Brenda Whiteside's Blog, page 4

Books, Books, More Books

I have long been a catalog shopper. I find it relaxing and easy to flip through pages, then retrace my virtual steps to compare my findings. I love book stores, but on line catalogs grouped by genre are really fun too. I have three great offerings here, and my books are in all of them. I hope you find some new books and new authors to keep you entertained.

A New Catalog of Amateur Sleuths
and Cozy Mysteries
You'll Not Want To Miss Opening in May

 Click the photo to be taken to the catalog 

 

Historical Romance Reads for You
in This May Catalog of Books

 
Click the photo to be taken to the catalog



Small Town Romance Reads to Keep You Entertained inThis May Catalog of Books



Click the photo to be taken to the catalog

Kris Bock shares the first Reluctant Psychic #mystery and a Breakfast Burrito #recipe

I'm always happy to have Kris Bock on Discover... This time she really satisfies me with a fun, new book and the best recipe. I LOVE Mexican food and mystery! Enjoy.

The ReluctantPsychic Mysteries: Petra Cloch can touch an object and sense the emotions peoplehave left behind. She avoids friendships so she won’t need to explain her giftor feel like a voyeur. Now she’s starting a new job at a quirky private museumin a small New Mexico town. 

AStone Cold Murder opens with Petra cleaning her new office. The man who previouslyheld her job died suddenly, leaving behind personal items and shelves ofmineral samples that aren't on display. When Petra picks up a cluster ofcrystals, her psychic powers overwhelm her with flashes of rage and fear. Therock was clearly used as a weapon. Everyone says her predecessor died in a carcrash, but what if he was murdered? If he died because of the job, she could benext. 

Petrausually avoids making personal connections, because her psychic powers make itawkward. But she needs to know what happened in order to protect herself. Herfriendly coworkers—too friendly? – make it easy to get involved in thecommunity. A transplant from Seattle, Petra soon learns about the joys ofsouthwestern food, the benefits and challenges of small town life, and thedanger of whatever she's stumbled into. 

Learn more or order The ReluctantPsychic Mystery series, available in ebook and print at all major retailers. 

New Mexicanslove their green chile, which comes slathered over almost any dish. Theofficial state question is “Red or Green?” – which version of the chile saucedo you want? Despite what spell check thinks, I’m not talking about chili,which is a stew that may contain beans and/or meat. Rather, chile refersto chopped or puréed New Mexico chile peppers, possibly cooked in broth withsome onion and garlic. 

You can buygreen chile or green chile sauce in some grocery stores. The 505 brand is good.You can also try salsa or other fresh hot peppers. Poblano (also calledpasilla) peppers are a find substitute. 

Thesebooks don't include recipes, but here is something Petra might have tried inher new town. 

Breakfast Burrito 

2 baconstrips per person

1/2 cup hashbrowns per person

2 eggs perperson

Salt andpepper to taste

Green chileto taste (or salsa if you can’t find green chile)

1 (8-inch)flour tortilla per person

1/4 cupshredded cheddar cheese per person

Extra red orgreen chile sauce (optional) 

Use your favorite method to cook the bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1-2 tablespoons drippings.

Add the hash browns to the bacon drippings in a skillet at medium heat. Cook until browned.

Lightly beat the eggs with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet. Mix in the green chile and stir until the eggs are set.

Divide the egg mixture between the tortillas, spooning it down the center.

Sprinkle cheese and bacon over eggs.

Fold the tortilla into a burrito. Eat it out of hand, or smother the burrito with red or green chile sauce and eat it with a knife and fork.

 

Options: Use crumbled, cooked sausage, cubed ham, carne adovada (pork cooked with red chile), or chorizo instead of the bacon. Try different cheeses. Or make a veggie version with sautéed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes.

For a group, you can let people add their own choice of meat, cheese, and veggie.

You can make a large batch, wrap each burrito in waxed paper and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to a month. To heat, remove the foil and place the waxed paper-wrapped burritos on a plate. Microwave at 60% power until hot, about 1 to 2 minutes. 

Learn more or order The ReluctantPsychic Mystery series, available in ebook and print at all major retailers. 

Snippet: 

Liberty sat at a table and was the first to glance over at me. Shesmiled and waved me into the room. Haven’s glance followed the gesture to me,and she grinned.

I got a weird feeling. Like . . . people were happy to see me? AndI enjoyed it?

I liked Haven and Liberty. I might enjoy being friends withthem—assuming, of course, neither of them were murderers. But even takingmurder out of the equation, friendship was hard with a secret like mine. Whendid you tell people? How would they react? But maybe if we got to know eachother as coworkers . . . 

Readers say:

“The prose is sharp, the mystery isaddictive, and Petra’s journey is one I won’t forget. If you love atmosphericthrillers with a deeply human core, you need this book.”

