Tag: small town mysteries

All That Shines (Glitter Bay Mysteries Book 2) by Diane Bator Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A woman balancing her store’s relocation and renovations must contend with her sister’s big-time dreams with the sudden mystery surrounding the death of a famed Hollywood fashion designer in author Diane Bator’s “All That Shines”, the next entry in the Glitter Bay Mysteries series.

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The Synopsis

When Sage Miller’s sister Laken decides to host a fashion show as a grand opening for the new location of Vintage Sage, she’s not amused. Even less so when she discovers her sister hired a Hollywood fashion designer to help. Not only does the designer show up in the middle of renovations, but he drags along his protégé.Then she finds Sebastian Hayward III, dead in her store.Suddenly it seems half of Los Angeles—all unwelcome guests from Laken’s past—appear in Vintage Sage seeking something Sebastian had in his possession. Sage has to deal with renovations, a fashion show, and a murder before she and Laken come unglued.Review: All That Shines is another great “who done it” with Sage and Laken and once again I was wrong! Can’t wait for the next book in the Glitter Bay Series to see what the sisters are up to. Diane Bator has once again successfully completed another beautifully written mystery: “All That Shines” Book 2 in the Glitter Bay Mysteries series. A comfortable, easy read, and a page turner which keeps you guessing right to the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed Bator’s willingness to step into the deep waters of some human issues which rage today’s society. An honest and bold move on her part, Bator writes with absolute grace and dignity. Well done! 5 Stars, Award-winning, bestselling author, Maggie Kirton. 

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The Review

This is another fantastic high fashion meets murder mystery read. The author beautifully captures the essence of the small-town mystery within the grander scale of the setting. The imagery and atmosphere allow readers to feel transported in this story, and the tension can be felt both in Sage’s daily life and the murder mystery. 

Yet it was the character dynamics and the mystery itself that brought this narrative to life. The conflict and drama between Sage and Laken are palpable, while the larger-than-life personality of the soon-to-be murder victim and the impact he made allowed for a wide cast of characters to become potential suspects, adding to the mystery itself. 

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The Verdict

Harrowing, creative, and entertaining, author Diane Bator’s “All That Shines” is a must-read mystery and the perfect next entry in the Glitter Bay Series. The way the author adds more depth to these characters from book 1 to now and the shocking developments will keep readers engaged thoroughly.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to get your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A prolific mystery writer, I am the mom of three kids and two cats as well as author of Wild Blue Mysteries, Gilda Wright Mysteries, Glitter Bay Mysteries, and the Audra Clemmings Mysteries from Books We Love Ltd. with many more to come!

You can find me at:

Blog: http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Website: http://penspaintsandpaper.com/index.html

Publisher Website: https://bookswelove.net/bator-diane/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dianebatorauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7179945.Diane_Bator

The Cat Lady Special by D.C. Gomez Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A woman struggling with life and nothing left to lose finds herself thrust into a family secret that will change things forever in author D.C. Gomez’s “The Cat Lady Special”, the first book in the author’s The Cat Lady Series. 

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The Synopsis

What would you do if you had nothing to lose?

Angela has reached the end of her rope. Bills are piling up, money is sparse, and her two-timing ex-husband traded her in for a “Barbie” lookalike. Depression and lack of hope put her in a world filled with never-ending pain, and when she loses the one thing she has left—her will to live—she knows there’s nothing left to go back to. Until an unexpected knock on her door wakes her up.

The lonely, sad cat lady comes face to face with a new and exciting opportunity, if only she grabs the bull by the horns and accepts. When she does, she learns of a crazy family secret, but she also finds a way to save herself, and the people she loves most.

The Cat Lady Special is a story of second chances, discovering your inner savior, and of finding hope in the most unexpected places. It will appeal to fans of “How Stella Got her Groove Back” and “Breaking Bad.”

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The Review

What a fun and rich story. The author does an incredible job of crafting a narrative that is both fun and thrilling all at once. The memorable story development that highlights the small-town life and action keeps the reader engaged very early in the book. The author’s use of imagery vividly brings the story’s details to life with extraordinary depth. 

The heart of this story rests in the protagonist’s rich character dynamics and relatability. The story of a woman struggling in the world, only to find her true identity and the power she had been hoping to regain in her life, was not only relatable but, in its own fun and unique way, inspiring. The dramatic yet humorous take on her story in regards to her family’s secret business and the hilarious connection she shares with her mother and her group of friends, dubbed “The Silver-Hair Gang,” the book becomes a thrilling blend of small-town life meets Breaking Bad.

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The Verdict

Captivating, gripping, and entertaining, author D.C. Gomez’s “The Cat Lady Special” is a must-read women’s humorous fiction meets small-town mystery and crime thriller. The witty banter between the characters, the relatable protagonist, and the shocking twists and turns will keep readers on the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

D. C. Gomez is a USA Today Bestselling Author, born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Salem, Massachusetts. She study film and television at New York University. After college she joined the US Army, and proudly served for four years.

Those experiences shaped her quirky sense of humor. D.C. has a love for those who served and the families that support them. She currently lives in the quaint city of Wake Village, Texas, with her furry roommate, Chincha.

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Two people haunted by the past on a small island town find dark secrets emerging as strange happenings unearth the magic and folklore that their town has been steeped into for years in author Adrienne Young’s “Spells for Forgetting”.

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The Synopsis

A deeply atmospheric story about ancestral magic, an unsolved murder, and a second chance at true love.

Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings.

But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in fourteen years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget.

August knows he is not welcome on Saiorse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother’s ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery.

The town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily’s mysterious death once and for all.

The Review

This was such a powerful and captivating mystery thriller. The rich character-driven narrative really did an excellent job of elevating the atmosphere and emotional tone of the narrative. The air of suspicion and secrets run deep in this small island town, and the seemingly small-knit community where everyone knows everyone suddenly becomes a bed of deceit in which everyone is a suspect, even those closest to the protagonists. The heated passion and unresolved feelings between both August and Emery add even more tension to this atmospheric thriller and keep readers invested in their divergent stories until they come together in unexpected ways.

For me, the rich and dynamic setting with the subtle yet the natural feeling way the author incorporated magic and fantasy into this narrative felt so alive on the page. The author did an incredible job of showcasing the concept of town secrets, local legends, and the power that secrets and lies can hold over us in life, and blended these themes into a years-long whodunnit that captivated the audience instantly. The atmosphere of this small town played well into the mystery both in the novel and the genre as a whole, as the story elevated the reader’s curiosity factor while also keeping them emotionally invested in these protagonists. 

The Verdict

Haunting, mesmerizing, and entertaining, author Adrienne Young’s “Spells for Forgetting” is a must-read fantasy and murder mystery read. The passionate character development and ideas of destiny and the power of local legends played well with the diverse cast of characters and the sheer volume of twists and turns that will keep readers shocked for days after reading the final pages of this incredible story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Adrienne Young is the New York Times and international bestselling author of the Sky and Sea duology, the Fable series, and Spells for Forgetting. When she’s not writing, you can find Adrienne on her yoga mat, on a walk in the woods, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

For information on release, appearances, ARCs, giveaways, and exclusive content, sign up for the newsletter at https://adrienneyoungbooks.com/

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