Justice Gone by N. Lombardi, Jr – a #BookReview

Justice Gone by N. Lombardi JrTitle: Justice Gone by N Lombardi, Jr

Genre: #Literature & Fiction, #Crime, #Thriller

Publisher: Roundfire Books

Publication Date: To be released February 22, 2019

  • ISBN-10:1785358766
  • ISBN-13:978-1785358760

Source: Author, Publisher, and NetGalley

Title and Cover: Justice GoneJustice is Blind

Book Blurb:

When a homeless war veteran is beaten to death by the police, stormy protests ensue, engulfing a small New Jersey town. Soon after, three cops are gunned down. A multi-state manhunt is underway for a cop killer on the loose. And Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a veteran’s counselor, is caught up in the chase. Donald Darfield, an African-American Iraqi war vet, war-time buddy of the beaten man, and one of Tessa’s patients, is holed up in a mountain cabin. Tessa, acting on instinct, sets off to find him, but the swarm of law enforcement officers get there first, leading to Darfield’s dramatic capture. Now, the only people separating him from the lethal needle of state justice are Tessa and ageing blind lawyer, Nathaniel Bodine. Can they untangle the web tightening around Darfield in time, when the press and the justice system are baying for revenge? Justice Gone is the first in a series of psychological thrillers involving Dr Tessa Thorpe, wrapped in the divisive issues of modern American society including police brutality and disenfranchised returning war veterans. N Lombardi Jr. is the author of compelling and heartfelt novel The Plain of Jars. Continue reading “Justice Gone by N. Lombardi, Jr – a #BookReview”

Oh Holy Fright by Teresa Trent – a #BookReview

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, to all my Favorite Readers–You!

Christmas review-Oh Holy Fright by Teresa Trent

Title: Oh Holy Fright by Teresa Trent

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Women’s Fiction, Women Sleuths

ASIN: B07JFNSC11

Publication Date: October 31, 2018

Page Length: 255 pages

Source: BookBub

Title and Cover: Oh Holy Fright-That cover will get you

Book Blurb:

It’s Christmas in Pecan Bayou, Texas. Join Betsy (aka The Happy Hinter) for a good old small-town Christmas complete with Christmas carols, over the top light displays, delicious food, loving friends and…a Christmas Creeper. One of the residents of Pecan Bayou has a secret and you’d better lock the door because that isn’t Santa out there or even a stray elf. Enjoy spending Christmas with the town and family you’ve come to know in the Pecan Bayou Series. Recipes and helpful hints included!

My Review:

Oh Holy Fright by Teresa TrentCute cozy with a curious concept! Yay, another cozy with an atypical plot! Betsy Livingston, the local paper’s “Happy Hinter” of rural, small-town Pecan Bayou, Texas is preparing for Christmas with her blended family. (Another plus, unusual family setting, low-key on the romance angle and sexual tension.) Part of her extended family also includes a neurologically handicapped family member, everyone is preparing for Christmas, contending with an off-key, ear-splitting soloist in the choir, and confronting a Christmas Creeper.

Unfortunately, a beloved mailman is murdered in the street which may implicate her aunt Maggie as she recently armed herself against the intruder. In the middle of it all, an instant Christmas store hawking super sales on coveted technical or electronic gift items, including Play Stations, and have her boys on a Christmas campaign.

There are enough threads here to keep you busier than a one-armed paper-hanger, yet the well-plotted mystery dragged somewhat for me. I appreciated the focus on the family situation since that scenario is quite common as well as the sympathetic and sensitive handling of Down’s Syndrome, Danny, whose sweet character was well developed. There is humor in the strangest situations and that was another takeaway, also appreciated.

What had me scratching my head was the obtuseness of the characters, including (once again) the local constabulary. Some of this stuff is pretty obvious so there are few surprises. The narrative examines reverse mortgages and the financial plight of the elderly, as well as offspring with drug problems and exes, the push to get the little ones out to sell subscriptions, scammers, and counterfeit money.

This is book 8 of the series, but I felt could easily work as a standalone as we see enough fleshing to understand the major characters and those who have reoccurring roles. We received this free download through BookBub and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. I say “we” as I thought it might be one my associate reviewer would also enjoy. (His review appeared on Goodreads, November 28, 2018, I’ve since combined.)

