Book Review: Spring Thaw: A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery Novella and Other Mystery Short Stories

Book Title: Spring Thaw: A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery Novella and Other Mystery Short Stories

Author: Lauren Carr

Publisher:  Independently Published

Publisher Date: 23 October 2018 (250 Pages, Paperback)

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Murder Mystery, Short Stories,

Series: A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1.5

In today's hectic world, many whodunit fans don't have time to get their mystery fix diving into a whole novel. Lauren Carr's SPRING THAW AND OTHER MYSTERY SHORT STORIES is for these fans-but that doesn't mean whodunit fans who do have time can't dive in as well.

A novella, Spring Thaw features retired federal agent Chris Matheson from Lauren Carr's newest bestselling cold case series. When his late father's former friend is indicted for the seven-year-old murder of a church bishop, Chris renews old broken friendships to thaw out the cold case.

Featuring Mac Faraday from Lauren Carr's popular Mac Faraday Mysteries, an estate auction turns into a deadly affair after Gnarly's antics cause Mac to purchase a gem of a dress, which isn't his color in Killing Bid. (Previously published in Lauren Carr's BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.) Beauty to Die For features the Lovers in Crime, Joshua Thornton, and Cameron Gates in a race against the Angel of Death to clear the name of a dying woman's son, who was framed for murdering Miss Pennsylvania. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.)

Countdown to Murder returns to the Lovers in Crime where Cameron and Joshua try to solve the murder of a young pregnant widow before it happens. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.) Mystery fans will see that every dog has his day, especially if that dog is Gnarly.

In Lucky Dog, Gnarly helps Mac Faraday to solve the murder of a wealthy society girl. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.) Dog Loving Mystery Fans will get a special treat when they read The Gnarly Rehabilitation Program. In this Gnarly Mystery Short, Bert and Ernie learn the hard way that crime does not pay when they dognap Gnarly. (Previously published as a bonus feature with A WEDDING AND A KILLING.)

Gnarly, the rambunctious German shepherd, is also featured in Lauren Carr's Christmas short, A Gnarly Christmas. It is Christmas day and Gnarly has been up to his old tricks again. Now he's in the doghouse--or rather the boathouse--after stealing the Christmas feast! Moments after Archie and Mac leave Spencer Manor, Gnarly hears a call for help from Rocky, the Maltese down the street. Four assassins for hire have invaded the home of Rocky's elderly owners. While the home invaders wait for instructions from a mysterious caller, Gnarly must plot to stop them. Can Gnarly save Christmas with only the help of an 8-pound Maltese dressed in an elf suit? (Previously published as a single short story by the same name.)

Disclaimer: I bought this book, as I am a big fan of Lauren Carr. I really wanted to read this book to catch up with all her series. This is my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Want To Buy: Amazon | BH Publishing Group | Lifeway |
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Spring Thaw:

A Chris Matheson Cold Case

We are introduced to Chris and his family when we get a premonition of what is going on six years earlier.

Who came into the church and started shooting up the church while trustees were in a meeting.

Was it a trustee or was it someone else? Was it Duance McCall? Why stick it to him? Why investigate him? Why does he have a mystery that was unsolved in the case of why he cut off his family and friends when the church split?

Chris got some information about what might be going on, but not much. Though we hear Kirk and what was going on around the time of the shooting. 

Though we get more of Kelly's father's story. Why all of a sudden do we have new witnesses come about, and now a murder weapon? 

A 6-year-old cold case seems to be reopened again, but why? Is someone covering for their own family member?

Lauren Carr can do it with short stories, too.  She hooked me with this one as it was only just starting. I am only a few pages in.

Well, we get more information, and now we don't know who did it. Was bishop really the target? Lauren Carr put twists and turns even in the middle of the story. Who is lying and why?

Killing Bid:

A Mac Faraday Mystery Short 

We are introduced to Mac and Artchie through Mac's perspective, primarily through his troubles with bag snatching. 

We are also introduced to Ben and Catherine's Flemings, who are Archie's friends.

While shopping, they talked about Celeste Taylor and the Estate auction Mac was invited to. 

When they get an auction or a lease, look at the jewelry left here. Archie and Catherine come up to respect their husbands' statement that all of Celeste Taylor's jewelry is fake.

Is this true or is it not? La Chat is mentioned in the book. Did he do it or not? Who is La Chat?

A Beauty to Die For:

A Lover In Crime Mystery Short

We meet up with Joshua and Cameron. It all starts with a 2 am phone call from his cousin Tad Macmillan.

This is the start of a series of secrets. But clarify one person's name for a dying person so she can have peace. 

Who is covering up murders, but especially Rachel Burke? Who framed Billy and murdered him? But made it look like something else and cover it up?

There are twists and turns, and even more to unravel this mystery.

Cameron and Joshua seem ready to prove that the dying mother's son did not do it, but to catch the real ones? But who did we seem to have found another murder along the way? 

