Review and Giveaway: The Marsh Madness

The Marsh Madness (Book Collector Mystery - Book 4) by Victoria Abbott

Publication Date: 09/01/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425280349
ISBN-13: 978-0425280348

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Victoria Abbott on the WEB: Website, Blog, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter

Books in the series:

Book Collector Mystery
1. The Christie Curse 
2. The Sayers Swindle 
3. The Wolfe Widow 
4. The Marsh Madness 

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Synopsis:

The national bestselling author of The Wolfe Widow presents another spine-tingling mystery featuring rare book collector Jordan Bingham and some Ngaio Marsh first editions worth killing for…

Jordan works hard to improve Vera Van Alst’s collection of classic detective stories. So when Chadwick Kauffman—heir to the Kauffman fortune—offers a very good price on a fine collection of Ngaio Marsh first editions owned by his recently deceased stepfather, she is thrilled to meet with him at his fabled summer estate, Summerlea.

The next day, Jordan and Vera are shocked to read that Chadwick has died in a fall from the grand staircase at Summerlea. But when the picture in the paper is of a different man, it becomes clear that the ladies are victims of a scam. And they’ll have to unmask the imposter fast, because someone is trying to frame them for murder…

Thoughts:

Victoria Abbott returns with the latest book in the Book Collector Mystery series, The Marsh Madness. This mother, daughter writing team once again brings readers a book based on a highlighted mystery writer from the past. This time it is Ngaio Marsh. These books always have that nostalgic feel to them. It's a story like Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot would be involved in. Abbott doesn't disappoint. It's a page turner from the first to the last. 

What I Liked:

This is a great series for me, because I cut my teeth so to speak, in the mystery genre on the books and stories of Agatha Christie and other greats. I love the fact that these authors focus on different writers from the past and try to educate the reader a little bit while also entertaining them. All of the details on book collecting also add a layer of authenticity to the stories. So, not only goes the writer get a great mystery but they also get an object lesson on some literary greats.

Vera's collection is certainly growing under Jordan's guidance and adding a collection of mystery writer, Ngaio Marsh would be another feather in her cap. When Jordan, Vera and Uncle Kev go to check out a prospect they get a lot more than a few first additions. The seller, Chadwick Kauffman ends up dead... but wait a minute, it's not really Chadwick Kauffman at all. It looks like an imposter is a foot and Jordan and the gang or being framed. I loved the plot for this one and they way things all came together. I thought Abbott did a great job with the mystery aspects of the book and kept the reader off balance enough, so that they didn't figure it out too early. The mystery was interesting and elaborate. Liked it a lot.

One of the strong things about this series has always been the great characters that Abbott has created. Jordan once again proves why she is such a great heroine for this series. She gets to the heart of matter with a lot of curiosity and some really good instincts. I love the way that she has such great love for good books too. She really is a very good character. Her relationship with Smiley is heating up a little bit too and it was nice to have that break in the action to pick up on Jordan's personal life.

As always the secondary characters share the spotlight with Jordan. Uncle's Kev and Mick are right in the middle of the action and Vera is always a treat with her snarky attitude and ways. I think my favorite of the secondary characters is Signora Panetone and her amazing concoctions in the kitchen.

Bottom Line:

Another great book in this coy series about great books... LOL! I have liked all of the books in this series because of the intriguing plots and interesting characters. These authors prove that two heads are better than one when it comes to writing good mysteries... can't wait for the next one!

The Marsh Madness is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Victoria Abbott is a pseudonym for a collaboration between seasoned mystery author Mary Jane Maffini and her daughter Victoria. Mary Jane, a former mystery bookstore owner, is the author of the Camilla MacPhee, Fiona Silk, and Charlotte Adams series. They live outside Ottawa, ONT.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Marsh Madness by Victoria Abbott.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 23rd.

