I got the idea and the motivation to start doing Tackling The TBR from All The Book Blog Names Are Taken. I love showcasing the books on Goodreads, my ereader and my bookshelves.
Hollywood movie star Goldie Saint Helen comes out of a coma after a car accident with an altered identity. She now believes she is a hippie detective living in the Sixties, hired to find a missing teenage girl who is about to end up a guinea pig in a CIA drug experiment.
Goldie also thinks screenwriter Blake Deco, her husband, is an intern at her detective agency. For the time being, Blake plays along as advised by the hospital until she recovers her memory.
However, sinister plotters think it is better that Goldie does not wake up from her fantasy-and they have their reasons.
The couple finds themselves embroiled in a dangerous situation. Blake must use his past military skills as he races against the clock to save his wife before she loses her mind forever.
Praise for Far Out:
“Here is Hollywood in all its glam, seductive sleaze as a cast of greed-enabled sharks angle to glom on to a famous movie star’s megamillions. Lots of action plus insider gossip in a witty, entertaining thriller with a groovy 1960’s vibe.” ~ Ruth Harris, NYTimes & Amazon bestselling author
Far Out Trailer:
Book Details:
Genre: Thriller Published by: Running Wild Press Publication Date: January 2024 Number of Pages: 325 ISBN: 978-1955062923
As she lay on the verge along the Pacific Coast Highway under a starless April sky, a faint bleat caught Goldie’s lips. Her heart pounded irregularly as her breath whizzed in and out of her mouth. Blurry faces swam in her vision, and obfuscated voices floated through and lingered in her distorted senses. She heard maybe six; maybe more, maybe less. Her fading bleariness made it hard to tell.
Out of the corner of her eye, Goldie noticed the coils of steam spewing from the hood of an overturned Lexus underneath the mountain incline on the other side of the road. The red car had smashed into a barrier.
How did it happen?
She sucked in the salty breeze, struggling to refocus despite her discombobulation. As she writhed in pain, she felt her eyelids flicker, pulled down by her mortality.
Is it time to go?
Too soon to die.
At least let me say goodbye to…who?
Why can’t I remember anyone?
A hand repeatedly patted Goldie’s cheek, pulling her out of her stupor.
“Stay with me, okay? Don’t sleep. Help is on the way.” The soothing feminine voice kept Goldie in a state of equanimity. Her gaze strayed toward its owner, a young woman with long, dark hair bracketing a set of angelic eyes within a pale, long face etched with concern and worry.
Angel Eyes leered down at Goldie. “Do you feel pain anywhere? Blink once for yes, and twice for no.”
Goldie blinked once.
“Don’t move.” Angel Eyes gleamed with emotion. “An ambulance will be here shortly.”
“She sure looks like Goldie Saint Helen, the movie star,” came from another, astonished voice, this one belonging to a plump curly-haired girl with ringlets across her forehead. “Hey, wait a minute―it is her!”
Movie star? Who? Me?
“You sure?” Goldie heard another voice ask, this one from a man. Moments later, he inched forward, revealing himself: A blond with a surfer haircut.
“Remember Gun Kiss? We watched the movie last year,” said the curly-haired girl. “Goldie Saint Helen. She was kidnapped by a Mexican drug lord. Her husband saved her, and he wrote the original screenplay inspired by the incident.”
>Mexican drug lord? Husband? What’s my husband’s name?
A chilly breeze carrying the salty air swept over Goldie’s warm body, and she shivered involuntarily.
“Someone get her a blanket from the van,” Angel Eyes demanded.
The curly-haired girl stood up and scampered away. She returned momentarily with a blanket.
Goldie felt the thick blanket spread over her right up to her neck, rendering immediate warmth.
A smile blossomed across Angel Eyes’s face. “We’ll stay here with you until the ambulance arrives. You’ll be okay.”
A sting suppressed Goldie’s attempt to raise her lips into a smile. So, she blinked once to acknowledge Angel Eyes’s statement.
Car doors banged shut, and Goldie looked up as she heard someone approach.
“What happened here?” asked a woman wearing a jumper.
Goldie looked up at the woman, but the throbbing headache behind her eyes, which had spread across her cheek and down her ears, restrained her from prolonging her focusing. She dropped her eyes, subsiding the tension.
The woman doubled over, hands on her knees, her eyes fixed on Goldie; the look in them was somewhat curious, somewhat empathetic.
“We’re not sure,” the blond man replied. “ We pulled her out of her car,” he said, pointing to the burning car. Flames unfurled from the hood, but were being fought by men with handheld extinguishers containing the fire from spreading in the interior and trunk.