 

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Book Review: The Giving Tree

Book Title: The Giving Tree
Author: Shel Silverstein
Genres: Children, Classics, Poetry, Fantasy, Young Adult, Short stories, Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publisher Date: October 7, 1964  (Renewed 1992) - (48 Pages, Hardcover)
ISBN: 9780064431781

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy."

So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Discliamer: I bought this book for a family. So I decided to read it  for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Want To Buy: Amazon
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The Giving Tree is a lovely book; I love the hand drawing of the images in this book. The author does a beautiful job with that. Here is a classic book to have. It teaches about loving and giving love. It also shows what happens to a tree as well.

The book is more in the form of a poem. That is sweet. It is about a boy, and the tree is giving them and loving the boy. It goes through some emotions and shows you how the tree and the boy's wants and needs are different. But will the tree have what the boy needs to make him happy?

The hand drawings are different but lovely. I have not found a book that can beat or compare to it yet. The story is loving. The Giving Tree is great to have on any bookshelf. This book is for all ages, not just children. Though I think if you read this book, you may find what makes a tree so crucial in life and what could and has happened to them down to the stump of a tree.

Parents will love reading this book to their children; there is a meaning behind the story or the poem. I think this is a poem. The tree is giving and giving. Will the tree get love in return, or will the boy take advantage of the tree-giving nature and not return that love.

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Book Tour / Review: Over the River and Though The Woods #bvbtours

Book Title: Over the River and Though The Woods
Authors: Jennifer Diamond, Lorraine Donohue, Abigail Drake, Phil Giunta, Kimberly Kurth Gray, N.J. Hammer, Hilary Hauck, Eileen Enwright Hodgetts, Lori M. Jones, Ramona DeFelice Long, Janet McClintock, MaryAlice Meli, Amy Morley, Cara Reinard, James Robinson, Jr., Larry Schardt, Kathleen Shoop, Demi Stevens, Denise Weaver, Michele Savaunah Zirkle
Series: Mindful Writers Retreat Series # 2
Genres: Holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Short Story, Poems, Anthology
Publisher: Year of the Book Press
Publisher Date: 2019-09-21 (217 Pages, Paperback)

A holiday pastiche from the authors of Mindful Writers Retreat, sure to light your festive candles!From a Thanksgiving snow storm that mends old feuds… to the family misunderstandings that fuel new ones… a quirky elf and some romantic stardust will get you ready to go Over the River and Through the Woods on a journey through time!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book though Beck Valley Books and for an honest review
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Over the River and Through the Woods reminds me of the song or even poem that you sing on your way to Grandma's when you are going their to eat at Thanksgiving. If this Title did not remind you of that I do not know why.

The Title did this and I could not forget the song or poem that pops into my mind when it did. I would love to have download the one I found that sing the complete song of this title but it seem to be hard. There seem to be different versions of this song.

This book has different stories in it. They are all short and sweet. I loved each story. There seem to be poem and a recipe in the book. I really did enjoy each story that was written and chosen for this book. There was not one that I did not like. Each author show their talent and or story.

The way this is set up I enjoyed it. I was able to read multiple stories in one night. I really like that each story was short or told about their memories on Christmas memories. Each story was heartfelt and loving. The stories are made for just that the holidays.

These stories could bring you to feel their pain or their memories. The stories have meaning and feelings. Any one looking for holiday stories this book is worth it. Each story has is only meaning and I really could see that with each story that was put into this book.

 

Mindful Writers Retreat Authors 

Many of the writers who contributed to the anthology. 

The retreats happen at Ligonier camp and conference center in Ligonier, PA. 

Twenty-one Mindful Writers Retreat Authors contributed to OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS. The group consists of bestsellers, award-winners, first-time authors, seasoned veterans, poets, memoirists, essayists, musicians, journalists, novelists, and short story writers who are traditionally, self and hybrid published. At Mindful Writers Retreats the labels don’t create a hierarchy, but instead reveal the richness of those who attend. Every single writer contributes to the magic and the fun that results from meditation, walking in the woods, and hour upon hour of mindful writing.

“Thanksgiving Traveler” – Janet McClintock
“Solstice” – Eileen Enwright Hodgetts
“Magic Sleigh Bed” – Michele Savaunah Zirkle
“Tidings of Comfort and Joyce” – Kimberly Kurth Gray
“The Bridge on the River Obi-Wan” – Ramona DeFelice Long
“Reminiscing on the Nostalgia of Happier Times” – Amy Morley
“Christmas Pearl” – Demi Stevens
“Once Upon a Life Well Spent” – Hilary Hauck
“The Christmas Tree” – Kathleen Shoop
“Tink” – Abigail Drake
“Limited Time Offer” – Phil Giunta
“Cranberry River” – Lorraine Donohue Bonzelet
“The Christmas Angel” – MaryAlice Meli
“A Gift” – Lori M. Jones
“Stars of Peace” – N.J. Hammer
“Fathers and Daughters” – Jennifer Diamond
“The Day the Magic Died” – James Robinson, Jr.
“Shaping Christmas” – Denise Weaver
“Buon Natale” – Cara Reinard
“First Nativity” – Larry Schardt
“’Twas a Hard Day’s Night and Another Auld Lang Syne” – Sherren Elias Pensiero

Many of the writers who contributed to the anthology.  