1. Please leave a comment. Read any other great books featuring an imposter?

2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Breakout

Breakout (Dred Chronicles - Book 3) by Ann Aguirre

Publication Date: 08/25/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Ace
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 0425258165
ISBN-13: 978-0425258163

(Received for an honest review from Ace)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Ann Aguirre on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Dred Chronicles
1. Perdition 
2. Havoc 
3. Breakout 

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Synopsis:

All hell is breaking loose in the edge-of-your-seat follow-up to Havoc and Perdition from New York Times bestselling author Ann Aguirre…

The prison ship Perdition has become a post-battle charnel house with only a handful of Dred’s soldiers still standing and now being hunted by Silence’s trained tongueless assassins. Forging an uneasy alliance with mercenary commander Vost—who is their only chance at escape—the Dread Queen will do whatever it takes to end her life sentence on Perdition and keep the survivors alive long enough to cobble together a transport capable of getting them off station.

If Dred and her crew can win the deadly game of cat and mouse, the payoff is not only life but freedom—a prize sweeter than their wildest dreams. Yet the sadistic Silence would rather destroy Perdition than let a single soul slip from her grasp…

Thoughts:

Breakout is the series ender for The Dred Chronicles by Ann Aguirre and what a finish it was! Aguirre has created a spin-off series from her Sirantha Jax series, that may actually top the original, a rare feat. This is a science fiction series that has everything from bloody battles to tender love scenes and the sympathetic characters in the story, just happen to be a colony of murderers. Now, if that's not unique, I don't know what is! Fantastic ending to a great series.

What I liked:

When I first started doing a lot of reading on my own and picking titles that I wanted to read for myself, science fiction was one of my favorite genres. I don't even know why. I think I can see the parallel between reading paranormal fiction and reading science fiction. Aliens versus super natural beings like weres and vamps. But I have really gotten away from reading very much in the Sci-Fi genre. There was something about The Dred Chronicles that drew me in and helped me remember why I used to like it so much. The world building is phenomenal in these kinds of books. 

Ann Aguirre has created such a unique and different universe for this series. The Dred Chronicles actually centers around a penal colony full of murderers. What's more the reader is expected to like these characters, even love them to some extent. Talk about a hard premise to sell. But Aguirre makes it look like child's play. She draws the reader in with this whole idea of why these people are put in this position and what they hope to gain by getting out. She inspires a sympathy in the reader for them, before the reader even sees it coming. Amazingly done!

This is not science fiction for the faint of heart though. Breakout has several very bloody battles and Aguirre does not spare the reader the gore involved. But what's interesting about that is that it seems so natural. Like there was no other way this could have gone differently. Being the final book in the series, a lot of things needed to happen to bring about resolution for those aboard the prison ship Perdition. I think each characters ending was well thought out, planned meticulously and brought to a conclusion that befitted their situations. Not everyone got a happy ending. It's just not that kind of book. But the loose ends were tied up and the conclusion was satisfying. 

We learned a lot more about Jael in this book than ever before. He started out in Aguirre's Sirantha Jax series, but he has really shined in the Dred Chronicles. Despite all of the mess everyone was going through and some of the gut wrenching scenes there was still time for a little romance. What could be more erotic or sensual to finding love when even you next few minutes were in jeopardy. I felt like Aguirre ended things in a more traditional way with this series. She gave resolution to the questions about Jael and what happened after and that was nice. I didn't want to make up my own ending this time and she didn't make me... it was amazing!

What I Didn't Like:

The pacing was a little odd at times. Certain things that happened in the story got only a few paragraphs of description and others several pages. I wanted the important things to get more time. I wanted to digest a little bit before moving on to some other soul crushing event. I think my emotions just didn't have time to catch up sometimes with this one. There were also parts that dragged a little bit, but once it all panned out, I can't really count that as a reason to give this book anything less than a 5 apple review.

Bottom Line:

If you like science fiction you can't miss this one. Breakout was amazing in just about every way. Lots of cool aliens, a ship full of murderers. Battles that will make your head spin and a universe that makes you wish this wasn't the last book in the series. I want more and I think you will too. You don't have to read the Sirantha Jax series to like this one, but you'll probably go back and read it once you figure out what a great author Aguirre is.

