The Witch and The Dead {+ Giveaway}

◊ THE WITCH AND THE DEAD by Heather Blake

◊ Series: A Wishcraft Mystery, Book 7

◊ Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

◊ Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

◊ Publisher: Berkley (October 4, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1101990139

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1101990131

SYNOPSIS:

          The national bestselling author of Gone with the Witch returns as wish-granting witch Darcy Merriweather uncovers dangerous skeletons in the closet—and the garage....
 

When Darcy moved to Salem, Massachusetts, she never expected her life to change as drastically as it did. But within a short time, the Enchanted Village has become her home, its mystical residents have become her family, and As You Wish, the personal concierge business formerly run by her Aunt Ve, has become her calling. Still, the time has come for change—and for Darcy to move out of Aunt Ve’s house.
          Darcy’s belongings are stashed in Aunt Ve’s garage, alongside a mess of memories, forgotten possessions, and, to both Ve and Darcy’s horror, a pile of old bones. It turns out they belong to Ve’s long missing second husband. Now Darcy must unpack old secrets to solve a cold case—and make sure her aunt isn’t looking at a spell behind bars.

Author Heather Blake has the knack for blending magic, murder, intrigue, and romance into a fascinating tale.

The magical community of the Enchanted Village comes alive through Blake’s rich descriptions and vivid details. She makes you feel the excitement of the village and its residents. Blake’s take on the enchanting seems normal.

The characters are quirky and mesmerizing. They are well-developed, likable and have traits readers can relate to while wishing they had magical powers too.

The story is captivating and holds your attention until the very end. Moving at a steady pace, the story will keep you on your toes with a few surprises along the way. There’s a good blend of mystery, murder, mayhem, romance, and friendship throughout the book.

THE WITCH AND THE DEAD can be read on its own. Filled with delightful characters, a magical setting, and an interesting murder mystery to solve what more could a reader ask for?

The Witch and the Dead by Heather Blake, A Wishcraft Mystery (Book #7), Berkley, @2016, ISBN: 978-1101990131, Mass Market Paperback, 320 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin Random House, I have a print copy of THE WITCH AND THE DEAD by Heather Blake to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Saturday, Oct. 15.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Don’t you just love this cover? Do you enjoy a good mix of magic, mystery, and romance?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gone with The Witch {+ Giveaway}

When it comes to making magical and mysterious seem real and plausible, author Heather Blake has a natural talent for creating the right elements.

In GONE WITH THE WITCH, the sixth installment in Blake’s Wishcraft Mystery series, the combination of magic, murder, romance, mystery, and family comes together for an enchanting story. The smooth blend of these elements and more will hold you spellbound until the very end.

Darcy Merriweather, owner of As You Wish, has been hired to oversee the annual Pawsitively Enchanted Pet contest in the Enchanted Village. The show’s organizer fears someone is trying to sabotage the even with ‘accidents.’ But when the lead suspect in the accidents winds up dead, Darcy has her hands full searching for a new suspect. To make matters worse, someone is snatching up prize winning pets. Darcy has to pull out all the stops to save the event’s reputation and possibly the village’s livelihood.

Blake has created a spunky protagonist and a cast of quirky characters readers will be drawn to. The magical setting of the Enchanted Village comes to life through the author’s rich descriptions. The close-knit atmosphere of the community makes it a place readers will want to return to time and time again.

The easy flow of dialogue moves the story at a steady pace, while the twists and turns keep you guessing. GONE WITH THE WITCH is an entertaining read that will delight you senses, make you smile (despite murder) and have you believing in wishes.

This is a standalone book and can be read on its own. However, don’t be surprised if you feel compelled to check out the other books in the series as well. Readers get an added bonus in this book with a sneak preview of the next installment in the series, THE WITCH AND THE DEAD, coming in October.

Get ready to be mesmerized with magical powers and feel-good sensations from this bewitching tale Blake has created.

Gone with The Witch by Heather Blake, A Wishcraft Mystery (Book #6), Obsidian, @2016, ISBN: 978-1101990117, Mass Market Paperback, 336 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have a print copy of GONE WITH THE WITCH by Heather Blake to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Sunday, May 15.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope I've enticed you to check out this delightful cozy murder mystery. Do you believe in wishes coming true? Have you ever entered you pet in a pet show?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ghost of a Potion {+ Giveaway}

Southern charm, hospitality, and humor blend well with mystery, magic and mayhem in author Heather Blake’s latest release, GHOST OF A POTION.

