Sense of Deception {+ Giveaway}

◊ SENSE OF DECEPTION by Victoria Laurie

◊ Series: Psychic Eye Mystery (Book 13)

◊ Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages

◊ Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

◊ Publisher: NAL (June 7, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0451473876

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0451473875

SYNOPSIS:

 In New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie’s thirteenth Psychic Eye Mystery, Abby Cooper senses a convicted killer is innocent, but she’ll need hard evidence to save the woman before it’s too late… 

A ticked-off judge has tossed Abby in the slammer for contempt of court, and during her brief but unpleasant stay she learns the story of a condemned woman who is confronting a far more serious sentence. Skyler Miller has been found guilty of murder and faces the death penalty. Everyone believes she’s guilty, including her own family and her ex-husband—everyone, that is, except Abby, whose finely honed intuition tells her this woman doesn’t belong behind bars.
          With the help of her husband Dutch and her friend Candice, Abby launches into her own investigation to clear Skyler and find the real killer. But after a final appeal is denied and Skyler’s attorney scrambles for a stay of execution, time is running short—and the list of suspects keeps growing. There’s no margin for error as the life of an innocent woman hangs in the balance... 

Author Victoria Laurie starts off with a tense scene and keeps you on a roller coaster ride until the very end with moments of laughter thrown in along the way.

Laurie’s characters are well-developed and likable. The mix of suspense, psychic abilities, a touch of romance, and humor all play well together. The love and care between protagonist Abby Cooper and her dachshund Tuttle shows a tenderness element to the story giving it depth.

Through vivid descriptions and an eye for detail, the author places you in the middle of the action as the story unfolds. There are twists and turns to keep you guessing as the suspense holds you spellbound.

New readers to the series won’t be left out in the dark if they began with SENSE OF DECEPTION. This story can be read on its own.

Mesmerizing and captivating, this story will take you on an entertaining adventure from beginning to end.

Sense of Deception by Victoria Laurie, A Psychic Eye Mystery (Book #13), Obsidian (NAL), @2016, ISBN: 978-0451473875, 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.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have a print copy of SENSE OF DECEPTION by Victoria Laurie to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, June 24.

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. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out this cozy murder mystery. Do you enjoy stories where you feel like the characters are like real people you know?

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The Art of Murder {+ Giveaway}

◊ THE ART OF MURDER by Elaine Viets

◊ Series: Dead-End Job Mystery (Book 14)

◊ Hardcover: 304 pages

◊ Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

◊ Publisher: NAL (May 3, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 045147613

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0451476135

SYNOPSIS:

From the national bestselling author of Checked Out, Helen Hawthorne must pose as a painter at Fort Lauderdale’s famous Bonnet House Museum to catch an artful killer . . .

          The art world is a happening place—but a brush with death shouldn’t be in the picture. Unfortunately, that’s just what happens to Helen Hawthorne and her friend Margery. While touring gorgeous Bonnet House, a mansion-turned-museum, they observe a painting class and note an up-and-coming artist. When they later see her deadly end, Helen is hired to canvas the crime scene—undercover, of course.
          Sketchy suspects lurk in the victim’s bohemian past. Was the promising painter killed by her jealous husband? Her best friend? A rival using her artful wiles? With her husband Phil busy setting a trap for a gold thief, it’s up to Helen to paint this killer into a corner . . .   

MY THOUGHTS:

Author Elaine Viets has created a protagonist in Helen Hawthorne that readers can relate to. Helen doesn’t back down from pursuing any job and is loyal to her friends. The secondary characters are also well-developed and add depth to the story.

The story flows at a steady pace with twists and turs keeping the suspense high. The vivid descriptions and eye for details brings the fascinating Bonnet House Museum into the reader’s world.

THE ART OF MURDER is the 15^th installment in Viets’ Dead-End Job Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. New readers will have no problem keep up with Helen, Phil, Margery and the rest of the gang. Returning fans will delight in catching up with some of their favorite characters.

The intrigue of art classes paired with beautiful Fort Lauderdale (FL) landmarks as backdrops makes this a tantalizing cozy mystery. A blend of humor, suspense, friendship and determination make this a must read for murder mystery lovers.

The Art of Murder by Elaine Viets, A Dead-End Job Mystery (Book #14), Obsidian (NAL), @2016, ISBN: 978-0451476135, Hardcover, 304 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 THE ART OF MURDER by Elaine Viets to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Wednesday, May 25.

