War of the Noses

Nora Black #3

by Renee George

My name is Nora Black. I'm turning fifty-two, but I don't feel a day over thirty-nine. That is, when I can find my glasses, my feet don't hurt, and my scent-induced psychic ability isn't showing me crimes.

For my birthday, my best friends Gilly and Pippa signed us up for a weekend at the Central Midwest Spa Convention. Yay. Massages, fine dining, maid service, and best of all, as long as we attend a few workshops, the weekend is a tax write-off. It should be all sunshine and roses, right? Wrong.

My former intern at Belliza Beauty aka the Job Stealer, Carmen Carraway, is a featured presenter. Yuck. Throw in an ex-boyfriend, a number one fan, a brewing scandal, and a dead body, and my relaxing birthday weekend is DOA.

I'll need all my senses, along with my friends, if I want to stop a killer from striking once again.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Crime

227 pages, Paperback

Published August 13, 2020

About the author

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About Renee:
USA Today Bestselling author Renee George writes paranormal mysteries and romances because she loves all things whodunit, Otherworldly, and weird. Also, she wishes her pittie, the adorable Kona Princess Warrior, and her beagle, Josie the Incontinent Princess, could talk. Or at least be more like Scooby-Doo and help her unmask villains at the haunted house up the street.

When she’s not writing about mystery-solving werecougars or the adventures of a hapless psychic living among shapeshifters, she is preyed upon by stray kittens who end up living in her house because she can't say no to those sweet, furry faces. (Someone stop telling them where she lives!)

She resides in Mid-Missouri with her family and spends her non-writing time doing really cool stuff...like watching TV and cleaning up dog poop.


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Author Note: For readers who have enjoyed reading my books and taken the time to share their love in reviews, thank you so much! I can't tell you how much it means to me to know my work is valued.

Hugs,
Renee George

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

Another super fun installment in the Nora Black Midlife Psychic Mysteries! The girls head out for a birthday weekend and of course find a dead body. Nora and her super sniffer will sniff out the murderer!

[Theresa Derwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora's Nose Takes her on a Spa Break

This is the third Scents and Scentsability book and with each one, this series gets even better.
After a traumatic few years, including losing her mom, and her job for a beauty company, then undergoing a hysterectomy during which she flatlines, Nora develops strange side effects when she comes round.
She literally, has a nose for solving crimes.
When she scents an aroma that is associated with someone's important memory, she inhales and views that memory as though experiencing it.
She's ended up helping detective Ezra solve crimes and got herself a young boyfriend to boot.
Now about to turn 52, she goes away to a beauty conference with BFFs Gilly and Pippa, partly for fun, and partly for her new beauty spa store featuring her own creations.
The spa and hotel setting is great fun for this one, and it gives Nora a chance to face a few old demons from her last job, meet some new characters including Blanche, who adores Nora's soaps and is her number one fan. I would love to see her get her own story.
We also meet ex military and now hotel security chief Luke Robson, who Gilly likes the look of, plus Darbie, the owner of a restaurant.
Despite yearning for a busman's holiday, Nora's Nose gets her involved in a mystery, the whole conference vibe feels very much like a book con, but with beauty products.
As always, the book embraces being a mid-life woman with all its trials and tribulations, a great sense of comedy and a celebration of real womanhood.
There's just enough romance and adult time to hit the right level of sexy and cute,without being over the top.
Nora is a positive, strong, fun female character and I can't wait for the next book.
Wonderful and gloriously fun.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora and her friends are back and boy am I glad. Nora and her BFF’s head out of town for Nora’s birthday and a Spa Con. This story will have Nora and the gang interfering in another investigation until they solve it. This is an entertaining tale that had me smiling till my cheeks hurt.

