The Yorkshire Dipper by Maria Frankland

 A fantastic, suspenseful and moving thriller!

My Thoughts:

The Yorkshire Dipper has all the elements that make a good mystery/thriller. It was my entertainment on a cross state excursion and made the time goquick as I couldn't wait to fnd out what happened next. The characters and plot was rich. The narrator Naomi Rose-Mock was also great. I thought her voice, pitch ans speed were perfect.

Amazon/Audible

Interview with Mariana Thorn

It's my pleasure to interview Mariana Thorn and learn about how her creative mind works. 

Tell us a little about you? 

I’ve been writing since I was little. I couldn’t get to the library enough or had to wait for the next book to come out. That’s how I started writing. I wrote my own stories while I waited. My favorite series growing up was The Saddle Club books and Sweet Valley High. Now you know how old I am lol.

Right now I work in a grocery store bakery. I love it, except the hours sometimes. It’s fun. I live in a small town in Western Washington with my little dog. I take many trips to my friend’s little farm to ride and work with the horses in the next town over. Really I think I have the best life ever. I get to do things I love and am surrounded by amazing people.

So, what have you written?

I have a few books between three series out right now.
The first series is Fur, Fangs, and Fairies. This series at the moment includes two full lengths and a short (Seizing Darkness, Seizing Shadows, and Rising Shadows). This is a paranormal adventure with a touch of romance but not too much series. That’s how I ususally explain it.
The second series and my favorite to write is the Skylar

Wolfe Mysteries short story series. Right now the first four books are grouped into one box set I like to call the Snark Bundle. I giggle the whole time writing these.
Then I have the first two books out for my Three Kingdoms fantasy series. This is the series that I’ve been working on the longest. Blood of Shadows and Blood of Legends are out now. Blood of Queens, the last book, is coming soon.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

For Seizing Darkness, Natalya is a weretiger that doesn’t remember her past. She’s a bit feisty and has built herself a comfortable life working for the Paranormal Investigation Bureau. Let’s just say her past comes back to bite her in the tail and leave it at that.

What genre are your books?

I have paranormal, mystery, and fantasy so far. 

What draws you to this genre?

Really I like all genres which is probably why I don’t stick to one. Mostly I just write what comes into my head and get drawn into whatever world I’m working in.

Where do your ideas come from?

Sometimes I just don’t know. A character will pop into my head, take root, then the next thing I know I have a story idea. Mostly they are books that I feel like reading but can’t find one available that has the right feel so I just write one up.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

For me getting in the zone and staying there. Once I manage it I can write all the words but some days I get too distracted.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Ideas. I always have characters, story ideas, and new worlds going on in my mind.

1f your latest release is part of a series, tell us a little about the series?

I will be releasing a new story soon. It is just getting polished. The fifth book in the Skylar Wolfe series should be coming out in the next few months. Let’s just say I throw Skylar into a swamp just for fun.

Tell us a little about you as a person.

I love animals better than most people. I hope to buy a big piece of land one day and have an animal sanctuary on it. That’s my biggest dream. I love to surround myself with things that make me happy. I have a shelf in my room with all my happy things. It has my art supplies, things people have sent me, pictures of things and people I love and just happy stuff.
I’m a very positive person. In fact my biggest fault is always seeing the best in people even when they don’t live up to it. I am an eternal opptomist and a dreamer. Normal people confuse me. I have the best friends in the entire world. I also believe I can achieve anything I put my mind to.

Besides writing what are your favorite things to do?

Baking and horseback riding. Drawing, watercolor painting, and coloring as well. I love walking by the river by my house with my favorite dog ,Tony. If you visit my Facebook page you will see many pictures of him.

Do you have a favorite movie and/or book?

I love the Harry Potter books. My favorite TV shows (which I watch constantly) MASH, Keeping Up Appearances, and Rosemary & Thyme. They are usually running in the background.

Visit her
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Wrapped in Death and Chocolate by C.S. Patra Audiobook Review

I finished another audiobook! My addiction continues.



My Review
I just finished listening to C.S. Patra’s Wrapped in Death and Chocolate. It reminded me of Nancy Drew, a good old fashioned murder/mystery. I really enjoy those types of books depending on my mood and I was in the mood.

Stacey is a college student, she and a group of other college students help run an ice cream shop and on the side they solve crimes. In this case, a body was found in a chocolate vat at a plant. Each clue they stumbled across led them to a new lead until they finally solved the crime.

The narrator Abbi Fox uses a clear voice. At first I wasn’t sure her voice fit the story but after a couple chapters I warmed to it and found I really enjoyed her voice.


This is the type of story that’s great for all ages. There’s no gore or explicit scenes.

Links
Amazon
Audible

Chris Birdy The Girl in Black Pajamas Review

Several months ago I started this series with Book 1 The Girl in White Pajamas. I enjoyed it so much that I just read the next book The Girl in Black Pajamas. I enjoyed this one even more.

My review of The Girl in White Pajamas



My Review:

The Girl in the Black Pajamas is the second book in the series. Bogie and Bailey are married, living in South Florida when Bogie’s partner in Boston is shot. He goes to Boston to investigate and brings precocious Isabella with him. Bailey, at home, holds down the fort with baby Hankster and Amanda. The drama goes back and forth keeping the reader on cue.

I enjoyed the first book enough to read the second which I enjoyed even more. Bailey seems to have matured. In the first bookshe was whiny and annoying in this book she’s a two time mommy and down to earth and take charge. I loved that side of her. Isabella is just as much a handful and I won’t lie at times a little scary. She’s far too smart for her age and very manipulative. At the same time she’s a four year old girl. Bogie is Bogie.


Birdy’s writing in this book seemed more plot focused and was easy to follow along. The story has a good flow and the suspense factor kept me turning pages. This is a really great off-beat murder mystery. 

I highly recommend it!

There is one more book in the series The Girl in Red Pajamas and yes I'll be reading it!

Chris Birdy's Amazon Page

Spelling V by Meb Bryant

Spelling V is a short and a great introduction to Meb's work. After reading I'm anxious to check out her other books!



My Review:
Meb Bryant packs a punch with Spelling V. The story begins with Veronica and Robert in elementary school. V or Veronica claims his as hers. As much as he runs from it he loves her too. The short continues as their relationship develops and their love grows. In the seventh grade Robert’s are brutally murdered and the evidence points in a direction he’s not willing to accept. 

Spelling V is a chilling tale of murder and betrayal leading the reader down a tumultuous journey. I read a lot of mystery and suspense and absolutely didn’t see the end coming. She did an amazing job in the novella of placing unexpected twists and turns where least expected. There are few characters in the story allowing full development of each. 

Looking for a quick, mind boggling mystery this is it!

Find Spelling V and check out Meb's other books
Amazon
Amazon.co.uk
Also available at other Amazon/Kindle locations internationally
Smashwords
Kobo
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads

Find Meb Bryant
Website- http://www.mebbryant.com/
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