Summer Reading Recommendation: Mission To Murder

Mission to Murder

Lynn Calhoun

238 Pages

Summary:

Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books, and More, has discovered that the old stone wall on her property might be a centuries-old mission worthy of being declared a landmark. But Craig Thomas, the obnoxious owner of South Cove's most popular tourist spot, The Castle, makes it his business to contest her claim. When Thomas is found murdered at The Castle shortly after a heated argument with Jill, even her detective boyfriend has to ask her for an alibi. Jill decides she must find the real murderer to clear her name. But when the killer comes for her, she'll need to jump from historic preservation to self-preservation.-- publisher

Summer has arrived! And while I am late with my own summer reading recommendations, I present you with a great one to start off! Mission to Murder will have you glued to your beach chair as you read on to see how everything unfolds. 

Mission to Murder is book 2 in Lynn Calhoun's Tourist Trap Mystery Series. I loved the first one, and was excited to rejoin my beloved characters to pick up where Guidebook to Murder left off. In this installment, Jill Gardner not only battles to prove her newly discovered wall is a historical relic, but also has to battle against one guy who is willing to play dirty so he doesn't have to share money. As you read, you will see just how far greed can drive a person. And in the case of Craig Thomas, is drove him far. However, after 2 unfortunate (but well deserved) shouting matches between Jill and Craig, he is found dead. Now Jill has to prove she shouldn't be suspect #1 on top of proving the authenticity of her wall.

It was fun to see the sparks still  flying between Jill and her boyfriend, detective Greg King. I love their relationship and the dynamic between them. Readers will get to see best friend, Amy, embark on two relationships. One will a character you can't wait to be rid of. The other, you can't wait to read more about. 

I hope you enjoy reading Mission to Murder as much as I do. I am anxiously awaiting the next book's release. If The Shoe Kills releases on Nov. 10, 2014) 

Real Murder (A Lovers in Crime Mystery) by Lauren Carr

This was my 4th (or maybe 5th?) book I've read by Lauren Carr and she never fails to disappoint! I thoroughly love to read her mysteries and how each story plays out throughout the book!

While there are many characters throughout this book, the main two are Joshua Thorton and Cameron Gates.

Spanning several decades are murders which occurred and mysteries left unsolved. This book has everything you need: a little romance, many suspects, ice cream, dead bodies, humor, and of course: people trying to cover up their past. Joshua and Cameron are determined to find the killer as well as uncover the truth behind the story! Will they be able to solve the mystery before someone else gets hurt!?

I really enjoyed reading Real Murder and I look forward to reading more of Lauren Carr's stories! The plot of the story was detailed, yet not confusing, with a great ending. Lauren has developed an amazing read that will leave the readers satisfied! If you love mysteries, I highly suggest you pick up a copy!
 

Never Say Goodbye bye Susan Lewis

This was my first book I read by Susan, and although it took me some time to finish it, it was an amazing read! I found myself laughing while getting emotional at times. The characters were very likable, realistic, and characters you can really connect with.

There are 2 main story lines in this book - Josie and Bel.

Josie and her husband, who have a son (in jail) and a daughter (engaged), are currently struggling to make ends meet. At this critical point in their lives, Josie discovers some heartbreaking news: she has cancer. This condition leads her to connect with a younger woman named Bel, and their friendship continues to grow from there. Bel becomes more like family to Josie! Bel on the other hand, is a woman of wealth and had a sister who passed away from cancer. After the death, she became more active in watching her niece and nephew to help out her brother-in-law. Although the book was absolutely heartbreaking to read at points, the friendship that bonds these two women together was truly extraordinary. Even with a slow beginning, I began to see myself racing through the story line to see what happens next!

As the story evolves, we learn more about each of of the characters. The writing was well-done and very easy to connect with, especially with it being a serious topic. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a beautifully written story about the healing powers of friendship, I look forward to reading more by this author.

NIne Lives to Die

Nine Lives to Die
By: Rita Mae Brown
272 Pages
Reviewed By: Betsey Brooks

Summary:
Winter has come to Crozet, Virginia, bringing with it a fresh blanket of snow. Harry and her husband, Fair, are hip deep in their usual end-of-the-year activities: distributing food to needy residents, and shopping for outfits for the Silver Linings youth organization’s annual fundraising gala. But buried beneath the white stuff are dark secrets from Crozet’s past—and Harry and her posse of pet detectives are determined to sniff them out. 

