Blog Archives
We Are Shadows: An Irish Ghost Story
We Are Shadows: An Irish Ghost Story by Gail Grant Park delves into the captivating world of three sisters: Moira, Deidre, and Nuala Gallagher. Each sister possesses a unique gift – Moira can see ghosts, Deidre is passionate about herbal healing, and Nuala has a knack for experiencing distinctive dreams. Stemming from a childhood incident where Moira witnessed a tragic event, she, along with her siblings, embarks on investigations into paranormal happenings. As readers journey with them, they encounter eerie entities, mysterious haunted homes, and the eternal struggle of light versus dark.
Moira stands out as an optimistic beacon of courage, while Deidre’s inquisitive nature keeps her intrigued by Moira’s spectral encounters. Nuala, talented in the kitchen, also navigates the intricacies of love with her love interest, Sean. It’s refreshing to see a narrative where sisterly bonds are cherished and not tainted by constant conflict. Grant Park emphasizes the importance of family, a sentiment further bolstered by the role of the sisters’ mother, whose research aids them immensely. The story is painted against the scenic backdrop of Ireland, giving the narrative an added layer of mystique, making one wonder about the secrets concealed within its age-old residences.
The story is engaging with its suspense-laden atmosphere and gripping action sequences. Each chapter beckons readers further into the heart of the tale, with unexpected twists ensuring they remain on their toes.
While I enjoyed the story, I think it would make the narrative more enjoyable if there were stronger adversaries challenging the sisters, providing them with more formidable obstacles to overcome. However, fans of paranormal fiction and family-centered stories will undoubtedly find this book to be a delightful read.
The story serves as a testament to the power of family and the mysteries that lurk in places both familiar and foreign. The book is a memorable journey that any reader with a penchant for the supernatural should not hesitate to embark upon.
Pages: 247 | ASIN : B0CK57LZJ2
Cruel Lessons
In Cruel Lessons by Randy Overbeck, the seemingly ordinary Foster Middle School is shaken by the tragic drug-related deaths of four students. In response, the school administrator, Ken Parks, is asked to investigate the incident. He soon discovers that the drugs responsible for the tragedy are being sourced from within the school itself. However, the investigation uncovers two staff members with dubious pasts – a beloved teacher and the school custodian – who have managed to evade scrutiny thus far. As the investigation continues, the secrets of this quiet town are gradually revealed, eventually leading Ken to uncover the truth behind the students’ deaths.
The novel is masterfully written, featuring a cast of complex characters and events that effortlessly capture and hold the reader’s attention. Each new revelation adds to the suspense and keeps the reader on edge, eagerly anticipating what further secrets the story holds. Just when the source of the drugs appears to be uncovered, the novel unveils more secrets about life in the town, leaving the reader yearning to learn more.
The dark secret concerning Ken’s marriage and his wife appears to be linked to the illegal drug trade. This secret ultimately leads to another death, causing a drastic change in Ken’s life. Ken’s impressive resilience in the face of a life-altering event showcases his inner strength and adaptability. This story is a compelling and thought-provoking read, demonstrating the author’s skill in crafting a captivating mystery.
Cruel Lessons by Randy Overbeck is a gripping crime thriller and amateur sleuth mystery. I recommend this intriguing story to those who are fans of thrilling mysteries that will leave readers guessing till the end reveal.
Pages: 359 | ASIN : B0CDJ6GL5W
Naked Came the Detective
Being a professional escort is not easy; it is not all glamor and high-end clients. For one Washington D.C. woman, her life as a sex worker is filled with clients from the upper echelon of D.C. When one of her regular dates is murdered in an apparent mugging, she questions if things are as cut and dry as the news stories say. Using her connections and skills as a trusted confidant, she digs into this mystery to discover the truth behind his death and, in the process, discovers more than she bargained for.
Author Glendall C. Jackson III has created a captivating mystery in his novel Naked Came the Detective. This story is told in the form of a memoir, with side notes included from Chris, the reporter, to add information or clarify terms from the sex industry. Being from Washington, D.C., I felt right at home with the book’s descriptions and locations. The main character is honest, direct, intelligent, savvy, and determined not to just sit on the sidelines when discovering critical information. She is a strong female protagonist who takes matters into her own hands and does what must be done even when others tell her to play it safe.
Despite the book being short, just over 100 pages, the author has included plenty of red herrings and shocking twists to keep readers engaged and looking for the next clue along with our amateur sleuth. I can see her character taking on additional mysteries in future books. Her inquisitive nature is contagious, and descriptions of her dates add humor that many women will be able to relate to.