Breakout is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Ann Aguirre is the author of several other popular series: Sirantha Jax (Endgame, Aftermath, Grimspace); Enclave (Horde, Outpost, Enclave); and Corine Solomon (Agave Kiss, Blue Diablo, Devil's Punch, Shady Lady).Havoc and Perdition are the previous books in The Dred Chronicles.

Review: Double Vision

Double Vision (Dr. Jenna Ramey - Book 2) by Colby Marshall

Publication Date: 04/07/2015
Publisher: Penguin
Imprint: Berkley
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pages: 368
ISBN-10: 042527652X
ISBN-13: 978-0425276525

(Received for an honest review from Berkley)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes

Colby Marshall on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, goodreads

Books in the Series:

Dr. Jenna Ramey

1. Color Blind
2. Double Vision

Coverart:

Synopsis:

New from the author of Color Blind...FBI profiler Jenna Ramey has synesthesia, a neurological condition that causes perceptions of color to flash through her mind, triggered by seemingly unrelated stimuli. But she has learned to understand and interpret these associations. They help her do her job. They can help save lives…
 
A little girl has witnessed a mass shooting. What she knows may be the key to finding the man responsible. Jenna has been tasked with drawing her out, figuring out what she saw, what she remembers, what it means.
 
But Molly is an unusual child. She is sweet and bright, and eager to help, but she has a quirk of her own: an intense preoccupation with numbers. It helps her notice things that others don’t. It also leads Jenna into a maze of speculation that could turn into a wild goose chase while the body count continues to rise.
 
Jenna and Molly view the world through their own filters. In some ways, they speak different languages. Now Jenna must learn to communicate, to break Molly’s code, to understand the mind of a murderer…

Thoughts:

Double Vision is the second book in Colby Marshall's Dr. Jenna Ramey series, featuring a heroine with a unique trait for helping solve her cases. Marshall uses the ideas of color and numbers in a very unusual way in this mainstream mystery. Readers who are looking for an uncommon plot and strong characters will love this one. A massive shooting sets the stage for Jenna's latest case involving a six year old gifted child who witnesses a heinous crime. But Molly isn't your average little girl and it's up to Jenna to use Molly's gifts and her own to catch a killer. A very rare book with a fantastic premise!

What I liked:

Okay, so there were parts of this book that were very well written and parts that came across as a little too logical or too easy. But the overall theme of the series is quite unparalleled in most of the main stream mysteries I have read. Marshall gives her heroine Jenna a very rare neurological condition known as synesthesia, in which the patient's neurological pathways are so closely related that they are almost connected. Put simply, this heroine sees in color. Not like you and I do, but in a way that correlates her experiences and can be used to help in her job as an FBI profiler. This was fascinating and it's a real condition. Marshall does't bombard the reader with too much information about it, but she uses it in a way that makes this story something completely different than anything I've read before. Well done!

I don't review too many main stream mysteries because I like a book that is a little less graphic. I don't necessarily like to read about all the guts and gore and thrillers tend to be quite dark in some cases. This book had that type of edge, but it didn't get too messy. Yes, there was a massive shooting in which seven people die, and it is related to another case where more people died, but it didn't give me any cringe worthy moments. I admit to wondering what possesses people to do this kind of thing more than once, but it was the kind of book that was worth reading even if it did deal with some really maniacal minds. 

Jenna and her boyfriend Yancy were both great characters that Marshall did a great job writing. Jenna has had to learn to see the world in a different way literally. In this book she has to take her way with colors and try to understand Molly's way with numbers. It was almost like they were speaking two different languages, but were able to find a way to fuse the two to find a killer. I like characters who are unusual in some way and Marshall certainly stimulated that avenue with Jenna's ability. Marshall was also about to show how it affected Jenna's personal life, as well as, her professional life. She was a great heroine and the addition of Yancy as her love interest gave readers a new way of seeing Jenna. 

