Book Review and Giveaway - Murder Most Eastern (Great Maine Mysteries) by Nellie H. Steele

My Review

Emily Harper's sister dies unexpectedly, leaving Emily her home - with the stipulation that Emily live there for a year.  After Emily arrives at the old Victorian house in Maine, she finds a mysterious bracelet and her sister's cryptic notes about treasure in a lighthouse.  She visits the local lighthouse and begins to see visions of someone in jeopardy.  When the man she meets there ends up murdered, she works to solve that case as well as her sister's mystery.

I wanted to read Murder Most Eastern because the setting was appealing - especially the lighthouse.

This is a fast moving mystery and an enjoyable read.  I like the plotting and the characters (especially Emily and her cat Grayson!).  I enjoyed Emily's sleuthing, and look forward to future books in the Great Maine Mysteries series.

I recommend Murder Most Eastern for other cozy mystery fans, and especially for readers who also like a little spooky element in their mystery reads.

Book Synopsis

A seaside Victorian. A skeptical artist. A cat with secrets. And a murder that won’t stay buried…

When struggling artist Emily Harper inherits a charming but creaky Victorian on the rugged coast of Maine, she expects a fresh start—what she doesn’t expect is cryptic notes, eerie visions, and a cat with an uncanny sense for trouble.

But nothing unsettles her more than the bracelet. A striking piece of tourmaline jewelry left behind in the house, it sends shivers up her spine whenever she wears it. At first, she chalks it up to stress—until she visits West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and is struck by a chilling vision of a man begging for his life. The next day, his body is found.

With a storm brewing, long-buried secrets rising to the surface, and a killer who will do anything to keep the past hidden, Emily must embrace the unexplainable—or risk becoming the next victim.

Fans of Ellery Adams and Carolyn Hart will love this twisty, atmospheric paranormal cozy mystery full of seaside charm, ghostly intrigue, and a heroine who refuses to back down—no matter how haunted her past may be.

Read now and sleuth the clues today.

Author Bio

Nellie H. Steele is a storyteller who doesn’t just write books—she writes the stories her characters tell her. With distinct voices and minds of their own, her characters often take over, guiding her through tales of romance, mystery, adventure, and suspense.

A lifelong bookworm, Nellie vividly recalls sitting on the concrete floor of her childhood library, eagerly devouring Nancy Drew books and dreaming of solving mysteries of her own. Now an award-winning author, she spends her days crafting immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that feel like old friends. Her house is a zoo—literally—thanks to her rescue animals who seem perfectly happy napping while she writes.

Nellie’s writing process often involves background TV she never actually watches because she’s too wrapped up in her characters’ antics. When she’s not spinning stories, she works as a professor of statistics, where students who know her as an author are often surprised to find she really does teach math.

If you love twisty mysteries, soap-opera-style romance, and thrilling adventures, dive into Nellie’s books today and discover worlds you won’t want to leave. Connect with Nellie on Facebook at @NellieHSteele—she loves chatting with readers about characters, stories, and more!

Author Links
Website: https://nelliehsteele.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NellieHSteele/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelliehsteele
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19769743.Nellie_H_Steele

Purchase Link: Amazon 

Giveaway

Book Giveaway - Blueprint for Murder by Penni Justice

I am delighted to welcome my friend, mystery author Penni Justice, back for a visit.  She has generously offered a cozy mystery giveaway both here and on my Facebook page - please visit there as well.  

Book Synopsis

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Orchard Grove is the kind of town where everyone knows your name—and your secrets don’t stay buried for long.

When Piper Landry buys the grandest old building on the town square to expand her antique shop into a cozy bookstore and coffee nook, she’s expecting creaky floors, not creeping danger. But after a woman is found murdered behind the building during the final night of the Apple Festival, Piper notices an unsettling number of people suddenly taking interest in her new property, each with their own questions and motives. The more she digs, the more she what could be hidden inside the old walls of 101 Main Street?

Perfect for fans of small-town whodunits and amateur sleuths with heart.