Naked Came the Detective is author Glendall C. Jackson III’s first fiction story, and it does not disappoint. Jackson’s attention to detail and well-written plot make this cozy mystery a must-read for those looking for a suspense-filled story with a memorable and fascinating protagonist.
Pages: 102 | ASIN : B0C6YQGTZM
I Love Vaudeville
Vanished on the Vaudeville Circuit follows a Vaudeville performer whose 7-year-old daughter goes missing one night and his search for her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was interested in the world of vaudeville and its traveling entertainers, almost vagabonds, since I first read the book GYPSY by Gypsy Rose Lee as a child. Gypsy and her little sister grew up in vaudeville. It was intriguing to learn that there were children who had been free of going to school and spent their childhoods entertaining, and I wanted to write about a father who was on the road with his daughters. It’s the 1920s, so I made the father, Avram, who changed his name to August, the child of immigrants, with all the resilient bravado that those who came to this country brought with them. The premise for this book popped into my head one day as I was outside drinking a coffee by the rose bushes in my backyard, and I ran right inside to start the book.
Why choose this place and time for the setting of the story? What do you find so fascinating about the Roaring 1920s?
As I said, I love the whole idea of the world of vaudeville, and the 1920s always struck me as a wonderful time. It was my grandparents’ era. I grew up listening to show tunes and also the bouncy, optimistic songs of the 1920s, loved them then and love them yet. World War I had ended. The members of the armed forces who survived returned home wanting to forget it and have a good time. It’s just an amazing decade, or it was until it ended with a crash and burn in 1929, and I put the story right in the middle of it, 1925. I also had to put the story during a time when vaudeville was still alive and well. It was in 1925, but its demise was coming.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
Oh, definitely, yes! August La May kind of “wakes up” when his younger child goes missing. Up until then, he’s not naive or anything, but he’s a lot more trusting of the world around him until that happens. After that, as we say in Brooklyn, “Forget about it!” He’s older and wiser, fast.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I work on several at a time. At the moment, I’m not sure which one I’ll finish next, but there’s a bunch of them in the works. The genre I love the most is cozy mysteries like this one!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Blog
But four years after Violetta left, all might not be well. August is sure he sees Violetta on the theater ticket line in Chicago. Later that day, seven-year-old Florabelle goes missing on the way to the stage from her dressing room. Is this a coincidence? Has Violetta really returned for only one of her daughters, or has someone else in vaudeville taken the talented child? Who, among the many rather irregular folks in show business, might have done this? August and his other daughter, savvy little April, keep touring the theaters of America, determined to find out. Where then, in the space of the entire country, could Florabelle possibly be?
Vanished on the Vaudeville Circuit
In Carolyn Summer Quinn’s poignant novel, Vanished on the Vaudeville Circuit, we are introduced to August La May, a dedicated Vaudeville performer and loving father of two enchanting girls, Florabelle and April. The story unfolds when August thinks he sees his long-lost partner and the mother of his children, Violetta, after four years of abandonment at a Nebraska theater. August grapples with whether or not it was Violetta and, if so, what will it mean to him and his daughters.
Set in the backdrop of 1920s America, the novel follows August’s relentless quest to find his missing daughter, praying for an elusive reunion. However, the journey is fraught with challenges as August, and his family face societal prejudices against performers like them, viewed with suspicion and mistrust. The reader is left pondering, along with August, how will he ever locate them.
Quinn skillfully crafts a close-knit family dynamic between August and April La May, a father-daughter duo whose unwavering support for one another sustains their hope even in the bleakest circumstances. The resolute spirit of the La Mays united against a world seemingly against them evokes a heartfelt emotional response from any reader. Vanished on the Vaudeville Circuit succeeds in gripping its audience with a compelling plot. The narrative, primarily told through August La May’s perspective, is filled with slang from the 1920s, adding to the book’s authentic feel. The book’s central themes of family bonds, heartache, and determination remain powerful and engaging, urging readers to accompany August and April La May on their poignant journey to find the elusive Florabelle, whose disappearance has left a void in their vaudeville world.
Vanished on the Vaudeville Circuit by Carolyn Summer Quinn contains emotional depth and a captivating plot making it a worthwhile read for anyone seeking a tale of perseverance and the unbreakable ties of family.
Pages: 200 | ASIN : B0C7MLMV26
Lights, Camera, Murder: A Pet Communicator Cozy Mystery
Lisa Shay’s latest novel, Lights, Camera, Murder, takes readers on an exhilarating journey alongside movie star Andrea and her crew as they embark on a search for the perfect lodge location for their upcoming film. What sets this story apart is the inclusion of Dr. Kallie Collins, the local psychic veterinarian and part-time detective, whose presence adds a unique and compelling dimension to the narrative. As Kallie tends to the injured animals and unravels the mystery behind a dangerous individual’s explosive acts and disturbing messages, the suspense escalates, and she finds herself racing against time to identify the culprit and safeguard her own well-being.
Lights, Camera, Murder is an enthralling and captivating mystery that expertly blends the natural world with the suspense of a crime novel. The premise of a veterinarian with the extraordinary ability to communicate with animals infuses the story with a distinct and intriguing element. The narrative unfolds at a steady pace, gradually building tension as Kallie delves deeper into the enigma surrounding the injured horse. With bated breath, I eagerly sought to uncover the truth, only to be pleasantly surprised by a plot twist that left me astounded.
Author Shay effortlessly immerses the reader into the story through her vivid and evocative descriptions of the settings. The mountain lodge, in particular, serves as an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the overall sense of intrigue and allure. The characters in this book are masterfully developed, each harboring their own hidden motives and secrets, rendering them both potential suspects and unexpected allies. Kallie’s unwavering determination and resourcefulness make her a compelling protagonist, and readers will undoubtedly find themselves emotionally invested in her journey, rooting for her at every turn. Some aspects of the mystery may seem slightly predictable to seasoned readers of the genre. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book.
This gripping mystery is sure to captivate not only crime fiction enthusiasts but also those with a love for animals. With its enticing premise, meticulously crafted plot, and engaging characters, Lights, Camera, Murder is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking an immersive and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Pages: 192 | ASIN : B0C731TW4H
The Final Comeuppance
Amanda Conway is a successful author enjoying a good night’s sleep in her Brooklyn apartment when her phone goes off. On the other side of the call is her cousin, Detective Pablo Conway, requesting assistance in solving two homicides that strongly link with Amanda’s worst childhood memories. That time in her childhood which she had put entirely behind her. That time was horrible not just to her but to several of her friends and other kids. The headmaster and the most despicable teacher at Winslow-Kent have been murdered, and Amanda has to face her past to help her cousin and her hometown, the quiet town of Carlisle, and get the killer to justice.
The Final Comeuppance by Carolyn Summer Quinn is a classic whodunnit mystery full of irresponsible adults, criminals thriving amid children, and innocent kids suffering from emotional and physical abuse. A private school hiding under the banner of prestige, Winslow-Kent houses some of the most nefarious characters who enjoy abusing children and money-minded misers who care less for the children and more about the fees they brought in.
Quinn has successfully built a playground of felonies and characters who have sold their humanity for a small amount of money. With a riveting plot of multiple suspects, Quinn creates enough doubt in the reader’s mind to consume the entire mystery in one sitting. The protagonist’s fear and hate towards the adults who failed her are conveyed powerfully.
The Final Comeuppance is a riveting police procedural novel with an amateur sleuth as the protagonist. Readers that enjoy reading about the bad guys getting what they deserve will be drawn into this compelling mystery while trying to figure out who the murderer is along with the characters.
Pages: 351 | ASIN : B0B7ZHYSQ2
Shadow of the Gypsy
Shadow of the Gypsy by Shelly Frome is the story of Josh Barlett, who witnessed a crime at the age of 12 and was forced to leave his home in order to protect his life, and ever since then, he has constantly been running away from his past. Now he is a 35-year-old reporter in the local newspaper who lives a dull life in blue mountain ridges. However, all that would end soon, and Josh would finally return to his hometown after all these years. The plan is to reunite with his high school sweetheart Molly. That is until his past catches up with him, and a Russian spy- Zharko, finally finds him. Now Josh is forced to participate in a Russian mob’s crime because of a debt owed from his childhood.
Author Shelly Frome has yet again come up with a mysterious story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Shadow of the Gypsy is the perfect combination of crime and mystery. Frome has written a breathtaking story that is guaranteed to startle the readers. He has written strong characters whose personal goals intertwine with each other throughout the book. When Josh is forced to participate in a crime, he has two choices. Either he can run from his past again or defeat it! Josh’s journey of fighting life and death consequences will leave the reader in awe. It was genuinely intriguing how Josh didn’t only report the crime but became a part of it.
The story is set in the blue ridge mountains, and with Shelly’s wonderful description of the surroundings, readers can visualize the book perfectly. Interesting side characters like Josh’s neighbors are also introduced who love his boy-next-door personality, which readers may find charming too.
The suspenseful question remains until the very last page whether Josh will defeat his past, or will his past take the best of him? This novel has excellent dialogue writing and well-developed plot twists making for a delightful read.
Pages: 280 | ASIN : B09HST8WP5
LITERARY TITAN 