What I Didn't Like:

I seriously wanted to like Molly. And on some levels I did, but I couldn't get away from the idea that she was just too perfect. I know she was written as a gifted child, but she was still supposed to be a child. Even in children who have great intelligence you still have that essence that is still innocent. Molly wasn't like that. She didn't have that quality that made her still seem innocent and childlike. I wanted her to act like a kid, at least a little bit and I didn't get that with her. It seemed like something was missing. She didn't come across as legit, so to speak. Too poised, too adult like and too controlled. 

Bottom Line:

There was a lot of potential here. The mystery itself was captivating. Jenna was an amazing heroine and the premise for the series was top notch. I think the author missed the mark a little bit with Molly's character but that didn't take too much away from my overall enjoyment of this book. Main stream mysteries are a little dark sometimes, but they make up for that with sheer realism and gut wrenching action. This was definitely a good one. If you like a good mystery, this one might be right up your alley.

Double Vision is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Writer by day, ballroom dancer and choreographer by night, Colby has a tendency to turn every hobby she has into a job, thus ensuring that she is a perpetual workaholic. In addition to her 9,502 jobs, she is a proud member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. She is actively involved in local theatres as a choreographer and occasionally indulges her prima donna side by taking the stage as an actress. She lives in Georgia with her family, two mutts, and an array of cats that, if she were a bit older, would qualify her immediately for crazy cat lady status.

Review and Giveaway: Trick or Deceit

Trick or Deceit (Celebration Bay Mystery - Book 4) by Shelley Freydont

Publication Date: 09/01/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425281477
ISBN-13: 978-0425281475

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Shelley Freydont on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Celebration Bay Mystery
1. Foul Play at the Fair 
2. Silent Knife 
3. Independence Slay 
4. Trick or Deceit 
Cold Turkey 
Trawling for Trouble 

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Synopsis:

The author of Independence Slay invites readers back to Celebration Bay for Halloween festivities with more tricks than treats…

This October in Celebration Bay, you can’t swing a black cat without hitting a haunted house. There are three finalists in the contest for the town’s official Haunted House, and ten thousand dollars will go to the winner, with the rest of the contributions and proceeds funding a new community center. Event coordinator Liv Montgomery has invited her friend Jonathan Preston, the debonair CEO of a philanthropic organization, hoping he will award a grant to the center.

But after the Museum of Yankee Horrors wins first place, the transformed Victorian boarding house is vandalized ... and among scattered mannequins of Hester Prynne, Lizzie Borden, and the Headless Horseman, a real dead body is found—one of the contest judges. Now in addition to playing host to Jon, Liv has to play detective and coordinate the clues to unmask a self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner.

Thoughts:

Shelley Freydont continues the Celebration Bay mystery series with her latest book, Trick or Deceit. Halloween is the perfect setting for murder! Readers who are looking for a great cozy for the fall season will love this one. With everything from haunted houses and witches to preachers and town skeletons in the closet, this book has it all. Freydont's trademark quirky characters and the small town setting give this one all the makings for one haunted read...

What I liked:

Halloween was always a favorite holiday of mine for more than one reason. Candy, candy and more candy, but more importantly getting to transform myself into a character from my favorite books. I took it seriously when it came to celebrating the season. I had a party once and even made my own graveyard with the names and funny epitaphs for my friends. So when I found out this cozy had a Halloween theme I was totally on board. Celebration Bay was the perfect place for this theme. This small town goes all out when it comes to holidays and I was excited to see how they decked out for the scariest of them all. 

The haunted house competition was a brilliant idea. I loved reading about the entries and how each person that entered interpreted it differently. The $10,000 prize certainly made things a little intense and somebody was a very sore loser. The mystery aspects of this one centered around the murder of one of the judges. Freydont gave readers plenty of suspects and the motive was pretty obvious, or was it? I thought the clues were plentiful and the red herrings were not too far out of the realm of possibility. Freydont did a great job with the Halloween theme and the murder mystery.