“Did you kids hit her?” a beefy man asked, to which he received a volley of antagonistic replies.
The blond man stood and cocked his head towards a white van parked up ahead, along the verge. “That’s our van over there. Go see if there’s any damage, then come and apologize to us.”
The beefy man raised both hands, palms up. “Take it easy, man. Just making sure.”
“Why don’t we let the police handle it?” said the curly-haired girl.
The beefy man balked, pulling along the woman in the jumper.
Goldie saw more cars blur by, some stopping. Onlookers approached and jostled for a good spot.
“Hey, isn’t she Goldie Saint Helen?” asked a man in a yellow polo T-shirt. He took his phone out of his pocket and took a few pictures of Goldie. The camera flashed repeatedly, briefly blinding her.
“Have you no shame, Mister? She’s a human being,” snapped the curly-haired girl, glowering at the opportunist.
The man in the yellow T-shirt retreated to his car.
“Asshole.” The curly-haired girl stood up and snapped at the other bystanders. “Well, what are you people waiting for? Go ahead and take some more pictures!”
“Take it easy, I can help,” said a bob-haired woman in a gray sweater and white athletic pants.
“Nothing much to be done here, unless you’re a doctor,” Angel Eyes replied to her.
“I’m a nurse,” the bob-haired woman said. “I just thought―”
***
Excerpt from Far Out by Khaled Talib. Copyright 2024 by Khaled Talib. Reproduced with permission from Khaled Talib. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Born and raised in Singapore, Khaled Talib’s books have received reviews in Publishers Weekly and international newspapers.
The author is also a member of the International Thriller Writers.
His books have received praise from New York Times bestselling thriller authors, Gayle Lynds, Ruth Harris, and USA Today bestselling authors, Jon Land, Jean Rabe and Fiona Quinn.
Before he started writing thrillers, Khaled was a magazine journalist and public relations consultant.
When he is not writing, Khaled spends most of his time reading, baking, traveling the world.
OMG! I joined William Baker’s newsletter last month and have never looked back. His series of Devil’s Dolls short stories are to die for, and The Devil’s Origins is free, OR…if you have KindleUnlimited you can grab Season 1, or purchase for $5.97.
This standalone novella/short story, The Devil’s Origins by William Baker has me hooked. I love a good vigilante story and the only thing I hate about the Devil’s Dolls series is that it is not a novel. I want more, more depth, more detail, more of K…just MORE!
The Devil’s Origins by Willaim Baker has everything I love in a thriller…a female main character who is a vigilante, edge of the seat suspense, dead bodies, a story that can stand alone but has more to come. Once I read it, I knew I wanted more!
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Blood, ashes, and bones.
That’s all she saw.
When she awoke amongst the debris and dead bodies drenched in a mysterious substance, she found two things.
A single initial on her half-burnt uniform’s nametag.
And all her memories erased.
Abandoned, confused, hungry, and cold, K trudges on into a small town she doesn’t recognize
Failing to consider that she looks like an escaped, dangerous convict…
That her appearance would turn heads, raising dangerous questions she had no answer to.
But there is something about her new self K learns the hard way.
Her powers are anything but human.
And they can get her in a whole lot of trouble.
Soon, all hell breaks loose, and K is entangled in a murder she never wished to commit.
As she tries to escape the consequences of her actions, K is met with a choice she never thought she’d have to make.
Follow the instructions of her anonymous benefactor, or starve, die, and worse…
There is only one thing K can be certain about.
Someone is watching her every move.
They know what she’s done.
And they won’t stop until she pays what she’s due.
K’s deadly chase has only just begun.
This is the standalone prequel to the Devil’s Dolls series by William Baker.
Vengeance In Black by William Baker is a newsletter exclusive short story with a cliffhanger. I was ecstatic and disappointed at the same time. I was hooked when I read the standalone prequel, The Devil’s Origins, and was left hanging by my fingernails after finishing Vengeance In Black. I HAD TO KNOW what happened next and was ecstatic when William Black offered The Devil’s Dollmaker free for a limited time. YAY!
What’s is happening to all the women in town?
Look at that cover below…Doesn’t it make you want to know what the fuck is going on?
I am soooo lovin’ this series of novella/short stories. It makes me think of Charlie’s Angels, except there is only one angel with an anonymous benefactor. K is the epitome of a female vigilante and I love her. In The Devil’s Dollmaker, a deliciously gruesome story of missing women, K shows her humanity. I hate that she remains a solitary action figure, yet a connection would make her a target. This way, she comes and goes, like a ghost in the night. The only downside to this action packed suspense novella/short story is the cliffhanger…and I am hanging on for dear life!
