I kill people for fun. In books.
The past is never past. Sometimes it repeats itself. And sometimes it comes back to pay a visit.
Continue reading “Bad Time To Be In It: A Blu Carraway Mystery (with Giveaway and Author Interview)”
He wants her back. In the grift. And in his life. Can Finley Goodhart convince Lex that doing good is the greatest hustle of all?
Ex-grifter Finley Goodhart may try to stay on the straight and narrow, but walking that thin line becomes wobbly when she believes her friend Penny was murdered. The last thing she wants is to work with her ex-partner (and ex-boyfriend), the brilliant (brilliantly frustrating) British con artist, Lex Leopold. However, when it appears Penny’s demise might be related to an exclusive matchmaking service for millionaires, Fin needs Lex’s help to pull a long con to get the goods on Penny.
Romance is in the air for hustlers, gangsters, and their marks. Unfortunately for Fin and Lex, infiltrating the racket doesn’t make for a match made in heaven. This Valentine swindle could stop their hearts for good.
Finley, welcome to Island Confidential! Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?
Generally, I don’t let anyone know anything about me. I’m a high school dropout turned pool hall hustler turned con artist. And I’m only twenty-seven. I thank my crooked cop dad for my introduction to criminal life. But recently, I’m on the square—I’ve left that life behind. Or at least I’m trying to leave it behind.
It’s hard when my ex-boyfriend and ex-partner wants me back in the grift and in my life. Lex’s brilliant, charming, and loves nothing better than a challenge. Meaning he’ll try to con his way back into my heart. I miss him, but I won’t admit it. I loved conning greedy skinflints, but it’s wrong and I can’t do it anymore.
However, I’ve just learned my best friend, Penny, is dead. She was my only friend on the streets before I met Lex. I may have to use my criminal skills to find out what happened to Penny and deliver my own brand of justice.
Anyone in The Cupid Caper you’re particularly sweet on ?
Lex Leopold, my old partner, knows me best. Even more than Penny did. He turned me out, taught me the art of the long con. Unfortunately, Lex loves the art of the big bamboozle. Maybe more than me. I left him before I could find out.
Is there anyone you don’t get along with so well?
Definitely Dot the Jamaican. She and her zoo of poisonous creatures, not to mention her hulking minions, give me the creeps. She’s a handler — she sets up jobs. Criminal jobs. More Fagin than Corleone, though. I’ve talked Lex out of working for her on several occasions, so now Dot has it in for me. I hope to never work for her again.
Just between you and me: What do you really think of your author?
Writing mystery novels has created a naturally suspicious nature in Larissa, so I don’t think I’d have an easy time conning her in a pigeon drop or a similar con. But she’d probably fall for a fake charity. She gives money away to strangers and doesn’t even check to see if they’re really hard up.
What’s next for you?
Using con artist tricks to catch crooks really appeals to me. But the criminal under-ground is a dangerous place to live and I only skim the surface. I have to watch my back, knowing that several mobsters could be gunning for me now that I’m working against them. You’ll have to find out which in my next book!
About The Author
Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Larissa Reinhart writes humorous mysteries and romantic comedies including the critically acclaimed Maizie Albright Star Detective, Finley Goodhart Crime Capers, and Cherry Tucker Mystery series. Larissa’s a contributor to the 2017 Silver Falchion Reader’s Choice winner, was the 2015 Georgia Author of the Year finalist, 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist, 2012 The Emily finalist, and 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial winner. Larissa’s family and dog, Biscuit, had been living in Japan, but once again call Georgia home. See them on HGTV’s House Hunters International“Living for the Weekend in Nagoya” episode. Visit her website, LarissaReinhart.com, and join her newsletter for a free short story.
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While hosting out-of-town guests at her Georgia home, Dreamwalker Baxley Powell is called upon to help investigate a suspicious fire.
One of her guests, close friend and fellow dreamwalker Deputy Sam Mayes, accompanies her to the scene.
A meth cook is dead, and when Baxley visits her beyond the Veil of Life, she determines that the woman was murdered. Baxley pities Mandy Patterson, a single mother with aspirations for her teenage son Doodle. Unconcerned about the death of a criminal, the authorities pursue the drug-supply chain angle. Baxley worries about Doodle and vows to find out who killed his mother.
