The Body in the Gravel by Judi Lynn

Description

Even in a lovely town like River Bluffs, Indiana, flipping houses can be a challenge. Especially when there’s the proverbial skeleton in the closet—and a literal corpse in the driveway . . .

House-flipper Jazzi Zanders has her work cut out for her. Her latest flip, which she co-purchased with her fiancée Ansel and cousin Jerod, is a three-story fixer-upper that’s more of a droopy-downer. One corner of the house is sinking and needs to be jacked up with a new cement foundation. That costs money. And causes headaches. And creates a work environment that’s not only hostile, it’s downright deadly . . .

Jazzi knows it’s a tough job. Which is why she hired Darby to lay the cement. But when Darby gets into a fiery argument with the furnace man—and then never shows up to lay gravel for the driveway—Jazzi starts to wonder if the rumors about Darby are true. Did he kill his wife and son and bury them in the yard like some folks claim? When Darby’s dead body comes pouring out of a gravel truck, murder upstages the real estate market as her biggest concern 

My thoughts

rating: 5

This series keeps getting better and better with each book , and I couldn't put it down at all . with that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

Tracking Game A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery

Description

Two brutal murders, a menacing band of poachers, and a fearsome creature on the loose in the mountains plunge Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo into a sinister vortex.

An explosion outside a community dance sends Mattie Cobb and Cole Walker reeling into the night, where they discover a burning van and beside it the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher. But the explosion didn't kill Nate--it was two gunshots to the heart.

The investigation leads them to the home of rancher Doyle Redman, whose daughter is Nate's widow, and the object of one of their suspect's affection. But before they can make an arrest, they receive an emergency call from a man who's been shot in the mountains. Mattie and Robo rush to the scene, only to be confronted by the ominous growl of a wild predator. 

As new players emerge on the scene, Mattie begins to understand the true danger that's enveloping Timber Creek. They journey into the cold, misty mountains to track the animal--but discover something even more deadly in Tracking Game, the fifth installment in Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 mysteries.

My thoughts
Rating: 5
This is my first time reading anything by this author and I'm so glad I request this book to read and review , its the type of book I like to go to , where its a mystery, a littler romance ( that doesn't take away from the story) , and that the main characters are either police or search and rescue that work with an animal partner.This story had me hooked from the story and I actually read it in a day , I just couldn't put it down , the author's characters came to life  before my eyes and I had to know what was going on, what was going to happening next and who doing it and why, I loved the team work between Mattie and Robo , and loved how Mattie felt about Cole and his daughters , anyone who loves animals will love this series and will want to read it to the very end , so much so that I now want to read books 1-4 of this series , With that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it . 

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice by Donna Kauffman; Kate Angell; Allyson Charles

 
Rating :5
Description
Every autumn, Moonbright, Maine, is the picture of charm with its piles of crisp leaves, flickering jack-o’-lanterns … and a touch of the sweetest kind of enchantment.

Witches, goblins, the occasional ghost—they’re all sure to be spotted at the annual Halloween parade, where adults and children alike dress in costume to celebrate Moonbright’s favorite holiday. And no place has more seasonal spirit than Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, a family business steeped in traditional recipes, welcoming warmth—and, legend has it, truly spellbinding, heart-melting treats …

Between good-natured Halloween tricks, frothy pumpkin lattes, and some very special baked goods, for three Moonbright residents looking for love—whether they know it or not—the spookiest thing will be how magical romance can suddenly be …

My thoughts
Loved it ,each author has a cute and sweet Romance story in it that has to do with magic and finding your one ture love, and at the end of the stories you get the recipe for the cookies that was made in the stores , each one will have you either smiling or laughing ,wwith that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

Death at the Mariners Hotel A Sukey Reynolds Mystery Book 8) by Betty Rowlands

Description

At the stately Mariners Hotel, a breathless man rushes into the lobby and dashes upstairs to see a dapper guest. But moments later he discovers that his friend has been murdered…

Sukey Reynolds has finally realised her ambition to become a fully-fledged detective, earning her stripes and joining the police force. After years as an amateur sleuth, she is now a proper investigator. But will she do it by the book? Can she resist a bit of extra snooping?

When Sukey receives news of her first murder case at the elegant Mariners Hotel, she is intrigued. Who could possibly have wanted to hurt Dr Whistler, a shy and retiring archaeology professor? The dusty documents he was carrying couldn’t possibly be of value, could they?

You would never expect this sophisticated establishment to be home to murder. What secrets are hiding inside the charming Mariners Hotel?

Sukey’s superiors are convinced that Dr Whistler’s visitor is his killer, but Sukey isn’t so sure and decides to do a little side-sleuthing. Someone in the hotel has a secret, but who is it? The bewildered bellboy, the meddlesome manager or the reclusive receptionist?

A mysterious phone call leads Sukey to the truth, but as a rookie detective, will anyone believe she has what it takes to solve this baffling mystery?

