The Caged Dragon


Dan Michaelson - 2021
    The plains around Berestal suffer from severe storms, making travel to the city difficult, with the threat of an attack from the people of Vard always looming. He long ago abandoned dreams of serving as a dragon rider, caring for his injured father and brother, but everything is about to change.A Vard attack forces Ashan to risk everything to protect his sister. Doing so brings him closer to the dragons than he had ever imagined, but brings him into a war he never intended to join. Somehow, Ashan and his best friend might be the only ones able to prevent the Vard from reaching a prize they’d long sought, if only they can survive the dangers of the forest, the mysterious Djarn people, a terrifying creature chasing them, and the power of a dragon mage.Packed full of action and adventure, The Caged Dragon is the beginning of a brand new epic fantasy adventure.

Rebel Dragon


Steve Turnbull - 2019
    Being responsible for a racing dragon means her existence is more than just drudgery and fear, even if her life is at the whim of her masters and their rules.But when her dragon wakes her in the middle of the night Kantees is forced to make a life-or-death decision that breaks her masters’ rules and means her own life is forfeit.Escaping on the back of dragons, with a hodgepodge of unwelcome associates, she attempts to right a wrong that can never be fixed. Until, ultimately, she must put her own life on the line to keep the freedom she has stolen for herself. The First Book in the Dragons of Esternes Epic fantasy series.

The Ginseng Conspiracy


Susan Bernhardt - 2014
    When the official coroner's report rules the cause of death to be accidental and the community accepts the judgement, Kay decides to uncover the truth for herself. Through her personal investigations, Kay exposes a complex conspiracy, woven deep within the thriving local ginseng industry, that involves some of the more prominent figures and families of Sudbury Falls. With her new friends, the free-spirited herbalist Deirdre and the untamed modern woman Elizabeth, Kay discusses new clues over tea and pastries at Sweet Marissa's Patisserie, their crime-fighting headquarters. As Kay gets closer to the heart of the conspiracy, additional murders happen in quick succession. Before long, Kay learns that the villains are gunning for her, too. Phil, her musically talented but preoccupied husband, determined to keep her safe, withholds from her the one thing she needs most: the truth.

Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death


Mark Reutlinger - 2014
      Everyone knows that Rose Kaplan makes the best matzoh ball soup around—she’s a regular matzoh ball maven—so it’s no surprise at the Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors when, once again, Mrs. K wins the honor of preparing the beloved dish for the Home’s seder on the first night of Passover.   But when Bertha Finkelstein is discovered facedown in her bowl of soup, her death puts a bit of a pall on the rest of the seder. And things go really meshugge when it comes out that Bertha choked on a diamond earring earlier stolen from resident Daisy Goldfarb. Suddenly Mrs. K is the prime suspect in the police investigation of both theft and murder. Oy vey—it’s a recipe for disaster, unless Rose and her dear friend Ida can summon up the chutzpah to face down the police and solve the mystery themselves.Advance praise for Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death   “Is there kosher food in jail? These two heroines have gotten themselves in quite a pickle! Well, it’s a matzoh ball mess, really. Too deliciously funny!”—Rita Mae Brown, bestselling author of Nine Lives to Die

The Moonshine Shack Murder


Diane Kelly - 2021
    All signs indicate her new 'shine shop will be a smashing success. What's more, mounted police officer Marlon Landers has taken a shine to Hattie. For the first time ever, the stars seemed to have aligned in both her work and romantic life. But when a body ends up on her store's doorstep alongside a broken jar of her Firefly Moonshine, it just might be lights out for her fledgling business.The homicide detective can't seem to identify the person who killed the owner of a nearby bar. The only witness is Hattie's longhaired gray cat, and Smoky isn't talking. When the detective learns that the victim and Hattie had a heated exchange shortly before his murder, she becomes her prime suspect.Lest Hattie end up behind bars like her bootlegging great-grandfather a century before, she must distill the evidence herself and serve the killer a swift shot of justice.

Books, Brownies and Murder


Lori Woods - 2018
    James is content with her life in Valley Springs and her flourishing bookstore. She’s content, not bored. And if she keeps repeating that to herself, one day it might just be true. Everything changes one snowy afternoon when a handsome stranger takes up residence next door. Tall, dark, handsome, and arrogant, he rolls into town like he owns the place. Before she can complain too much, Valley Springs is rocked by an unexpected murder of a local man. All eyes turn to Clary’s bookstore cafe when it’s revealed that lethal brownies were the murder weapon. The once revered brownies become an object of suspicion, and Clary is forced to defend her talented chef and friend, Marie. It’s a race against the clock as the evidence keeps mounting, and secrets come to light. Death by Chocolate was supposed to be a marketing scheme, not a promise. Will Clary find the truth? Is her faith in her chef misplaced? And what’s happening next door? Book 1 in the Story Tree Cozy Mystery series, which can be read in one to two hours! Perfect for a lunchtime read or if you want to enjoy a quick light-hearted read, with a book-loving amateur sleuth, set in a picturesque town with sassy characters. No cliffhanger, swearing or gory scenes!

