Faceless

Faceless by Debra Webb ~~

Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner has dedicated his life to justice. But he is still haunted by one case that was never solved: the murder of his entire family in cold blood. Back then, the teenage Carson was protected by his girlfriend’s influential father, Senator Randolph Drake. But now, fifteen years later, Carson finds himself facing a whole new world when a man confesses to the Tanner killings. His name is John Stokes. And his confession only scratches the surface of the truth…
Carson knows that Annette Baxter uses her brains and beauty as a fixer for the rich and powerful, making their indiscretions disappear in exchange for security and influence. But now someone is using her clients’ secrets—and her own—against her. And even though Carson can’t ignore his attraction to her, he is dead-set on making Annette pay for her crimes…but what if she holds the key to the burning secret he’s spent his whole life seeking? (From Amazon)

Fifteen years after the fact, someone finally confesses to the murder of Carson Tanners family. Now someone has confessed and he should be putting it behind him. But on the eve of the confession, Carson is seduced by a beautiful woman, Annette Baxter. At the same time he's being groomed by his mentor to become the next District Attorney, and handed a case that will make his career and guarantee him the top spot. Too bad the one woman that can help him is the one that seduced him. Beginning to feel like he's been set up, Carson starts digging into the case, only to find the dead bodies piling up in his wake. While Carson tries to get Annette to flip, she begins to feed him information about what happened to his family and he needs to decide if he can trust her or not. Is she playing him too??? Carson and Annette end up working together to figure out who is responsible only to find out it's the one person they least expected.

Watch Me

Watch Me (Last Stand, Book 3) by Brenda Novak ~~

Teenagers Sheridan Kohl and Jason Wyatt were parked at the lake in Whiterock, Tennessee, when a stranger wearing a ski mask shot them both. Sheridan lived but Jason died—and the stranger was never caught. Even though Sheridan's family moved away right afterward, she's never been able to put the crime behind her.

And now that someone doesn't want her to come home

Because of a new development in the case, Sheridan returns to Whiterock. But when she's attacked a second time, it's only because of Jason's stepbrother, Cain Granger, that she survives—and Cain's the last person she wants to face. If not for their history, if not for her, Jason wouldn't have been in that parked car.

Cain knows that whoever killed his brother probably isn't a stranger at all. But figuring out that person's identity is easier said than done—especially since the killer seems to be taunting them both:

watch me.

When Sheridan is a teenager, she and her boyfriend Jason are shot. Jason dies, but Sheridan lives. Now due to new information in the case, Sheridan returns "home" to find out who is responsible. Not long after she gets home, Sheridan is attacked and nearly killed. If not for Cain, a former love interest and step-brother to Jason, she would have been buried alive. Now together they must work to keep Sheridan safe, but at the same time find out who is responsible for the murder as well as fight their growing attraction to each other (again!). This was a very past faced thriller with enough red herrings to keep you guessing. Although if you pay close enough attention to the clues, you might just be able to figure out who the killer is before i'ts revealed. I was glad to find out that there will be another book in this Last Stand series.

Miss Zukas & The Stroke of Death

Miss Zukas and the Stroke of Death (Miss Zukas Mysteries) by Jo Dereske ~~

Librarian par excellence Miss Helma Zukas is a woman of many talents—and civic-minded to boot. Which is why she agrees, albeit reluctantly, to employ her long-dormant canoeing skills in the service of the Bellehaven Library relay race team in the famous Snow to Surf Race. But first she has a more pressing obligation—namely keeping her dear, somewhat flaky artist friend, Ruth Winthrop, off Death Row.
Flamboyant Ruth, it seems, has rejected the advances of a dirty old man in a local bar, who later, rather inconveniently, turns up dead just outside her studio. Helma knows Ruth is no killer, even though the police consider her the prime suspect. Now, time is running out. By asking too many questions about one unsavory dead man, Miss Zukas is paddling in dangerous waters. And the carefully buried scandals her snooping is uncovering could sink the inquisitive librarian permanently. (From Amazon)

Once again Helma finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation. This time it's her good friend Ruth who is the prime suspect. In the meantime her co-worker Patricia suffers the loss of her beloved Binky and Helma is persuaded to join the Snow to Surf race. In between working at the library and training for the race, Helma tries to help Ruth clear her name. And of course she asks one to many questions and puts herself in danger. Helma accidentally finds out who the killer is, and when confronted the killer persuades her to keep the info quiet. She feels bad for the killer and shockingly agrees to it. Does Helma do the right thing by keepng her mouth shut or does it come around and bite her in the butt??? This is one book that was so well written the killer will come as a shock to all that read it!

Muttering About

I say.......and you think.....?

Memory :: loss
Original :: first
Exclusively :: Solely
Listings :: homes
Bucket :: list
Knight :: shining armor
Dusty :: sneezing
Choice :: option
Sunglight :: warmth
Change of plans :: cancel

Murder on Lenox Hill

Murder on Lenox Hill (Gaslight Mystery) by Victoria Thompson ~~

Midwife Sarah Brandt, a member of a socially prominent family in turn-of-the-century New York, chooses to work in the tenements. Her new patient is the retarded 17-year-old daughter of the Lintons, an affluent Lenox Hill family. The young woman is never alone, and she denies that any man has ever hurt her, but she is pregnant. As Sarah and her friend, Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy, investigate, they uncover a scandal that casts suspicion on members of the Lintons' church, including the minister, Reverend Upchurch. When Upchurch drops dead during a service, the victim of cyanide-laced communion wine, Sarah and Frank must find the murderer before the scandal hurts more innocent people. This is the seventh installment in Thompson's atmosphere-drenched historical series. The developing relationship between Sarah and Frank, who both must overcome parental objections, adds a new dimension to the series. (From Amazon)

