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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Mar 1, 2023  
Sneak a peek at the romantic suspense mystery novel COPPER WATERS by Marlene M Bell, Author on my blog, and enter the amazing #giveaway for a chance to #win a signed ARC paperback of the book; a leather bucket bag; a 100% New Zealand gray wool throw; a Hagestad hammered water bottle; a Lucy Pittaway notebook; and a $50 VISA gift card!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2023/03/reviewapalooza-and-giveaway-copper.html

**ABOUT THE BOOK**
A rural New Zealand vacation turns poisonous.

Antiquities expert Annalisse Drury and tycoon Alec Zavos are at an impasse in their relationship when Alec refuses to clear up a paternity issue with an ex-lover.

Frustrated with his avoidance when their future is at stake, Annalisse accepts an invitation from an acquaintance to fly to New Zealand—hoping to escape the recent turbulence in her life.

But even Annalisse’s cottage idyll on the family sheep farm isn’t immune to intrigue.

Alec sends a mutual friend and detective, Bill Drake, to follow her, and a local resident who accompanies them from the Christchurch airport dies mysteriously soon after. A second violent death finds Annalisse and Bill at odds with the official investigations.

The local police want to close both cases as quickly as possible—without unearthing the town’s dirty secrets.

As she and Bill pursue their own leads at serious cost, the dual mysteries force Annalisse to question everything she thought she knew about family ties, politics, and the art of small-town betrayal.
     
Naked Choke (More Than A Cowboy #1)
Naked Choke (More Than A Cowboy #1)
Vanessa Vale, Vanessa Dare | 2016 | Contemporary, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I will start this review by stating that it takes something to get me to read and review Contemporary. I don't know why, but I'm more Paranormal or Fantasy. However, something about this synopsis caught my eye and I decided to give it a go. I am very glad that I did!

To start with, Emory is in her late 30s and has all the doubts that go with that, especially when she is out in the field for the first time in a long time. Stuck talking to someone she has absolutely no interest in, she is more than happy when the man who caught her eye before, comes to her rescue.

On the surface, Gray and Emory probably don't make the most obvious couple. However, I loved their every interaction as they melded together in more ways than one. They completed each other perfectly, which set my sappy heart racing!

Fast-paced, romantic, hot, and with a dash of mystery and suspense thrown in, this is one contemporary novel that hooked me from the first page, much to my surprise and delight. I will definitely be reading more of Vanessa Vale's work - just in the name of research, of course 😉

Absolutely and definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 24, 2016
  
H(
Heartless ( Scarlet Suffragette 3)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
78 of 235
Kindle
Heartless ( Scarlet Suffragette 3)
By Nicola Claire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Qualified physician? A menace to society? The next Chief Surgeon?

Returning to life in the Antipodes has not gone quite as expected for Dr Anna Cassidy; an axe hangs over her head. With no sign of her nemesis in Auckland City, Anna finds herself holding her breath.

But a gruesome surprise awaiting her in her home surgery one morning changes all of that.

Puppet policeman? Blind protector? Steadfast husband?

For Inspector Andrew Kelly, however, the subsequent murders are very personal indeed. As a ghost from his past haunts his present and threatens his future, he must first find the truth amongst the lies before he can end his misery.

But this killer wants their pound of flesh.

When the bodies pile up, and the heartless are identified, can Andrew protect the one woman he loves? Or will the murderer have the last laugh and crush his heart forever?

A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.

This was the best one of the trilogy and perfect ending! I have enjoyed this series so much it’s the time period I love and has a Jack the Ripper link as well as the most amazing female characters just a really good series. The 5 star review is well warranted for the whole series too. I really enjoy Nicola Claire’s writing style.
  
SG
Storm Glass (Glass, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been awhile since I read Maria V. Snyder's first trilogy, but this book follows right on its heels, explaining how Opal Cowen connects to Yelena, while leading into Opal's life of glass-making. The whole process is intricately described throughout the book, but without burdening the plot with too much detail.
Despite the part that Opal played and her great contribution to Sitia, she does not consider her magical abilities to be anything worth boasting about and struggles with low self-esteem for most of the book. All the while, her abilities grow and blossom in the face of suspense and danger. Her specific talents keep her busy solving one magical dilemma after another, introducing her to new characters along the way, as well as bringing in familiar faces - some welcome and some not.
The romantic aspects to the book involve her being torn between two men, Kale of the Stormdance clan, and Ulrick, a fellow glass-maker. While Opal shares qualities with both young men, I prefer her chemistry with the moody, quiet Kale over the self-absorbed Ulrick.
One of the more interesting characters in the book aside from Opal is her school nemesis, who also happens to be in the running for becoming a Master Magician. Their interactions teach Opal a few things about herself, both magical and psychological, and they develop into unlikely allies. Theirs is one of several loose ends left in the book that will likely be continued in the next book, Sea Glass.
  
Divorce is Murder (Toby Wong Mystery #1)
Divorce is Murder (Toby Wong Mystery #1)
Elka Ray | 2019 | Contemporary, Mystery, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Divorce is Murder is the first book in the Toby Wong series, and it introduces us to a female, family-lawyer whose client is a blast from the past. Toby had a major crush on Josh Barton when they were young, but bullies made sure it next happened. Now, nineteen years later, she's back where it all began.

I would class this more as mystery than romantic suspense as Toby isn't sure who she wants, although I'm not very clear on why! There is a police officer who is interested in her, he is not a liar and plays no games, but she seems more interested in a crush from nearly twenty years ago who has constantly lied to her. Hmm, I guess you can see who is my favourite, but I'm guessing this is a storyline for further into the series.

There is a great cast of characters - from a psychic, whimsy-loving mom, to the bullies from Toby's childhood. Some of the mystery was obvious (to me) and some of it, not. I thoroughly enjoyed the build up and the climax to this story.

With no errors that disrupted my reading, this was an enjoyable read from beginning to end, and I have no hesitation in recommending it for all fans of cosy murder-mysteries.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Well I became aware of this book after a mutual follow via Twitter and I thought I'd give it a go when the author described it as romantic suspense.

I'm not sure I'd class as that, though, now I've finished it. It's more contemporary romance with a bad guy in it, but I guess the ending itself was kinda suspenseful slash intrigue-mystery since it left you wondering what's going to happen next.

The beginning (prologue) left me a little confused as I was unable to figure out what it had to do with the rest of the story but since I'm aware the book is in two parts I'm assuming it will all make sense after reading that one.

The characters, for me, were okay. Craig has to be my favourite. Think it was the bum wiggle in the fire-station as he was making a meal that caused that to happen. And then he was just a nice guy all the way through. As for Emma, she did my head in a little concerning the vision. She just seemed a little blind to the good thing she had going on with Craig and I felt like slapping a little sense into her. But it all worked out in the end-ish.

For a first story, it's pretty good but I found it a little stilted in places and the transitions between chapters were a little strange. I felt the previous chapters never had proper endings, they just seemed to stop. And apart from a few minor wording/punctuation errors its good.