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Somewhere in the dark, the Dollmaker butchers another victim. Going against her instincts, K decides to follow Lisa to the police, where she introduces her to Jerry, a cop that seems to distance himself from the corruption of the system. What surprises K more is that the task force has been expecting her arrival, addressing her as ‘special agent’ Rose. Is this another unexpected twist her anonymous boss has thrown her way, or could it be an elaborate scheme to trap her?
The lack of physical evidence on the case and her only unreliable witness leave her no time for caution. Thanks to Jerry’s tech skills and Lisa’s charm, they follow the missing women’s traces to the dark web, where a man called the Dollmaker deals in favors and twisted requests. But the most disturbing revelation of all is why these women answer his call…
What they find on that page scars Lisa, but K is hellbent on uncovering the man behind the operation. She knows whatever lies inside the sickest minds is best to remain hidden, but unless they act fast, more will die, and the killer’s trail will run cold.
This time there is no room for error. Not while the Dollmaker is out there mutilating his new toy.
William Baker lives on the west coast, surrounded by misty mountains, together with his wife, his son, and their two cats Tiger and Panther. He is a dedicated reader of most genres, with mysterious thrillers being his favorite.
Since he was a young boy, Will has written stories of all sorts, starting with the adventure of a mysterious beheaded rider clad in black, wandering around the village after sunset, causing terror to any foe standing in his way. After high school, Will thought it wise to pursue a proper education and became an economist. However, the stories never disappeared, on the contrary, more and more started to play themselves out like movies in his head. At last, Will had no choice but to succumb and started writing again. He has never looked back since.
Tale of an Anxious Heart Elsa Jacobs Publication date: June 14th 2023 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Tale of an Anxious Heart follows the heart-wrenching journey of Marianne, a young woman plagued by anxiety, as she takes a hitchhiker on her way to her beach house. Despite her reservations, she can’t help but feel drawn to his dark and mysterious persona. However, with each encounter, she begins to realize the man isn’t the person she thought he was.
As they continue on their journey, Marianne’s anxiety worsens, and she struggles to control it. James becomes a trigger for her panic attacks, yet she can’t seem to let him go. Her anxious heart is torn between her love for him and the need to protect herself from the danger he brings. Their relationship becomes increasingly complicated, and the line between love and hate blurs.
And when they start to find peace, their world is turned upside down. As they run for their lives, Marianne and James are pushed to their limits. They face betrayals, heartbreaks, and death at every turn. The journey is full of angst, heartache, and passion as Marianne struggles with her anxiety and traumas, and James fights for his redemption. Will they make it to safety and find a new life together, or will their pasts consume them both?
Then, I notice something I shouldn’t have. My hitchhiker stands with a slight groan, hand pressed against his right side. And as he stands, he reveals the inside of his jacket, and there it is—a shiny gun sitting in his pocket. My paranoid thoughts aren’t so paranoid after all.
It’s not rocket science to figure out where this equation leads. Nobody carries that kind of gun unless they are a criminal.
I’m going to die, sliced up by a crazy hitchhiker.
Can I handle this?
But then again, he’s hurt. Maybe he’s losing blood; maybe his life is in danger.
And mine?
He enters the convenience store. It’s almost comical; the way he walks, like he’s invincible. Professional criminal, tough as nails. And here I am, professionally screwed.
I imagine what they’ll say on the six o’clock news: “A young woman was found sliced up so her killer could make a house of cards out of the pieces…”
I can’t take my eyes off his form. The man stands tall, arrogant, his badass attitude taped to his face. He feels nothing.
Although, his eyes are more narrowed than before. He’s a human being. A wounded human being and I’m a nurse.
I fill up the car while chewing on my bottom lip. He heads toward the back of the building. My heart is pounding, unsure of what might happen next. I might have made a huge mistake. The options before me are unappealing—leave him there, join him, or wait for him to come back and pretend nothing’s wrong. I finish filling the gas tank and pay, trying my best to appear normal. The store is dimly lit and eerily quiet, adding to my growing uneasiness. A knot forms in my stomach as I push the door open, my heart trying to spread my ribs apart.
My eyes dart back and forth as I scan the aisles frantically, grabbing snacks and drinks, not knowing what the road ahead has in store.
As I approach the exit, my heart is in my throat. I can’t catch my breath, and I only hear an irregular heartbeat in my ears.
Shit, I’m having a panic attack.
Time slows as my legs weaken, and unwanted sweat rolls down my neck. My sweaty palms land on the door, but the ground drops from under me. My vision blurs, and I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe. I’m going to pass out. Shit.
My phone’s ringtone blares. I don’t recognize the number.
