#dogsandpals – Page 3 – Rosepoint Publishing

Guardian of the Crossroads: A Novel by Melanie Forde #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Book Blurb:

Catherine Devine briefly becomes a minor celebrity in Fauquier County, Virginia, when she saves a child from an oncoming truck. Cate is an unlikely heroine, stuck in a dead-end job as a school crossing guard and part-time art teacher. Stalled in her early forties, she lacks sufficient faith in herself to craft any plans—grand or small. But Cate harbors an extraordinary secret—she occasionally experiences psychokinesis. As she ponders just how she stopped that truck, she comes to believe her mind can move more than just physical objects. Perhaps she can move time itself. Melanie Forde’s riveting sixth novel takes readers on a journey of discovery as Cate explores not only her paranormal quirks but artistic talents that can heal old wounds. Accompanying her on this journey is her faithful wolfhound, Hecuba, an old soul who has always considered her mistress someone very, very special—perhaps even a goddess.

My Review:

This is not an author who churns out one series installment every six months. Ms. Forde takes her time to deliver a complex plot line and crafts a spellbinding literary novel.

Thoughtful storylines may take a bit longer to build but are rewarded by deeply moving and thoughtful characters wrestling with life and circumstances the best they can with the gifts they were born with. Such is the story of Catherine Devine of Fauquier County, Virginia.

The author generates a raw and emotional main character in Catherine who, following the extraordinary save of a young girl from being killed by a run-a-way vehicle in her school crosswalk, begins to question her ability to have moved that fast and effectively. As Cate begins to reflect on obscure memories in her life, she instigates a plan to solve what might be an act of psychokinesis.

Essentially without family, Cate does have a few friends but she begins an earnest investigation into her abilities and consults a professional. Single, her closest ally is a giant wolfhound named Hecuba. I loved this character! I could picture and invest in her.

In the study of her background, Cate comes across her old paintings, something she’d loved years ago and was very good at.

There is one very dark, ugly, but powerful painting she comes across that stirs strong emotions and she realizes that is the direction she must follow. She also remembers the catharsis her artistic abilities brought her and dives back into it with abandon, wondering what secrets she has long repressed will be revealed.

Yikes! The storyline turns dark, a startling surprise for me. Definitely caught off-guard, the plot becomes so compelling, you’ll have to follow to the denouement.

“The law of unintended consequences.”

It’s an intelligent and sensitive writing style that pulls in the reader. The themes examine the loss of familial trust, sexual deviation, paranormal and kinesis abilities, along with Greek mythology.

“…physical abuse breaks bones. Sexual abuse breaks the spirit.”

The author is a powerful storyteller. This is one of those stories that is laid out carefully, quietly, and then bestows a “wow” mystical factor at the end when the readers’ mind catches up. Whether or not you believe in paranormal or psychokinesis abilities, the narrative will leave you satisfied.

I greatly enjoyed The Quarry’s Girl, my last read by this author. Each of her novels is totally unique. I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. While there were some edit misses, they will be corrected. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Literature & Fiction
Publisher: D Street Books, a division of Mountain Lake Press
ISBN: 1959307436
ASIN: B0DSQ98DL1
Print Length: 471 pages
Publication Date: January 9, 2025
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

The Author: For most of her writing career, Melanie Forde ghosted on international security issues. She published her first novel, Hillwilla, in 2014, followed by On the Hillwilla Road in 2015. Her West Virginia trilogy culminates in Reinventing Hillwilla, 2018. Twenty years in the making, her Irish-American family saga, Decanted Truths, was also released in 2018. In 2022, Forde mined the stories about her French Canadian ancestors, to publish another period novel and family saga, The Quarryman’s Girl. Legends about the goddess Hecate were the starting point for her sixth novel. Published in 2024, Guardian of the Crossroads combines paranormal, psychological and literary themes.

AI generated Irish Wolfhound courtesy Freepik.com

I’ll Have What She’s Having by Chelsea Handler #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Book Blurb:

In hilarious and tender essays, #1 New York Times bestselling author Chelsea Handler shares her unforgettable story of becoming the woman she always wanted to be.

There’s a woman I want to become, Chelsea Handler thought as a child. She’ll be strong and confident. She’ll light up a room and spread that light to make others feel better. She’ll make a living being herself. She’ll be a survivor.

