Posts

Isabella Bride of Ohio: American Mail Order Bride by Debra Parmley

☆❥•*•🌹•*•❥☆ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ☆❥•*•🌹•*•❥☆
Isabella Bride of Ohio: American Mail Order Bride by Debra Parmley
Genre – Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Cop Romance
Page Count – 230
Cover Designer – Sheri L. McGathy

Becoming a mail-order bride can be a dangerous thing for a woman to do.

Isabella, newly arrived in America from Sweden, first loses her parents and then her job at the factory after it burns down. Nothing in America seems to last but she hopes her mail-order bride marriage to the wealthy Donald Jenks will.

Donald’s letters from Yellow Springs Ohio describe Isabella’s dream home, away from the city and he sounds as if he would be the perfect husband.

But as her grandmother always said, trouble comes in threes, and there is danger standing between her and her happy ever after.

Tom, a Pinkerton agent, who is on the case of disappearing women, is traveling on the same train as Isabella when she is selected by white slavers to be the next female victim to be abducted. Will he save her in time?

Will Isabella reach Ohio safely, marry Donald and have the happy ever after she has always dreamed of?

And is Donald the man Isabella is meant to marry? Why would such a handsome and successful businessman have to send away for a mail-order bride when he could have his pick of the young ladies near Yellow Springs?

~ AMAZON ~ AMAZON HARDCOVER ~ AMAZON PAPERBACK ~

 

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Isabella Bride for Ohio: American Mail Order Bride by Debra Parmley

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading for Isabella Bride of Ohio: American Mail Order Bride by Debra Parmley

Debra Parmley is an adventurous writer who lives in a motorhome full-time with her husband as they travel the U.S. She has written military romantic suspense, contemporary romance, 1920’s romance, fairytale romance, and gritty western historical romance.

Debra has sold travel, walked the plank of a pirate ship off the coast of Grand Cayman, swum with dolphins in Moorea, in French Polynesia, escorted a group through Scotland, and set foot in over 13 countries. Beautiful Day Traveler is her travel blog.  As Debra Bishop she writes fairy tales for all ages, fantasy, and children’s books.

“Every day we are alive is a beautiful day.” – Debra Parmley

For more about Debra please visit www.debraparmley.com

Author Interview with Debra Parmley

FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB ~ PINTEREST ~ GOODREADS YOUTUBE ~

 ~WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAMFACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

The North Wind Descends (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 4) by N.L. Holmes – Review by stephanie nicole

The North Wind Descends (The Lord Hani Mysteries #4)The North Wind Descends by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is book four in this series and having read the previous three I was anxiously awaiting this one to hit my kindle. Trust me I was not disappointed. While these can be read as stand alones, im not sure how any one could pick which one to read, since their all so great. Full of royal court politics, murder, and more i couldn’t put this one down. Once again Hani finds himself with a murderer to find, but can he find him before he gets away? You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out.

View all my reviews

Scepter of Flint (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 3) by N.L. Holmes – Review by stephanie nicole

Scepter of Flint (Lord Hani #3)Scepter of Flint by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third installment to the series, and trust me when I say that this one did not disappoint. Full of mystery, suspense, a tomb robbing and more this mystery will have you on the edge of your seat. While I have read the previous two, each one can be read as a standalone. However they are all so terrific that I personally recommend picking up the whole series. Hani and his supporting characters are perfect together and I can’t wait to see what they get into next.

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death Review by Carmen Radtke – Review by Deborah White

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Carmen Radtke that I have read, but it was so well written that it definitely won’t be my last read from her. She is a master with storytelling and weaved together a story full of mystery, love, angst, and grace. Alyssa Chalmers is a kind heroine who throughout the story charms readers with her elegance and wit. The story is set in 1862 and has all the allure of a historical setting, so much so that I dreamed I was living in the height of the 19th century.

