Friday Memes: A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert

Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Beginning:

Anyone who claims there are no stupid questions has never worked in a public library.

Friday 56:

I dropped off my purse in the house and confirmed that Aunt Lydia was not home before heading back outside. Walking past Richard's house, I stepped into the midst of the protest.

This week I am reading A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert. I got this book for review from NetGalley. Here is the description from Amazon:

Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble.

Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families... including her own.

When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest in A Murder for the Books, the first installment of Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mysteries.

ARC Review: Bury the Past by James L'Etoile

Bury the Past
Author: James L'Etoile
Series: Detective Penley Mystery
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (December 12, 2017)

Description: How do you stop a killer who’s already behind bars?

Sacramento Police Detectives John Penley and Paula Newberry are enlisted to investigate a case involving the trafficking of stolen street drugs. But they quickly find it’s more difficult than they first imagined when the crime is being committed by a group of corrupt cops undermining the system.

That’s not the only wrench thrown at Penley and Newberry, however, as Sherman, the leader of the group, is orchestrating murders against those who testified against him. He turns the lens onto Newberry, who begins to receive blame and as the political pressure mounts, it’s clear someone has to pay for the crimes. And it comes down to Newberry or Sherman.

With a plot full of twisty, hairpin runs and heart-pounding action, Jim L’Etoile’s Bury the Past is a riveting follow-up to the first in the Detective Penley mysteries, At What Cost.

My Thoughts: When John Penley's partner Paula Newberry's past comes back to haunt her, both are on a mission to clear her name. When Paula when in IA she was largely responsible for bringing down a network of corrupt cops who where skimming on drug raids and stashing their drug hauls. Charles Sherman was the leader of the group and is in prison. But now someone is killing all of the other members of the group and someone is framing Paula as the criminal.

Sherman has vowed to get revenge on Paula but, given that he was in the prison mental health unit when the crimes were committed, he couldn't be the criminal, or could he? Unlike the first mystery in this series which focused on Penley and his family, this one puts Paula front and center. Although we do get a look into Penley's family again to see how they are doing after his son's kidney transplant.

Penley and Newberry have to deal with white supremacists, missing drugs, and corrupt law enforcement in order to get to the bottom of this twisty case. It was fast paced and action packed and just great for fans of police procedurals.

Favorite Quote:

"How can anyone believe this shit?"

John knew to keep his mouth shut and let her vent. Stay out of the blast radius.

"The only thing missing in this conspiracy story is that I shot JFK. Break out the tinfoil hats for everyone. Jesus!" She hit the dashboard with a fist.

"That good, huh?"

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: A Case of Syrah, Syrah by Nancy J. Parra

A Case of Syrah, Syrah
Author: Nancy J. Parra
Series: Wine Country Mystery
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (December 12, 2017)

Description: Taylor O’Brian is a new businesswoman, founder of “Taylor’s Off The Beaten Path Wine Tours,” who lives on a small winery with her Aunt Jemma. She plans to take small groups around romantic Sonoma county to discover some of the county’s outdoor gardens. It’s all running as smooth as can be until Laura, the leader of the group of yoga instructors she’s leading, is found dead. And it’s Taylor’s corkscrew that’s found buried in Laura’s neck.

She’s not sure who to trust, and everyone around suddenly seems suspect. Only two weeks after the murder, her very own administrative assistant, Amy, marries Laura’s husband, Dan, who doesn’t seem very bereaved about being widowed, and the three yoga masters who were also out on the tour begin to seem shady. Taylor can’t afford to jump ship from her new business endeavor, but just as she begins her investigation, another dead body surfaces. This time, it’s Dan’s sister. And the killer is coming for Taylor next.

Now it’s up to Taylor to uncork this open-bottle mystery, before more blood is spilled. For fans of Laura Childs and Ellen Crosby, A Case of Syrah, Syrah is the charming first in bestselling author Nancy J. Parra’s Wine Country mysteries.