Liv Montgomery, the heroine of the series and Celebration Bay's event coordinator is a perfect amateur sleuth. Celebration Bay is looking to get a grant to build a new community center and it's up to Liv to figure out the clues to this murder before a New York backer comes in. I liked that Liv is curious by nature but not necessarily foolhardy or reckless in her investigations. She is a pretty logical thinker and I like that about her. The other secondary characters in the book, add so much to each story. They are well written and always provide a different perspective on each mystery. Great characters all around. 

What I Didn't Like:

There has been a lot of tension between Liv and Chaz for awhile now. They seem to be dragging their feet about whether or not they want to be a couple or not and that's getting a little frustrating, since this is Book 4 in the series. I want them to just pull the trigger so to speak, but that may just be a pet peeve of my own.

Bottom Line:

This was a good cozy for the season. Halloween is right around the corner and this one really hits the spot of those of us readers who like the creepy factor when it comes to murder. The mystery was believable and not to easy to figure out. The motive seems clear, but there are a lot of factors in this one. Liv is once again a great sleuth and seems to have settled into her role as event coordinator. She and Chaz need to figure it out though! LOL... A very good addition to the series!

Trick or Deceit is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Shelley Freydont is the author of the Celebration Bay mysteries, including Foul Play at the Fair, Silent Knife, Independence Slay and the novella Trawling for Trouble, as well as the Katie McDonald Sudoku mysteries and the Lindy Haggerty Mysteries, and her historical novel A Gilded Grave is the first in a new Newport Gilded Age Mystery series. Under the name Shelley Noble, she is the author of Beach Colors and Stargazey Point. Her books have been translated into seven languages.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Trick or Deceit by Shelley Freydont.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 22nd.

1. Please leave a comment. Name another great cozy you've read that has a Halloween theme.

2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: The Prince and I

The Prince and I (Princes of Oxenburg - Book 2) by Karen Hawkins

Publication Date: 08/25/2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Imprint: Pocket Books
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 400
ISBN-10: 147678597X
ISBN-13: 978-1476785974

(Received for an honest review from Pocket Books)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Karen Hawkins on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Princes of Oxenburg
1. The Prince Who Loved Me 
1.5. The Princess Wore Plaid 
2. The Prince and I 
3. Mad For The Plaid 

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from The Prince and I, courtesy of the author's website

Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins, the lively and sizzling second book in a new fairytale-based Scottish historical romance series, The Princes of Oxenburg.

Max Romanovin, Oxenburg’s warrior prince, is escorting his grandmother to a house party deep in the Highlands when he and his entourage are robbed at sword point by a group of ruffians led by a man the locals have dubbed “The Scottish Robin Hood.” The battle-savvy prince instantly realizes there’s something different about this thief, and it’s not just the Scottish accent—it’s the fact that “he” is really a “she.”

Lady Murian, a young widow out for revenge against the powerful earl who killed her husband and stole his birthright, is now living in the woods with her family’s banished retainers. To stay alive, she and her band of men rob rich nobles coming to visit the evil earl. But when she ambushes the Prince of Oxenburg’s golden coach, she gets far more than she expected. For when the prince uncovers her true identity, she’s afraid that he might be the real thief…of her heart.

Thoughts:

Karen Hawkins brings readers the second book in the Princes of Oxenburg series, The Prince and I. Hawkins is a big name when it comes to historical romance and she never disappoints. This book is an interesting take on the "Robin Hood" story that features a female bandit and a warlord prince. Hawkins uses everything from comic relief to intense and almost instant romance to bring this one together and readers will be thrilled with it. A great addition to this wonderful series!

What I Liked:

First off, let me say that Karen Hawkins is in my opinion a very good historical romance writer. Everything I have ever read from her was unique and well written. I knew what to expect going into reading the Prince and I. Great characters, humor in spades and a plot that would be both entertaining and fun. I got all of that and more with this book. The book starts out fast and furious and doesn't slow down much. There was a slight lull in the middle somewhere, but it didn't matter. When it caught back up it was on fire. Such a great romance and the author's take on Robin Hood was exceptional.

