The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith

 I could not wait to flip the pages of Galbraith's (J.K. Rowling) eighth story in the Strike and Ellacott mystery/romance encounter.

It did not disappoint.

Taking on a controversial case attached to a dismembered body found in the vault of a silver shop, Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott are investigating if the body belongs to the boyfriend of a rich client.  They don't necessarily need to know who it is, just whether it's the boyfriend or not.  

This narrow inquiry keeps them from overstepping the police's investigation.  That's the intention, anyway.

Strike's and Robin's probe leads off in many tangents, which includes their suppressed feelings.  Every time Strike or Robin considers revealing how they feel about one another, a roadblock appears.  Whether it's because they can't get together, their cases pull them in different directions, or more subtly they misread each other, their thoughts and feelings don't get expressed.  

More obviously, Robin's boyfriend appears to be a keeper and Strike's reputation doesn't help.

Strike tries to work closer with Robin to give him an advantage, which typically backfires.  He plans to lay his heart at her feet when he gets the chance, and he's incredibly frustrated that the chance hasn't happened yet.

Robin insists to herself that her boyfriend, Ryan, should be the one for her because he's a good guy.  She tries not to admit that might not be enough when thoughts of Strike bombard her.

The last chapter left me stunned.  A grand ending and a grand beginning for the next saga of Strike and Robin's story.  I can't wait.

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

THe Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

 Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott are back at it.  As partners in a private detective agency, they manage to do superior investigating while hiding the heart.

Strike and Robin have extreme feelings for one another, but there are always too many barriers.  One or another is dating someone else, work, timing, work, admittance, work, and anything else that can keep them from admitting their feelings at the same time.

The current case involves parents of Will who hire Strike and Robin to get him out of what they consider a religious cult.  Robin demands she go undercover to infiltrate the religious camp.  

More dangerous than expected, Strike keeps his promise to Robin, no matter how much it aggravates him, to update her boyfriend on her wellbeing.  Strike insists to himself that he'd be better at keeping Robin happy, but he hasn't found the right moment to reveal to Robin his thoughts.  He shouldn't, but he might.

Robin likes her boyfriend, but in times of danger and being exhausted on the low rations at the camp and scared at the same time, she first thinks of Strike.  

They have no idea of the deeply guarded romantic feelings they share.

The investigation keeps them from diving into their true feelings, but rather urgent on saving Will from his certain demise at the hands of the cult.

Strike and Robin both admit to themselves who they want in their life, but can they find a way to express their growing love?  Or is the case the only thing they solve?

 Each installment of the series brings love a touch closer, yet when will love be the final mystery solved?  

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith

 Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott, detective partners extraordinaire with a heated undercurrent of love, are entangled in another multi-layer murder investigation.

Without experience in online discovery, Strike and Robin are jerked into the homicide case of  Edie Ledwell, cartoon artist of The Ink Black Heart.  Her partner is paralyzed from the same attack, but reveals little to no clues on the case.

Strike and Robin work excessive hours on a full load at their detective agency, of which I feel they do in order to ignore the sentiment they both almost consciously admit.  

Strike's rugged, yet handsome appearance always attracts the most beautiful and rich woman in England.  He doesn't intend to use them, but his heart is hidden in Robin's pocket.  

Robin rarely dates, but keeps herself busy searching for clues and answers for the agency.  I chuckle when Strike thinks a man is interested in Robin because he forces himself to wish her well even if any other guy is nothing more than a bloke and not good enough for her.  She silently admits she loves Strike.  Dashing my excitement as the reader, she insists on changing her feelings.

Fortunately, the murder investigation is incredibly in-depth with many characters taking part and keeping me engrossed in the story as I wait, and wait for Robin and Strike to somehow find a way to be together.  

Happy reading,

Dawn 

The Sorbonne Affair by Mark Pryor

 Mystery and love float among the Parisian cafe's while American author, Helen Hancock, has a secret admirer. More likely, not an admirer but someone who thinks it's necessary to hide cameras in her hotel room.