The comforting down-home appeal quickly draws you in to a world where the paranormal seems natural. The author’s easy writing style envelopes you as it transports you to Hitching Post, Alabama, just as the residents are set to celebrate Halloween.

Potion shop owner Carly Bell Hartwell is not all that fond of Halloween seeing how that’s the busy time for ghosts wanting to get her help to pass through to the other side. A costume ball, organized by her boyfriend Dylan’s mother, is the last place she wants to be as Halloween approaches. But she agrees to go just to please Dylan despite the fact his mother seems to hate her.

When Dylan’s mother is found standing over a dead body, holding the murder weapon, Carly see an opportunity the forge a truce with her if she can clear her name. Carly has her hands full trying to uncover the real killer, while dealing with so many ghosts. Carly soon learns secrets take on a life of their own if kept too long.

Blake’s characters are quirky, likable and well-developed. The bantering between Carly and her parents is priceless. The dialogue flows smoothly and holds you spellbound. The twists and turns in the story will keep you in suspense until the very end.

The author’s vivid descriptions and eye for detail paints a beautiful Southern town. The right mix of humor and family loyalty adds depth to this charming story while lightening the cozy murder mystery.

GHOST OF A POTION is the third installment in the Magic Potion Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. 

Featuring characters you wish were your neighbors, this enchanting story will entertain you from the first line until the last. Magic, potions and ghosts are a delight when Carly Bell Hartwell is involved.

Ghost of a Potion by Heather Blake, A Magic Potion Mystery Book #3, NAL, @2015, ISBN: 978-0451416322, Mass Market Paperback, 336 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to Danielle and the wonderful folks at Berkley, I have a print copy of GHOST OF A POTION to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, Oct. 16.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Ghost Potion Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decide for whatever reason you don’t want to win, once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by for my review of this fun mystery. Do you shy away from books just because they involve paranormal elements? Do you enjoy reading ghost stories during October in honor of Halloween?

*This post contains affiliate links.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Southern Comfort with Author Heather Blake {+ Giveaways}

It’s always a delight to welcome author Heather Blake back to Thoughts in Progress as I know she’ll have a fascinating new book to share with us.

During today’s visit, Heather will be talking about her latest release, ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE, and an awesome giveaway she’s hosting. In addition, thanks to the lovely Danielle at Penguin Group, I have a print copy of ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE (the second installment in the Magic Potion series) to giveaway to a lucky visitor. Please see the end of the post for more information about the giveaways.

First, join me in giving a warm welcome to Heather, who is here to talk about ‘Southern Comfort.’ Welcome, Heather!

Southern Comfort…
          …food, that is.

While researching the Magic Potion mysteries, I’m always coming across Southern recipes and trying to figure out how I can incorporate them into the book without turning it from a magical series to one about Southern cooking.

But, oh my. The South doesn’t lack a love for food. Pecan pie. Fritters (drool). Hush puppies. Biscuits and gravy. Cornbread. Red rice and sausage. Anything buttermilk. Coca Cola cake. Pot pies, fried pickles, barbecue anything, apple butter, dumplings, fried chicken… It’s endless. Endless, I tell you.

So, having said all that, you’d think that my main character, healing witch Carly Bell Hartwell, would have a traditionally Southern go-to comfort food, right? Moon Pies or GooGoo Bars or some such.
 
Nope.

Her go-to?

Peanut butter.

In times of stress, she grabs a spoon and digs in. I wouldn’t put it past her to just use her finger, depending on the circumstances. 

Shocking, I know. 

But… I believe most peanuts are grown in the South, so that has to count for something, right? Right?

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Heather, thanks for visiting today and sharing Carly Bell’s favorite comfort food. You are so right, we Southerners do have a love of food and peanuts are a big crop here in Georgia.

Now for those who aren’t familiar with Heather, here’s a bit of background on her.

Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber) is the author of more than twenty novels and has been twice nominated for an Agatha Award. She's a total homebody who loves to be close to her family, read, watch reality TV (especially cooking competition shows), drink too much coffee, crochet, and bake cookies.

Heather grew up in a suburb of Boston, but currently she lives in the Cincinnati area with her family and is hard at work on her next book.

For more on Heather and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

HEATHER’S AWESOME GIVEAWAY …

Heather is running a month-long ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE Witchtastic giveaway via Rafflecopter (9/23 – 10/23). Win a set of “Cast a Spell” measuring spoons, a set of three Yankee Candle potion bottle tea light holders, a Lego mini-figure witch, and a $20.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble -or- Amazon (winner’s choice). 