The Elf Tangent


Lindsay BurokerLindsay Buroker - 2022
    With war on the horizon, they must focus on the immediate threat.Reluctantly, Aldari agrees to marry a prince in a neighboring kingdom to secure an alliance her people desperately need. All is going to plan until the handsome elven mercenary captain hired to guard her marriage caravan turns into her kidnapper. His people are in trouble, and he believes she has the knowledge to help.But with an invasion force approaching Delantria, Aldari’s own people need her. She must do everything in her power to escape the elves and make it to her wedding in time.Never mind that her kidnapper is witty, clever, and offers her a challenge that intrigues her mind even as his easy smile intrigues her heart…Aldari can’t let herself develop feelings for him. To fall in love and walk away from her wedding would mean the end of her kingdom and everyone she cares about.

Must Love Murder


Etta Faire - 2016
    All men, she doesn't discriminate. So when she takes a job at her aunt's sketchy matchmaking club, she knows it's going to mean trouble. Love is a sham, after all. But she never thought she'd be solving a murder, especially not the murder of her aunt's horrible neighbor who calls women "hussies," thinks the matchmaking club is a brothel, and snoops where he shouldn't be snooping. The guy kind of had it coming.But when her aunt becomes the main suspect and the police don't seem to care that things aren't matching up like they should, Marcie is forced to become the perfect match for the evil man's puzzling murder.

A Mansion, A Drag Queen, And A New Job


C.C. Dragon - 2014
    The universe has other ideas. When the grandmother she never knew dies and leaves her everything, Deanna enters a different world. In New Orleans anything goes and her psychic powers aren’t a secret. She doesn’t plan on staying but a psychic vision puts her on the trail of a killer. Deanna can’t turn her back on the future victims and becomes immersed in her grandmother’s world. She isn’t sure how to manage the mansion and fortune she inherited or the people who came with it. An ex-priest, a Latina drag queen and a socialite beauty queen are the living entourage. Add in a houseful of ghosts and haunted objects and Deanna needs a little help. In over her head, she struggles to catch a killer who is out to get her as well.

Crazy, VA


Shannon Hill - 2012
    She started life as the unwanted daughter of both of Crazy's feuding founding families. She's enforcing the law in a quirky town more used to paying bribes than fines. And her love life is in hiding. But Lil's luck changes when she adopts Boris, a foul-tempered tomcat who quickly becomes her feline deputy.Then Crazy gets its first murder in decades: Lisa Littlepage Hunter, heir to the powerful Littlepage business empire and the cousin Lil never knew. Lil's investigation will lead her and Boris through a twisted web of forbidden love and family secrets, and before it's over she'll need all the help her furry deputy can give her - and then some.

A Critical Tangent


Reily Garrett - 2022
    George, VINE VOICEShe doesn’t trust cops.Can the detective trust his instincts?Keiki Tallerman’s life shatters on a remote mountaintop in Pennsylvania after witnessing her best friend’s bizarre execution. Experience dictates she keep her mouth shut, and when detectives knock on her door, she won’t hand over evidence until she’s identified the assassin. After all, police never found her parents’ killer. Detective Nolan Garnett investigates two disturbing crime scenes sharing a connection with a young tech prodigy. Unless he can coerce the only witness to talk, the body count will rise. Unable to piece the evidence together, he is torn between following the law and protecting the stubborn coed determined to clear her name. Fate decrees they work together before the killer claims his next victim. Keiki. Add snark and off-the-charts chemistry to watch sparks fly.

First Do No Evil


Carey BaldwinCarey Baldwin - 2012
    One reluctant heroine—wielding a Glock was never on her to-do list. One crazed villain—an entire flock of baa baa black sheep won’t be enough to put you to sleep. And a lifesaving vaccine with one deadly side effect—murder.There’s a killer lurking in Dr. Skylar Novak’s family tree: the gene for breast cancer. That’s why her brilliant brother invented the Bella vaccine. But even if the miracle drug protects her from the cancer that took her mother’s life, it can’t save Sky from the flesh and bone evil stalking her in secret.When the killer strikes, detective Daniel Benson finds himself in the wrong place at the right time. The bold detective manages to save Sky’s life…just in time for her to return the favor. Survival leads to seduction, and Danny risks everything—his career, even his life, to keep Sky safe. But will the buried sins they uncover cost him her heart?Danny’s strong arms may hold her close, but only Sky can stop the terror that’s coming next.What readers like you are saying about First Do No Evil:"One of the best books you will have the pleasure of reading! First Do No Evil deeply resonated in my soul. I am shouting my praises from the rooftops and waiting impatiently for my friends to read it so we can sit on the patio and discuss it over chilled wine and snacks."- Maxine Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"So beautifully well written with believable plot. I would say it was absolute genius!" -Wendy Oblouk Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"At times I am so deep into the story I have to remind myself to breathe!!!"- Danielle Duran Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"So riveting it takes your breath away! What makes this book such an incredible reading experience is the unique voice of the author and characters that stick with you long after you finish the story." -Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A dazzling talent!" - Rhayne for Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fatal Fortune


