Eggnog, Extortion and Evergreens: when a man dies in a the ER, is it a natural death or murder?

Eggnog, Extortion and Evergreens by Tonya Kappes is the fourteenth book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. The Christmas season is a busy time for Mae as she fills her time with the first annual Winter Festival and the slow season at the campground. However, curvy roads and freshly fallen snow hides hidden dangers as Mae gets into a car accident and falls into a coma. Mae is lucky as she wakes up with a few bruises and a concussion but the patient next to her wasn’t so lucky. Randy Lenz, a local businessman, dies from what seems to be natural causes. As Mae recovers and struggles with swirling memories of her past, present and a nagging feeling that Mr Lenz was murdered. Can she fully remember what she heard that night? Can she convince anyone else that there’s a crime to be solved? 

This story opens with a scary scene as Mae is rushed from the accident site to the ER and she drifts into and out of consciousness. Of course, overhearing a suspicious conversation about the patient next to her brings her from her coma. This story definitely had a different feel as Mae’s friends and loved ones are seemingly keeping her in the dark. Why? Mae soon finds out and she springs into action as only Mae can. I thoroughly enjoyed Mae and her determination as she heals and shows how strong she truly is. I also enjoyed the more loving way Hank is treating Mae. I smiled as he seemed to reveal a more tender side. I look forward to reading more of the fun adventures in Normal. I highly recommend Eggnog, Extortion and Evergreens as well as the previous books in this series. 

Eggnog, Extortion and Evergreens is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Goodbye Storm: the topsy turvy road of grief

The Goodbye Storm by Danielle Stewart is the first book in the Rough Waters series. A story of grief, guilt and finding the strength to move forward. On an icy road and a dark night, two cars collided and lives were changed forever. Grief is a beast that is not easily chased off as Autumn Chase knows all too well. Since losing her beloved husband, Charlie, in a car accident, she has been hiding from the world. Noah Key lost his wife in that same accident. As an emergency room doctor, he has been on the opposite side of devastating news, however, nothing prepares him to hear that news himself. Noah devotes himself to working just enough hours to forget that his wife is gone, hoping that work and exhaustion will keep him from remembering. As life goes on around them, can Autumn and Noah learn to survive the storm? Or will they be destroyed by it? 

Danielle Stewart knows how to write emotionally charged stories and The Goodbye Storm is no exception. The Goodbye Storm gives a peek into the raging storm that is grief for those who haven’t yet experienced it and gives comfort to those who have. Grief is a highly personal experience as demonstrated by Autumn’s and Noah’s reactions to the deaths of their spouses and both struggles with this new normal. While Noah shuts everyone out, Autumn risks hurt again by opening up to new people and discovers a necessary support system she didn’t know she needed. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Jamie and Travis. My heart broke for Autumn as she experiences the topsy turvy road that is grief as well as for Noah, as he spirals out of control. It is an emotional story with an emotional ending. Definitely a tear jerker and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Goodbye Storm. 

The Goodbye Storm is available in paperback and eBook