34) A Watery Death by Joyce & Jim Lavene

The Blurb :

It’s the Fourth of July weekend in Duck, North Carolina and twenty-thousand visitors are on hand to enjoy the parade, the festivities – and learn about the murder of Captain Bill Lucky.
Lucky is the captain of the new gambling ship, Andalusia II, which is modeled after the famous ghost ship that haunts the small town on the Outer Banks.

Whispers of unusual sea creatures surround Lucky’s death. It isn’t the first time that mermaids have been seen in Duck, but it’s the first time one of them has been accused of murder.

Mayor Dae O’Donnell has her hands full with setting up the parade, convincing her friend Trudy she shouldn’t call off her wedding, and getting her shop, Missing Pieces, ready for the summer crowd.

Dae doesn’t ask to be involved in Lucky’s death, but she can’t ignore it. If someone from the sea isn’t his killer, who is? And will he or she strike again to lay the blame on the town’s watery visitors?

My Thoughts :

This book was picked for me to read by a book friend as part of a little 'Pick it for me' reading challenge we are having each month.  A Watery Death is the seventh installment in the Missing Pieces cozy mystery series that I have been throughly enjoying up until now.  I have to start this review by saying that this was my least favourite of the bunch and it makes me sad to think that this could have been the last.

I really liked the concept of this series, being able to touch items and see their past and being able to find items by touching the owner.  There were lots of possibilities and the authors even spread their wings a little by adding some ghost like aspects and some other psychic twists.  However this seventh story took a huge leap from the small little paranormal going-ons by jumping to mermaids.  Something that definitely wasn't on the cards as far as I could tell but if it was coming I didn't expect right now.  As mentioned, it felt like a huge leap.

The location and characters still felt nice and welcoming but there was more off in this book than just the appearance of some mermaids.  Dae was a little annoying, for the first time I can remember and the whole thing with her grandma felt a little off too.  The mystery was weak and wasn't as compelling as the previous ones plus I found the ending/reveal to be too late and too quick.

Despite the less than raving review I have to say I did like the book and enjoyed reading it.  Mainly because I have always been fond of the series as a whole.  Unfortunately the wife of this writing couple passed away and I am not sure if there will be another Missing Pieces story to bring the series to a proper end.  It would be a shame to see the series finish on this book but obviously it is understandable.  I do hold out hope of one more release, maybe there was already an eighth installment written or the husband will finish the series himself.

Whatever happens, this is a lovely cozy mystery series and well worth reading.  I have enjoyed all the books I have read by this writing team and look forward to reading more of their books and hope the husband will continue writing.

Edit : I just found out that Jim Lavene passed away a couple of days ago.  As least they are together again! The cozy mystery genre has lost two of the best!

151) Dae's Christmas Past by Joyce & Jim Lavene

The Blurb :

Mayor Dae O'Donnell is able to tell where people have lost items by touching them and able to find lost people by touching their things.

Dae's good friend, Jake Burleson, is accused of killing the director of the wild horse rescue group in Corolla. She believes there is more to the story and investigates with the help of pet psychic Mary Catherine Roberts.

My Thoughts :

I have been following the Missing Pieces Mysteries since they began and enjoying them a lot.  The hint of the paranormal was nice at first and it has been growing with every installment.  This time the supernatural aspect starts to take over and it seems the authors have decided to take the series more into the paranormal realms and not leave it hanging in there.   The question is, will it work?

The plot was interesting and revolved around an ongoing topic from the town.  The wild horses and the statues that were found have been mentioned before and it was nice to find out what they were.  There were some nice developments in the town and the characters involved.  One huge change was a character leaving very suddenly but another taking her place just as quickly.  Which was a little weird but also somehow welcome.

I'm still not totally sure if I am happy with the huge supernatural/paranormal change of pace in the on-going story of this series.  The cliffhanger/abrupt ending has me excited and worried at the the same time.  I guess the next book could be a deal breaker for me because even though I like all things supernatural and paranormal I wasn't expecting this series to go in this direction and I am a little scared that this change may ruin the series.

There was a cameo visit from some characters from another series written by the authors and maybe there have been others but I didn't notice before.  I have to admit I really want to read more of the Lavene's huge collection of cozies but I just haven't found the time!  However they are turning out to be a very good writing team and can't fault them so far.

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132) A Finder's Fee by Joyce & Jim Lavene

The Blurb :

The mayor of Duck, North Carolina, Dae O’Donnell, is a woman with a gift for finding lost things. Sometimes it leads her to lost keys or earrings—and sometimes it leads her to murder…

DIRTY CAMPAIGNING

Two weeks before the mayoral election, Dae gets sidetracked from her political aspirations by a spirit in need of rescuing. An antique amber necklace allows Dae to connect with Maggie Madison, a witch who wants Dae to rebury her bones so she can rest in peace. But digging leads Dae to an even bigger mystery, a forty-year-old murder with ties to Randal “Mad Dog” Wilson, her mayoral opponent.

Dae wants to run a clean race, but town sentiment is mixed about whether she’s using her abilities to get the election to go her way. And when she learns that her own grandfather—the former sheriff of Dare County—might be mixed up in the long-buried tragedy, Dae will have to uncover the real killer and put Maggie to rest, before her political career ends up six feet under…

My Thoughts :

The fifth Missing Pieces Mystery really starts to move more towards being classed as paranormal.  I love a good cozy mystery but if there is a paranormal element I am really in my element and Dae has always used her 'gift' to solve the mysteries she gets mixed up in but this time around there was a spirit involved and also the ending definitely pointed towards more supernatural elements to come.  I can't wait.