 

“Petra is such a compelling lead. Herpsychometry isn’t just a plot device—it’s a curse that’s shaped her entirelife... And her journey from isolation to finally letting people in?Perfection.” 

“The depiction of the small-townenvironment is so vivid that I could almost sense the dust in the museum andfeel the heat of the desert. The mystery itself is exceptionally well-crafted.” 

KrisBock writes mystery, suspense, andromance, often with Southwestern landscapes. In theAccidental Detective humorous mystery series , a witty journalist solves mysteriesin Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. The FurreverFriends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in lovewith each other and shelter cats. In the AccidentalBillionaire Cowboys series ,a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery and find out winning thelottery causes as many problems as it solves. Kris’s romanticsuspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. 

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective shortstory and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content aboutpets, announcements of new books, sales, and more. 

Kris’snewsletter signup

Website

GoodReads Author Page

BookBub

AmazonUS page or AmazonUK page

BlueSky 

Wicked Fun with Wicked Villains on Wicked Wednesday by C. Becker

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Oh readers! Today's Wicked Wednesday is particularly wicked fun. My guest, C. Becker, gets us up close and personal to a wicked villain.

I’m always intrigued when a reader feelssorry for a story’s villain. Wicked villains make us pause to consider the character’scircumstances. If the villain had been brought up differently, would he/she havebeen so evil? When I began the Euphoria trilogy, I created one evil villain, ManuelMendoza, but as the next two stories unfolded, I realized he wasn’t so evil.Yes, he was misguided, but deep down he had a good heart. Although he was moneyhungry, his thirst for power stemmed from his abusive life led by his wicked fatherJosé. José de Mendoza is as ruthless as they come. In the final book of thetrilogy, he’s the prime target of the story and he’s out for merciless revenge.A drug lord and human trafficker, José went so low as to destroy his son’schance with happiness at every turn. Jose is the wicked villain I’d like you tomeet in this interview, and I’m heading out before he either kills me for revealinghim or sells me to his contacts on some remote island. (Exit: Door slam)

Where did she go? I heard hervoice. The conniving author who smuggled me into the U.S. shouldn’t have exposedme to her readers. Maybe I’ll kill her before I head back to Colombia—after Ifinish taking care of the others. My troubles began two months ago when my sonManuel brought his five-year-old bastard daughter back to Colombia. Now thegirl will inherit everything my wife owns. Hijueputa! Over my dead body!Manny never even let me to see the girl. He was afraid I’d sell her off to thehuman traffickers—like I did that with his first girlfriend. Women! Nothing buttrouble! Now I’m stuck in the U.S. trying to clean up his mess.
For the past six years, Manny pinedover a new love, a U.S. scientist who served prison time for him. Why couldn’t Mannyfocus on the family cocaine business? (cough) I can’t keep the drugtrade going by myself forever. I should’ve killed Manny’s puta and her sidekickHailey Langley when I first caught them prowling around my home. Langley duginto my computer files a few years ago and handed the trade contacts over tothe government. Now my soldiers can’t get shipments out on the damn drug routesbecause the authorities capture all the narcosubs. Hailey Langley should’vekept her nose out of my business. She never learns. When her husband died in afire last year, Hailey started popping anti-depressants. (snicker) Toobad I swapped her mail-order prescription and slowly poisoned her with bixine,a drug from the worthless Euphoria shrub Manny keeps in the greenhouse.
When Manny kidnapped his bastarddaughter this summer, he ordered his minions to kill Langley, but she got away.Dammit! That secret agent is slicker than a coral snake. Now that I’m in theStates, I’ll finish the job. I broke into her house this afternoon with plansto finish her off, but she wasn’t there. As I was leaving, an old gringoentered through the front door. I didn’t have a gun so I hid upstairs and pushedhim down the stairs. I’m heading to Boston to kill Manny’s bastard and sexy puta,but I’ll come back and make Hailey pay for the trouble she’s caused. If mycontact doesn’t get me a gun soon, I’ll have to use other ways to exactrevenge. (cracks fingers) Then I’ll decide how to knock off my wife.I’ve spent too many nights at the brothel since she stopped sleeping in my bed.Need to figure out a way to keep her estate before I deal with her….
Blurb:
HaileyLangley tries to wrap her mind around the news her husband survived a fire shethought had killed him. Before she can search for him, Hailey has a promise tokeep that takes her to Colombia where she must face the drug lord behind herhusband’s attack.
MarkLangley is suffering from his own plight and insecurities, including burns andPTSD. Beneath Mark’s scarred exterior is a man seeking acceptance from a wifehe refuses to see. Uncertain if he will ever reunite with his family, Markstruggles through his therapies, hopeful an experimental drug from the Euphoriaplant will heal his scars.
Whenanother villain from Colombia seeks revenge, Hailey and Mark must learn totrust and love again as they battle their newest threat and find their way backto each other.
Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Euphoria-C-Becker-ebook/dp/B0DSG8XQ3X
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embracing-euphoria-c-becker/1146791353
BAM:  https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781509259809
The Wild Rose Press: https://wildrosepress.com/product/embracing-euphoria/ 