At ten years old, Chelsea opened a lemonade stand and realized she’d make more money if the drinks were spiked. So she added vodka to her recipe and used her earnings to upgrade herself to first-class on a family vacation—leaving her parents and siblings in coach. She moved to Los Angeles and got fired from her temp job when she admitted she didn’t know how to transfer calls. She’s played pickleball with the scions of an American dynasty. She’s sexted a governor. She shared psychedelics with strangers in Spain. When she accidentally ended up at dinner with Woody Allen, she was not going to leave the table without asking him a very personal pointed question. She went on national television and talked about having threesomes. She’s never been one to hold back.

But this life of adventure and absurdity is only part of her story. Chelsea knows what it is to truly show up for her family—canine and human, biological and chosen. She’s discovered how to spend time with herself, how to meditate, how to be open to love, and how to end a relationship with dignity. She is a sister to the many women who rely on her.

Surprisingly vulnerable and always outrageous, Chelsea Handler captures the antic-filled, exhilarating, and joyful life she’s built—a life that makes the rest of us think, I’ll have what she’s having.

My Review:

You know the name. So do I. And I opted for this book anyway, assuming I’d get what I expected.

You know what you get when you assume?

And, yes, I got some a lot of that. And I also got a surprising number of revelations. Not just about her. But also about me. Gees, after reading some of her childhood, I kept wondering why in the world was she so screwed up? Why did she require years of therapy to make a breakthrough in understanding who she was and how she got there?

This from a narcissist:
“When I see a bird, I’m not thinking about what that bird is thinking about. I’m thinking about how well rounded I am that I’m paying attention to birds…The bird is always about me; it’s never just a bird.”

My first book by this author almost turned me off when she began talking about Jane Fonda. (Remember, we spent years in the military during ‘Nam when Fonda made that infamous trip to North Vietnam, still earning her blistering traitor comments. How could anyone take advice from someone who created such hatred from our guys?)

Still, the heart-to-heart struck a chord with Chelsea, and giving it much thought began a turn-around in her attitude. Known for her open dislike of the male gender and children, it’s amazing she could find so many men with whom to have relationships. She was looking for “the one.” As it was observed, however, women appeared to expect men to change while men expected a woman not to. Yeah, funny, and isn’t it the truth? But there were a lot of quotables, funny observations nestled in all those life lessons and chapter-length discussions on how to be a better person.

“…recognize that instinct is a knowing feeling, and impulse is acting on an emotion.”

My eyes might have occasionally glazed over when the lectures of what she discovered and how she turned it around went on rant page after page. Sometimes it felt like the point was not just made but then pounded in with a jackhammer. And all this from a woman readily discussing her drug and alcohol use, sheets of LSD. Was she writing “on the influence?” I had that feeling more than once. Were I at a cocktail party and she was on a soap box, I’d be finding another group to listen in on.

“Dependable, kind, munificent, free. These are the words I want people to use when describing me.”

But she made her point, one that keeps being stuck over and over: Kindness. You never know what someone else is going through.

I loved her account of the children she’s worked with, the love she has for her nieces and nephews, and her own dogs. When she’s on a mission to learn more about parenting, whether human child or pup, she dives in up to her chin and has the wherewithal to pay for the best tutorage.

“I was finally grasping the idea that all children are all of our responsibilities.” (Yes, it takes a neighborhood, a mantra when I was growing up.)

So, yes, I’m torn. An interesting and unexpected book. I suspect I might have greatly enjoyed an audiobook version, but this gave me the opportunity to peek into the life of the woman proclaiming her freedom, apparently from everything deemed appropriate for a successful woman supporting herself in grand style by being herself. If you’re a Chelsea fan, then you’ll no doubt love this book. My generation, though, grown before burning bras was the thing might still find some disclosures TMI.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Celebrity & Popular Culture Humor, Humor Essays,
Publisher: The Dial Press
ASIN: B0DDSK9TJR
Print Length: 320 pages
Publication Date: February 25, 2025
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Chelsea Handler is an accomplished stand-up comic and actress, as well as the bestselling author of My Horizontal Life. She is the star of her own late-night show on E!, Chelsea Lately; was one of the stars of Girls Behaving Badly; has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with David Letterman; and has starred in her own half-hour Comedy Central special. Chelsea makes regular appearances in comedy clubs across America and lives in Los Angeles.