The women of Australia who were bound for Canada have more than just men waiting for them. The story quickly takes off and shows how crafty and cunning people can be even in the past. To avoid giving away any spoilers I’ll just let you know that the mystery in this story is well worth the read and will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery Series Book #2) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Angela Hayes

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

The Prospect of Death is the second book in the Alyssa Chalmers Mysteries series by Carmen Radtke. The story is a well-woven historical cozy mystery, a bit of a ‘whodunit’ set in the 1862 gold rush in British Colombia. With plenty of danger, some crime & investigation, a smallpox epidemic, mail-order brides, secrets and – a devious and dangerous adversary to contend with.
Alyssa is part of the group of brides who arrive to the gold-mining town only to embroiled in a murder investigation. She teams up with some locals to try to uncover the murderer and get to the bottom of the mystery- but things may not be quite so simple.
Even though this is the second book in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone, without feeling like you are missing any details. In saying that, though, I will be hunting down the first book to explore before continuing this series.
A great little mystery.

Thank you, Carmen Radtke!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

View all my reviews

Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes

☥ ~ 🛕 ~ 👁 ~ ⚱ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ⚱ ~ 👁 ~ 🛕 ~ ☥
Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes
Page Count – 330
Cover Designer – Streetlight Graphics
Hani must secretly obtain a Hittite bridegroom for Queen Meryet-amen, but Ay and the faction behind Prince Tut-ankh-aten are opposed–to the point of violence. Does the death of an artisan have anything to do with Ay’s determination to see his grandson on the throne? Then, another death brings Egypt to the brink of war… Hani’s diplomatic skills will be pushed to the limit in this final book in The Lord Hani Mysteries.

~ AMAZON ~ BARNES & NOBLE ~ KOBO ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes

N.L. Holmes is the pen name of a professional archaeologist who received her doctorate from Bryn Mawr College. She has excavated in Greece and in Israel and taught ancient history and humanities at the university level for many years. She has always had a passion for books, and in childhood, she and her cousin (also a writer today) used to write stories for fun. She lives in northern France with her husband, two cats and two chickens. They have a grown son.

Author Interview with N.L. Holmes

FACEBOOK ~ WEBSITEINSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB ~ TWITTER ~ LINKEDIN ~ TUMBLR ~ GOODREADS

~ WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAMFACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

☥ ~ 🛕 ~ 👁 ~ ⚱ RELEASE BLITZ ⚱ ~ 👁 ~ 🛕 ~ ☥ Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes

☥ ~ 🛕 ~ 👁 ~ ⚱ RELEASE BLITZ ⚱ ~ 👁 ~ 🛕 ~ ☥
Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes
Page Count – 330
Cover Designer – Streetlight Graphics
Hani must secretly obtain a Hittite bridegroom for Queen Meryet-amen, but Ay and the faction behind Prince Tut-ankh-aten are opposed–to the point of violence. Does the death of an artisan have anything to do with Ay’s determination to see his grandson on the throne? Then, another death brings Egypt to the brink of war… Hani’s diplomatic skills will be pushed to the limit in this final book in The Lord Hani Mysteries.

~ AMAZON ~ BARNES & NOBLE ~ KOBO ~

N.L. Holmes is the pen name of a professional archaeologist who received her doctorate from Bryn Mawr College. She has excavated in Greece and in Israel and taught ancient history and humanities at the university level for many years. She has always had a passion for books, and in childhood, she and her cousin (also a writer today) used to write stories for fun. She lives in northern France with her husband, two cats and two chickens. They have a grown son.

Author Interview with N.L. Holmes

FACEBOOK ~ WEBSITEINSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB ~ TWITTER ~ LINKEDIN ~ TUMBLR ~ GOODREADS

~ WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAMFACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Susan Ratchford

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Vardoger Boy
The Forerunner series (Book 2)
By: Jay Veloso Batista
Review by: Susan Ratchford
4 stars

The Agneson clan faces more challenges than ever in Book 2 of The Forerunner series. A blood feud forces Gurid and her children from their house across the lands to a safe haven. Cub trains on the battlefield for the war against King Alfred’s men. On the high seas Thorfinn the Forerunner faces many creatures of the Nine realms, including the were-beast who’s plotting his revenge, and Karl suspects his nephew might be more than what he seems.
I am going to find the rest of the series ASAP! I absolutely loved this book and felt like I was living through it with them! I started with book 2 in this series and found it pretty easy to be caught up on the plot and the characters which I thoroughly appreciated. The immersive action and lifelike battle sequences had me gripping the book in suspense! I felt emotionally connected to even the most minor characters from the very first line due to Batista’s vivid portrayal of them. This series is the perfect blend of historical, fantasy, and a beautiful mythology that will keep you entangled in the story. I highly recommend The Forerunner Series!