Author Bio

Penni Justice is a lifelong book lover and storyteller at heart. An Atlanta native, she now lives in the scenic North Georgia mountains with her husband in a certified wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by nature and inspired by the charm of a nearby tourist town, Penni crafted her debut cozy mystery, Blueprint for Murder. The beauty of mountain living, along with cherished memories of traveling across the country and hearing true-life stories from family and friends, often spark ideas for her writing.

Her love of books began early, nurtured by frequent trips to the libraries in Atlanta, Decatur, and Tucker, Georgia, where her mother introduced her to the magic of reading. She fell in love with fiction after discovering Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. As the church librarian, her mother also provided a treasure trove of young adult fiction and mysteries that further fueled Penni’s passion.

An avid reader, Penni devours around 60 fiction books each year, favoring cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and spy thrillers. In May 2023, she graduated with honors from Southern New Hampshire University with a B.A. in Creative Writing and English, focusing on fiction writing. Her coursework included numerous workshops that helped her hone her voice and narrative style.

For the past 24 years, Penni has owned and operated a music entertainment agency, specializing in public relations, writing, ghostwriting, and marketing. Alongside her fiction, she is also working on a historical novel set during the 1940s in South Georgia and overseas during World War II.

Penni and her husband are the proud parents of three grown children, a son-in-law, and a daughter-in-law—each of whom inspire her with their humor, intelligence, and love. They are, in her words, “the absolute joys of my life.”

Giveaway

One lucky winner will win a print copy of  Blueprint for Murder by Penni Justice.  Books ship to the U.S. only.  Winner will be drawn Monday, 9/8, and needs to respond within 48 hours or another winner will be drawn.

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Book Review - Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Melody Carlson

My Review

Carol Langstrom has her holidays planned.  Although she does professional Christmas staging and designs, having grown up in an unhappy family, she is not a fan of the holiday.  She plans to fly to the Bahamas for Christmas.  A snowstorm strands her plane in Michigan.   Carol remembers that she has an aunt - whom she doesn't really know - nearby and goes to meet her.  Her Aunt Maria is delightful and they have an instant connection.  As Carol stays and visits with Maria, she also enjoys small town life - and getting to know handsome neighbor Victor.  Carol starts to find real joy in the holidays - and begins questioning her life direction.

I wanted to read Once Upon a Christmas Carol because I love Melody Carlson's Christmas novellas.  I rarely miss one!  (You will find several reviews of her previous books at my blog.)

This is a charming read with all the ingredients of a Hallmark movie - charming small town, family connections, a surprising romance, and a sweet, heartfelt Christmas.

This is a short read, perfect for a few nights or a weekend.   I felt the last few chapters had a lot of story development, and I wish the book had been just a few chapters longer.  (Plus, I was enjoying the read and it would have been great to have a slightly longer book!)

I recommend Once Upon a Christmas Carol for fans of Christmas books, Hallmark movies, and heartwarming fiction.

Author Bio

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Book Review and Author Interview - Blueprint for Murder by Penni Justice

My Review

In Orchard Grove, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Piper Landry is excited about buying a beautiful, historic building so she can expand her antique business and include a coffee shop and bookstore. Then a friend is found murdered just behind the building, and her life changes. She works to solve the mystery as she juggles time with friends, her aunt, and a new romantic interest, Mike.

I wanted to read Blueprint for Murder because I love cozy mysteries. I am a native Georgian so the North Georgia small town setting was very appealing. The author is a good friend since childhood and I know she is a very talented writer, so I was especially excited to read her new book.

This is the first book in the Orchard Grove mysteries and it is a wonderful start for a new series! Penni does a wonderful job at describing the town, with its seasonal festivals and activities, the townspeople, and day-to-day life in the town. I love a fictional small town that becomes part of the story, and Orchard Grove is one of those towns.

