October 30, 2024 · 1:12 pm

Book Review: Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #9 Gathering Mist

A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery

By Margaret Mizushima

Deputy Mattie Wray, formerly Cobb, has much more on her mind than usual. She is a devoted Deputy of her small community. Mattie and her K-9 partner, Robo are out training in the rocky hills she calls home and have saved lives countless times. Sadly, some recues are due to foul play but others are less nefarious. People just get lost and need help finding their way out of the woods and mountains. Either way, Mattie and Robo are dedicated and very good at when they do, saving lives and catching the bad guys.

In her personal life, she is settling down and she is happy but a bit nervous for her upcoming marriage to Cole. She loves Cole and his daughters, but is a bit worried about interloping by living in their family home. As if there wasn’t enough pressure, a call comes into the sheriff’s office that there is a missing boy. The case is going to explode as soon as the media gets a hold of it. The missing person is the son of a famous actor, amping up the media to a frenzy while law enforcement is looking for clues in the dense, mountainous terrain in Colorado that is not Mattie’s usual stomping grounds.   

Margaret Mizushima is one of my favorite authors. Her characters are some of my favorites. Each one is fully developed and interesting. The reader is supposed to get a chill for things some of the characters say and do, and believe me I do. Some of those bad guys are just pure evil, which makes the takedown of the criminals very satisfying.

I highly recommend Mizushima’s books, Gathering Mist is the ninth book in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series. It read well as a stand-alone mystery. I was hooked at the first book and I daresay you will be too.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

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September 2, 2024 · 2:03 pm

Book Review:

Secrets, Lies and Betrayals

By Lynn Wood

In 1995, Senator Mac McMillan was a diplomat that helped hammer out a peace treaty along with the two key men in the Middle East. Mac’s family, including his only grandchild, Lea, watched and listened to the unprecedented moment in history. He was amused when Lea broke free of her mother and ran to his arms. But no one was laughing when shots rang out. Mac was dead and Lea was wounded. In the chaos that followed, Maxwell Cole, one of the men assigned to protect the Senator, scooped up the tiny child and ran for the helicopter to get Lea medical care before another life was lost. Thankfully she recovered.

 A few years later, Lea’s father stepped in to politics. Winning handily with the echoes of his father, the beloved Senator in his head, he vowed to serve his country. But sadly, Lea was adrift. Her mother died young and her father was knee deep in his political career. Sadly, the relationship with Lea and her father was virtually severed after his new wife joined the family. Her father shipped her off to Europe for school. In the years that passed, she learned to fend for herself. First of all, she changed her name, as not to be attached to her father any longer. She grew to be an intelligent woman, one who spoke many languages and was an accomplished sculptor. The only thing her father did right was hire a man to watch over her and keep her safe. Max was her savior. When her father decided she no longer needed help, Max continued to work for Lea at her request.

All is good in Lea’s life. She changed her name, hair and eye color, and by all accounts she recreated herself leaving her name and family behind with the exception of her beloved grandmother.  Unfortunately, her father had his sights on becoming the President of the United States. Lea was about to be sought out and spotlighted once again. How can he ask her to stand by his side when he shipped her off to fend for herself not so many years ago? And what will happen when and if her real identity is revealed?

I absolutely loved this book. From the opening pages I was hooked. The depth of characters, fast moving plot and the secrets that are slowly revealed are a reader’s delight. The characters are interesting and the settings are as diverse, taking the reader to places some may only dream of going to someday. I cannot wait to dive into another one of her books.

Per her info online, Author Lynn Wood loves to read diverse genres, including commercial fiction, suspense, romantic including historical romances. She usually includes a magical or supernatural thread woven throughout her stories. Besides her talent for writing, she also loves to spends time with family and friends, traveling and of course has the same addiction as most of us…reading a book .

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

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August 4, 2024 · 3:21 pm

Book Review: Excellent Thriller

Waterborne by J. Luke Bennecke

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Nightmares have chased Jake since the murder of his wife at the hands of a calm, cool assassin, Viktor Johnston. Jake is absolutely positive Viktor is not dead, but the authorities insist he is gone. Odd happenings in and about his home solidifies his theory, making him fear for his daughter and her family.

In an attempt to keep busy and help the planet, he has created a way to convert sea water to drinking water, all the while recycling the salt back to the sea. He is working side by side with the governor of California. Everything is running smoothly, until someone sabotages the water. An unknown suspect has engineered a catastrophic virus that is affecting the male population, that may also sterilize them. And to make matters worse, there is footage showing Jake himself pouring something into the water supply. The governor is giving him a short timeframe to fix the problem before she calls the authorities and has him arrested for sabotage.