Sarah Brandt is a midwife to the poor. So imagine her surprise when she gets called to the home of the Linton's in the affluent section of Lenox Hill. She can't image what it is they want to see her for. Soon enough she finds out that their impaired daughter is pregnant - and they have no clue how it could happen. She is never out of their sight. With their permission, Sarah contacts Frank and together they try and find out how this young girl became in the family way. Little did they know the horrible truth they would come to find out about a beloved minister. What turns into a case of rape quickly becomes a quest to find a murderer. Once again the tension exists between Sarah & Frank. Frank's mother still can't stand Sarah. He also continues on in search of Sarah's husbands killer. Brian has entered a school for the deaf and is learning sign language. And Sarah has "adopted" Aggie from the mission as well as hired Maeve as her nanny. I love this series. I enjoy watching the characters grow as the story progresses and hope one day Sarah and Frank can find their way to one another :)

The Mercedes Coffin

The Mercedes Coffin: A Decker and Lazarus Book (Peter Decker & Rina Lazarus Novels) by Faye Kellerman ~~

Billionaire genius Genoa Greeves never got over the shocking death of her favorite teacher, Bennett "Dr. Ben" Alston Little, murdered execution-style and stuffed into the trunk of his Mercedes-Benz. No arrests were ever made, no killer charged for the brutal crime. Fifteen years later, the high-tech CEO reads about another execution-style murder; this time the victim is a Hollywood music producer named Primo Ekerling. There is no obvious connection, but the case is eerily similar to Little's and Genoa feels the time is right to close Dr. Ben's case once and for all—offering the L.A.P.D. a substantial financial "incentive" if justice is finally served for Little.
Lieutenant Peter Decker resents having to commit valuable manpower to a fifteen-year-old open case simply because a rich woman says "Jump!" Still, the recent murder of Primo Ekerling does bear a disturbing resemblance to Little's case, even though two thug suspects are currently behind bars for the Ekerling murder. Decker can't help but wonder about a connection. His first phone calls are to the two primary investigators in the Little case, retired detectives Calvin Vitton and Arnie Lamar. Lamar is cooperative, but Vitton is not only reluctant to talk, he winds up dead of a suspicious suicide twelve hours later. Plunging into this long-buried murder, Decker discovers that even though the two slayings are separated by a decade and a half, there is still plenty of greed, lust, and evil to connect the dots.
Decker's team of top investigators not only includes his favorite homicide detectives, Scott Oliver and Marge Dunn, but also his newly minted Hollywood detective daughter, Cindy Kutiel, whose help proves to be invaluable. His wife, Rina Lazarus, continues to be his backbone of support, offering a cool, rational outlook despite her growing concern for her husband's welfare and safety. Rina's worries and fears begin to build at a fevered pitch as past and present collide with a vengeance, catapulting an unsuspecting Peter Decker closer and closer to the edge of an infinite dark abyss.
A relentlessly gripping tale spun by a master, Faye Kellerman's The Mercedes Coffin races through a dangerous urban world of fleeting fame and false dreams, making heart-pumping hairpin turns at each step of a terrifying journey, where truth and justice are fine lines between life and death. (From Amazon)

Could there possibly be a connection between two murders 15 years apart? No one seems to think so until someone offers the LAPD a seven figure endowment if they are able to solve the 15 year old cold case. Even though Peter is a lieutenant, the chief assigns him to the case. Of course his top detectives Marge & Scott are there to help him. As well as his detective daughter Cindy. The going is tough at first, yet slowly but surely Peter and his team start connecting the dots and can't believe where it leads them. Has Peter pushed it to the limit one to many times??? I'm a huge fan of this series. I've read them all from book one. I love how the characters have grown along with each book - no soap opera rapid aging syndrome here. I can remember when Peter and Rina got married and had Hannah - and now she's got her license and has become her own person. The one thing I didn't like about this book was that Rina seems to have been turned into a boring cooking, cleaning and gardening housewife. She's not as active in this investigation as she usually is. Other than that - another great book by Ms. Kellerman.

Friday Fill Ins

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

2. If you're good at something, teach others.

3. Why can't I get one good night of sleep?

4. Something is out there, it's just beyond my grasp.

5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled You've Got To Be Kidding Me.

6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see the library.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to starting a new book & playing with my new phone, tomorrow my plans include getting my hair colored and Sunday, I want to read & relax !

Nominated ~ Not once - but TWICE!

Wow. I don't know what to say :) I've only been blogging for a short while, but everyone here in the book blogging community has made me feel so welcome. My friends always tell me what a great blog I have - but I never listen. I think when you're so close to something, you don't see it as others do. I do want to thank everyone that has supported and encouraged me - especially when I thought no one was reading this :)

What I think is great is how everyone supports each other. Whether it's a small post on someone's blog or posting about another great giveaway. We all come together as a group! And it's great to belong to such a wonderful circle of people. You're what keep me blogging ;)

Both Tracy at Book Room Reviews and Lallybroch at Shh I'm Reading nominated me for this awesome award. Lally is both a member of LT and PBS and always has great posts & links to other blogs with giveaways. I won a contest through the link she had on her blog. Tracy is just fantastic. She always has great indepth reviews on her site, links to giveaways and has become a blog friend ;) Thank you both for thinking of ME :)

Now here is what you all need to do ~~ Once an award is received, the rules are as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

Love To Read -- Melanie ROCKS. Not only is she a fellow PBSer, she's also a great friend. Not to long ago she was hesitant to reallly get blogging, and now look at her now!! We've shared so many good times and great books with each other!

