Driven by Dane Cobain – book review and giveaway

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an ebook I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Driven by Dane Cobain to review. You may find out more about the author on his website.

Here is the book blurb.

Meet private detective James Leipfold, computer whizzkid Maile O’Hara and good-natured cop Jack Cholmondeley in the first book of the Leipfold series. A car strikes in the middle of the night and a young actress lies dead in the road. The police force thinks it’s an accident, but Maile and Leipfold aren’t so sure. Putting their differences aside, and brought together by a shared love of crosswords and busting bad guys, Maile and Leipfold investigate. But not all is as it seems, as they soon find out to their peril…

The story starts by introducing us to Donna Thompson but by the end of chapter 1, she is dead, killed in a hit and run. Then chapter 2 feels slow with random snapshots as we meet private investigator James Leipfold, play director Tom Townsend and computer whizz Maile O’Hara. Chapter 3 was equally slow, this time meeting Detective Inspector Jack Cholmondeley, Sergeant Gary Mogford, Constable Groves and informing Donna’s next of kin, her mother Eleanor, who hasn’t seen Donna in years.

Then with the highlight of chapter 4 initially seeming to be skint Leipfold advertising for an intern and reading the newspaper, which mentions the hit and run, I was about ready to give up on this book. It was just way too slow, however I persevered. Leipfold decides to visit the scene where he bumps into Cholmondely who he knows from way back. From his investigative methods, I started to get the feeling that Leipfold may be the one who can find the mystery driver rather than the police, as he quickly finds a house nearby with CCTV. And by the end of the chapter, we have linked in another of the main characters, Maile is waiting outside Leipfold’s office. She wants to be his intern.

As things start to hot up, I’m glad I kept going with this book, but I would suggest to the author that he needs to hook the reader in sooner. The CCTV appears to indicate that the car has no driver. How can this be? Is the driver hiding out of view? Is the vehicle being controlled remotely? Could it be pre-meditated murder rather than an accidental hit and run?

So in true whodunnit style, potential suspects start to stack up for the crime. And so do alibis.

I loved the way Leipfold shares little clues to the police, then relying on them to do the necessary graft.

Driven is available on Amazon in paperback, audiobook and kindle formats. A modern detective mystery to get you thinking whodunnit. It is the first book in a series, so I’m looking forward to reading more and hoping that now we have been introduced to the sleuths, that the next title will unfold faster.

And I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a paperback copy of Driven to one lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

I’d love to hear about your favourite read.

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Vacancy: Viscount Preferred by Tammy Andresen – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Vacancy: Viscount Preferred by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Lady Priscilla is in trouble…

When a cousin she didn’t even know existed inherits her father’s title, the new Earl of Purlington wants more than just the earldom, he want’s Priscilla too. Or at least, her dowry. What she needs is a hero. A man to swoop in and save her despite her cousin’s intimidating lurking. Well not an actual hero, not like the one currently being featured in the papers for all his heroic deeds, but perhaps a man willing to stand up to her cousin and marry her despite the odd circumstances. But how does she find a man like that?

The Viscount of Ware stalks the night…

He wears a mask of course. It wouldn’t do as a lord of the realm to also be discovered as a vigilante. And then there’s the issue of the large scar on his face. It’s better hidden under a mask. But the work is dangerous and as his brother so bluntly points out, he has certain obligations to the viscountcy. Like making an heir… It’s a fair point, but what lady would wish to marry him? His life as a lord isn’t exactly normal and neither is his appearance.

That is until he sees an ad in the paper. A woman in need of a hero? A man in need of a baby? It’s a simple transaction. Easy.

Except from the first, Priscilla is nothing that he imagines and the attraction that sizzles between them only complicates everything. His emotions have been frozen for years. Why do they threaten to defrost now?

And worse yet, what will he do if he loses the battle for Priscilla’s hand and heart?

