Review: Claw & Order: Fairy Goose Unit: The Pignapping by Donna Boock

 

Claw & Order: Fairy Goose Unit: The Pignapping 

by Donna Boock

This time, the little piggy couldn’t go wee-wee-wee all the way home from school. Instead, a big, bad ransom note points to a pignapping! Fairy Goose Unit detectives Clawed McDiddle and Allie O' Dumpling search for clues to bring home the bacon. But can they solve this mystery so the Swine family can live hogfully ever after?

Nivya Kuriakose, illustrator, and Donna Boock, author, the duo who brought you Moo-La-La-Ti-Da! (2021), team up once again in this rollicking fun and funny chapter book series.

My Take:

In Claw & Order: Fairy Goose Unit: The Pignapping by Donna Boock, This Little Piggy has gone missing and didn’t go wee wee wee all the way home from school. Clawed McDiddle, the Missing Creatures Detective cat in Fairy Goose Land, is just settling down for a quick catnap at the station when he gets the call.  He and his friend Allie O’Dumpling team up and are on the case! They interview the family, the teacher, and the bus driver, uncovering clues, identifying suspects, and clearing them one by one. Charming artwork on each page contains hidden clues you might miss, so it’s important to keep your eyes and ears open and look for evidence! In true mystery fashion, these two examine the clues and follow them in hopes of bringing the pignapper to justice and bringing home the bacon!

 Content:
Drug Content:
G – none.
 
Violence:
G – There is discussion of turning This Little Piggy into bacon. And there’s a kidnapping. This is an early reader book. I mean, come on. It’s soft edges.
 
Language:
G – Squeaky clean
 
Adult Content:
G – Not a bit.
 
Christian content:
This is on the level of Mother Goose, but there’s nothing Christian in it. Just a kid-friendly mystery.
 
Final analysis:
Claw & Order: Fairy Goose Unit: The Pignapping by Donna Boock is a well-written, engaging mystery story for early readers, and left me hungry for more books in the series. This charming mystery is not scary and is a cozy mystery for the younger set, concerning a safe space that the younger kids can feel comfortable in. Entertaining illustrations on every page add depth to the story, and it’s a quick read. It’s loaded with many baffling clues, and you encounter many well-loved nursery rhyme characters, like Jack and the Beanstalk, the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf, Simple Simon, Wee Willie Winkie, Little Boy Blue, and Little Miss Muffet. Some of them help find clues, and some might just be suspects! This clean, delightful, illustrated mystery book is a sure winner for early readers and lovers of a cute mystery. Five Stars!
 

About the Author:

When Donna was eight years old, she dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Or maybe a news reporter. Or the person who names lipstick and nail polish those fun names like “Mauve-alous Darling.” But now she can’t imagine anything but writing books that allow her to be part of the very special moment when children are ready to take off and read. It’s pure magic! Donna is also the author of the very funny chapter book series Kinzie’s Kinventions and a picture book called Moo-La-La-Ti-Da!

Donna also loves sharing her passion for reading and writing by coming to play, oops- I mean, visit schools both in person & virtually. She also creates free materials like lesson plans, discussion guides, puzzles, and worksheets to support the incredibly special adults who support those incredibly important young readers. Stay in touch at www.DonnaBoock.com and also on her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCri9... where you can find recorded readings, Kinzie’s “ViewTube” videos, and lots of upcoming fun!

Review: The Tell-All by Libby Howard

  The Tell-All

by Libby Howard

Life at sixty isn't quite what Kay Carrera expected. She's working as a skip-tracer for a PI who is desperate to land his own reality TV show. She has a new roommate who arrived with more than the usual amount of baggage. And her attempts at knitting are less than stellar – way less than stellar. Worse, the cataract surgery that restored her sight has also delivered an unexpected and disturbing side-effect. Kay sees ghosts. And when the dead turn to her for help, she just can't say no.

My Take:

Kay Carrera is getting life redefined at sixty, the hard way.  Her husband she's spent her life with has recently passed after suffering for years after a terrible accident. She's picked up a job as a skip-tracer for a PI, one who'd rather be a star. In order to keep her house, she's had to take on boarders... ones with problems of their own. She's had cataract surgery too, which cleared things up a lot, but gave her an unexpected side-effect - she's seeing ghosts. In the small town of Locust Point, there's not a lot of excitement... but all of that is about to change too.

