Louisiana Longshot by Jana Deleon

author Jana DeLeon
review from Kindle

Well, I'm almost sure Longshot refers to a weapon, when I first saw the title I thought it referred to a drink. Sure. But this book turned out to be so humorous I was completely taken in, especially since it combines two different military operations and a lot of secrets. What can you do when your best assassin ends up on a worldwide hit list? Naturally the first thing would be to make her disappear, at least for a certain length of time. Where better? The Louisiana bayou, perfect if you don't become the meal of an alligator!

Fortune is a personal assassin who has blown her cover. Her new identity "Sandy-Sue Morrow" is obviously about as opposite as possible to her own. When Fortune learns where she will be, how will she ever be able to play that one out? Initiative? Improvisation? She will be the doppleganger as Sandy-Sue, who is a librarian, knitter (well, that could come in handy), and former beauty queen who also happens to be the niece of Fortune's boss...what? This will not be a new appointment, this is strictly to have her off the grid until she is no longer in danger from the arms dealers' hit list. This book is full of quirky citizens and rules, the town is named Sinful, yet Sundays have their own quirky regulations for a surprising reason. The Sinful Ladies Society is comprised of Seniors; one might say they are still living in the '60s but some are very capable, surprisingly versatile, and definitely not your accustomed "little old ladies".

I loved this book, full of adventure, murder, mystery, and some very good friends, the essence of quirkiness, even elderly as they are. What a surprise to learn their history! This book is fun, different, and what's with the deputy who keeps popping up out of nowhere? With so much going on one might wonder how anything gets accomplished, and for that matter does anything get accomplished? This is a read that will take you on unusual adventures just by being there. I can hardly wait to read more by Jana Deleon.

Witches and Wine ( A Paranormal Cozy Mystery)(California Witching Book 1)

written by Samantha Silver with Megan Marple
reviewed from Kindle

 Every so often I like to read a cozy in between other perhaps not-so-cozy books. Let's face it, I'll read almost any genre but not quite all, I have my limits. I enjoy paranormal cozies and this one hit the spot.

What do you say when somebody tells you that you are a witch, yes that is the right word, our heroine is a witch and she will soon be making some sweeping changes in her life. For instance, she is currently working in a no-future job at a car lot, when a lovely woman, Barbara, a complete stranger to her tells her she is a witch. Surprised that she didn't know she was "different" we learn that she was in fact adopted...no witchy parents to help her understand odd things about herself. Already I'm enjoying this book. This girl's life is about to become bizarre. Taylor is happy to leave her job and is on her way with Barbara to Rosemary Creek to live and learn. How does she come to meet this lovely woman with so much confidence in Taylor that she even offers her to share her own daughter Karen's suite? Interesting story, an event that Barbara witnesses. Taylor has just saved someone's life but is not even aware of what she has done. There are a lot of interesting things that occur that Taylor is in control of...or almost in control. She is constantly shocked at what she herself is doing. There will be a lot of twists and turns as the two girls try to solve a mystery with witchcraft while Karen's mother is being held for the murder of her ex-husband. Will witchcraft and magic win out?

I enjoyed the humour of this story. I enjoyed the camaraderie between the two girls Karen and Taylor, and the secrets they each had. Oh, yes, Taylor most definitely is a witch. She wants to be a veterinarian. Since her "specialty" is healing, what could be better than to work with animal rescue?

Blue Water Hues: an Ashley Grant Mystery by Vicki Delany

written by Vicki Delany
A Rapid Reads Orca Book, advance reading copy (ARC) 

Well, this book certainly starts with an attention-getter! A very new, very high class inn is up in smoke. That got my attention. What is going on with this beautiful resort in such an amazing location? It's a good thing the newly located Canadian, Ashley Grant, is a paramedic and already on the job. Ashley has just moved from Toronto, Ontario to Victoria and Albert Islands in the Caribbean, what an adjustment! Fortunately the country is outfitted with a firefighter, an ambulance driver and a police office, in other words, your standard very small country or county town service people, because they are going to be utilizing all three in this book. In the meantime, though discovered to be arson, the fire was quickly contained, mostly smoke, and the resort is mostly open. Yet, why arson? What could be the reason, or the attempt in the first place. Is there yet more going on in this the story?

This is the second Ashley Grant Mystery, I'll sure try to read the first, I suspect it would be quite different. But back to the Caribbean and the fire, it doesn't take long for Ashley to be asking questions with a death from the fire and a puzzling second death that evening, which oddly appears related...or is it? Will there be more? Well, maybe a near-miss, possibly attempted murder.

I enjoy the interactions with the local people especially in small locations. Often there will be some opinionated, some caring, some murderous. It surprises me that Ashley has so many phobias yet goes to live where she will find herself trying to avoid them. Perhaps that is one of the reasons for her move, to get past her phobias. I enjoyed this book, so descriptive, making me long for a trip to the Caribbean.