The Sideways Life of Denny Voss: A Novel by Holly Kennedy #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

“You’re about as useful as a screen door on a submarine, aren’t you?”

Book Blurb:

In this poignant and funny novel, a man who is defined by his limitations sets out to fight a murder charge—and discovers unexpected truths about himself, his family, and the world at large.

On the surface, Denny Voss’s life in rural Minnesota is a quiet one. At thirty years old, he lives at home with his elderly mother and his beloved blind and deaf Saint Bernard, George. He cleans up roadkill to help pay the bills. Though his prospects are limited by a developmental delay—the result of an accident at birth—Denny has always felt that he has “a good life.”

So how did he wind up being charged with the murder of a mayoral candidate—after crashing a sled full of guns into a tree?

As Denny awaits trial, his court-appointed therapist walks him through the events of the past year. Denny’s had other scuffles with the law, the first for kidnapping a neighbor’s cantankerous goose. And then there was the time he accidentally assisted in a bank robbery. It seems like whenever Denny tries to do the right thing, chaos ensues.

Untangling the events around the murder reveals even more painful truths about his family’s past. He’s always been surrounded by people who love him, but now it’s up to Denny to set his life on a new course.

My Review:

OMG y’all, I’ve done it again! Perhaps it wasn’t the blurb. Maybe I didn’t pay enough attention to it? No, it might have been the average five stars from eighteen members posting reviews on NetGalley did me in.

Denny Voss is neurodiverse. That is, he is developmentally challenged, has an IQ of 72 as a result of problems with his premature birth, and has been raised by his Nana-Jo (grandmother). At thirty he finds himself in the slammer on a murder charge.

How did this happen?

Although he will adamantly maintain he is NOT developmentally disabled (he “has 72”), it takes him (his POV) over 330 pages to explain what happened. Of course, there are some things he’d rather not divulge, so that takes a while.

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to be in the mind of a challenged person, this novel might be of interest to you.

If you’ve ever had a challenged relative and wondered what that person thought, this novel might be of interest to you.

If you’ve ever had to work, be associated with, or are in some way friends with a challenged person, this novel might be of interest to you.

If you just plain enjoy good literary fiction, (friendship fiction), this novel will be of interest to you.

I am in absolute awe of Argus, Denny’s cousin, who lives in 8A opposite the 8B side of the duplex where Denny and Nana-Jo live. Argus can make me ashamed of the lack of patience I might exhibit, and especially as I get older, the need to hurry things along with slower or confused thinking—I don’t have all day! But Argus took lessons from Job. And he always has the perfect comeback for Denny, with kindness, patience, and love.

His grandmother has to be a saint in waiting. She is also kind, patient, returning endless discourse by Denny with thoughtful and loving answers.

Denny, on the whole, is one very lucky man. Because of those strong kind and loving relationships, he is also kind, thoughtful to others. He works with Argus at DOT picking up roadkill. He and Argus have a system worked out. There are well developed support characters, too, most gleaned from little thoughtful and compassionate gestures he’s made to others.

The frustration of getting inside Denny’s head is that as he has so carefully worked out the problem, the solution almost makes sense until he gets to the execution of his plan. I got as annoyed with him as I do my sister—sometimes you just can’t get through—or when you do it’s become unrecognizable.

It’s the repeats that might get a reader—but is unfortunately so often part of a challenged person. Sad how often I saw my sister in so many ways as Denny, though she is clearly not as developmentally disabled as Denny. (But she has a lot more trouble with dexterity than Denny.)

It’s an emotional story that lands a solid punch to the gut. Softening the pathos are the short bursts of humor, twists you won’t see coming, and an eye opening view of the baffling world in which they live.

Tesky, as with some cozy mysteries is despicable. Lydia, another character on the antagonist side of the story, sometimes dropped my jaw at her blatant raw reactions to Denny.

Argus had a T-shirt for every day of the week—for months it seems—each with appropriate sayings:

“Honk if you love Jesus, text while driving if you want to meet him.

Running late is my cardio.”

But, if Denny didn’t kill Tesky, who did? That’s the fun of the book isn’t it?