This is the fourth book in the Calling All Rakes series, but works perfectly as a stand-alone read. Here are the links to my reviews of the previous titles.
Wanted: An Earl For Hire
Needed: A Dishonorable Duke
Found: Bare with a Baron

This story begins with Lady Priscilla taking the very unusual scandalous step of placing an ad in the newspaper for a husband, in a desperate bid to avoid marrying her odious distant cousin Eugene. Following Priscilla’s father’s death, Eugene had inherited the earldom, but he greedily wants the money to go with it, namely Priscilla’s large dowry.

Meanwhile, she and her mother are forced to live in the same house as Eugene and he has restricted their daily life so much, that she has no opportunity to meet other suitors, hence her last ditch plan, the ad naming a time and date in Hyde Park, where she and friend Clara plan to hide behind the rose bushes, to assess who might show up.

The ad is seen by Ralph, valet and illegitimate brother to Wyatt, Viscount Ware, secretly a heroic masked battle-scarred mysterious vigilante whose deeds also feature in the paper. Ralph is aways badgering Wyatt to marry, as he has a duty to sire an heir for the viscountcy, so he points out the ad to Wyatt.

How will things pan out when the ladies spot the handsome but scarred lord from their hiding place? And if he comes calling at the house, what might the the enraged Eugene do? Priscilla soon works out that Wyatt’s “footman” Ralph is his brother, but beyond that, Wyatt is very vague in answer to her questions. What might be the mystery?

Vacancy: Viscount Preferred is available on Amazon in both Kindle format and paperback. A nice short romantic story with a hint of mystery.

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About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

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The Duke and the Debutante by Katherine Ann Madison – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Duke and the Debutante by Katherine Ann Madison to review.

Here is the book blurb.

What happens when the most eligible bachelor in England mistakes a lady for a servant? Mayhem, of course.

And Lady Elizabeth dislikes anything that draws attention to herself. Which is why she’s hiding in the kitchen when the most distinguished and available guest arrives, The Duke of Wingate. It’s not as though she has a chance no matter how many match making schemes her mother and his aunt can cook up. Why would one of the most powerful men in England want her?

He’s too rough for someone as delicate as her…

As a duke, he’ll have to marry and make an heir. There’s no question about that. But he’s little patience for games and even less for courting. He’s busy and besides, he’ll not allow a few scheming biddies to dictate his future.

Which is why he sneaks into the kitchen of his aunt’s house rather than entering through the front door. He’ll show them… But his attempts to foil their plans send him crashing, literally, into Lady Evelyn.
Yes, she’s beautiful, and sweet, and gentle, and completely wrong for him. Isn’t she? Definitely. Possibly… perhaps a kiss will help him decide.

This is the first title in Katherine Ann Madison’s new sweet Regency Romance series Matchmaking on the Marriage Mart. From previous more steamy book reviews, the author may be more familiar to many of my followers as Tammy Andresen. But she uses the pseudonym Katherine Ann Madison for a sweet innocent read.

The story begins with the Duke of Wingate attempting to sneak into his Aunt’s house, the Countess of Greenburg, via the kitchen to avoid the crowd waiting in front of the house to greet him. There he scares a maid eating a spoonful of bread pudding mixture. But it is no maid, it is Lady Evie Dunstable hiding here to avoid attention and now she is covered in pudding!

Well that is certainly a different start to a story and made me laugh. But within minutes Evie’s mother and Lady Greenburg and other guests are arriving in the kitchen, flustering Evie further. And her mother is already in match-making mode. It seems that Lady Greenburg is too.

How will the Duke and Evie react?

The Duke and the Debutante is available on Amazon in Kindle format. A delightful read from Katherine Ann Madison.

However the blurb needs some proof-reading as it initially refers to Evie incorrectly as Lady Elizabeth and further on, correctly as Lady Evelyn.

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About Tammy Andresen

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

Website – http://www.tammyandresen.com

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Her Frozen Cry by Carolyn Arnold – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an ebook I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Her Frozen Cry by bestselling author Carolyn Arnold to review. To find out more about the author you may visit her website.