As the case grows more baffling, Baxley struggles against her attraction to Sam. Although her husband is missing and declared dead, she does not feel free to love again until she is sure of his fate.
Two suspects have the strongest motive, but Baxley has reason to believe they are pawns in a deeper game. And unless she can stop them, the world will never be the same.
Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes mystery, suspense, and dystopian fiction. Her work won the Silver Falchion Award for best mystery, the Readers’ Choice Award, and the EPIC Award. She’s published seventeen novels as well as several short stories and novellas. The next book in her paranormal mystery series, Dadgummit, releases August 2017. Maggie serves on the national board for Mystery Writers of America, is President of Southeast Mystery Writers of America, and is Co-VP of Low Country Sisters In Crime. Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com.
As a reporter, she’s used to covering the news.
Now she’s the headline.
Alex Vlodnachek has been a reporter for 12 years, a P.R. rep for three months, and a murder suspect for all of 24 hours. When her agency’s double-dealing CEO is stabbed, scheming co-workers cast the new redhead as a compelling red herring. The story is media catnip—especially her salacious nickname: Vlod the Impaler.
Even Alex has to admit she looks guilty.
Out of a job and under suspicion, Alex is running low on cash, when she’s visited by a second disaster: her family. Soon her tiny bungalow is bursting with her nearest and not-so-dearest. To keep herself out of jail—and save what’s left of her sanity—Alex returns to her reporting roots. She goes undercover to reclaim her life, break the story, and unmask a murderer. Pretty much in that order.
What she doesn’t know: The killer also has a to-do list.
And Alex is on it.
About The Author
Dana Dratch is a former newspaper reporter and current personal finance writer. When she’s not finishing Seeing Red—the next Alex Vlodnachek mystery—you’ll spot her byline on a host of top news sites. You can learn more about her mysteries at ConfessionsofaRedHerring.com.
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Former pharmaceutical researcher Maggie O’Malley is losing sleep. Her boyfriend Constantine’s aunt is a multitasking sleepwalker who, in addition to wandering her stately home, prepares meals, folds laundry and, one winter night, stumbles across her husband with his throat slit.
It’s a rude and gruesome awakening that’s upsetting to Aunt Polly. And interesting to the police.
Maggie and Constantine work to uncover who killed the cosmetic surgery mogul and why. As they dig into the lives of those who knew him best, they discover that the truth is only skin deep and doctoring perception is a treatment with deadly side effects.
A gripping page-turner with more twists than a surgeon’s suture, 39 Winks is a tale of lies, betrayals and greed that will keep you up at night. And looking over your shoulder.
When Kathleen Valenti isn’t writing page-turning mysteries that combine humor and suspense, she works as a nationally award-winning advertising copywriter. Protocol is her debut novel and the first of the Maggie O’Malley mystery series. Kathleen lives in Oregon with her family where she pretends to enjoy running.
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Webpage – www.kathleenvalenti.com
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GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16773270.Kathleen_Valenti
Did honor force him to abandon his wife and kids? Or is he just a weasel?
Continue reading “New thriller from Nanci Rathbun: Honor Kills (with Giveaway and Author Interview!)”
Nuns and murder and ghosts, oh my! Here comes Giulia Driscoll again, and boy, is she in for it this time.
It starts when a frenzied Chihuahua leads Giulia and Frank Driscoll to the body of a nun in the street near a convent. The nuns fear they’re being harassed by the biggest developer in town and quickly embrace Giulia as their savior.
Of course the former nun who exposed the drug ring run by a priest and nun will save their home and discover the murderer.
And of course not only Giulia takes this job, but also all the other jobs clamoring for her attention. The result: Driscoll Investigations is pushed to its limit.
Then Giulia’s brother falls into a coma and she brings his kids to her house. Talk about a crash course in parenting for pregnant Giulia!
Did we mention the convent ghost? She loves the house, hates the nuns, and chain-smokes. Why couldn’t Giulia’s first honest-to-goodness ghost be shy and sweet?