His Review: C.E. Williams - Associate Reviewer

Combining small-town drama with mystery and suspense makes this read a hoot. A bit of Nancy Drew meets Perry Mason. Predictable but with some good belly laughs along the way. CE Williams 4/5 stars

Add to Goodreads

Rosepoint Publishing:  Four of Five Stars Four of Five Stars

Teresa Trent - authorThe Author: Teresa Trent writes the Piney Woods and the Pecan Bayou Mystery Series from Houston, Texas where she loves the people and even the weather. Teresa includes Danny, a character with Down Syndrome in her Pecan Bayou family and in real life is the mother of an adult son with Down Syndrome/PDD. Creating the character of Danny and all of the other inhabitants of Pecan Bayou has been a joy for her. Even though she lives in the big city, her writing is influenced by all of the interesting people she finds in small towns and the sense of family that is woven through them all. ©2018 V Williams V Williams

The Water Tower Club by B K Mayo – a #BookReview

Title: The Water Tower Club by B K MayoThe Water Tower Club by B K Mayo

Genre: Literature & Fiction, Family Life

Publisher: Fir Valley Press

Publication Date: To be released January 15, 2019

Source: Publisher and NetGalley

274 pages

  • ISBN-10:0981588441
  • ISBN-13:978-0981588445

Title and Cover: The Water Tower Club – Cover conveys plot focus

Book Blurb:

The day after graduating from high school, Darryl Coombs fled his hometown of Grotin, Kansas, hoping to put the memories of his nightmarish childhood behind him forever. His only regret–he’d had to leave his beloved little sister, Libby, behind. Now, ten years later, Libby’s arrest on a charge of attempted murder has Darryl reluctantly returning to his childhood home. He is desperate to save his sister from prison, but first he must survive the descent into the rabbit hole of his past.

When his efforts to exonerate Libby expose a devil’s bargain so hideous as to be unthinkable, Darryl unwittingly takes action that leads to deadly consequences.

Beautifully written, artfully conceived, charged with moral complexity, this book will leave you wanting more from BK Mayo! Continue reading “The Water Tower Club by B K Mayo – a #BookReview”

Book Beginnings and The Friday 56–HELLO Friday!

Book Beginnings on Fridays and The Friday 56

In October I began participating in Book Beginnings who is hosted by Gillian at Rose City Readers. Every Friday you have the opportunity to share the first sentence of the book you are currently reading. Include the title of the book and the author’s name. You may wish to share your impression of the book to date as well. Also please share your post with Mister Linky on her blog site. This week I am spotlighting Oh Holy Fright by Teresa Trent.

“What would possess Joe Nelson to give the Christmas solo to a woman who sings like a washing machine full of rocks?”

(And because there is a natural tie-in to The Friday 56, it is common to combine the two.)

The only rules are for participation in The Friday 56 is to grab a book, any book or the one you are #currentlyreading, turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader, and find a sentence (or a few, but don’t spoil it!), post it, and then add your post URL to the Linky on the host site Freda’s Voice – there yah go! How’s that for easy!

Book Beginnings and The Friday 56

Friday 56:

Ruby spun around in front of me. “I know you’re looking at my jacket, Betsy. Like it?”

The white fur of the jacket was lustrous. I would never have bought it for myself, and I also thought it was more suited for a woman much younger than Ruby. She was running the risk of looking like the famous abominable snowman from the claymation version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. “Very nice,” was all I could manage to say.

Add to Goodreads

So what am I thinking?

Nice to get into a slightly unusual scenario for a cozy mystery! I can relate to a choir member hurting your ears since I was part of several choirs for more than fifteen years. And there is always one…

This review is scheduled for Christmas Day. Don’t you just love that cover?

©2018 V Williams V Williams

#ThrowbackThursday – Breakthrough by Michael C Grumley

#ThrowbackThursday - Christmas time

Renee began the #ThrowbackThursday meme on her blog, It’s Book Talk to share some of her old favorites as well as sharing books published over a year ago. Hopefully, you’ll find either a story or author that interests you and you’ll check them out. And, if you’d like to join the fun, you’re welcome to use Renee’s pic from her website. Just provide the link back to her please).

This week I am highlighting Michael C Grumley, another terrific, prolific author who wrote Breakthrough, which I reviewed on Goodreads. This novel was published on March 6, 2013 and has more than 8,000 reviews on Amazon labeled technothriller-sci-fi, action and adventure, conspiracies. This is book #1 in the series, now numbering four.

Originally posted July 27, 2016

Breakthrough by Michael C GrumleyBook Blurb:

ONE OF THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS IN HUMAN HISTORY. A SECRET THAT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE FOUND. AND A CRISIS THAT CANNOT BE STOPPED.

Deep in the Caribbean Sea, a nuclear submarine is forced to suddenly abort its mission under mysterious circumstances. Strange facts begin to emerge that lead naval investigator, John Clay, to a small group of marine biologists who are quietly on the verge of making history.

With the help of a powerful computer system, Alison Shaw and her team are preparing to translate the first two-way conversation with the planet’s second smartest species. But the team discovers much more from their dolphins than they ever expected when a secret object is revealed on the ocean floor. One that was never supposed to be found.

Alison was sure she would never trust the military again. However, when an unknown group immediately becomes interested in her work, Alison realizes John Clay may be the only person she can trust. Together they must piece together a dangerous puzzle, and the most frightening piece, is the trembling in Antarctica.

