Susie Helme is an American from Nashville, Tennessee, living in London after sojourns in Tokyo, Paris, and Geneva. Once a journalist and editor of mobile communications magazines, she now writes historical fiction novels and works as a freelance editorial consultant proofreading and editing other people’s novels. She has been a judge on the Killer Nashville […]
Tag Archives | mystery
Books and Bribes
Lovers of the paranormal mystery will enjoy this first installment in the Bookstore Cozy Mystery Series by Lucinda Race. The central character, Lily Michaels, is a secret-keeping bookseller in the small town of Pembroke Cove, Maine. But when she discovers she’s a witch, everything changes. She can communicate with her cat, Milo, and her “friendship” […]
Zephyr’s War
This novella is set amid the high-octane advertising industry. When Steve and Nancy Stackhouse, owners of Crocker and Stackhouse consultancy on Madison Avenue, take on a wealthy client, they believe their financial worries will be over. And their new client, Ukrainian businessman Zep Zephyr hopes the agency will give him a strong foothold on Wall […]
Monarch Books & Gifts
In Overland Park, Kansas, you’ll find a unique retailer that’s setting trends and opening doors. Monarch Books & Gifts, the first independent bookstore in the state, founded by mom, entrepreneur, major bookworm, and Boston-native Christin Young. The journey of Monarch Books & Gifts began with a profound understanding of the community’s needs, explains publicist, Chandler […]
A Sour Note: A Music Box Mystery
Everyone loves a good mystery. Especially, a well-written one. This book by Jill Piscitello is a fun read that sweeps you off to summertime along the shore. Set in the idyllic location—The Hamptons—Maeve Clearly returns to her hometown hoping to hide away from publicity scandal that unfortunately is all too popular for her to shed. […]
The Light and Dark of Writing (and Reading) Romantic Suspense
This isn’t a blog about the ups and downs of the romantic suspense genre. Rather, it’s about the light and dark. To clarify, I’m using those words as a “simplistic umbrella” when describing novel elements and author styles. It’s also how I categorize my works of fiction. Just because I write light, doesn’t mean I can’t […]
State of Redemption
I apologize to all my author and publishing industry friends who’ve sent me books for review the last two weeks. My full attention was absorbed by Richard McKeown’s crime novel, State of Redemption. And when you read it, you’ll know why. The setting—a small town in Vermont—where a decades old murder comes to light amidst […]
Explosive Chemistry: Liliana and the Fae of Fayetteville
This is a unique fantasy story written by author Paige E. Ewing. What distinguishes it from many others is that it is a hybrid genre—more on this to follow—but also in the plethora of unique characters ranging from the “aware” humans, mostly in the protective services, interacting and partnering with a variety of “others” that […]
Dachshund to Death: A Dog Lover’s Cozy Mystery
A good mystery doesn’t need a bookmark. Rather, it’s one you curl up on the couch with and read straight through from beginning to end. This is book seven in the series Barkview Mysteries by C.B. Wilson, staring clever characters in a sweet little town. Amidst the bustle of the town’s annual gingerbread house competition, […]
Always Watching: Book One in the Elite Guardians Series
This book is an exciting start to the series by Lynette Eason, centered on an all-female bodyguard team. When her teammate, Maddy, is brutally attacked, Olivia Edwards steps in as bodyguard to celebrity psychiatrist and radio host, Wade Savage. He’s being stalked by a woman who’s made it abundantly clear she will stop at nothing […]