My Thoughts: Taylor O'Brian has started a new business in the Sonoma wine country. She wants to do bus tours of little known attractions. Her first tour group are yoga instructors including the instructor who had an argument with Taylor when she came late to a class. Laura, the micromanaging instructor, is found dead with a corkscrew in her throat, and Taylor becomes the prime suspect.

Taylor and her friend Holly begin to investigate to clear her name. Then, Laura's sister-in-law is found dead - by Taylor - which just makes her look more suspicious. Despite constant warning by the handsome sheriff and her equally hand some lawyer, Taylor keeps investigating the crime and putting herself and her friends in danger.

I kept hoping that the sheriff would put her in jail for her own protection. She was impulsive, thoughtless, and reckless. Her friend Holly wasn't much better and encouraged Taylor in her reckless behavior. When they teamed up with reporter Chelsea, the dangerous behavior escalated. The girls were trying to figure out who killed Laura and Ivy and why. Meanwhile, Holly has been a victim of identity theft and is dealing with all the issues that comes with that and Taylor is trying to save her fledgling tour business.

Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy this one if they can get beyond the reckless behavior of the main character.

Favorite Quote:

"Nine-one-one. What is your emergency?"

"Hi, I'm on a trail at Quarryhill, and I've got an unresponsive, injured woman halfway down the cliff face. Can you send help?"

"I'm sending out a rescue crew now."

"I think I can reach her," I said. "Can I go down and check for injuries?"

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

FP/TT: Bury the Past by James L'Etoile

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph of a book she is reading or planning to read. She provides a linky for others to post theirs.

Here's mine:

Larry Burger was a night shift worker by choice. Evenings at the truck stop didn't require people skills beyond handing a shower key to a tired long haul driver. tonight was no exception. Larry ended work minutes before the morning commute that would require making small talk with the truckers coming in for coffee and amphetamines.

 

Link up here. It is very easy to play along:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday.

Here's mine:

When Stark reached them, Paula asked, "He asked for me?"

Stark's jaw tightened. "You stoop to using toothless junkies to rat out cops now?"

Paula squared up. "I don't know this guy. You're the one saying he wants to talk to me."

These quotes are from Bury the Dead by James L'Etoile - the second book in the Inspector Penley series. Here is the description from Amazon:

How do you stop a killer who’s already behind bars?

Sacramento Police Detectives John Penley and Paula Newberry are enlisted to investigate a case involving the trafficking of stolen street drugs. But they quickly find it’s more difficult than they first imagined when the crime is being committed by a group of corrupt cops undermining the system.

That’s not the only wrench thrown at Penley and Newberry, however, as Sherman, the leader of the group, is orchestrating murders against those who testified against him. He turns the lens onto Newberry, who begins to receive blame and as the political pressure mounts, it’s clear someone has to pay for the crimes. And it comes down to Newberry or Sherman.

With a plot full of twisty, hairpin runs and heart-pounding action, Jim L’Etoile’s Bury the Past is a riveting follow-up to the first in the Detective Penley mysteries, At What Cost.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Dec. 4, 2017)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup. YA and middle grade reviews will still be posted on  Ms. Martin Teaches Media - my other blog.

Other Than Reading...

This was another quiet week. The only necessary trip out of the house this week was a doctor's appointment with my new doctor in Duluth. I also did a few other errands like the grocery store, Walmart, and the mall for some walking but was otherwise occupied here at home. I have had my new car for a month now and have put less than 200 miles on it. The weather this week was warmer than normal for this time of the year and most of our snow is melted. Both of those things are forecast to change next week with dropping temperatures and the possibility of snow on Monday.

I wrote and published my State of the Stack post which I do each month to keep track of my review books.