C.Becker is a romance suspense writer, musician, and lover of crafts. Shehas a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and worked in the clinicalhospital setting until she began raising a family. As her children grew older, she never outgrew the attraction of usingscience in everyday life. She turned to teaching, music, and eventuallyto writing stories. She considers herself a “jack of all trades,” and readilyadmits she is a “master of none.” Yes, she even does home improvement projects!Becker has published three romance suspense novels in the Euphoria trilogy,several poems, and over a dozen children’s books (under Colleen Driscoll). Becker enjoys hanging out with her family andJack Russell, playing the piano, reading, traveling, and gardening.

ContactLinks:

Email: cbeckerauthor@gmail.com

Websiteaddress: http://cbeckerauthor.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/cbeckerauthor

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CBeckerauthor/

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/beckercee/

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19026691.C_Becker

Perils of Creating a Teen Amateur Sleuth by Susie Black

MUSE MONDAY

Susie Black is a welcomed guest here on Discover... Her muse has guided her to write a cozy about a young sleuth. She's here to tell us all about it on Muse Monday.

I am the author ofsix published humorous cozy mysteries. While my adult female protagonist in TheHolly Swimsuit Mystery Series is younger than me, the age difference between usdid not present any verisimilitude issues when I created her personality,lifestyle, or career. One key element that made it easy is that she was basedon me.

But writing aseries with a teen amateur sleuth who again was based on me—this time as a highschool newspaper investigative reporter presented several challenges that hadto be overcome to make the tale realistic.

Fourth down…you’re dead.

How much dangercould I/should I put my young sleuth into?

Would she tell herparents what she was doing or lie to them? The protagonist insisted on notrevealing to her parents what she was involved in. I had to enlist the help ofher Nana who figured out what Hannah was doing to convince Hannah to fess up toher parents.

Who would take ateenage amateur sleuth seriously? If she interrogated an adult suspect wouldthey even give her the time of day, much less answer her questions? How wouldshe know what questions to ask? Even her school friends asked these samequestions.

If she hadsuspects in mind, how would she go about investigating them? How would she knowwhat to do? How would she gain access to conduct her investigations?

If she did somehowdiscover proof that a suspect was the killer, would the homicide detective takeher information seriously or blow her off?

While the seriesis based on my experience as a high school newspaper investigative reporter, Ithankfully had never made such a gruesome discovery as Hannah White did. Howshould she react? Terrified? Shocked? Faint? I took a risk and had her reactexactly as her wise-cracking, irreverent personality would dictate. And theresult was one of the funniest one-line zingers of the story:

Dean gulped. “Who are youcalling?”

“Donofrio’s Pizzeria. Deadbodies give me the munchies.”

 

So, how did I overcome seeminglyinsurmountable challenges?

1.     Icreated two adult characters who interacted with the teenage sleuth:

Bart White: Hannah White’s uncle andthe defense attorney for the teenage murder suspect. He enlisted her to get theinformation he would be hard-pressed to obtain on his own.

H.S. Whiperski: A Private InvestigatorBart hired to work with Hannah. H. S. tailored the questions to ask and thesteps the teenage sleuth could realistically and safely take.

 

2.    I incorporated Hannah’s investigative reporter skills intohow she approached suspects and the methods she employed to question them.Hannah questioned several teacher suspects under the guise of interviewing themfor a story she was writing for the school newspaper.

3.    I created a group of Hannah’s friends called the YoungYentas who served as a sounding board for Hannah to bounce ideas off of and asassistant sleuths.

4.    I added a teenage sidekick for Hannah who gave her accessto a key site at the high school to search for proof that a teacher hadcommitted the murder.

5.    I created a school janitor who served as a trusted sourceof information, to bounce ideas off of, and who helped Hannah save a teacher’slife.

6.     I devised a“rope-a-dope” mechanism Hannah employed to interview suspects without themrealizing what she was doing.

 

The Case of the Croaked Coach,the debut title of The Hannah White Mystery Series was simultaneously theeasiest and most difficult manuscript to write.

Blurb:

There wasn’t an honestbone in Buzz Bixby’s body. The Encino High School’s head football coach was anequal-opportunity scoundrel. Bixby cheated and lied his way to the top andscrewed anyone and everyone in his wake. So, the question wasn’t who wanted thecoach dead. The question was, who didn’t? Despite how guilty Dean looks, Hannah isconvinced he’s innocent. When Snyder is arrested for Bixby’s murder, thewise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to flesh out thereal killer. But the trail has more twists and turns than a slinky, and nothingturns out how Hannah thinks it will as she tangles with a clever killerhellbent on revenge.