View all my reviews

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Tausha Treadway

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista . This is not my typical genre but I loved this book. Its a Historical fantasy that once you start reading you won’t want to put it down! Its the story of Cub, Agne and their father as they go to war against Alfred the Great, his brother Fin sails off with his Uncle Karl. The rest of the family is left at home to fight with another clan that is out for blood. This is set during Viking times and the author’s writing is so good that I felt like I was really there. Its the typical war time story where you don’t know who to trust and who is really your friend. there are traumatic life changing events and seeing loved ones killed and betrayed. These children being sent off to war and being sent away to save their lives are children, young children. That’s the time they lived in. Such a good Fantasy book. I will be reading more of this author’s work

View all my reviews

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Tina Vega

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love a good fantasy story, and this is one of the best I’ve read. A different time, Vikings, and a compelling plot make this story original and exciting! The characters have depth, and the plot keeps you guessing. I loved how detailed scenes were as well as the historical significance. A great read you will not regret picking up!

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Trisha Cargile

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a sucker for mysteries, and heroines, and historical settings… luckily this novel has them all! The Prospect of Death brings to light an olden tradition of brides arriving in other countries to wed. The main character, Alyssa, is a brilliant woman who is unlike the other seeking a different country as she is not intending to be a bride. Alyssa definitely provides a sort of Sherlock Holmes sort of vibe while she’s figuring out clues and solving the mystery! From the setup, to the realization and personalization, and finally the ‘whodunit’ ending was a tremendous read and is highly recommended!

View all my reviews

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Kerry Baker

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a great follow up to the first one. It was so easy to get lost within this world again, and the characters involved. It took no effort at all to become invested in the main characters again, and really get behind everything he is doing.
The author has created another detailed and descriptive story that is easy to visualise. I could imagine being there with the characters, experiencing everything they do. The author has a unique writing style and it fits with this type of book. This is a great series so far and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes.

View all my reviews

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Jess Dimmock

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the first Forerunner Saga book, we met the Agneson clan. The story mostly followed the main family focusing mainly on Thorfinn the youngest son, and his uncle Karl. In this, Book 2 of the Forerunner Saga, the story switches amongst the family much more evenly as they have gone in several different directions.
Thorfinn has shipped out with his uncle Karl and is learning about the realm between realms from new sources on his adventures. Agne and Cub have joined the call to war from Guthrum and marched off with the clan’s warriors. Leaving Gurid, Yeru, Mae and the rest of the younger children. They are attacked by the surviving Magnussen’s and driven from the homestead.
There is a lot more adventure in this book, and our characters have grown. We see quite a bit more development of the story and characters and I look forward to the next book as this one ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger.

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Mary Noland

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great read! This novel has that touch of history that played with the notion of what could of happened in the New World for ladies brought over to be brides! This world the author created was enjoyable and exciting! With every turn of the page you could feel the main character Alyssa’s determination and curiosity, Hannah’s no nonsense but loyalty to her friends ,and the angst with the insecurity that Rosie brought to the group of girls on their journey to the wild frontier of Victorian Canada! Life will never be the same with these ladies as they traverse into Run’s End! There is a part that I struggled to see why it was necessary to add in the novel,but it didn’t subtract from the story at all. Either way, the movie just played in my head as I read this book and I would highly recommend you give this book your attention!

