Pumpkin Roll by Josi Kilpack

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Publication Date: September 7, 2011
Genre: Mystery
Series: A Culinary Mystery (can be read alone)
Reviewed For: Pump Up Your Books
My Rating:

Murder On The Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young

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Genre: Thriller/ mystery
Heat Level: Pg-13
Reviewed For: Pump Up Your Books
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Buried In Briny Bay by Bobbye Terry

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Publication Date: March 6, 2011
Genre: Suspense/ Mystery
Series: Briny Bay Mystery
Reviewed For: Turquoise Morning Press
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Book Blurb: Roxie Turner finds herself up to her neck in trouble when her lifelong nemesis, Georgia Collins, is discovered buried in the town’s landfill. To make matters worse, with her characteristic Southern sass, Roxie has been saying she’d kill Georgia for more than twenty years. In fact, she listed the ways to do the woman in, constantly reminding prominent citizens of her intent. It was all a joke, or so she thought. But the joke turns on her as, suddenly, other dead bodies begin to pile up, all murdered with a technique from Roxie’s list. 

Enlisting the assistance of handsome hunk, Greg Norris, Roxie’s sister, Trixie Frye, comes to her aid, bent on uncovering the killer and the truth. Can they find out both before Roxie goes to the big house?


My Thoughts: This book is a fast read as its a short novella. However sitting down and reading this, you should be prepared to be entertained. The two main female characters in this book are a hoot and just can't keep themselves out of trouble. Every decision they make ends up being the wrong one and leaves them looking guilty of not one but four murders. There is a slight romance in this book, but I could not classify this book as a romantic suspense. This book will  leave you wondering who is setting up Roxie and who just might be murdered next.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a comical read and a little mystery. This book is perfect for a rainy afternoon or even an evening with nothing going on.

 

Redemption by Laurel Dewey

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Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Series: Jane Dewey Book #2
Reviewed For: Pump Up Your Books
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Book Blurb: After a series of life-changing events, detective Jane Perry has resigned from the Denver Police Department. Trying to make a living as a private investigator, she finds her past haunting her at every turn and old demons rising up to torment her. 
Then Jane meets Kit Clark, a woman who wants Jane to drive with her from Colorado to Northern California in search of a man who matches the description of the killer who murdered her granddaughter many years before. Kit’s convinced that the man has started to kill again and she wants to stop him. Jane thinks the woman is crazy—especially when she discovers that she’s a New Age devotee—but Jane is desperate for work. They head on the road, gathering critical information about the killer, and themselves, along the way. Jane has recently experienced several events in her life that seem to border on the paranormal, though she is a complete skeptic in that regard. Now, those experiences come with greater frequency. And when the trail of the killer leads to a fundamentalist church, the consequences of belief and faith propel her toward a deadly confrontation.


My Thoughts: As I sat down with this story, I was ready to be taken on a journey of thinking and figuring out clues. I did have to stop and think some with this book and the way my mind played things out, I had expected some big twists and turns in this story. People I felt would surely be involved in the mystery of the missing girl Charlotte, ended up being just as innocent as the book portrayed them. Jane found herself hunting many trails of people in her search for who Lou Peters who has recently been released from prison. Many times during the story I had hoped maybe he was innocent, even though it didn't look that way.

I enjoyed this book. While reading the book, I felt myself captivated by the characters and learning who they were. You never get too in dept though with any character. You know them mainly at their surface. I think at times, you got a little below the surface with some characters, but never by much. As far as the suspense in this book, its there for sure. I just found myself waiting on the twist in the book that would leave me talking to the book saying "Oh My Gosh!". Unfortunately, that just didn't comes. This book was fairly easy to figure out and know what was coming. However, it was still a very enjoyable read and I think anyone who likes this genre will be pleased. If you are a die hard romance reader, well, there is no romance in this book, so this book would not be classified as a romantic suspense.


 

Twenty Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba

Publication Date: October 27, 2009
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Format I Read: E-book (available in paperback)
My Rating:


Book Blurb: Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. 
Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling "25 Years Ago Today" items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods. 
Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology. 
Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's suspicious nephew, Eric Soares - until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them. 
Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline is tomorrow's danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris's present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.


My Thoughts: Kris is an aspiring journalist who at this point keeps herself busy writing obituaries and small articles that deal with something that happens twenty five years ago. She comes across a mystery that deals with a murdered woman from twenty five years ago and the case was never solved. Its the only case in there town that has never been solved. This spikes her interest and she decides that she has to solve this mystery. She meets the family and learns the background. Only the case isn't as easy for her to solve as she would like. Eric, the murdered victim's nephew is there to help along the way and share his insight.

This book has a slight romance in it between Eric and Kris. If your a romance reader, you might enjoy this mystery with that aspect, however the romance is not overwhelming and doesn't take over the book. Its just nice to see the two people come together. The mystery is good in the book. There are a few twists and turns in the story. In some ways I had this book figured out, but then I didn't. If you read this book for the mystery aspect, you will be very intrigued. Stacy Juba weaves a wonderful story and mystery. She shows us who Diana Ferguson really was and not just what people read in the newspaper article. This is a great book and anyone who is looking to get lost in a good mystery will definitely enjoy this one. This is one of those books where I can't say too much about it or else you will figure it out. So, pick it up and check it out. You won't be sorry.