Sexy Pineapple -- Tracey is my late night insomniac buddy. I can always count on her to be up in the middle of the night with me ready for some scrabble moves or just to chat. She's also a friend I met over at PBS. We love the same types of books - and she might just have been the one to give me my bookpimp title!

Rhonda's Corner Of The World -- Another PBS friend who has jumped into the world of blogging. Another fun filled book blogging site. Rhonda and I went through similar situations a few months back and it was great to be able to have someone there who knew what I was going through.

She Is Too Fond Of Books --Dawn does a fantastic job of reviewing her books. She gives the reader just enough info to grab them in without giving the book away. She's also great with keeping up to date on the latest contests and giveaways. I know I've gotten more sign ups for my contests through her posting about them on her blog. Thanks Dawn :)

No More Grumpy Bookseller -- I met Becky through Shelfari. She is great. We've got similar reading styles and have even traded some books. I always make sure to check her blog to see what's out there I may be missing!

Devourer of books -- What an indepth book site. I love reading her blog and seeing what she's up to. I've discovered so many other great book blogging sites by just clicking through all the wonderful links she has here.

I know there are so many great blogs out there that I have listed. And to those that I visit regulary I apologize for not posting about it here. I'm afraid I'd just go on and on and would run out of room. Thank you all for teaching me about blogging, helping me grow and making my TBR get bigger by leaps and bounds!

Remain Silent

Remain Silent by Jamie Denton ~~

Arrested in L.A. and charged with the murder of her art restoration business partner, Jonathan Linton, Laurel Jennings fears that the evidence against her is strong enough for a conviction, especially with her fingerprints found on the murder weapon. After an anonymous tip, her ex-lover, former Los Angeles DA Damon Metcalf, returns to L.A. to represent her at her bail hearing. The Linton family's connections reach far and wide, and Damon stays on as Laurel's lawyer when no reputable L.A. criminal defense attorney will take on her case. A break-in at Laurel's business, a suspicious theft and a lucrative but sketchy restoration project deepen the mystery surrounding the death; soon there are more murders, and Laurel herself is in danger. Laurel and Damon can't keep it just collegial for very long. As the novel races toward its explosive conclusion, creative plotting insures that they have to stay together, right where romantic suspense fans will want them. (From Amazon)

*~*~* Calling All Book Bloggers *~*~*

Author Joy Nash is kind enough to offer 50 copies of her October release, Immortals: The Crossing. These are advance copies because she'd like you to give them away during the 50 days preceding her release date.

This means, she's looking for 50 book bloggers or websites who'd like to participate in the 50 Days 50 Books Giveaway. All you'll have to do is feature The Crossing on your site for an online giveaway between August 12 and September 30. Participating sites will be advertised on the publisher's website and on Ms. Nash's own homepage.

If you’d like to participate, please email joy @ joynash.com with your website/blog name, and the date you’d like to give away a copy of Immortals: The Crossing on your site. Giveaway runs from Aug 12 to Sept 30, 2008.

Keep an eye out for my giveaway of this book. I'll be giving it away on August 25th. The info/sign ups will be posted the week before.

Leave a comment here if you're going to participate and I'll add you to my the list of blog contests.

The Brush-Off

The Brush-Off (Reyn Marten Sawyer Series) by Laura Bradley

Make an appointment for intrigue at Reyn Marten Sawyer's hair salon! Outrageous, flirtatious, and as colorful as a magenta mohawk, Reyn tracks twisted crimes, untangles tight knots,
and never, ever leaves loose ends.
Someone clearly meant business when they targeted San Antonio's hair salon king, Ricardo, who was fatally stabbed with a one-of-a-kind weapon: a sharp plastic hair pick. Reyn had loaned Ricardo the tool -- and now she's not only mourning her friend and mentor's murder: she's also a suspect. And in the eyes of sexy detective Jackson Scythe, she's one alluring stylist who should drop her insistent sleuthing like a hot roller. But Reyn's wound a little too tight to stay out of the thick of things, including teasing and taming the stubbornly single Scythe while taking short cuts to catch a killer -- and uncovering the past of a dead man, whose secrets will make Reyn's hair curl....(from B&N)

Death for Dessert

Death for Dessert by T. Dawn Richard ~~





Here's a wry, witty, cozy mystery in the tradition of Carolyn Hart's "Henrie O." mysteries, featuring a feisty senior sleuth who finds blackmail and a mysterious death at the senior-citizen complex she just moved into. In an effort to clear her name, May teams up with a goup of flimflammed, wildly wicked seniors to solve the murder and recover their dignity and their money. Death for Dessert will have cozy readers cheering for this new mystery heroine and riveted to the very last page.

What would possess May List, a woman who has left her husban of 35 years, to not report the murder of her neighbor for 3 days??? After living the good life with her surgeon husband, May finds herself living in a senior's development. Each of her neighbors is just wacky enough for May to ask herself what she's doing there and has her trying to figure out how soon she can leave. Her next door neighbor is a bit of a recluse whom everyone is afraid of, yet know one will say way. But, May is determined to find out what the "deal" is. One day May stumbles across the body of her dead neighbor. What does she do? Tell the police?? Heck no - she and the friends she has made hide the body for 3 days while they try to solve the murder themselves!! A quirky book of murder, mayhem and blackmail. I'll definitely be checking in to see what else May and her new friends get in to!