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. I hope I’ve caught your interest in this fun new cozy mystery. Have you ever taken (or given) art classes? Do you enjoy a certain type of art?

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Murder at Lambswool Farm {+ Giveaway}

◊ MURDER AT LAMBSWOOL FARM by Sally Goldenbaum

◊ Series: Seaside Knitters Mystery

◊ Hardcover: 320 pages

◊ Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

◊ Publisher: NAL (May 3, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0451471644

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0451471642

SYNOPSIS:

Late summer blooms in beautiful Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, and while a harvest thrives, Izzy Chambers Perry and the other Seaside Knitters will need to cast on their sleuthing skills to save a local farm.  Unfortunately, finding a killer can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. . . .
          Seaside Knitter Birdie Favazza has long loved knitting, but lately she’s taken on a new challenge—making a family farm operational again. With help from friends, Lambswool Farm is now up and running, with thriving crops and grazing sheep.  In addition, the farm will host rustic, six-course prix fixe dinners plated by local chefs and served on a gorgeous restored harvest table, decorated to perfection with colorful knitted vegetables crafted by Izzy Chambers Perry, her aunt Nell, and the other Seaside Knitters.
          But on the night of the first meal, everything spins out of control when one of the guests, Seaside Harbor’s family physician, becomes fatally ill. It seems that behind Dr. Alan Hamilton’s friendly bedside manner was a man with enemies and secrets.
          Soon the town is gossiping and pointing fingers at all possible suspects—including the women at Lambswool Farm. Now the Seaside Knitters must join together to uncover the truth in Dr. Hamilton’s complicated past—and restore peace to town and country alike.

MY THOUGHTS:

When an author can transport you to a setting through their descriptions and the actions of their characters then you know you’ve found an entertaining story. That’s what author Sally Goldenbaum does in MURDER AT LAMBSWOOL FARM, the 11^th installment in her Seaside Knitters Mystery series.

Goldenbaum’s eye for detail, along with her vibrant descriptions, transports readers to the seaside village of Sea Harbor. The author’s style of writing brings the community and its quirky residents to life on the pages.

The characters are well-developed, realistic and easy to like. Their easy-going dialogue adds depth to the small town atmosphere pulling the reader into their setting.

The story flows at a steady pace with a few surprises along the way. As the mystery unfolds, readers are drawn further into the story. New readers to the series aren’t left in the dark through the help of a handy reference guide of who’s who at the beginning.

Readers don’t have to be knitters to enjoy this story, but a felted bowl pattern is included as a perk for those who are. This is a mesmerizing story filled with suspense, intrigue, family loyalty, good friendship, and a pleasant setting – all the right ingredients for an engaging cozy murder mystery.

Murder at Lambswool Farm by Sally Goldenbaum, A Seaside Knitters Mystery (Book #11), Obsidian (NAL), @2016, ISBN: 978-0451471642, Hardcover, 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.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have a print copy of MURDER AT LAMBSWOOL FARM by Sally Goldenbaum to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Sunday, May 22.

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. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out this charming mystery. Do you enjoy stories that are set along the seaside? BTW, Happy Friday the 13^th! Are you superstitious about this day?

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Mrs. Malory and Death is a Word {+ Giveaway}

 MRS. MALORY AND DEATH IS A WORD by Hazel Holt

 Series: Mrs. Malory Mystery

 Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages

 Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

 Publisher: NAL (May 3, 2016)

 Language: English

 ISBN-10: 1101990635

 ISBN-13: 978-1101990636

SYNOPSIS:

Arson and murder in the English countryside from the author of Mrs. Malory and a Necessary End . . .
          In the wake of a reporter’s death, biographer Sheila Malory must dig through the remnants of his life to discover the devil in the details . . .
          Sheila’s friend, larger-than-life Eva Jackson, has returned to the village of Taviscombe after losing her husband, Alan. A foreign correspondent, Alan reported on dangerous stories around the world from Libya to Afghanistan—but the cause of his death was more mundane: kidney failure in a London hospital. Still, he led a storied life, and much of his past lies in his writings, papers, and books now boxed away in Eva’s garage.
          After Eva decides to compile a book of Alan’s unpublished works, a fire mysteriously breaks out in the garage. Then Eva meets a suspicious end, leading Sheila to wonder if there’s a killer at large in their charming Devon countryside . . .

