Booked 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton | Review

The Blurb

Never judge a book by its cover...

Sophie “Phee” Kimball is not a cop. She’s a divorced, middle-aged mom who works as an account clerk for the police department in a small city in Minnesota. But her retired mother, Harriet Plunkett, is convinced Phee is the only one who can solve the mystery of a cursed book. According to Harriet, four members of her book club have already succumbed to the deadly curse. Harriet insists Phee catch the next plane to her retirement community in Sun City West, Arizona, to investigate.

Is her mother just bored and lonely? She does have a new pet — a long-haired chiweenie (half Chihuahua, half Dachshund) — for company and a host of pals (although that number is admittedly dwindling). Phee is certain that their book club selection isn’t cursed, but is somebody really knocking off the ladies? As Phee starts to uncover dark secrets hidden in plain sight under the blazing Arizona sun, she’ll need to read between the lines before it’s someone else’s final chapter....

Booked 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton
Series: A Sophie Kimball Mystery, #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publication Date: June 27, 2017
Publisher: Kensington
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1496708555
ISBN-13: 978-1496708557
e-Book File Size: 1091 KB
ASIN: B01LYPJE1G
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The Review

Booked 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton | Book Blast with Excerpt and Giveaway

The Blurb

Never judge a book by its cover...

Sophie “Phee” Kimball is not a cop. She’s a divorced, middle-aged mom who works as an account clerk for the police department in a small city in Minnesota. But her retired mother, Harriet Plunkett, is convinced Phee is the only one who can solve the mystery of a cursed book. According to Harriet, four members of her book club have already succumbed to the deadly curse. Harriet insists Phee catch the next plane to her retirement community in Sun City West, Arizona, to investigate.

Is her mother just bored and lonely? She does have a new pet — a long-haired chiweenie (half Chihuahua, half Dachshund) — for company and a host of pals (although that number is admittedly dwindling). Phee is certain that their book club selection isn’t cursed, but is somebody really knocking off the ladies? As Phee starts to uncover dark secrets hidden in plain sight under the blazing Arizona sun, she’ll need to read between the lines before it’s someone else’s final chapter....

Booked 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton
Series: A Sophie Kimball Mystery, #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publication Date: June 27, 2017
Publisher: Kensington
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1496708555
ISBN-13: 978-1496708557
e-Book File Size: 1091 KB
ASIN: B01LYPJE1G
Amazon | B & N | BAM! | Kobo | iBooks | Overdrive | IndieBound | Goodreads

The Excerpt

A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander | Review

The author of Fudge and Jury is back, with another Bakeshop Mystery!

The Blurb

Torte ― everybody’s favorite small-town family bakeshop ― is headed for the high seas, where murder is about to make a splash. . . 

Jules Capshaw is trying to keep her cool as Torte gets set to make its transformation from quaint, local confectionery café to royal pastry palace. Meanwhile, Jules’s estranged husband Carlos is making a desperate plea for her to come aboard his cruise ship and dazzle everyone with her signature sweets. She may be skeptical about returning to her former nautical life with Carlos but Jules can’t resist an all-expense-paid trip, either. If only she knew that a dead body would find its way onto the itinerary . . 

A warm and inviting atmosphere, friendly and likable main characters, and a nasty murder mystery to solve! ― Fresh Fiction

Now, instead of enjoying tropical drinks on deck between whipping up batches of sea-salted chocolates and flambéing fresh pineapple slices in the kitchen, Jules is plunged into dangerous waters. Her investigation leaves her with more questions than answers: Why can’t anyone on board identify the young woman? And how can she help Carlos keep passengers at ease with a killer in their midst? Jules feels like she’s ready to jump ship. Can she solve this case without getting in too deep? 

A perfect mix for fans of Jenn McKinlay, Leslie Budewitz, or Jessica Beck. ― Library Journal

A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander | Book Blast and Giveaway

The author of Fudge and Jury is back, with another Bakeshop Mystery!

Iced by Avery Daniels | Review

The Blurb

Julienne has her ideal job, as an event planner at a prestigious resort. During a luncheon event she coordinated, a renowned celebrity pastor is killed next to the buffet. All eyes turn to her as the suspect. If she wants to stay out of jail or even keep her job, Julienne needs all the help she can get to solve the crime.

She has her work cut out for her — with a vengeful high school rival, now reporter; the public demanding she be fired; plus family who know what's best for her, and a boyfriend who doesn't understand her. She turns to friends and a new ally to uncover who wanted to put the pastor on ice.

Julienne goes undercover and investigates a local swingers group, as she follows the trail of clues before they go cold. Can she gather enough suspects and motives to convince the police to widen their investigation? Can she do it before the killer sets his murderous sights on her? Will her personal life ever be as simple as unveiling a murderer?

