Like A Charm by Candace Havens

Like A Charm by Candace Havens. Publisher: Berkley, February 2008

From the acclaimed author of Charmed & Dangerous comes a sassy new paranormal romance about a gorgeous librarian who sees dead people.

Kira Smythe never thought she’d end up back in her hometown of Sweet, Texas. But now that her high-powered job, along with her five-year plan, have gone right out the window, she’s back where she started, staying with her hippie, tofu- obsessed parents-except that somehow she’s inherited the local library. At least there’s a gorgeous guy in town who seems quite smitten with her. So what if he’s got a few secrets up his sleeve? After all, Kira’s got her own secrets. Like the dead people who won’t stop talking to her. Or the magical books on the shelves. Or the fact that someone who’s very much alive seems determined to push her over to the other side.

Kira Smythe, who witnesses a tragic event and her life as she knows it disappears first when she heads home for parental comfort and then begins to see what life is all about. While recuperating, she loses her job, runs into a college friend, meets a potential boyfriend and re-discovers the people who helped shaped her childhood. There’s a hint of paranormal in this quirky romance story which I enjoyed. 

*new-to-me author

Written in Blood by Sheila Lowe

Written in Blood by Sheila Lowe is the second book in the “Forensic Handwriting” cozy mystery series. Publisher: Signet, September 2008

The widow of a rich, older man, Paige Sorensen is younger than—and hated by—her stepchildren. And they’re dead set on proving that she forged their father’s signature on his will, which left his entire estate, including the Sorensen Academy for Girls, to her. Claudia admits she’s intrigued by this real-life soap opera, and breaks her first rule: never get personally involved. But she’s grown attached to a troubled Sorensen student—and when disaster strikes, she’ll realize that reading between the lines can mean the difference between life and death…

In this case, after taking a case where a will is being disputed, Claudia meets a young teen who becomes embroiled in murder mystery.  Claudia sees the teen as someone who is looking for love and stability and trusts what she sees as a cry for help.  Through frequent dialogue, Claudia resolves to help the teen and inadvertently stumbles upon murder, kidnapping and white slavery.  This was a fast pace story from the beginning to its conclusion.  Another excellent book in the Claudia Rose series.

Lie Down With The Devil

Lie Down with the Devil by Linda Barnes is the twelfth book in the series featuring P.I. Carlotta Carlyle. Carlotta is hired to trail the bride-to-be’s fiancé who gets a note telling her of his infidelity which leads to a wild goose chase. Later, her client is found dead and thus begins a game of murder and mystery that involves Carlotta’s own fiancé who can’t come back to the states. Mobsters, deceit, family and friendship all comes together for a great read.

Crosscut by Meg Gardiner

Crosscut by Meg Gardiner is the fourth book in the “Evan Delaney” thriller series. Publisher: Signet, September 2008

Evan Delaney knew China Lake was a tough place to grow up. But she never knew how tough until now—she returns to the desert military base for her high school reunion, and learns that a number of her classmates have died young. Then, on the first night of the reunion, another one dies— this one savagely butchered. And she’s just the first. Someone has an axe to grind—and Evan’s graduating class has something to fear.

OMG this book was awesome. This is the best one yet. Evan is attending her 20th high school reunion when it’s discovered that many of her classmates have died. An incident that happened when on a field trip threatens the life of the remaining classmates, especially Evan when she discovers that her father in somehow involved. There was mystery, murders, comedy and intrigued and it was pulled together fabulously. A great read.

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen is the seventh book in the “Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles” thriller series.  Publisher: Ballantine Books, September 2008

New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen knows how to expertly dissect a brilliantly suspenseful story, all the while keeping fascinated readers riveted to her side. By turns darkly enthralling and relentlessly surprising, The Keepsake showcases an author at the peak of her storytelling powers.

For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Now its sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed “Madam X,” the mummy–to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact–seems a ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message hidden within the corpse–horrifying proof that this “centuries-old” relic is instead a modern-day murder victim.

To Maura and Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli, the forensic evidence is unmistakable, its implications terrifying. And when the grisly remains of yet another woman are found in the hidden recesses of the museum, it becomes chillingly clear that a maniac is at large–and is now taunting them.
Archaeologist Josephine Pulcillo’s blood runs cold when the killer’s cryptic missives are discovered, and her darkest dread becomes real when the carefully preserved corpse of yet a third victim is left in her car like a gruesome offering–or perhaps a ghastly promise of what’s to come.

The twisted killer’s familiarity with post-mortem rituals suggests to Maura and Jane that he may have scientific expertise in common with Josephine. Only Josephine knows that her stalker shares a knowledge even more personally terrifying: details of a dark secret she had thought forever buried.

Now Maura must summon her own dusty knowledge of ancient death traditions to unravel his twisted endgame. And when Josephine vanishes, Maura and Jane have precious little time to derail the Archaeology Killer before he adds another chilling piece to his monstrous collection.

Twelve years ago a demon was killed and mother and daughter are on the run.  Today a mummified body is found and now the daughter’s life is in danger.  Never fear, Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles are on the case which gives the reader a glimpse of archeology and a murder mystery to solve.  The best things I like about Tess’ books are the mystery and the information that I learn whenever I read her books.  Who knew archeology and mummies could be as fascinating and interesting in a mystery story.