To enter, just click http://www.heatherblakebooks.com/p/giveaway.html (Heather’s giveaway page) or http://www.tinyurl.com/k9rzmby to visit her Facebook giveaway page.

Now here’s my thoughts on this intriguing new cozy mystery.

ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE by Heather Blake

Author Heather Blake weaves a mystical tale involving love potions and magical elements that will hold you spellbound with delight in ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE.

It’s been over a decade since Katie Sue Perrywinkle left town, but her old childhood friend Carly Bell Hartwell is happy to see her return. But Katie is back to settle a score with Senator Warren Calhoun and his son’s high-profile wedding in Hitching Post, Ala., seems the perfect place to do it.

Someone wants Katie to remain quiet forever. Carly is determined to find her friend’s murderer. Could the bride-to-be’s visit to Carly’s Little Shop of Potions have a connection? The closer she gets to the truth, the closer the killer gets to her.

Once again Blake’s quirky characters will have you laughing as you try to determine who the killer is among the twists and turns. The characters are well-developed and likable.

The story flows smoothly and at a steady pace keeping you entranced until the end. Blake’s descriptions and rich dialogue will draw you in and make you believe in the paranormal.

ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE is the second installment in the Magic Potion Mystery series, but can be read alone. However, be warned, if you haven’t read the first installment you may bewitched into reading it by the time you finish this one. A fun cozy that will have you laughing as you unmask a killer

One Potion in the Grave by Heather Blake, Magic Potion Mystery Book #2, Obsidian, @2014, ISBN: 978-0451416315, Paperback, 336 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher as part of the author’s virtual book tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY:

This giveaway is for one print copy of ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. The giveaway ends at 12 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. The email subject line will read ‘Thoughts in Progress Heather Blake Tour’ just so you know what to look for (in case the email goes into your spam folder).

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to share your favorite comfort food with us. I have so many, I can’t begin to list them but chocolate cake would probably be at the top of the list. What about you?

SIDENOTE: Thanks so much for your thoughts, prayers and concerns during the passing of my mother-in-law. I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your comments, but they are deeply appreciated. Today is her funeral, say an extra prayer for us. We’ll be saying a final goodbye to her earthly body even though her spirit and love will remain with us always. I hope to be visiting with you again in a few days. Thanks again for stopping by today and good luck to those entering the giveaways.

*This post contains affiliate links. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heather Blake’s The Goodbye Witch {+Giveaway}

It’s with great pleasure that I welcome my friend, fellow blogger and author Heather Blake to Thoughts in Progress today. Heather stops by on her virtual book tour for THE GOODBYE WITCH, the latest and fourth installment in her Witchcraft Mystery series.

Heather will be talking about ‘Blind Faith’ concerning where her ideas come from. In addition, thanks to Heather and the delightful Danielle at Penguin Group, I have a print copy of THE GOODBYE WITCH to give away. Please see the end of the post for the details.

First, here’s a brief synopsis of THE GOODBYE WITCH …

As Enchanted Village’s resident Wishcrafter, Darcy Merriweather has the power to make other people’s wishes come true, but what she really wishes is that she had the power to uncloak the invisible man who’s stalking her best friend....
        Darcy’s closest friend and fellow witch, Starla Sullivan, hoped she’d never see her ex-husband, Kyle, again. Two years ago he tried to kill her, and he has been a fugitive ever since. Now Starla claims to have seen him back in Enchanted Village, but it seems she’s the only one who can see him. To everyone else, her ex is invisible.
        Darcy only wishes his motives were as transparent as the rest of him. Since the police can’t arrest someone they can’t see, it’s up to Darcy to find the secret behind Kyle’s latest disappearing act—before he does something they can’t see coming.... 

Please join me in welcoming Heather as she talks about ‘Blind Faith.’

One of the most-asked questions I receive from readers is, “Where do you get your ideas?” 

Honestly, some of the time I have no idea where they come from. The ideas are just there. Most of the time, however, an idea comes from a situation I see or hear. It sets off a spark that I then flame into a full-blown plot by playing the “what if” game. What if that happened to one of my characters? Then what if my character did this, did that?