Two Silver Linings mentors have been found dead in suspicious circumstances. If that weren’t enough to chill the bones of the locals, a pair of severed human fingers has turned up in a pencil jar in the bookkeeper’s office at St. Cyril’s church. What does this grisly display have to do with the mysterious disappearance of Harry’s voluptuous high school Latin teacher, a quarter of a century ago? Maybe nothing. But when the animals make another gruesome discovery in the woods behind Harry’s farm, it becomes clear that terrible crimes have been committed in Crozet—and somebody’s gone to great lengths to cover them up. It’s time to stop shoveling snow and start digging for clues.

The truth will be revealed. A cold case will be solved. And a twenty-five-year-old love triangle is about to get untangled. The weather outside may be frightful, but Harry and her four-legged friends refuse to be spooked off the case. --- courtesy of the publisher

Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown have once again created a fascinating tale of murder in Nine Lives To Die.  The town of Crozet, Virginia is preparing for the holidays. Along with all the shopping and decorating there are two big events everyone is participating in.  Silver Linings, a non profit for disadvantaged boys, is having it's big fundraising. The community churches have been collecting used clothing and food for those in need and are getting ready to deliver them as Christmas gets closer. Several snow storms add to the holiday spirit. 

In the midst of all this, two prominent community leaders are found in their cars dead each missing two fingers. Next three checks come up missing from the Silver Linings books. Another surprise turns up when a storm blows over an old tree and a skeleton is exposed. With the help of Harry Holstein's pets, a corgi named Tee Tucker and her two cats, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, the skeleton is brought to everyone's attention.  

Who would want to kill these two men and who could this old skeleton be? These are just a few questions Harry, her husband Fair and their friend Deputy Cynthia Cooper are asking. So many questions and no clues.

I love this series . Each book is uniquely different and "Nine Lives to Die" is a great addition.  It drew me in immediately and kept me guessing right to the end. So find yourself a comfy reading nook and prepare to join the adventure. I definitely recommend Nine Lives to Die for your summer or travel reading.  Be sure to read and enjoy more of Rita Mae Brown's Books. They are great.

Murder at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison

I haven't read a good mystery in a long time and this book definitely hit the spot! With each character in each scene, I was captivated by who they were and what they brought to the story. I found myself reading one chapter after another just to find out what happens!

Kat Stanford, a former TV star, is all set to launch a new career as the proprietor of an antique toy store. During this time, she discovers that her mother, Iris, has purchased a run down carriage house located on the estate of Honeychurch hall. Kat lives in London, hundreds of miles away, and promised her dad before he passed away that he would take care of her. Kat knows what she has to do and drops her things to go see her mom and convince her to return home. On Kat's ride into town, she meets a woman named Gayla who is waiting for a taxi. While looking paranoid to death, Kat promises she will call a taxi just when she gets to the carriage house. However, when Kat wakes up the next morning and Gayla is rumored to be missing since her luggage was found left behind, everyone is worried. Things get more complicated when the nanny turns up dead! Who is to blame? Where should they start looking? What other secrets are unearthed on their mission to resolve this murder? 

Murder, suspense, and plot twists are great words to describe this book! I look forward to reading the next book in written by Hannah Dennison! A must read by any mystery lover!

Laugh (Burnside #2) by Mary Ann Rivers

Summary: 

Dr. Sam Burnside is convinced that volunteering at an urban green-space farm in Lakefield, Ohio, is a waste of time—especially with his new health clinic about to open. He only goes to mollify his partner, suspecting she wants him to lighten up. Then Sam catches sight of Nina Paz, a woman who gives off more heat than a scorcher in July. Her easy smile and flirty, sizzling wit has him forgetting his infamous need for control.

Widowed when her husband was killed in Afghanistan, Nina has learned that life exists to take chances. As the daughter of migrant workers turned organic farmers, she’s built an exciting and successful business by valuing new opportunities and working hard to take care of her own. But when Sam pushes for a relationship that goes beyond their hotter-than-fire escapades, Nina ignores her own hard-won wisdom. She isn’t ready for a man who needs saving—even if her heart compels her to take the greatest risk of all: love.

