Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide: what does an old bank robbery and a new murder have in common?

Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide by Tonya Kappes is the seventh book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. To celebrate the opening of the new Old Train Station motel’s grand opening, everyone is excited for the Hoe Down. The fun evening comes to an abrupt end when a sudden storm brings lightning and knocks out the power. And it always seems that Mae West finds herself in familiar territory as she discovers the body of Jay Russel, a local trainer. As she follows the clues and rumors of an old bank robbery and shady business deals, she discovers the motive for motive is much, much more dangerous. Can she discover the link between the murder and the rumors before it’s too late? 

How can one small town have so much crime? It seems to be normal for Normal, Kentucky. Luckily, Mae West and her Laundry Club friends are on the case. Despite the disapproval of her boyfriend, Sheriff Hank Sharp, Mae can’t help herself as her curiosity pulls her in. Even after one of her dearest friends is implicated in the murder, Mae knows she cannot stop until she finds the truth. This series is filled with fun, exciting suspense as Mae follows the trail with twists and turns as she, and readers, are on the hunt for the killer. If you enjoy a fun small town setting with a bit of mystery, I highly recommend Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide as well as the rest of the series. 

Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Canyons, Caravans, and Cadavers: murder, rumors and conspiracy

Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers by Tonya Kappes is the sixth book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Mae West is asked to teach a semester on small town economics as she helped the economy in Normal thrive as she revamped the Happy Trails Campground. She is thrilled as it is a far cry from her image when she first arrived in town. But when a teacher and archery coach is found dead at the campground, it puts a damper on the campground and her excitement to teach. Of course, Mae begins to investigate and more bodies are piling up. She learns they are all tied to the school. Can she discover the killer’s identity and uncover a conspiracy? 

Tonya Kappes’ Campers and Criminals Cozy Mysteries are so fun to read. I thoroughly enjoy Mae as she gains more and more confidence, leaving her past behind her and finally finding a true home. Her eclectic group of friends, known as the Laundry Club, joins her in her sleuthing activities. The identity of the killer was a shocker as well as the motive. This book also introduces Hank’s sister, Ellis, and it will be interesting the role or drama she plays in future books. I highly recommend Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers as well as the rest of the series. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you will enjoy the Campers and Criminals series and Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers. 

Canyons, Caravans, and Cadavers is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Symbol Maker's Daughter: the end of the War of the Roses

Symbol Maker’s Daughter by Clare Gutierrez is a tale of intrigue, mystery and destiny as the fight for the English throne continues. The War of the Roses has been ranging between two houses of the Plantagenets: Lancaster and York since 1455. In 1483, Edward IV died, leaving his throne to his young son, but his ambitious brother, Richard, took the throne in the young boy’s place. Edward’s two sons were placed in the Tower under the guise of their protection. But there is a growing, secret support for another claim to the throne, a young man named Henry Tudor.. Lord Weldon began to have dreams, dreams with vivid images that he recreates the symbols for the images he saw. He entrusts his daughter, Nicola, to deliver these symbols. Nicola sets out on a perilous journey that could be life and death for her and the crossroads of history. 

The War of the Roses has always been taught in passing and I know very little how it began or how it ended. This book is the tail end of the war as Richard, Duke of Gloucester, becomes Richard III and meets Henry Tudor on the battlefield. While history already tells us Henry wins the crown to become Henry VII, political alliances, rumors of witchcraft and murder, everyone questions who or what they can trust. History could have been different. Symbol Maker’s Daughter is an interesting take on the events that lead to the end of the War of the Roses. It is a very detailed story with many moving parts. I read the book in about a week, which is a rarity for me. However, because the story was so detailed and intricate, this story requires a slow read to understand the events. I recommend Symbol Maker’s Daughter. 

Symbol Maker’s Daughter is available in paperback and eBook

Let Me Fall: the drama of high school can have a lasting effect

Let Me Fall by Lily Foster is the fifth book in the Let Me series. Each book stands alone and Let Me Fall is the story of Carolyn and Jeremy, secret admirers of each other since grade school and are reunited in their junior year of high school. Carolyn is the smart, nerdy girl who helps the struggling Jeremy pass his classes so he can play football. As the two draw closer, the drama and rumor mill runs wild around the school. Until one day, tragedy strikes, and Carolyn and Jeremy are torn apart and set on different plans they ever planned. Three years after high school, Carolyn and Jeremy start seeing each other around town and the old feelings are still there. Will they be able to move forward? Will the events of high school come back to haunt them?  Can the past be forgiven?

Let Me Fall is a young adult book and it is definitely geared toward that audience. The high school drama, the sexual exploits and the cattiness between the female characters feels like a teen drama show. It was a hard read. The action was slowly building with a lot of hints and rising excitement, only to be let down as the suspense is dragged on further. The sex scenes and the language were hard to get through; however, I feel it is probably accurate to the real interaction of teenagers. It was not my personal experience, but I do know it was the story of others. I loved Jeremy’s character. I sympathized with his struggles and his self-doubt as he viewed himself lower than his classmates. Carolyn was hit and miss for me. I cheered as she recovers from her ordeals than she does and says something that is so immature like geez, have you learned anything? Overall, I enjoyed the book. However, it is not a series I will be continuing. I do recommend Let Me Fall for teen and young adult audiences.

Let Me Fall

is available in paperback and eBook

The Most Dangerous Place on Earth: love or hate it, we've all been there

The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson is a story set in a place that many of us either relish or dread: high school. The story opens in the eighth grade with Cally Broderick being called into the office for neglecting to do her homework. While she is there, she unwittingly extends an act of kindness to the awkward kid at school. This sets off a chain of events which leads to a shocking event. Fast forward three years, Molly Nicoll is the new English teacher at the high school, she finds Cally, and her classmates in their junior year. Each chapter gives a different perspective of the same high school. You have the brain who must live up to his parents’ expectations. The talented dancer, the jock, the screw-up and all the other characters we seem to meet in high school. Their stories intertwined into a climax which leave the students and teacher baffled by the turn of events. Who will see their dream come true and who just wants to survive high school?

The Most Dangerous Place on Earth is set in Mill Valley of Marin County, California, an area of affluence and privilege. However, inside this high school we see the same issues and attitudes that this story could be set in almost any high school in America and the events could still resonate with us whether we enjoyed high school or were happy it was over. I highly recommend The Most Dangerous Place on Earth as a story that our actions have consequences and those consequences can follow us for the rest of our lives.

The Most Dangerous Place on Earth

will be available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

on January 10, 2017

in hardcover and ebook