More important, does the ghost hate the nuns—or the developer—enough to indulge in a bit of murder to liven up the afterlife?
Giulia, welcome to Island Confidential! Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?
I’m a hardworking professional Private Investigator, and I’m worried I’ll turn into a Mama Bear. When I held my first baby I understood every motherhood cliché every written. Motherhood is changing me in ways I never expected.
Who’s the character you get along with the best?
My husband Frank. Isn’t that the way it should be? Although there are times I wonder if it wasn’t easier living with 95 nuns scrutinizing my every move than living with one man. Research is ongoing.
That’s a minor detail that might interest our readers–you’re a former nun, hence the book title. So is there anyone in Nun After The Other you don’t get along with so well?
My brother Salvatore. He used to be nothing more than a pain in the butt, but we managed to get along. Then he got sucked into an extremist Catholic sect and he’s as bad as the entire Westboro Baptist Church rolled into one person. He almost makes me curse, which proves what he’s like to deal with.
What do you think of your author, Alice?
She needs to stop stressing me out . She puts me in these interesting adventures and then ramps up the action. Suddenly I’m dodging bullets and knives and getting forced of the road in a high-speed chase. And now ghosts? The woman needs yoga or meditation or something.
Assuming you survive this book, what’s next for you?
Ghosts, ghosts, and more ghosts. Now that they know about me, they’re showing up at all hours. I’m a new mother: I need SLEEP. I’ve started to set boundaries. The biggest one is: Wake my sleeping baby and I’ll make your afterlife much worse than anything that happened to you while you were alive.
About The Author
Baker of brownies and tormenter of characters, Alice Loweecey recently celebrated her thirtieth year outside the convent. She grew up watching Hammer Horror and Scooby-Doo Mysteries, which might explain a whole lot. When she’s not creating trouble for Giulia Falcone-Driscoll, she can be found growing her own vegetables (in summer) and cooking with them (the rest of the year).
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To Rick Atwood’s dismay, the police find a body on the beach near his Seaside Cove B&B. The dead woman held a pottery shard from an ancient rice bowl, which the cops believe is a clue to her murder.
The chief suspect is Flynn O’Connor, a female archaeologist known for her hatred of treasure thieves. Trouble is, Rick’s daughter Alex sees Flynn as a role model and will not believe her friend is a killer.
Alex pressures her dad as only a ten-year-old can to prove Flynn is innocent. The mayor is also making demands—for Rick to stay out of the investigation. With his daughter and the mayor at odds, Rick sees trouble brewing. He knows too well how much Alex loves sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. Especially when there’s murder involved.
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Hey Journal,
I gotta go soon because we’re having a luau here at the B&B! Daddy said we were gonna spend the afternoon sipping umbrella drinks and watching the sunset. Okay, I’m only ten, so I don’t get a real umbrella drink. I get the kid’s version. But, here in Seaside Cove we have palm trees and we have a beach, so it’s almost the same as what we’d get at a real luau, right?
Now that me and Daddy own the Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast and are living here, we can’t take a big vacation. Marquetta’s worked here for so long she could totally run this place on her own, but Daddy says that wouldn’t be fair. That makes me happy because I’d like her to go with us if we do go to Hawaii.
Marquetta ran the B&B after Captain Jack died. She did that for a long time before me and Daddy moved here. I didn’t think I was gonna like Seaside Cove, but when I met Marquetta, I totally fell in love. She’s gonna be my new mom someday. I just have to get her and Daddy to realize it. My plan to get them together is starting to work. They both like each other a lot and maybe someday they’ll stop acting so lame!
For the luau, Daddy ordered the makings for this stuff called shave ice. We got coconut and macadamia nut and pineapple syrups, plus a couple other flavors. According to Marquetta, this won’t be authentic because we don’t have a machine to shave the ice, but we can use a blender and it will be close!
Today I’m wearing my first grass skirt. Daddy wanted to buy one for Marquetta, too, but she said she wouldn’t wear hers unless he wore one too. Me and Marquetta thought that was funny, but Daddy didn’t think so.