“Yes,” I answer, my voice barely above a whisper.
An old voice comes through the line. I don’t recognize that, either.
“If you value your life, you’ll leave him,” the voice growls.
I glare at my phone.
I don’t even know if my life has any value at all.
“You have a few seconds to leave, Miss Milosh.”
The call disconnects, and my eyes flutter to my phone as it chimes again. Another ring announces an incoming text message, but I ignore it. I know what I need to do. I steel myself for the task ahead, fully aware I’m going to tread dangerous waters. One stop to grab my first aid box, and I’m thrilled.
Author Bio:
I’m Elsa Jacobs, indie author of contemporary romance from sweet and seductive to dark and gritty. All levels of steam.
A few years ago, I found myself obsessed with a bunch of characters and plots, swirling madness in my mind. The only reasonable cure was to write them all. In less than a year, I had written four draft. I had no intention of publishing because fear held me back, and I put them aside, unsure if they were worth sharing with the world.
Years passed, and I finally mustered the courage to read one of my drafts and spoke to an editor, sending them a chapter. The wait for their response was nerve-wracking.
But, as you can imagine, that one chapter led me on a journey that brought me here. And the story is about to be legendary.
My debut novel, Tale of an Anxious Heart, is a fast-paced and thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its twists and turns. This contemporary medium spice read is not your typical romance, featuring morally gray characters and a steamy, possessive alpha male hero who will leave you breathless.
But don’t be fooled by the conventional tropes – My strong female hero is more than capable of holding her own and conquering inner demons as she embarks on a road trip that will change her life forever. Pick up Tale of an Anxious Heart today and discover why it can be challenging to pick up a hitchhiker…
Book Title: INFALL (A Science Fiction Novel) by Herb Hughes Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 365 pages Genre: Science Fiction Publisher: Books From The Pond Release date: January 2023 Content Rating: PG. There is some mild language and sex. The sex is stated, but not explicitly detailed. There is also some mild sexual innuendo and sexual jokes. One of the lesser characters is a noted ladies man.
Book Description:
What would you do if a naked alien materialized in front of you amid a ball of swirling winds and colored lights? Would you freeze, run away, scream, hit it, or try to communicate?
And what would you think if you discovered these aliens not only come from a different universe but are also far more intelligent than humans and vastly superior technologically?
Martin O’Brien leaves his native Ireland to chase the dream of love, but things go awry. Before he can return home, he becomes involved with the sudden appearance of aliens. This strange anomaly begins with a few “lightshows,” as the press dubs them, but quickly becomes a flood of millions.
The aliens call themselves Embrians. Human reactions range from murdering them for sport to using them for slave labor to worshipping them as gods.
Martin meets Jennifer Daniels, a pregnant young lady struggling to deal with her alcoholism. Together, they treat, harbor, and befriend a wounded alien named Vanya, but their kindness puts them at risk of being arrested.
Not all Embrians are docile and cooperative. Their leader, Vahlion, threatens to conquer America if his demands are not met. Because Embrians are so advanced, the threat is more than real. It is a certainty!
Martin, Jennifer, and Vanya are on a mission to save Earth, but how do you fight against aliens who have mastered entire fields of science that humans did not even know existed?
OMG I laughed my way though Two Sticky Nuts by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff. I guess the title might give us a clue as to what may be involved, but there is so much more to the story than I anticipated. There always is with Mimi’s work.
Mila and Sofie are best friends, and polar opposites, but their trip to Jamaica changes Mila’s life, challenging her and pushing her past her limits.
I was reading along, thinking this is a lot of fun, with laughs galore, and Mimi Jean throws a wrench in what I thought would be a simple story. She manages to do that to me a lot, catching me off guard…in a very good way. It enables her to add those moments that I do not anticipate ahead of time. Of course, it helps when we have a hunkalicious man…or two.
If you like some spice in your romance, lots of laughs and surprises, come along for the ride. You won’t regret it.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Two Sticky Nuts by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
(NOTE: Standalone) From New York Times bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a sassy, raunchy Rom-Com that’s sugary sweet, Two Sticky Nuts.
How far would you go for your possible Mr. Right?
I’m all in for a trip to Jamaica with my best friend, Sofie—sunshine, fruity cocktails, hot men. Yes, please! But when Sofie takes off with a sexy waiter, I’m stuck all alone. At what turns out to be a family resort. Where are the single men?
I’m ready to head home early when I spot an Adonis coming from the beach. Ohmygod. Are those abs real? Did he just sit next to me?
Turns out, Carter’s smart, adventurous, and makes indie films. We spend two amazing days together as he scouts locations around the island. And though we don’t hook up, our chemistry’s on fire! Quivers. Goosebumps. Fire!