Helen is in the city to direct a small writing seminar and to work on her current romance novel.  After she finds the hidden cameras in her room at the Sorbonne Hotel, she reports them to the US Embassy.  

Hugo Marston is assigned t

o investigate.  One video is highly embarrassing for Helen.  A triste with a student needs explanation, whether it's love or something else.  

Soon, a simple camera investigation turns to murder.  Hugo teams up with a Parisian Lieutenant, Camille Lerens along with breaks to see his girlfriend, Claudia, a journalist.  More help comes in the form of a former colleague claiming the whole affair has something to do with a recently released felon.

Such a tragedy to solve a mystery of spying and murder on the lovely streets of Paris while contenders are eager to keep romance in the air.

Happy reading,

Dawn 

The Maid by Nita Prose

Sometimes it might be nice to look at life in a simple and easy way to live.  That will keep things moving along in a steady and manageable path.

Molly Gray didn't choose this agenda, but rather it chose her.  She has trouble interpreting what people mean by their actions and words and how to respond.  Her gran used to decipher situations for her and lead her in a proper direction, but after gran's passing Molly is left on her own.

She'll do fine.  Highly motivated to be the best maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, her four years as a maid and quarter century learning from her gran make a pleasing repertoire. 

 Sure that her impeccable work ethic will impress him, Molly makes a morning trip through the bar of the hotel to greet Rodney, the bartender.  She's sure his good looks are just a bonus to the engaging young man.  His pleasant hello's are soon to turn to a second date.

The other employee Molly visits with daily is Juan Manuel.  There's a mutual respect between the two and and a true friendship.  

Molly's well planned life turns into a hurricane when a top client of the hotel is found dead by herself.  

She doesn't have gran to figure out what she should do or how to answer to the police when they charge her with murder.

But Molly isn't alone.  Friends she didn't know she had come to her aid.  

It's a delightful and easy read.  With a mystery solved in crime and the a mystery of which man is her true soulmate come to a happily ever after.

Happy reading,

Dawn

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowlings)

 Some books I love, and some I savor!  This I do both.

Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott bring suspense and the elusive romance in line throughout their mystery in London.

Strike (called by his last name due to constant mispronunciation of first) is a wounded war hero turned private investigator and hot as a sizzling iron.

  

He picks up a cold case of a former Playboy Bunny turned doctor with suspicious death circumstances.  His beautiful partner, Robin, is on the trail with him.  

Strike does his best to ignore the lurking emotional feeling he's experienced with Robin.  Not too hard most of the time since his aunt, like a mother to him, is dying and their caseload is maxed.  

Robin is doing the same, ignoring the attraction to Strike while she goes through a divorce along with extensive work hours.  

The cold case highlights former police inadequacies and a strange connection to tarot cards and astrology.  

Galbraith pulls the reader in as if you're living the story and can feel the energy expended with each dead end and lead in the case and romance.  I just hope that Strike and Robin figure it soon!

Happy reading,

Dawn   

Death in Cold Water by Patricia Skalka

Back to one of my favorite places, Door County, Wisconsin.  The setting is real, only I hope the death never happens as in the novel.   The romance takes a good turn, so I'm all for that.

Dave Cubiak, former Chicago PD homicide, moved to Door County, a little New England, and is elected Sheriff.  Just when things should be festive, warm, and colorful in autumn, arrests are made.  

Gerald Schnieder, heralded philanthropist, is missing.  Schnieder formerly ran a Home for wayward children, too.  When human bones wash up on the beach, Cubiak has an instinct they're related to Schnieder and not in a good way.

It would be nice to have Cate at home, but Cubiak knows she's on a photo shoot and isn't sure she wants to be around.  Their relationship still has a lot of work to be done along with secrets dealt with.

I enjoy the twists and surprises Skalka directs the mystery and the romance.  Hidden history and a pull of gossip give Schnieder a whole new persona, and a meaning to the bones.  Needing Cate's help with photos, there's an opportunity for a meaningful discussion.  Let's hope this leads to a solved mystery and a strengthened romance.