Here is the book blurb.

The moon shines through the open window, bathing the woman in pale light. Blood-red wine from a shattered glass soaks into the cream blanket beside her, and her dull eyes stare vacantly at the framed photograph in her hand.

When beautiful wife and mother Alicia Gordon is found dead in a remote woodland cabin, Detective Amanda Steele is shocked to discover that she knows the husband. Amanda hasn’t spoken to Tony since she lost the love of her own life seven years ago, and seeing tragedy tearing her old friend’s family apart brings back so many painful memories.

Alicia was alone when she died, but she was so young, and Amanda can’t help feeling suspicious. Then she discovers that Alicia’s sleep medication had been tampered with, slowly poisoning her over several days. Amanda wants to trust that the sorrow on Tony’s face is real, but the more she digs into his marriage, the more it seems that he had opportunity, and motive…

Interviewing one of Alicia’s old colleagues, Amanda is shaken to her core when the woman suddenly collapses in her arms, dying in seconds from a lethal dose of the same poison that killed Alicia. But what could link this woman to Tony?

With her partner blaming Amanda for not arresting Tony immediately, she needs to prove that he isn’t the killer, or accept that the second woman’s death could be on her hands. She’s running out of time and leads when she discovers threatening messages sent to both victims. It’s the final clue to unmasking the most twisted killer Amanda has ever come up against, and to stop them she’ll have to risk everything…

This is the fifth title in the Detective Amanda Steele series and here are the links to my reviews of the previous titles.
The Little Grave
Stolen Daughters
The Silent Witness
Black Orchid Girls

The prologue features a suspicious death alone in a locked remote cabin, but how did she die? Murder? Suicide? Accident?

Detective Amanda Steele and partner Trent are investigating the death of Alicia Gordon, a successful entrepreneur business woman in her 30’s, who founded New Belle cosmetic company. But Amanda recognises a face in a family photo found under the victim. It is Tony Bishop, an old friend who she hasn’t seen in years. Or even an old flame?

She discovers that Tony recently married Alicia. Can she continue on the case? Is there a conflict of interest? When will she tell Sergeant Malone?

Family, colleagues, competitors, nanny, ex’s all come under suspicion, although Amanda can’t believe Tony could possibly be guilty.

Hate mail, lies, poison? what else will they unearth?

And then there is another death. What is the connection? Could they have prevented this?

Her Frozen Cry is available on Amazon. An excellent thrilling page turner full of twists and turns. Highly recommended. Some continuity references to earlier stories for those who enjoy reading the whole series but perfect as a stand-alone read too.

About the Detective Amanda Steele Series
Gritty. Raw. Unapologetic.

Immersive crime fiction for fans who love their mysteries set in a small town and hard-boiled to perfection. From the murder scene to the morgue, interrogation of suspects and following down leads, you’ll feel like you’re part of the investigation. Realistic and complex characters, accurate police procedures and forensics paired with tight, serious writing make these books read more like true crime than fiction. Meet Homicide Detective Amanda Steele with the Prince William County Police Department in Woodbridge, Virginia. She’s smart, motivated, and real. Her tragic past has her claiming to be no one’s mentor, but she’s more hero than she thinks.

Here are the links to my reviews of other books by Carolyn Arnold.
Remnants
Power Struggle
The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh
On the Count of Three
Shades of Justice
Exercise is Murder
Past Deeds
The Legend of Gasparilla and his Treasure
What We Bury
One More Kill
Girl on the Run

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About the author

Carolyn Arnold was born in a small Canadian town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower. As an international bestselling and award-winning author, she has several continuing fiction series, including her popular Detective Madison Knight series. She offers readers nearly three dozen published books in genres ranging from crime thrillers and hard-boiled mysteries to cozy mysteries and action adventures. She currently lives north of London, Ontario, with her husband and two beagles.

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I’m participating in the blog review tour. Do take time to browse round some of the other posts.