Miranda Rijks - 2019
    But she has an invaluable skill set – she is a human polygraph, expertly trained to spot lies and deceit. Skills she will need to help her to solve the mystery of who killed Leanne before it destroys her career - and her life.But every cloud has a silver lining and this one arrives in the shape of DS Joe Swain. Initially suspicious of Pippa, he comes to trust her and to value her lie detection skills. Soon it’s clear there’s a definite spark between them....Then, when another body turns up, Pippa realises her reputation isn’t the only thing in danger. Can she identify the killer before she becomes the next victim?Fatal Fortune is the electrifying first book in the Dr Pippa Durrant Mystery Series. If you like edge-of-your-seat action, clever sleuths, and shocking twists, then you’ll love Miranda Rijks’ gripping mystery novel.What readers are saying about Fatal Fortune:‘The twists and turns that the narrative takes will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat…this just has to become a new series!’ – NetGalley Reviewer‘Fatal Fortune had a fast paced and exciting storyline that kept my attention throughout. I didn’t know who to trust and certainly didn’t expect the culmination of events to end the way in which they did!’ – Goodreads Reviewer‘It is five stars from me for this one, I loved the characters, the plot was very strong and I loved how it held my attention right from the start to the fantastic ending!  Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!’– donnasbookblog‘I loved this book, so cleverly plotted, with many suspects and secrets to keep you guessing with never a dull moment…it all comes together in a final, nerve shredding finish.’ – Goodreads Reviewer‘Believe me when I say that you are in for a thrilling read! The story is really well written and I could not put it away. Can highly recommend!’ – NetGalley Reviewer‘This is the second Miranda Rijks book that I have read, and I have to say I’m very impressed. I very much look forward to reading more about Dr Pippa Durrant!’ - PinkAndDizzy.com‘This author is quickly becoming one of my go to authors…this book was a fast paced, edge of my seat book with many surprises along the way. I enjoyed the twists and turns and the ending was surprising and well put together.’ – NetGalley Reviewer‘Fatal Fortune hooks you at the very beginning…this book felt to me like a roller coaster…the plot cleverly weaves around itself and killer is finally revealed!&r

Dead as a Dodo


Jeannie Wycherley - 2021
    And there the matter should have rested.At least for DS Elise Liddell.Emotionally burnt out, she considers herself retired from police work.By rights it has nothing to do with her, but someone killed the poor man and, as Elise can resist everything except a good puzzle (and a shot of Blue Goblin vodka), here she is tangled up in a murder case.When a petty thief hands himself into the Ministry of Witches Police Department, Elise’s ex-colleagues consider it an open and shut case.She’s less convinced.Revitalized by the investigation, she takes the suspect on as the first client of her new paranormal detective agency. What would this insignificant wretch have to gain by murdering the cantankerous old wizard? Elise knows full well, by uncovering the motive she can reveal the true killer.But she forgets, in Tumble Town even the shadows are alive … and now someone or something is hunting her.----------------------------------------------------The Wonderland Detective Agency Series is a paranormal cozy mystery series, set in the same Wonkyverse that readers have already fallen in love with. While some of the characters and places will be instantly familiar, Wycherley effortlessly casts her spell so that her zany new friends quickly become ours too.Packed full of witches, wizards, warlocks, ghosts, shadow people and more, you’ll love this glimpse into the dark side.Take a walk in Tumble Town today!

A Nose for Murder


Lee Charles Kelley - 2003
    But murder and mayhem still seem to hound him wherever he goes ... Jack's a dog trainer and a behavioral specialist -- not to mention the "main squeeze" of smart and sexy, part-time medical examiner, Jamie Cutter. That's why he's standing in a secluded cabin by alike on an icy December evening, with Allison DeMarco lying dead on her kitchen floor, and her high-strung Airedale, Ginger, going ape in the corner. You can't teach an old dog -- or cop -- new tricks, so this homicide has Jack hooked ... especially since poor Ginger seems to be the only witness! In a world of misbehaving mutts and pesky purebreeds, a killer may be waiting to make Jack, Jamie, and their puppy-pals roll over and play dead.