With the discovery of a prostitution ring in their small town, things get really dicey, especially when the Madam turns up dead. And the ghost in Kay's eye is asking for help to solve the murder.

 

Content:

Drug Content:

PG-13 - There's a significant amount of drinking in this, mainly social drinking, but there's also a keg party where teens are drinking. The main character chides herself over how often she's seen with alcohol by her new tenant.

Violence:

PG - This is a murder mystery, so somebody is killed. Not a lot of blood and gore though.

Language:

G - The language in this book is squeaky clean. 

Adult Content:

R - Sorry to pop an R on this one, as there's no real sexual content on screen at all. This isn't erotica, which I don't review. But there's a prostitution ring that was operating in the city, and there are a ton of kinks discussed in some detail in the book, or at least defined. People can be pretty sick. 

Christian content:

Nada. There's one mention of praying, but it's to a goddess, and likely that's in jest. That having been said, there's some value here in at least the desire of a dad to hold his family together, and love of family. There's an instance where someone puts themselves in harm's way for someone else. There's also an undercurrent of persistence and diligence in getting to the bottom of an injustice. As many of us have had to do, Kay deals with a recent death of a loved one with grace and a few tears. Death is something all of us have to deal with here, and this book touches on grief well.

Final analysis:

I'll drop a warning here that there's a few short passages in here that might be triggers for some. But the writing in this novel is entertaining, witty, and engrossing. It rolls across the pages as a comfortable cozy mystery with a bit of spice and sauce, and I found it hard to put down. I liked the character development and even through all the sauce and sass there were some real moments. Five Stars!

About the Author

Libby Howard lives in a little house in the woods with her sons and two exuberant bloodhounds. She occasionally knits, occasionally bakes, and occasionally manages to do a load of laundry. Most of her writing is done in a bar where she can combine work with people-watching, a decent micro-brew, and a plate of Old Bay wings.

Review: Murder, Curlers, and Cream (Valentine Beaumont #1) by Arlene McFarlane

Murder, Curlers, and Cream (Valentine Beaumont #1)

by Arlene McFarlane

Valentine Beaumont is a beautician with a problem. Not only has she got a meddling mother, a wacky staff, and a dying business, but now she’s got a dead client who was strangled while awaiting her facial. 

With business the way it is, combing through this mystery may be the only way to save her salon. Until a second murder, an explosion, a kidnapping, death threats, and the hard-nosed Detective Romero complicate things. But Valentine will do anything to untangle the crime. That’s if she can keep her tools of the trade in her bag, keep herself alive, and avoid falling for the tough detective.

In the end, how hard can that be? 

My Take:

Valentine Beaumont owns a beautician salon in the small town of Reuland Massachusetts, a town where practically nothing happens. That is, if you don't count the dead socialite found in her salon, strangled while awaiting her facial.

What with a new salon down the street trying to steal customers, and her rent coming due, solving the murder may be the only way she can save her salon. Until a second murder, a kidnapping, death threats, a fire bomb, and the handsome and hard-nosed detective, Michael Romero, complicate things. 

Nothing seems to deter Valentine from her quest to solve the murder, that is, if she can stay alive and prevent herself from falling for the tough detective.

Content:

Drug Content:

PG - Some drinking occurs, and one character is shedding a past life in the drug trade. 

Violence:

PG - There are several murders, one by strangulation, one by gunshot. There are a couple stabbings with beauty supplies, and a bloody accident with a straight razor. There are a couple fires, and some eyelashes get singed. Nothing graphic.

Language:

PG - There are a scattering of curse words in the book, no F-bombs.

Adult Content:

PG-13 - There are multiple references to a past incident where the main character defeated a thug by crushing his... um... never mind, in a curling rod. There are several affairs that occur. One girl wears a bikini that is more string than clothing. There are multiple semi-steamy encounters. Several scenes where a man's abs are exposed and admired, one where a female character is wearing a semi-transparent top. Men ogle women, women admire men. One scene where a lady had to take a cold shower to calm down... No sex, not even a passionate kiss. But plenty of interest.

