Between The Pages - Dance To A Wylder Beat

Dance To A Wylder Beat 

Marilyn Barr 

July 2021 

Nartan Sagebrush's name may mean "to dance" in Arapaho, but he dances in secret. Forced to abandon his Shamanic apprenticeship, he is overwhelmed with homesteader life, and even his spirit guides are at their wit's end. Nartan takes fate into his own hands. Instead of divine intervention, a wife will help with his responsibilities and in assimilating into the Wylder community. 

Olive Muegge answers Nartan's "wife wanted" advertisement. Wildly independent she has secretly dreamed of a family to call her own. The secret she carries inside makes her an outcast and her wild ways don't fit the quiet wife Nartan thinks he desires. 

Despite their differences, they are drawn to each other but a mistake may drive them apart. Will Nartan embrace his Shamanic past to save them both or will he choose to rid himself of Olive forever? 

Between The Pages 

This historical western with a slice of paranormal was such an enjoyable read. Olive and Nartan are perfect together, and they have extreme chemistry, but instead of rushing the intimacy, the author did a wonderful job letting their relationship grow, making the story more emotional and believable. Their fun banter will make you smile. The setting is picturesque with an easy visual of the cabin, teepees, and landscape. A well-developed plot describes Nartan’s culture, drawing the reader further into the story. His brother, Ikshu, was a delightful secondary character as were the spirit guides. A ceremony near the end was vivid and touching. This book is a must read.

Rating 

5 Stars

Between The Pages - The Spy Who Loved My Russian Tea Cakes

The Spy Who Loved My Russian Tea Cakes 

Marilyn Barr 

November 2021 

Reiki Practitioner Cassie Morgan is the black sheep of her family. She would rather work over the Christmas holidays than answer her family's interrogation about her non-existent love life and career choices. She assures herself it has nothing to do with the handsome coma patient, Sergei Chekov who stars in her dreams. 

Sergei wakes from blackness and dreams of a siren's call. He isn't sure who he can trust when the woman from his dreams walks into his room with his favorite childhood treat to jog his memory. Despite his attraction to her, he must escape to safety. 

Cassie is heartbroken and left with nothing but questions. Who was the woman who convinced her to wake Sergei? Why is the FBI involved? And will she ever see Sergei again or will she be left to pine over the spy who loved Russian tea cakes? 

Between The Pages 

The author pulls you into the practice of reiki and spiritual healing, which is quite interesting. While first person and present tense narration is not my preferred reading, the author has a unique voice, mixing drama and wit in a good combination. Cassie and Sergei have an immediate attraction and most of their interaction is viewed from within their dreams, which steams the pages. In addition to their dreams, I would have liked to see them connect more to each other on a deeper level while playing games in the hospital. Sergei’s background and his mother’s appearance are great plot points. The dinner scene with her family is a touching and entertaining moment. A cookie recipe at the end is a bonus. This fun holiday read is fast paced and enjoyable. 

Rating

4 Stars

Between The Pages - Waking The Dead

Waking The Dead 

Kerry Blaisdell 

May 2019 

Hyacinth always assumed dying would simplify her life. But when her new boss, Archangel Michael, sends her on her first official mission—to retrieve a powerful rock from a collector in Germany—things go downhill fast. For one thing, the Dead keep popping up, expecting her to guide them to the Afterlife. For another, her part-demon nephew Geordi's powers are starting to leak out, at age seven. What if Michael finds out about him? Worse, what if Satan does? 

Then there's her love life-after-death. Rooming with a dead French cop no one else can see is complicated enough. But when Jason, Geordi's lying Dioguardi Demon cousin, resurrects himself—so to speak—all Hell breaks loose. Literally. Can Hyacinth get Michael's rock back before Satan steals its powers and breaks free of his prison? Or will her single-minded pursuit put those she loves—and the rest of the world—in the path of Satan's fury? 

Between The Pages 

This story has the ‘wow’ factor – Wickedly entertaining, Outstanding scenes, and Well-rounded characters. Without much time passing after the first book Hyacinth is thrown into a new adventure to find another piece of the archangel’s rock. This plotline dives deeper into the world of the dead. Souls are looking for direction while others are uprooted from their graves to wreak havoc. So many scenes are captivating with Michael’s appearance in different attire, historical add-ins of Nazis soldiers, adoration of control, and visual action. But it’s the cast that makes this book come alive within the pages. A round of applause is needed for Jason’s return, which once again puts Hyacinth in a web between Eric and Jason. Her nephew, Geordi, is superb. He rose into a star in this book. The scene with him smashing rocks was outstanding. And the ending…a ‘didn’t see that coming’ tremendous cliffhanger! This book is a stand-alone in the Dead Series, but I highly recommend starting with the first book to follow the continued storyline. Waking The Dead – a paranormal suspense - is a must read. 

Rating

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 - 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