Lavender Blue Murder Hits The Spot

Lavender Blue Murder

By Laura Childs

Get ready mystery enthusiasts and amateur sleuths, because Laura Childs' latest Tea Shop Mystery starts off with a bang. It's a Lavender Blue Murder in the fields of the low country of South Carolina. When Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier Drayton Conneley attend an invitation only English shooting party, with all the trappings, they had no idea that anyone other than the birds were in danger. When shots ring out too close for comfort, the partiers scatter and run for safety. Theodosia ends up wandering into a lavender field, where she discovers their host, Reginald Doyle, bleeding to death. Now there is a party full of suspects, but who among them has a motive that would drive a person to carry out such a dire act?

This expertly crafted plot is a challenging puzzler. Theodosia is put to the test as she looks for clues, talks with witnesses, and analyzes suspects. The reader is immersed in the adventure from beginning to end. The descriptions of settings are vivid and detailed. Characters are unique and so interesting. Those who are recurring in the series are fresh and daring, yet they feel familiar like a favorite earl grey tea that has been blended with unexpected highlights that complement, delight, and yet taste new. Oh and there are some skiillfully planted surprises in store.

There's more than one reason to read to the end. Not only do you want to find out if you have named the right suspect as the killer. You want to try the tantalizing recipes from the Indigo Tea Shop that are printed in full at the back, along with Tea Time Tips, and for tea connoisseurs there are also Tea Resources.

Laura Childs is such an adventurous and prolific writer. She’s growing three different mystery series, that all have crowds of ardent fans. And this author is not slowing down anytime soon. The Tea Shop, Scrapbook, and Cackleberry Club, all three Mystery Series are each well-established and artfully crafted. And as if that’s not enough, she also writes the Afton Tangler Thrillers, authored as Gerry Schmitt. So sit back with a cup of your favorite tea blend because you’re in for a tea-rrific time with this mystery. And hear more from the author herself when co-hosts Carl Lee and Wendy Kendall share A Novel Talk with Laura Childs. Then, visit her website to see her many other mysteries at http://www.laurachilds.com/

Woman in the Woods
By Darcy Carson

Warrior woman Becca d’Firn is in desperate need of a wizard. She’s fought a losing battle against a deadly plague spreading through her home village. She needs reinforcements and better weaponry. She leaves so she can find the source of magic that can save the suffering villagers she vowed to defend when she became their head warrior and huntress. It is her duty. It is also a chance to save her own loved ones. She is the Woman in the Woods on a perilous quest. The man who she finds is not the wizard she expected.

Cress is a wizard living within a personal torment. His magic has been useless against a thousand year old spell that has trapped his beloved sister. He continues to stand by her. He continues to care for her. His life feels on hold until, suddenly from the woods emerges a strong and impatient woman. Becca. He is surprised at how he is attracted to her, and he is surprised at her determination to recruit him and his magic in a long journey for the sake of others.

Together Becca and Cress will face dangers both seen and unseen. The author skillfully creates a mystical and magical world where the characters’ innate strengths and talents are creatively and gravely tested. And then there are the dragons, as well as the dramatic, mysterious guardians. The plot is creative, compelling, and filled with unexpected developments. The characters leap from the pages with compassion and courage as they face fantastic challenges. The attraction between Cress and Becca sizzles and flames.

The challenges ahead are dire. Can Cress stop the deadly plague? Can Becca save them from other dangers? What will the dragons bring? What is it that the secretive guardians require? Can the challenges of the heart unite Becca and Cress, or tear them apart?

This award winning author will certainly excite your imagination. She is an historical and fantasy romance author with several books. Visit her website at darcycarsonbooks.com, to read more about her and her other books, and if you’d like to hear more from the author herself, please enjoy this interview by Wendy Kendall and Carl Lee – A Novel Talk with Darcy Carson.

