All Signs Point to Murder by Connie di Marco

First off, I did not read the first in the series, but I'm pretty sure I know what happened in it based on some of the conversations Julia has in this one. Second, I'm not a believer in astrology, but you really don't have to be to enjoy this book. Yes, Julia's an astrologer, and yes that plays into how she goes about solving the mystery, but she would have found the same solution eventually even without consulting her charts. I like Julia. She cares about people, she's smart, and she's definitely persistent. She has some great friends too. I'd like to hang out with them. And maybe have her read my chart. As far as the mystery goes, I though overall it was well-done. I thought I knew who the killer was, then I wasn't sure, then I thought I knew. It turned out that I was right but hadn't guessed the whole motive. There were plenty of suspects and...
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Book Blast: Audition for Murder by P. M. Carlson

Hear More About AUDITION FOR MURDER: Read an excerpt: Lisette stumbled on the way to the car, and Nick caught her elbow to steady her. Rob had unlocked the back door, and Nick helped her in while Rob let Maggie into the front passenger seat and then went around to the driver’s side. There were a few snowflakes blowing in the wind, and his pale hair licked about his forehead like little flames. He sat down, closed the door, and stared at the wheel a minute. “God,” he said. “I’m stoned. A little.” “Do you want someone else to drive?” asked Maggie. “No. I’ll be fine.” He raised a dramatic finger and declaimed, “Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.” “Every inordinate cup is unblessed,” countered Nick, who had maybe had a drop too much himself. “I’ll be extremely careful,” Rob promised. He turned the key and started out of the lot. Lisette lurched against Nick as they rounded the corner onto...
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When the Sky Falls by Joseph Bendoski

I loved the concept of When the Sky Falls and it was clearly well-researched. Sky Fall Events cause mass panic in a population, but the "news" itself is fictional. It's a little complicated subject, but fascinating really. The writing style is direct, which works here. The book starts off with a really gripping scene, which you can read below. A couple of complaints. First, there are a lot of characters. It was a bit difficult to keep track of them and several of them are not as well-developed as they could be. Second, there was a bit too much violence for me personally, especially in the second half of the book. I guess I just wasn't expecting it. Read an excerpt: Porto, Portugal. October 30, 1988 The lights flickered and went dark, that’s when it started. Luis reached up and adjusted the bulb with his fingers. The hot glass burned his skin. He gritted his teeth as the sensation grew stronger. He doubted the bulb...
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Spotlight: Tell on You by Freda Hansburg

Read an excerpt: “Oww!!” eight-year old Brandon Jordan screeched as his sister Nikki twisted his arm in an Indian burn. “Nikki, stop!” His cries brought Mom crashing into Nikki’s room. “Nikki, I won’t have you bullying your brother again. Let him go this instant.” “But I caught him in here messing with my stuff!” Nikki gave Brandon’s arm a final wrench before releasing him. Pouting, he scurried from her room. “I don’t care what he did. I told you, keep your hands to yourself.” Her mother turned away, judgment delivered. Probably in a hurry to get back to her vodka and reality TV. “At least when Dad was here, somebody stuck up for me,” Nikki called after her. Mom’s angry face reappeared. “Stuck up for you?” A bitter laugh. “Stuck it to you, and all of us, is more like it.” “Wasn’t me he left,” Nikki said. “Really? When’s the last time he even phoned you?” Her mother walked off with that parting shot. “Like you’d know, bitch.” Nikki said...
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Wooing the Wedding Planner by Amber Leigh Williams

Wooing the Wedding Planner is the type of romance I enjoy. Both Roxie and Byron are good, solid characters on their own and their relationship gradually grows. Yes, they know they're attracted to each other way before they do anything about it, but they both have pasts that are standing in their way. The problems aren't too big though, they never seem insurmountable, which I like. I could be friends with Roxie. She's trying to be happy after her divorce, to make the right choices for herself, and she's good at her job. For the record, her family is terrible. Byron is sexy and smart. Due to a mix-up, they are both at the Victorian, although he's living in a separate apartment. He's a widower and has always believed that Strong men have one true love and that love lasts a lifetime. His family is fabulous, funny, accepting, supportive. I never doubted that they would get their happy ending, but I enjoyed...
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Spotlight on Beethoven in Love; Opus 139 by Howard Jay Smith

Book Excerpt: Prologue: The Death of Beethoven Vienna, 5:00 pm, March 26, 1827 Outside Beethoven’s rooms at the Schwarzspanierhaus, a fresh measure of snow from a late season thunderstorm muffles the chimes of St. Stephens Cathedral as they ring out the hours for the old city. Ein, Zwei, Drei, Vier… Funf Uhr. Five O’clock. Beethoven, three months past his fifty-sixth birthday, lies in a coma, as he has now for two nights, his body bound by the betrayal of an illness whose only virtue was that it proved incurable and would, thankfully, be his last. Though his chest muscles and his lungs wrestle like giants against the approaching blackness, his breathing is so labored that the death rattle can be heard over the grumblings of the heavens throughout his apartment. Muss es sein? Must it be? Ja, es muss sein. Beethoven is dying. From on high, the Gods vent their grief at his imminent passing and hurl a spear of lightening at Vienna. Their jagged bolt of electricity...
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