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Riders of Fire and Ice by Brett Salter – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Riders of Fire and Ice by Brett Salter to review. You may find out more about the author on his website.

Here is the book blurb.

They’re back! Julian and Rome are taking their show on the road. This time to lovely, old England in search of Camelot. While there, the Knight and Dragon will be trying to solve the mystery of the Talismans, the mystery of their shadowy stalker, and the mystery of sibling rivalry. Prepare to meet some new faces and, of course, some new Darkbrands as the two further their adventures across the pond.

This is the second title in the Talisman series. It works okay as a stand-alone read due to the initial recap, but it is better in my opinion if you have read the first title The Search For Synergy in advance, as then you will have better knowledge of Julian and Rome bonding as knight and fire dragon to defend Earth.

The story begins with boys Julian and Rome flying to England on a school trip to Bridgewater in Somerset. However their main reason for going is to try to find clues about Camelot, to see if they can find a link to the dark monsters who are trying to take over the world. Coincidentally Julian’s hated younger sister Camela is at the same boarding school where they will be staying.

Also why does principal Mrs Case seem to be staring at them so much? Does she know something about their secret? Could she be an ally or an enemy?

The author has chosen to assume that Bridgewater is the location of mythical Camelot. I’ve heard of a few possible sites for Camelot previously, but first time I’ve come across the idea of it being Bridgewater. He also describes the town centre as covering 15 square miles, but it is only a small market town really!

So the boys go to meet Camela and her best friend Krysta in the school library and then start their research for clues. Rome is surprised to see how anti-dragon Camela is. She and Julian are like chalk and cheese. Camela talks in Olde English, with phrases like methinks and silly knave.

They get a shock when they try to phone their elderly mentor Mr Jones. He hangs up on them and transports himself there to hear about the clues. Will the boys get to try that trick?

And who is the shadowy figure stalking them? Not everyone is quite as they seem?

Once again lots of magic, talismans, monsters and portals. Throw in some sibling rivaltry plus a nutcase and plenty of mystery and danger. Can they prevail?

Riders of Fire and Ice is available on Amazon in paperback, hardback and Kindle format, targeted at young adult readers. A great follow-up read to The Search for Synergy. Suitable from age 11 upwards in my opinion.

However I did feel the author could have done more research on Somerset. He had made it sound very American.

And am I reading too much into how similar Camela’s name is to Camelot? Possibly since Julian’s middle name is Pellinore, another character from Arthurian legend.

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Baron of Clubs by Tammy Andresen – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Baron of Clubs by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Mysterious and larger than life, this baron might not have been the best choice for elopement…

Lady Elizabeth Stanton needed to wed quickly in order to save her brother but running away with a rakehell of a baron…. Cryptically quiet, the Baron of Clubs is the definition of the strong and silent sort of fellow. As frightening as he is handsome, he steals her breath with every penetrating glance from his hazel gaze.

There’s no turning back, however, once she leaves London with her new fiancé. Besides, he’s already protected her once, even she can attest to that. But as she leaves the security of her family and heads off on a larger-than-life adventure with a complete stranger, she has to wonder if this mad journey to Scotland was the largest mistake of her life or her first step toward becoming a woman all her own.

And as her fear heats into passion, she must also wonder about the man who’s swept into her life, carried her off from her home, and rewritten her entire world. Because, if she’s not careful, he might just steal her heart too.

We’re now upto book 19 in the Lords of Scandal series and the covers are continuing to get even more risque. I always read the kindle version so not an issue for me, but I have to say I don’t think I would sit on a train holding this one as a paperback. However the storyline is good and just like all the others, it works perfectly as a stand-alone read too.

The story starts by re-enacting a scene from the previous book, Queen of Hearts when Bella overpowered an intruder in her home, but this time from Lizzie’s viewpoint. Lizzie, Lady Elizabeth Stanton is the sister of Edge, hero of the last book and she is scared. But her brother and Clubs, Baron Purewater have just arrived. The Baron gives Lizzie his card, saying if anyone attacks again or she needs anything, he will help her.