His new to lawyering lady is sweet, caring, and persistent. She has taken on Dr. Harland to assist in the process of securing Denny’s story, which is teasingly slow. I also enjoyed George the St. Bernard. What a great group of characters!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Women’s Humorous Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Coming of Age Fiction
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
ASIN: B0D9PBRHMG
Print Length: 335 pages
Publication Date: April 8, 2025
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

The Author: Born and raised in Canada, Holly Kennedy currently lives near the Rocky Mountains in Alberta with her family and their Newfoundland dog, Wallace. She is the author of four novels and her books have been translated into multiple languages. When she’s not writing, you’ll typically find her reading, spending time with family, or (her not-so-secret obsession) watching true crime TV shows like Dateline. To find out more visit her website at http://www.hollykennedy.com or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Have a merry Tuesday!

Nothing Left of Me by Alex Walters #BookReview #NoirCrime

Book Blurb:

After a stakeout turns deadly, Detective Sergeant Jack Mellor’s life spirals out of control. Struggling with guilt, he quits the force and retreats to the remote northern Highlands, seeking seclusion. But peace is hard to find.

When he’s hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman, Mellor is reluctantly drawn back into a world of corruption, crime, and deceit. As disturbing secrets emerge, his new life begins to unravel. Complicating matters, his ex-partner Maddie reappears, and a potential new romance is shattered. As Mellor digs deeper, he uncovers a horrifying operation—with shocking connections to those he thought he could trust.

Betrayed and disillusioned, Mellor faces the darkest moments of his life. But as his world crumbles, will a glimmer of hope emerge? And in the hauntingly beautiful Highlands, with only a loyal dog for company, can Mellor overcome his demons and bring the guilty to justice?

His Review:

Retiring from the Scottish police force in Glasgow, Mellor, a former police officer settles in the remote Scottish Highlands. He meets a lovely lady named Lorne and they are immediately smitten with each other. His near-death experience at the hands of a local thug, however, leaves him scarred and paranoid. When she is killed before their date, he disappears to his remote cabin in shock again and wonders why he seems to be a target.

The Highlands are remote but murders seem to happen all around him. Will he be the next candidate? Powerful people seem to be at play here, and when an ex-partner suddenly shows up, he’s left wondering why, and whether or not he can trust her. The storyline turns darker and it’s clear there are disturbing complications to his investigation of a missing person. The outlook is bleak.

Although a rather slow burn start, the plot line turns complex with fully-developed characters. This well-written story reveals that even Northern Scotland is not immune to greed and the violence rampant throughout our planet. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. These thoughts are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Noir Crime, Private Investigator Mysteries, Murder
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
ASIN: B0DN1CRHN1
Print Length: 336 pages
Publication Date: December 18, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Alex has worked in the oil industry, broadcasting and banking and has run a consultancy working mainly in the criminal justice sector including police, prisons and probation.

As Michael Walters, he published three crime thrillers set in modern-day Mongolia, now re-published as by Alex Walters in completely new, re-edited versions. As Alex Walters he has written two thrillers set in and around Manchester featuring the undercover officer, Marie Donovan, Trust No-One and Nowhere to Hide. Late Checkout was the first in a series of crime thrillers featuring, alongside Marie Donovan, the rather distinctive DCI Kenny Murrain, who has subsequently appeared in four more books, Dark Corners, Snow Fallen, Stilled Voices and Life Remains. Alex is also the author of the DI Alec McKay series set in and around Scotland’s Black Isle, which currently comprises five books, Candles and Roses, Death Parts Us, Their Final Act, Expiry Date and For Their Sins, published by Bloodhound Books, with a sixth book coming in 2022. He had also written a standalone historical thriller called Winterman, also published by Bloodhound Books. His latest series is set in the Peak District and features DI Annie Delamere. The first three books in the series, Small Mercies, Lost Hours and Bad Terms, are available now from Canelo.

Alex lives in the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands where he runs the Solus Or Writing Retreat with his wife, occasional sons and frequent cats.

He can be contacted at: mike@whitmuir.com

Website:https://www.alexwaltersauthor.com/

Twitter: @mikewalters60

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alexwaltersauthor/

Details of the Solus Or Writing Retreat can be found at: http://www.solusorwritingretreat.co.uk

Happy Holidays--Have a great Sunday!

