Review Roundup Winter ’23-’24

A quick little roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in Winter 2023 – 2024. Beware of spoilers! Title: Death by Demo Author: Callie Carpenter Series: Home Renovation Mystery #1 Much thanks to Callie Carpenter, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review. This book was great! Jaime was likeable and sympathetic, and I loved her conversations with Demo. I enjoyed watching her outsmart her adversaries. Also the lumber …

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Interview with Melinda Curtis (A Cowboy Christmas Carol)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Cowboy Christmas Carol by Melinda Curtis recalls the story of Scrooge, A Christmas Carol. In this case it is one of twin brothers, Ryan, wants nothing to do with the holiday. If readers want a story that will put a smile on their faces, they will want to read this because the banter between the characters is off the charts. Ryan and Tate Oakley are twin brothers who are part of the rodeo …

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Interview with Tess Gerritsen (The Spy Coast)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen has her venturing out from a traditional mystery to a spy thriller. In this story she expertly mixes spy drama with romance while adding some humor. Not only is this a riveting tale but the main character is very engaging as she tackles the ghosts of her past. Former spy Maggie Bird came to the seaside village of Purity, Maine, eager to put the past behind her after …

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Interview with Renee Ryan (The Paris Housekeeper)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan is very relevant today. After the October 7th Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians that included the raping of women and children, burning babies alive, and brutal torture, readers will understand why people have dubbed this the Holocaust of the 21st Century. Ms. Ryan has a knack for getting into the minds and hearts of her readers. In this story there are three main characters who become connected through …

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A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

Title: A Fragile Enchantment Author: Allison Saft Series: n/a Thank you to Allison Saft, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was so meh. Retitle to: Everyone Wants What They Can’t (Or Think They Can’t) Have. That was the main theme. Neeve (that’s how the narrator pronounced it) wanted a better life for pretty much everyone, then wanted Kit. Kit wanted freedom, then Neeve. Sinclair wanted …

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Interview with Catherine Bybee (The Whole Time)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Whole Time by Catherine Bybee is a fun read. Per usual, readers will love her stories that have engrossing characters, with touching and heartwarming plots. The story is about two independent people, Selena Barone, and Ryan Rutledge. Since they have been in other books of the series, readers got to know them. Yet, this installment shows both willing to stand up to their parents to gain their independence. Selena decides to move into …

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Interview with Elizabeth Goddard (Shadows at Dusk)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Shadows at Dusk by Elizabeth Goddard shows why she is becoming one of the top suspense authors. This story is filled with deceit, revenge, and a riveting mystery. There is intrigue, a remote setting, and has some romance. But readers’ interest will sparked from the very beginning when they read the quote, “I can’t think of anyone who might be after me, except the man who killed me.” The plot has Montana Detective Trevor …

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Interview with Korina Moss (Case of the Bleus)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Case of the Bleus by Korina Moss is a fun cozy mystery. It brings back all the fun characters including the “cheese.” Cheesemongers from across the Northwest have come to the Sonoma Valley for the Northwest Cheese Invitational. As owner of the local cheese shop, Curds & Whey, Willa Bauer loves it. The event showcases custom cheese creations, and it’s the perfect time to gather with old colleagues to honor her former boss, the …

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Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Title: Iron Flame Author: Rebecca Yarros Series: Fourth Wing #2 A great follow-up! Got a bit long, though. I spaced off from time to time during the second half when it was all boring war- or strategy-talk. Xaden and Violet’s argument got old, too; felt like they were just arguing in circles. Didn’t help that, like they themselves acknowledged, they kept getting interrupted by either hormones or external matters before they could finish the argument. Thank god they finally did, …

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Interview with Wendy Walker (American Girl)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper American Girl by Wendy Walker is a character study that begins as a murder mystery that then turns into a psychological thriller with elements of danger and twists. It is a story of good versus evil and life versus death. It is about friendship and relationships between women surrounded by solving the crime of murder. The story begins with the owner of a sandwich shop where Charlie Hudson works found murdered. Each member of …

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