Iced by Avery Daniels
Series: A Resort to Murder Mystery, #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publication Date: May 31st 2017
Publisher: Blazing Sword Publishing, Ltd
Paperback: 284 pages
ISBN-10: 0999031805
ISBN-13: 978-0999031803
e-Book File Size: 1179 KB
ASIN: B071LFD6JV
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The Review

Iced by Avery Daniels | Book Blast with Excerpt and Giveaway

The Blurb

Julienne has her ideal job, as an event planner at a prestigious resort. During a luncheon event she coordinated, a renowned celebrity pastor is killed next to the buffet. All eyes turn to her as the suspect. If she wants to stay out of jail or even keep her job, Julienne needs all the help she can get to solve the crime.

She has her work cut out for her — with a vengeful high school rival, now reporter; the public demanding she be fired; plus family who know what's best for her, and a boyfriend who doesn't understand her. She turns to friends and a new ally to uncover who wanted to put the pastor on ice.

Julienne goes undercover and investigates a local swingers group, as she follows the trail of clues before they go cold. Can she gather enough suspects and motives to convince the police to widen their investigation? Can she do it before the killer sets his murderous sights on her? Will her personal life ever be as simple as unveiling a murderer?

Iced by Avery Daniels
Series: A Resort to Murder Mystery, #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Publication Date: May 31st 2017
Publisher: Blazing Sword Publishing, Ltd
Paperback: 284 pages
ISBN-10: 0999031805
ISBN-13: 978-0999031803
e-Book File Size: 1179 KB
ASIN: B071LFD6JV
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The Excerpt

Dream A Little Death by Susan Kandel | Blog Tour with Excerpt, Review, and Giveaway

Dream A Little Death

by Susan Kandel

on Tour May 23 - June 23, 2017

The Blurb

From critically acclaimed author Susan Kandel comes a charming new mystery featuring Dreama Black and a cast of zany LA-based characters.

Dreama Black is almost famous. The daughter (and granddaughter) of groupies who captivated L.A.’s biggest rock stars, and muse to her own Grammy-winning ex-boyfriend Luke Cutt, Dreama seems doomed to remain on the periphery of stardom.

All that changes when Dreama is hired by record producer Miles McCoy to arrange an epic wedding celebration for his beautiful fiancée, Maya Duran.  The theme of the party? A noir-style tour through L.A.’s most infamous locations and hidden gems. It seems like Dreama’s big break, until Maya is rushed to the hospital with a self-inflicted bullet wound. The police and everyone involved assume it’s an attempted suicide, but Dreama isn’t convinced. For one thing, how did the weapon just vanish? Why has Maya been using two names? And then there’s the mysterious check for $40,000 that shows up on Dreama’s doorstep — the exact amount of money reportedly laundered by her beloved L.A. police detective uncle, and also the exact amount Miles promised as payment for Dreama’s party-planning services.

Now Dreama is at the center of a mystery worthy of a classic film noir, and must road-trip across L.A. to piece together the clues — before she becomes the next femme fatale.

Dream A Little Death by Susan Kandel
Series: A Dreama Black Mystery, #1

Genre: Mystery/Thriller  

Publication Date: May 23rd 2017
Publisher: Witness Impulse
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 0062675001
ISBN-13: 978-0062675002
e-Book File Size: 1715 KB
ASIN: B01M0WRL2W
 
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The Excerpt

Dream A Little Death by Susan Kandel | Blog Tour with Excerpt, Guest Post, and Giveaway

Dream A Little Death

by Susan Kandel

on Tour May 23 - June 23, 2017

The Blurb

From critically acclaimed author Susan Kandel comes a charming new mystery featuring Dreama Black and a cast of zany LA-based characters.

Dreama Black is almost famous. The daughter (and granddaughter) of groupies who captivated L.A.’s biggest rock stars, and muse to her own Grammy-winning ex-boyfriend Luke Cutt, Dreama seems doomed to remain on the periphery of stardom.

All that changes when Dreama is hired by record producer Miles McCoy to arrange an epic wedding celebration for his beautiful fiancée, Maya Duran.  The theme of the party? A noir-style tour through L.A.’s most infamous locations and hidden gems. It seems like Dreama’s big break, until Maya is rushed to the hospital with a self-inflicted bullet wound. The police and everyone involved assume it’s an attempted suicide, but Dreama isn’t convinced. For one thing, how did the weapon just vanish? Why has Maya been using two names? And then there’s the mysterious check for $40,000 that shows up on Dreama’s doorstep — the exact amount of money reportedly laundered by her beloved L.A. police detective uncle, and also the exact amount Miles promised as payment for Dreama’s party-planning services.