This Way To Dangerous Territory

Dangerous Territory

Adventures of Keltin Moore

By Lindsay Schopfer
 

Are you ready for an adventure into Dangerous Territory with beast hunter Keltin Moore? This is the third in a Steampunk flavored fantasy novel series where characters are tested beyond their limits. This world is populated by fantastic creatures and hidden perils. Keltin Moore will have to rely on his instincts, smarts, ingenuity, brilliant weaponry, and courage. But will that be enough?

When Keltin went into a beast hunting business with his two friends and partners, he never imagined the dire call for help that would pull him into a war ravaged territory. Now he must help a family of lost, innocent victims, including one young woman who had once been very special to him. He loved her. He will have to venture beyond the border, into Dangerous Territory, try to find them, and if he is able to do that, he will still need to guide them back to safety. The action is non-stop as Keltin Moore fights against government agents, war-time enemies, and vicious creatures.

The characters are so interesting, each with their own story and motives that are skillfully revealed over time. The setting is straight out of imagination and grows in descriptions that engage all the senses. As with the other two books in the series, this story will keep you guessing as you turn the pages faster and faster.

Lindsay Schopfer is an award winning fantasy author. In addition to The Adventures of Keltin Moore, he’s written a Science Fiction survivalist novel Lost Under Two Moons, and the short story collection Magic, Mystery and Mirth. He teaches workshops and master classes on the craft of writing, and is a volunteer mentor for Educurious, a Gates Foundation funded program designed to connect high school students with professional writers. He also teaches creative writing at South Puget Sound Community College. He’s also a busy, first-time father of twins and has written a series of articles for ParentMap Magazine.

Find out more about the author on his website at blog.lindsayschopfer.com, and hear more from Lindsay Schopfer himself on the podcast, A Novel Talk with Lindsay Schopfer, co-hosted by Wendy Kendall and Carl Lee.

Winter Takes All on the trail of a mystery

Winter Takes All

By ML Erdahl

Crystal is a newly hired wilderness guide. She’s thrilled to finally have excitement in her life as she heads into Washington State’s Cascade wilderness. It’s all so promising. She’s on the trail with a ruggedly handsome, experienced guide mentoring her on leading a private snowshoeing weekend party. Who could have predicted that before the night ended she’d be told that a “rescue operation has become a search and recover . . . It means he’s dead.”

Crystal is now caught up in more excitement than she’d expected. She’s in the midst of a puzzling murder mystery. This snowshoe weekend was a corporate celebration. The business owner wanted to treat his employees before his pending retirement. At the secluded lodge reserved for the group in the mountains, it became clear that there were tensions between employees, and with the owner. One became a deadly conflict. But which one? And why?

Crystal’s new employer has been shut down from further expeditions until the police solve the case. Crystal’s bank account will not last through a sustained investigation. She will bring the needed urgency to solve this case herself, and she shares the clues to the delight of sleuthing readers who want the chance to find the killer. Crystal investigates while consulting, and dating, the dreamy guide who was with her on the trip, Connor.

Can Crystal find the killer before it’s detected that she’s on the trail? Or will the killer stop her in her tracks? As Crystal approaches a dangerous, precipitous moment, will she have the strength and resources to prove her case, save herself, and clear her employer’s reputation?

From the variety of lively, urban Seattle, to the peaceful solitude of the Cascade Mountains, this author writes a vividly descriptive setting. His characters leap to life off the page and into the imagination, with the flavor of an engaging Agatha Christie, that has an alluring, contemporary twist. He creates an intricate puzzle, with fascinating suspects, and an amateur sleuth who’s delightful and so humorous.

Author Michael Erdahl lives amidst the trees of the Pacific Northwest, and has spent his lifetime exploring. When he’s not wandering the mountains, he’s gardening, reading, or searching for the best coffee in Seattle. You can learn more about the author at http://mlerdahl.com/

Cover Reveal - Kat Out of the Bag! A Mystery!

Look for this Mystery early in 2020!

Kat Out of the Bag

By Wendy Kendall (that's me!)