The B-Team: The Case of the Angry First Wife

by Melodie Campbell
an Orca Rapid Reads

 Another fun "family" mystery by Melodie Campbell. Reading a book by Melodie is complete enjoyment. How she can stuff so much fun in a Rapid-Read book is amazing to me. A little different from her previous comic villains, but a part of the same family, that of Gina Gallo et al, the "vigilantes", namely Kitty, Ritz, Dino and Del are determined to do justice to the wronged, in this case return a stolen necklace to its rightful owner. Still something always seems to go awry and in this book the rightful owner is more likely the unrightful owner. The usual "family" business and connections, plus another entry to romance carries on with Del as does in the Gina Gallo books. I love these quick but very complete books by Melodie! Very entertaining. This review is based on an Advance Reading Copy (ARC).

Nobody's Child: The Georgia Davis PI Series #4

by Libby Fischer Hellman
reviewed from Kindle

 I've had the privilege of reading several of Libby Fischer Hellman's books over the past few years and I have never found one I didn't enjoy! Her main characters are amazing, well-fleshed out, and comfortable to know. One thing I found interesting was how her characters interacted between books at times, sort of like brief cameos. Through all the various genres she has written, this one really stands out, perhaps mainly for its tone and subject.

Well written as always, there are so many different lines we could follow and never get lost. Georgia is an unusual person for having been a cop previous to becoming a private investigator; she has a few personal traits that hold her back from fulfillment, particularly friendly communication, but within her work abilities she definitely has the spunk and invaluable investigating gene. The subjects covered are unfortunately very real and very difficult to deal with, trafficking possibly most common whether drugs, artifacts, babies, young women, body parts, etc. Yet this happens all too often in the world of today. Libby definitely knows how to get acknowledgement of crimes found in many large cities, even smaller towns. These things don't just happen, these crimes are worldwide and she handles the content with feeling. Cleaning up any of them will be a long hard road for all fields of crime busting and freedom seeking. Friendly helpful conversation between Ellie Forman and Georgia Davis here and there in this story-line is brilliant. These are two characters who have their own books by this author, it isn't usual that you will find them in the same book, but personally I thought it was genius.

The Edge of Over There by Shawn Smucker

This review is based on an Advance Reading Copy (ARC)
by Shawn Smucker

Book 2 of The Day the Angels Fell Book Series. 

I am very taken with this book, totally unexpected, vibrating with intensity, and a fascinating story. Even from the beginning you know this is going to be an interesting book. I get the feeling that had I read the previous book "The Day the Angels Fell," it would have amplified everything I read in this book. But perhaps this book was already amplified from the beginning. Not having read the previous book may not have clarified this one. All I know for sure is The Edge is what is important. I am in awe with what the author has portrayed with the characters and the landscape.

There is so much going on in this book. Family relations, heroic children, the ocean that takes you Over There, the Tree of Life, the realities and the possibilities. As mentioned, the book I am reviewing here is an Advance Reading Copy. I can't help but wonder at what may appear in the final version. I expect the characters will become full-grown, and many questions will be answered.

The Perfect Stranger - a Novel by Megan Miranda

 Author Megan Miranda
publisher Simon & Schuster Paperbacks

What is reality and how do you recognize it? Kept me reading into the night!
 Though I kind of got lost here and there in the book, sure enough the catch up would come along. I found the book interesting, with a lot of twists and turns and enough confusion to wonder, is she real or is she not? A unique take on composition considering the psychological aspects making it a puzzle to be solved for sure. I'm sorry I hadn't read Megan Miranda's "All the Missing Girls", a matter I'll remedy as soon as possible. Here I am not only going the wrong direction but reading the second book first! Regardless, the book took a hold on me and I found it fascinating and unexpected.

Bear Grylls: Ghost Flight

Bear Grylls
Reviewed from Kindle

Those of us born in the 1930s and through the 1940s know about WWII, and the Third Reich. Still there are so many secrets even now, into the new century. How much has been hidden from the world, how much has been hidden from the very Allies who fought for freedom and respite? What don't we know? What do we know about a Fourth Reich, or a Thousand Year Reich? Scary, isn't it? Did Adolph Hitler really survive? This book by Bear Grylls really grasps you and draws you in to "what if?" Though a book of fiction it contains a lot of fact. I was mesmerized by a number of methods of escape, the way these people bonded with occasional differences as we all have.

Will Jaeger in particular who has been beaten, imprisoned, and no doubt starved, also had his wife and son taken. Are they still alive? Just when almost the last vestiges of clarity and expectation of death, his confidant and best friend has come to rescue him. He is needed for a joint mission. The war is not over after all.

Once the story gets into planning the mission, the book gets even more interesting. This mixed group is going to be learning a lot in a short time. This book is very well written. It is exciting and terrifying at the same time. You will not be able to put it down. I look forward to reading the next book! Amazing story! Bear Grylls really knows how to grab an audience!