So begins the quest to find and stop the person or persons that are sabotaging the water supply and Jake personally. First, he needs to secure his daughter, along with her husband and new baby. He loves them more than life, and will take every step he can to keep them safe. But Viktor cares about nothing or no one but himself. Along with his henchmen, Viktor has an ace up his sleeve to stay one step ahead of Jake.

This fast-paced thriller will keep you reading late into the night. Viktor is real enough to be manically crazy, bringing shivers at his ploys to irradicate Jake. The person that is ultimately responsible for the creation of the virus is a surprise, amping up the suspense with every page. I literally read it in two days as I could not put it down. I highly recommend it. This is the first book I have read by Bendel, but it will not be the last. His has written several other novels that are now on my TBR list.

Author J. Luke Bennecke resides in California, giving him personal knowledge of the state in which the novel is set. He worked as a civil engineer, improving Southern California roads. He enjoys learning about innovative technology, maybe he’ll be the man that will invent the water recycling system that he writes about in this novel.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

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June 19, 2024 · 1:14 pm

Book Review: Knife River

Knife River

By Baron Birtcher

Ty Dawson is the owner of the Diamond D Ranch. He loves the land and his life, but ranching isn’t an easy job. He has another job as the local sheriff. As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, some newcomers have invaded his quiet life. Ian Swann, a famous and talented singer/songwriter has taken up residence in Knife River, along with his entourage. This is a simple arrangement on paper, but Ian has some questionable men in his employ. He needs them to build the studio and a stadium so after perfecting his new songs, a huge festival will be held.

Sherriff Dawson is uncomfortable with this entire situation. Rock stars and roadies aren’t exactly the type of people that live in Knife River. But what’s done is done. He can only help keep the peace with the newcomers. To add to his aggravation, his wife has accepted a job working with Ian and Dawson’s daughter Cricket, is home from college and is spending a lot of time with the rock star. You might just call them both smitten with each other.

The understanding between the locals and the entourage has not been an easy relationship, but things are going fairly well. That is until everything explodes. Emotions and unexpected violence change everything. And the big question is, will anyone ever be the same when the real answers come to the surface.

Knife River is a fast-paced, multilevel book. It is quick and easy to read, but you must pay attention to the twists, turns and hidden connections. The characters are fully developed and at times surprising and even add a bit of suspense. It was the perfect marriage of the series Yellowstone and the rock concert Woodstock. I loved it.

This is the first book I have read by Baron Birtcher. I am pleased to know that there are three more Ty Dawson Mysteries available for your reading pleasure and mine. Birtcher’s firsthand experience as a professional musician helped make the music world come to life in this novel.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

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June 10, 2024 · 5:44 pm

Book Review: Find Me In California – Read This Book!!

By Kerry Lonsdale

Find Me In California

Massage therapist Julia is exhausted. She has been burning the candle at both ends and is almost at the end of the frayed rope her life has been hanging on. Her beloved grandmother, Mama Rose, is in a nursing home, diagnosed with dementia. In exchange for a portion of the expensive fees, Julia volunteers working a shift at the desk answering the phone and helping with the residents. She works as a paid massage therapist for the facility in addition to her day job as a message therapist. Unfortunately, the nursing home has been sold to a different company. With the new administration, new rules are set in stone. No more discounts for volunteers.

Mama Rose, isn’t the only one that has to leave. Sadly, there are other residents that will have to leave as well. Liza’s only family member lives far away. As a gesture of good will, Julia packs up Liza’s belongings and sends them to her only know relative, a grandson, Matt. At one time, Liza was been her mother’s best friend. For some reason the women are no longer close. Perhaps something happened long ago, or maybe it is just the dementia her grandmother was cursed with.  

Either way, her act of kindness falls on deaf ears. Matt is a busy photographer and has nothing but bad memories of his time living with Liza after the death of his parents. But deep down he knows he has to go to help his grandmother, just long enough to put her into another facility. His plan is to to fly in, take care of business, and get back to his life. But life takes a U-turn without forewarning. Matt has to drive instead of fly. The trip becomes as magical mystery tour due to the edibles he takes to abate his pounding headache. The only thing that keeps him going is Julia’s phone calls. But the biggest unspoken question that is on both of their minds, is what is really going to happen to all of them?

I loved this book so much I read it in two days. The twists and turns of their lives as well as the choices the characters made kept me on the edge of my chair, reading “just one more chapter” until the last page.