Orchard Grove is a charming town, as seen in descriptions like:

"The following day, Piper stepped outside, breathing in the crisp autumn air as she looked up and down Main Street. Visitors flocked to the mountains for the vibrant fall foliage this time of year. The Apple Festival had broken attendance records, and Piper had made record profits at Hometown Antiques and Décor. Next weekend's Halloween in the Streets was expected to draw more locals than tourists, and soon, the part- timers would return to their cabins, bringing extended family to celebrate Thanksgiving.

But it was Christmas that Piper loved most. She'd already filled half her front windows with holiday decorations - her bestselling items, even in October. With its tight- knit charm, Orchard Grove always pulled out all the stops: lights, parades, and parties that made everyone feel like they belonged." (eBook locations 1790 - 1792).

Piper is a likable protagonist. She is fairly new to town, moving the same time as her Aunt Violet, but she is already well liked and very comfortable in Orchard Grove. As a lifelong antique person, I loved the antique and restoration details in this book. They added to the storytelling and showed Piper's passion for antiques and history.

Aunt Violet, Piper's friend Lucy, and her new love interest, Mike, are all great characters and I enjoyed their interactions with Piper. There is even a lovable older Great Pyrenees dog named Maddie!

The mystery is well done - the mysterious death happens early on and Piper works to eliminate suspects and find out what has happened, sometimes putting herself in a dangerous position along the way.

I am excited about Blueprint for Murder and enthusiastically recommend it for other cozy mystery fans. It will be especially appealing for readers who love southern settings and small town atmosphere (my favorite for cozy mysteries!). I really look forward to the next book in this series.

Book Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F6MJ2969

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232211993-blueprint-for-murder

Author Interview

What inspired you to write Blueprint for Murder?

Since moving to the North Georgia mountains in 2016, I’ve felt a strong pull to write about rural life and the charm of our small town of Ellijay and Blue Ridge. It’s a world apart from the fast-paced Atlanta area where I had spent most of my life. Unfortunately, shortly after relocating, I found myself frequently traveling back and forth to care for my mother, who passed away in 2018, all while managing my business remotely. With so much on my plate, writing had to take a backseat for a while.

During the pandemic, however, I returned to school at Southern New Hampshire University to pursue a degree in Creative Writing and English with a concentration in Fiction Writing. It was during one of my courses, where we were tasked with writing the first and last chapters of a novel, that Blueprint for Murder was born. I completed the book after graduating, and the story reflects both my love for small-town life and my journey back to creative expression.

I mostly write on weekends, since my weekdays are filled with running my music entertainment agency from home. My brain is usually busy juggling tour dates, social media, and radio campaigns. Every now and then, I manage to squeeze in some writing early in the morning or late at night, depending on how cooperative my coffee and calendar are. I’m also always making notes or thinking up new ideas for my characters - whether I’m at my desk, in the car, or outside working around the house.

This is the start of a new series. How far ahead have you planned the upcoming books?

When I first started writing Blueprint for Murder, I naturally began imagining what these characters would be doing during different seasons of the year. Since the first book takes place in October, I quickly started brainstorming ideas for a holiday-themed sequel, All Wrapped Up In A Mystery, and beyond. For instance, the Apple Blossom Festival is mentioned in Blueprint for Murder, and I’ve already started thinking about how a future mystery could take place during that springtime event. Luckily, I am inspired by all our area attractions like orchards, wineries, mountain biking, festivals, and river rafting.

Was there a place that inspired Orchard Grove?

Yes. Orchard Grove is primarily inspired by the North Georgia towns of Ellijay and Blue Ridge. I’ve always loved the mountains, whether in Georgia or Colorado. Over the years, my husband and I have been fortunate to travel frequently for both family vacations and our business trips, exploring many beautiful spots throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains - from North Carolina and Tennessee to South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Those experiences really deepened my fascination with small-town life and the peacefulness of life away from the big city.

