Welcome to another Book Review Tuesday. I’m glad you could pop in and join me. As I type this, it’s dumping buckets of rain outside, and has been for hours. Fall has arrived in Central Pennsylvania. Yesterday, I put pumpkins out, and packed up my summer porch decorations. There was some melancholy involved, as I am a summer gal at heart, but I do have a fondness for autumn. Raven is curled up beside me, and I plan on ending the evening with another book. It’s the perfect cool weather for reading. Which brings me to today’s reviews.
The Body in the Gravel
by Judi Lynn
This is the third entry in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series and by now the characters feel like family, especially the leads. Jazzi has a habit of stumbling over dead bodies while working to flip houses with her cousin, and her exceptionally hot Nordic boyfriend, Ansel. This time, the body is delivered in a load of gravel—literally tumbling out of a dump truck. It isn’t long before Jazzi gets to sleuthing, helping her detective friend, Gaff, get to the bottom of “whodunit.” And in this case, there is an entire roster of suspects, each with possible motive.
The murder victim, Darby, was not well-liked or even marginally social. Suffice to say he made a lot of enemies, ticked off a lot of people, and burnt a lot of bridges. The author creates plausible motive for each of the potential murderers, tossing out enough red herrings for plenty of suspicion to lead the reader astray. All of the Jazzi novels have been well constructed and plotted, but I found the murder in this one a level above the rest, just a bit more complex, and that made for great reading.
Toss in Jazzi’s impending marriage, several new secondary characters—along with returning favorites from Jazzi’s family—AND a few of Ansel’s bristly relatives, and there is plenty to keep you flipping pages, speeding toward the end. I liked the way everything played out and fit together. Flavored with romance, heartwarming scenes, and family dynamics, this is an engaging cozy mystery. George, the pug, is back, as are cats Inky and Marmalade, and there is always something wonderful cooking in Jazzi’s kitchen. She has an ideal life, if not for the dead bodies that seem to show up every time she turns around. Fortunately for readers hooked on this fabulous series, it’s good to know there is more to come! 5 Stars!
Amazon Link
Genre: Cozy mystery > Amateur Sleuths
Tempted by Mr. Wrong
by Jacquie Biggar
New families make for tempestuous days—at least in this story of love denied. When Jason and Tammy-Jo (T.J.) are teenagers their parents marry, making them step-siblings. By the time they’re seniors in high school, they’ve fallen in love, something that doesn’t fly well with Tammy’s father. When he intervenes and sends Jason packing, T.J. turns elsewhere to soothe her broken heart, following the path her father maps out for her by marrying a man destined for success.
Now it’s ten years later, Jason is on an undercover assignment for the SEC and Tammy’s caught in the middle once again. Her husband—who has been wretched to her—winds up murdered on their front lawn. There to investigate both T.J.’s husband and father, Jason has to keep his purpose a secret while reconnecting with his family—and that includes stirring up all the feelings he still holds for T.J.
If you enjoy romantic suspense, this book is one you won’t want to miss. The case that builds against T.J.’s deceased husband puts everyone in danger, including Jason’s team, his mother, step-father, and T.J. herself. Jason and T.J. navigate their feelings for each other with plenty of misunderstandings, matched only by the heat of undeniable attraction. As always, Biggar knows just how far to push her characters before bringing them to the realization they belong together. The interesting spin in this book is the familial connection and the complications it causes. Jason’s relationship with his stepfather, Sam, is bitter and combative, but Sam has a loving, caring marriage with Jason’s mother. A sticky situation that gets fully fleshed out at the end.
A breezy read with polished writing, dialogue that rings true, and characters who lodge in your heart, this is an entertaining read with a feel-good finish. 5 Stars!
Amazon Link
Genre: Romantic Suspense
There are so many good books waiting on my TBR, and each day I seem to add more. I’m not sure how much reviewing I’ll be doing in November once NaNoWriMo kicks in, but in the meantime, I always enjoy sharing my selections with you. Thanks again for visiting, and I hope you enjoyed the reviews.
These both look like great reads. Thanks for sharing, Mae 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony!
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My pleasure, Harmony!
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These books are two of my favorites. Nice to see both here (and so well received).
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Reviews like this (and yours :)) are a gift to cherish!
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I love sharing books I enjoyed. I agree–both of these were great!
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Great reviews, Mae. I’ve read and enjoyed Tempted by Mr. Wrong. The Body in The Gravel is up soon on my TBR list.
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Yay! Thank you, Joan, that makes my day 🙂
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Two wonderful books from two wonderful authors. You and I often enjoy many of the same titles 🙂
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I think you just added 2 new reads to my TBR pile. You know that I love a good cozy and The Body in the Gravel sounds like the perfect mix of humor and puzzle. Whereas, Tempted by Mr. Wrong has suspense and intrigue. Two great reviews and two potential great reads 🙂
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Thank you, Theresa! I hope you give them a try 🙂
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Thank you, Theresa!
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Oh, I just love when reviews influence someone’s TBR. 🙂
I’m sure you’ll love them. Both authors are very polished writers who know how to weave a good tale. Happy reading!