Lost Souls by Theo Baxter #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Detective Marcy Kendrick Book 6

Book Blurb:

A killer on a sacred mission. A detective determined to stop him.

When LAPD Homicide detective Marcy Kendrick and her partner Angel Reyes investigate the bizarre death of a drug dealer in an abandoned warehouse, they discover he was waterboarded – with baptismal water.

It isn’t long before the killer strikes again. This time the victim is a young woman. Her hands and feet were bound, she was decapitated, and her heart was cut out. Traces of baptismal water are found in her wounds.

As the death toll continues to rise, it becomes clear the killer is on a religious mission. It’s the kind of sensational case the press loves, and they make the most of it, stirring up a frenzy, dubbing the killer the Templar.

With the investigation under intense public scrutiny, Marcy’s boss demands a quick resolution. But that’s easier said than done because there doesn’t seem to be any connection between the victims.

Marcy finds herself hunting a killer who thinks he’s on the side of the angels, with no idea where he’ll strike next. Can she stop the Templar before he kills again?

Lost Souls – book 6 in the thrilling series featuring Detective Marcy Kendrick.

My Review:

Book 6 of a series and my first with the author and the series. The main character is a strong female detective who has been around the corner a few times and knows the ropes. Marcy Kendrick seems to be pretty intuitive and often sparks off of her partner Angel Reyes, digging in and getting the next clue to follow.

There are three points of view; one is the perp, one is Marcy, and one is Angel. It’s obvious Marcy really likes Frank, but does she love him? This is a subplot meandering throughout the novel until Angel makes a change that throws Marcy.

The antagonist has multiple problems, including PTSD from a stint in Afghanistan. When it’s his POV, his thought processes run a chill up the spine and might include parts that you’d rather skip than read. He is truly whacked.

Both Marcy and Reyes are in relationships, though Reyes harbors a secret love attachment to Marcy of which she appears to be unaware. She is in a relationship with Frank who had been shot recently and is coming off medical leave but is balking on going back to work. He decides what he needs is a dog—a malamute puppy—which will be a large powerful dog when fully grown. While the dog might throw a monkey wrench in the relationship between Marcy and Frank, Marcy seems to willfully accept Timber, but he’ll need a lot of training. In the meantime, Frank makes another critical decision.

Despite personal conflicts, Marcy seems to thrive on the job and is a strong leader in the charge to track down the perp and when it’s his turn for the POV, dread takes over, like watching an inevitable train wreck. You can’t not watch (or read).

While not fast paced, it’s an interesting storyline that stumbles on the romance angle of the MCs rather often. I wished they’d make up their minds, but liked both Jill and Frank. Invested in support characters and didn’t wish to see them hurt.

The conclusion came barreling in although I had to wonder about the climax scene and was not sure I bought that Marcy could drive 85 mph and follow the location texts from Anna to Angel or that Anna (given previous descriptions of the victims) could even have done that.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedurals, Serial Killer Thrillers
Publisher: Inkubator Books
ASIN: B0DMTPLNF5
Print Length: 299 pages
Publication Date: December 1, 2024 Just Released!
Source: Publisher and NetGalley
Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK

The Author: Theo Baxter has followed in the footsteps of his brother, best-selling suspense author Cole Baxter. He enjoys the twists and turns that readers encounter in his stories.

Sign up for Theo’s Special Reader List and find out about his latest releases, giveaways, and more here: https://sendfox.com/lp/m82og8

#TuesdayBookBlog

Sea of Death by Mark Nolan #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Jake Wolfe Thrillers Book 8

Rosepoint Rating: Five Stars

We’ve not missed one book in this series and as it’s one we both enjoy, we chose this novel as another buddy read.

Book Blurb:

American covert operative Jake Wolfe cruises his motor yacht to Mexico’s Sea of Cortez and hunts for a rogue cartel assassin who will soon meet up with a narco submarine delivering military grade weapons to the Baja Peninsula. Jake’s mission is to find and capture the arms dealer, along with the supply of AK-47 rifles, armor-piercing ammunition, and rocket-propelled grenades destined for criminal gangs that will use them to terrorize local citizens.

Jake and his former war dog, Cody, search the city streets of La Paz and find shocking hidden criminal activity going on behind closed doors. When Jake shuts down one of the assassin’s trafficking enterprises, he sets off a war with the killer that can only end with one of them dead.