So Lizzie comes up with a mad self-sacrificing plan to ask Clubs to elope, so that her brother wouldn’t have to marry for money in order to fund a dowry for Lizzie, but instead he could marry for love.

When she knocks on his door after midnight, what will Colton, the Baron of Clubs say to her proposal? She is dumb-founded by the immediate answer of yes and within an hour, is heading from London to Gretna Green in a carriage with the Baron, a total stranger. Has she made a big mistake? And what will Edge do, when he finds his sister gone?

Baron of Clubs is available on Amazon in both Kindle format and paperback. Another nice short light romantic story from Tammy Andresen.

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About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

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The Rescue of Vincent by Bob Doerr – book review

Disclosure. This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.. All opinions are my own.

Earlier this year I reviewed The Enchanted Coin by Bob Doerr and I have now received a free e-copy of The Rescue of Vincent, the second title in the series to review. To find out more about the author you may visit his website.

Here is the book blurb.

Fourteen year old Ricky Street discovers a magical coin in a small creek near his parent’s Florida home. The coin has his name inscribed on it along with directions that he toss it into the fountain by the Tree of Life. He does so and suddenly finds himself transported to a strange world where he encounters two other teen agers from two separate worlds who had also been transported there by magical coins that they had found. The three soon meet Vincent Wollitzer, whom they save from drowning in quicksand, and learn that if Vincent doesn’t reach civilization soon his world will be thrust into a terrible war. The exciting adventures the four experience in their efforts to get Vincent back to civilization include surviving attacks by dragons, sea monsters, and other strange creatures.

Adventure and tossing a magical coin into the fountain by the Tree of Life at Disney World is the link between this book and The Enchanted Coin, the first title in the series. But all the characters are different.

So the story starts with 14 year old Ricky finding a coin during a storm. Just like in the first book, the coin is engraved with a personalised message “Ricky Street, throw this coin into the fountain in front of the Tree of Life!”. He shows it to his Mom and together they plan a trip to Disney World. But when he tosses the coin into the fountain, everything goes dark.

He can’t see anything. Where is he? Where is his Mom? A girl speaks to him in the darkness. She is Lexus and she too has just thrown a coin into a lake. Then a scream and another boy, Bebo arrives, who also tossed a coin into a river. They have all been transported to this dark cave, but why?

When they reach daylight, they observe how different they all look. Lexus has blue skin and hair, whilst Bebo is hairless and very short. They are all from different worlds. Soon they also start coming across dangerous creatures and poisonous plants, but they use their varied abilities to work togther as a team.

When they hear a call for help, is that why they have all been brought here? They discover  another boy trapped in quicksand. This is Vincent who was in a plane crash, enroute to becoming leader of his world. Vincent lloks different too, being very furry. If he doesn’t get there, a terrible war may ensue. Can they all pull together overcoming the challenges, to get Vincent there in time? And will the others be able to return to their own worlds?

I really loved how this story celebrates the diversity and teamwork of the 4 main characters. But I would have preferred a bit more variation between the covers of both this book and the previous title.

The Rescue of Vincent is another brilliant fantasy adventure read, which I highly recommend to teens and children aged 9+.

And for those of you like me, who hadn’t heard of it, here is some information regarding the Tree of Life at Disney World. Sounds an amazing sculpture with over 300 carvings of species including some extinct, plus a theatre at the base.

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Circle of Betrayal by Ruth O’Neill – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an ebook I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Circle of Betrayal by Ruth O’Neill to review. You may find out more about the author on her website.

Here is the book blurb.

Lena Farnham has it all: a job she loves, a wonderful husband, a huge house, and a baby about to arrive. She’s the happiest she’s ever been, and she can’t believe how lucky she is.

Unfortunately, Lena’s luck is about to run out.