Kerry Lonsdale is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her books and each one has touched me, made me think and entertained me. Her writing style is easy to read, her characters are fully developed and interesting no matter if they are good, bad or somewhere in between. I highly recommend this book (as well as her other books). She is an award-winning author and her books have been Amazon Editors’ Picks. Her novels have been translated into twenty-seven languages and she is a founder of the Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

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June 6, 2024 · 11:46 am

Must Read Mystery

The Not Quite Enlightened Sleuth

By Verlin Darrow

Ivy Lutz has found her place in the world. She is a Buddhist nun living in Sri Lanka. She has found fulfillment and peace right up until her sister informs her that their mother has suffered a stroke. Ivy jumps back into the life she left with trepidation, but willing to help her mother in any way she can. Without fanfare, her life is turned upside down. Sadly, minutes after Ivy and her sister Jan arrive in their mother’s hospital room, she dies. Jan insists her stepfather, Dennis, murdered her mother. So begins the search for answers for their mother’s death.

Jan seems to be a bit unstable, her emotions run from hot to cold to fury in a matter of minutes. Ivy realizes that she will have to be the one to find out what happened. She is delighted to see her two nieces, Holly and Dee.

Holly is a bit high strung to say the least. Dee on the other hand is wise beyond her years, and excited to have her aunt staying with them.  It is no surprise that Dee and her aunt become amateur sleuths to find the answers they want and need. They make an unlikely duo, soon to become trio when they team up with Art, the cop on the case. He is more than reluctant to allow any kind of help with his case. But soon he realizes that Ivy may be in danger due to her investigations. So begins their partnership and maybe something more?

This cozish mystery is delightfully different, tantalizingly twisted and easy to read. The characters are interesting and so fully developed you will get to know them, yet still be surprised as the twists and turns evolve. I love the plot and the satisfying end. I hope this is the beginning of a series, I want to see more of these characters.  I highly recommend this book.

Author Verlin Darrow is so interesting per his biography it is difficult to list all of his accomplishments. He and his wife are psychotherapists. He was formerly a professional volleyball player in Italy, a sheet metal worker and NCAA coach to name just a few. I have to add he was patted on the head by Einstein, he doesn’t specify if he was a child or adult when that occurred. He has written several other books, notably BLOOD and WISDOM (a mystery), COATTAIL KARMA (a fantasy thriller),

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

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March 4, 2024 · 11:54 am

Book Review: Day

Day is written with sections including Morning, Afternoon and Evening. Each one is on the date April 5th. It is the same day, but not the same year. Morning is in 2019, Afternoon is in 2020 and Evening is 2021.

Each segment of the book has the characters evolving in their lives. Morning introduces the characters, blatantly showing all of their flaws. The pains and sorrows of lost chances as well as fleeting time seems first and foremost during the afternoon. Evening brings hope that even though life was nothing like the characters thought it would be, things are seemingly going to work out to each of their satisfactions. The growth of the characters, both children and adults, are much happier than they have been in the past. Throughout the book they are evolving to feel comfortable in where their life choices are taking them, instead of questioning what others may think.

This literary fiction was not a cheerful romp. Dealing with life choices, the characters often seem uncomfortable in their own skin. It makes the reader contemplate the outcome well before Evening arrives. Perhaps that is the intention of the author, whose writing will captivate the readers, wondering how the lives of the characters will turn out.

Day is an interesting book, but in no means a happy go lucky read. That isn’t a bad thing, but part way though the story, I would have liked to have a glimmer of hope for the characters, especially the children. Most likely it is closer to real life than most works of fiction, but as a reader, it made me sad to see how unhappy the characters were in their lives.

This is the first book I’ve read by the Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham. His accolades include the author of many novels, both fiction and nonfiction. His work has been published in The New Yorker and The Best American Stories. His accolades include wining the PEN/
Faulkner Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Currently living in New York City, he is a senior lecturer at Yale University

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

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February 9, 2024 · 3:00 pm

Book Review: The Turnbull Murders

The Turnbull Murders

A Historic Homes Mystery

By R. J. Koreto

Renovations are difficult in the best circumstances, but architect Wren Fontaine thrives by personalizing each home she restores. So, when movie star Nicky Tallon hires her to turn the famous Turnbull House back into the mansion it once was, she was very excited but a bit apprehensive. The historic home is situated on a private island in New York Harbor. Wren knew she could bring the home back to life after years of neglect, but dealing with the entourage of movie star Nicky Tallon’s is a problem.

While Wren begins working on the house, there is an entire film crew working in and about the home and the island. Not to mention temperamental actors and two women that both seem to be very close to Nicky. It is hard to determine the relationships, could he be dating both Saffron (who is very needy and young) and Thalia who seems much more worldly that Saffron.

Out of her element with the movie cast and crew, Wren buckles down to what she is comfortable with, bringing the broken-down house back into a home that will become a showplace. At least Wren’s girlfriend Hadley is there for moral support as well as working as the chef for all of the crew and actors.  