View all my reviews

Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse (The Forerunner Saga Book 1) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review By Megan Watson

Thorfinn and the Witch's Curse (The Forerunner Series #1)Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took me a while to get into this book and every percent was a struggle. This is NOT the book’s fault. I am a mood reader and this was not my mood. The beginning does start off a little foggy; and by foggy I mean that I really didn’t know what was going on. Once you get to Finn’s point of view it starts to pick up and things start to line up a little bit better. I don’t know much Norse mythology or history but the important parts were explained in a well enough way that I was able to keep up. And! Some of the locations from historical shows did ring a bell.This book has a LARGE character list and I had to take side notes to even begin to keep up.
Epic fantasy. Vikings. A beautiful wedding and a pretty epic battle. It starts off a little slow, but keep going and you’ll be swept up in story.

View all my reviews

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Megan Watson

Thorfinn and the Witch's Curse (The Forerunner Series #1)Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took me a while to get into this book and every percent was a struggle. This is NOT the book’s fault. I am a mood reader and this was not my mood. The beginning does start off a little foggy; and by foggy I mean that I really didn’t know what was going on. Once you get to Finn’s point of view it starts to pick up and things start to line up a little bit better. I don’t know much Norse mythology or history but the important parts were explained in a well enough way that I was able to keep up. And! Some of the locations from historical shows did ring a bell.This book has a LARGE character list and I had to take side notes to even begin to keep up.
Epic fantasy. Vikings. A beautiful wedding and a pretty epic battle. It starts off a little slow, but keep going and you’ll be swept up in story.

View all my reviews
Read more

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Jennifer Gordon

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was looking forward to reading this second book in the series, and I was not disappointed, as the epic adventures of the Agneson Clan continued. Set in Danelaw England, in 878, and the Vikings are at war with the last Saxon Kingdom, and as the Danish forces assemble for war on Wessex, the loyal Agneson Clan heeds the call to join the Great Viking Horde. This entertaining and enjoyable epic saga is a mix of historical fantasy and supernatural suspense, and it had me gripped from start to finish. Forerunner Thorfinn has his own adventures and dangers to overcome, as he learns that the Nine Realms are full of surprising hidden folk, and to earn his place aboard the Viking’s ship he must accept a mast troll’s quest. I was fully immersed in this story as the descriptive narrative along with the historical details really brings the setting and era vividly to life. This is a fast paced and exciting read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Kerry Carr

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an enjoyable ready. It is a historical cosy mystery. The author does an amazing job with the characters. I especially love the character of Alyssa. She is a very strong willed and determined character which ladies didn’t tend to be in that era.
Alyssa has joined some other girls on a boat to Canada. They are destined to become wives and are sailing towards that destiny. All of them that is except Alyssa. She has plans of her own which doesn’t include being someone’s wife.
She is planning on leaving on another ship to return home however her plans change when a murder takes place in the town of Runs End.
It is now a race against time to find the murderer who is becoming more and more desperate. Add to this an epidemic that hits the town which means no one can leave.
Will Alyssa find the killer and keep her new friends safe? Will she ever be able to complete her journey home? Or are the odds stacked so high against her that he plan is impossible
This story is full of twists and turns which will keep the reader guessing and gripped to the story

View all my reviews

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Vardoger Boy is the second book in The Forerunner Series. There’s a summary of the previous book at the start, but it is best enjoyed after reading Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse.

This is an exciting story with fantasy elements set in the UK during Viking times. Having lived near York/Jorvik, I enjoyed recognising familiar sites and landmarks! There’s plenty of historical detail and the author really brings the world to life with multisensory descriptions. It really captured my imagination!

I particularly liked the depictions of women. There are shieldmaidens, who are as at home on the battlefield as male warriors. But there are also women who prefer working with needles than swords who prove ready to fight when the need arises. Kara is a wonderful character, and it’s particularly interesting seeing her grow in understanding as she sees a new side of the women in her life.