Broken Pieces by Carla Cassidy

Broken Pieces by Carla Cassidy features our heroine, Mariah Sayers who was brutally attacked sixteen years ago and due to non-caring parents, she ran away from home.  She’s back in her hometown to get the house she inherited from her father in shape to sell and return back to Chicago.  Someone doesn’t want her and her daughter back by leaving warnings for her to leave. In the meantime, Mariah has fallen in love and both she and her daughter like the simplicity of small-town living.  This romantic suspense has everything, the mystery of who attacked Mariah; the mystery of what happened to all the missing people and her growing love for Jack and the town she left behind.  This was a very good story that I couldn’t put down.

Legal Tender by Sarita Leone

Legal Tender by Sarita Leone Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press, September 2008

Lindy thinks she has it all. An exciting life in New York City. Career prospects. Men. And she does, too. That is, until Granny Walker is killed. Then, all bets are off.

To satisfy the terms of Granny’s will Lindy must step into her grandmother’s orthopedic shoes and assume her place on the family farm. She’ll have to uncover the mystery between a raging bull and a Mustang, all while finding a husband and fighting off a nasty cousin.

Life on the farm makes a white sale at Bloomie’s look like child’s play!

Can a woman who’s more comfortable in stilettos than boots move from the city to the country and still have everything she’s always dreamed of? Maybe she can—with some luck and a lot of help from Granny Walker herself.

You see, the wise-cracking, advice-giving ghost isn’t quite ready to give up the old homestead. Not yet, anyway.

After the sudden death of her grandmother, Lindy moves to upstate New York and as part of the inheritance works on the farm while finding a husband within the specified time or the farm would go to her money-hungry cousin who intends to sell.  While accomplishing these two feats, Lindy’s granny continues to speak to her and guide her through life’s journey.  When it was discovered that her grandmother’s car was tampered with, the hunt is on for the culprit with a surprise twist.  This was a very good story with a hint of paranormal.

Working Stiff by Tori Carrington

Working Stiff by Tori Carrington is the fourth book in the “Sofie Metropolis” mystery series. Publisher: Forge Books, September 2008

Sofie Metropolis’s PI business is so successful at finding missing spouses and lost pets and at proving insurance fraud that she’s hired new staff, including her (formerly) layabout cousin.

There are two men in Sofie’s life: sexy Greek baker Dino, who found a place in her heart—and bed—in Foul Play, and man-of-mystery Jake Porter, whose Australian accent is guaranteed to turn Sofie’s knees to water.

The week before Halloween, a body disappears from Sofie’s Aunt’s funeral home. It might be a holiday prank, but Sofie’s barely begun to investigate when she’s handed a truly hot case: prove the innocence of someone already on trial for murder!

Sofie Metropolis who works for her uncle as a PI. In this caper, a young man who is in jail for the murder of his girlfriend asks Sofie to help solve the murder before the trial begins. I enjoyed this story although I did feel sad when her relationships went kaput.

Monkey See, Monkey Die by Cynthia Baxter

Monkey See, Monkey Die by Cynthia Baxter is the seventh book in the “Reigning Cats & Dogs” cozy mystery series. Publisher: Bantam July 2008

Is a certain vet detective about to become an endangered species?

It’s been over a decade since Jessica Popper spoke to vet-school friend Erin Walsh. So when Erin calls out of the blue, Jess agrees to meet her. When Erin doesn’t show, Jessie begins to suspect that her old pal was making a monkey out of her—until she learns that Erin was murdered.

Jessie can’t resist getting involved, but her sleuthing quickly pulls her into a jungle of suspects. Did Erin’s husband, Ben, kill her – or was it the eccentric lizard-loving coworker with whom she may have been monkeying around? Was Ben’s outrageously wealthy new partner trying to cover up some monkey business? Or was it Erin’s ambitious boss, a distinguished primate specialist determined to remain top banana in her field? With the killer going ape to stay hidden, even Jess’s animal instincts might not save her from a fate more fatal than a barrel of monkeys.…

Jessie Popper, a veterinarian who drives a mobile office while solving crimes that she’s pulled into or involves her friends. This time she’s preparing for her wedding when an old classmate calls for her help and Jessie can’t stop herself for getting involved in this nice and enjoyable story.

Old Maid’s Puzzle by Terri Thayer

Old Maid’s Puzzle by Terri Thayer is the second book in the “Quilting” cozy mystery series. Publisher: Midnight Ink, September 2008

Thirty-year-old techie Dewey Pellicano is trying to make a go of Quilter Paradiso, the quilt shop she inherited from her mother. But she’s facing a patchwork of problems—fierce competition, an uncooperative employee (who also happens to be Dewey’s sister-in-law) and, oh yes, a dead body in the alley. Dewey pins her hopes on the store’s huge 20th anniversary sale and appearance on national television. With the help of her smolderingly hot detective boyfriend Buster Healy, can Dewey save her shop and find the killer?

Dewey Pellicano inherited a quilt shop and because of her inquisitive nature becomes involved in a murder. This time, a con man is left dead behind her store and with a big sale coming up; Dewey solves the case when it looks like patrons of her store are involved. What I like about this book is that it is very enjoyable and I learn information about quilting.