MY THOUGHTS:

This is one of those fascinating cozy murder mysteries that makes you feel like you’re living in a different country as you meet new friends (characters).

The quaint and cozy community setting draws you in as the protagonist (Mrs. Malory) and her friends visits. The easy flowing dialogue makes the story move at a good pace and places the reader in the middle of the action. The author’s rich descriptions of the countryside brings the area to life.

The twists and turns keeps the story entertaining. The suspense builds as the murders occur and readers seek the find the motive as the protagonist discovers the killer.

MRS. MALORY AND DEATH IS A WORD is the 21^st installment in the Mrs. Sheila Malory Mystery series, but can be read on its own. New readers won’t be left in the dark and returning fans will be delighted to find out more about Mrs. Malory’s latest adventure.

This is an engaging story with a British flare that makes for a quick and easy read.

Mrs. Malory and Death is a Word by Hazel Holt, A Mrs. Sheila Malory Mystery (Book #21), Obsidian, @2016, ISBN: 978-1101990636, Mass Market Paperback, 240 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.

*SPECIAL NOTE: Author Hazel Holt was a British novelist who passed away Nov. 23, 2015 at the age of 87. MRS. MALORY AND DEATH IS A WORD is the last installment in the Sheila Malory Mystery series.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have a print copy of MRS. MALORY AND DEATH IS A WORD by Hazel Holt to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, May 19.

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. I hope I’ve tempted you to check out this entertaining series. Do you enjoy mysteries with a British flare? P.S. Do you like this style of a review better or do you prefer the article style I normally run? Just wondering which is easier and more enjoyable for you to read. Thanks.

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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?

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Crime and Poetry {+ Giveaway}

How fun would it be to have a book pick you in a bookstore rather than the other way around.

That’s what can happen in the magical store, Charming Books, in author Amanda Flower’s new release, CRIME AND POETRY. The first installment in Flower’s Magical Bookshop Mystery Series, features feisty protagonist Violet Waverly.

After a 12-year absence, Violet rushes home to Cascade Springs to be with her dying grandmother Daisy. Only when she arrives, Violet finds Daisy in good health having used the dying ruse only to get her to come home. Daisy wants her to take over the bookstore.

Determined not to stay but overnight, Violet soon finds her world upside down. Daisy’s gentleman friend, Benedict Raisin, is found dead in his carriage in Daisy’s driveway and now she’s the prime suspect. Seems Benedict recently changed his will leaving Daisy to inherit.

It’ll take more than magical books to help Violet clear Daisy’s name. But then she has Faulkner the talking crow and a special tuxedo cat named Emerson to help her find the real killer.

This is an enchanting story that quickly draws you in. The combination of family, friendship, a dash of romance, mystery and suspense holds your attention until the end.

The quaint setting of Cascade Springs enhances the story. Flower has crafted likable characters and added a hint of magic to make an entertaining tale. The story flows smoothly and at a good pace.

CRIME AND POETRY is a delightful beginning to what promises to be a tantalizing new series for cozy mystery readers. Charming characters, lovely setting and a murder mystery to keep you guessing … this book has it all.

Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower, A Magical Bookshop Mystery (Book #1), Obsidian, @2016, ISBN: 978-0451477446, Mass Market Paperback, 368 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.

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin/Random House, I have a print copy of CRIME AND POETRY by Amanda Flower to giveaway. In addition, the book will come with a tote bag that will contain some goodies inside such as postcard, notepad and brochure about the book. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Monday, April 18.

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. Do you ever feel like bookstores are magical places? Is there one magical bookstore that’s extra special to you?

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A Step Back in Time {+ Giveaway+}

It’s a delight to welcome author Amanda Lee to Thoughts in Progress today to celebrate the release of WICKED STITCH, the eighth installment in her Embroidery Mystery series.

Here’s a brief synopsis of WICKED STITCH:

When murder strikes the small town of Tallulah Falls, embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer isn’t afraid of getting down to the knitty-gritty to clear her name.... 