Do you love cozy mysteries by Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis? If so, make this twisty and absolutely page-turning whodunnit your next read!

This book was previously published as Alpha, Beta, Gamma… Dead.

My thoughts
Rating:5
This series keeps getting better and better with each book ,one of the things I love is how much her main character comes to live and seems to grew , and the story never lets me down , with that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

Lady Anne and the Howl In the Dark

Title: Lady Anne and The Howl in the Dark
Series:Anne Addison Mystery
Author: Victoria Hamilton

Description

Fans of the Lady Julia Grey Mysteries will love these Georgian historical mysteries.

After receiving a distressing letter from a friend, Lady Anne Addison wastes no time in traveling to Yorkshire to offer whatever help she can. She has no idea what she’ll find there, but she certainly wasn’t expecting to be met by tales of a werewolf terrorizing the area—nor the dead body she discovers upon arriving. Driven by curiosity and a keen intelligence, Lady Anne dismisses the notion of such a beast, but she’s nonetheless drawn into the mysteries by the secrecy surrounding her friend and the infuriating yet enticing Lord Darkefell.

With a murderer on the loose and the supposed werewolf ravaging livestock and terrifying the locals, Lady Anne puts her reservations aside and joins forces with the seductive Darkefell to get to the bottom of things. And though his nearness is a tempting distraction, Lady Anne manages to uncover one clue after another, unraveling the mysteries and drawing ever closer to the killer, even while her true feelings for the enigmatic marquess elude her . . .

My thoughts

Rating: 4.5

it took me a while to get into the story and a while to get into the story but after reading it for a while I began to actually like the story and the two main characters , in a why it kind of reminded me of Sherlock Homes and the Hound of Baskervilles in the way it a gothic feel to it , and while it does have a touch of romance to it , its more about the mystery then anything else . After reading this I can't wait to read the next 2 books which I have . thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

Frontier America by William W. Johnstone; J.A. Johnstone

Description

PREACHER + MacCALLISTER = DOUBLE THE MAYHEM 

Two of the Johnstones’ most legendary heroes—the rugged mountain man known as Preacher and the Scottish clan rancher Jamie Ian MacCallister, here together for the first time—are forced to choose sides in a blood-soaked battle for the heart and soul of a nation divided . . .

FRONTIER AMERICA

As the father of a young Crow tribesman, Preacher would like nothing more than to see the long-time natives and newly arrived settlers live together in peace. Then the killing starts . . .

As a family man and frontiersman, Jamie Ian MacCallister is more than happy to help the officers at Fort Kearny negotiate a peace treaty with the Crow nation. Until it all goes to hell . . .

This is not the American dream they were looking for. This is a nightmare. A brutal, blood-drenched frontier war that two heroic men must fight and win—or one struggling nation will never come together. For liberty and justice for all . . .

My thoughts
Rating:4.5
Once again William W.Johnstone and J.A.Johnstone has done it again with a new series that just pulls you into the story and shows you what the west was about, and family as well, their characters always come to live and bring the story to life as well , and I'm not saying that because their one of my favorite author's to read . If you haven't read one of their books before now ,what are you wanting for.I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read it and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

The Horrors of Fox Hollow Farm Unraveling the History & Hauntings of a Serial Killer's Home by Richard Estep; Robert Graves

Description

Fox Hollow Farm, the infamous Indiana property where Herb Baumeister allegedly murdered at least eleven men, has a grim past and an unsettling present. This riveting book pieces together the story of the tragic case and explores the paranormal encounters that continue to this day, delving into the psyche of a suspected murderer and the terrifying supernatural activity that lingers in the aftermath of such unspeakable evil.

The Horrors of Fox Hollow Farm provides detailed insights from the original criminal investigation as well as the perspectives of the man who survived Herb's attempt on his life. This chilling book also features actual supernatural evidence, from EVPs and psychic confirmations to first-hand accounts of the disembodied hands and voices that regularly manifest on the estate.

My thoughts
Rating:3
Sadly I was hoping to enjoy this one a hole lot better then I did , because I knew of the case and wanted to know more about it but sadly with how this book was written I just didn't enjoy it as much, yes I know it's an ARC but there was times I was almost cross eyed trying to guess what the words were in a sentence because there was letters missing . With that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read it and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

How To Love A Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne

                     
Title: How Love A Duke In Ten Days
Series:The Devil I Know #1
Author: Karrigan Byrne
Genre: historical Romance
Pages :448

 These men are dark, bold, and brave. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees...

Famed and brilliant, Lady Alexandra Lane has always known how to look out for to herself. But nobody would ever expect that she has darkness in her past—one that she pays a blackmailer to keep buried. Now, with her family nearing bankruptcy, Alexandra strikes upon a solution: Get married to one of the empire’s most wealthy eligible bachelors. Even if he does have the reputation of a devil.

