Singing Fire

Title:  Singing Fire Author:  TL Martin Genre:  Science Fiction/Fantasy Length: 296 pages (paperback) Sensitive Content:  None Rating:  3 out of 5

The story takes place in Bandon, Oregon where we are introduced to Charlotte, whose life is about to change forever.

Charlie is discovering that the stories are true as she is learning about witches, demons, vampires and her role within that world. She has led a bit of a recluse life and is immediately put into a circle of individuals. It is a bit hard to believe that she suddenly goes from being a loner, apart from her aunt and neighbor, to someone who is willing to put herself in unnecessary danger to protect those she just met.

At the beginning of the book it points out that Charlie has three birthmarks behind her neck, which can only be seen when her hair is up. This is never mentioned again in the book, so I’m assuming it will be in the next novel. Also, how is it that she became such a key player in this world that she’s now entered.

The ending was a twist that took me by surprise, but also left me hanging.

Savannah Sleuth: First Book in the Vigilantes for Justice Series

Title:  Savannah Sleuth Series:  Vigilantes for Justice Author:  Alan Chaput Genre:  Cozy Mystery Length: 271 pages (paperback) Sensitive Content:  A couple sultry scenes Rating:  4 out of 5

Savannah Sleuth is told from mostly the viewpoint of Patricia (Patsy to a few) Falcon.  We are introduced to Patricia, and her three closest girlfriends Judy, Meredith and Alisa, as they are assisting a women who is caught in a bad marriage leave her home.

Just a few days later, Patricia’s mother Henrietta dies unexpectedly.  Her doctor, who happens to be Judy’s husband, says that she was in perfect health.  All is assumed natural until Isabel, her mother’s lawyer, determines that her mother died penniless and the money just recently disappeared.  The plot grows thicker as Meredith, a local bank executive, finds the money went to Hong Kong and then disappeared in Hilton Head Island when it came back to the US.  To top things off, Henrietta’s account has gone missing!

Patricia asks her husband Trey and the Cotton Coalition, a secret society keeping Savannah safe for generations, to look into what happened.  She and her four girlfriends decide that they should also investigate.  Top it off with a priest acting on behalf of the Vatican trying to determine what happened!  Who did it?  Was it the Russian mob who wanted some of Henrietta’s real estate?  The accountant Sonny who is missing?  The noisy newspaper reporter who popped back up?

People start getting shot, others dying.  Trey orders in-home protection for Patricia and eventually moves them to Paris where…spoiler.

Savannah Sleuth is a well written cozy mystery.  I enjoyed that they author brought to life some of the small details of Southern charm (cold pitchers of sweet ice team) as well as the smells; azaleas, honeysuckles and lavender to name just a few.  Patricia was well rounded with her concerns being that of any daughter, wife and mother. 

While the book was an easy read, finished it in about 5 hours, I was able to figure out “who done it” about a quarter of the way through and the majority of the “how it was done” three quarters of the way through.  I do look forward to reading the next book in the series as there were a few items from building the characters that I’d like to see how that information is incorporated into the ongoing story. 

Welcome!

Over the last couple of years I have volunteered, and even been asked, to review some newer released books.  While virtual, I have also joined my first book club!  In doing these things, I have returned to one of my very first loves, diving into other worlds even if just for a short period of time.

As I am now sitting in bleachers more often for the kiddos’ activities, I have found that I always have a book or two in my bag to keep me company.  This has been a great way to start conversations at kiddos’ events or even some of the business meetings I attend.

 

My hope for this blog is to simply share my opinion on the books that I’m reading…both new releases and some good old favorites!  From time to time I might even hold a contest or two to pass along a newly released book from a newly published author.