Now Dreama is at the center of a mystery worthy of a classic film noir, and must road-trip across L.A. to piece together the clues — before she becomes the next femme fatale.

Dream A Little Death by Susan Kandel
Series: A Dreama Black Mystery, #1

Genre: Mystery/Thriller  

Publication Date: May 23rd 2017
Publisher: Witness Impulse
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 0062675001
ISBN-13: 978-0062675002
e-Book File Size: 1715 KB
ASIN: B01M0WRL2W
 
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The Excerpt

The Last Gig by Norman Green | Blog Tour with Excerpt, Author Interview, and Giveaway

The Blurb

A teenage runaway from the Brownsville projects, Alessandra Martillo lived with an indifferent aunt who had taken her in when her mother killed herself, and later, after more than a year on the streets, a caring uncle found her, took her in, and showed her she had a chance. That was many years ago, and now Alessandra’s all grown up, working for a sleazy P.I., repossessing cars, and trolling for waitstaff on the take. The cases aren’t glamorous, or interesting, but the work pays the bills. And she’s good at it---if there’s one thing she’s learned since leaving the streets, it’s how to take care of herself around life’s shadier elements.    

When an Irish mobster named Daniel “Mickey” Caughlan thinks someone on the inside of his shipping operation is trying to set him up for a fall, it’s Al he wants on the job. She’s to find the traitor and report back. But just a little digging shows it’s more complicated than a simple turncoat inside the family; Al’s barely started on the case when she runs into a few tough guys trying to warn her away. Fools. As if a little confrontation wouldn’t make her even more determined.

Gritty and unputdownable, this is perfect for fans of James Lee Burke and Robert Crais.

The Last Gig by Norman Green 

Genre: Detective Mystery
Series: Alessandra Al Martillo Mystery, #1
Publisher: Witness Impulse

Publication Date: May 23, 2017; 2nd Ed.
Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-10: 0062672746
ISBN-13: 978-0062672742
eBook File Size: 1061 KB
ASIN: B01LYGHGE4

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The Excerpt

Cement Stilettos by Diane Vallere | #Samanthapalooza! Tour w/ Review & Giveaway

The Blurb

Forget the cannoli. Take the shoes!

When newly engaged amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd discovers the body of a mafia princess dead in fiancé and shoe designer Nick Taylor’s showroom, her questions are so numerous she’d need a bookie to keep track. The victim’s ties to local organized crime are unexpected. Nick’s apparent vow of silence makes Samantha question the vows in their future, and despite past promises, all bets are off. Wise guys and leopard ladies keep her busier than a consigliere during tax season, and if she can’t keep her head above water, she’ll end up sleeping with the fishes.

Cement Stilettos by Diane Vallere
Series: A Samantha Kidd Mystery, #7

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Polyester Press

Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Paperback: 212 pages
ISBN-10: 1939197325
ISBN-13: 978-1939197320
eBook File Size: 502 KB
ASIN: B06ZY1B1TR

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The Review

Pearls Gone Wild by Diane Vallere | #Samanthapalooza! Tour w/ Review & Giveaway

The Blurb

Samantha Kidd is strung out.

Amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd’s life is finally on track. It’s her normally cultured friend Cat whose life has lost its luster: eight months pregnant and abandoned by her husband the week before Christmas. She ropes Samantha into helping at her boutique, but a string of jewelry thefts threatens her business. And when Cat’s husband is found strangled with pearls inside the shop, the last thing she’s concerned with is profit. Samantha tries to get a bead on the killer, but when the suspects all clam up, she’s left tangled in knots. Add in an unexpected proposal, a flirtatious friend, and a brand new detective, and this is bound to be Samantha’s wildest adventure yet.

Pearls Gone Wild by Diane Vallere
Series: A Samantha Kidd Mystery, #5

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Polyester Press

Publication Date: December 31, 2016
Paperback: 218 pages
ISBN-10: 1939197287
ISBN-13: 978-1939197283
eBook File Size: 507 KB
ASIN: B01MD0U8XS

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The Review

Grand Theft Retro by Diane Vallere | #Samanthapalooza! Tour w/ Review & Giveaway

The Blurb

Amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd is about to go retro.

When Samantha Kidd's job at Retrofit Magazine leads her into the archives of Seventies style, she's prepared to report on patchwork velvet and platform shoes. She never expected to uncover the theft of a major collection of samples from the days before disco died — or an evil coworker out to destroy her newfound success. A second chance with shoe designer Nick Taylor provides a distraction until the thief threatens his safety to keep Samantha quiet. The investigation heats up faster than fondue over Sterno and all too soon this amateur sleuth learns that while the beat goes on, there's no guarantee that she'll go on with it.

Grand Theft Retro by Diane Vallere
Series: A Samantha Kidd Mystery, #5

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Polyester Press

Publication Date: May 17, 2016
Paperback: 228 pages
ISBN-10: 1939197260
ISBN-13: 978-1939197269
eBook File Size: 670 KB
ASIN: B01E1UHPV6

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The Review

Some Like It Haute by Diane Vallere | #Samanthapalooza! Tour w/ Review & Giveaway

The Blurb

If you can't stand the heat, get off the runway.

Fashion expert turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd is in the hot seat. After agreeing to help her ex-boyfriend’s former girlfriend with a runway show, her post-break-up life turns explosive. She recruits Dante, a smokin’ hot photographer, to turn up the heat on the investigation (and help her get over Nick), but even the third degree won’t expose an angry arsonist. With a crash course in sizzle, Samantha’s curiosity leads her into another inferno, and this time she either faces the fire or gets burned.

Some Like It Haute by Diane Vallere
Series: A Samantha Kidd Mystery, #4

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Polyester Press

Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Paperback: 248 pages
ISBN-10: 1939197104
ISBN-13: 978-1939197108
eBook File Size: 587 KB
ASIN: B00RME4N6O

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The Review

The Brim Reaper by Diane Vallere | #Samanthapalooza! Tour w/ Review & Giveaway

The Blurb

Former fashion buyer Samantha Kidd is in over her head

With no job prospects on the horizon, former fashion buyer Samantha Kidd convinces boyfriend and shoe designer Nick Taylor to give her a job in his showroom. When an over-the-top collection of vintage Hollywood costumes comes to Samantha Kidd’s hometown, it brings a hat box full of hype. Close friend Eddie is in charge of the exhibit but when hype turns to homicide, he turns to Samantha for help. Brimming with good intentions, she loops in the cops, but after one too many cloche calls, she’s soon in over her head. If she can tear the lid off the investigation, it might mean a feather in her fedora. And if she can't? She might get capped.

#3 in the funny and fashionable Samantha Kidd Cozy Mystery Series is a hat trick!

The Brim Reaper by Diane Vallere
Series: A Samantha Kidd Mystery, #3

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Polyester Press

Publication Date: December 3, 2013
Paperback: 266 pages
ISBN-10: 0984965343
ISBN-13: 978-0984965342
eBook File Size: 640 KB
ASIN: B00H03A1MW

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The Review

Buyer, Beware by Diane Vallere | #Samanthapalooza! Tour w/ Review & Giveaway

The Blurb

Samantha Kidd: Bag Lady?
Out-of-work fashion expert Samantha Kidd is strapped. But when the buyer of handbags for a hot new retailer turns up dead and Samantha is recruited for the job, the opportunity comes with a caveat: she's expected to find some answers. With shoe designer Nick Taylor off in Italy her romantic life is on hold--until she turns to a sexy stranger for help (with humorous results!). But as the walls close around her like a snug satin lining, Samantha must get a handle on the mystery or risk being caught in the killer's clutches.

Buyer, Beware by Diane Vallere
Series: A Samantha Kidd Mystery, #2

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Polyester Press

Publication Date: March 6, 2013
Paperback: 258 pages
ISBN-10: 1939197015
ISBN-13: 978-1939197016
eBook File Size: 623 KB
ASIN: B00BPD587G

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The Review

Designer Dirty Laundry by Diane Vallere | #Samanthapalooza! Tour w/ Review & Giveaway

To Celebrate the 5 Year Anniversary of the Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery Series

by Diane Vallere, Great Escapes Book Tours is hosting #Samanthapalooza!

The Blurb

Meet Samantha Kidd.
Ex-buyer turned Trend Specialist turns amateur sleuth! She designed her future with couture precision, but finding the Fashion Director's corpse on Day One leaves her hanging by a thread. And when the killer fabricates evidence that puts the cops on her hemline, even a chance run-in with hot shoe designer Nick Taylor can't keep her life from unraveling. She trades high fashion for dirty laundry and reveals a cast of designers out for blood. Now her job, her love life, and her future are put on hold as she tries to expose a diabolical designer before getting marked down for murder.

Designer Dirty Laundry by Diane Vallere
Series: A Samantha Kidd Mystery, #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Polyester Press

Publication Date: June 5, 2012
Paperback: 274 pages
ISBN-10: 0984965300
ISBN-13: 978-0984965304
eBook File Size: 614 KB
ASIN: B0088IEQPQ

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The Review