        For most small-business owners in Tallulah Falls, the upcoming Renaissance Faire is a wonderful way to promote their specialty shops. For Marcy’s nemesis, Nellie, and her sister, Clara, it’s an opportunity to finally put Marcy and her shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, out of business. Apparently the sisters like to make grudges a family affair and have set up competing booths right next to Marcy’s at the Ren Faire.
        When Clara is discovered dead in her own booth—strangled by the scarf she had almost finished knitting—Marcy becomes the prime suspect. Now she has to do whatever it takes to keep her reputation from unraveling—and get to the bottom of a most deadly yarn....

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Amanda who is here to talk about ‘A Step Back in Time’ and has a giveaway to share with us. Welcome, Amanda.

Have you ever been to a Renaissance Faire or a living history museum? I’ve been to both, and I find them fascinating. At the Renaissance Faire I attended with my family many years ago, my son was knighted Sir Scooby of Doo (because he was wearing a Scooby Doo shirt) by the queen. In lieu of a sword, she used a plunger. Minstrels played unusual instruments—one even played crystal water glasses. I talked plays with William Shakespeare, watched a chess match in which the playing pieces were human, and wandered through booth after booth of wares. The costumes were beautiful, fun, or both. 

The living history museum we visited was a working farm set in 1791. We learned about eighteenth century cooking tools and techniques in the log cabin’s kitchen. A costumed tour guide spoke of President Washington and asked what we thought of that upstart Andrew Jackson. I said I believed he’d become President one day, and the woman scoffed. We attended demonstrations of weaving, learned about the dye, medicinal, and culinary plants grown in the garden, and saw the Cotswold sheep.

In WICKED STITCH (an RT Top Pick!), embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer is thrilled to be taking part in a two-week Renaissance Faire. Tallulah Falls residents will be able to reside in the time of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The RenFaire’s attractions are centered around the play, even down to Hecate and the three witches who are on hand to divine the future for faire-goers. 

Clara, a petty woman who has opened a competing shop next door to Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, has been assigned the booth next to Marcy’s. When Marcy comes to set up her booth, she peeps into Clara’s spot and realizes that something isn’t right. Clara is lying on her side in an overturned rocking chair. She has been strangled to death with the scarf she’d been knitting. Now Marcy has to get to the bottom of this most deadly yarn.

GIVEAWAY:

Readers please comment below on your experiences in “stepping back in time” for a chance to win a signed copy of WICKED STITCH. 
International readers will have the chance to win an eBook copy of WICKED STITCH gifted from their retailer of choice.

Amanda, thanks for joining us today and sharing your experience stepping back in time. I’ve attended Renaissance Faires in both Georgia and Texas and enjoyed them very much.

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

Amanda Lee (also writing as Gayle Trent) writes the Embroidery Mystery series which features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. 

Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.

Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of the genre will take kindly to Marcy, her Irish wolfhound, Angus O’Ruff, and Tallulah Falls. This is a fast, pleasant read with prose full of pop culture references and, of course, sharp needlework puns.”

For more on Amanda and her writing, visit her website.

Now for my thoughts on this entertaining mystery……

Author Amanda Lee combines humor, suspense, murder, friendship, and a touch of romance for a well-blended story in her latest release, WICKED STITCH.

The small town setting adds charm and a touch of realism to the story. With vivid descriptions, Lee places the reader in the middle of the fun and excitement. The story flows smoothly at a good pace.

The characters are well-developed and likable. The bond among the friends is realistic and adds depth to the story. The pet tie-in is a wonderful touch readers can relate to.

While the story features an embroidery shop, readers don’t have to have a fondness for the hobby to enjoy the story. In addition, WICKED STITCH can be read as a standalone even though it is the eighth installment in the series. Lee gives just enough background new readers won’t be in the dark and returning fans won’t be bored with too much repeated information.

This delightful story will pull you in quickly and hold you spellbound for an entertaining read.

Wicked Stitch by Amanda Lee, Embroidery Mystery Book #8, Obsidian, @2015, ISBN: 978-0451467409, 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.

Thanks so much for stopping by today during Amanda’s visit. Be sure to comment about your experiences in “stepping back in time” for a chance to win a signed copy of WICKED STITCH.


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Who Buries The Dead by C.S. Harris

I’m delighted to tell you about a release just out this week, WHO BURIES THE DEAD by C.S. Harris, the tenth installment in her Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery series.