For THE GOODBYE WITCH, it was a magazine article I read that created the spark. A human-interest piece about a young woman who’d been murdered. Nineteen years old. A high-achieving college student. The whole world ahead of her. There was a preponderance of

evidence against the woman’s boyfriend that he’d committed the crime. DNA. Witnesses. A confession (though later retracted). Yet…his parents steadfastly refused to believe their son, their pride and joy who was also a college student on the fast-track to greatness, could have had anything to do with this heinous crime. No way. Not their boy. They proclaimed his innocence to any and all who would listen (and still do, despite his conviction).

The behavior, the blind faith, of those parents struck me hard. What if that was one of my sons? What would I do in that situation? How would I react? Better yet…what if it happened to one of my characters?

What if?

In THE GOODBYE WITCH, Wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather’s best friend, Starla, is living her worst nightmare. Her fugitive ex-husband, Kyle, has returned to the Enchanted Village. Years ago, he escaped jail after being arrested for Starla’s attempted murder. His family – his parents and two brothers – and most of the village took Kyle’s side after the arrest. As the village’s golden child, Kyle could do no wrong in their eyes. 

Darcy, of course, is livid at the absolute allegiance to Kyle. How could everyone simply ignore all the evidence against him?

What if?

It’s not until Kyle’s found dead, and Starla becomes the number one suspect in his death, that Darcy learns how easily someone can put blind faith behind a loved one accused of a horrible crime. She’ll do anything and everything to clear her friend’s name.

Because nothing is ever what it seems in the Enchanted Village, it takes all Darcy has learned about the Craft and help from her family and friends (mortal and Crafters alike) to discover the true motive for Kyle’s death. And when she does, she’s completely unprepared for the consequences of those actions and how they affect her own life…

Heather, thanks for stopping by today. You bring up a good point with ‘blind faith.’ Do we ever really believe in it until we are tested by someone we love?

For those who aren’t familiar with Heather, here’s a bit of background.

Heather Blake grew up in a suburb of Boston, and enjoys going “home” in her novels. As a young mother, she tried her hand at writing novels and hasn’t looked back. Currently, Heather lives in the Cincinnati area with her family, and is presently hard at work on her next novel. 

Heather also writes under the name Heather Webber. So far, she has 11 published novels, one eBook, and several short stories in print under her alter ego.
For more on Heather and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.

THE GOODBYE WITCH is available at the following locations:





GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is for one print copy of THE GOODBYE WITCH. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end Wednesday, May 21. When notified, the winner will have 72 hours to respond to the email or another winner will be selected. 

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few minutes to load, please be patient.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. Has this post made you think about what you would do in similar circumstances? Do you believe in blind faith?

*This post contains affiliate links. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cozy Murder Mysteries Abound

I’m amazed and delighted at the variety and number of new cozy murder mysteries that are published each month by the vast array of publishers and those self-publishing.

Of the publishers, Berkley Prime Crime and Obsidian always have such interesting mysteries and varied themes. This month is no exception with a new series beginning and the addition of many already established series.

While I haven’t had a chance to read these books yet, they are all in my TBR stack. I’m looking forward to uncovering the mysteries they hold. Today I want to tell you a bit about these and hopefully entice you to read one or all.

First up is the debut installment of a new series by one of my favorite authors.

A POTION TO DIE FOR by Heather Blake

TROUBLE IS BREWING...

        As the owner of Little Shop of Potions, a magic potion shop specializing in love potions, Carly Bell Hartwell finds her product more in demand than ever. A local soothsayer has predicted that a couple in town will soon divorce—and now it seems every married person in Hitching Post, Alabama, wants a little extra matrimonial magic to make sure they stay hitched.
        But when Carly finds a dead man in her shop, clutching one of her potion bottles, she goes from most popular potion person to public enemy number one. In no time the murder investigation becomes a witch hunt—literally! Now Carly is going to need to brew up some serious sleuthing skills to clear her name and find the real killer—before the whole town becomes convinced her potions really are to die for!

A Magic Potion Mystery #1
Obsidian
ISBN-13: 9780451416308
336 Pages, Paperback

Also by Heather Blake:
The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy, April 2013
A Witch Before Dying, August 2012
It Takes a Witch, January 2012

FIXING TO DIE by Elaine Viets

Mystery shopper Josie Marcus has been happily married to veterinarian Ted Scottsmeyer for months. But her newly wedded bliss is about to be cut short....

