#pawsome – Rosepoint Publishing

Rosepoint Reviews – September Recap – Did you catch that Harvest Moon?

Rosepoint Reviews - September Recap

Usually we have a beautiful Harvest moon just about the autumn equinox, but with the crazy early fall weather we’ve had this year, pretty hard to see the moon or stars. Do you have a celebration to welcome in the change to seasons now or later?

Perhaps we are more inclined to celebrate the period around Halloween, although we are not due now a full moon on Halloween night until October 31, 2039. I’ve always been fascinated by the origins of the ancient festival celebrations around the end of October as it felt more like the end of the harvest season to us. I must admit, however, that my garden gave it up early this year and I’ve already spent the time to clean it up. I’ve salvaged a few acorn squash and one lonesome bell pepper.

Because the weather took such a turn, I began preparation to move the little water garden critters inside. You may remember that I mentioned setting up a little water feature in my May Recap. The orange Mystery Snails and Rosy Red Minnows have actually made the move successfully (so far) to a small aquarium. The minnows are hardy, look like goldfish, and withstand both water level and temperature fluctuations. Orange Mystery Snails - breathe both air and water The snails are the clowns of the aquarium, breathe both water and air, will go exploring, eat most any veggie and are tolerated because they clean up algae. The downside, of course, is that they reproduce like rabbits and put a heavy load on otherwise clean water. It’s been an education.

Speaking of education, a gal in one of my exercise classes started talking to me about her participation in Mahjong. Well, Mahjong! Mah Jong tiles I was introduced to the original Mahjong over in Japan when we lived there and, fascinated, went out and bought and brought home, a set of Mahjong tiles. I paid 800 Yen back then, or about $2.20, and now approximately $5.08 USD. Of course, no way, shape, or form could the Asian game be close to the now sanctioned National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) game, not that I remember how we played it back then. Needless to say, I’ll be starting a beginner class shortly. I guess it’s really catching on in the States now.

The first week of October will be our third anniversary with Punkin the Pom, who has finally allowed me to pet her (by invitation only), and has jumped up on the couch if we aren’t there and the bed when we are, though doesn’t stay close longer than to say goodnight. She will turn seven years old two weeks after that. I must say, she is a very easy dog to live with, for the most part undemanding.

Despite all the above and another trip to the VA for the CE, I did manage to read and listen to nine ebooks and audiobooks. Still trying to play catch up and not doing a very good job of it while so much is going on. As always, the link is to my review that also includes purchase links.

#RosepointPublishing - September Recap

EBooks

Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley
How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz

Audiobooks

Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan
Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple (bookclub selection)

Poppy Montgomery Gets Even by Gordon Jack*
The Secrets We Hide by Karin Slaughter*

Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt*
Shadow of the Solstice by Anne Hillerman*

Keep Them Close by David Ellis

Favorite Book of the Month

I went back and forth between Poppy Montgomery Gets Even and How to Kill a Crime Writer, but decided in the end that I enjoyed the unique plot device as well as the paranormal element in How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz just a little more.

Favorite for September – How to Kill a Crime Writer

My Reading Challenges page…Between doctor visits, moving aquatic critters, cleaning up the yard, and trying to learn Mah Jong from YouTube videos, my reading suffered in September. I reduced my Goodreads goal to 125 and posted those audiobook reviews from last month, now showing 98 books completed and 5 ahead of schedule. Hopefully, now I can settle down to an almost indoor reading schedule and complete some goals.

To my readers and fellow bloggers: apologies once again for lagging on blog hopping. I’m also a member of the Amazon Vine community and they are finally beginning to post a few items which I do want and have received, prompting required reviews. A time sink but worth it. Still, I appreciate every view and like and appreciate so much your taking the time to check out my posts and leave your comments.

Audiobooks

*Mini-reviews

Two Audiobook Mini-Reviews ––Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch – Shadow of the Solstice – Animal Cozy Mysteries and Indigenous Fiction – #TBT

Two reviews of audiobooks; short and sweet, that will hopefully pique your interest. (Links on individual covers are to Amazon.)

Quite the opposite of genres, one an easy fast read and the other a serious topical and unique storyline with several familiar characters from one of your favorite TV series.

Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrator: ‎ Grover Gardner

My Thoughts

I try not to miss any of the Andy Carpenter Mystery series since discovering them in 2016. The last I read turned out to be a prequel to the series he called Dogged Pursuit. Andy is a wise-cracking but extremely sharp defense attorney who has been trying to retire for years but keeps getting cases of the wrongly accused. Carpenter’s side hustle is a dog shelter and in this case, it’s the dog of the newly gained defendant that goes to his rescue.

The Andy Carpenter series seems to begin on a simple whodunnit (we already know he must be innocent), but usually escalates into a complex and many layered plot.

The attorney has surrounded himself with a cadre of experts in the field from ex-cops (one being his wife) to a man who does the “heavy” work as well as a computer hacker (not always white hat) who wants to do more than hack. (He envisions himself a dark detective.) Love the support characters—they are always fun.

Still, I think it’s the courtroom scenes I might enjoy second only to the inclusion of the canines. It’s a song and dance that must come off perfectly if he’s going to win.

If you enjoy cozy animal mysteries, legal thrillers, and a sarcastic sense of humor, this might be your next read. These are fun, fast books—and certainly addicting. Released in July, it’s in your library. For the best experience (you’ve heard that one before but this time it’s accurate), don’t miss the audiobook narrated by Grover Gardner. Just the best! Totally recommended.

Shadow of the Solstice: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel by Anne Hillerman
Publisher: Harper
Narrator: Jessica Matten

Leaphorn & Chee #28

The series originally created by Tony Hillderman continues with the Navajo Nation police notified of a visit to Shiprock by the US Cabinet Secretary. At the same time, they are facing a resumption of uranium mining along the border where a body is found near a radioactive uranium waste dump site.

If that isn’t enough, there are indigenous people disappearing during their quest for help and a group shows up claiming to be peaceful but may have more sinister plans than meditation.

I must admit that I requested this book on the basis of the Leaphorn character noted in the title. I loved the Dark Winds series, originally created for TV by Graham Roland, from novels written by Tony Hillderman. My favorite character in the series is Joe Leaphorn, well played by Zahn McClarnon. In this episode of the series, Leaphorn has retired and presents only cameo appearances.

The book dives into complexity by tackling several current topical issues including poverty, addiction, and education. I was appalled that people could take advantage of the government effort to offer recovery services for addicted indigenous. Several topics had me in disbelief, not that it couldn’t happen but that it was.

The book is generally classified as a western noir thriller or crime drama. It is dark, authentic, disturbing, and atmospheric. A drama that captures the essence of Native American life as they navigate living in a capsule that challenges their spiritual beliefs.

It’s excellent and highly recommended.

Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to listen to these audiobooks. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Audiobooks

Rosepoint Reviews – August Recap – Hello September! Wait. Already?

Rosepoint Reviews - August Recap

The CE was seen at the VA Medical Hospital in August by a device technician to check out how well his pacemaker is functioning. He was seen in the ER at a non-profit hospital locally (although the bills don’t reflect that), so now is trying to get his care transferred back to the VA. His local ER doc was excellent and his VA doc commented on his good stats. He can go back to the YMCA with me now and resume (to the extent that he can) our exercise classes. I tried the chair yoga class and thought that might be good for him and believe he’ll want to continue with our Tai Chi class. However, they will be starting a new medication for him shortly and that will necessitate close monitoring for awhile and multiple trips to Chicago.

Also, during August, our area and proximity to Illinois was hit with a major storm that caused flooding and widespread power outages, some for as long as two weeks. We weren’t without power for more than a few days but taught us we’d need to be better prepared if this is going to be the new norm as weather patterns will continue to evolve. Without investing in an expensive generator, we found a compact, almost budget friendly power bank. At least it will charge the cell phones and power the TV and coffee maker. (Been a while since I’ve made “cowboy coffee” but it wasn’t too bad.)

We did manage to read and listen to our library and NetGalleybooks—fifteen of them (many from July). Ive gotten so far behind with reviews and blogging buddies it’s shameful, but still trying to play catch up while accompanying the CE on medical visits and taking care of everything else. There is never enough time. As always, the purchase info is included with my reviews.

