Between The Pages - Secrets Of The Ravine

Secrets Of The Ravine 

Brenda Whiteside 

September 2020 

The lies can haunt. The truth can kill. 

When a ringer for her long-dead love walks into her life the same day skeletal remains are unearthed, Magpie MacKenzie can’t ignore the universe’s warning…solve the mystery, or become the next victim. After Zack falls for the free-wheeling shopkeeper, her mystery becomes his destiny. Armed with clues from her father’s past and Zack’s déjà vu moments, the couple plunge into a treacherous race to save love and avoid a murderous fate. 

Between The Pages 

This suspenseful, mystery, romance is a page turner. The plot of a guy who looks a lot like a missing – yet suspected dead ex, and a murder from the past will draw you in and hold your attention to the very end. The cast is well developed with several interesting characters. A bonus were the scenes in Magpie’s father’s point of view with a nice background shift that doesn’t disrupt the main storyline because his past is important to the story. The murder mystery is exciting as the author leads you closer to the truth. Magpie is older than Zach, but their attraction is realistic. I can’t wait to continue reading The MacKenzie Chronicles with book two, Mystery on Spirit Mountain. 

Rating 

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - Sundae My Love

Sundae My Love 

Debby Grahl 

June 2021 

Samantha Murray is the manager of her family's ice-cream business. When her former love comes back to town—he almost drowns her. And his idea to build a rival ice-cream shop right next door to the Dairy Delight is totally unacceptable. 

Architect Zack Hunter returns to Sand Lake to win back the woman he loves and fulfill his grandfather's dream of restoring Frontier Town—by adding an old-fashioned ice cream shop. He doesn't count on Samantha having a stubborn streak. 

Samantha is heartbroken over Zack's past betrayal, conflicted over the love she can't deny, and resolved to stop his plan. Zack is torn between his love for Samantha and fulfilling his grandfather's legacy. 

When the situation escalates, ghosts from both Sam and Zack's families decide to intervene-—but will their plot smooth the course of true love or make everything worse? 

Between The Pages 

The cover will draw you in immediately, and the book can be read in a day. Such a sweet storyline. Samantha and Zach get a second chance at love, and while their reconnection is quick, the author does a good job not leaving out any details or rushing their reunion. The highlight of this story was the ghostly relatives, adding a paranormal element. They lurk in the background but are stars on the stage. This book is a wonderful addition to the One Scoop Or Two themed stories and is not only a perfect summer read, but also anytime of the year. 

Rating 

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - The Red Quilt

The Red Quilt 

J.S. Marlo 

November 2021 

A last-minute Christmas trip goes horribly wrong for Eli and his five-year-old granddaughter, Ruby. On their way to a Bed and Breakfast on Prince Edward Island after a kitchen fire forced them out of their house, they get caught in a blizzard and end up in the ditch. 

Retired Military Nurse, Lana, lives on a potato farm with the ghosts of her husband and son. She welcomes into her home the marooned Eli and the young child he raises alone. The storm outside rages on and problems arise as Eli faces the demons and mistakes of his past, Lana becomes entangled in her neighbors’ illegal activities, and Ruby wishes for something Santa cannot give her. 

The resulting mix offers hope for a second chance even as it threatens their lives. Can Eli and Lana survive another storm to enjoy the love growing between them? And will Ruby’s wish be granted? 

Between The Pages 

Love the cover of this book! It draws you into the story immediately, which has a tender and interesting plot. I was also drawn to this book from its setting in Prince Edward Island and Halifax. The author did a fabulous job developing the cast. Lana and Eli are older leading characters, but their attraction is still real and emotional. Ruby is beyond sweet, as is Chewy. The visual is done well, placing you into the snowy winter setting. The plot is superb with several twists, adding a mystery spin with drug smuggling, Lana’s son’s demise, and Eli’s ex-wife. And just when you think all the presents are neatly wrapped up, the author throws in a surprise at the end. A great holiday read. This book is the first in Fifteen Shades, and I look forward to reading more. 