This was the 2nd book I have read by Mary Ann Rivers, the first being Burnside's #1 "Live." Although I didn't get quite as captured as I did with the first book I still enjoyed it. Even if you haven't read the first book in the series, you will still catch on to the story line! While the first book is about Des Burnside, this book centers on the eldest of the Burnside siblings, Sam. This focuses on Sam's journey and understanding himself and opens his eyes to the way he acts with his family and friends. Sometimes he goes about things all wrong, and has a hard time expressing himself, but his heart is in the right place. 

Along with Sam, Nina is a starting role in this book. When Sam meets Nina, there is an instant spark between them! Things move fast between them, not only physically but emotionally as well. Since Nina is a widow, she does her best to not get so involved and resists him. However, it isn't long before they are exploring one another outside and inside (little more graphic then I would have liked honestly). 

What I loved most about this book most was Sam. In the previous book he was very unsympathetic and whose sole purpose was to make everyone around him miserable. In this story you really see a different side of him, he opens up to Nina and to his friends and family that is both welcoming and refreshing! With a couple bumps along the way, the ending of this book is nothing but perfect! I can't wait to read his brother Paul's book, aka PJ. I know that will be another good one in this series!

Goodnight June

Goodnight June
By: Sarah Jio
301 Pages

Summary:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (Goodnight Songs) is an adored childhood classic, but its real origins are lost to history. In Goodnight June,Sarah Jio offers a suspenseful and heartfelt take on how the “great green room” might have come to be.
June Andersen is professionally successful, but her personal life is marred by unhappiness. Unexpectedly, she is called to settle her great-aunt Ruby’s estate and determine the fate of Bluebird Books, the children’s bookstore Ruby founded in the 1940s. Amidst the store’s papers, June stumbles upon letters between her great-aunt and the late Margaret Wise Brown—and steps into the pages of American literature. --Courtesy of the publisher

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Sarah Jio cannot write a bad book!! It's genetically impossible! Once again, Sarah has a literary delight for her readers to devour! And make no mistake, devour you will. Yet again, she has spun an ingenious idea that will captivate you from the first page. 

I think it's safe to say that the majority of book lovers have heard of the beloved children's book, Goodnight Moon". In her newest book, Sarah finds a way to bring the author of the classic, and the book's creation, into her vision. And I have to say, the combination is so good you don't want to put it down.

June lives in New York. A doctor has recommended she slow her fast-paced life down when panic attacks enter into the picture. Bound and determined to forge on, June doesn't adhere to the advice until she learns of her beloved Aunt's death. All of a sudden, Jun realizes she's been so busy running from her old life, and carving out a new one, that she left her favorite relative behind. The point is driven further home when she learns her Aunt Ruby leaves her the bookstore she's owned, Bluebird Books. 

The intention is to fly out to Seattle and settle the estate. She has no need for a well-known bookstore in her New York executive life. However, plans may change once she gets there. As she goes through the store, deciding what to keep or toss, she finds strategically placed letters. As she reads them, she comes to see they aren't you average letters. These letters are from her Aunt Ruby and "Brownie", MWB. It isn't long before June learns Brownie and MWB are Margaret Wise Brown- THE Maraget Wise Brown. That's right the author of countless children's classics, including the eternally loved Goodnight Moon, and June's Aunt Ruby were very good friends. The more letters she finds, the more of a look into both womens' lives she gets. The love affairs. The struggles with career and family. All of it play out for June to read.

It also hits home, because June has her own struggles with her sister, Amy.  A feud that has yet to be resolved, remains that way 5 years later. June has no desire to forgive her sister, but the letters slowly chip away the ice. June also sees Margaret's struggles with her writing. Having made a name for herself writing books for children, the author desperately wants to write a taken seriously novel. 

One of the most shocking revelations the letters hold for June is the side of her Aunt they reveal. A love affair she never knew about comes to light- and it's aftermath. This comes in handy as June navigates a romance with the owner of the Italian restaurant next door. 

It isn't long before the letters help shift June's world, and what she values and prioritizes. Aunt Ruby and Margaret's letters help her take stock of her life. They give her the courage to really analyze how happy she is- and isn't. Can she and her sister forgive one another before it's too late? Is her fast paced, automatic life in New York really what she wants? And what happened to the child she learns her Aunt had?

Readers will be glued to the pages, eager to see what will happen on the next page. You won't want to stop reading. Fans of Sarah Jio will embrace Goodnight June with open arms. Fans of Goodnight Moon will love how, decades later, the book still lives on. This book is among my favorites from Sarah Jio. I hope you love every word, too.