On this mission, Jake brings Dr. Sarah Chance, his girlfriend and Cody’s veterinarian, along for the wild ride. Although Sarah is in mortal danger every day, she wants to be Captain Jake’s First Mate on his motor yacht Far Niente and to help protect Cody.

Sea of Death is part of a series but may be read as a standalone novel.

My Review:

These are always fun to get into and never fail to deliver a fast, intelligent, and easy read.

This installment has Jake cruising in the Sea of Cortez with Sarah and Cody, his retired military K-9 on a mission to catch an assassin and a narco dealer delivering heavy-duty weapons to Baja. Jake is cooperating with Mexico, carries a US marshall’s badge, and connects with local authorities to help find the assassin, capture, and deliver the dealers and their cargo.

Jake is smart, combat experienced, and together with his equal on four feet and fur manage to stay a step ahead of his targets. These are multi-layered episodes and complex and there is always something to learn as they’ve been well researched.

Written simply, the storyline includes a sense of humor and emotion, balanced with a dollop of romance and travelogue experience. I do love Cody—such a special dog—and he can be formidable when he wants.

The installment is fast, can be violent, but rewarding as well and one could hope there might be these hardy individuals working to curb the influx of guns and drugs into our country—something both countries can agree on.

His Review:

Is there such a thing as a quiet cruise in the Sea of Cortez? With the large number of drug smugglers and opportunists, the answer is no. Cartels have become very sophisticated and they attempt to control all shipping through this area. This is the gateway to the very lucrative U.S. drug market.

Jake Wolfe is aboard his 60-foot motor yacht, Far Niente; parked at the marina in Cabo San Lucas. He has an agreement with the Mexican Government to assist in controlling the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. The drug dealers are well aware of his mission and there are multiple targets on his back; as well as bounties for the people who capture or kill him and put Far Niente out of business.

Mark Nolan’s writing style keeps the reader enthusiastically engaged and the book is hard to put down. With his girlfriend Sarah, along with Cody his retired service dog, they are usually only minutes ahead of his hunters. Each of the three characters has integral contributions to the outcome of the book. This makes the read very enjoyable. 5 stars – CE Williams

The duo of Jake and Cody (along with Sarah now) are engaging, intelligent, fast, cunning, and capable, but tender and generous at the same time! The CE read the last several and I figured it was my turn as I enjoy these action thrillers as well. These can be read as a standalone and all are recommended.

We received a review copy of this book from the author that in no way influenced this review. These are our honest thoughts.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery Action Fiction, Assassination Thrillers, Action Thriller Fiction
ASIN: B0DLFX6YL4
Print Length: 322 pages
Publication Date: October 29, 2024
Source: Author

Title Links:

Sea of Death – Amazon-US

Amazon-UK

The Author: Mark Nolan is an Amazon bestselling novelist who writes exciting action-adventure thrillers about the reluctant assassin Jake Wolfe and his adopted war dog, Cody. Subscribe to his reader newsletter at marknolan dot com for updates, specials, and news. Click the FOLLOW button near Mark’s author photo, and Amazon will notify you when a new book is available.

#TuesdayBookBlog

Dead Men Wag No Tails by Sarah Fox #BookReview #Witch&WizardMysteries

A Magical Menagerie Mystery Book 2

Book Blurb:

Romance, treasure and danger collide in the charming coastal town of Twilight Cove. Don’t miss the newest instalment in USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox’s enchanting Magical Menagerie mystery series!

“For a small seaside town, Twilight Cove sure has plenty of excitement . . .”

Georgie Johansen’s return to the coastal haven of Twilight Cove has been a dream come true: she gets to work with Auntie O at the animal sanctuary, has adopted two very adorable dogs who have very special abilities and even has a blossoming romance with the gorgeous farmhand Callum.

It’s August and the town is buzzing with anticipation for the annual Dead Eye Days pirate festival. The excitement reaches a fever pitch when long-term resident Jasper, a pirate fanatic, declares he is in possession of a treasure map!

However, the hunt for treasure soon becomes a hunt for a murderer when Jasper is found dead, and Georgie is once again compelled to put on her sleuthing hat. With her extraordinary dogs Flossie and Fancy beside her, and Euclid, the mysterious great-horned owl, keeping a watchful eye on them, can she uncover the killer and protect Twilight Cove? Or will her curiosity put a bounty on her own head?