Before he leaves, we trade numbers since he’s always passing through Dallas, where I live, and I can’t wait to see him again.
Until…
I get home.
And show a coworker my vacation pics.
And she recognizes Carter.
Gasp! Carter failed to mention his side gig, and let’s just say Mamma wouldn’t approve. I really want to give this guy a shot, but can I get past this?
Answer: I just might have to join him to find out.
Genre: Humor and Comedy,OhHellNo series, Romance, Standalone
260 pages, ebook
Published June 9, 2023 by Paper & Silver, Inc
ABOUT MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who’s sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dreams.
Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona.
She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.
Murder at the Pontchartrain Cozy Mystery (Humorous) 6th in Series Setting – New Orleans, Louisiana Anamcara Press LLC (June 15, 2023) Paperback : 280 pages ISBN-10 : 1941237940 ISBN-13 : 978-1941237946
Synopsis
Private detective Sydney Lockhart and her boyfriend/partner, Ralph Dixon, are headed for New Orleans to tie the knot—again. Having been stalled on their first attempt by some unfinished business dealing with their last case, Sydney and Dixon are now in the Pontchartrain Hotel in the Big Easy. While their marriage license rests at the courthouse for its 24-hour waiting period, they stroll to the French Quarter to visit Rip Thigbee, Sydney’s friend from her previous investigation. Rip owns Finder of Lost Souls, a detective agency dealing with the spirits of murder victims whose cases remain unsolved.
When Sydney and Dixon are at Rip’s office, they learn he went missing after investigating the disturbance of local businessman Frank Threadgill’s crypt. Voodoo Queen Frida Mae, whose shop is located next to Thigbee’s, fears that bad juju led to Threadgill’s death and has now infiltrated Rip’s business. Upon returning to their hotel room, to plan their next step, they find Threadgill’s wife, Mildred, waiting for them. Unfortunately, Mildred has been murdered. The police haul the couple down to the station. Their alibi checks out, but they are told to stick around for a few days. Soon a hotel housemaid is murdered, and this time Dixon is arrested, and Sydney is on her own to find the killer.
Hearing of their predicament, Sydney’s bubble-headed cousin, Ruth, and Sydney’s young charge, twelve-year-old Lydia LeBeau, show up to lend an unwelcome hand. Ruth goes undercover as a chef at the hotel. Lydia, who can talk the Pope into letting her assist in saying Mass, talks her way into the famous Pat O’Brien’s bar, where the locals are eager to share what they know.
After interviewing Mildred Threadgill’s family, Sydney begins her investigation by delving into Frank Threadgill’s mysterious past and discovers that he isn’t who he claims to be. The business he once owned was a cover involving an organization of WWII war criminals and the local Ku Klux Klan. As Sydney gets closer to the truth, she is attacked and left for dead in a nearby swamp. With the help of a few jaunty Cajuns, Sydney makes it back to the city with enough evidence to get Dixon released. Ruth thinks she knows who the killer is. Lydia has her own theory and is convinced Ruth is wrong. Sydney doesn’t know who to trust, convinced that every witness she’s interviewed has lied. But her most shocking realization is that the biggest liar is her own future husband.
Excerpt from Murder at the Pontchartrain
Dixon and I were sitting in the interrogation room in the downtown police station when we got word that the dead woman was Mildred Threadgill. Dixon explained our interest in Mrs. Threadgill, as well as the damage done to her husband’s tomb, and that our friend Rip Thigbee was missing and last seen with Mrs. Threadgill. None of which made a rat’s ass difference to Detective Bergeron who was questioning us. Luckily, our alibi checked out. The people staying in the room next to ours said they heard a commotion and then a scream at the time we were talking to the attendant at the cemetery. Nevertheless, the woman was killed in our room. There was a knife missing from our breakfast tray, possibly the murder weapon. The only person in New Orleans who knew we were staying here was Betsy Radley. We were released, but told to stick around.
“Are we on a case?” I asked.
“We’re on a case. What choice do we have? Deal with a murder today. Get married tomorrow.”
“Does that marriage license have an expiration date?”
“It’s good for two weeks. Maybe we should have kept the rental car.”
Betsy was a little more forth coming with information when we returned to Rip’s office to tell her that Mildred Threadgill had been murdered.
“Oh, my,” Betsy said. “Mrs. Threadgill was here after you left, demanding to see Rip. I told her I didn’t know where he was and that the last time I saw him he was with her. She became livid. She said he was supposed to call her a couple of days ago.”
“And you sent her to us?” Dixon asked. “She wouldn’t leave,” Betsy said. “I didn’t know what else to do. You said you’d help, so I told her where you were staying.”