Muttering About

I say ... and you think ... ?

Flicker :: Sparkle
Styling :: Gel
Episode :: Event
Sexier :: Hotter
Studious :: Nerdy
Mushroom :: High
8 minutes :: Dates
Bald :: Sexy
Immunity :: Safe
Sectioned :: Halved

Book Giveaway - THE HOST

It's time for a new giveaway :) This time I'm giving away a copy of The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer. This is a brand new copy I picked up just to give away here!!

Now to get down to the business of THE RULES

1. Open to residents of the US only.
2. Leave a comment here - could it be any easier????
3. You MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR ACTIVE BLOG ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT. Any comment that DOES NOT INCLUDE this information WILL BE DELETED. I have to have a way to contact you if you win!!!!
4. If you blog this contest and leave a link in your comment so I can check it out, you will receive an extra entry to the contest.
   

Contest ends at midnight on July 31st. I will pick the winner on Friday, August 1st. Good luck!

Crime Seen

Crime Seen (Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 5) by Victoria Laurie ~~




Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye, is having a hard time getting over a gunshot wound from her last case-especially because she didn't see the shots coming. Out of work and second-guessing her abilities, she tries to get back in the saddle by helping her boyfriend Dutch with some of his FBI cases. And soon enough, her intuition returns-with a vengeance.

Abby is living with Dutch while recovering from the gunshot wound she received at the end of the last book. She hasn't been back to work yet as she's afraid her "guides" had let her down by not forewarning her about being shot. But she starts to have faith in her "friends" as she helps Dutch with several of his FBI cold cases. Not only is she helping Dutch with his cases, but she has formed a partnership with her PI friend Candace - which of course lands her smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation. Will her guides let her down again or is Abby back to her old self? I loved this book. It's one my favorite cozy series. And based on the ending, it's going to be hard to wait until September 2nd when Death Perception comes out.

Book Giveaway -- WINNER!

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Melanie of Melsy's Place

My friendly Randomizer picked Ms. Melanie (Research Randomizer Results ~ Set #1: 8 ) as the lucky winner of the autographed copy of The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Clayton! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Send me an email with your address and I'll get the book out to you a.s.a.p. (If I don't hear from Melanie by Tuesday I will pick another winner.) Thank you to everyone who signed up.

Keep your eye out for another contest starting later today as well as more contests with more autographed books in the coming weeks!!

Cooking Up Murder

Cooking Up Murder by Miranda Bliss ~

Annie and Eve are life-long best friends who have absolutely nothing in common-except a lack of skill in the kitchen. So when they sign up for a cooking class at the local gourmet shop, they figure the only things at risk are a few innocent fruits and vegetables. But on the first night, Annie and Eve see their fellow student Beyla arguing with a man-a man who later turns up dead in the parking lot. Now the friends feel bound to uncover whatever secrets she's hiding, before someone else's goose-perhaps one of their own-gets cooked (From Amazon)

A really cute cozy read and good start to a new series. Best friends, yet complet opposites, Annie & Eve take a cooking class to help Annie get over her recent divorce. Which is a great idea since neither one can cook! What they didn't expect was to get involved in a murder investigation the very first night of the class. While Annie continues to struggle to get her recipes right she wonders if the instructor is having the same feelings she's starting to have for him. In the meantime, Annie and Eve become more interested in what happened to the dead guy and decide to figure out what happened to them on their own. They will soon find out that everything isn't necessary what it seems! My one small problem was that Annie went from a quiet litte thing to Ms Aggressive practically over night. A quick and easy read with enough curve balls thrown at you to keep you guessing until the end.

Getting Old is Criminal

Getting Old is Criminal (Gladdy Gold Mysteries) by Rita Lakin ~~

Gladdy Gold had reached a golden moment. There she was, soaking in a hot tub with a man she adored, far from Fort Lauderdale and her nosy neighbors…until an urgent message sent her running home. Now her exotic vacation is a memory, Gladdy’s would-be beau, Jack, is furious, and not only are the girls of the Gladdy Gold Detective Agency all alive and well—they’re onto a hot new murder case.Is a retirement-home Romeo to blame for the mysterious deaths in Florida’s most luxurious communities? Gladdy and her curious kibitzers will have to go undercover to find out—covering themselves with as many fancy-schmancy airs as possible. But with Gladdy’s drama queen sister Evvie playing the role of a Palm Beach flirt, their fun and games turn deadly. For by the time the girls ID their perp, Evvie is in the arms of a killer—and loving it.…

Gladdy and her friends are back - hot on the trail of another killer. While trying to share a romantic rendezous with her boyfriend Jack, Gladdy is called home, thinking one of her friends is seriously ill. Only to find them all alive and well and stuck in the middle of another murder case. Jack is not happy with Gladdy's decision to choose her friends over him and decides they need a break. Gladdy and Evvie go under cover at a retirement home to smoke out the killer - only to find Evvie falling in love with him. I love this series. The characters are hysterical and remind me SO much of the time I spend in south Florida with my grandparents. All the alta kockers hanging out by the pool kibbitzing to their hearts content. I can picture it all so vividly in my head it's like I'm right there with them :) This is probably my favorite so far :)

The Ghost & Mrs. McClure

The Ghost and Mrs. McClure (Prime Crime Mysteries) by Alice Kimberly ~~

Penelope Thornton-McClure manages a Rhode Island bookshop rumored to be haunted. When a bestselling author drops dead signing books, the first clue of foul play comes from the store's full-time ghost-a PI murdered on the very spot more than fifty years ago. Is he a figment of Pen's overactive imagination? Or is the likable, fedora-wearing specter the only hope Pen has to solve the crime?