First a brief description of this fascinating historical mystery and then my thoughts on it:

        The grisly murder of a West Indies slave owner and the reappearance of a dangerous enemy from Sebastian St. Cyr’s past combine to put C. S. Harris’s “troubled but compelling antihero” (Booklist) to the ultimate test in this taut, thrilling mystery.
        London, 1813. The vicious decapitation of Stanley Preston, a wealthy, socially ambitious plantation owner, at Bloody Bridge draws Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, into a macabre and increasingly perilous investigation. The discovery near the body of an aged lead coffin strap bearing the inscription King Charles, 1648 suggests a link between this killing and the beheading of the deposed seventeenth-century Stuart monarch. Equally troubling, the victim’s kinship to the current Home Secretary draws the notice of Sebastian’s powerful father-in-law, Lord Jarvis, who will exploit any means to pursue his own clandestine ends.
        Working in concert with his fiercely independent wife, Hero, Sebastian finds his inquiries taking him from the wretched back alleys of Fish Street Hill to the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair as he amasses a list of suspects who range from an eccentric Chelsea curiosity collector to the brother of an unassuming but brilliantly observant spinster named Jane Austen.         But as one brutal murder follows another, it is the connection between the victims and ruthless former army officer Sinclair, Lord Oliphant, that dramatically raises the stakes. Once, Oliphant nearly destroyed Sebastian in a horrific wartime act of carnage and betrayal. Now the vindictive former colonel might well pose a threat not only to Sebastian but to everything—and everyone—Sebastian holds most dear.

~~~~~

Author C.S. Harris has crafted a most intriguing protagonist in Sebastian St. Cyr. He is likable and features flaws readers can relate to, especially when it comes to those he loves. The secondary characters are delightful and add depth to the story.

The London setting of 1813 comes to life through the author’s rich descriptions and details. Readers are placed in the middle of this fascinating location and era as the action develops.

Though dealing with a series of grisly murders including beheadings, Harris has a way of blending the events with Sebastian’s home life and bits of humor for a well-balanced story. Twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat as the story unfolds.

While WHO BURIES THE DEAD is the tenth installment in the series, it can be read on its own. New readers to the series won’t be left in the dark trying to keep up with the characters and events.

This is an entertaining mystery that will hold you spellbound throughout the story.

Who Buries the Dead by C.S. Harris, Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery Book #10, Obsidian, @2015, ISBN: 978-0451417565, Hardcover, 352 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 so much for stopping by today. Are you a fan of historical mysteries? Have you read any of the Sebastian St. Cyr series? I found the cover elegant and intriguing, what about you? 

*This post contains affiliate links.

Ghosts in the Lighthouse Library? {+ Giveaway}

A new cozy murder mystery series hit the bookshelves this month and I’m delighted to welcome the author, Eva Gates, here today to talk about this fascinating storyline.

BY BOOK OR BY CROOK is the first installment in Eva’s new Lighthouse Library Mystery series. To celebrate the release, thanks to Eva and the lovely Danielle at Penguin Group, I have a print copy of the book to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more details.

First here’s a brief synopsis of BY BOOK OR BY CROOK:

Get bound up in murder in the first Lighthouse Library mystery!
        For ten years Lucy has enjoyed her job poring over rare tomes of literature for the Harvard Library, but she has not enjoyed the demands of her family’s social whorl or her sort-of-engagement to the staid son of her father’s law partner. But when her ten-year relationship implodes, Lucy realizes that the plot of her life is in need of a serious rewrite.
        Calling on her Aunt Ellen, Lucy hopes that a little fun in the Outer Banks sun—and some confections from her cousin Josie’s bakery—will help clear her head. But her retreat quickly turns into an unexpected opportunity when Aunt Ellen gets her involved in the lighthouse library tucked away on Bodie Island.
        Lucy is thrilled to land a librarian job in her favorite place in the world. But when a priceless first edition Jane Austen novel is stolen and the chair of the library board is murdered, Lucy suddenly finds herself ensnared in a real-life mystery—and she’s not so sure there’s going to be a happy ending….
 
Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Eva as she tells us about ‘ghost stories.’

My new Lighthouse Library series from Obsidian is set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. That’s not a place I am very familiar with, so I have set about in the past year to get to know it. I’ve fallen in love with the fabulous beaches, the great restaurants, the marvelous lighthouses, and the miles and miles of wild seashore.