        Josie and Ted have finally tied the knot, and they’re ready for the next step: buying a house. Ted’s business partner, Christine, has one she’s willing to sell, but it needs a lot of love. Luckily, the newlyweds are up for the challenge.
        But when they tear down a rickety gazebo in the backyard, they find the body of Christine’s sister, a free spirit who supposedly took off six months before. The police arrest Christine for murder, leaving Ted to work overtime at the office to cover for his partner. With no time to work on the house or be with her husband, Josie will have to find the real killer quickly, before both her house and marriage are beyond repair....

Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper #9
Obsidian
ISBN-13: 9780451240989
304 Pages, Paperback

Also by Elaine Viets:
Board Stiff, May 2013
Murder is a Piece of Cake, November 2012
Final Sail, May 2012
Death on a Platter, November 2011
Pumped for Murder, May 2011
An Uplifting Murder, November 2010
Half-Price Homicide, May 2010
Crimes by Moonlight, April 2010
The Fashion Hound Murders, November 2009
Killer Cuts, May 2009
Murder With All the Trimmings, November 2008
Clubbed to Death, May 2008
Accessory to Murder, November 2007
Murder With Reservations, May 2007
High Heels are Murder, November 2006
Murder Unleashed, May 2006
Dying In Style, October 2005
Show Business Is Murder, August 2005
Just Murdered, May 2005
Drop-Dead Blonde, February 2005
Dying To Call You, October 2004
Murder Between The Covers, December 2003
Shop Till You Drop, May 2003

CHARMS AND CHOCOLATE CHIPS by Bailey Cates

A HALF-BAKED HEX

        Between brewing magically spiced treats at Honeybee Bakery and volunteering with a local conservation group, Katie Lightfoot barely has time to see her firefighter boyfriend, Declan McCarthy, much less delve further into her destiny as a witch. But avoiding her fate won’t be as easy as whipping up a new recipe—especially when Katie finds herself once again mixed up in murder.
        When a fellow volunteer for the conservation group is found dead, Katie’s mystical senses tell her that there’s more to the death than meets the eye. Her suspicions are confirmed when members of her coven are targeted next. Katie will have to embrace her powers quickly...or she may find herself chewed up and spit out by some serious black magic.

A Magical Bakery Mystery #3
Obsidian
ISBN-13: 9780451240620
336 Pages, Paperback

Also by Bailey Cates:
Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti, January 2013
Brownies and Broomsticks, May 2012

THE QUOTIENT OF MURDER by Ada Madison

Dr. Sophie Knowles loves using puzzles to make math fun for students. But when winter seizes Henley College, she must thaw out a cold case to track down a killer—her most difficult puzzle yet . . .

        Winter Intersession is in full swing, and campus is buzzing over the concert celebrating the bell tower’s reopening. The building has been shuttered for twenty-five years, and Sophie’s shocked to learn why—a student leapt from it to her death. But she’s even more troubled by the secrecy surrounding the case. After Sophie performs some quick calculations, she’s left with a nagging question: Was it really suicide?
        When one of Sophie’s favorite students, a performer in the concert, is brutally beaten and left in a coma, Sophie’s mind kicks into overdrive. The horrific incidents seem too coincidental to be unrelated, but can Sophie put together the pieces from a twenty-five-year-old murder before any other students get hurt?

Professor Sophie Knowles #4
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425262702
304 Pages, Paperback

Also by Ada Madison:
A Function of Murder, January 2013
The Probability of Murder, March 2012
The Square Root of Murder, July 2011

READ IT AND WEEP by Jenn McKinlay

William Shakespeare is credited with inventing how many words?*

        Answering Shakespeare trivia comes with the job description for library director Lindsey Norris. But when the Briar Creek Community Theater mounts their newest production of the Bard, she has no intention of leaving the stacks for the stage. Unfortunately a villain is waiting in the wings...
        Former Broadway actress Violet La Rue is holding auditions for A Midsummer Night’s Dream—and everyone from the sour spinster librarian Ms. Cole to Lindsey’s youthful library pages are trying out for parts. Brought in to play the mischievous Puck is the flirtatious professional actor Robbie Vine, who seems to have eyes for Lindsey. Before her blush has faded, the Bard’s dream turns into a nightmare—when one of the cast is poisoned. Now Lindsey and her crafternooners must take center stage to unmask the culprit before the final curtain call...
*Over 17,000

You can read an excerpt of this fun cozy.