Christian content:

A little bit. Valentine is a church attender. She prays. God doesn't play a major role onstage or off in this one, but her faith seems real enough. Family loyalty, public service, determination, benefit of the doubt, vindication, play major roles in this work.

Final analysis:

Valentine is an incredibly likable semi-ditsy three-dimensional character. She's a brick. Stalwart and faithful to her friends to the end, she is very realistically painted on the canvas of this romantic comedy. I was laughing out loud in many places. The crash-and-burn blind dates, the disastrous incompetent assistant. The settings, action, and drama in the book were so well-done that I felt more like I was watching a movie than reading a novel.

Anyone who's ever gotten a bad haircut, a ruined perm, worked in a salon, or loves mystery or romance would probably enjoy this one. I'd recommend it for older teen to adult. Solid characters, fast-paced, immersive world-building, spicy clean romance. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Arlene McFarlane is the author of the Murder, Curlers series. Previously an aesthetician, hairstylist, and owner of a full-service salon, Arlene now writes full time. When she’s not making up stories, or being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, cat-mom, or makeover artist, you’ll find her making music on the piano.

Arlene is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Toronto Romance Writers, SOWG, and the Golden Network. She’s won and placed in over 30 contests, including twice in the Golden Heart and twice in the Daphne du Maurier. 

Arlene lives with her family in Canada.

Review: Riker's Calling by Rico Lamoureaux

Riker's Calling
by Rico Lamoureaux

From school bullies to the crime-ridden streets of his hometown of Los Angeles, Jeremy Riker has always felt the need to do something about the injustice surrounding him. Just as he sets out on his journey as an urban warrior, he unknowingly gives rise to an obsessive adversary, who ends up becoming one of the most notorious serial killers the city has ever known. Dubbed by the news media as The Spyderco Killer, the methodical psychopath roots himself deep into Riker's life for the long haul, until his own madness propels everything into an intense climax.

My Take:
 - Warning - the descriptions in this review, while whitewashed, may be offensive by themselves...
Jeremy Riker's a veteran at being down but not out. After a tragic stray bullet prevents him from becoming a policeman, his police friends assist him in rebuilding his life in a vain attempt to make it back into the running to join the force. In a depression, he goes to the train station, considering ending it all, when he notices a woman weeping, sitting on a bench. He goes up to console her, but notices she's zip-tied to the bench. And things don't slow down from that moment on.

This novella had me on the edge of my seat from the start to the finish. This has some adult content and graphic descriptions of violence, as it's about a serial killer. It's not YA fiction, and I wouldn't hand it to a teen to read. It's a dark read but does end on a better note.

Content:

Violence:
R - The serial killer in this novella gets to leave a trail of bodies, all killed in a similar way, leaving a 'signature', of sorts. Their murders are described fairly graphically. In several instances the victims are left to rot before being discovered, according to plan.

Language:
R - There's a liberal dose of profanity in this book, with F-bombs dropped throughout.

Adult Content:
R - One of the female victims is forced to disrobe before being murdered. Multiple of the victims are left naked. There is some discussion of conquests and illegitimate children, one night stands, and clubbing. One character is a stripper. One person is getting an obscene tattoo. There is a bust of a sex trafficking ring, and a brief description of how they trapped the girls into it. A girl is freed from a dungeon where she was imprisoned for years because of that ring.

Christian content:
None.

Final analysis:

Oh, this one was dark. A gripping, edge of your seat suspense crime thriller. The action kept me going but the content was disturbing. This was not for the kiddies. The book was well-written as crime thrillers go, though there were some minor editing issues and serial killers are not my cup of tea. The content was enough to make me want to pass on this one, but the action and suspense was enough to keep me going. Four Stars.

About the Author:
Rico Lamoureux considers himself a dramatist. He believes too much emphasis is put on genre nowadays, and not enough on actual story. From Historical Fiction to Contemporary Romance. From shocking Horror to edge-of-your-page Thrillers. A great story transcends genre, with dramatic elements being the utmost of importance.