Someone is following her, and not only that – they’re leaving frightening messages, and threatening her perfect life. Even worse? Her husband Sean doesn’t believe any of it.

When the baby finally arrives, however, Lena’s follower is the least of her worries. Everything in her life is about to change, but why? What did she do to deserve this? And what isn’t Sean telling her?

Lena embarks on a journey to uncover the lies, deceit, and betrayal from the one person she loves and trusts the most… her husband.

Even the most perfect people can have dark pasts – and even darker secrets.

Different chapters are told from the perspective of different characters with some overlap, so the story set in Portsmouth, starts with Lena, the main protagonist. Lena, a teacher is married to doting Sean and expecting her first child. But she is upset by an incident at school when one of the students threatens and hurts her, which results in him being expelled.

Then chapter 2 is from Sean’s view and although he is a caring husband, we discover he has a dark secretive past, which is rearing its head again.

Meanwhile in chapter 3, Lena is getting paranoid by a shadow following and watching her. Is there someone there? More things continue to scare her, but they always disappear before Sean sees, so he doesn’t believe her.

And so the story progresses. We also get chapters from the mysterious stalker. Lena tries to be proactive about the situation setting up a Neighbourhood Watch group, making a new friend with her neighbour Tracy. But we soon discover Tracy isn’t quite as she seems. And nor is the midwife.

Events continue to spiral in this psychological thriller after baby Charlie is born, as all the strands of the story are woven together. Who to trust? What to believe? Why are certain people behaving the way they are? What does a photo reveal? It was easy to guess who the stalker was but not why.

Circle of Betrayal is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle formats. A very intense read with plenty of twists.

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Queen of Hearts by Tammy Andresen – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Queen of Hearts by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

She hates the Earl of Edgemere with a passion…

Arabella White can confess that if she’s going to root out the thief from her gaming hell, she’s going to need assistance. An idea she hates. But the dark and mysterious Earl of Edgemere is as conceited as he is dastardly. Never mind that he’s also handsome as sin. He’s the last man she’d allow into her business that she’s sacrificed everything to obtain. Because this earl? He might just steal it all…including her heart.

An unlikely earl…

The Earl of Edgemere has been living on the edge. Since he inherited an earldom, it’s been one problem after the other. Between beating off the creditors and the loss of his first wife, he can hardly see a way out of the deep pit to which he’s fallen. If he could just find an heiress to marry, perhaps he could breathe again.

But when he gets an offer to complete an investigation in exchange for a financial boon, he knows he has to take it. Never mind the woman giving the proposal is as beautiful as an angel, there’s not a damn thing he can do to pursue her. His future, and his family’s, are tied to the needs of the earldom. Still, a man can dream and Arabella, as strong as she is independent, is the sort his dreams are made of. She’s everything he wants but can never have.

The more time they spend together, however, the more he wonders… what would the future hold if, rather than listen to reason, he gave into temptation?

This is book 18 in the Lords of Scandal series, and I’ve been waiting for this particular title since a tantalising taster after book 15. Like the other titles, it works perfectly well as a stand-alone book too, although I prefer reading them all. However this is the first time in this particular series where the title is based on the female lead character rather than the male.

The story starts with Arabella White, the Queen of Hearts fuming, having just read a letter from Hart, the Marquess of Diamonds that he is not planning to return to the Den of Sins, the gaming club they all own a 7th share in. Instead he plans to freely give his stake to Edge, the improverished Earl of Edgemere, the very man who almost ruined his sister Daisy, Arabella’s best friend.

Bella, along with partners (Duke of) Chance, East and Clubs pay Edge a late-night visit to inform him, he is not welcome. The men are all for punching him, but Bella makes him a paltry counter-offer, to help them catch Sir Thomas who has been stealing from the club and in return they will buy him out along with a year’s worth profits.

Edge accepts the offer, but only if they help launch his sister Lizzie in society. Will Bella be able to pull strings with Chance to get Daisy to help Lizzie. Can they work out a deal? And is she seeing a different side to Edge to what she imagined? Perhaps they have more in common than she thought.