A Library Lover's Mystery #4
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425260722
304 Pages, Paperback

Also by Jenn McKinlay:
Cloche and Dagger, August 2013
Going, Going, Ganache, April 2013
Book, Line, and Sinker, December 2012
Red Velvet Revenge, July 2012
Due or Die, March 2012
Death by the Dozen, October 2011
Books Can Be Deceiving, July 2011
Buttercream Bump Off, January 2011
Sprinkle with Murder, March 2010

FREEZER I’LL SHOOT by Victoria Hamilton

ICE COLD

        Trying to escape her overbearing mother, vintage kitchenware enthusiast and soon-to-be columnist Jaymie Leighton retreats to her family’s cottage on Heartbreak Island. While there she hopes to write an article about the Ice House restaurant, owned by good friends and neighbors, siblings Ruby and Garnet Redmond. Once an actual icehouse, the restaurant is charmingly decorated with antique tools of the trade, including a collection of ice picks.
        One night, while working on her article, Jaymie overhears an argument and, ever the sleuth, sets out to explore. But when she stumbles upon a dead body her blood runs cold. It’s Urban Dobrinskie, whose feud with the Redmonds is no secret, and he’s got an ice pick through his heart. Now Jaymie’s got to sharpen her sleuthing skills to chip away at the mystery and prove her neighbors’ innocence—before someone else gets picked off...

A Vintage Kitchen Mystery#3
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425252376
304 Pages, Paperback

Also by Victoria Hamilton:
Bran New Death, September 2013
Bowled Over, March 2013
A Deadly Grind, May 2012

WORDS WITH FIENDS by Ali Brandon

Brooklyn bookstore owner Darla Pettistone and her oversized black cat, Hamlet, have solved a few complicated capers. But after a recent brush with danger, Darla needs to get Hamlet out of a feline funk...

        Lately, Hamlet hasn’t been chasing customers or being his obnoxious self—something Darla surprisingly misses. Concerned, she hires a cat whisperer to probe Hamlet’s feline psyche and then decides to get out of her own funk by taking up karate to learn how to defend herself in case the need arises again.
        But when Darla finds her sensei dead at the dojo, it seems that even a master can be felled by foul play. Darla decides to investigate the matter herself, and the promise of a mystery snaps Hamlet out of his bad mood. After all, Darla may be the sleuth, but Hamlet’s got a black belt in detection...

A Black Cat Bookshop Mystery #3
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425252369
304 Pages, Paperback

Also by Ali Brandon:
Double Booked for Death, May 2013
A Novel Way to Die, November 2012
Double Booked for Death, December 2011

MULLED MURDER by Kate Kingsbury

This holiday season at the Pennyfoot, the head count is down—but the body count is up...

        With one of her housemaids leaving to get married, Cecily Sinclair Baxter wants nothing more for Christmas than some good help. Instead of visions of sugar plums, she’s calling the plumber to deal with flooded bathrooms. Then there’s the surly new janitor, who acts like he got coal in his stocking.
        But as Cecily scrambles to hire and train new staff in time for the holidays, one of her guests is beyond help. Gerald Evans is found stabbed to death on the beach, and Cecily soon discovers he was a private investigator from London looking into dark doings involving the Pennyfoot. Who among the staff or guests was being pursued, and what secret drove that person to cold-blooded murder?

A Special Pennyfoot Holiday Mystery #21
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425262917
304 Pages, Trade Size

Also by Kate Kingsbury:
The Clue is in the Pudding, November 2012
Herald of Death, November 2011
Mistletoe and Mayhem, November 2010
Decked with Folly, November 2009
Ringing In Murder, November 2008
Shrouds of Holly, November 2007
Slay Bells, November 2006
An Unmentionable Murder, August 2006
Wedding Rows, January 2006
No Clue At The Inn, November 2005
Fire When Ready, December 2004
Berried Alive, April 2004
Paint by Murder, September 2003
Dig Deep for Murder, December 2002
For Whom Death Tolls, February 2002
Death is in the Air, August 2001

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I’ve tempted you to check out these intriguing new mysteries. Have you read any of these yet?

The Night Horses, A Change, Mysteries

Today’s post is two-fold. First, I’d like to tell you about a delightful children’ book and the amazing author. Second, I’m thinking of adding a new feature to my monthly lineup and would like your input.

Let’s start with a fun book. The following review is not just about the book and the author’s writing, it’s about the author herself. 

THE NIGHT HORSES by Anaka Jones

I love horses so the title, THE NIGHT HORSES, caught my attention; the synopsis drew me in; and the author’s bio blew me away.

Have you ever wondered what animals do at night, especially those confined to a barn?