“Any idea who would kill her?” Dixon asked, adding a hardness to his voice. When he did that, I knew he was losing his patience. “I . . . I don’t know,” Betsy stammered. “I’ll look through Rip’s notes again,” I said. “So the last time you saw Rip he was headed to the cemetery with Mildred Threadgill, and you haven’t seen or heard from him since?”
“Yes, yes that’s right,” Betsy whispered.
“You’ve been here all week and you haven’t heard from anyone? No one’s called or come in? Just Mrs. Threadgill after we left?”
Betsy began blubbering, which turned to sobs, then to hiccups. Finally, she managed a vigorous shake of her head.
“I want Rip’s home address,” Dixon said.
“He lives upstairs in the apartment on the left. I don’t have a key, but Frida Mae is the landlady. She has one. Wait here. I’ll get it.”
We walked into Rip’s apartment. You wouldn’t think a single guy, an ex-bouncer to be so immaculately neat. Rip didn’t own a lot of possessions, but what he had was clean and orderly. A stack of dinner plates sat on the kitchen counter next to two coffee cups in perfect alignment. Clean silverware stood in a drinking glass. The toaster, minus crumbs, shone like a beacon. Two spotless sauce pans and a skillet were arranged on top of the icebox. What little space he had in the kitchenette he made good use of. The cabinet held a can of sardines, a can of pinto beans, and a box of Wheaties. On the top shelf inside the icebox, sat a package of bacon, carton of eggs, and a stick of butter. The lower shelf held a case of Falstaff beer cans, also aligned with each label showing out. I looked over to find Dixon staring off into space.
“What is it?”
“Betsy’s lying. She knows more than she’s telling.”
“She’s scared. You should have pushed her harder.”
“Let her stew for now. Was Rip in the military?” “Not that I know of. Why?”
“I can’t find one wrinkle in his bed sheets. His pillow case smells freshly laundered. There’s no dust on the floor under the bed. His dresser contains the usual undershirts, socks, underwear, and handkerchiefs.”
Dixon opened the closet door. Two dress shirts, a pair of slacks, a sport coat hung neatly, each in their proper category. “Look at this. A pair of scuffed cowboy boots.” “Don’t sound surprised. Any self-respecting Texan has scuffed cowboy boots, even me.” I looked down at his wingtips.
“What?”
“This entire time I thought you were perfect, but I just realized you’re not.”
Dixon straightened his tie. “You’re questioning your assessment of me?”
I held up Rip’s boots. “Wait. I’m not ever going to wear cowboy boots. I don’t have to, I’m not a Texan.” “You will soon be one by marriage. I suggest black boots, slightly rounded toes, modicum amount of stitchery. I’ll shop around.”
“No.” “At least you can wear them around the house.” “No.” “Wearing nothing else, just your boots.” “Well, maybe.”
About Kathleen Kaska
Kathleen Kaska is the author of the awarding-winning mystery series: the Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series set in the 1950s and the Kate Caraway Animal-Rights Mystery Series. Her first two Lockhart mysteries, Murder at the Arlington and Murder at the Luther, were selected as bonus books for the Pulpwood Queen Book Group, the country’s largest book group. She also writes mystery trivia. The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book was published by Rowman & Littlefield. Her Holmes short story, “The Adventure at Old Basingstoke,” appears in Sherlock Holmes of Baking Street, a Belanger Books anthology. She is the founder of The Dogs in the Nighttime, the Sherlock Holmes Society of Anacortes, Washington, a scion of The Baker Street Irregulars. Watch for Murder at the Pontchartrain: the 6th Sydney Lockhart Mystery in June 2023.
Malevolent: having or showing a desire to cause harm to another person.
The cover for Malevolent by E H Reinhad is fabulous and the fact the book takes place in Tampa, Florida, only adds to the spice of murder and mystery. Any books in Florida hit a special place for me, sand, sun and surf. I love it.
The Prologue is a gripping hook!
Lieutenant Kane is thirty eight and resembles Mr Clean. The simple description makes it easy to picture him…and his cat, Butch, a hybrid between a domestic and wild cat. He is an interesting character all by himself, growing and developing in the story.
“Death by drill and boiling water.”
I almost wanted to puke at some of the graphic details of his murders. I love it.
We have some light hearted and fun moments and dialogue, along with the gruesome.