Review: Trial of Injustice by T.K. Ware

Trial of Injustice
by T.K. Ware

On a Thursday morning in Banker, Alabama the body of a twenty-one year-old woman was discovered murdered. After the police and forensics inspected, with the help of eyewitnesses and fingerprints, the man responsible for the heinous crime was identified as Pastor Thaddeus Ganvis.

Charles 'Esquire' Everson, a man gifted with determination and an avenger of truth, became the most prestigious and sought after lawyer in the state of Alabama, due to his unwavering litigation skills. After finishing another victorious case, he returned to his office. As the day continued, he found himself logging into Facebook, and nearly dropped his phone when he discovered that his former pastor was arrested for first-degree murder.

Without a second thought, he flew to Banker, Alabama to prove the innocence of a godly man. Along the way he discovers the opposition that threatens.

My Take:
Corruption runs deep in the small town of Banker, Alabama, and with millions of dollars at stake, the pastor of a small church is about to take the fall for adultery and murder.

Charles Everson takes a case to save his old pastor, Thaddeus Ganvis, who seems to have been framed for adultery and murder. The more he digs, however, the more threads unravel in the small town of Banker Alabama and its corrupt legal system and police force. Through veiled threats, vandalism, kidnapping and attempted murder, Charles continues to uncover the truth, but as he does, he begins to wonder just how innocent his client actually is.

Content:
Violence:
PG - This book has a lot of suspense, kidnapping, and vehicular attacks that hospitalize victims. Beatings, hatred, and thinly veiled racism run deep in this southern-fried legal thriller. But the violence is not gratuitous or graphic.

Language:
G - the language is pretty clean, almost squeaky clean.

Adult Content:
PG - The victim is a convicted prostitute, and there's some language to that effect concerning the pastor. The sheriff of the town has been involved in running prostitution rings in the city, or has plans to run one from the city. There is a little bit of interest between some of the main characters, but it's not pursued.

Drug Content:
PG - Drug running is mentioned, and is active in the small rural town. One character is given a bottle of crack, and her fingerprints on the bottle are used as a threat. One person is given pills that nearly destroy his mind. Alcohol and alcoholism are  mentioned, and some of the characters meet in a bar. Alcohol and drugs are portrayed in a negative light, and one character has recovered from alcoholism.

Christian content:
Quite a bit of it exists in the book. Scripture is quoted in several places, without being forced or seeming 'preachy'. Angels and demons make appearance, unseen and seen, in the book, and prayer is demonstrated as the vehicle for rescuing several people in trouble. The pastor exhibits faith, that wavers between very strong to weak and back. The gospel message is presented to one character. Others revile the faith. There is a lot of good vs. evil and faith vs. unbelief in the book.

Final analysis:
The southern city of Banker is depicted well, from an author who has lived in the south and knows its character. It's fading but racism exists in these small southern towns, on all sides of the racial lines. The main characters are pretty believable and the action is intense. The plot, setting, and characters are solid and it makes for a nice legal thriller with high stakes, enduring faith, and fast action. If the reader can look past the editing issues the story is an uplifting page turner. The main character would do well in a series of legal battle novels like this one. Four stars.


About the Author:


Tshombye Kentrell Ware was raised in Albany, Ga. In his earlier years, signs of the gift emerged through various arts. As the years progressed, so did his creativity, whereas he moved to the city of Macon, Ga. A few years later, following graduation of high school, everything changed when Christ entered his life. As if the lock to a rare treasure was opened, Kentrell launched forward in the spiral of inspiration, fueled by a burning passion of the gospel. This leading to the creation of a Christian CD entitled "L.O.C" The Love of Christ. As the door to inspiration continued to open, Kentrell became drawn toward writing; which led to his inspired creations.

T.K. Ware’s style of writing brings a fresh perspective of faith-based books, in which he calls, Suspense with Soul. His inspired writings weave together reality with the supernatural, in hope to plant a seed of the gospel.

www.tk-ware.com
www.insightfulcp.com
Facebook: TK Ware
LinkedIn: Tshombye Ware
Instagram & Twitter: @GospelWriter8

Review: The Ghost Box by Mike Duran

The Ghost Box
By Mike Duran

Reagan Moon -- paranormal reporter, terminal underachiever, and staunch cynic of the human race. The only ghosts he really believes in are the ones in his own head.

But his world is about to get an upgrade.