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Both of these sound amazing. With The Body in the Gravel, you can never go wrong when cats are part of the story. With Jacquie’s book, you’re right about the familial connections and complications – bound to be some interesting dynamics in that book.
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They were fun characters to flesh out, Teri. 🙂
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I love the complications arising from the family ties in Jacquie’s book. And Judi writes her animal characters with such personality, they become part of the family! 🙂
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Love these review, Mae. My TBR pile grows ever higher! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 ❤
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Thank you, Marcia! I know what you mean about TBRs, mine needs a fifty foot ladder to reach the top, lol
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Mine needs a fifty foot KINDLE! 😀 It is SO loaded, I have four different folders set up with TBRs listed via categories. Are we compulsive readers, or what? 😀
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Oh, those towering TBRs.I love adding to them 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the reviews!
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Thanks so much for your review of my book, Mae. You always make every book sound so intriguing, even mine:) And Jacquie’s book sounds great. That cover always makes me look twice! I read your blog about getting ready for NaNo. Can’t wait to read what you come up with by the end of November. I love your writing!
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I have your book on my list, Judi- hopefully I can get to it soon!
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Aw, thanks, Judi. 🙂
And you know I love your stuff! Your characters are so relatable and feel like good friends.
Jacquie’s too. You both have a way of writing that makes your reader sink easily into the story.
Fingers crossed, I pull off NaNo this year!
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Cozy mysteries seem to be trending these days! Your reviews are worth reading Mae, as they say so much without revealing anything. Thanks for sharing. You are a prolific reader!
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Thank you, Balroop! Mae does write beautiful reviews ❤
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Balroop, you made my day with that comment. It’s always my goal to share the story without revealing or spoiling anything. I’m so glad that comes across.
And, yes, I love to read. Almost as much as I love to write, LOL!
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Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
Mae Clair gives a fantastic 5* review for Tempted by Mr. Wrong along with Judi Lynn’s The Body in The Gravel. Stop by to check them out, she’d love to hear from you!
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Fabulous, Jacquie. I’m happy to spread the word about two great books. Thanks for an entertaining read!
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Happy to share!
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Oh, those blue eyes!! These both sound like awesome reads, Mae! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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I’d love a poster of him on my wall, but DH probably wouldn’t appreciate it the same way 🙂
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I know. Isn’t that book cover awesome? The character is, too! 😉
So glad you stopped by today, Jan!
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I also loved Tempted by Mr Wrong, Mae. The other book also sounds good. I love Halloween in the USA, it is a distraction from the looming winter.
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Thank you, Robbie! Does that mean you don’t have Halloween there?
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The odd person hosts a party, but it isn’t a big thing here at all.
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I enjoy being part of the US celebrations, Jacquie, with all of you.
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It’s always fun to share such excellent books. I’m so happy to spread the news for the authors. 🙂
Halloween is a fun time of year and has become HUGE in the U.S. I’ve written a novel and a short story themed around the holiday but am still always tempted to do another. One of these days, LOL!
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I don’t think you can go wrong with Halloween, Mae.
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Great reviews, Mae! I Have the first Jazzy book on my TBR list and Tempted by Mr. Wrong. Fortunately Jacquie reposted this, because I don’t think I’m getting notifications from you. Off to check that out.
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WordPress must be acting up again. Every now and then I would have to reset notifications too. Since I switched to Reader, I just check there. Although it did take me a while to get used to it.
The Jazzy books are great–as is Tempted by Mr. Wrong. They both have romance and mystery!
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It is acting up again. I re-scribcribed:)
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Thanks 🙂
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Thanks for your support, Denise!
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Great reviews. I need to grab a copy of each.
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Happy reading, Michele!
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Yay! Thank you, Michele 🙂
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Terrific reviews, Mae.
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Thanks, John!
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Fantastic reviews to share, Mae. Bravo to Judi and Jacquie!
Cheering you on for NaNoWriMo. That’s awesome. 🙂
The colours are brilliant here and we’re enjoying above normal temperatures. Jackpot! Embracing every moment of it, too. Cheers, my friend! 🙂
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Thanks for the NaNo cheer and the kudos for Jacquie ad Judi. I love the energy of your reply.
Enjoy those vibrant colors, my friend, Ours have started to peek through. There’s something thoroughly mesmerizing about the colors of fall!
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Do you have the maple trees there, Natalie? So lovely!
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Oh yes, Jacquie, it’s absolutely beautiful here with the spectacular crimson and golds. Warmer than normal temps, too. Jackpot! Do you have them, as well?
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Not in the wild, but yes, we can grow them on the island. I have three varieties in my yard 🙂
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I don’t go in much for either of these genres, but they both sound great! I might have to stretch my TBR pile a bit more 🙂
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They’re both entertaining reads. And I fully understand about the TBR pile. Mine is turning into the Blob consuming everything in it’s path! Remember that old movie?
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Hahaha, what an apt description for the ol’ TBR pile 😁
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Great reviews, Mae. 🙂
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Thanks, Kev!
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Thank you, Kevin!
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Great reviews, Mae! My TBR list loves you!
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Good to know, since I love reviewing books! 🙂
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