Happy reading,

Dawn    

  

Death Stalks Door County by Patricia Skalka

 Door County is a peaceful and beautiful peninsula.  Why would anyone commit suicide at the county park with comforting nature all around?  

When the list of deaths gets longer, Dave Cubiak can't help but check on his suspicions.  Cubiak left Chicago after burnout as a homicide detective and the death of his family, hoping to regroup and find himself.  Being a detective is the way he thinks.  Multiple unexplainable deaths isn't normal.

Cubiak is  accepted and pulled into a small group of locals.

  There's the motherly ones, fatherly, and friendly residents.  And those that hide their thoughts versus share them.  He's seeking the hiders and meets several capable of committing murder.  

Cate Wagner, a photographer, approaches Cubiak at a party he attends.  He's looking for clues and finds a little more.  Eventually they realize their backgrounds are what they have in common, at least the part on how to deal with themselves.  A mutual interest develops in short interludes. 

I like the fact that many suspects are studied, and it's not easy to figure out who did it.  Also, the romance isn't a for sure thing. I'm going to have to read the series and see how far Cubiak and Cate get together or apart.

Happy reading,

Dawn  

Veronica Reviews ~ DARK DESTINY by Dani Wade

 

Dark Destiny

(Secrets of Covington Corner #3)

by

Dani Wade

★★★★

4-Stars

Romance/Mystery/Novella

Video game developers Jamie and Ian have been granted access to the Harrington Institute, an abandoned mental asylum, to map the layout for their next game.  Long time friends, Jamie has always been afraid to tell Ian how she truly feels.  But Ian has a mystery of his own…one long kept hidden within the darkened halls of the Harrington Institute…until the ghosts of the past lead them to answers long sought and a love neither thought possible…

Seriously, what could be creepier than a story about being in an abandoned mental institution with your long-time crush?  I’d never give away the smexxy details…are you afraid of the dark?

Dark Destiny is the third installment to Dani Wade’s Secrets of Covington Corner, but could be read standalone.  These hauntingly romantic novellas are perfect for curling up with your fav drink and cozy blanket!  I can’t recommend this series enough!

Sharing what I love,

Veronica

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

AMAZON BUY LINK

The Paris Librarian by Mark Pryor

 Many times mystery mixes with romance and that's certain in Hugo Marston's life.  Living in Paris is a romance of it's own, and the Paris library has stacks of it.  

Hugo visits the library frequently, knows many of the regular staff, so is distraught at the death of his friend, Paul.  He's found in a locked room in the library basement.  Hugo can't believe Paul died of natural causes, and hurriedly begins to investigate.

The vacation Hugo had planned for his girlfriend, Claudia, is put on hold.  She's very patient, or at least she needs to be if they can endure his work without a schedule.

Hugo also meets with two women who are researching a former actress, Isabelle Severin.  In addition to a lot of flirting, Hugo is intrigued with their research which may be tied to Paul's death.  

I was a little nervous reading Hugo's investigation tactics.  Many intelligent and beautiful women came his way along with danger creeping around hallways and streets. I worried about Hugo keeping the love alive or even returning to Claudia's doorstep.

An intriguing read, yet I wish Claudia had a bigger say in the action.  It is a series, so it's always possible!

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

The Devil Drinks Coffee by Angela Corbett writing as Destiny Ford

 Not truly about the devil, but rather let's decide which hot hunk, Spence, Dylan, or Hawke will win the independent journalist's interest.  Kate wonders how she gets so lucky to be the center of so many men's attention.  Yet, she has a murder to solve before anybody gets in her pants.

After a breakup, Kate takes her career back home to Branson Falls, Utah.  Kate doesn't follow the Mormon practices, and she does drink coffee which is secretly called "hot chocolate" as a cover.  The local gossip tree, The Ladies, has it in for her from the start.  But Kate doesn't care because Spence hires her at his newspaper.  He's charming, good-looking, and easy to work with.  Is he the one?

Chelsea Bradford is found floating in Emerald Lake, and Kate can't believe the police are correct in labeling it an accidental drowning.  One thing Kate learned while away at college is that "boob manipulations" can go a long way with convincing men to do what she wants.