**This book was provided to me by the author in return for my honest review.**

Tick Tock by James Patterson

Publication Date: January 24, 2011
Genre: Suspense/thriller
Series: Micheal Bennett #4
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Book Summary: A bomb set in one of New York's busiest places is discovered before it explodes. But relief turns to terror when the police realize it is just a warning of greater devastation to come. The city calls on Detective Michael Bennett, pulling him away from a seaside vacation with his ten adopted children and their beloved nanny, Mary Catherine--leaving his entire family open to attack.Bennett enlists the help of a former colleague, FBI Agent Beth Peters. His affection for Beth grows into attraction and then something stronger, and his relationship with Mary Catherine takes an unexpected turn. Another horrifying crime leads Bennett to a shocking discovery that exposes the killer's pattern--and the earth-shattering enormity of his plan.

My Thoughts: This book is a race against the clock, literally! Someone has a mission to reenact crimes of history and they are targeting Micheal Bennett. This is my first book is this series. Micheal is not only a detective but he is also a father of 10 adopted children. So you get to go in a little more with his personal life and what the kids are going through. So there are two plots going on in some ways. Micheal solving the case of who is setting off these bombs and the family who is bullying his children. There is even a little romance in this book as Michael has two women who want to be his leading lady. This book will keep you wanting to pick it up at anytime that it isn't in your hand. I don't know how Mr. Patterson does it, but he has another best seller in his hands.



**This book was provided to me by the publishers for my honest review.**

Easy As Pie At Bobby's Dinner by Susan Wingate

Publication Date: May 15, 2010
Pages: 220
Format: Paperback (E-book available)
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Series: Book 2 (Bobby's Dinner)
My Rating:


Book Summary: Georgette Carlisle lost her first husband, and is about to lose her next one: Hawthorne Biggs. She’s running the diner with Roberta, her late husband’s daughter. When old friend, Helen, comes back home after a failed attempt at a writing career, she is, once again, attracted to Georgette’s man. After the two women part company Helen goes missing. While digging around, Georgette finds out that Biggs has a dangerous past. With Roberta at her side, the two women brave separation, torture, and near death at the hand of Biggs. And, after taking him down, the women find a new strength and belonging. EASY AS PIE is the number two book in the four-part “Bobby’s Diner” series.

My Thoughts: Being the second book in the series, I was able to catch up quickly since I have not read the first book. This was quite an enjoyable read. The chapters were shorts and maybe reading the book fast for me. Each chapter ends with such a cliff hanger, you have to turn the page to see what is going to happen to Georgette next and all the crazy people in her life. It seems luck just isn't on her side, even five years after the death of her late husband Bobby. Things seem to be looking up to her, however things are not always as they seem she soon learns. People are also not whom they seem to be.  At times Georgette isn't even sure who she can fully trust.

This book is full of mystery, and a lot of comical situations. You find yourself laughing along while you root with Georgette. I love her cat Gangster. What a name for a cat. I am assuming I would know a little more about the cat and how he got his name if I had read the first book, which definitely will be added to my list to read. Susan Wingate has written an excellent novel and I just hope she has another one out before long. I can't wait to see what happens in Georgette'e life next. I do hope for love for her and hopefully finding someone to settle with. The book itself ends with a slight cliffhanger, having you already wondering, something else is going to happen. This mystery is not over, so watch out Georgette!



**This book was provided to me by the author and publisher in return for my honest review.**

Key Lime Pie by Josi S. Kilpack

Publication Date: August 15, 2010
Pages: 320
Genre: Mystery
Series: A Culinary Mystery
My Rating:




Summary: (Goodreads)When Sadie Hoffmiller's new friend, Eric Burton, receives word that his missing daughter's body may have been found in Florida, he immediately packs his bags. Sadie is determined to stay home and prove to everyone that she is not a busybody. But when she senses Eric is hiding something, Sadie is compelled to take action. Before she knows it, she's in the heart of Miami, trying to piece together a trail that might just give Eric the answers he's so desperately searching for. In the process, Sadie finds herself in the company of some colorful characters and some good ol' southern cooking. But despite the drama and intrigue, all Sadie really wants is to go home ... as soon as she does just one more thing. 

My Thoughts: I devoured this book and loved it. This is the first book I have read in this series and it was easy to pick up. I didn't feel as though I had missed much by this being the fourth book in the series. I fell right into line with the crazy Sadie who has far too much curiosity and gets herself into way too much trouble. Sadie has two potential love interests in this story. One is Peter, whom she technically takes a break from in the beginning so she can follow Eric to Florida to help with his missing daughter. I am assuming Peter is a love interest from previous books. Eric is a younger man then her and she feels herself drawn to him however, she is very turned off by how cocky he can be. Sadie gets herself involved into way more then she bargained by following Eric to Florida. She meets quite the characters (an ex-wife, a crazy taxi driver) in her quest; which left this book be a very entertaining read. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author. Another thing I loved about this book and always makes almost any book perfect, is there were recipes! Yes, anytime a recipe was talked about in this book, at the end a recipe was shared. And yes readers, there was a key lime pie recipe!



**A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher and author for my honest review. I was not required to make this review positive.**