THE NIGHT HORSES addresses what happens to the horses when they’re placed in their stalls at night and the humans go inside their home. It’s a fun look at how horses and the other barn animals entertain themselves.

After staying outdoors running and eating all day, the horses enjoy their own version of night life before going to sleep. They dance, dress up and play cards.

Author Anaka Jones has created a whimsical tale of companionship, love and fun. They story depicts the happiness of the animals in short sentences youngsters will be able to follow.

The beautiful illustrations brings the story to life and will quickly capture the young reader’s attention with the vivid colors and great details. Looking closely, readers will find a tiny creature moves from page to page with you. Unfortunately, there is no mention of who created the amazing illustrations.

This charming children’s book will surely spark the imagination of youngsters. It blends reality and fantasy in a lively tale. The book could also be used as a way of soothing youngsters’ anxiety if they are afraid of the dark.

I think youngsters will also be surprised and inspired when they learn this enchanting tale was written by a 12-year-old girl. The author is a sixth grader who was born and raised in the rural area outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Riding, grooming and maintaining horses is one of her favorite pastimes.

I’m always looking for books to encourage and fuel my young cousins’ reading. I think THE NIGHT HORSES will do just that, plus inspire them with the knowledge a 12-year-old is the author. Readers, young and old alike, will be entertained by this amusing tale. I highly recommend it.

Author Anaka Jones can be found on Facebook.

The Night Horses by Anaka Jones, CreateSpace, @2013, ISBN: 978-1452882789, Paperback, 28 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
ADDING A FEATURE
I finally realized with my scheduling last month and this that I have been overbooking myself. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining by no means. I’m delighted and honored that authors want to visit, that there are so many wonderful book tours to participate in, and so many great book to review. I just forgot to schedule in spots for unexpected reviews and books I learn about during the month.

Beginning with today’s post and hopefully at least once a month afterwards, I plan to highlight books that I either have to read, but haven’t gotten to; books that I’ve learned about during the month; and/or books authors/publishers have sent without me knowing I was getting them.

While I know it would probably be better to run this type post earlier in the month, I’m going to try and schedule it around the end of the month. Most end of the month post tell what is coming, I want to remind you what is already out there in case you’ve missed it.

In a way, this will be a cut-and-dry type post because I’m just going to give you the book’s photo and a brief synopsis. It won’t be a review even though I may sometimes note something I like about the book, series or author.

I also know this new post isn’t a major event, but I just want to get the word out so authors who have book out know. If you’re an author and want your book on this monthly post (anyone got a good name for it?), just email me a synopsis of your book, a photo of the book cover, and release date information (publisher, ISBN #, where available, etc.). This way your books is highlighted without you having to do a guest post or answers questions.

Until I started blogging, I never realized just how many new books are released each month. And, I’m sure I don’t know the half of it with so many authors self-publishing now. This is just a small way to help get the words out on the books I know about.

Even though this isn’t the end of the month (I don’t have any openings), I’m going to highlight a few books that were released this month that I hope you’ll be sure to check out.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE WITCHY by Heather Blake

This is a fun series that is hard to put down once you begin. I’d recommend reading the books in order to fully appreciate the characters author Heather Blake has created.

Darcy Merriweather is Enchanted Village’s newest resident Wishcrafter—a witch who can grant wishes for others. But as Darcy prepares a celebration for a magical florist, she discovers that every rose has its thorns...

When magical florist Harriette Harkette decides to throw a lavish eightieth birthday party for herself, she hires Darcy’s Aunt Ve’s personal concierge service, As You Wish, to plan the soiree. But turning eighty isn’t all Harriette is celebrating—the Floracrafter has recently created the midnight black Witching Hour rose, the first all-natural rose of that color.

Darcy works hard on planning an extravagant celebration that will make Harriette feel like the belle of the ball. But when cake delivery boy Michael Healey—a former employee at Harriette’s greenhouse—is found dead, the celebration takes a turn. Now Michael’s ghost has imprinted on Darcy, meaning that they’re bonded until she can untangle the thicket surrounding his murder—and what exactly it has to do with the Witching Hour rose.

A Wishcraft Mystery #2
Obsidian, April 2013
ISBN-10: 0451239695
ISBN-13: 9780451239693
320 pages, Paperback, $7.99

For more on author Heather Blake and her writing, visit her at http://www.heatherblakebooks.com

OAK AND DAGGER by Dorothy St. James

If you enjoy gardening, this is a fun series to follow. Can you image gardening for the White House?