Hawke, a mysterious PI, gloms onto Kate immediately.  He wants to be partners in solving this alleged crime.  The locals don't know much about him, probably because the most notable thing is his tight ass and omnipotent presence.  Will she get extra close to Hawke?

And the player comes out to play.  Dylan, local politician, claims Kate as his girlfriend because he wants to find out more about Chelsea's death.  Maybe he's settled down and wants to get serious.

It's a fun story, letting the crime get in the way of wandering eyes and hands.  Not knowing which man really gets Kate's attention in all the right ways is a mystery in itself.

Happy reading,

Dawn

  

 

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Tough story to rate.  Well written and interesting along with dark and alarming in the revelations of personal problems prevalent today.

Camille Preaker has more problems than the usual person.  She’s a journalist, not a very good one, in Chicago and is sent home to Missouri to cover a story which brings back the demons of her problems.

A serial killer is taking the lives of young girls and saving the teeth as mementos.  Camille needs to get this story in order to keep her profession alive.  She hooks up with a Kansas City detective, Richard, who’s interested in more than giving her a story.

Richard truly likes Camille and attempts to break through her barriers to men.  Another problem of hers, she has no idea how to construct a relationship.

Camille’s issues started as the daughter of a hypochondriac mother, Adora.  Adora repeatedly claimed her three daughters were sick and she had to nurse them.  One’s dead, another, Amma, is still under control of the mother, and Camille had tried to get away and become a “normal” person.

It’s funny how the murders in a small town circle around Camille’s life, dragging her personally into the crime and reviving her addictive nature.  Camille has to sort through the bad and find the good in herself.

Richard is willing to give her a chance, but is she able to be “normal?”  Is she able to separate her problems, the problems of the murders, and let Richard touch her physically and mentally?

Happy reading,

Dawn

Career of Evil by Rober Galbraith

Another masterpiece written by Galbraith, aka J.K. Rowling! 

Robin Ellacott, Cormoran Strike’s investigative partner, receives a body part in a box at their office.  Robin’s aghast.  Strike doesn’t like it either, but his mind immediately analyzes the situation and four names come to mind of who might have done this.  Not in agreement with Scotland yard, of course.

All the men who have a grudge against Strike.  That’s his list.

Robin wants to hide her apprehension and help with the investigation.  As more attacks happen to Robin and around the city, Strike demands she is home by dark.

Home to her fiancé who hates her job. 

So, while a tricky and twisted follow up on the murder and continuing murders happens during office hours, The heart plays tricks on Robin and Strike.

Robin’s fiancé admits to a possibly unforgiveable deed.  Robin takes time off from him while thinking about Strike after hours.  The problem is that Strike thinks about her too. 

It’s very common for the reader to cheer for the couple the reader wants to get together and stay together.  This one’s difficult.

Robin and Matt are still engaged with a huge issue at hand.  Robin adores Strike, but does it go further than that?  Strike has to force himself to keep only to business with her.  So, who gets Robin in the end?  Is it who the reader thinks will get her?  Is it who the reader wants to win? 

The end was a tear jerker and I couldn’t guess what would happen till I read it.  Another story I didn’t want to end!

Happy reading,

Dawn  

Seeing Red by Sandra Brown

What a journalist won’t do for a story.
 

Kerra Bailey gets an exclusive interview with The Major, an American hero who’s gone silent for several years.

She has a surprise for The Major, yet the surprise after the interview for both of them isn’t pleasant.  Bullets and blood.

Former ATF agent, John Trapper, who’s also The Major’s son, wants to keep Kerra silent and out of the picture.  For her safety and just because she makes Trapper pitch a tent, he convinces her to stay with him.

Business before pleasure when Trapper needs to find the people who shot his father and have a target on Kerra and himself.  Granted, he’d rather mix the two, but something always interrupts any thoughts or actions!

Not only that Kerra may have seen the shooters, but they’re connected to a decades old bombing that she was present for.  Talk about a mess of circumstantial evidence and a mess of bad guys fooling the cops.