After her husband dies Penelope (Pen to her friends) and her son move to a small down in Rhode Island to help her Aunt Sadie save her book store. Pen has lots of big ideas for the store, including expanding and adding author signings. When one of the most famous authors around decides to kick off his book tour at Buy The Book, Pen and her aunt couldn't be happier. Until the author dies write in the middle of the signing. All of a sudden, Pen starts hearing a voice - the voice of a PI who died 50 years ago in the exact same spot. Pen believes she's going crazy, but quickly comes to believe that the ghost is real. With the help of Jack (the ghost) and several of her friends in the area, Pen is able to help solve the murder of the author. I am a huge fan of the Cleo Coyle coffeehouse series, so I couldn't wait to get started on this one. While it was pretty easy to figure out the culprit early on, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing how it all played out - devouring the book in one sitting. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series - and to see what just "happens" with Pen and Jack.

Death in the Cards

Death in the Cards: A Stain-busting Mystery (Toadfern Mysteries) by Sharon Short

Paradise, Ohio, laundromat owner Josie Toadfern is content with her life. She loves owning her own business (especially because she learns everyone in town's dirty little secrets from their dirty little clothes); she has plenty of friends, she has a beloved cousin she dotes on; and her blossoming romance with a professor named Owen Logan is about to hit full bloom. She's even earning some extra money by renting out the second apartment over her laundromat to a nice young couple who own a New Age bookshop and Tarot Card reading room in town.
But when a psychic who is in town for the upcoming Paradise Psychic Fair stops Josie on the street and warns her of impending danger and sorrow in the small town, Josie worries she may just be right. For Josie's nice young boarders and their New Age friends who are attending the Psychic Fair have the more conservative Paradisites pitted against them, and an economic downturn has hit local businesses. But when Josie and Owen stumble upon a body one dark night, it seems that matters are much more grave than anyone expected. And what's worse, another gruesome murder may be in the cards... (from B&N)

Muttering About

I say ... and you think ... ?

Intimidated :: Bullied
Brush :: Comb
Masquerade :: Ball
Procedure :: Operation
Tattoos :: Ink
Square :: Nerd
Tuck :: Nip
Boyfriend :: No thanks
Badass:: Tough guy
Thousand :: Pieces

Death of a Cozy Writer

Death of a Cozy Writer: A St. Just Mystery by G.M. Malliet ~~

From deep in the heart of his eighteenth century English manor, millionaire Sir Adrian Beauclerk-Fisk writes mystery novels and torments his four spoiled children with threats of disinheritance. Tiring of this device, the portly patriarch decides to weave a malicious twist into his well-worn plot. Gathering them all together for a family dinner, he announces his latest blow — a secret elopement with the beautiful Violet... who was once suspected of murdering her husband.Within hours, eldest son and appointed heir Ruthven is found cleaved to death by a medieval mace. Since Ruthven is generally hated, no one seems too surprised or upset — least of all his cold-blooded wife Lillian. When Detective Chief Inspector St. Just is brought in to investigate, he meets with a deadly calm that goes beyond the usual English reserve. And soon Sir Adrian himself is found slumped over his writing desk — an ornate knife thrust into his heart. Trapped amid leering gargoyles and concrete walls, every member of the family is a likely suspect. Using a little Cornish brusqueness and brawn, can St. Just find the killer before the next-in-line to the family fortune ends up dead? (From B&N)

Friday Fill Ins

1. Oh, I can't wait until I have my cousin do my built in bookshelves tonight.

2. Water is the first thing I see when I open my refrigerator.

3. I never leave home without a book.

4. If I were a condiment, I would be relish because I take pleasure in doing things for my friends & family.

5. Selfishness & riding in a convertible w/ the top down and the windows up! are really high up on my list of pet peeves.

6. The last thing I thought of before I went to bed was will I sleep tonight?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to my new bookshelves, tomorrow my plans include dog sitting for my parents and organizing my books and Sunday, I want to read and sleep!

Book Giveaways I've Found - Updated 7/31

Literary Feline Musings of a Bookish Kitty is hosting one of those huge Hachette book giveaways in honor of her 2 year blogging anniversary. Complete details can be found here. Enter by Aug. 2

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Robert at Fantasy Book Critic is holding an AMAZING give away. Win a complete set of Stephanie Meyers Twilight Saga INCLUDING Breaking Dawn. Give away ends August 2nd

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Brian Kavanagh is giving away an AUTOGRAPHED copy of his book The Embroidered Corpse. Click here and sign his guest book to enter the contest by Aug 1st.

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The Koolaid Mom is having an awesome give away of a $20 GC to Borders............holy GC Batman!! Stop by her blog for complete details!!! Comment on her post and see the other ways to get yourself more entries!!! Contest ends on July 31st

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Teresa at Shelf Love is hosting a "What Should I Read Next?" giveaway. Complete details can be found here. Post a comment by July 31st.

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Author J.B. Stanley hosts a monthly giveaway on her site. Details can be found here.

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Over at Cozychicks.com they also hold a monthly swap. Authors include Michele Scott, Maggie Sefton and Heather Webber & J.B. Stanley to name a few :) Details can be found here.

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Bookshipper is hosting a fantastic give away on her blog. Along with Hatchett Books she's giving away 14 books!!!! Click here to enter. Contest ends July 31st.