Excerpt:

Ipeppered Dean with questions. “Call 911? Try to help him. Check his pulse.Perform CPR? Anything?”

Deanhung his head. “No.”

 “What the heck is the matter with you?”

Hebunched his shoulders.

“ Ifyou’d at least called 911 he had a chance of being saved.”

Hepointed the trophy at the corpse. “Is he dead?”

Deanbent over the coach’s crumpled body. “I’ve never seen a dead body before. How doyou tell?”

The backof the guy’s head is smashed in like roadkill. How much more proof do you need?

I rolledmy eyes. “Well, since he hasn’t so much as twitched, it’s a safe bet thenext game Bixby coaches is gonna be played in the stadium located at the GreatBeyond.”

Buy Links: The Case of the Croaked Coach: https://t.co/X2W29k2Why  

A Bit About theAuthor:

Named Best USAuthor of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, multi-award-winning cozymystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunnySouthern California home. She has published seven books and # eight is slatedfor release in May 2025. Avoracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highlyintelligent man and is the mother of one incredibly brainy but smart-aleckadult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.

Looking for more? Contact Susie at:

Website: www.authorsusieblack.com

E-mail: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com 

Susie Black Social Media Links: 

BlueSky: @hollysusiewrites.bsky.social

Facebook: Susie Black, author of The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series |Facebook

https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries

Instagram:Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/@hollyswimsuit

Reading and Reviews (Ligon and Gallant)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'llshare my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read islimited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook atnight for the last hour of my day. 

I tend to read what I write, but not exclusively. BesidesRomantic Suspense and mystery, I read crime and law novels, once in a while atrue story, WWII historicals, romance, and mainstream character driven books.

Here are some of the books I've read recently or in the not-too-distant past.Maybe you'll discover a new book or author. 

Running to Daylight by Kim Janine Ligon 

After ten years in witnessprotection, Morgan Tucker is hidden no longer. Evil hasn’t been thwarted by afalse name or Morgan’s move to the small town of Lansdale, Wisconsin.

Mark Trask, a veteran of Lansdale’s police force, returns from vacation to findhis reclusive housemate, Phil Hughes, missing. The driver of a black pickuptruck stalks Mark and nearly kills him. Are they targeting Mark or is itrelated to Phil’s mysterious disappearance?

Elsie Dennis lives with her older brother, Hubert, and operates Knitting Prettyin downtown Lansdale. Unexpected danger plagues the siblings. Why now? Who isbehind this evil?

Mark and Elsie are thrown together to solve the mysteries surrounding them andtry to determine if they are related to a ten-year-old murder. They encounterevil at every turn as together they find their way toward the daylight. 

My Review 

Think the Sopranos meets Mayberry.And since this is a sweet romance, you’ll be spared the graphics. Ms. Ligonbegins this tale when Morgan Tucker does the right thing. She is then whiskedoff, given another identity, and put in witness protection. We are transportedto her new life in the second chapter. I liken Lansdale, Wisconsin to Mayberryand our hero, Mark Trask, to the down to earth law enforcement we’d expect in asmall town. For me, a good story isn’t enough. I need characters that interestme and are well developed. This story has that. An entertaining read! 

This book will release May 26, butyou can reserve you copy now:

https://www.amazon.com/Running-Daylight-Kim-Janine-Ligon-ebook/dp/B0F1P71LKV/

 

 

Unspeakable Sins (Truth and Liesbook 4) by Jannine Gallant 

In the peaceful town of Wildwood, akiller is on the prowl . . .

Jessica Hayes hadn’t been back to Wildwood in years. She’d rather poke her eyeout than visit her vindictive grandfather, so discovering she’d inherited hishome on the James River came as a shock. Quitting her job to move to Virginiawas an impulsive decision—one she might live to regret. Because making the oldmansion habitable will take a herculean effort.

Returning centuries-old homes to their former glory is what Lincoln Quintrelllives for. When he receives a call from Jessica Hayes, a girl he’d gone toschool with, about restoring her grandfather’s plantation house, he can’t waitto begin. The dilapidated mansion makes his heart beat faster—and so doesJessica, who is a lot prettier than he remembered.

Creating beauty from decay and navigating a budding relationship isn’t theironly challenge. When Jessica discovers skeletal remains on her property, theHayes family tragedy is resurrected. The aunt who’d disappeared years beforehadn’t run away—she’d been murdered. Now, a killer with evil intent is hidingin plain sight. Will Jessica become the next victim? 