When it comes to gardening, Cassandra “Casey” Calhoun isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. But when it comes to murder, she’s not the kind of gal to let any killer get away clean...

Despite cooler fall temperatures in Washington, D.C., tempers flare at the White House when important historical documents go missing from the curator’s office and the gardeners are blamed. 

As if that isn’t bad enough, Casey has started receiving death threats, the president’s pooch is digging unsightly holes all over the South Lawn, and the curator has been found dead. All evidence for the murder points to Gordon Sims, the chief gardener. His fingerprints are on the murder weapon, and witnesses saw him arguing with the curator shortly before her death.

With the help of Special Agent Jack Turner, her reluctant sidekick and new flame, Casey works to clear Gordon’s name. Along the way she finds herself in a deadly race against time to discover if there’s a link between the stolen papers, the dog’s holes in the South Lawn, and a rumored two-hundred-year-old treasure—before the killer strikes again.

A White House Gardener Mystery #3
Berkley (Prime Crime), April 2013
ISBN-10: 0425252035
ISBN-13: 9780425252031
320 pages, Paperback, $7.99

For more on author Dorothy St. James and her writing, visit her at http://www.dorothystjames.com/

A BROTH OF BETRAYAL by Connie Archer

If you enjoy books that feature cozy mysteries, intriguing characters and yummy recipes, then this series is for you.

Even a town called Snowflake, Vermont, has a summer season. In August, Lucky Jamieson’s By the Spoonful serves chilled soups—celery and green onion, cream of asparagus—and salads. The shop also serves as a gathering place to talk about cold-blooded murder...

A protest to stop the construction of an ugly car wash in the middle of the town’s picturesque Village Green is interrupted by the discovery of a skeleton that may date back to the Revolutionary War. While the remains pose a historical mystery, a present-day murder shakes the town to its core when local auto mechanic Harry Hodges is found dead in his shop.

Straining the patience of Chief of Police Nate Edgerton, Lucky soon finds herself in the soup again when her dear friend Elizabeth, the Mayor of Snowflake, goes missing. No matter how much trouble she has to stir up, Lucky is determined to use her noodle to uncover a killer and recover her friend.

A Soup Lover's Mystery #2
Berkley (Prime Crime), April 2013
ISBN-10: 0425252086
ISBN-13: 9780425252086
304 pages, Paperback, $7.99

For more on author Connie Archer and her writing, visit her at http://www.conniearchermysteries.com

THE DEATH OF A DOWAGER by Joanna Campbell Slan

This delightful author tackles a classic with fun new characters and interesting twists and turns.

In her classic tale, Charlotte Brontë introduced readers to the strong-willed and intelligent Jane Eyre. The Jane Eyre Chronicles pick up where Brontë left off, with Jane married to her beloved Edward Rochester and mother to a young son. But Jane soon finds herself having to protect those she loves...

While extensive repairs are being made to Ferndean, their rural home, Jane and Edward accept an invitation from their friend Lucy Brayton to stay with her in London. Jane is reluctant to abandon their peaceful life in the countryside, but Edward’s damaged vision has grown worse. She hopes that time in the capital will buoy his spirits and give him the chance to receive treatment from an ocular specialist.

Once in London, the Rochesters accompany Lucy to the Italian Opera House. But there is more drama in the audience than on stage—Jane not only unexpectedly finds herself in the presence of King George and his mistress, Lady Conygham, she also encounters an old nemesis in the form of Lady Ingram (whose daughter, Blanche, once hoped to wed Edward herself). 

The aging dowager deals both Jane and Lucy a very public snub; hoping to mitigate the social damage caused by this, Lucy insists on visiting the Ingrams the next day. The visit goes poorly from the start—and ends with Lady Ingram dropping dead in the midst of taking tea. It soon becomes clear that the dowager’s death was an unnatural one, and Jane must set her considerable intelligence to the problem of solving it—and why the throne appears to have an interest.

The Jane Eyre Chronicles #2
Berkley (Prime Crime), April 2013
ISBN-10: 0425253511
ISBN-13: 9780425253519
304 pages, Trade Size, $15

For more information on author Joanna Campbell Slan, visit her at http://www.joannaslan.com

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I’m sorry the post is a little longer than usual, but I hope you’ve found a book or two (or more) that interests you. So tell me your thoughts on the highlight post. Do you have a suggestion of what I could call the post? Be kind now.