In addition, we live on 18 acres of land in a wildlife preservation area, which has offered its own kind of inspiration. One character in the Orchard Grove series, Hopalong, the injured deer, is based on a real deer who began visiting our property several years ago. When he first appeared, his hoof was in terrible shape (I’ll spare the graphic details), and I called the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division to see if they could help. They explained that they couldn’t intervene and reassured me that deer are incredibly resilient and often recover from injuries like his. I wasn’t convinced at the time, but remarkably, Hopalong did survive and has continued visiting us for about five years now. With permission, we and a few neighbors provide deer feed for him during the winter months, though our neighborhood generally discourages feeding wildlife. He’s become a bit of a legend in our area - and now, in the fictional town of Orchard Grove, too.

Who would play Piper and Mike in a movie or TV adaptation?

My first choice for Piper would be Lily James. She’s portrayed as a smart, relatable, and likable woman in both modern and period settings, like in Cinderella and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She has that wholesome yet quietly strong energy I see in Piper. Another great choice would be Taylor Cole. She often plays sweet, small-town women in Hallmark movies like A Reason for the Season and Aloha Heart, and I think she’d be a natural fit.

For Mike, I think Matt Lanter, who starred in Pitch Perfect 3, and a time-travel show I enjoyed, Timeless. Turns out Matt also has a Georgia connection. He moved to Georgia when he was eight years old and attended the same high school as my daughter (although not when she was there), and attended the University of Georgia, where two of my three children graduated from.

The antique details in your book are fascinating. Do you have a personal interest in antiques?

Absolutely. I’ve refinished many antique pieces over the years. I love giving old furniture a new life. While Piper isn’t based on me, her love for antiques and the peaceful escape she finds in her workshop are definitely drawn from my own experiences. I even included references to real pieces I own, like an old wardrobe inherited from a great-aunt and a folding mahogany game table that now serves as an entry table, both passed down from my mother.

What do you enjoy reading? Who are some of your favorite authors?

That’s my favorite question! I love sharing book recommendations because I read across a wide range of genres - cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and mystery/spy thrillers.

Some of my recent favorites include The Keeper of Hidden Books and The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin. I also loved The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn. I’m drawn to stories with strong women and roots in real history.

As for cozy mysteries, I love relaxing into series where you really get to know the characters. Some of my favorites include The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, the Julia Bird Mysteries by Katie Gayle, the Cat Latimer and Tourist Trap Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon, and Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries by Lauren Elliott.

I’ve had a long-standing love for spy thrillers that dates back to the early 1980s, when I bought The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum while on a family vacation to Myrtle Beach. That book sparked a lifelong interest in the genre. These days, I really enjoy the Slough House series by Mick Herron and The Martini Club by Tess Gerritsen.

When it comes to mystery and thriller series, I highly recommend the DCI Evan Warlow series by Rhys Dylan, which is set in Wales, Matterhorn by Christopher Reich, set across Europe, and the David Wolf series by Jeff Carson, which takes place in the mountains of Colorado. I’m drawn to gripping stories in vivid settings, especially when they feature layered characters and unexpected twists.

Can you tell us more about your upcoming writing projects?

I’m close to finishing the second book in the Orchard Grove Mystery series, All Wrapped Up In A Mystery. After that, I plan to release a WWII historical fiction novel next year. It’s loosely inspired by my family’s stories in a small southern Georgia town. That one requires a great deal of research, so it’s coming along a bit more slowly.

I also have several ideas in the pipeline, including a novel set in Atlanta during the 1960s and 1970s. And I’ve started a children’s book, though it’s on hold for now while I focus on the Orchard Grove series.


Author Bio

Penni Justice is a lifelong book lover and storyteller at heart. An Atlanta native, she now lives in the scenic North Georgia mountains with her husband in a certified wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by nature and inspired by the charm of a nearby tourist town, Penni crafted her debut cozy mystery, Blueprint for Murder. The beauty of mountain living, along with cherished memories of traveling across the country and hearing true-life stories from family and friends, often spark ideas for her writing.

Her love of books began early, nurtured by frequent trips to the libraries in Atlanta, Decatur, and Tucker, Georgia, where her mother introduced her to the magic of reading. She fell in love with fiction after discovering Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. As the church librarian, her mother also provided a treasure trove of young adult fiction and mysteries that further fueled Penni’s passion.