Lady Murian is one a mission. Her husband and her home have been taken from her and she's out to get a little revenge. I loved the fact that this book is set in the Highlands and that Murian takes to the ways of the highwayman to thwart her nemesis, the Earl of Loudan. What a unique take on Robin Hood. I loved it. A female bandit was such a great idea and it really worked here. Murian is strong and fiesty and full of vim and vigor. It would take kind of character to stand up to Prince Max. He is a warrior and Murian proves that she is as well when she bests him with her sword. One of my favorite female leads of the year.

Max isn't your average prince. He doesn't sit at home and bemoan his daily drudgery of being a prince. He leads his men into battle and he sometimes ends up being the bearer of bad news. When readers meet him, he is in somewhat of a dark place, a little broody and in need of something to fight for. Murian gives him that and so much more. The attraction between them is for lack of a better word, instant. Max knows the Scottish Robin Hood is a woman and he's out to find her again. I liked that he was such a strong character. He had a great sense of duty and intelligence that went well with his handsome features. I liked him a lot, though instant love isn't necessarily my thing.

Tata Natasha, Max's grandmother has gotten herself into a bit of a fix and needs her grandson's help to get her out of it. She was a saucy grandma as usual and provided a lot of comic relief for the book. Hawkins has such a great sense of humor and most importantly she is able to translate that into her books. It gives the reader a smile now and then and takes the pressure off of the lead characters long enough for readers to catch their breath. Great humor and comedy in this one.

What I didn't like:

Like I said, instant love isn't really my thing. Though Murian and Max fall for each other at first sight, there were still some obstacles in their way, so it didn't feel like they were automatically going to fall in love and marry. However, there was that cringey kind of feeling you get when love seems to be trite and predictable. I'm glad Hawkins was able to pull it out with these two and not fall to far into the instant love trap.

Bottom Line:

I loved this one. I want to read the first one now and the next one and the next one. Loved the humor and the strong characters. The pacing was for the most part, good and I loved Hawkins' take on Robin Hood. I want to throttle the Earl of Loudan and have tea with Tata Natasha. LOL... I was a great read! Lots of fun and lots of romance.

The Prince and I is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Karen Hawkins is a USA TODAY and New York Times bestselling author of some of the funniest and freshest fairytale-based Scottish romances. When not stalking hot Australian actors, getting kicked out of West Virginia thanks to the antics of her extended family, or adding to her considerable shoe collection, Karen is getting chocolate on her keyboard while writing her next delightfully fun and sexy historical romance!

Review: Disciple of the Wind

Disciple of the Wind (Fated Blades - Book 3) by Steve Bein

Publication Date: 04/07/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Roc
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 528
ISBN-10: 0451470206
ISBN-13: 978-0451470201

(Received for an honest review from Roc)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes

Steve Bein on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series:

Fated Blades

1. Daughter of the Sword
2. Year of the Demon
3. Disciple of the Wind

Coverart:

Synopsis:

LETHAL JUSTICE

When Tokyo falls victim to a deadly terrorist attack, Detective Sergeant Mariko Oshiro knows who is responsible, even if she doesn’t have proof. She urges her commanding officers to arrest the perpetrator—an insane zealot who was just released from police custody. When her pleas fall on deaf ears, she loses her temper and then her badge, as well as her best chance of fighting back.

Left on her own, and armed with only her cunning and her famed Inazuma blade, Mariko must work outside the system to stop a terrorist mastermind. But going rogue draws the attention of an underground syndicate known as the Wind. For centuries, they have controlled Japanese politics from the shadows, using mystical relics to achieve their nefarious ends—relics like Mariko’s own sword and the iron demon mask whose evil curse is bound to the blade. Now the Wind is set on acquiring Mariko.

Mariko is left with a perilous choice: Join an illicit insurgency to thwart a deadly villain, or remain true to the law. Either way, she cannot escape her sword’s curse. As sure as the blade will bring her to victory, it also promises to destroy her….