As the Lighthouse Library books are set in a real place – the Outer Banks – in general and a very real building – The Bodie Island Lighthouse – in particular, it’s been important to me to get as much of it right in the books as I can.

Yes, I am well aware that the actual lighthouse isn’t a library and it isn’t exactly big enough to house one, plus assorted offices, hallways, staff rooms, book shelves, meeting rooms, and even a small apartment, but I have enjoyed keeping the exterior of the building and the grounds as true-to-life as possible.

With one exception: the ghost stories. I have deliberately not read a single book about ghost stories or paranormal legends of the area, and there are many.
 
Not because I’m either squeamish or the nervous sort, but because it’s much more fun to make up my own.

There are no paranormal elements in the Lighthouse Library Series, but Lucy Richardson’s nemesis, Louise Jane McKaughnan, wants her to believe there are, hoping to scare Lucy out of her library job and back to Boston. Louise Jane considers herself to be one of a long line of women with special sensitivity to the supernatural. Lucy is never quite sure whether Louise Jane is telling stories she’s heard, or just making up what she thinks will scare Lucy the most. 

Here’s Louise Jane’s first attempt:

        The edges of Louise Jane’s mouth curled up. “I debated telling you about this. Andrew said I should keep it to myself. But I thought you deserved to know, Lucy. After all, you’re sleeping here. In the very room where Francis went mad. And died. You’re an intelligent, educated woman, aren’t you?”
        I nodded. It was daylight, the twenty-first century. Bright sunlight streamed in the window, the sun played on the calm sea. My room was cheerful, modern, with electric lights, plumbing, Wi-Fi, a telephone. Even a doorbell. But the corners seemed deep and full of shadows. I mentally shook my head. This room didn’t even have corners!
        “Now, don’t get me wrong,” Louise Jane continued. “Francis—the Lady, she’s called now— isn’t an evil spirit. Not at all. She was kind in life, or so they say, until she was locked away. She remains kind in death. When she sees a woman, a young—well almost-young—woman living in this room . . . Francis believes she’s trapped. And tries to free her. The only way she knows how. The way she freed herself.”
        It was so quiet up here when the library was closed, high above the sea and the marsh, no one else around. At night, the darkness broken only by the rhythmic flash of the light.
        “Well, well, look at the time. I promised to meet Andrew for a hike along the beach before lunch. Fresh air and exercise, there’s nothing like it. Are you all right, Lucy? You look awful pale.”
        “I’m fine,” I squeaked.

Eva, thanks so much for joining us today and sharing this look at Lucy and the ghost stories. I can certainly see how it would be more enjoyable to let new ghost stories play out on their own.

Now for those of you who aren’t familiar with Eva, let me share a bit of background and you may realize you do know her. :)

Eva Gates is the pen name of popular mystery and suspense author Vicki Delany. Eva writes a new cozy series for Penguin Obsidian, the Lighthouse Library Mysteries, set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The first book in the series, BY BOOK OR BY CROOK, was released Feb 3rd.

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

Now for my thoughts on this fun new series:

Author Eva Gates has blended two charming elements – libraries and lighthouses – with cozy mystery to create an intriguing new series. The setting of a real life lighthouse transformed into a library quickly draws you in as the author incorporates issues libraries deal with daily.

The characters are delightful and realistic. The secondary characters are unique and add depth while enhancing the story. Moving at a steady pace, the story flows smoothly and holds your attention until the end.

Combining the picturesque setting with friendship, a hint of romance, an interesting mystery, and all-out-fun, the author has the beginnings of a tantalizing new series with BY BOOK OR BY CROOK. What could be more enjoyable than curling up with a good book in a cozy lighthouse that holds mystery and intrigue?

By Book Or By Crook by Eva Gates, A Lighthouse Library Mystery Book #1, Obsidian, @2015, ISBN: 978-0451470935, Paperback, 352 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:

This giveaway is for one print copy of BY BOOK OR BY CROOK. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, Feb. 24. 

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. The winner from this giveaway will have 72 hours to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. The email will have ‘Thoughts in Progress Eve Gates' Tour’ in the subject line, just so you know what to watch for (in case it goes into your spam folder).

Do you like lighthouses? Would you want to live in one? Do you think it would be fun to have a library in one? Thanks so much for stopping by today during Eva’s visit. I hope we’ve enticed you to check out this fun new series.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway