Friday, January 14, 2011

'Lights! Camera! Murder!', Loni Emmert, 2010, One Blue Moon Press

Abigail Hale has just returned from taking her daughter Erica to the airport to start college. She is surprised to find her husband home and he is telling her that he is leaving her and the house must be sold. Abigail is shocked and realizes she must begin a new life for herself. And that new life takes her to Hollywood to fulfill a long lost dream. Abby lands a small speaking part in a hit soap opera, 'Lovers Lane'. But Abby is the last person to see the victim of a brutal murder, the leading man Dirk Saunders who is killed just outside Abby's apartment. In order to clear herself of suspicion, she needs to find this deceitful killer that she believes is among the crew and cast of the soap opera.

In 'Lights! Camera! Murder!' romance weaves a role throughout the storyline producing an interesting secondary plot. Loni Emmert's knowledge of Hollywood and the behind the scenes action is very intriguing for the reader. Loni provides a skillful narration with snappy dialogue and a cast of characters that keep the reader absorbed.
I truly enjoyed this book because it gave me some insight into a fascinating field.

Don't miss this one for a great escape!!

FTC: Book provided by author

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

'The Leaf Peeper Murders', Loni Emmert and P.I. Barrington; 2010, Mainly Murder Press

Mrs. Anne Jolie Watson feels that things are getting bad even though she feels the sun on a beautiful Indian summer morning in Button Hollow, New Hampshire. As she is watering her flower beds she detects the smell of chlorine in her front garden. Anne is a member of the Button Hollow Citizens' Brigade, a group of elderly volunteers who help the sheriff's office by reporting problems they see in town. But when Sheriff Ramsey arrives on the scene, he discovers the chlorine is from a new hose. Ramsey feels the Brigade interfers with his 'real' job of being a sheriff. But then there are a series of suspicious deaths which has the Brigade up in arms and their overeagerness is hampering his investigation. On the personal side, Jeff Ramsey feels his marriage could be at risk when his wife receives a great job offer in Boston. Jeff tries to solve the baffling crime wave while learning that the radiant fall foliage cannot hide the secrets and corruption of his town, Button Hollow.

These two sisters, Loni Emmert and P.I Barrrington, have a real knack at combining a well crafted plot with a compelling secondary storyline focused on the private lives of the sheriff and other residents of Button Hollow. Anne Jolie Watson is a bit quirky at times which adds humor to her character. Jeff Ramsey is so believable with all his human sides, as sheriff and as husband Jeff.

'The Leaf Peeper Murders' is uncomplicated yet the storyline has humor, snappy dialogue and a New Hampshire setting to die for. This book skillfully displays the talents of Loni Emmert and P.I Barrington.

A truly enjoyable read! Keep it up, ladies!

FTC: Book provided by authors

Monday, January 10, 2011

'When Death Intervenes', L.C. Hayden; April, 2010; Five Star Publishing, a part of Gale Cengage Learning

Linda Randig is on the run to Minnesota when she meets Harry Bronson, a retired Dallas police detective. Her parents and husband have been murdered and someone is threatening to kill her son and grandson unless she drives cross country to Minnesota for some undisclosed reason. Branson's suggestion to aid Linda takes him on a trip that finds him in a situation with a brutal killer as well as a list of possible suspects. Bronson reunites with his former partner and they disover a web of lies and secrets based on a blatant impossibility. Now Bronson must find the killer before more bodies are found and possibly his and Linda's.

'When Death Intervenes' is thoroughly engrossing with no dull moments in this page turner mystery. L.C. Hayden has created an intriguing plot with an inredible storyline that leaves the reader guessing to the very end. Her characters are daring and diversified revealing her talent and skillfulness in her plot, setting and story telling.

Do not miss this winner!

FTC: Book provided by author.