Thoughts:

Steve Bein's Fated Blades series, continues with Disciple of the Wind. This is really, really good Urban Fantasy. It combines a police procedural with mythology and Japanese history and also has a streak of magic in it, complete with mystical Japanese swords. Bein's lead character Mariko defies stereo-types and kicks some serious butt. Be it cop or rogue, she is one amazing heroine! Readers who enjoy urban fantasy will love it and if you're new to it, this is a good place to start.

What I liked:

I don't even know where to start with what I liked about this one, there is simply so much that I could talk about. First of all, I read a lot of urban fantasy, though that is not the prevailing theme of my blog, it is one of my favorite genres for personal reading. Urban fantasy is different from Paranormal Romance, because there is often no romance at all or very little. The focus is on the paranormal more so than romance. It is a lot about strong characters with magical influences, strong themes and tends to be a little darker and more edgy. Steve Bein's is a writer who understands those differences and uses them to his complete advantage.

In Disciple of the Wind readers get a gritty, raw reading experience that takes things like magic and mythology and makes them more accessible and realistic than a book based on romance does. I quite frankly, haven't read too many urban fantasy titles that are based in the Japanese culture and I was completely sucked in by this one. I loved everything from the cover, to the blurb on the back. Bein uses a deft hand with his characters and he blends the past a present in a way that makes sense to me as a reader. It shows the importance of history and how that history can affect the present. Just an amazing use of historical background!

Mariko is a heroine like few others I have ever read. She is driven, hot tempered and the wielder of a magical sword that would be the envy of any superhero. She has a strong sense of duty and what is right and wrong. Being a cop she has to deal with a lot of politics about what she can and can't do. Being a rogue she still has to worry about outside influences that can pollute her quest for justice. She was magical in every way. She kicked butt and took names all in the name of fighting terrorism in present day Japan. An amazingly written character that readers will not soon be able to forget. 

The parts of Mariko's story that deal with the imminent attack on Tokyo are largely written like a police procedural. Those can get a little boring at times in my opinion but not this one. I loved all of the discussion about the Wind and how their form of justice was different from Mariko's ideas. Good stuff! The action is fast paced and never lets up. But the reader gets a breather when the author goes back to the past with the quest of Diagoro and his mission to find the mystical sword. The Japanese history and legends that Bein tells the reader about give this book a feeling of being on a hero's journey. I am a big fan of history and legends and this part really sang to my soul. Very well written and with exceptional attention to detail. Everything worked so well together and past and present blurred in a sense. Great writing!

Bottom Line:

This was just a fantastic book! One of my favorites of the year in this genre. Can't say enough good things about it. Excellent characters, remarkable use of blending the past and present, an urgency that pervaded the book, but with sequences that slowed it down just enough. So much that I loved about this one. I didn't want this one to end, but the ending was so well crafted that I wanted to skip to the back just to experience it. How many books can you say that about? Wow! That's about the best way to sum it up. I want more, quickly...lol!

Disciple of the Wind is available NOW from your favorite bookseller. 

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Steve Bein teaches philosophy at Texas State University. He has a PhD in philosophy, and his graduate work took him to Nanzan University and Obirin University in Japan, where he translated a seminal work in the study of Zen Buddhism. He holds black belts in two American forms of combative martial arts and has trained in about two-dozen other martial arts over the past twenty-odd years.His short fiction has been published in Asimov's, Interzone, Writers of the Future, and has been anthologized for use in college courses alongside the works of such figures as Orson Scott Card, Larry Niven, Isaac Asimov, and H.G. Wells. His Novels of the Fated Blades include Daughter of the Sword, Year of the Demon, and Disciple of the Wind.

Review and Giveaway: Cinderella Six Feet Under

Cinderella Six Feet Under (Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery - Book 2) by Maia Chance

Publication Date: 09/01/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 0425271633
ISBN-13: 978-0425271636

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Maia Chance on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery
1. Snow White Red-handed 
2. Cinderella Six Feet Under 
Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Synopsis:

This Cinderella goes from ashes to ashes in the new Victorian-era Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery by the author of Snow White Red-Handed . . .