It’s kinda fun getting an afternoon off. Between being in fifth grade, helping around the B&B, and finding a killer, my life has been totally hectic. After we moved from New York, Daddy said we were gonna settle into a nice little town where not much happened. That sounded totally boring to me. Then, I heard about all the treasure around here.
The treasure hunters are getting closer to the old Manila galleon that sunk off the coast. Miss O’Connor, she’s the lady archaeologist who’s staying here, told me all about those old ships and how hard the journey was. It’s awesome that one sunk off our coast!
Anyway, I thought having all those treasure hunters around would be super interesting, but it was even better than that because they keep getting murdered! That gives me and Daddy killers to find. I’ve told you how he doesn’t like me to help him find the clues, but between you and me, Journal, he needs my help. That’s why I’ve gotta get him and Marquetta together soon. I can’t keep splitting my time between helping them see the obvious, finding killers, and fifth grade. Something’s gotta give, Journal.
I just looked out my window and Daddy’s out on the patio with Marquetta. They look super happy right now. Someday, this is all gonna work. I just know it!
Gotta go,
Alex
PS I guess that should’ve been aloha.
About the Author
Terry Ambrose is a former skip tracer who only stole cars when it was legal. He’s long since turned his talents to writing mysteries and thrillers. Several of his books have been award finalists and in 2014 his thriller, “Con Game,” won the San Diego Book Awards for Best Action-Thriller. He’s currently working on the Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery series.
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Vivian, welcome to Island Confidential! Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?
I’m a smidgen of a perfectionist. I know. . .my friend’s jaws will drop because I’m so selfless and caring and seem a bit carefree. I like things to go just so and I have a hard time letting go when they don’t. Now, I’m gonna trust that this is just between me and you because I don’t want any unruly rumors out there that I’m bragging on myself, because I’m not. Around these parts, rumors are ramped.
Who’s your favorite character in Six Feet Under?
Definitely my daughter, Kenni. I mean…Sheriff Kendrick Lowry. She’s been elected twice now. Did you hear that she’s dating the hunk deputy of her’s? Finn Vincent. Oh my. I’ve said too much. She might not like me telling you that but deep down, I know that she’s just over the moon. Over the moon!
Is there anyone you have a conflict with?
Everyone loves me and I love them. I’m not saying that I don’t have a few disagreements with some people and right now I don’t have time to be worried about anyone because the Culinary Channel is coming here to film me and my little famous chicken pot pie. See, everyone loves me.
Just between you and me: What do you really think of your author?
She could put on some lipstick when she’s talking to me. I never understood why Tonya doesn’t live up to her southern roots. She really should get a bath and clean up before she goes to work. It’s not pretty.
What’s next for you?
I’m gonna be famous! My chicken pot pie is going to be tasted by the famous Chef Frank Von Lee. He’s going to make me famous. Youwhoooooo, Hollywood, here I come!
For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been publishing numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plot lines and quirky characters, but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans.
For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been publishing numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plot lines and quirky characters but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans.
Sign up for her newsletter on her website at Tonyakappes.com .
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Natural Thorn Killer (A Rose City Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
New Series
Kensington (March 27, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496705136
Digital ASIN: B073NPHX8Z
Cut down among the flowers . . .
Britta Johnston might be a late bloomer, but after leaving her deadbeat husband and dead-end job, she’s finally pursuing her artistic passion at her aunt Elin’s floral boutique, Blooma, in Portland, Oregon. It’s on the banks of the Willamette, in a quaint district of cobblestone paths and cherry trees. The wine bar featuring Pacific Northwest vintages is a tasty bonus, offering another kind of bouquet to enjoy. But things aren’t as peaceful as they look.
For one thing, someone’s been leaving dead roses around—and a sleazy real estate developer who wants the waterfront property has put a big-money offer on the table. Then, after a contentious meeting of local business owners, he’s found on the floor of the shop, with Elin’s garden shears planted in his chest. And before the police decide to pin the crime on her beloved aunt, Britta will have to find out who arranged this murder . . .
Kate Dyer-Seeley aka Ellie Alexander writes multiple mystery series, all with a Pacific Northwest touch. She lives in the PNW with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet—at all three.
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