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Amberkatze is giving away an ARC of The Accidental Demon Slayer. Click here to enter.

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A copy of Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner is being giving away by Bookroomreviews. Click here to enter.

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Kathleen at Kathleen's Books Reviews is hosting a giveaway of Surviving Ben's Suicide: A Woman's Journey of Self-Discovery by C. Comfort Shields. Complete details can be found here

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Traci at Traci's Book Bag is giving away a copy of First Daughter by Eric Van Lustbader. Click here to enter.

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Melanie at Love to Read is giving away an ARC of Tarnished Beauty: A Novel by Cecilia Samartin. Must be a US resident and have an active blog or leave a valid email address to enter. Contest ends on Aug. 11th

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J. Kaye's Book Blog and leave a comment to enter to win a copy of Promise of the Wolves: A Novel (The Wolf Chronicles) by Dorothy Hearst. Contest ends on Aug 2nd

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Check out Patricia's Vampire Notes for your chance to win Small Favor (The Dresden Files, Book 10) by Jim Butcher. Patricia will be giving away a book a month - so make sure to check back often!!! Simply subscribe to her email list to enter!

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Jen at Jen's Book Thoughts is hosting a multi book giveaway. Books included are Book 1 ~ Sorrow's Anthem and Book 2 ~ Envy The Night. Both by Michael Koryta. Book 3 ~ Judgment Calls; Book 4 ~ Missing Justice and Book 5 ~ Close Case. All 3 books authored by Alafair Burke. And finally Book 6 ~ Beautiful Lies and Book 7 ~ Sliver of Truth. Both by Lisa Unger. Check here for details. Deadline for entries is Aug 4th

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Karen at Planet Books is hosting a giveaway of an autographed copy of Keeping The House by Ellen Baker. Check here for details. Enter by Aug 1st

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Jocelynn at Bookfinds is hosting a giveaway of Sisters of Misery by Megan Kelley Hall. Check here for details. Enter by Aug 8th

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The Koolaid Mom is hosting a giveaway of Mishka: An Adoption Tale by Adrienne Ehlert Bashista. Check here for details by Aug 9th for a chance to win.

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Bloggin' 'bout Books is hosting a giveaway of Immortal by Traci L. Slatton. Check here for details. Enter by Aug 9th by leaving a post on her blog :)

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Katrina at Stone Soup is hosting a giveaway of a book she's mentioned on her blog. Found out how to enter by clicking here. Enter by noon on Aug 3rd

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Kathleen at Kathleen's Book Reviews is hosting a giveaway of an autographed copy of The Questory of Root Karbunkulus: Item One: Miist by Kamilla Reid. Check here for details about this book and other goodies she's including. Enter by Aug 15th

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Lisa at Books on the brain is hosting a giveaway of Safety of Secrets by Delaune Michel. Check here by Aug 8th

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Shana at Literarily is hosting her first giveaway. Come check it out! She's giving away an ARC of Beat The Reaper by Josh Bazell. Check here for details. Enter by Aug 1st.

Wednesday Weirdness

Five things you always have in your refrigerator:

1.) Water

2.) Cranberry Juice

3.) Friday's Spinach Dip

4.) Fruit

5.) Bagels

Five actresses/actors that you think are over-rated:

1.) Drew Barrymore

2.) Lindsay Lohan

3.) Tom Cruise

4.) George Clooney

5.) Demi Moore

Five things around the house that you hate doing:

1.) Laundry

2.) Toilets

3.) Shower

4.) Mop the floors

5.) Dust

Five of your favorite movies:

1.) Silence of the Lambs

2.) Rent

3.) Dirty Dancing

4.) Sixteen Candles

Five businesses/stores (IE Circuit City, Kohls, Hollister, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, etc) you would love to win a $2,000 gift card to:

1.) Louise Vuitton

2.) Prada

3.) Best Buy

4.) Steve Madden

5.) Channel Make up.

Night Kills

Night Kills by John Lutz (ARC)





On The Trail Of A Bloody Killer.





Frank Quinn is sure he is hunting for a madman: someone who is shooting young women in the heart, defiling their bodies, leaving only the torsos to be found. Quinn, a former NYPD detective, is called into the case by an ambitious chief of police and mobilizes his team of brilliant law-enforcement misfits. But in the concrete canyons of New York, this shocking serial murder case is turning into something very different.





A Cop And A Victim Fight Back...





Jill Clark came to the city with too many hopes and too little cash. Now a seemingly deranged woman is telling her an extraordinary story. New to an exclusive dating service, Jill is warned that other women have died on their dates-and that she could be next. Struggling against a death trap closing in around her, Jill has a powerful ally in Frank Quinn. But no one knows the true motives behind a rampage of cold-blooded murder-or how much more terrifying this is going to get. (from B&N)

Retired detective Frank Quinn and his team are called back to the NYPD as special consultants in the Torso Murders (the second book featuring these characters). A series of sick murders that end up with only the torso's of the victims being found. Not only are they mutilated, but they are also defiled. Without being able to identify the victims, it's nearly impossible for them to find a connection between the victims - until the next potential victim is approached by the only person to have escaped with her life. And in turns contacts Quinn and his team in an effort to save her own life. An extremely clever reasoning behind the murders helps the reader turn each page faster just to find out what will happen next. A chilling, thrilling story that will make you think twice about signing up for online dating services. A+

BUY A FRIEND A BOOK WINNER!!!

She is Too Fond of Books

I haven't heard from Peg, so I've chosen a new winner! She Is Too Fond of Books will be receiving a copy of The Host. I've posted on her blog and an email has been sent notifying her of her win.