Variety hall actress Ophelia Flax’s plan to reunite her friend Prue with her estranged—and allegedly wealthy—mother, Henrietta, is met with a grim surprise. Not only is the marquise’s Paris mansion a mouse-infested ruin, but Henrietta has inexplicably vanished, leaving behind an evasive husband, two sinister stepsisters, and a bullet-riddled corpse in the pumpkin patch decked out in a ball gown and one glass slipper—a corpse that also happens to be a dead ringer for Prue. 

Strangely, no one at 15 rue Garenne seems concerned about who plugged this luckless Cinderella or why, so the investigation is left to Ophelia and Prue. It takes them through the labyrinthine maze of the Paris Opera, down the trail of a legendary fairy tale relic, into the confidence of a wily prince charmless, and makes them vulnerable to the secrets of a mysterious couturière with designs of her own on Prue’s ever-twisting family history.

Thoughts:

Cinderella Six Feet Under is the second book in Maia Chance's Fairy Tale Fatal mystery series. This series is very unique in a genre that is saturated with a lot of the same kinds of stories. Chance makes the reader take a look at fairy tales as though they are real. She uses historical background and context to bring the reader a mystery that is steeped in history and lore. Who didn't hear fairy tales when they were growing up? It's a perfect hook!

What I liked:

I liked just about everything in this book. First and foremost the premise of the series. Cinderella Six Feet Under takes up the mantle  of fairy tale truth following Snow White Red Handed. This book takes the fairy tale of Cinderella and interprets it in such a distinctive way. Readers have to suspend their belief in reality a bit for this series, because the characters and the world building of the series, assumes that fairy tales were real, not just stories or even legends, but real happenings that can be traced and followed. Gabriel, one of the main characters is a professor that is obsessed with fairy tales and proving their existence. It is just a rare and unusual premise. I love it!

I have to admit that Cinderella was always one of those fairy tales that I felt was a little trite and predictable. The way Maia Chance tells it is totally different from the abused step daughter meeting her prince and it involves a murder... who knew! One of the things that stands out is the historical aspect of the story. It is set in 1867. I loved the references to Paris of the day and how the culture and prevailing thoughts of the times were incorporated into the story. Historical cozies are becoming really popular and I hope it is a trend that continues, but this book and series take it in a whole new direction. 

The re-occurring characters of Gabriel, Prue and Ophelia are back once again in this one. Gabriel, the professor, has this fascination with fairy tales and really his perspective is what makes the series work. I loved Prue and that this book had a lot to do with her and her family. She comes off as a bit of a blond at times but I found that kind of endearing in a way. Ophelia is the sensible one, the stubborn one, and the one that has the most trouble believing the significance of fairy tales. She was skeptical but open minded enough to see where the clues were leading. Loved all three of them in this book and found so much more about them that will probably be explored in future books.

What I Didn't Like:

The mystery was really clever. But there were a lot of characters to keep up with. A lot of big long names and a lot of references to the previous case these three worked on. It was on the confusing side. If you read Snow White Red Handed, that will help, but it doesn't completely alleviate the disorientation you might feel in the first few chapters of the book. It's one of those stories that may have been served better to have had less characters carrying the story. 

Bottom Line:

There is so much potential for this series. I love the history, the mystery and the premise is out of this world. The light fantasy type feel to the book is fun for all of us readers who enjoy a bit of the paranormal, but it will still speak to those who don't want to go too far in that direction. This book has Cinderella like you've never seen her before and of course a murder and a victim that looks just like Prue. Not mention wicked step sister who won't let Prue in the house and a missing mother... oh my!

Cinderella Six Feet Under is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

The author of the Fairy Tale Fatal Mysteries, including Snow White Red-Handed, and finalist for the 2004 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award, Maia Chance is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington. She is writing her dissertation on nineteenth-century American literature.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Cinderella Six Feet Under by Maia Chance.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
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~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 26th.

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