Published by The Wild Rose Press

When celebrated international purse designer, Katherine Watson, hosts a gala for her Purse-onality Museum, she never expected the next day's headline to read: 'Murder at the Gala Premiere.' But after a dead body is found during the event, that's exactly what happened.

Working to solve the murder, Katherine matches wits with local cop Jason Holmes and his K-9 partner, Hobbs. Although Holmes and Watson disagree often, they discover an undeniable attraction building between them. But they'll have to put their feelings on hold and focus on solving the murder, before Katherine becomes the killer's next knock off.

From designer bags to body bags . . . . 

Thank You artist Kim Mendoza for the cover art!

Are You Outrageous Too?

The Last Outrageous Woman

By Jessica H. Stone

Outrageous means very bold, unusual, and even startling. In The Last Outrageous Woman by Jessica H. Stone, circumstances throw together five women who decide it’s time to take destiny in their own hands and unite in the promise to fulfill each other’s secret life wish. They decide that together they can do those things that alone they have not been able to fulfill for themselves. This promise, made by five outrageous women to support each other, begins a story about a series of exciting and heartwarming adventures.

Naming five previously unspoken wishes is what starts a tour of cities around the world. From Florida to the Emerald Isle, from Tasmania to the markets of Egypt, and all the intriguing destinations visited are such a treat as described by this well-traveled author at the helm. The descriptions of these exotic settings are vivid and captivating. And with these fascinating, unpredictable characters, the actions and interactions prove to be humorous, surprising, and touching. It’s wonderful to watch how these unexpected friendships grow. And the women will lean on each other at times, because pursuing dreams this important is not always easy. There are challenges. After all, if it was easy it would already have been done.

It’s so interesting to discover what each person’s secret life wish is. What has been so important and yet so private that it was never shared with their family or friends before? These characters, each in her own way, demonstrates how bold, unusual and sometimes even startling she is, and how inspiring. These characters will have you thinking about what dream is important to you.

Author Jessica H. Stone, is also a long distance sailor who has cruised the Caribbean, navigated Puget Sound, traversed Canada’s waters, sailed the Mexican coast, wandered the Sea of Cortez and crossed the Pacific all with her border collie Kip McSnip. Over the course of sixteen years their experience led to the popular book, Doggy on Deck: Life at Sea with a Salty Dog. She continued sailing on some amazing international adventures after losing her four-legged crew. Her engaging novel The Last Outrageous Woman takes travel into a new dimension. You might also be interested in her guide book titled How To Retire on a Boat.

Visit her website at jessicahstone.com, and take a look at some of the most beautiful travel photos that may inspire trips of your own, and if you’d like to hear more from the author please enjoy this interview by Wendy Kendall and Carl Lee – A Novel Talk with Jessica H. Stone

Kindle Raffle Winners' Book Recommendations!

Announcing the winners of the Friends of the Edmonds Library Kindle Raffle! Donations from Symetra.  Thank you so much to the Edmonds Library staff for their work to make this Raffle such a success!  Congratulations! To the winners and their recommendations -

Addie Marie Jones,
Skin Deep an Interactive Coloring Book, by Screebee (Addie Marie Jones)
This book encourages all ages and all races to understand and accept diversity in a mild manner. It combines old-school with modern technology for a learn through play experience that helps build self-esteem as well as computer skills (when using the APP).

Brook Roberts,
My Stroke of Insight, by Jill Bolte Taylor
Amazing insight into what happens to the victim of a stroke

Wendy Kliment,
Shedding Our Stars, by Laureen Nussbaum & Karen Kirtley
A great read about a family who survived the Holocaust due to a decision made by German Reichskommissar named Hans CalMeyer, who very quietly saved thousands of Jews from concentration camp from behind his desk.

Cheryl Bailey,
Oil and Marble, by Stephanie Storey
Well researched historical novel about Leonardo de Vinci and Michealangelo