Thanks everyone for playing. It was fun. Check back in few months for the next BAFAB contest.

Muttering About

I say...... you think

Notificaiton :: announcement
Cheat :: test
Top Ten:: best seller list
Draft :: beer
Unbelievable :: you're kidding
Cheap :: skate
Spontaneous :: combustion
Harass :: annoy
Lipstick :: maybelline
Transpire :: happen

A Vintage Murder

A Vintage Murder: A Wine Lover's Mystery (Wine Lover's Mysteries) by Michele Scott ~~





Nikki and her boss-turned-boyfriend came to Australia to visit the Hahndorf Winery, but it seems they’ve also walked onto a movie set. And when lead actress Lucy Swanson is found dead in her trailer, bitten by a poisonous snake, Nikki must comb the vineyards of the valley to catch a killer with a venomous streak—before she’s struck herself. (From Amazon)

I've always been a huge fan of this series, and this book certainly does not disappoint! Nikki has finally chosen her man - and she heads off to Australia for a business meeting with Derek. While there, she once again finds herself involved in a murder investigation, even though Derek begs her not to. Nikki also gets to showcase her acting talents yet again - something she thought she gave up for good when she went to work with Derek. And what could possibly bring Simon to Australia? Will her nosiness and quest to find out who the murder is put and end tothe romance before it begins? I love the change of scenery in this book and the new cast of characters we meet. Nikkie has moxie and determination - which helps to make this one of my favorite series!

Weekly Geek #10 ~ Magazines

This week’s Weekly Geeks theme is to talk about the magazines we read. In order to get you started, I prepared a little magazines meme, but feel free to take it further if you want. I also think it’d be great if you displayed images of the covers of your favorite magazines.

For each magazine you want to talk about, here are a few questions. Answer as many or as few as you want.

1. Name of magazine. People
2. Do you subscribe or just buy it now and then? Subscribe

3. What’s your favorite regular feature in the magazine? The book reviews

4. What do you think your interest in this magazine says about you? That I like reading about current stories, but like the "fun" aspect of them.

5. How long have you been reading this magazine? For as long as I can remember

6. Is there any unique or quirky aspect to the magazine that keeps you reading? Nope, I just love the magazine!

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1. Name of magazine. Bookmarks

2. Do you subscribe or just buy it now and then? Subscribe

3. What’s your favorite regular feature in the magazine? I love the whole magazine.
4. What do you think your interest in this magazine says about you? That I'm love reading about books :)

5. How long have you been reading this magazine? About 2 years now.

6. Is there any unique or quirky aspect to the magazine that keeps you reading? The whole magzine is fantastic.

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1. Name of magazine. Mystery Scene

2. Do you subscribe or just buy it now and then? Subscribe
3. What’s your favorite regular feature in the magazine? Lists of upcoming books.
4. What do you think your interest in this magazine says about you? That I love mystery/thriller type books.

5. How long have you been reading this magazine? About 8 months

6. Is there any unique or quirky aspect to the magazine that keeps you reading? Nope, just a great magazine.

Don't Ever Tell

Don't Ever Tell by Brandon Massey ~~





DARK SECRETS.
With a new identity, a new city to live in, and a wonderful new husband, Rachel Moore believes she's finally free of the demons in her past. But nothing could be farther from the truth. For the deadly secrets she thought were long-buried are now on the brink of being exposed.
HAVE A WAY.
Someone has a vendetta against Rachel. Someone whom she betrayed a long time ago.
Someone who is determined to make her pay-no matter the cost.
OF COMING BACK WITH A VENGEANCE.
Now Rachel knows it's just a matter of time before her dangerous past meets up with her present-and destroys everything she's worked so hard for. Because if there's one thing that can be counted on-her enemy never forgets or forgives and will do whatever it takes to see Rachel suffer... (from B&N)

What a thrilling story! Rachel and her new husband have been married just six months when she starts acting "weird". Josh has no clue what is going on and it makes him think Rachel is hiding secrets from him. Meanwhile Dexter Bates, a former cop, is now out of prison for attempting to kill Rachel - but at the time she wasn't Rachel, she was his wife Joy. And this is the secret Rachel is hiding from Josh - she has completely changed her identity and appearance to hide from Dexter. But can she escape this psycho ex cop gone bad? She takes off for parts unknown, leaving Josh to figure out on his own just what is going on. As Dexter does what he can to anyone who may have possible info as to where Rachel might be she continues to hide and wonders if she can get away alive for a second time. I devoured this book in one sitting. A thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

A Little Less Talk & A Lot More Action

A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action (Signet Eclipse) by LuAnn McLane ~~





Macy’s chance for love is slipping from her fingers. College football coach Luke Carter has a penchant for hot-bodied babes, not curvy hairdressers like Macy. And some big-time schools may be luring him away. Then a country singing star’s hair emergency turns into a big break for Macy.Making it in Nashville boosts Macy’s confidence, but when Luke interviews for a job at a local university, she’ll have to put up or shut up—or lose him forever… (from Amazon)

OMG....I just loved this book. Macy's love for Luke hasn't dimmed - it's only grown stronger. Especially since they are thrown together so much planning Jamie's wedding. Little does Macy know that Luke feels the exact same way for her as she does for him. Unfortunately each one is afraid to make the first move. When life changing opportunities fall into each of their laps they realize now may not be the right time for them. This book was a hoot! Plenty of laugh out loud moments with a great bunch of characters.

