Review: To Keep A Secret by Brenda Chapman

This is another novel by Brenda Chapman about PI Anna Sweet.

Anna's partner, Jada Price is missing and it's up to her and the new hire at the company, Nick Roma to find her.  When Jada is found (hiding out with her teenage brother, Henry) Anna is in the middle of a new mystery, the murder of teenager Mandy Blair and a secret internet dating site.   Anna needs to work pretty quickly. Henry's life depends on it.

Once again Brenda Chapman does a great job of developing characters in a relatively short amount of time.  We revisit some repeat characters like Anna and her father and sister, Jimmy who was first Anna's fiance and ended up married to her sister, and get to learn more about Jada who Anna teamed up with at the end of "My Sister's Keeper"  and the mysterious newly hired Nick.

I was able to figure out one part of the story relatively early but then there was an unexpected twist that made everything more exciting.  Chapman has a style of writing that just kept me interested and wanting to read the story faster to find out what was going to happen.  Another really great, quick read, 2 big thumbs up!

Review: Snow Way Out by Christine Husom

I really like this new series by Christine Husom.  Her characters are very believable and it's easy to get wrapped up in this great story. I ended up reading it all within a day because I just didn't want to put it down!

Main character Cami Brooks returns home to take over her adoptive parent's snow globe shop. It's an easy decision for Cami to come home and help her parents with her mother going through chemotherapy sessions, and a scandal which she was involved in involving a Senator in Washington (never mind that she was falsely accused!) Her friend Pinky who runs the coffee shop adjoining her store decide to put on a snow globe making class. Drama follows Cami around because after the class was completed, there was a ruckus between some of the students and teacher (you'll have to read to find out!) After everyone leaves and Cami stays behind in the shop to get a bit of work finished up before leaving, she comes across a snow globe that she'd never seen before.  After locking up, she walks home in the park (alone... Cami what were you thinking?) and stumbles across a dead body. The scene was exactly the same as the one in the snow globe she'd found!

There are lots of great twists to the story line and the characters are very quirky and likable.  I have to admit I was able to figure out a few things early on, like all the whispering between Pinky, Erin and Mark.  I can't wait for the next installment of this series and wonder how long it will take before Clint and Cami end up together.  I think this series could go a long way, it's got great potential!

Author Giveaway! Ends 8/5/15 at Midnight!

Would you like a chance to win an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the first book in a brand new cozy mystery series? Author Kay Finch is generously giving one away! All you need to do is click on the picture below to be taken to Finch's Facebook page. Share the post on Facebook and she will be drawing 1 random winner to be announced on Thursday Morning (8/6/15)

Good luck!! 

Review: Tear Drop by Joanne Clancy

Kindle Edition, 501 pages

Expected publication: August 27th 2015

I received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley in exchange for my impartial review of this book.

5 Stars! This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning.  Former detective Elizabeth Ireland was the lead detective in the case against serial killer Ross Campbell, AKA Tear Drop over 10 years ago, when he disappeared off the grid.  Fast forward to the present, when a letter which is delivered to high profile reporter Brendan Mahon, signifying that Campbell is back.  When the murders begin, Ireland assists with the case, but she knows the letter wasn't written by Campbell.  She can't say how she knows, she just does.  But can she convince the others that it isn't Campbell and find the real killer? She is right, isn't she, it couldn't possibly be Campbell...

The plot of this story is excellent, truly well thought out.  I was pulled into the story and really couldn't put it down.  There were twists and turns along the way that kept me guessing and I found myself really analyzing the story, looking for clues while I was trying to solve the mystery along with Ireland.  Full of suspense and surprises, this book will not disappoint.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about murder, mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.
This is the first time I've read anything by this author but I can assure you this will not be the last!

It's an Ipad Made of Trees...

I was roaming around the internet and stumbled across this image, which at first made me chuckle.  But then, it made me a little sad inside.  In this electronic age, how many people actually still read books? Yes I know there are many of us that read, but... who still picks up a book rather than an e-reader or a tablet? I for one, still love to pick up a good book. My e-reader is used mainly when I am on the go and don't have the space to pack a few books with me.  I love holding a book, turning the pages just, the whole experience of flipping pages back and forth rather than holding an e-reader or tablet and just turning the page with a swipe of my finger on the screen. It's just not the same.