My Review 

This book had it all for me: anhistorical mansion in need of restoration, a soon-to-be bed and breakfast (Ialways thought it would be fun to own one), family skeletons—the ones you loveto uncover but also quite literally, a strong female lead who still needs someman-help, and a hero you can hope gets the girl. There were enough twists andturns to keep the suspense going. The romance is believable and blendsbeautifully with the mystery. You’ll enjoy this 4th book in theseries. And if you haven’t read the first three, you’ll want to.

AMAZON BUY LINK

By the Shore with My Muse by Karen Cino

MUSE MONDAY

Who doesn't love the beach, even if you're not a swimmer like myself? Just sitting in the sun on the sand and hearing the sounds of the water is excellent. Add to that reading a great beach novel! My guest today enjoys that all the time, plus she writes those great beach reads. Please welcome Karen Cino to Discover... for Muse Monday.

I live atthe Jersey Shore, and I’ve been a beach lover my whole life. Walking everymorning at the boardwalk is the perfect way to start my day. I’ve taken my loveof the beach and have incorporated it into my women’s fiction romance and cozymysteries. Yes, it’s tough during the winter months, but just knowing that theocean is there every morning, I can’t help but create stories that take placeat the shore all year long. If you enjoy reading beach themed books, then takea few minutes to check the other book in the Five Beach Road Series.

Living atthe Shore

Blurb: 

     After moving intoher grandmother’s summer house at the Jersey Shore to seek solace and newbeginnings, Brooke’s tranquil life is disrupted by a past love and her newneighbors.Her newly found friendship with Flo and Janeassists in settling Brooke into her new surroundings. When she finds herself inthe middle of her neighbors’ domestic disputes, it puts further strain on herrelationship with Scott. Flo continues to come to terms with her past decisionsabout her daughter’s adoption, while maintaining a relationship with Jerry. Amisunderstanding on Thanksgiving put her relationship to the test.
    Jane’s bakery is blooming and she’s settling in nicely in herrelationship with Mark, however, she’s still battling old wounds from herdeceased ex-husband, causing her to second guess moving forward with Mark.
     Allthree women are battling demons from the past, deterring them from making acommitment to their future relationship. Their friendship is a rich tapestry ofinterconnected stories about overcoming adversity through support systems foundin their friendships. 

Excerpt: 

Brookewalked him down the spiral staircase to the door and waited for his car todisappear down the block before she walked into the kitchen. Scott O’Keffe hadbeen her godsend. He was unlike any man she had known. She became instantlyattracted to him the night she met him at the tiki bar and they had their firstdance. By the end of the summer, their relationship had bloomed into somethingthat Brooke never thought was possible for her.

Thedoorbell rang, interrupting her thoughts. As she walked down the spiral stairsagain, she rolled her eyes. Brooke flung open the door and gasped. This can’tbe happening. The last thing she expected to see was her ex-boyfriend, Eric,especially since she had put that part of her life to rest. Now, he stood ather front door, dressed in clothes she had given him. Her legs weakened, andshe felt butterflies in her stomach. She knew it was essential to keep her cooland not let him break her down. She had no intentions of turning the clocksback in time. After all, she had come to grips with her emotions for Ericmonths ago.

“Brooke?”Eric waved papers in her face.

“Eric,what the hell are you doing here?”

“Idid it. I asked her for a divorce.” He handed her a set of divorce papers.“It’s official. We can finally be together. I’m here to take you home.”

Brookedropped her glance to look at the papers, flicking through them until she gotto the last page with the seal. Why, after all these years, did he make theplunge to file for divorce? They had spoken about him leaving her years ago,but he never followed through. Seal or not, she wasn’t going back. Slowly, sheraised her gaze back to Eric. “Congratulations on your divorce, but I am home,”Brooke said, blocking the door.

“Sweetheart,please, let me in so we can talk.”

“There’snothing to talk about. We’re over. Nothing you say or do will change my mind. Ihave created a new life here and have no intention of changing my routine. It’stoo late for us.”

“I’mso sorry I hurt you.” Eric slid his hands into his back pockets and leanedtoward her. “Please, I did this for us.”

Brookehanded him back the papers. “This has no bearing on my decision. You strung mealong for years. You didn’t do this for us,you did it for you.”

“What’sthat supposed to mean?” Eric asked, rolling the papers in his hand. “I thoughtthis is what you wanted.”

“No,Eric. This was a decision you had to make on your own. All you’ve done wascomplain about your wife for years, and how you hated being there. You saidthat she was bipolar and wouldn’t be able to handle you leaving her. So, myguess is she was the one who initiated the divorce.”

“No,you’re wrong. I…I…I can’t live without you.”

“Ithought the same thing for the longest time. I’ve moved on and learned to livewithout you.”

“Idon’t believe you. You’d repeatedly said how much you loved me and wanted to bewith me. What changed?”

“Ican ask you the same thing, Eric. Tell me the truth. Did you ask her for adivorce or is she divorcing you?”