[Lory · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual this series doesn't disappoint!!! Nora and the gang are back together again this time on a girls trip for Nora birthday. If they thought this trip was about them getting some R&R boy were they in for a rude awakening!! Overall this was a enjoyable and entertaining read plenty of mystery, with twist and turn, and lots of laugh out loud moment. Looking forward to seeing what else is in store for this series. As usual my review are voluntarily no monetary compensation was received and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora Black is gifted ever since her operation where she almost lost her life. Her gift is strange, she gets visions by smell. When she smells something that has an emotional attachment to the thing she smells, she can see events that have or will happen. But she and her BFFs Gilly and Pippa decided to have a girl's weekend in celebration of Nora's bithday and at the same time have a tax deductible trip to a beauty/spa convention. Lots of fun exhibits, fun, maid service and a great weekend, although Nora will miss her detective boyfriend, Ezra and Pippa will miss her boyfriend Luke, they are bound and determined to have a great celebration and some fun! Of course running into her nemesis, Carmen, who stole her job with a beauty firm wasn't fun, but they carry on. Running into her ex-boyfriend, Gregory, from years ago who is presenting a new type of therapy wasn't all that much fun. When Gregory's personal assistant is found dead in his new spa invention and it was called accidental food poisoning, Nora has doubts in her mind. Did she have a vision? She and her BFFs decided they should look into the death. Something just didn't add up. And then there is another death. What is happening. With lots of twists and turns and red-herrings leading you down the garden path. This is a fun series with more than one surprise on the end! This can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend this series. I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora and her BFF's (Gilly and Pippa), are celebrating her birthday by attending a beauty and spa conference that turns out to be full of people Nora and Pippa knew in their previous work-life. They're expecting a great time...until a murder occurs. She knows they could be in lots of danger, but Nora's psychometric nose just won't let her stay on the sidelines. Can sheand her friends help solve the mystery while also staying safe?

Love this series so hard!!! Nora and her BFF's are wonderful (totally the type I'd want to be friends with). And Ezra and Jordy (Nora's and Pippa's beaus) are just icing on this fun and entertaining cake.

Oh...there's also a surprise or two that made me squee!

I received a copy of this book from the author via ProlificWorks. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

[Christine Karmelreads2665 W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Nose Wins


So happy to read another Nora Black book. This character is appealing because she seem to be believable and likable. Her best friends are also a riot. Every woman needs friends like this in their life.

The guys in their life are hotties...who wouldn't like one of them too.

If you want to read a book about women that are not in their twenties or may be starting over but still have a lot of life int them this pick up this book and enjoy.

[Annora F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous foray into Nora Blacks life

Wonderful storytelling and another great adventure for Nora Black on a weekend break for her birthday with her besties. Some nice little plot twists and letting the reader figure some things out too, very enjoyable!!

[Bri_winter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't work so well this time for me. Perhaps I should not read the books in close proximity with each other.
Only read once.

[Chrystina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

An exciting and wild ride! I enjoy the friendship these three women have. I so look forward to Aroma With a View!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The crew is off to a spa convention – what could be better! The plan was also to celebrate Nora’s birthday. Nora meets up with several people from her past – including the person that stole her job out from under her – Carmen. To make matters worse – Carmen is supposed to be the key note speaker – not quite the way Nora was hoping to spend her birthday. This story has espionage, Botox gone wrong and some series plot twists! We also meet Luke – who could be Gilly’s potential hea – off to read the next book to find out!

[Crystal P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment of the Nora Black series took me back to my Nancy Drew days. Nora and her BFFs get to go on a girl trip to a beauty convention and of course murder and mystery plagues the whole trip. The mystery was fun and pulled me in, but what I adored most was the friendship angle of the story! I love how happy Nora is and hope she continues to hold on to that happy.

[Lisa Guertin]

Smells like success!

Nora Black is back and on the case. She and her friends Gilly and Pippa are taking a relaxing girl’s weekend to celebrate Nora’s birthday, but their celebrations are interrupted by murder. I so enjoy the interactions between Nora and her friends as well as between Nora and Ezra. This is a great series and I look forward to future books.

[Cheryl Drake johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora Black is on her way with her BFF's to the Central Midwest Spa Convention to celebrate her birthday for the next four days. Nora is not surprised that Carmen is there representing Belliza she was the one who took her position while standing in the lobby they also see her ex-boyfriend Gregory who is presenting a new product and his assistant Samantha during this time things are happening around her but only in her head. While getting ice down the hall Nora happens to overhear Gregory and his assistant talking about his display and on the other side of the ice machine wall was something else that didn't have anything to with the other conversation but annoyed her. She met a young woman named Blanche when she was on the elevator who recognized her from her videos and let everyone in the elevator know that she made a great product and wanted to know if she had a display at the convention she was an over the top fan but Nora could tell she was a nice person, she also helped Nora with her registration and her girls VIP badges. It seems Pippa was interested in what Aaron was up to but they weren't sure what she was up but they knew she was crazy in love with Jordy her boyfriend. When they got to one of the rooms they were trying to eat in the only one who was allowed in was Nora because Pippa and Gilly hadn't received their badges yet the guard refused to let Gilly and Pippa in and his manager came over and Gilly knew right away she was interested in him his name was Luke when he said no and they slipped into the employee door to the back they came upon a room but once they stepped inside the room they were shocked. Nora is in trouble and has Gilly call Ezra for assistance. I enjoyed this book and the characters were very interesting, the storyline was very intriguing. I was given an ARC as a gift from Bookfunnel without obligations. I am providing an honest review.