According to my Reading Log, I have read 238 books so far this year. I had read 254 books by the end of November last year. In 2015, I had read 296 books by the end of November. I read 28 books in November with 17 of them being books that I owned. I have been trying to choose books from my physical YA shelves when I have an opening on Ms. Martin Teaches Media. Here's what those shelves look like as of Dec. 2:

I added 44 books to my collection in November. 39 of them are still unread. 26 of them are review books which will be read closer to each one's publication date. 40 of the books I added were Kindle books.

Read Last Week

• The House on Tradd Street by Karen White was an excellent mystery with ghosts. I liked it enough that I bought the rest of the series. My review will be posted on Dec. 23.
• Firebrand by A. J. Hartley is a fantasy mystery set in a world based on South Africa. It was also excellent. My review will be posted on Dec. 22.
• Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley continued my trend of reading excellent mysteries. This one is historical taking place in Victorian England and starring a cook for upper class families. My review will be posted on Dec. 28.

• A Soupcon of Poison by Jennifer Ashley is a novella which introduces the characters in Death Below Stairs. No review on the blog.
• Venturess by Betsy Cornwell is a YA fantasy. It is the sequel to Mechanica and continues the steampunk goodness. My review will be posted on Dec. 29.
• Dragon Blood by Eileen Wilks finished my December review calendar. This is the latest in a long-running urban fantasy series. My review will be posted on Dec. 30.

Currently

Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner - YA review releasing on Jan. 9

A Wedding at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer - review releasing on Jan. 2

Next Week

A Mortal Likeness by Laura Joh Rowland - review releasing Jan. 9

The Turncoat's Gambit by Andrea Cremer - YA TBR mountain

The English Wife by Lauren Willig - review releasing Jan. 9

Arclight by Josin L. McQuein - YA TBR mountain since 2013

What Doesn't Kill You by Aimee Hix - review releasing Jan. 8

A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn - review releasing Jan. 16

Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead; adapted by Leigh Dragoon - YA TBR mountain since 2014

Frostbite: A Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead; adapted by Leigh Dragoon - YA TBR mountain since 2014

Shadow Kiss: A Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead; adapted by Leigh Dragoon - YA TBR mountain since 2014

Reviews Posted

On Ms. Martin Teaches Media:

Albert Einstein by Kathleen Krull

Charles Darwin by Kathleen Krull

On Inside of a Dog:

No Place Like You by Emma Douglas

Pathways edited by Mercedes Lackey

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

New YA:

• Heartless by Marissa Meyer was a Kindle Daily Deal this week. I had been trying to decided whether or not I wanted to buy it and the new lower price tipped my meter to "buy."
• The Tombs by Deborah Schaumberg was offered to me for review. This historical fantasy sounded good. The release date is Feb. 20.
• Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce showed up on my auto-approvals at NetGalley this week. I have already ordered the finished book but having a review copy means that I'll be able to read this one sooner. It will be released on Feb. 6.

New Purchases:

• The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White
• Return to Tradd Street by Karen White
• The Sweetest Burn by Jeaniene Frost

• The Brightest Embers by Jeaniene Frost
• A Soupcon of Poison by Jennifer Ashley
• Touch of Rain by Teyla Branton

New Review:

These three are all from a publisher - Midnight Ink - who is new to me and who offers their books through NetGalley. I got an email about the first one and then discovered the other two when I was browsing thier other offerings.

• What Doesn't Kill You by Aimee Hix (Jan. 8)
• A Cold Day in Hell by Lissa Marie Redmond (Feb. 8)
• Death and the Viking's Daughter by Loretta Ross (Feb. 8)

• This Fallen Prey by Kelley Armstrong (Feb. 6)
• Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower (May 8)

• Cake and Punishment by Maymee Bell (May 8)
• Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope (April 17)

What was your week like?

ARC Review: No Place Like You by Emma Douglas

No Place Like You
Author: Emma Douglas
Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 5, 2017)

Description: Home—in the island village of Cloud Bay—is where the heart is. . .
 