But there is a mystery brewing on the island. It seems the original owner of the island, Captain Turnbull mysteriously left the island and never returned. Did he find happiness someplace along his sea travels or was his disappearance something more sinister? Digging into the history might be more than everyone bargained for…who will die before the home and film are finished?

The Turnbull Murders is full of architecture, intrigue and skullduggery. The characters are interesting and more than once I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns in the plot. The author kept me guessing until the final pages. And the ending was very satisfying with every loose end tied up. This historical fiction is not to be missed, I loved it.

This is the first book I have read by R. J. Koreto. He has led a life as interesting as his characters. He has been a website manager, a textbook editor, a novelist and my personal favorite occupation, he was a merchant seaman. He has published short stories in some of my favorite magazines, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Wren Fontaine Historic Homes Mysteries, as well as his other books.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2024 Laura Hartman

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December 14, 2023 · 11:02 am

Book Review: Roulette – Fast Paced Thriller

Roulette

By Thomas Locke and Jyoti Guptara

Something is happening to the rave party goers, and it isn’t good. Nurse Carol Steen as well as her husband, Sheriff Dewey Steen have seen evidence that there is some kind of drug that has bizarre side effects that can be lethal, code name Roulette. Medical resident Stacy Swann has also seen the symptoms, but her cool, detached façade seems to have put up a barrier.

As things escalate, former special agent Eric Bannon is called into the case. He has to see what is going on firsthand and plans to infiltrate the next rave. Portraying himself as a guy with his girl looking for a high. He just needs a “date” to complete his covert identity. Dr. Stacy Swann steps up, insisting she can handle herself. But when things go awry, Bannon is forced to pull out all the stops to control the situation, even then, the night has taken a dark turn that may cost someone their life.

The mystery of the drug makers of Roulette, the drug turning people into monstrous beings, must be solved to save as many people as possible. Sadly, those that have already been injected with Roulette may never be the same. Like any illicit drug, side effects are intentionally not disclosed.

Roulette is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you up late at night reading just one more chapter. As Bannon teams up with Sheriff Steen and his wife to find the manufacturers and put them behind bars, things take a turn that is unsuspected and most likely lethal. 

This fast-paced plot kept me up late at night, reading just one more chapter until I finished the book. The characters are interesting and the situation they find themselves in often goes from bad to worse in the blink of an eye. Readers will appreciate the solid plot and well written characters. The suspense is palpable with each chapter to the end pages and I loved it.

Thomas Locke is an award-winning author, has sold over seven million copies of his novels worldwide and was inducted into the Christy Hall of Fame in 2014. His accolades include four Christy Awards and has been published in twenty languages.

Jyoti Guptara became a bestselling author at the age of 17, after dropping out of school at the age of 15. He is the author of a business biography, three fantasy novels and the award-winning novel Roulette. Schweizer Illustriete magazine and the County of Los Angeles have awarded him for his philanthropy, literary achievement and inspiration for other young people.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

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August 5, 2023 · 10:22 am

Book Review: Zeus: Water Rescue: Dogs with a Purpose

By W. Bruce Cameron

Zeus is a happy Labrador puppy, playing with his litter mates and his human family keeps him busy all day. Until one by one his litter mates were taken by people to their forever homes. Only Zeus and Troy were left. Finally, Marco Ricci, a paramedic and member of the Oahu Search and Rescue team, came looking for a puppy to train to be a rescue dog. Marco took both dogs home to see if one or both were able to be trained in search and rescue. He planned to sell the dog he trained at auction later in the year. So along with Marco and his dog Bear, training began. Sadly, Troy was not meant to be a rescue dog, but Zeus excelled in his training.

Not only was Zeus a happy and smart puppy, he immediately fell in love with Marco’s teenage son, Kimo, who adored Zeus from the moment they met. Marco agrees to allow Kimo to help train Zeus. But sadly, Kimo has to give up Zeus when his training finished because the sale of Zeus would bring in much needed cash for the family.

Everyday Kimo and Zeus become closer. The boy and his dog work well together, but Marco keeps reminding his son that Zeus is going to be sold at auction. Despite this cautionary reminder, the teen and puppy become inseparable. Kimo decides to sabotage Zeus’ training, but his plan backfires. Grudgingly, he realizes becoming a water rescue dog is Zeus’ destiny. Kimo is determined to train his dog and make him the best he can be.

I was in love with Zeus from the first pages. He is definitely the star of this book and doesn’t let his readers down. It is a love story that is full of action with a satisfying end. Classified as a young adult book, adults, especially dog lovers, will enjoy it immensely. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in his series.

W. Bruce Cameron was named Columnist of the Year by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists in 2011. His A Dog’s Purpose Series is New York Times best-selling list as well as his book, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

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