Ericdropped his gaze down to the floor, shuffling his feet on the wooden porch,confusion written all over his face. Brooke took a deep breath. Eric was amess. And as much as her heart went out to him, she still stood her ground.

“She did,” he whispered. “She told me she wastired of me being out all night and she had found my secret phone in the car’sglove compartment.”

BUY LINKS

AMAZON

DRAFT TO DIGITAL

Down at the Shore 

https://www.amazon.com/Down-Shore-Five-Beach-Road-ebook/dp/B09F6Z73FY/

Karen Cinois a multi-published author who has been writing since she was fourteen yearsold. She started her career by writing poetry, short stories and articles forher high school newspaper. While in college, she was one of the foundlingmember of WSIA radio station. Many years later, she worked as an investigatorreporter at a local newspaper. Her daily walks down at the boardwalk are whatgets her muse going. It clears her mind and helps her find realistic plot ideasand characters, boosting up her muse. Karen loves writing about local placesthat people can relate to. 

Karenloves the summer, loves the beach. Her previous books were written and takeplace in various places across Staten Island. When Karen relocated to theJersey Shore back in 2015, she traded in the Staten Island Boardwalk for theNew Jersey Shoreline. 

Currently,Karen is working on a Women’s Fiction as well as a Cozy Mystery series.

FIND KAREN HERE:

Website: https://karencino.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/karencino

AmazonAuthor Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/karencino

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ladymandolay

Newsletter:https://subscribepage.io/jGP7wi

Book Shopping Made Easy-Spring Has Sprung!

Here's an easy way  to book shop. I've got two great catalogs for you to browse and find the next great read for yourself as well as the new readers in your life!

SMALL TOWN ROMANCE covers all genres of romance: mystery and suspense like my books, as well as westerns, military, billionaire, contemporary, and historical. 

To find your next great read, click on the image above or CLICK HERE

And for those beginning readers this catalog, SPRING INTO CHAPTER BOOKS, has some great choices. If they aren't quite ready to read on their own, you'll have fun reading these books to them.

To find some books perfect for you young reader, including a couple of mine under the name Brenda Sue, click on the image above or CLICK HERE

Reading and Reviews (Black and Grafton)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'llshare my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read islimited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook atnight for the last hour of my day. 

I tend to read what I write, but not exclusively. BesidesRomantic Suspense and mystery, I read crime and law novels, once in a while atrue story, WWII historicals, romance, and mainstream character driven books.

Here are some of the books I've read recently or in the not-too-distant past.Maybe you'll discover a new book or author. 

The Case of the Croaked Coach (Hannah White Mysteries, book1) by Susie Black 

There wasn’t an honest bone in BuzzBixby’s body. The Encino High School’s head football coach was anequal-opportunity scoundrel. Bixby cheated and lied his way to the top andscrewed anyone and everyone in his wake. So, the question wasn’t who wanted thebastard dead. The question was, who didn’t?

Student reporter Hannah White’s interview with the coach is a nonstarter whenshe discovers varsity football hero Dean Snyder standing over Bixby’s batteredcorpse holding a bloody trophy. Despite how guilty Dean looks, Hannah isconvinced he’s innocent. When Snyder is arrested for Bixby’s murder, thewise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to flesh out thereal killer.

But the trail has more twists and turns than a slinky, and nothing turns outhow Hannah thinks it will as she tangles with a clever killer hellbent onrevenge. 

My Review 

Susie Black has launched a new cozymystery series with The Case of the Croaked Coach. At Encino High School, thehead football coach has collected quite a list of enemies. Who would like acheating scoundrel who lies, treats women badly, and steps on anyone who getsin his way? When he ends up dead, murdered, and one of the football players isthe prime suspect, student reporter, Hannah White is on the case…with a littlehelp from her lawyer Uncle B and a female private investigator whose smartmouth rivals Hannah’s.

I found Hannah a delight, and theseriousness with which she takes her position on the school paper fun. Theamateur sleuth in this series might be a high school student, but I’m convincedfrom this first book, this is a full-fledged cozy that will give mysteryreaders hours of entertainment. 

Ms. Black has established a cast ofcharacters that I’ll enjoy following in the next book and beyond.

 

Y is for Yesterday (A Kinsey MillhoneNove, book 25) by Sue Grafton 

In 1979, four teenage boys from anelite private school sexually assault a fourteen-year-old classmate—and filmthe attack. Not long after, the tape goes missing and the suspected thief, afellow classmate, is murdered. In the investigation that follows, one boy turnsstate’s evidence and two of his peers are convicted. But the ringleader escapeswithout a trace.
       
