor and relatable stories that we all have faced during our time as parents. If you are looking for a book that makes you smile as you read, then this hysterical book is for you. Thank you for writing a book that is funny, relatable and about every day life in suburbia.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792437/

Tour Participants

October 15 – Island Confidential –INTERVIEW

October 16 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST

October 17 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

October 18 – Cozy Up With Kathy – GUEST POST

October 19 – Lori’s Reading Corner – GUEST POST

October 20 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

October 21 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT

October 22 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

October 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT  with Excerpt 

October 23 – Student of Opinions – REVIEW

October 24 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW, SPOTLIGHT

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!