Rating

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - Debriefing The Dead

Debriefing The Dead 

Kerry Blaisdell 

May 2018 

The only thing Hyacinth wants is her life back. Literally. She and her sister were murdered by Demons, leaving her young nephew, Geordi, to his father’s family in the brutal Sicilian Mob. Then Archangel Michael offers her a deal: recapture a powerful rock the Demons stole, and she can live long enough to find Geordi a safe home. Refuse, and she’ll continue up (or down) to the Afterlife. 

So, slightly more alive than dead, she heads for Turkey and the Demons, taking Geordi, her mysterious neighbor Jason, and a sexy dead guy only she can see with her. But the hardest part won’t be battling Demons, meeting Satan, or dodging Middle Eastern customs—it will be later, when Geordi is settled, and Michael rips her away again. How can she abandon her nephew? Or can she outwit the Angel of Death himself, and stay with Geordi forever? 

Between The Pages 

This book has such a great story with an interesting plot. The author puts a different spin on the storyline with the main character murdered, and then reincarnated by an angel, which pulled me into the story immediately and with force. The whole cast is superb from Hyacinth to her nephew Geordi, to the mysterious and handsome men - Jason and Eric, as well as Michael and the ghostly demons. The author places you into the setting and tells a story filled with action, suspense, and wit. The adventure in this book is like a ride at an amusement park with lots of twists and turns. More of a happy-for-now story, I can’t wait to read the next book to discover if Hyacinth will end up with Jason or Eric, or maybe neither…and to follow her next adventure. If you like supernatural, suspense, and paranormal, this first book in the Dead Series is the one to read. 

Rating

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - Crimson At Cape May

Crimson At Cape May 

Randy Overbeck 

July 2020 

No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted past. 

Darrell Henshaw—teacher, coach and paranormal sensitive—learned this lesson the hard way. Now, with his job gone and few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian mansions, might be just the getaway he needs. 

Only, no one told him Cape May is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast. 

When a resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for help, he can’t refuse and joins forces with Cassie, another sensitive. As Darrell and the street-wise teen investigate the bride’s death, they uncover something far more sinister than a murder. 

Can Darrell and Cassie expose those behind the crimes before they end up becoming the next victims?

Between The Pages 

I’m fortunate to have read the first book in The Haunted Shores Mysteries, so I was familiar with Darrell’s story. In book two, Darrell’s life is a bit of a mess. He was let go from his job, his relationship with Erin is on the rocks, and he sees a new ghost. You have to feel badly for this guy because he’s genuinely a sweetheart, and Erin is his perfect match. The story line is visual and descriptive - though in a few spots the narrative details slow the read. However, the plot is exceptional. The adventure Darrell and Erin take is what makes this story a great read. Lots of twists that have you wondering who killed the Haunted Bride. The addition of Cassie, a young girl who also sees ghosts, is a bonus to the book. Her background story is equally as interesting and the scenes in her point of view are emotional and heartbreaking. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy paranormal, ghostly, mystery stories. I’m looking forward to reading book three in this series.

Rating 

4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - Merry Little Wishing Spritz

Merry Little Wishing Spritz

Cherie Colyer 

November 2021 

Modern-day witch Cassie Moore's cozy life turns upside down when her friend foresees the wrecking ball that threatens to destroy Cassie's home and workplace. But Cassie isn't giving up without a fight. She casts a well-intended spell meant to save her apartment and her job. But magic is unpredictable, especially when her friend casts a little charm of her own that has Cassie lusting after the man she desperately wants to despise.

Jack Quinn has had his eyes on Lakeside Books for years. He has big plans for the cozy waterfront property, but he didn't expect to care about the store or its employees. And he never imagined he'd be drawn to a certain brown-eyed saleswoman. 

Almost as if by magic. 

Between The Pages 

Get in the holiday spirit early with this sweet novella. The cover is adorable, and the story was enjoyable from beginning to end. An exceptional cast with Cassie and Jack as the lead, but the secondary characters are equally fun, which includes an adorable cat. Cassie warms your heart with a gift donation every year in the community, and Jack is keeping a secret. This book is perfect for an afternoon read and has a spritz of magic and a sweet romantic ending. As part of The Wild Rose Press’ Christmas Cookies themed books, Merry Little Wishing Spritz is my recommended read to get you into the holiday mood. 

Rating 

4.5 Stars