When Moon is hired by a reclusive tycoon to investigate the events surrounding his girlfriend's tragic death, he learns of an impending apocalypse about to flatten Los Angeles. Seems that the Summu Nura, ancient gods from a parallel dimension, are looking for a new stomping ground. And Hollyweird is ground zero. What's worse, Reagan Moon is the only one who can stop them.

With the help of an occult archivist and a carefree guardian angel, Moon is forced to confront an invisible world of toxic parasites and dimensional outriders. But no amount of magic can save him from the monster that awaits… inside him.

From the first page of this pre-Apocalyptic thriller to the last, the wry wit and non-stop action kept me nailed to the pages. Characters such as Matisse the Mad Spaniard, 'Blondie' the not-so-mindless bodyguard and messenger, Bernard the guardian angel, and Jimmy the police detective, add life and breadth to this cross between Ghostbusters and Guardians of the Galaxy. Ok, that comparison might be reaching a bit.

Content:

Violence:
There's a bit, and it can get graphic. It's not gratuitous, but some people end up dying in a pool of blood. One gets stabbed to death by a magic wand.

Language:
PG-13, I'd say. There are some expletives occurring sporadically about. The F-bomb is never used.

Adult Content:
PG. Romance is hinted at but never explored.

Christian content:
Belief seems to be a central theme to this book. What that belief is in, other than an afterlife, and angels, is not driven far. A central object in the story is a Tau, or T-shaped cross which a relic from early Christendom. There's nothing preachy about this book.

Final analysis:

A riveting read from cover to cover. Action, adventure, and humor abound. The mouthy sarcasm and wit of the main character remind me of Spidey. I found it very entertaining, and a bit uplifting. I gave it five stars.

About the Author

Mike Duran is a novelist, a blogger, and speaker, whose short stories, essays, and commentary have appeared in Relief Journal, Relevant Online, Rue Morgue magazine, Zombies! magazine, and other print and digital outlets. He is the author of the supernatural thriller THE RESURRECTION (Realms 2011) which was a finalist in the 2011 INSPY awards, SUBTERRANEA (Blue Crescent Press Oct 2012), and other novels and novellas.

He is an ordained minister and resides in SoCal with his wife and four grown children. You can read more about him at his website, MikeDuran.com

Review: Dover Park by Bruce Fottler

Dover Park
By Bruce Fottler
On the eve of summer, a mysterious visitor turns up in a quiet, suburban town. The very existence of this enigmatic presence is a paradox, one that upends the idyllic lives of the Moreaus, a well-respected family of the community. Unsettling revelations are made surrounding a tragic accident that occurred many years ago, and routing out the truth threatens to tear the Moreaus apart. Was the drowning of a close friend in Dover Park an accident...or not?

This offering by Bruce Fottler concerns three related men and their families. Jim Moreau is a successful businessman working in R&D at a manufacturing concern, and his wife Sara and he have two boys, Kevin and Dylan, but long for a girl. That ship has sailed, as Sara recently underwent a hysterectomy.

Jim's brother Tom is a detective for a police department in a city nearby. Both Tom and Jim are somewhat dissatisfied with their jobs, and Jim is about to go into business with Andrew, their cousin, a plumber by trade.

Jim's world and plans are upset by the arrival of a girl who claims to be Jim's seventeen year old daughter Rachael, by a woman who drowned twenty-two years ago. She also claims that she's been living with Jim her entire life, and that his cousin Andrew murdered her mom and has spent the last twelve years in prison. But of course, none of that is possible. Or is it?

Rachael must be lying. The only other option is too incredible to believe - where Rachael is actually from another timeline, where the events she claims to have happened actually... did.

Jim and Tom work together to expose this girl for the hoax she must be, but each piece of evidence they examine makes her story more plausible. From the arrival of Rachael a couple chapters in until the unexpected ending, this book had me on the edge of my chair.

Content:
Violence: Minor.

Language: There are a few expletives in the book.

Sexual Content: Light. There is some sexual tension and innuendos passed back and forth among the men, and a reference to a possible incest attempt. PG.

Spiritual Content: Moderate. God is referenced as the reason why Rachael could have been transported across timelines to a better existence. Church is attended, but the faith of the main characters appears shallow and surface.