#RosepoinReviews #AugustRecap

EBooks

The Gatekeeper by James Byrne (CE review)
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (bookclub selection)
Deserters by Jerry Gabriel (CE review)
Fighting Edge by Margaret Mizushima

Audiobooks

The Final Target, The Keeper, Yesteryear, Buckeye (mini-reviews)
Broken Country, Whistler, Nothing Ventured, Surviving Savannah (mini-reviews)
It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica
Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr
The Wedding People by Alison Espach

The favorite book for August:

I always enjoy the books by Margaret Mizushima and the CE had a favorite as well, but that unique plot and engaging writing style of Alison Espach in The Wedding People won me over. A hard and emotional, serious topic handled well in an entertaining and heart-warming novel.

Favorite for August –The Wedding People by Alison Espach

My Reading Challenges page…I’ve been lucky to turn on the computer. My Goodreads opening page now shows 94 books (five behind schedule). I edited the goal to 150. Also, I still have several audiobooks finished but not posted.

To my readers and fellow bloggers, I appreciate every view and like and appreciate so much your taking the time to check out my posts and leave your comments.

Rosepoint Recap

Fighting Edge by Margaret Mizushima #BookReview #policeprocedurals #TuesdayBookBlog

A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery

Book Blurb:

Major crimes intersect in this nail-biting installment of the Timber Creek K-9 mysteries by award-winning author Margaret Mizushima.

A routine welfare check becomes a nightmare when Deputy Mattie Walker finds a young mother dead and a hysterical toddler, possibly the only witness to a brutal crime. Before the investigative team can start piecing together what happened, Mattie discovers another criminal act in Timber Creek.

During a traffic stop for speeding, Mattie observes a nervous driver and a teenage passenger frozen with fear. A quick sweep of the car with her K-9 partner, Robo, reveals a dangerous mix of drugs and suspected human trafficking, providing Mattie with grounds to arrest the driver. After she places the teenager in protective custody, the sheriff’s department hands the case over to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

As the team gathers evidence and information, Mattie’s husband, veterinarian Cole Walker, notices suspicious activity during ambulatory calls at dog kennels, indicating yet a third crime lurking in the shadows. What begins as isolated incidents quickly reveals a chilling truth: Organized crime has infiltrated their rural mountain community.

Every clue leads to more questions, and each answer brings them closer to greater danger. Do Mattie and her law enforcement partners have what it takes to shut down this criminal ring before it claims more victims? And could its next victim be someone Mattie loves?

My Review:

I don’t miss a chance to read the latest Timber Creek K-9 Mystery by Ms. Mizushima. I love the characters and have watched their growth almost from Book 1. The protagonist is Deputy Mattie Walker, of course, but the star (at least for me) is Robo, the German Shepherd.

This installment starts right off with a welfare check of a young mother who is found dead with her toddler crying nearby. As always, however, these K-9 stories are layered in between Mattie’s home life. She and the local veterinarian Cole Walker married and created a ready-made family with her step-daughters Sophie and Angie. Sophie is the youngest and easiest as Angie has progressed to sullen teen. The family recently underwent a collective trauma for which they are now consulting a therapist. Maddie’s job creates a bit of tension by duties that keep her from family sessions.

I love the parts where not only Robo, but Cole are used in her police investigations and procedures are often explained. It’s interesting how Mattie gets Robo psyched up for a pursuit, but usually just the Kevlar vest means that Robo is going to work. His demeanor changes instantly and he’s all business. Serious business.

The author has a talent for storytelling, describing her well-developed characters and tackling topical issues such as human trafficking as well as domestic issues. The people seem real—we’ve watched them grow and meld. The pacing doesn’t waver or slow and the plot builds tension and suspense as each episode thread is tackled.

It’s a series where each book can be read as a standalone, but also as an old friend when read from the beginning

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

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedurals, Women Sleuths
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publication Date: September 8, 2026

Title Link(s):

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

The Author: Margaret Mizushima writes the internationally published Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries. She served as a past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and was elected Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She is the recipient of a Colorado Authors League Award, a Benjamin Franklin Book Award, a CIBA CLUE Award, and two Willa Literary Awards by Women Writing the West. Her books have been finalists for a SPUR Award by Western Writers of America, a Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award, and the Colorado Book Award. She and her husband recently moved from Colorado, where they raised two daughters and a multitude of animals, to a home in the Pacific Northwest. Find her on her website, Facebook, X, BlueSky, and Instagram.

Rosepoint Publishing--book haul — Graphic courtesy ChatGPT