Leah Santelli always knew that Zach Harper, son of a rock legend and her best friend’s brother, was painfully out of reach. Then, on the night of her eighteenth birthday, Leah shocked herself by asking for—and receiving—the gift she wanted: one night of passion with Zach before he left town to pursue his rock star dreams. Now, years later, Zach is back in Cloud Bay to record his first solo album. His return could also be Leah’s big chance to step up her own music career. But getting the producing credit she needs means spending long hours with Zach in the recording studio…and falling back into the habit of longing for him, for better or worse.

Zach used to believe that a man must put his past behind him. But coming back home for Cloud Bay’s famed music festival has allowed him to finally make amends with his family and, much to his surprise, reunite with Leah. He might have left her once but now it seems he can’t stay away. Trouble is, even though the heat between them burns hotter than ever, Leah has old wounds in need of healing before she can give Zach a real chance. Can he find a way to convince her that they can make more than just great music together—and that she’s the one that he wants for all time?

My Thoughts: Leah Santelli grew up with a crush on Zach Harper but he was the son of a rock legend and her best friend's older brother. Worst of all, he was leaving their island home for a music career. Before he left and on her eighteenth birthday, they got together for a sexual encounter. Time passed but now Zach is back home in Cloud Bay and Leah is finding that her feelings for Zach never really went away.

Zach is home to begin his own solo musical career after the lead singer of the band he was with decided that he wanted to take a year off. Leah, meanwhile, has become a sound engineer and wants to be a producer. At first Zach turns her down because he has feelers out to better known producers. But after being turned down by one and not liking the way the other arranged his music, he and Leah begin working together to produce Zach's solo album.

The two of them find it hard to work together because of the mutual sexual tension. Leah proposes that she and Zach have a no-strings affair while he is on the island. She doesn't want to risk her heart on a man who will be leaving. Zch first turns her down and then accepts and they begin their secret affair and collaboration on his album. Everything is going well but Leah is finding it harder and harder to remember that their affair has an expiration date.

This was an entertaining romance and is the third book in the Cloud Bay novels. The first two tell about Zach's sister's romances. The sisters, especially Faith, are strong side characters in this story. I want to read about their romances too. The final few lines of this romance set up the next book in the series.

Fans of a nice, not too graphic, romance will enjoy this series.

Favorite Quote:

"Trust me," he said, ad she had to fight a shiver.

Trust him? It sounded easy. It sounded simple. She would love to trust him. Love to believe he's always be there. But that would be beyond stupid. Because he was leaving.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: No Place Like You by Emma Douglas

Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Beginning:

"Now there's a sight for sore eyes," Billy Lawler said, sounding, for once, completely serious.

Friday 56:

She'd tidied away everything that could possibly be tidied away. Well, almost everything. She'd leave Zach's guitars for him.

This week I am reading No Place Like You by Emma Douglas. I got this review book from NetGalley. Here is the description from Amazon:

Home—in the island village of Cloud Bay—is where the heart is. . .

Leah Santelli always knew that Zach Harper, son of a rock legend and her best friend’s brother, was painfully out of reach. Then, on the night of her eighteenth birthday, Leah shocked herself by asking for—and receiving—the gift she wanted: one night of passion with Zach before he left town to pursue his rock star dreams. Now, years later, Zach is back in Cloud Bay to record his first solo album. His return could also be Leah’s big chance to step up her own music career. But getting the producing credit she needs means spending long hours with Zach in the recording studio…and falling back into the habit of longing for him, for better or worse.

Zach used to believe that a man must put his past behind him. But coming back home for Cloud Bay’s famed music festival has allowed him to finally make amends with his family and, much to his surprise, reunite with Leah. He might have left her once but now it seems he can’t stay away. Trouble is, even though the heat between them burns hotter than ever, Leah has old wounds in need of healing before she can give Zach a real chance. Can he find a way to convince her that they can make more than just great music together—and that she’s the one that he wants for all time?