To make matters worse, someone from the inside is trying to stop them. Now time is running out…and our understanding of the world is about to change forever.

Add to Goodreads

My Review:

Love it when I come across a plot that you haven’t read 80 times before. “Breakthrough” by Michael C. Grumley gives us a new one, I believe. There are multi-concepts here (mash in military, tsunamis, and aliens), and they lead to a pretty suspenseful tale that moves along pretty well in this fast-paced book. Throw in one of the planet’s smartest animals (dolphins), add a LOT of sci-fi, some real technology and juxtapose some wild imagination. So you’ll have to push past some disbelief, but this is a sci-fi begging fantasy, right? So just enjoy the ride into entertainment and let your mind veg.

The characters in each scenario work pretty well and for the most part are pretty believable. How well they interact with the characters from the opposing scenarios create the tension or clash and explode (literally) into the climax. One you can’t imagine could have a good ending.

Most reviews (and the blurb) covered the plotline, so I’ll just mention that I enjoyed the dolphins albeit small portion of the plot. What bothered me most towards the climax was the transitions (or complete lack thereof) from one scene to another, the abrupt ending, and the seemingly impossible survival of several of the main characters (there was just no way). Still, a noble debut effort and fun fantasy. A free download from BookBub and appreciated the opportunity for the read and review. Recommended for light-hearted sci-fi fantasy fans.

Michael C Grumley - authorAbout the Author: For years, Michael Grumley dreamed of writing thrillers the way he thought they should be written; complex, multi-genre stories with unique plots that ‘move’. Enter BREAKTHROUGH, AMID THE SHADOWS, and THROUGH THE FOG: all deeply human stories with endings you will never see coming.

Michael C. Grumley lives in Northern California with his wife and two young daughters where he works in the Information Technology field. He’s an avid reader, runner and most of all father. He dotes on his girls every chance he gets. His website is http://www.michaelgrumley.com and his email address is michael@michaelgrumley.com ASIN: B00BVFM04C

More Throwback Thursday Blogs 

Renee at Its Book Talk

Jill at Jill’s Book Cafe

Rebecca at The Book Whisperer

Lynne at Fictionophile

Sam at Clues and Reviews

Holly B at Dressedtoread

Deanna at DeesRadReads and Reviews

Amanda at Literary Weaponry

Annie at The Misstery

Mischenko at Read Rant Rock and Roll

Laurie at Cozy Nook Books

Ann Marie at LItWitWineDine

Susan at Susan Loves Books

Cathy at What Cathy Read Next

Cathy at Between the Lines

Amy at Novel Gossip

Diana at A Haven for Booklovers

Check out the other #ThrowbackThursday bloggers and see what they are highlighting today! Did you read Breakthrough? Agree with my review?

©2018 V Williams V Williams

To Fetch A Thief by Teresa Inge, Heather Weidner, Jayne Ormerod, and Rosemary Shomaker #BlogTour #Spotlight

Welcome to the spotlight at my blog stop for To Fetch A Thief by Teresa Inge, Heather Weidner, Jayne Ormerod, and Rosemary Shomaker on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

To Fetch a Thief by Teresa Inge, Heather Weidner, Jayne Ormerod, and Rosemary Shomaker

Book Details

To Fetch A Thief
Cozy Mystery Anthology
Light, humorous, dog-themed mysteries.
Bay Breeze Publishing, LLC (November 8, 2018)
• Number of Pages 274  

Book Blurb 

To Fetch a Thief by Teresa Inge, Heather Weidner, Jayne Ormerod, and Rosemary ShomakerTo Fetch a Thief, the first Mutt Mysteries collection, features four novellas that have gone to the dogs. In this howlingly good read, canine companions help their owners solve crimes and right wrongs. These sleuths may be furry and low to the ground, but their keen senses are on high alert when it comes to sniffing out clues and digging up the truth. Make no bones about it, these pup heroes will steal your heart as they conquer ruff villains.

Add to Goodreads

About the Author (s)

Teresa Inge - authorTeresa Inge grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Today, she doesn’t carry a rod like her idol, but she hotrods. She is president of Sister’s in Crime Mystery by the Sea Chapter and author of short mysteries in Virginia is for Mysteries and 50 Shades of Cabernet.

Website: www.teresainge.com
Connect with Teresa on Facebook, and Twitter

Heather Weidner - authorHeather Weidner, a member of SinC – Central Virginia and Guppies, is the author of the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, Secret Lives and Private Eyes and The Tulip Shirt Murders. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series and 50 Shades of Cabernet. Heather lives in Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers, Disney and Riley. She’s been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. Some of her life experience comes from being a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, IT manager, and cop’s kid. She blogs at Pens, Paws, and Claws.

Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com

Pens, Paws, and Claws Website and Blog: http://penspawsandclaws.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherWeidnerAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_mystery_writer/

Jayne Ormerod - authorJayne Ormerod grew up in a small Ohio town then went on to a small-town Ohio college. Upon earning her degree in accountancy, she became a CIA (that’s not a sexy spy thing, but a Certified Internal Auditor.) She married a naval officer and off they sailed to see the world. After nineteen moves, they, along with their two rescue dogs Tiller and Scout, have settled into a cozy cottage by the sea. Jayne is the author of the Blonds at the Beach Mysteries, The Blond Leading the Blond, and Blond Luck. She has contributed seven short mysteries to various anthologies to include joining with the other To Fetch a Thief authors in Virginia is for Mysteries, Volumes I and II, and 50 Shades of Cabernet.

Website: www.JayneOrmerod.com

Blog: www.JayneOrmerod.blogspot.com

Rosemary Shomaker - authorRosemary Shomaker writes about the unexpected in everyday life. She’s the woman you don’t notice in the grocery store or at church but whom you do notice at estate sales and wandering vacant lots. In all these places she’s collecting story ideas. Rosemary writes women’s fiction, paranormal, and mystery short stories, and she’s taking her first steps toward longer fiction, so stay tuned. She’s an urban planner by education, a government policy analyst by trade, and a fiction writer at heart. Rosemary credits Sisters in Crime with developing her craft and applauds the organization’s mission of promoting the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers.

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121853.Rosemary_Shomaker

More Links:

Website: http://muttmysteries.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MuttMysteries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MuttMysteries1

Amazon: Purchase Link

Thank you for visiting my stop on the tour and please visit the other stops listed below!

Tour Participants:

December 10 – Reading Is My SuperPower – GUEST POST

December 10 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 11 – Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

December 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 13 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW

December 13 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 14 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW

December 15 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 15 – Varietats – REVIEW

December 16 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

December 16 – Lori’s Reading Corner – GUEST POST

December 17 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW

December 17 – The Book’s the Thing – GUEST POST

December 18 – Rosepoint Publishing – SPOTLIGHT

December 18 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 19 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

December 20 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE – DOG TREAT

December 20 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – GUEST POST

December 20 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW

December 20 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 21 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 21 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 21 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW Great Escapes Book Tours 

Thank you to Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for the opportunity to present this spotlight!

 

 

Chasing the Blue Sky by Will Lowrey – a #BookReview

Chasing the Blue Sky by Will LowreyTitle: Chasing the Blue Sky by Will Lowrey

Genre: Animal Care and Pets, Animal Rights, Dogs

Publisher: Lomack Publishing

Publication Date: November 3, 2018

  • ISBN-10:173293990X
  • ISBN-13:978-1732939905
  • ASIN: B07K5MM6WJ
  • Print Length: 191 pages
  • Source: Author Request

Title and Cover: Chasing the Blue SkyImmensely appealing cover instantly tells the story

Book Blurb:

In the sweltering heat of a Clay County summer, a chained dog gives birth to a spirited, black puppy named Toby. Taken from his mother’s side at just a few weeks old, Toby soon wins the love of an adoring family. But just as quickly, he finds himself struggling to survive in the unforgiving world of the county animal shelter.

But he’s not alone – a motley cast of homeless dogs and a devoted pair of shelter workers will give anything to make sure Toby makes it out alive.

Chasing the Blue Sky is the compelling, emotional story of one dog’s journey to find his place in the great big world.    Continue reading “Chasing the Blue Sky by Will Lowrey – a #BookReview”

Quantum Marlowe by Glenn Lazar Roberts – a #BookReview

Quantum Marlowe by Glenn Lazar RobertsTitle: Quantum Marlowe by Glenn Lazar Roberts

Publisher: TWB Press

Genre: Crime Noir, Sci-Fi, Heroic Fantasy,

440 pages +

ISBN: 9781944045500

Publish: TBA January 2019 

Book Blurb:

Pete Marlowe, a tiny but tough private detective, is having a bad day. Two mad scientists abducted him, lopped off his little finger, and installed a red button that enables him to walk through walls. Targeting Pete because his con-artist uncle secretly unloaded the Blarney Stone on the Pope, the kidnappers send him in to get the Stone back, snaring Pete in a plan that involves the Vatican, Mexican drug cartels, and a World War II Nazi project called The Bell. Can “Pinky’s” street smarts survive the scientists’ manipulations? Or is he destined to be marooned in a parallel universe? Quantum mechanics meets hard-boiled detective in this classic film noir take-off of Dashiell Hammett’s famous Sam Spade and Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe. “When Pinky gives them the finger, they stay fingered. I’m just that kinda guy.” Continue reading “Quantum Marlowe by Glenn Lazar Roberts – a #BookReview”

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