If you haven't already tried this series then I highly recommend you do.  Dae is a likable character with a lovely little shop in a quaint seaside town.  Her role as Mayor keeps her busy and she knows everyone.  She never ceases to amaze me and she has a lot of strength and determination.  Her relationship with ex-FBI agent Kevin seems a little too tame for my likely but hopefully things will progress or at least heat up a little.

Five books in and this series remains on my must read and pre-order lists.  I really enjoy the mysteries and it is fun to see how Dae always manages to eventually catch the bad guy/girl.  The plots are always well thought out and keep you guessing.  I usually only realise who done the deed as Dae is also coming to the same conclusion.  Which in my opionion makes for even better reading.

Can't wait for the next book in the series.  I look forward to seeing where the authors are taking the story and what is in store for Dae.  Also I want to know who won the election!  I feel a little cheated not finding out in this book but the ending was a nice cliffhanger.

 

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23) A Haunting Dream by Jim & Joyce Lavene

The Blurb :

When her boyfriend Kevin’s ex-fiancée Ann arrives in Duck looking for a second chance, Dae suddenly finds herself facing certain heartache. And while her romantic life is in shambles, she’s even more concerned by the sudden change in her gift. After touching a medallion owned by a local named Chuck Sparks, Dae is shocked when her vision reveals his murder—and a cry for help.

Dae doesn’t know what to make of the dead man’s plea to “Help her,” until she has another vision about a kidnapped girl—Chuck’s daughter, Betsy. With a child missing, the FBI steps in to take over the case. But Dae can’t ignore her visions of Betsy, or the fact that Kevin’s psychic ex-fiancée might be the only person who can help find her…

My Review :

I love a good Cozy Mystery and if there is something paranormal included then I love it even more. At first this series only had a slight twist to it, with Dae being able to find things. However this latest installment shows that the authors are bringing something more spiritual into the mix and Dae's abilities are getting even bigger and better than I expected they would.

The mystery was good and this time around there wasn't even a mystery until Dae saw it in a vision. This sets off a trail of events that ultimately ends with Dae in trouble as usual and smack bang in the middle of a murder and kidnapping. It all made for good reading and I was engrossed til the very end. The wife and husband duo that are responsible for this series certainly have a gift and I am loving their work.

If you like a good murder mystery and something supernatural then you can't wrong with this series. I haven't really tried the authors other books but I do have them on my wishlist. I am looking forward to the next book in this series because hopefully it will see the major election coming to a head. A big part of this series is focusing on the upcoming election and I am sure Dae will win but I am not sure how it will turn our for her opponent.

March Monthly Giveaway!

Time for the March Monthly Giveaway!

March was over so fast and I didn't get around to announcing the Monthly Giveaway until now! I hope it was worth the wait!

Want to win one of the books I read in March? Well you can! It is time for the Monthly Giveaway!

You have the chance to vote for which book you want to win from my five favourite reads from last month!

What is the Monthly Giveaway?

I pick five of my favourite reads from the last month (sorry no ARCs are included unless they have already been released!) then you guys go to the poll and vote for the book you want to win or the one you think deserves to win! Remember! You may not actually win the book you voted for.

Here is a little info about each book on offer this month. Just click on the book title and author to see my review -



Timeless by Gail Carriger

Nice Girl's Don't bite their Neighbors by Molly Harper


Croak by Gina Damico


First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones


A Spirited Gift by Joyce & Jim Lavene





How does the monthly giveaway work?

Well in the sidebar <--- there is this poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. I pick a name from the subscibers list and that person wins the book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!

To subscribe to Amberkatze's Book Blog all you have to do is use the box in the sidebar <--- or at the bottom of this post. Everyone who is already subscribed will be entered in the contest as well as new subscribers. If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!! The poll will stay open for votes until Thursday 19th of March 2012 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced within days of the contest closing.

Enter your email address:

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For more chances to win -

Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.

Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu





Use the Bookdepository or Amazon links/banners to keep the prizes coming! Oh and advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog wherever you can ;)

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48) A Spirited Gift by Joyce & Jim Lavene

The Blurb :

As the mayor of Duck, North Carolina, Dae is playing host to twenty North Carolina elected officials attending her first Mayors' Conference Weekend at the Blue Whale Inn. When the body of Mayor Sandi Foxx is discovered the morning after a severe storm, Dae receives a vision through the mayor's ring; that there's a killer among the guests who's as deadly as any hurricane.

My Thoughts :

The Mayor of Duck, Dae, isn't scared to get tangled up with the towns business and anything that happens within it. So when the storm touches down and a body is found there is nothing that can stop Dae getting to the bottom of things. She may not have any access to fingerprinting and DNA tests but she does have the ability to find lost things and flash on memories from certain items. Also this time around things get even more paranormal with the ghost of a pirate tagging along.

The Missing Pieces series is only three books old but it is really making progress as far as the general plot and story. While Dae has always had a 'gift' she has never really explored the limits of her 'power'. In this third book this opens up some new aspects when Dae has a ghost pirate along to help her solve not only the recent murder but also find peace for him.

Brilliant writing and great depth, this series really pulls you in with all the descriptive tales and observations. The history and stories are just delightful to read about and I even had to go check out Duck on a map. It really does exist and looks like a wonderful place.

Now I can't wait for book #4. Once again the authors managed to leave a little cliffhanger for us and I am eager to see what that little bomb does to Dae's relationship with Kevin. Also I am curious to see how things play out with Dae's dad. It was great to see some action in that area and I wonder how things will continue.

This isn't just a cozy mystery it is part paranormal and a smidge historical. Well worth checking out. I am really enjoying this series and it is on my must read list.