The Piano Man

The Piano Man (Mira Hardbacks) by Marcia Preston ~~

Three years after the car accident that killed her 17-year-old son, Nathan, Claire O'Neal clings to grief, her life empty but for imagined conversations with the boy she raised on her own and her hectic job as a San Antonio, Tex., real estate agent. Preston (Butterfly House) strikes an uneven tone in this sentimental novel about loss and letting go. When therapy doesn't help, Claire decides to chase after Nathan's heart, which was transplanted to Mason McKinnon, a concert violinist with heart disease. She tracks Mason down to Sante Fe, New Mexico, where she finds him working as a piano player in a seedy bar, "wasting his health and a providential talent." She schemes her way into Mason's life and strives to preserve her son's gift by preparing healthful meals for Mason and hiding his cigarettes. Their friendship survives the revelation of her identity as the mother of his organ donor, and evolves into a strange romance. Awkwardly woven in with this story are peeks at other characters significantly affected by Nathan's death: his high school girlfriend Lindsey and the trucker who's wracked with guilt for his role in Nathan's accident. Preston's well-intentioned novel ultimately offers redemption and healing for its tragedy-stricken characters. (from Amazon)

Three years earlier Claire loses her son in a freak accident. In the wake of her grief she donates her sons heart to someone who is in dire need of it. While trying to get on with her life, Claire has visions of her son and is able to speak with him. He tells her that she needs to move on with her life. And in order for her to do that she seeks out the man who has received her sons heart. Mason is wasting his life away playing piano in a bar instead of the Symphony like he used to. At this point he doesn't care if he lives or dies. Until Claire comes into his life. At first he doesn't know who she is, but when she reveals herself they begin to work together towards healing and moving forward. We also meet the man who caused the accident as well as Nathans best friend and girlfriend - all of which are trying to move on in their own ways. A heartwarming tale with no villians, just ordinary people with lessons to learn.

Don't Turn Around

Don't Turn Around by Hunter Morgan ~~

DON'T TRUST ANYONE.

Casey McDaniels knows the unbearable consequences of domestic violence-and the darkness that can swallow a life. An advocate for victim's rights, Casey is giving key testimony in the arraignment of the man who savagely murdered her best friend. But to her horror, he's set free.

DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN.

He's hiding in plain sight, following a plan that has worked before, performing each move with exact precision, waiting for the perfect moment to strike again-and this time, the victim will be Casey McDaniels.

AND WHATEVER YOU DO,
DON'T TURN AROUND.

At first, Casey suspects her friend's killer is following her. She's receiving threats over the phone and bizarre messages in the mail-strange, childlike drawings of human eyes. But then Casey starts to have doubts. Could someone else be stalking her? As Casey enters a deadly cat-and-mouse game, she soon comes face-to-face with her stalker-and her worst nightmare. (from B&N)

Casey is a former victim and now a victim's advocate. When a woman comes into her hospital beaten up by her boyfriend, Casey does all she can to get the woman to report him to the police - but she won't. Instead she gets a phone call from the woman in the middle of the night saying he's at her home and trying to break in. By the time Casey gets there, her friend is dead. Now Casey has the feeling she's being stalked. Is it Charlie, the man who beat her friend to death? Is it someone else much closer to her? Several men are interested in dating Casey and the author does a great job of dropping just enough clues to make you think each of them could be the one. A fast past tale of stalking and murder and in the end - true love.

Friday Fill Ins

1. Holidays in the summer are over to quickly

2. Steak tips are my favorite things to grill.

3. My thoughts are I'm too tired for thoughts.

4. Relaxing and reading is what I'm most looking forward to this weekend!

5. My favorite book so far this summer is Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain.

6. Waking up is the best way to begin a day.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to reading, tomorrow my plans include more reading and hopefully having my bookshelves installed and Sunday, I want to read some more and maybe go to my brothers for a BBQ!

Wednesday Weirdness

1. Do you ever do your own fireworks show in celebration of the 4th of July? Do you go watch a display somewhere else? How do you celebrate? This year I should be able to see them from my kitchen window.

2. Do you ever buy extra fireworks while you can to stockpile and have extras packed away for whenever you feel like using them? They're illegal in MA.

3. Would you ever get anything below the waist pierced? Never!

4. Would you ever join the military? I would be able to if I wanted to.

5. What is your favorite kind of cheese? Plain ole American cheese

6. What are three things are you terrible at? Returning phone calls, politics, cooking dinner even though I love to cook!

7. Do you always wash your hands after you use the restroom? Who doesn't????

Book Giveaway

It's time for a new book giveaway. This time I'll be giving away an autographed copy of a fantastic book ~~

The Wednesday Sisters: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton

In her light second novel, Clayton chronicles a group of mothers who convene in a Palo Alto park and share their changing lives as the late 1960s counterculture blossoms around them. Linda is a runner who tracks women's progress at the Olympics. Brett has one eye on the moon, where men are living out her astronaut dreams. Southern belle Kath isn't convinced she has dreams outside the confines of her marriage (but she's open to persuasion), while quiet Ally only hopes for what the other women already have: a child. Frankie, a Chicago transplant who has followed her computer genius husband to a nascent Silicon Valley, is the story's narrator and the ladies' ringleader, inspiring them all to follow her dream of becoming a writer. They write in moments snatched from their household chores and share their stories in the park. Though the narration and story lines are so syrupy they verge on hokey, Clayton ably conjures the era's details and captures the women's changing roles in a world that expects little of them.

To enter, simply leave a comment below with your email addy and post about it on your blog.

The lucky winner will be drawn on July 17th. Good luck everyone.