5 stars "another story filled with traumatized “imperfect” people facing daunting challenges and somehow managing to survive, prevail and inspire." ...

One of the books I read this week was Cobblered to Death by Rosemarie Ross. It is a culinary cozy mystery, the first in the Courtney Archer series. Host of a television show about rural cooking, Courtney is helping to cohost a cooking competition, and wouldn't you know it—somebody dies. There are plenty of twists and turns as Courtney (and the local security guy and the sheriff) try to figure out which of the other contestants might have done the dirty deed. ...

Back in the saddle, Private Investigator Zachary Goldman is hired by Kenzie's father to investigate the heist of valuable memorabilia from his favorite sports bar. Kenzie did say that it was a bad idea. Maybe Zachary should have listened ...

It is launch day for Time to Your Elf, book #14 in the Reg Rawlins, Private Investigator series. You can read this fun book as a stand alone, or as part of the series to multiply your enjoyment. ...

Hawkins introduces you to a number of widely varying characters in the wake of a murder of a young man on a longboat. Then she slowly starts to weave the connections between each of these characters, their relationships and their pasts. Even when the murderer confesses, you don't yet know everything and are in for a few more plot twists before it all comes together. ...

This year, I am going to let just a taste of romance into my Valentine's Day post. No, I am still not interested in the love at first sight or romantic date tropes, but I thought I would feature some slow-burn romance in the mystery genre. ...

Wow, this one is an amazing read. In From the Ashes, My Story of Being Indigenous, Homeless, and Finding My Way, Jesse Thistle tells about the road he travelled, homeless and in and out of prison for decades before managing to overcome his addiction, enter university, and discover his heritage while working on a BA in history. He is now a speaker on indigenous history, homelessness, and intergenerational trauma. ...

I am very excited to release Sandy, Breaking the Pattern, book #2 in the Breaking the Pattern Series out into the world today. If you read Henry, Breaking the Pattern, then you have already met Sandy and been intrigued by her having grown up in a life of crime and her relationships with her exploitive father and her half brother, who Henry met in juvie. ...

Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill is the second book that I have read in the Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery series. (And though it is the second book in the series, the other one that I have read is actually #4, Anarchy and Old Dogs.) This mystery series is very different from any I have read before. It is steeped in the Lao setting and culture, with lots of fascinating plant names (like dog fart flowers and bull testicle trees), political red tape, and history. ...

I don't usually put a book on sale quite as soon after its launch day as this, but it's your lucky day! Get Careful of Thy Wishes, book #13 in the Reg Rawlins, Psychic Investigator series for just $0.99 this weekend only. ...

has an interesting premise. The main character's husband (a policeman) commits suicide, and she is digging down, trying to understand why. It turns out there are a number of secrets hidden in the past, and at this point (more than halfway through the book) there are many indicators of a police coverup and conspiracy to keep her from finding anything out. ...

You have been eagerly awaiting the next Reg Rawlins, Psychic Investigator mystery/adventure, and it is finally here! If you preordered, it should be in your inbox or on your device, but if not, head on over to get your copy now! Careful of Thy Wishes is the 13th book in the Reg Rawlins series. It can be read as a stand alone or as part of the series. I always try to include enough information to understand who everyone is and what is going on, but of course your experience is that much more enhanced if you know the deeper background of the characters and what has been going on in Black Sands up until this point. ...

I am currently reading Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty. What a fascinating book! While it is a murder mystery, you don't even know who has been killed or under what circumstances. You just know that one of the parents was killed during the (primary/elementary) school's Trivia Night. The book takes you through the various conflicts and secrets that have been festering in each of the women's and men's lives over the past several months, building up to what happened at the Trivia Night? ...

January 22 is National Answer Your Cat's Questions Day. Are you prepared for it? Well, first you probably want to know what Answer Your Cat's Questions Day is all about! As you know, cats are known for being curious. If your cat is like the one around here, you might get a lot of questions! ...

Kenzie has another body on her hands Looking for a strong female lead in an engaging medical mystery? Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author P.D. Workman brings you an up-and-coming Medical Examiner’s Assistant who is right up your alley ...

This week I am reading What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan. I don't think I've read anything else by this author, but I would definitely read another. It has been a good read so far. The "she" in the title refers to Rachel Jenner, a mom who is out walking in the woods with her son one day when he disappears, apparently kidnapped. It is a good police procedural/psychological suspense novel. Multiple perspectives, you get to see things from the mother's point of view and the lead investigator's, as they are both looking back on what happened. ...

Now is a great time to pick up Gentle Angel , book 4 in the Kenzie Kirsch Medical Thriller series for just $0.99. If you are a reader of the Zachary Goldman Mysteries series, you have already met Kenzie Kirsch. This series is a spinoff from Zachary Goldman Mysteries, giving Kenzie a front-and-center position in solving medical mysteries ...

I've picked up a few interesting books lately, but this one is the first one in a little while that is really remarkable. It will, hopefully, do very well and I will be looking for other books by this author. ...

with characters who are starting over or starting a new venture. Many books begin with a character setting out on a new adventure, from cozy mysteries to coming of age young adult literature. Here are some of my books that feature a character who leaves behind her old life to start on something new ...