Bottom Line:
This book kept me up, and I finished the last half of it in one sitting. It's a page turner. I gave it five stars.


About the Author:
Since exiting a finance career in a world of cubicles, Bruce Fottler has been busy writing novels. His latest is the suspense thriller: "The Initiative: In Harm's Way (Book One)."

Bruce grew up in the Chicago suburbs and moved to the Boston area as a young teen. While seeking a career-track that mostly put him behind a desk, he dabbled in creative pursuits such as producing, writing, and directing film shorts. However, it was always writing novels that interested him the most because they aren't limited by production budgets, technical capabilities, or tight shooting schedules.

Bruce has three other published novels: "Chasing Redemption" (Sci-fi thriller), "Dover Park" (Mystery), and "Paladin's Odyssey" (Post-apocalyptic thriller).

You can visit his Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/BruceFottlerAuthor

Review: Don Lamplighter 3 - The Green Gauntlet

Don Lamplighter 3 - The Green Gauntlet
By D. M. Lichterman

"Green Gauntlet" continues the saga of Christian freelance journalist Don Lamplighter as he faces off against a Satanic cult bent on global domination. This time all Lamplighter wants to do is enjoy the week before Christmas with his wife until a robbery, riot and mass shooting get in the way. What will Lamplighter need to do to put the pieces together in time to have a Merry Christmas for his family and the towns in which he works?

Don Lamplighter is a lovable Christian freelance journalist who works part time at the Walmart in the Seasonal section, and part time as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army. He is a large bear of a man, who walks with a cane and is driven everywhere by his doting wife and others in his life.

In this book, he runs up against his old archenemy Absalom, the leader of a local Satanic cult, and a new enemy named Jacob Glass, a diminutive meth addict who is supporting his habit by robbing the Salvation Army buckets around town. He tags Lamplighter as his own personal enemy and vows to take him out, creating a pair of vicious green work gloves with tacks glued across them to take out his nemesis.

This was my first foray into the Lamplighter series. I found Don Lamplighter to be a very likable, positive influence on the communities he frequents. The way he calmly handled the robbery at the beginning of the story drew me in, but his daily activities didn't keep me going. The story dragged for me until I got to the boring town meeting, which was suddenly interrupted by a tragic mass murder.

From that moment on, I was invested in the story to the exciting conclusion.

Content:
Violence: 
Quite a bit, actually. Some of it a bit graphic, especially when the mass murder occurs and a scene or two when Glass attacks kindly Salvation Army bellringers with his evil gloves. None of it is gratuitous, though.

Language:
The meth addict drops a couple expletives in the course of the work, but I would label the language as mild.

Sexual Content:
There are several parties thrown by Absalom and his cohorts which involve prostitutes. However, there is no actual sexual content in the novel. One of Absalom's top people is a Madame, and she mentions having some designs on Lamplighter.

Spiritual Content:
Every morning and evening, Don and Gloria, his wife, have a devotional. Key verses in the readings are applied to Don's harrowing scrapes. Don spends much of his time singing Christmas carols and wishing everyone around him a Merry Christmas. It's obvious he's trying desperately to spread the love of Christ and stay in the spirit of the season. However, the burdens of the mass slaying, the robberies, the riots, and the plot to fleece and take over the world wear down on him, and he becomes greatly discouraged. His wife and others around him encourage him. People in this book have to deal with death, crime, and senseless violence. It is unclear whether good prevails, though for the most part the bad guys 'get theirs'.

Bottom Line:
Mass murder, muggings, robberies, large-scale riots, and elaborate setups abound in this adventure, with several plot twists to keep you guessing. Lamplighter and Absalom were pretty well developed characters, although Glass was sidelined to more comedy relief, even though the title indicated he would be the main villain. Because of some pacing issues I had to give this a lower score than I would have liked. I found the story intriguing, the characters believable, and some of the situations humorous. Three stars.

*I received an electronic copy of this novel for an honest review.

About the Author:
Dean M. Lichterman is the author of the Don Lamplighter series, a pre-apocalyptic thriller series starring lovable Don Lichterman, a freelance journalist reporting on and fighting crime in an era poised on the brink of Revelation.