An avid reader, Penni devours around 60 fiction books each year, favoring cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and spy thrillers. In May 2023, she graduated with honors from Southern New Hampshire University with a B.A. in Creative Writing and English, focusing on fiction writing. Her coursework included numerous workshops that helped her hone her voice and narrative style.

For the past 24 years, Penni has owned and operated a music entertainment agency, specializing in public relations, writing, ghostwriting, and marketing. Alongside her fiction, she is also working on a historical novel set during the 1940s in South Georgia and overseas during World War II.

Penni and her husband are the proud parents of three grown children, a son-in-law, and a daughter-in-law—each of whom inspire her with their humor, intelligence, and love. They are, in her words, “the absolute joys of my life.”

Book Review and Giveaway - Solid Gold Murder (Golden Motel Mysteries) by Ellen Byron

My Review

Dee Stern is loving life at the retro California motel that she runs with her best friend (and ex-boyfriend) Jeff Cornetta.  They have set up a sluice for guests to pan for gold, prepared to give away fool's gold, and are surprised when real gold is found.  Tourists descend upon the motel, including an obnoxious group of four wealthy tech wizards.  When one of those tourists ends up dead, Dee sets out to solve the murder.

I wanted to read Solid Gold Murder because I love cozy mysteries, enjoy Ellen Byron's writing (her vintage cookbook series is another favorite), and love this new Golden Motel Mystery series.

This is such a fun book - and a perfect summer read!  I absolutely love the retro motel setting, the small town craft fair drama, and the local gold rush history of Foundgold and Goldsgone.  Dee is a smart, funny, and resourceful amateur detective.  I enjoyed her friendships and of course her lovable hound dog Nugget.  There are even cute cartoons that Dee draws of a bear who likes to visit the motel!

The mystery aspects of the story are well done.  The killer surprised me!  I enjoyed sleuthing along with Dee as she worked to solve the mystery.

I highly recommend Solid Gold Murder - and this fun series - for cozy mystery fans.

Book Synopsis

Dee Stern’s Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains promises a tranquil getaway for outdoor lovers in the scenic Californian village of Foundgold. But when Dee accidentally triggers a modern gold rush, she suddenly turns her peaceful retreat into a hotspot for mayhem and murder . . .

With the summer season looming, former Hollywood sitcom writer Dee Stern has one small goal—scrubbing her motel’s unflattering moniker as the “Murder Motel.” Dee and ex-husband-turned-business-partner Jeff Cornetta are excited to introduce a family-friendly panning activity complete with fool’s gold just in time for the peak tourist months. Except neither could have anticipated the discovery of a real gold nugget or the ensuing social media frenzy. In a flash, the viral sensation draws grizzled prospectors, wide-eyed adventurers, and trend-chasing thrill seekers to the abandoned mines scattered around the woods . . .

The instant popularity proves great for business, but it also attracts a group of out-of-touch Silicon Valley techies with dreams of striking it rich—again. Dee finds herself particularly annoyed by the insufferably smug Sylvan Burr, a retired CEO who sold his startup before age 30 and won’t let anyone forget it. But things take a sinister turn when Sylvan meets a grim fate at the bottom of a mineshaft, leaving Dee at the center of a deadly mystery that could end her days as a motelier. And while Sylvan had plenty of enemies, Dee suddenly faces adversaries rooting against her own success. Now, with her life and the future of the Golden Motel hanging by a thread, Dee must unearth a minefield of suspects and outwit a greedy killer before she finally digs herself too deep . . .

Author Bio

Ellen is a bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries,  Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico), and Golden Motel Mysteries. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

A native New Yorker, Ellen is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups. Visit her at http://www.ellenbyron.com/.

Author Links

Newsletter: https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/CateringHallMysteries/

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

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-byron https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maria-dirico

Goodreads:  Ellen Byron (Author of Plantation Shudders) | Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19130966.Maria_DiRico

Purchase Links – Amazon – Kensington – Bookshop.org – B&N – Hudson Books – Target – Walmart 

Giveaway

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