[Janet Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I'm a big fan of Renee George's books, but being a woman in her 50's (just 10 days from 54) this series makes me smile in a while new way. When Nora talks about things like wishing she hadn't walked up the stairs because of her knees or her back spasms, I can relate more that I would like. But make no mistake, this book and series is not only for "women of a certain age". No, anyone who loves mysteries with women leads, with a little teeny touch of paranormal (Nora's "smell-o-vision") would love this book and series.

Not only does Nora have great friendships with her two besties Gilly and Pippa, she also has a younger man in her life, Erza, who is a detective on the local police force. I love Nora's relationship with Gilly and Pippa, they all support each other in whatever they do. The friendship between the three women are definitely friendship goals.

This is book three in the series and Nora, Gilly, and Pippa go out of town for the weekend for a beauty convention and to celebrate Nora's birthday. While there, they find a someone dead. Which of course, Nora's smell-o-vision helps get her involved (interfering) in the investigation.

I would buy this book right now, along with the first two books in the series, because I would want to start with the first book. Take it from me, I'm an avid reader, and I know good books! :)

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First: Never a spoiler in my reviews, if you love light paranormal, fun, mystery, with twists and turns, if you love to laugh out loud and enjoy a well-told story that is easy to follow and fun characters that you feel like you know, this is the book for you! Nora is a delightful, in her 50s character who can't seem to do anything without finding some trouble, namely murder! Her ability to see things is triggered by scent and her associations and endeavors to solve the mysteries are nothing short of entertaining. Second: Although this book does just fine as a standalone and you can pick up and follow along right here, you'd be doing yourself a solid to go back and read the others (you'll get a little more backstory). But, that being said, the characters are so well developed and the descriptions so rich, don't feel like you have to, but you'll want to. So, grab your favorite beverage, a place where you won't be interrupted, and dive into this book that is, simply stated, unputdownable! I received an advance copy of this book and this opinion is expressly mine.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a birthday Selebration for Nora!

Gilly, Pippa, and Nora go to a convention for the beauty industry for Nora's 52 birthday. They have big plans for this event and because of Nora's connections in the beauty industry the are given more fun and interesting opportunities. Until they discover a dead body in one of their opportunities that is. Can the ladies figure it out on their own before anyone else is hurt? This series is great and it picks up right where it left off. The storyline is fun and well developed. The characters are interesting and likeable, their antics hilarious. Nora's "gift" gets her into as many sticky situations as it helps her out of. I really enjoy this series, I highly recommend it and am so excited to read the next book. Be ready for several surprises in this one!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora along with her two besties are bustin’ out of their rut and charging ahead. Unfortunately, Nora seems to have a nose for trouble. Okay it’s really not like that, but her nose and trouble are always together. It is a good thing that Nora has great friends and her hottie Detective.

Nora and her friends are full of sass, life experiences, and great friendship. War of the Noses is a fun read full of this attitude, mystery, and general real life. What do I mean by that, well read the book, have a laugh or two, and see that midlife is all it is cracked up to be but more.

This is the third book in the series, for the best understanding of Nora and her journey, you should read the first two. However you won’t miss it if you read them out of order.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A birthday girl's getaway--right! Let's see, her besties are at the spa convention. Great. However, a back-stabber former co-worker, an ex-boyfriend, and a death that is probably a murder. Not so much fun after all.

Nora and her BFFs are in it for fun, food, and time together. But mostly they get to spend time trying to solve what Nora thinks is a murder. They end up in lots of trouble, danger, and some fun. The time away from her current boyfriend...well I'll let you see how they deal with the trip.

It is fun, some danger, friends are just as snarky and supportive as always, and let's not forget that talented nose. Another great adventure that I couldn't put down.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Another great addition to the Nora Black series
Nora, Pippa, and Gilly are going to a spa convention and celebrate Nora's birthday
They are so excited to get to the convention. Gilly has over packed for 4 days but they go with the flow.
At the convention things are going great until people from Nora's past are there...
But things start to head south when they find a dead woman...of course Nora's extra sensitive nose has her seeing visions...
Does Nora find the killer? You'll have to read the book to find out!
Recommend the series to everyone
Love the characters and the story!