The retreats happen at Ligonier camp and conference center in Ligonier, PA

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Otherworlds Nights

Book Title: OtherWorlds Nights
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Werewolves, Adult, Paranormal, Short Stories, Romance
Series: OtherWorlds #3
Disclaimer: I recived this book for from First to Read for an honesty Review
Contact Author: +Kelley Armstrong, @KelleyArmstrong,
Description: This short story collection will include many brand-new tales and others only previously available on Kelley Armstrong's website. Most of the stories will feature the werewolves of the Otherworld, Elena and Clay, Jeremy, Karl and other members of the American Pack. These are some of Kelley Armstrong's best-loved and most enduring characters, from bestselling books such as Bitten, Stolen and Frostbitten.
1) Demonology - Adam's mother discovers what he is
2) Stalked - Clay/Elena honeymoon story from "My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon"
3) Hidden - SubPress 2012 Elena/Clay novella
4) Twilight - a Cass story from "Many Bloody Returns"
5) Chivalrous - Reese's backstory from SubPress's long sold-out "Tales of Dark Fantasy 2" (the Dec'14 SubPress graphic novella picks up this storyline)
6) Lucifer's Daughter - Hope/Karl story from "Blood Lite II: Overbite"
7) From Russia with Love - Elena bonus story included with hardcover of "Thirteen"
8) Vanishing Act - brand-new Savannah/Adam novella set after "Thirteen"

My Thoughts: This is a book about all kinds of supernaturals. Though you get to read about the American Pack. It falls more on Clay and Elena then the others. Though you get a piece each part of the stories. You get to learn a bit about Adam and though not all of it. You get parts of all eight stories list or at least part of it.

Though most of the book talks more on Elena and Clay and his family and adventures. You read all about what Adam mother find out about her son. You get to read about Clay an Elena Honeymoon story and Hidden/ Twilight though I do not know how that fits in much. Chivalrous you learn about Reese's back story. Lucifer Daughter comes in but not much is about either of them. From Russia with Love is a sweet story about Elena. Vanishing Act is the newest story about Savannah and Adam when he is older.

I know it a collection of stories not all them in a lot of detail. I was a little confused going from one story to the next I understood Elena and Clay story better and Savannah and Adam. That is all I understoood. The ohers I would not understand how it went from Adam being four years old to him being an adult. Why most of the stories where about Elena and Clay and American Pack when it started out with Demons and ending with Demons or half demons.

Review: Bluebonnet Bride

Book Title: Bluebonnet Bride
Author: Colleen Coble
Series: Butterfly Palace #1.5
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, short stories
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub Date: April 1, 2014
Disclaimer: I got this e-book from BooklookBloggers for an Honesty Review.
Description: At the turn of the 20th century, Elli Korpela boards The Baltic with hundreds of eager women, all seeking new beginnings and brighter futures in America . . . as mail order brides.

Escaping a forced engagement, Elli seeks refuge in a faraway marriage, desperately needing her new life with a Texan named Nathan White to be safer than the one she left behind in Finland. And as she glimpses her future husband and his darling niece at the train station, she instantly knows her risk will prove the best decision she’s ever made.

Until he became the guardian of four-year-old Hannah, Nathan White never took an interest in marriage, arranging a mail order wife to simply love and care for his orphaned niece. That is, he never took an interest until he laid eyes on the beautiful Elli Korpela.

After a fairytale ceremony in the gardens of the grandest estate Elli’s ever seen, a place called Butterfly Palace, their peaceful beginning takes a disquieting turn as an intruder brutally attacks Elli in the middle of the night. Nathan intervenes, but the devil escapes unidentified, leaving Elli to face two chilling possibilities: either the attack was arranged by strike workers in Nathan’s employ or her shadowy past followed her into the present – and across the sea.

As the danger mounts, Elli and Nathan must face their enemy together, fighting to stay alive – and fighting to stay man and wife.

Reviews: Goodreads/Shelfari/Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts:

This mystery is somewhat fun to read about. There a mystery that keep you interested in the book. I wonder what is to happen for this couple and family. Who is behind the attacks? Why would they want to attack. Will Elli or even Nathan going to solve this. So far this book has me want get the other books in the series. My first reaction is good so far. I would rate this 4 stars or 4 Rats in my case. I would recommend the author Colleen Coble to others if they asked. I want you to decide if this for you or anyone else to read. Just because I liked it does not mean that you like it. It is up to you.