There were some moments when I was shrugging my shoulders, not happy with what was going on. The writing did not make this a five star read, for me, but I did read it in one sitting and I would definitely grab another opportunity to read more of E H Reinhard’s work.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Tampa Homicide Lieutenant Carl Kane has a tough job. His day to day consists of decomposing dead bodies and removing murderers from the general public. But, when two women’s bodies are found under similar circumstances, it quickly turns into more than your average case. The killer is clearly looking to make a name for himself, and his plans for these women go far beyond death. When the media runs with the story, the killer’s moment in the spotlight arrives.
It’s up to Lieutenant Kane to bring the man the press has dubbed the ‘Psycho Surgeon’ to justice. Yet, being the lead on the case has its drawbacks—like becoming the focus of the killer yourself.
As Lieutenant Kane closes in on his suspect, he soon realizes that the case has become far more personal than he could have ever imagined.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
ABOUT E H RENHARD
E.H. Reinhard is the author of over twenty novels in the crime fiction and police procedural genres. Residing in sunny Tampa Florida, when not putting pen to paper, or more accurately, keys to keyboard writing his next novel, Reinhard is an avid fisherman and a general enjoyer of everything outdoors.
To see what he’s been up to lately, you can find him on social media, or can contact him directly using the contact form at: http://ehreinhard.com.
Book Title: 18 Golf Poems and A Recollection at the 19th Hole by Ronald Colby Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 54 pages Genre: Poetry Publisher: The Colby Company Release date:2022 Content Rating: G for everyone.
Reviews for Ron Colby’s novel, Night Driver, published by Rare Bird Literary, (January 2018):
“Colby has written a novel of relentless energy. While driving a cab at night, his main character hunts his wife’s killers through LA’s dark streets of dreams and nightmares. It’s tense, episodic, complete, and compelling. It’s quite a ride.” ― Francis Ford Coppola, director of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now
“Colby’s well-paced first novel takes the reader on a winding, exhilarating ride through late-1970s Los Angeles.” ― Publishers Weekly
“Big news: Ron Colby’s Night Driver is a contemporary noir novel that deserves a place next to Chandler, Connolly, and Wambaugh. The story of a man who drives a taxi through the night streets of Los Angeles searching for his wife’s killers makes an exciting, original and hard-to-put-down book. Colby knows his turf, his characters and he gets everything right.” ― Michael Elias, author of The Last Conquistador
I knew I was tackling an epic read when I began The Phoenix Project Compendium by M R Pritchard, but I eagerly ‘cracked open’ my ereader and never quit until the last book was read. I will break them down, book by book, but I highly recommend the Compendium for the value. It is worth every penny.
Book I, The Phoenix Project:
The Phoenix Project, Book I, lays the foundation for the series. I quickly became involved in the character’s lives. Andie Somers worked in genetics, but left to become a nurse. Her family includes her husband, Ian, and a five year old sweetie pie, Lina. When her world falls apart, Andie finds out she is considered special, indisposable. She meets Adam, who at times I couldn’t decide if he was good or bad. The more I read, the more involved I became. I love apocalyptic/dystopian novels and I am eager to see where M R Pritchard plans to take me. Utopia? Or is a madman making the world in his own image?
Book II, The Reformation:
“It’s starting. I thought we had more time.”
“It’s the Reformation.”
“They’re overthrowing the United States.”
“Someone is hellbent on starting the human race over and they’ve found the means to do it…”
“The Districts are the only safe havens for those who were lucky enough to be chosen.”
Andie has been chosen. She is special, because she is the only way that knows how to perform the genetic engineering that the Districts require. But….
The book follows the normal pattern of an apocalyptic/dystopian novel with a special science fiction twist and a drastic and grotesque form of population control. Earth is fighting back and this is the solution. We have the struggle to find supplies, avoid people that want to kill you, and find a safe haven.
Crane is the man of the hour and his cruelty knows no bounds. I hated him and wanted to see his demise. He uses Andie’s love of Lina to control her. Could there be a method to his madness that is required for the survival of humanity? How far is too far?
I love that Andie’s daughter, Lina, reads her a story, instead of the usual, mother reading to daughter. Lina is a sweetie pie and when M R Pritchard shares her moments, they put a smile on my face. The children are the future and I am eager to see what she will become in the future books.
Andie is romantically torn between her husband, Ian, who has been drugged and taken from her, paired with another, or Adam, the Volker soldier that puts his life on the line to keep her safe.
I love the Guardians, genetically altered dogs.
Andie had tried to escape the District and paid a heavy price. I thought WTH…Now, she is being sent to travel the country, visiting the five other Districts. It turns about to be something other than what both Andie and I thought, and I love it.
By the end of The Reformation, things become clearer and my heart is broken.
Book III, Revelation:
The characters struggle to find their place and there is always a plan running in the background, that the higher powers refuse to share.