[Gskm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another murder

I love paranormal with vampires, shifters, witches and fae, but even more I love the unusual (not the horror) paranormal that is not necessarily genetic that happens to normal people who have to cope with new strange gifts. This book’s premise fits my preference perfectly. This story was a little different in that it Nora jumped into something that had nothing to do with her and solved the case. It certainly helps to have been raised by a police chief. I do so enjoy this writer’s style of writing and hope she continues with this series or some like it for lots of years to come.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a lot of fun to jump back into the Nora Black series. In this book Nora, Gilly and Pippa are celebrating Nora’s birthday at a spa convention. They have barely started relaxing when they find a body. The cast of characters is big and there is not a shortage of suspects. I love the relationship between Nora and her younger boyfriend Eli. He jumps in to support Nora but never tries to save her. He simply stands by her as she saves herself. I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys paranormal women’s fiction and cozy mysteries.

I listened to the audiobook. The narrator does a good job voicing the characters.

[Darlingmichie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

I’ve waited impatiently for this book and it does not disappoint! Renee’s hit another home run with this book! This time Nora is away at a convention/birthday trip with her BFFs, Gilly and Pippa. Once again another murder investigation finds Nora (or does she find them!).. very interesting plot, cast of characters and I love seeing the main characters’ lives unfold even more. Life certainly gets more interesting after 50 in this book! I can’t wait for the next installment!

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora Black is back with her gifted nose and clever mind. Liked the mystery with intriguing twists and not obvious culprit and this story had me guessing keeping my mind working in an entertaining way. As a mature woman, with the afflictions that come with age, she certainly was trying her best to enjoy life with her friends and help others with her precious gift and her deduction skills. Liked the camaraderie, how the friends fit in her life, the romance, the passion and the unexpected little surprises. An interesting and entertaining book that I enjoyed.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not get disappointed when I step into one of this author's stories. You do not go wrong when you get to read about Nora. She will take you on a suspenseful adventure not that she means too that will keep you entertained. This also includes paranormal with the mystery that fills their time in where they stick their noses. When humor is needed in the way the days are lately this one would fill that need. This also has two lovely ones before it but this can be read by itself. You would want to after this one anyways I do believe. Her and her associates gives us all they got and then some.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nora and her friends Gilly and Pippa go on a conference to learn more about new beauty products and innovative spa programs, there’s bound to be mystery and chaos. This book is mostly about the female characters in this series and these women can certainly carry a book on their own. They are brave, intelligent and supportive of each other! Detective McHottie joins the weekend, along with Jordy to help celebrate Nora’s birthday and to offer an assist with a slight legal entanglement. You’ll just have to read it and you will love it too.

[Fiona Foxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

This book lived upto the reputation of the previous two. I live a well crafted twist that I don't see coming. This book had several whoppers!
I don't really understand why the clothing and designer has to be described any time someone walks in a room, and I found it a little annoying. Maybe because I am not a fashion or beauty lover - so it didn't add anything to my mental image of each scene. Those of you who love the beauty and fashion scene would get a really detailed picture in your minds if each scene!

[Rhonda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Mystery

I like Nora and her two best friends Pippa and Gilly. They are in their 40's and 50's, single (or widowed), and they are fun. The ladies are going to a convention of various types of beauty practitioners, from spas to make-up to plastic surgery. Unfortunately, their first day there, while trying to sneak into a VIP event, they find a dead woman. The game is afoot! And there are surprises! Great book.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed so hard at some of the things that happened! I think I will forever remember the phrase, “I wish I could bleach my brain”! I love the real stuff discussed between Nora, Pippa and Gilly about getting older, having kids and raising them. It makes me feel like a part of what’s going on. The murder mystery was awesome. I was just floored with how it all turned out. The extra sensory smell-a-vision is so unique. I love Nora’s super power!

[Kathy Mayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conventions are no place for nose investigators.

I admit this one was a bit harder to understand because of all the technological beauty devices. They weren't always explained for a common person who knows nothing. Other than that Noras' weekend working birthday celebration was a disaster. Especially, when they discovered another dead body. I swear Nora is a magnet for Dead bodies. So naturally the weekend is spent with Noras' nose.