Plus I like how the books are linking their nicknames to a deck of cards, when the continuity link throughout the whole series has been a gaming club, the Den of Sins. So last time we had the Marquess of Diamonds and now we have the Queen of Hearts. The next title to look forward to will be the Baron of Clubs.

Queen of Hearts is available on Amazon in both Kindle format and paperback. Once again another light short romantic story with a dash of danger from Tammy.

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About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

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Madam Tulip and the Rainbow’s End by David Ahern – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have read and loved all of the Madam Tulip mysteries, so I was very pleased to receive a free e-copy of the fifth book in the series “Madam Tulip and the Rainbow’s End” by David Ahern to review.

Here is the book blurb.

On the private island of a rich banker, a young and talented stone-mason falls from a cliff. A tragic accident? Or murder?

After the collapse of their theatrical tour, actress Derry O’Donnell and sidekick Bruce must work to pay their way in a West of Ireland village. As Madam Tulip, Derry tells fortunes for a local charity only to be drawn into a maze of mystery and intrigue.

The dead man’s sister obsessed with justice and who will stop at nothing. A daughter bequeathed an island mansion beyond her means. A glamorous French widow and her heart-throb son certain they have been cheated of their legacy. Add an enigmatic letter hinting at a hidden fortune, and the reader is in for a gripping and humourous mystery adventure.

Madam Tulip and the Rainbow’s End is the fifth in the series of mystery-adventures in which out-of-luck actress Derry O’Donnell finds the End of the Rainbow may not be what it seems.

Madam Tulip is the sideline fortune-telling persona of actress Derry and each book is filled with mystery and intrigue, but all work perfectly as stand-alone reads.

So this story begins with Derry and friend Bruce discovering that the rest of their touring theatre group have skipped from the hotel, leaving them to foot the bill, but they have no funds. A deal is done with hotel manager James Boyle, that Derry as Madam Tulip will tell fortunes at the festival to help raise funds for the local lifeboat, whilst Bruce will be bar doorman.

After doing a fortune telling for Mary Jo, she is stunned when Mary Jo announces that the cards have backed up her belief that her brother Michael was murdered. Derry didn’t see that in the cards!

Another surprise was seeing one of her father, Jacko’s paintings hanging in James Boyle’s office, and discovering they were old friends. Cue – Jacko turning up later in the book. Coincidences abound as there are more of Jacko’s paintings at the nearby Baron mansion, a family Derry has just been introduced to, chasing mysteries of their own, which Derry gets drawn into.

So many strands woven into this great story. Intrigue, mystery, action, danger and a cryptic puzzle., which taught me about topics I knew nothing of.

Madam Tulip and the Rainbow’s End is available on Amazon in kindle format. An excellent thrilling action-packed mystery which I certainly recommend.

Here are the links to my reviews of the previous Madam Tulip titles.
Madam Tulip
Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts
Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance
Madam Tulip and the Serpent’s Tree

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About the author

David Ahern grew up in a theatrical family in Ireland. He become a research psychologist in Scotland and the Netherlands, before inevitably his genes kicked in and he absconded to work in television. He became a writer, director and producer, creating international documentary series and winning numerous awards, none of which got him free into nightclubs.

After stints playing in great bands, all doomed to obscurity, and writing equally obscure plays, he took to novel-writing. He now creates the Madam Tulip mysteries, in part as a tribute to the way actors never give up dreaming, but mostly to make himself laugh and scratch his head. David Ahern loves pretending this is actual work.

David lives in the beautiful West of Ireland with his wife, a cat, a tame pheasant, a clan of badgers and a vegetable garden.

You can learn more about David Ahern and the Madam Tulip mysteries from his website www.davidahern.info

Connect with David Ahern on Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidahernwriter
and Twitter: www.twitter.com/daveahernwriter
and Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/davidahern

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