I would recommend this series to readers who enjoy historical fantasy, especially those interested in Vikings and Norse mythology! It gets five stars from me, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Jennifer Gordon

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical cozy mystery, which had me hooked from page one. Set in 1862, our heroine, Alyssa Chalmers is one of a group of Victorian emigrants, who have arrived in British Columbia, having traveled by boat from Australia, to be brides. However, Alyssa is a very reluctant bride, but luckily she is a rather good intrepid sleuth, who all her friends turn to when there is a murder. The victim is the hotel owner in the prospectors’ town “Run’s End”, and along with the dead body, the gold which is stored there is also found to have something wrong with it. All the brides turn to Alyssa to find the murderer. However, the killer is both desperate and cunning and the epidemic outbreak complicates things further. The storyline had me gripped and the plot twists and turns kept me guessing until the last page. The characters are all wonderfully detailed, but Alyssa is particularly likeable and relatable and I was so engaged with her, that I felt I was solving the case alongside her. The descriptive narrative along with the added historical details bring both the setting and the era vividly to life. I could not put this book down, and I look forward to future books in this series, and I particularly look forward to meeting Alyssa Chalmers again!

View all my reviews

☥ ~ 🛕 ~ 👁 ~ ⚱ PREORDER ⚱ ~ 👁 ~ 🛕 ~ ☥ Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes

☥ ~ 🛕 ~ 👁 ~ ⚱ PREORDER ⚱ ~ 👁 ~ 🛕 ~ ☥
Pilot Who Knows the Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 6) by N.L. Holmes
Preorder Now – https://amzn.to/3NkEbqQ
Genre – Historical, Cozy Mystery
Page Count – 330
Cover Designer – Streetlight Graphics
Hani must secretly obtain a Hittite bridegroom for Queen Meryet-amen, but Ay and the faction behind Prince Tut-ankh-aten are opposed–to the point of violence. Does the death of an artisan have anything to do with Ay’s determination to see his grandson on the throne? Then, another death brings Egypt to the brink of war… Hani’s diplomatic skills will be pushed to the limit in this final book in The Lord Hani Mysteries.

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Angela Hayes

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

The Vardoger Boy is the second book in The Forerunner Series by Jay Veloso Batista. This epic fantasy picks up just after the end of book one and continues all the action and adventure we have come to expect from this dynamic author.
This saga is set in the middle ages, the year is 878, and Thorfinn, Karl, Cub and the rest of their clan are being tested, on many levels. With Vikings, danger, violence, battles, emotion, Norse mythology, curses, history, paranormal/supernatural elements, drama, challenges, mystery, and more…. all made for a very engrossing read.
Jay Veloso Batista has a gift for telling an epic tale and his attention to detail definitely helps to really immerse me in the story. He weaves quite a detailed and descriptive story with clever touches that pulled me into the adventure to experience everything right alongside the characters. I am fully invested in them and the outcome of their saga and thoroughly enjoying it all. This story wouldn’t be the same without these interesting characters, or the fantastic worldbuilding that Jay Veloso Batista has mastered so brilliantly. I am well and truly hooked now and can’t wait to see where we go from here.
Happy Reading!

Thank you, Jay Veloso Batista.
Reviewed by @angelahayes

View all my reviews

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Alison Risher

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As original and compelling as its predecessor, the second book in this series does not disappoint! Beginning with a simple recap, this would also be great as a stand-alone read. The protagonist goes from being feared to being accepted by some of his family members. Other characters learn to face their weaknesses, and reach deep inside themselves to overcome obstacles. Set against the rich historical backdrop of the ascension of Alfred the Great, the author continues to entertain and enlighten readers.

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Shelly Kittell

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has been an intriguing cozy mystery. Alyssa and the ladies she is traveling with have to a rural town in Canada to find a husband. Well, Alyssa is hoping to move on. The problem is…the hotel owner has been found murdered and Rosie, one of the ladies (troublemaker) is a prime suspect. Alyssa, the Matron, and a couple of the men from the trip are investigating who did it. What makes this book so fun and entertaining to read are the characters: Peg-Leg, the injured in an accident hunting gold and grumpy as heck; Fred, the local moonshiner drunk that runs the stables and has a big secret and a few others. It does seem that there are a few secrets hidden throughout town. They have nothing better to do. Alyssa and the ladies are the first ladies to be seen in the town since the town was set up. This is the time of the Gold Rush. Bert, the hotel owner, was killed over gold nuggets. The book is well-written. The characters each have their own quirks and well-developed personality. Watching the romance between Alyssa and the doctor develop was my favorite part just because it was so obvious yet so subtle. The humor, mystery, and suspense kept you from wanting to put the book down. You were pulled in from the beginning. An excellent book that I recommend to all historical cozy mystery lovers.