We have a lot of action as Andie is forced to leave the safety of Phoenix.
A surprise pops up, but my spidey senses told me that would happen. Things are not as they appear to be and by the end of Revelation we will find out why and I did not see that coming.
Revelation, Book III of The Phoenix Project by M R Prichard had me gobbling up the words, each chapter leading me deeper into the story, wanting….no…having to know what comes next. I couldn’t stop reading. At times I thought of The Walking Dead, without zombies, other times I thought of The 100, because of all the scientific angles, other times I thought of The Stepford Wives, because of what they have done to the Residents. It’s still a case of the have nots wanting what the haves are determined to keep for themselves.
Revelation does provide a lot of food for thought.
Book IV, Inception:
We bounced from one point of view to another in Book IV of The Phoenix Project: Inception by M R Pritchard. Each book is filled with tension and action with a pace that pulls me along, never wanting to stop reading, having to know what happens next to who. M R Prichard is not afraid to kill off her characters. I knew not all of them could make it, even thought of one or two who would be lost, but couldn’t be sure until it was in front of my eyes. The characters are growing, changing, struggling to survive, facing insurmountable odds that will test them to their very limits. There is an underlying current of danger throughout, wondering who to trust and who will betray them. I have devoured one book right after the other and won’t quite until the last page is turned and the last word read.
Book V, Origins:
We have learned the Origins of the principal characters, how they came to be what they are, their superpowers included. Each has a gift, or a curse, it depends on how you look at it. I was surprised by many things and it seems no one is all good or all bad, but playing God can backfire. Manipulating people and nature to get the result you want may not work out the way it was planned.
The more I read, the more lost I become in this epic story of science fiction and an apocalyptic/dystopian world. I am invested in these children’s lives as they grow into adulthood, along with all the other characters I have been with throughout The Phoenix Project, and am curious to see how M R Prichard will end the story.
I was able to visualize some of the action and characters and, I must admit, Norah and Jill stole my heart in this one. Imagine a two year old child, riding a goat, talking like an adult….and so much more. She is just the latest character that I have become infatuated with.
The end is near as I crack open the sixth book, Resurrection, in this compendium.
Book VI, Resurrection:
I have loved every step I took with the characters of The Phoenix Project and read the sixth book in the series, Resurrection, with feelings of regret. I have spent so much time with them, I will miss them dearly.
Much of the book is like a synopsis of the previous books, filling in the blanks with more details of what has happened to the characters, explaining how they got to where they are now. I learned a lot about their motivations and the horror that they have been put through because of those who wish to play God, thinking they know what is best for the world and how to accomplish their goals. They will use whatever horrendous methods they can create to make man in the image they wish, and they don’t stop there. Want a Pegasus? A flying pig? How about a child that can fly? Want to live forever?
Through all the angst, torture, terror and struggle to survive, there were light moments of sweetness and laughter. How about Andromeda and Adam:
She picks up a large stick and throws it at the shadows….She hears a thud and a grunt…
“That was not nice….”
I laughed out loud and it is something that you may have had to be there to enjoy. Talk about push/pull, these two have had a hellacious relationship and I am curious to see how it will all pan out, seeing they are immortal.
“No one has ever come back for me,” his voice is weak. “Not once.” His voice is breathless. “Not in all of my time on this earth…”
“No grave can hold me. I’ll crawl back to you. Always.
How far do you believe man should go to change the world for the better? Are there no limits?
“…to build a new world you’ve got to tear the old on down.”
And they did.
I loved the ending and never saw it coming. I am sad to say goodbye to the characters I have come to know and love. I want to commend M R Pritchard for a job well done!
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Phoenix Project Compendium by M R Pritchard.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
*The Phoenix Project complete six book series*
Love, deception, and conspiracies in a post-apocalyptic America, this is how dystopia is created.
Andie is searching for her family. The Reformation is blocking her every move. She must alter the populations genetic code or never see them again.
Expected publication June 13, 2023 by Midnight Ledger
ABOUT M R PRITCHARD (from Amazon)
M. R. Pritchard is a two-time Kindle Scout winning author, her short story “Glitch” has been featured in the 2017 winter edition of THE FIRST LINE literary journal, and her short story “Moon Lord” has been featured in Chronicle Worlds: Half Way Home (Part of the Future Chronicles). M. R. Pritchard holds degrees in Biochemistry and Nursing. She is a northern New Yorker transplanted to the Gulf Coast of Florida who enjoys coffee, mint chocolate, cloudy days, and reading on the lanai.
Visit her website MRPritchard.com and sign up for her newsletter. You’ll get a monthly newsletter with updates, day to day shenanigans, and book deals.