Now, it’s 1989 and one of the perpetrators, Fritz McCabe, has been releasedfrom prison. Moody, unrepentant, and angry, he is a virtual prisoner of hisever-watchful parents—until a copy of the missing tape arrives with a ransomdemand. That’s when the McCabes call Kinsey Millhone for help. As she is drawninto their family drama, she keeps a watchful eye on Fritz. But he’s not theonly one being haunted by the past. A vicious sociopath with a grudge againstMillhone may be leaving traces of himself for her to find... 

My Review 

It’s hard to find fault with anauthor who can crank out 25 novels around one detective, Kinsey Millhone. Andthis is the fourth book in the series I’ve read, but not in order, so I haveenjoyed them. I enjoyed this one too, but found a little trouble following thestoryline a few times. She uses a flashback technique to slowly reveal whatactually happened in 1979. So we hop between that and her investigation in1989. She also dropped in a villain who is after her from one of her othernovels. The problem could’ve been caused because I read in brief segments oftime before I go to bed…actually in bed. If I read for longer times, maybe Iwouldn’t have gotten lost. Regardless, it was an entertaining book. I’m sure I’lldrop back and read at least some of the others in the series.

Epic Adventure for Fearless Friday by Kim McMahill

FEARLESS FRIDAY

Please join me in welcoming Kim McMahill to Discover... on a Fearless Friday. What an adventure she had! And I'd say with her life, she's well equipped to write entertaining adventure stories. Enjoy her post and then check out her books...

I loveadventure, nature, wildlife, travel, and learning about new cultures. Lastwinter I got the opportunity to experience all of those at once in one amazing trip.My husband and I flew in a small plane from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to SanIgnacio Lagoon on the Baja Peninsula to participate in an immersive whalewatching experience. The area is home to one of the few birthing and breedinglagoons in the world used by gray whales, making it an unparalleled place toview whales.

The tripstarted with a flight over stunning mountain and desert scenery as we headed upthe Baja Peninsula. After landing on a dirt airstrip, we piled into a four-wheeldrive vehicle for a short drive to whale camp. We stayed in a comfortable well-equippedtent on a shell-strewn beach, but most of our time was spent on the water.

Each day, we gotup at sunrise and donned life jackets and tall rubber boots to wade into thewater to board our small boat. The lagoon is a protected area, so we had to travelto a designated part of the lagoon for viewing and were limited to a set timeon the water before having to go ashore. After a short time on shore, we would headback out for another round of whale watching.

The first daywe saw a huge gray whale “spy-hopping,” which
is when a whale vertically liftsits head out of the water to look around. It only got better from there. Eachday brought more whale sightings and on the last day, a mother brought her calfalongside the boat as we bobbed silently in the water watching.

Some daysbrought strong winds, forcing us off the water. The temperatures were cool mostof the time, but the experience was well worth any discomfort or nail-bitingboat rides.  Seeing these magnificentgiants in such an amazing place was both humbling, awe-inspiring, and even alittle frightening. The adult whales were much larger than our boat, so we weretruly at their mercy. It was nothing less than a trip of a lifetime.

Ifyou love adventure too, I hope you will check out, The Beartooth Chronicles.Below is a blurb about the series. The first three novels have been released.The fourth is scheduled for release in April and the fifth and finalinstallment in September 2025. You can find all of my novels at major onlinebook sellers including Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Kim-McMahill/e/B007IK0EJW/

The Beartooth Chronicles

In a world unraveling from relentless natural and humandisasters, a determined group of individuals form a cooperative community builton sustainability and hope. Their mountain haven, Beartooth, offers safety andsolace, but as environmental catastrophes escalate and humanity's darkestinstincts emerge, their fragile sanctuary is threatened.

Now, the residents must confront an unyielding wave ofchallenges—both from within and beyond their borders—that will push theirresilience, unity, and will to survive to the brink. Will their vision of abetter future endure, or will the chaos of the world consume all they’ve built?

Follow Ashley and Caleb as they embark on a remarkablejourney. Together, they learn about tragedy, grief, love, joy, and hope as theyfight to survive in a hostile world.

Novels in the series in order: Refuge from the World,Above the Abyss, Isolated from Anarchy, Evil Below the Mountain, and WinterResurgence.

Find The Beartooth Chronicles here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWZDD7W3

Bio:

Kim McMahill started out writing nonfiction, but herpassion for adventure, stories of survival against the odds, and speculatingabout the future of humanity and our planet, soon turned her attention towardsfiction. Along with numerous novels, she has published over eighty travel andhuman-interest articles and contributed to a travel story anthology. Growing upin a small community surrounded by mountains, traveling the world, and enjoyinga rewarding career with the National Park Service, has given her theopportunity to live in amazing places, experience incredible adventures, andwitness many changes in our world, all of which have helped shape her stories.