LOVE TAKES NO PRISONERS

Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is seeking revenge and the first step is securing a bride. Winning a lady’s hand is not so easy, however, for a man known as the Terror of Torcliff. Then, Alexandra enters his life like a bolt of lightning. When she proposes marriage, Piers knows that, like him, trouble haunts her footsteps. But her gentleness, sharp wit, independent nature, and incredible beauty awakens every fierce desire within him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe in his arms.
My thoughts
Rating:5
Would I recommend it? Yes
Would I read anything else by this author?yes
This is the first time I've ever read anything by this author and I can see why people seem to fell in lover with her stories , right from the start I was hooked and couldn't put it  down, loved how the two main characters meet and seemed to not have hit it off at first, I also loved how the 3 friends was there for each other no matter what , and other thing I loved about this author is how she writes a story that's capture my attention at the beginning with a scene and not only is it thought-provoking but  a little heartbreaking as well . She not afraid to show us the heroine at her most valuable state .With that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

Death under the Apple Tree (A Sukey Reynolds Mystery Book 7)

Description

A summer garden party is in full swing at a grand old house, but under a gorgeous apple tree laden with ripe fruit… a body is discovered.

Sukey Reynolds is treasuring the late-summer sun, taking long walks in the countryside, and enjoying the golden views across the Cotswold hills. At home, she’s busy cooking up feasts for her growing teenage son – amateur sleuthing is definitely off the menu.

When she is called to a photograph a crumbling manor, the day suddenly turns cold. In the charming garden, the body of beautiful Una May has been discovered, and all fingers are pointed at the tempestuous owner of the house, who was overheard arguing with Una that morning…

But who is the rotten apple in this beautiful orchard?

The party was supposed to celebrate a painting of the residents and staff. When the picture is found slashed, the police close in on the landowner, but Sukey is sure they are barking up the wrong tree, and she decides to do a bit of snooping. Which likeness hides a villain? Could it be the lustful lord, the aloof artist or perhaps the heartbroken housekeeper?

Despite her sleuthing, Sukey is no closer to catching Una May’s killer, until she finds a pair of shoes covered in mud from the orchard. With the police convinced they’ve caught the right man, Sukey must solve this baffling case alone. But to find the killer holding the poisonous fruit, she may have to delve deep into the garden…

If books by Agatha Christie, P.D. James or Faith Martin have you hooked, then you will love this murder mystery by the queen of cozy crime!

This book was previously published as Party to Murder.
My thoughts
Rating:4.5
This series keeps getting better and better with each book ,one of the things I love is how much her main character comes to live and seems to grew , and the story never lets me down , with that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

Books Read IN July 2019

Total books read in July 38

                                  

Netgalley ReviewAthon (July 22- August 30)

Link to my Netgalley TBR:
https://www.pinterest.com/coror02/netgalley-edelweiss/

Dragonfly by Leila Meacham

Title: Dragonfly
Author: Leila Meacham
Genre: Historical fiction ( WW2)
Pages:562
Grand Central Publishing
Pub:July 9,2019

At the height of WWII, five idealistic young Americans receive a mysterious letter from the OSS, asking them if they are willing to fight for their country. The men and women from very different backgrounds--a Texan athlete with German roots, an upper-crust son of a French mother and a wealthy businessman, a dirt-poor Midwestern fly fisherman, an orphaned fashion designer, and a ravishingly beautiful female fencer -- all answer the call of duty, but each for a secret reason of his or her own. They bond immediately, in a group code-named Dragonfly.
Soon after their training, they are dropped behind enemy lines and take up their false identities, isolated from one another except for a secret drop-box, but in close contact with the powerful Nazi elite who have Paris under siege.
Thus begins a dramatic and riveting cat-and-mouse game, as the young Americans seek to stay under the radar until a fatal misstep leads to the capture and the firing-squad execution of one of their team. But...is everything as it seems, or is this one more elaborate act of spycraft

My thoughts
Rating:5
Would I recommend it?yes
Will I read anything else by this author?yes
 This is the first time I've ever read anything by this author and it looks like I've found a new one to read , while I do read historical fiction it's rare that I pick up any that deals with WW2 because when it comes to anything that's about WW2 it's mostly nonfiction that I tend to go to, I do have to say that Leila Meacham has incredibly way of being to life her characters as well as her settings , and that she  definitely brought to life the lives and the struggles of the French people as well as their German counterparts, she also so brought to live the fear they felt and showed how far they was willing to go , even to betray their own people,it has twisted and turns in it as the main characters try to outmaneuver their targets. Another thing I loved about the story was how you got to see the backstories of the main characters come to live and how instead of taking anything away from the story ,they mixed well that they actually helped being it more to life as well as the personality of the characters . With that said I want to thank Grand Central Publishing and Forever for sending me a copy of of it exchange for my honest opinion.