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Jenni Bishop

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Prospect of Death is an historical, cosy mystery set in 1862 Run’s End British Columbia. This is the time of the gold rush when one and all sought to find wealth through gold. I realised once finished that this is actually book 2 in the series but it can easily be read as a standalone. I will go back and read the first book though to get the whole picture.

The story is well written and the historical information was fascinating and well researched. The characters are well-developed and likeable. I was pleasantly surprised with the vividness the narrative invoked. It is an easy and enjoyable to read as we learn about the time and the new lives of these women who find themselves in a strange new world and full of hope and intrigue at meeting prospective husbands.

Alyssa has her own agenda but a brutal murder and a smallpox epidemic find her stuck in the small town with lots of potential suspects trying to find a killer. Carmen takes the reader through false trails and red herrings.

Reviewed by @jennadb

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Kerry Baker

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is brilliant book. It is a great example of a whodunit story and I was really pulled in to the journey of the characters. And what great characters they are. I loved the dynamic they all brought to the table. They were engaging and relatable.
This is an author that I have recently become more familiar with and I like her writing style. I enjoy her work immensely and this book shows why. A great story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Bobbi Wagner

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great mystery story which I enjoyed reading. This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites. This is a well written story that is full of suspense and just hard to put down. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story. They are strong, creative, supportive characters that brought the story to life for me. They have great growth which makes the story easy to read. I found this book to be fast paced and engaging. A story about finding a murderer in order to restore peace but the murderer is getting desprate. You don’t want to miss what happens next in this story. It is a great story that I highly recommend.

View all my reviews

Review by @bjwagner

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Lorrene Huisman

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a wonderful read from start to finish. I found the writing very charming and the story line heart warming and engaging at the same time. I love a good mystery, as I think a lot of us do, but this one really appealed to me as the characters really made the story!

For starters I loved Alyssa. She had the brain of someone not only intelligent, but someone who had her street smarts as well. The story takes off at a good pace, and I felt I was there in the time frame of the story solving the mystery that was at food. I really had a lot of fun reading this one! Loved it!

The story was a truly wonderful read, and I for sure will be reading more of Alyssa and her friends adventures. One was certainly not enough! Highly recommend this amazing author and this book!

View all my reviews

The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Carrie Reed

The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 stars!

I read this in one sitting, once I got started I couldn’t stop. Alyssa is awesome, she is caring, strong, independent, loyal and smart. All the girls under her look up to her and she is treated almost equal to Matron and the men of the town. When a death occurs and one of her girls, Rosie, gets accused, Alyssa will not stop trying to find out who the real killer is. At first I wasn’t a big fan of Rosie, when she first left I said good riddance, but she really just needs guidance, friends and love. Alyssa, seems to have two men vying for her attentions throughout the book, and honestly I would have been happy with her being with either one of them. As for the murderer, I did not see it coming. There were a couple of people I suspected but the one who is at fault, was very far down my list. I really enjoyed watching Alyssa, Mr. Kendrick, The doctor and all of the others uncovering clue after clue to find out who killed Bert Harper. I highly recommend this read!

View all my reviews

The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Bobbi Wagner

The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this fantasy adventure story. This is the second book in this series which is just as great as the first. This is a well written story about Thorfinn, his clan and the war battles that they seem to find themselves in. I really enjoy Thorfinn and what he brings to the story. He is my favorite of all the characters. A strong, engaging character that is supportive of others. I enjoyed being pulled into the story from the start. The author did a great job of details to make me feel as if I was right there with the characters. This is a fast paced, engaging story that has great growth and is hard to put down. You don’t want to miss what happens next to Thorfinn. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Review by @bjwagner