Please be sure to sign up for her newsletter withthe form in the sidebar of her blog at https://KimMcMahill.blogspot.comor follow her on:

https://www.facebook.com/KimMcMahillAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmcmahill/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@kimmcmahill

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/849945.Kim_McMahill

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kim-McMahill/e/B007IK0EJW/

Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-mcmahill

Some of My Best Friends Aren't Real

 “Well, then, sugar.Let’s get started.” 

With those lastwords, I typed The End to book five in the Wild Horse Peaks books. Sniff,sniff. 

The Deep Well of Love and Murder ends the Wild Horse Peaks series. When Iwrote that last sentence, I sadly bid farewell to a cast of characters I lovedand lived with for the several years. Even now, I miss Lacy’s level-headedpersonality, Chance’s dedication to peace-keeping and to Lacy, Phoebe’s sassy,gypsy style, Mason’s sexy attitude, August’s feistiness, Wolf’s James Bondcoolness, Penny’s braveness, Jake’s soft side, and last, but not least, from The Deep Well of Love and Murder,Laura’s independent flare and Randy’s…oh, there’s too much to miss about Randy. 

When I write a book,I know so much more about the characters than I can include between the pages. It’sa satisfying feeling, putting their stories to rest, but it’s also as if theymove on without me. Can they? I suppose Randy and Laura will be just finewithout my meddling, but honestly, I’ll miss checking in on them every day. 

The Deep Well of Love and Murder Excerpt:

“You let me be the judge of whatmesses I choose in my life.”

His hands twitched at his sides,longing to hold her and stifle her anger. He narrowed his eyes and stareddeeper into hers instead. “Taking care of your ex is a mess I look forward to.”

“This is my mess, not yours.”Her tone grew more combative. “I’ve handled what I’ve been dealt, and I’llcontinue handling whatever gets thrown at me.”

“I don’t see it that way.” Hekept his voice level, but hard edged. His own emotions, convincing her whilefear of losing her, hammered his self-control. “You’re locking me out. Why?Because you think you aren’t allowed to be happy?”

Her mouth pinched in a tightline, and she glared at him. “Randy—”

“I think it’s about damned timeyou stopped blaming your mother, your ex, or whoever for your unhappiness.”

She whirled away, ready to flee,but he couldn’t stop now. He needed her and had to make her see how much sheneeded him. “Don’t be afraid of me, Laura Jane.” He shuffled a half-stepcloser.

“I’m not afraid.” She faced himagain. “But I don’t need you to tell me how to run my life, if that’s what youthink you can do.”

Perro jumped and planted hispaws on Randy’s hip, panting heavily. “For Pete’s sake, Perro—”

Laura’s brow furrowed. “Do yousmell that?” “What?” As soon as he’d asked, the hot, smoky scent assaulted hissenses.

Fire.

 

The Deep Well of Love and Murder:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ59LGT7 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80583692-the-deep-well-of-love-and-murder 

https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-deep-well-of-love-and-murder-wild-horse-peaks-book-4-by-brenda-whiteside

SeriesLink: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNC7LT9J 

If you’d like to get all fourbooks in the series, I have a boxset available. You can receive the sequel, ALegacy of Love and Murder, by becoming a BNG member. See below. 

Danger, betrayal,secrets, murder, and love will keep you turning the pages. In northern Arizona,the mountain/college town of Timberline lies at the foot of the Wild HorsePeaks. This award-winning, five-star series is set in picturesque, ruggedcountry, and the people who populate these stories are as colorful as thesetting.

 

The Art of Love and Murder, book 1

A woman searching for her past. A sheriffhiding in his present.

Their future together threatened bymurder.

 

Southwest of Loveand Murder, book 2

Writingmurder mysteries is all in a day's work

untilan obsessed fan brings Phoebe’s stories to life.

 

The Power of Love and Murder, book 3

Penny’s secrets can ruin the presidentialcontender who ordered her family’s murder

…and mark her as the next hit.

 

The Deep Well of Love and Murder, book 4

A vengeful ex-husband and bloody fight for land threaten alove-struck couple’s happiness. 

WILD HORSE PEAKS

COMPLETE SERIES BOXSET

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DD4Z1V6P

 

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217473717-wild-horse-peaks-complete-series

 

BookBub

https://www.bookbub.com/books/wild-horse-peaks-complete-series-the-full-romantic-suspense-series-by-brenda-whiteside 

Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romanticsuspense, romance, and cozy mystery. She writes children’s books under the penname, Brenda Sue and Sadi Belle. After living in six states and twocountries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. Theyshare their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brendawrites. 

To receive specialoffers, news about her latest books, and to be eligible for quarterly andyear-end gifts that only members of BNG receive, join Brenda’s NewsletterGroup.

https://us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4804e039587723cfe02e83f2c&id=5e4b22a4ac 

Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com

Or on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/brenda.whiteside.58/

X: https://x.com/brendawhitesid2

She blogs and hasguests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8

Goodreads AuthorPage: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside