To any authors/publishers/ tour companies that are looking for the reviews that I signed up for please know this is very hard to do.
I will be stopping reviews temporarily. My husband passed away February 1st and my new normal is a bit scary right now and I am unable to concentrate on a book to do justice to the book and authors.
I will still do spotlight posts if you wish it is just the reviews at this time. I apologize for this, but it isn't fair to you if I signed up to do a review and haven't been able to because I can't concentrate on any books.
Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time. I appreciate all of you.
Kathleen Kelly
April 2nd 2024
Spring is blooming in Sierra Pines, and everyone’s busy preparing for the annual Spring Fling Festival. Ali Winston takes her B&B guests for a tour, and their first stop is the face painting booth. Local school board president, Melvin Renville, is there to honor a bet he lost to the student body by having his face painted. However, things turn tragic when he has an allergic reaction and ends up dead. No one is more surprised than Ali’s best friend and art teacher, Lyla Lane, when it’s discovered her face paint contains peanut oil, an ingredient Renville was highly allergic to. Lyla insists she’d never use store bought paint, only homemade, because in teaching elementary school, she’s aware many kids have food allergies.
Ali suspects someone wanted Renville dead and cleverly framed Lyla for the crime. The question is who had motive and the opportunity to pull off such a daring deed? Of course, rumors spread and fingers point at Lyla when word gets out that Renville had notified her, merely hours before his death, that the art program and her job would be cut next year. Talk about a motive to kill. With Sheriff Sterling painting Lyla as his prime suspect, Ali is determined to help her friend by discovering the true killer and to keep spring blooming in Sierra Pines.
About Kathryn Long
Kathryn Long is a native Ohioan who spends her days plotting murder and writing mysteries. She's a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. She’s actively involved in the writing and publishing worlds and stays up to date on her social media platforms. Kathryn lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio. The B&B series also includes Boarding with Murder and Snowed Under Murder. Inspiration for the storyline comes from her classic movie obsession, particularly Arsenic and Old Lace, and her love for Cary Grant. Kathryn also writes the PAINT BY MURDER mystery series under the name Bailee Abbott.
"Too many twists and turns to easily share about this book. Nevertheless, Carr has pulled off another "hit" that kept me reading in one setting until the clues were so well together that the villain fell into our laps...or Chris's, LOL Carr has put a lot into the book beyond the mysteries this time...Characters enjoyed chocotinis, visited book stores...and even blundered into getting engaged (the ring had been purchased 4 months ago)... But, for me, a special thank you for the political spoof at a time when politics at the national level is devastating, gave me a laugh and lightened the load of it all!" - Review by Glenda Bixler, Book Reader's Heaven
Book Details:
Book Title:The Last Thing She Said (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #3) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 386 pages Genre: Mystery Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: July 22, 2019 Formats available for purchase: paperback, ebook, audiobook (audible & itunes) Tour dates: October 7 to November 15, 2019 Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
Book Description:
“I’m working on the
greatest mystery ever,” was the last thing noted mystery novelist
Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking
out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again.
For decades, the writer’s fate
remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a
grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help
of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist
in their own field of investigation, Chris puts a flame to this cold
case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston
walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clues are getting hot!
Book Details: Book Title: Winter Frost (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2) by Lauren Carr Category: Adult fiction, 332 pages Genre: Mystery Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: January 22, 2019 Formats available for purchase: paperback, ebook, audiobook (audible & itunes)Tour dates:October 7 to November 22, 2019 Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books
are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a
murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind
closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between).
No F-bombs!
"Filled with twists and turns, Winter Frost
reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although it is part of a series.
The author creates tension and suspense throughout by keeping the
reader guessing; she keeps readers engaged with well fleshed out
characters and a dash of humor. Sterling, the retired German Shepherd
police dog turned card shark, is a new favorite. As the story flows, the
truth unfolds, layer by layer, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
"Winter Frost was an entertaining, at times humorous read with suspense, some surprises, and even cute animals in the mix." Review of Winter Frost by The iRead Review
Book Description:
It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife. Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad,
working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding
his late wife’s supposed death halfway around the globe. A state
department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA
operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin
three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas. Nothing is as it seems. In his most personal cold case,
Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair,
the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What had
she uncovered that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much
that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him?
Book Title: ICE (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1) by Lauren Carr Category: Adult fiction, 364 pages Genre: Mystery Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: February 26, 2018 Formats available for purchase: paperback, ebook, audiobook (audible & itunes)Tour dates:October 7 to November 22, 2019 Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books
are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a
murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind
closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between).
No F-bombs!
"ICE is a
strong start to a new series that will have fans of Lauren Carr thrilled
to be introduced to another set of memorable and entertaining
characters. Carr's Geezer Squad has brought sexy back to mature men and
women, whose kickass attitude and smarts sizzle as they melt the clues
to those cold cases!" Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads
"For the whodunit mystery buff who loves ever-increasing suspense and
danger, Lauren Carr's newest series offers up a big dose of both. Murder
and mayhem seem to be Chris's new companions after returning home
following the loss of both his wife and his father. Juggling the
parenting responsibilities of his three daughters with his mother is not
something Chris was expecting at this point in his life, but life isn't
something that goes as planned." 5-Star Review at Blooming with Books
Book Description:
When Sandy Lipton
and her unborn child disappeared, the court of public opinion found
young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent
returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and
his family has never lifted. With the help of a team of fellow
retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field
of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this
cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the
clues are getting hot!
Lauren
Carr is the international best-selling author of the Thorny Rose, Mac
Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries—over
twenty titles across four fast-paced mystery series filled with twists
and turns! Book reviewers and readers alike
rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery,
suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor. Lauren is a popular speaker who has
made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at
conventions. She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German
shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
"Lauren Carr's books are never boring, that's for sure. They
entertain, give us a good mystery to dig into, keep the reader guessing,
give us a few good laughs and make us eager for the next book. Warning:
Lauren Carr's series are addictive, so be ready to read more than just
one book!" - Review by Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads
"Lauren Carr has yet gone it again with another great mystery. I am so
loving this series and can't wait for more. I know have to read more of
Lauren's books. She is a very talented writer." Review by Stacey Schneller of Books, Dreams, Life.
"Mysteries, murder, danger, and memories that threatens their
lives keeps the action and suspense at a high level and even when the
answers are found, it left me wanting more." - Review by Sherry Fundin of Fundinmental
Book Details:
Book Title: A Fine Year for Murder by Lauren Carr Series: Thorny Rose Mystery Series (Volume 2) Category: Adult fiction, 374 pages Genre: Murder Mystery Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: January, 2017 Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)
Book Description:
After ten months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton
are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in
their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle
of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep
secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out
at Murphy.
When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her
latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may
have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the
winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims,
Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker,
a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a
community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an
end to the Thorny Rose couple?
Check out these other great Thorny Rose Mysteries::
"Lauren Carr's books are never boring, that's for sure. They entertain,
give us a good mystery to dig into, keep the reader guessing, give us a
few good laughs and make us eager for the next book. Warning: Lauren
Carr's series are addictive, so be ready to read more than just one
book!" Review by Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads
Book Description:
Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the
United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two
dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after
numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue
that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every
federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.
Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander
Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up
at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to
bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest
work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist
who’d disappeared months earlier.
“She was number twelve,” Dean says.
“Twelve?” Murphy asks.
“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”
Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy:
"The plot was well thought out and there were no loose ends at the end.
The story was fast paced to keep my attention easily. The book is a
treat to a reader who loves a mix of genres in their reads. It has the
right amount of romance, mystery, action and thrill to keep me satisfied
from the start to the end." - Reviewer: The Travelogue of a Book Addict
Book Description:
Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered
in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions
surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers
together only to be killed.
Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton,
USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims,
then he can find their murderer.
The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the
victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron
Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a
Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night
shift on the turnpike.
In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in
Crime join newlyweds Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to shift
through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the
Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning
killer?
Murder by Perfection is a wonderful read and a perfect to
escape from the challenges of a busy day. Danger, intrigue, humor, and
love all take their turn in this tale which will keep you reading into
the wee hours." Review by Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn
Book Description:
Beware: Perfection has a dark side!
Frustrated with their busy schedules, Murphy Thornton and Jessica
Faraday attempt to find togetherness by scheduling a weekly date night.
The last thing Jessica Faraday expected for her date night was to take a
couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned
by Chef Natalie Stepford―the model of perfection in looks, home, and
business.
When Natalie ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose
detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s life to
discover that the pursuit of perfection can be deadly.
Lauren Carr is the international
best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson
Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across
three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike
rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include
mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and
humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also
the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead
Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German
Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
My Review
This is a review of the Nutcracker Conspiracy by Lauren Carr and done for iRead Book Tours. What is the book about?
"Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital." What did I like about the book?
I love a good mystery/thriller/murder mystery book. This book had all the elements of a good murder mystery. Good strong characters, although an awful lot of them. At times it was confusing to keep up with who is who. The setting was mostly in Washington DC and the author told the mystery in a very convincing way. You never expect who the bad guy is and it is unexpected. I also liked that one of the characters is dog Gnarly. At first, I thought it was a person. What I didn't like about the book?
The only thing I can think of is the number of characters. I did like that the author put in the front of the book a cast of characters. That really helped. Do I recommend this book?
I most certainly do. I give it 4 stars! I loved the book and I highly recommend it if you like a good suspenseful story that leaves you satisfied at the end.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes only.
Join Fiona and the gang for a hot whodunit on the sandy
beaches of Presque Isle, Pennsylvania!
Book Details:
Book Title: Waves of Murder: A Fiona Quinn Mystery Author: C.S. McDonald Category: YA Fiction, 190 pages Genre: Cozy Mystery Publisher: McWriter Books Release date: April 11, 2017 Tour dates: May 15 to 26, 2017 Content Rating: G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and
they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!) Book Description: School’s out for the summer! Kindergarten teacher, Fiona Quinn is looking forward to spending some quality time in her yard
and with her boyfriend, Detective Nathan Landry. However, Fiona’s plans get squelched when
her mother volunteers her to edit a manuscript for famous romance author, Wyla Parkes. What’s so bad about that? The author insists Fiona must work on the manuscript at her beach
cottage on Presque Isle--three hours away from her yard and Nathan. Spending six weeks in an
adorable cottage on a private beach doesn’t really seem all that bad until people start turning up
dead—beginning with the author! Fiona’s summer of sun and sand is instantly transformed into
a murder investigation. Can Fiona and Nathan crack the case or will the murderer get away on a
wave of deceit? Join Fiona and the gang for a hot whodunit on the sandy beaches of Presque Isle,
Pennsylvania!
People are always asking me, “where do you get your stories from, and where do your characters come from?” “Are they people who you know? Is it someone who I know?” Sometimes they will gasp while cupping their hand over their mouth in complete panic and ask, “Oh, my God! Is it me?”
*giggle* If it were the person, do you think I’d actually admit it to them?
Okay, so where does a character like Fiona Quinn come from? Fiona is a product of my heart. I absolutely love characters who are flawed, who get flustered. Characters who try to the right the debacle and it all turns out wrong—such is the case with my unlikely sleuth, Fiona Quinn.
Fiona is a kindergarten teacher who lives in Pittsburgh. As a matter of fact, she lives in the very house that I grew up in at 529 Oxford Street, in a little neighborhood called, Westwood. Fiona grew up much like I did—taking dance classes. She almost became a ballerina, until a skiing accident. In book #1 Murder on Pointe, poor Fiona is dragged into a murder investigation by going undercover as a ballerina—and thus, we begin our stories of this darling young woman who has a knack for solving mysteries. In books #2 Merry Murder, Fiona can’t wait for her parents to return to Pittsburgh for the holidays. She’s got everything perfectly planned, until her great Uncle Wilbur, who is a department store Santa, is murdered, and again, Fiona jumps into action to try to solve the case before Christmas arrives!
Of course, Fiona has lots of help in solving mysteries. There is the quirky, but oh, so charming, Detective Landry—he is so much fun to write, and kind of reminds me of my husband. And in Merry Murder, we meet Fiona’s mom, Nancy. Believe it or not, when I was creating the character Nancy Quinn, the character told me her name was indeed, Nancy. No, Janet wouldn’t do—nor would Carol or Jean or Penelope—it had to be Nancy. Period.
At this point in the conversation, the person I’m talking to tilts their head to one side, narrows their eyes and askes, “Seriously? The characters talk to you?”
Absolutely!
If you’re an author reading this you know exactly what I’m talking about. Characters tell us when they want to fall in love or when a relationship just isn’t working out, and yes, oftentimes they will tell us what their name is. They tell us how they are feeling and what they fear, and as authors we react accordingly.
In book #3 Waves of Murder, I’ve taken Fiona to Presque Isle, located in Erie, Pennsylvania—about three hours North of Pittsburgh. Hold the phone! Fiona’s ghostly grandmother, Evelyn, who lives in the attic wasn’t too pleased to hear the story was moving to where she was not present. That’s right, Evelyn whispered in my ear. So yes, I had to accommodate Evelyn, and make sure there were scenes that involved her character in this book. To be honest, I think Fiona’s readers would’ve been just as disappointed as she was if I had left Evelyn out of the story.
So where do the characters who whisper into our ear come from? Many places. They come from our childhood, our relationships, experiences, and things we witness—currently or from long ago. Characters are asleep in the deep crevasses of an author’s mind—they awaken and emerge making themselves known to us when the time is right, and then our fingertips race over the keys to make them flesh and bring them to you.
Meet the Author:
For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. She was a
professional dancer and choreographer. During that time she choreographed many musicals
and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write.
Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense
novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her
grandchildren. Now she adds the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write
the cozy mystery series for her young granddaughters, and has found that so many adults love
them too. Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel,
Allister. Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook BOOK SPOTLIGHT TOUR: May 15 - Library of Clean Reads - book
spotlight / author interview / giveaway May 15 - Book Crazy Scrapbook
Mama - book spotlight / giveaway May 15 - Working Mommy Journal - book
spotlight / giveaway May 15 - Corinne Rodrigues - book spotlight / guest
post / giveaway May 16 - Reviews in the City - book spotlight /
giveaway May 16 - Celticlady's Reviews -
book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 16 - Books, Dreams, Life - book
spotlight / giveaway May 16 - Blooming with Books - book
spotlight / giveaway May 17 - Rainy Day Reviews - book
spotlight / giveaway May 17 - Sleuth Cafe - book spotlight / author
interview / giveaway May 17 - Zerina Blossom's Books - book
spotlight / giveaway May 17 - Mystery Suspense Reviews
- book spotlight / guest post May 18 - FUONLYKNEW - book spotlight / author
interview / giveaway May 18 - The Book Drealms - book
spotlight / giveaway May 18 - Laura's Interests - book spotlight /
giveaway May 18 - #redhead.with.book - book spotlight /
giveaway May 19 - Babs Book Bistro - book spotlight /
giveaway May 19 - Brooke Blogs - book spotlight / guest post
/ giveaway May 19 -100 Pages a day -
book spotlight / giveaway May 19 - Puddletown Reviews - book spotlight /
giveaway May 22 - Hall Ways Blog - book spotlight /
giveaway May 22 - Literary Flits - book spotlight / giveaway May 22 - Books for Books - book spotlight May 22 - Bound 2 Escape - book spotlight /
giveaway May 23 - Kristin's Novel Cafe - book spotlight
/ giveaway May 23 - Katie's Clean Book
Collection - book spotlight / giveaway May 23 - Cassidy's Bookshelves - book
spotlight / author interview / giveaway May 23 - Travelling Through
Words - book spotlight / giveaway May 24 - Rockin' Book Reviews - book spotlight /
guest post / giveaway May 24 - Seasons of
Opportunities - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway May 24 - Bookworm Cafe - book
spotlight / giveaway May 25 - JBronder Book Reviews - book
spotlight May 25 - Carole's Book Corner - book
spotlight / May 25 - Deal Sharing Aunt - book spotlight /
giveaway May 26 - 3 Partners in Shopping Nana,
Mommy + Sissy, Too! - spotlight / giveaway May 26 - StoreyBook Reviews - book
spotlight / giveaway May 26 - Jessica Cassidy - book spotlight