It might be easier for Trapper to convince law enforcement who the assassins are than to get Kerra close enough to keep.  We all know how adept Sandra Brown is at layering the evidence and turning your thoughts on where the story will go, so read with caution because the ending will be a surprise!

Happy reading,

Dawn  

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling)

Get ready for another novel by a super author, Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling!  It has nothing to do with Harry Potter, wizards, and magic, but with all the “can’t put down” readability.  Rowling has merged into mystery with touches of romance. 

The Cuckoo’s Calling is the first of a trilogy starring Cormoran Strike as a private detective.  He’s just had a disaster in his love life and an interesting and seemingly impossible case is requested of him.

The death of a super model is questioned by the model’s brother, although the police believe it was a suicide. 

Strike takes the case.  Realizing he’s short on money and help, a temp service accidentally sends him another secretary.  He takes her on expecting to employ Robin for just this case.

Robin, engaged to a man who doesn’t understand her eagerness at a low paying job, wants to learn how to be a detective.        

Set in London, it’s easy to feel the atmosphere and understand the tension built through the detective’s case and the lives of Strike and Robin mixing.

I have to admit that I’ve just finished The Silkworm, the second in the trilogy, and have found it just as intriguing.  This is another author that when a book is published, it has to be read!

Happy reading,

Dawn 

The Oxford Inheritance by Ann A. McDonald

This was a fabulous, calm, dark, yet intense mystery romance. 

The atmosphere of Oxford England holds an ancient and prestigious aura.  The students are steeped in studies during the day, but when darkness falls a black magic and generations old system comes into play.

Cassie worked hard to be accepted to Oxford, particularly the Raleigh College.  She has more than an education on her mind.  Her mother died when Cassie was fourteen, and Cassie knew little about her “real” mother.  With a tremendous amount of effort,

Cassie discovered her mother’s “former” life at Oxford. 

Now Cassie wants to find out why her mother was a different person, had changed her name, and above all who had fathered Cassie.

She entrusts pieces of information to several male students and a police officer to help her discover her mother’s history.  Each man has interest in her for different reason she’s not aware of. 

The friendship, camaraderie, and quick-to-help attitude of the men involved leave her with doubts on her choices of confidants.

Through the rain, fog, chilled air, and dark magic floating through the seams of the college, Cassie finds the true nature of her friends and which man is honest and compassionate with her.  It’s a great train wreck, I mean train ride on the way!

Happy reading,

Dawn

Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson

Vampires, suspense, and romance make a chilling mix.

Kristi Bentz returns to college signing up for English classes, which includes a popular study of vampires.

How vampires are included in English is a ruse to interest students versus all dull (granted, I don’t find English dull) curriculum. 

Kristi’s purpose is to become a true crime writer.  Her chosen campus is the perfect place to study and to research the disappearance of four young women from this same college.

All the missing women have taken English along with belong to a vampire cult led by the professor of the class.

A fill-in professor of one of Kristi’s classes is surprisingly a boyfriend from ten years ago, who also works for the county forensics and police department.  Jay McKnight might have to be Kristi’s knight in shining armor for her to survive the multiple suspects surrounding the campus.

The obvious suspects are watched, but there’s many more that need a critical eye, be it a group of students, professors, and various on persons on the grounds.

Jackson did an outstanding performance on whipping the story into a frenzy and keeping the reader guessing on who committed the crimes, who will survive, and who just might find a permanent love through all the horror.

Best read at night under your blankets!

Happy reading,

Dawn

THE CASE OF THE MEDDLING MAMA by Diane Burton

Lexi: Please welcome Diane Burton, mystery author.

So Diane, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Diane:  In high school. My girlfriend and I wrote what’s now called fan fiction. Our stories were romances with the hero of our favorite shows and each of us was the heroine. They were fun until a teacher had me turn in and read aloud one of my stories. While the other students’ stories were about children and pets, mine was a romance. The teacher embarrassed me so much I didn’t write again until my kids were in high school. Still wrote romances, though.