This delightful cozy mystery series with a magical twist is perfect for fans of Sofie Kelly, Amanda Flowers, Wendy Corsi Staub and Gretchen Rue!

His Review:

A legend of pirate treasure always stirs the quest for instant fortune in most of us. An old treasure map is found near Twilight Cove and the whole town seems to want to get in on the action. Suddenly, however, some of the towns folk seem to disappear without a trace. Is there a killer in the town who wants to keep the treasure?

Georgie has been a private sleuth all of her life. She tends to be a bit of a pain for local law enforcement. She has been told to leave the investigations and crime solving to the professionals. Trouble is, her inquisitive mind will not allow her to stand back and watch.

Jasper Hogan possesses an old treasure map but shoots his mouth off rather than quietly going about the task of finding the treasure. When he is killed, the map goes missing. As luck would have it, a copy of the map is still around and Georgie has seen it. Can she find out who killed Jasper and is looking for the treasure?

This story is a testament to the dangers of not letting the police investigate and solve crimes. As the story develops there are serious episodes of people suddenly going missing. Is Georgie putting herself in danger by not keeping out of the investigation and minding her own business? This book examines the motivation, risks and dangers of treasure hunting. Enjoy this tale! 4 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Witch & Wizard Mysteries, Magical Realism, Amateur Sleuth Mysteries
Publisher: Severn House
ISBN:1448312310
ASIN: B0D9M9X28B
Print Length: 217 pages
Publication Date: January 7, 2025
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Sarah Fox was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not writing novels or working as a legal writer, she is often reading her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel. http://www.authorsarahfox.com

Enjoy Your Sunday

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein #AudiobookReview #ThrowbackThursday

Book Blurb:

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope–a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.

My Review:

Enzo, the dog, does a great job of narrating the view of his time with Denny and his family. The book isn’t about the dog, it’s his POV of the family, their struggles with the mom’s illness, and the ultimate fight that Denny confronts as he fights for the right to keep custody of his daughter.

Denny dreams of being a race car driver. He loves his daughter and she is all that is left to him following his wife’s death—except racing. But being torn between racing and the love of his daughter is staring down another horrific loss.

Denny is a hard worker and it’s not easy for him to go on after the death of his beloved wife. It’s a tragedy, yes, but should that be compounded by another tragedy? His wife’s family believe they should raise their granddaughter.

Woven in and through the storyline is the dog’s view of what is happening to Denny, to the family, and the dog’s own love affair, both with his own canine love and that of being part of Denny’s life and racing. He can tell you more about cars and racing than you’d ever want to know and give you a way to enjoy the knowledge.

It’s interesting. Reveling in the wind, the smells, the sheer power underneath him, and the speed. Faster, faster! No, I haven’t done that in a car, though haven’t most of us fantasized about burning rubber? I never red lined my bike, but dragged pegs, and that is certainly an adrenalin rush.

I enjoyed the storyline, followed the nicely paced plot, right until it moved into absurdity which rather ruined it for me. The dog is intelligent, yes, but this moves beyond disbelief and fantasy. Also, I didn’t find it particularly funny. It’s heart-wrenching, indeed, and plays on the human qualities of love, trust, and hope, as well as the canine qualities of loyalty and empathy.

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts. Did you read or listen to the well-narrated book or see the movie?

Rosepoint Publishing: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Literature & Fiction
Publisher: HarperAudio
ASIN: B0019HXPIC
Listening Length: 6 hrs 56 mins
Narrator: Christopher Evan Welch
Publication Date: May 13, 2008
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: The Art of Racing in the Race [Amazon]

The Author: Garth Stein is the author of four novels: the New York Times bestselling gothic/historical/coming-of-age/ghost story, “A Sudden Light;” the internationally bestselling “The Art of Racing in the Rain;” the PNBA Book Award winner, “How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets;” and the magically realistic “Raven Stole the Moon.” He is also the author of the stage play, “Brother Jones.” He has a dog, he’s raced a few cars, climbed a bunch of really tall trees, made a few documentary films, and he lives in Seattle with his family. He’s co-founder of Seattle7Writers.org, a non-profit collective of 74 Northwest authors working together to energize the reading and writing public.