Between The Pages - Mystery on Spirit Mountain

Mystery on Spirit Mountain 

Brenda Whiteside 

August 2021 

The past never sleeps. The truth never dies. 

Only Harlan MacKenzie can sense the troubling secrets of the Big Purple House—secrets that entangle his family in deceit and murder. When a stranger appears weaving a web of deception, hell-bent on correcting an old grievance, the dark revelations about the historical mansion and his stormy, friends-to-lovers relationship with the owner, Phaedra, are further complicated. As the past and present implode, Harlan and Phaedra are plunged into a life-threatening mystery, risking not only love but their lives. 

Between The Pages 

The second book in the Mackenzie Chronicles has a punch of suspense that has you flipping through the pages with ease. A mystery surrounds the Big Purple House and Harlan feels a strange connection of energy – good and bad. His relationship with Phaedra is growing into something more than friendship, which is interesting to watch with their fun banter and emotional struggles. It was nice to revisit past characters from the first book. Harlan and his sister, Magpie have a tender moment, and his scenes with his father are heartwarming. The bonus in this story are the journal readings from Nora’s great grandmother, connecting the past to the future in a suspenseful and surprising family twist. The author is a master at weaving a romance into an edge-of-your-seat mystery. Will Harlan’s other sister appear in a future book? Fingers crossed. 

Rating 

5 Stars

Between The Pages - Twisted Lies

Twisted Lies 

C.B. Clark 

September 2021 

Athena Cooper’s tragic past drives her to seek solace in a bottle. The addiction threatens her legal career, and she risks spiraling out of control. When her dog engineers a meeting with an all-too-handsome hunk, it’s lust at first sight…until she discovers his identity. 

Businessman Russell Crawford is desperate to find the woman who cheated him out of his inheritance. His shock when she turns out to be the gorgeous red head he had a brief encounter with is only surpassed when she claims his father was a murderer.

Athena and Russ declare a truce and join forces to investigate the mystery of her parents’ disappearance from an isolated island off the rugged Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Russ promises to be her safe harbor as they uncover long-buried secrets that rock her very foundation. Can she overcome a lifelong distrust and open her heart to love? 

Between The Pages 

This story checked off all the ‘must read’ boxes. The west coast setting of Canada drew me in immediately. Athena and Russ have great chemistry from their first meeting, providing a touching romance element. The mystery/suspenseful plot was masterfully written with twists and turns. Just when you think you solved the mystery, the author throws in another revelation. As Athena and Russ dig deeper into the disappearance of her parents, their findings pull the reader in and grabs your attention to the very end. A well-rounded cast adds to the enjoyment, especially Otis, Athena’s loveable dog. Get comfy in your favourite reading spot because once you open this book, you won’t want to put it down. 

Rating

5 Stars

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 - 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 - 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