Lexi: What are you most excited about in this new release?

Diane:  While the Alex O’Hara PI mysteries always have humor, this time she has to deal with drugs in high school. I wanted my readers to be aware of the dangers of prescription pain pills. A PSA on TV made a big impression on me—one where an adult is using the prescription for a broken leg (I think) and in the mirror is a teen taking the drug. That issue isn’t a big part of the story, but I hope it helps someone.

Lexi: What made you chose your title?

Diane:  When I wrote the first Alex O’Hara story, it was about finding a missing brother. I wanted alliteration in the title, so it became The Case of the Bygone Brother. The 2^nd book is called The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé. This one, the 3^rd, is The Case of the Meddling Mama. With Alex’s main squeeze Nick’s mother arrived at the end of the 2^nd book, I had to reference her in the title.

Lexi: Which authors inspire(d) you?

Diane:   Jayne Ann Krentz and Janet Evanovich. Love the latter’s humor and the scrapes that Stephanie Plum gets into. With the former, I’ve read her books since the early 1980s. Her heroes are the strong and (somewhat) silent type, often misunderstood. The heroines are also strong. They don’t need rescuing and often do the rescuing. In the ‘80s, that wasn’t as common as it is today.

Lexi: What are your favorite traits of the two main characters?

Diane:  Alex (Alexandra) is a woman in what many people consider a man’s job, being a private investigator. From the 1^st story, she’s working to establish herself and prove that her father and his business partner did the right thing when they turned the agency over to her. She thinks she would’ve been a big, peasant woman in the Old Country capable of working in the fields. She is tall and also klutzy. That makes her endearing to me. I hope to the readers, too.

Nick is the strong, silent type. He came back to town for reasons beyond getting reacquainted with Alex. (Their dads were the business partners.) Alex had the biggest crush on him in high school. That crush turns into more. Although this isn’t romantic suspense, there's enough romance to satisfy the romantic.

Lexi: What has been the best piece of advice you ever received for your writing career?

Diane:  Don’t give up. I’m glad I listened.

Lexi: Diane, thank you so much for visiting us here at Happily Ever After Thoughts and for sharing an excerpt from your book. It sounds like so much fun :-)

Blurb:

Once again, Alex O’Hara is up to her ears in mysteries. After surviving an attempted murder, all she wants is R&R time with Nick Palzetti. But his mother leaving his father (“that horse’s patoot”) and moving in with Alex puts a crimp in their plans. Then Nick leaves on assignment and the teen she rescued from an abusive father believes his buddy is doing drugs. Meanwhile, Alex has two easy cases to take her mind off her shaky relationship with Nick—a philandering husband and a background check on a client’s boyfriend. Piece of cake. 

Excerpt:

When two women entered the exclusive dress shop, Ellie left to greet them while her assistant chivvied me to put on the shoes. White socks, black strappy heels, and the gorgeous emerald green bridesmaid dress—I made such a fashion statement as I stood on the platform, call Vogue.

I so didn’t want to be there, especially when I recognized one of the women. I’d been the bearer of bad news to Nora Finley last week—her Mr. Perfect turned out to be a Black Widower. He and his cohorts had the perfect plan, a plan I thwarted just in time.

“Oh, you’re here,” Nora cried out when she spotted me and tugged on her companion’s wrist, practically dragging her over. “Ginnie, this is the PI that saved my life, Alex O’Hara!”

I cringed while heat bloomed in my cheeks.

Nora looked up at me saying, “I’ve been telling Ginnie here that she absolutely must hire you to check out her boyfriend—she met him on one of those online dating sites.”

Ginnie winced, like she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her—I knew the feeling.

Buylinks:

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes ~ Smashwords

About Diane:

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched and Outer Rim series, she is the author of One Red Shoe, a romantic suspense, and the Alex O’Hara PI mystery series. She is also a contributor to two anthologies: Portals, Volume 2 and How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in West Michigan. They have two children and three grandchildren.

For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s website: http://www.dianeburton.com

Connect with Diane Burton online

Blog:  http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/

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