THE PRIEST (ORIGINAL SINNERS #9)

Tiffany Reisz's USA Today bestselling Original Sinners series returns with the long-awaited sequel to The Queen.

When a New Orleans parish priest is found dead of an apparent suicide, the police see no reason to investigate. Private detective Cyrus Tremont knows a cover-up when he sees it, however. A former cop, he's seen it all...or so he thought.

Clues point him in the direction of Nora Sutherlin, an erotic romance writer who moonlights as a dominatrix. Together, they form an unlikely bond built on their shared need for justice.

As Cyrus is drawn deeper into Nora's underground world of pleasure and pain, what lines will he cross to discover the truth about the priest? And what will he and Nora do with the truth once they find it?

The Priest is the beginning of a new era for Reisz's Original Sinners series, and the perfect jumping-on point for new readers.

Release Date: April 20, 2020

The Original Sinners #9

8th Circle Press

Contemporary Romance/Mystery

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

The Original Sinners series by Tiffany Reisz is one of my favorite series ever. I fell in love with this cast of characters and love each new installment in the series. I learned long ago to never take anything at face value in the series, and have to say that once again Ms. Reisz kept me guessing with The Priest.

I loved getting to spend time with Nora, Kingsley, Søren, Juliette, and Celeste of course and I love these characters so very much and catching up with each of them since the move to New Orleans. However much of the story takes place with Nora and a PI who is hired to figure out why a Catholic priest had called Nora right before he committed suicide. Cyrus is the PI who steps in with Nora's help to figure out exactly what happened. We learn a good bit about Cyrus and his fiancée Paulina as Nora and Cyrus work together. I really enjoyed the mystery portion of the story and also enjoyed having new people in the Original Sinners world. While I couldn't see Cyrus and Paulina joining the world full-time, it was fun to see Nora make friends with a man she didn't actually sleep with. 

As the mystery of the priest unfolded, Ms. Reisz took her readers on a roller coaster ride. Nora had some big decisions to make and I honestly got answers to so many questions I had about Nora and 

Søren and how they got together. ​Honestly it only made me love this story more to get those answers. I did feel left in limbo with Søren’s future with the Jesuits, and can't wait to find out his decision. 

The Priest was a wonderful addition to the Original Sinners series. It gave us a different look at all of these characters and I can't wait to read the next installment in this series.

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)

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HOPE NEVER DIES

This mystery thriller reunites Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama for a political mashup full of suspense, intrigue, and laugh out loud bromance.

Vice President Joe Biden is fresh out of the Obama White House and feeling adrift when his favorite railroad conductor dies in a suspicious accident, leaving behind an ailing wife and a trail of clues. To unravel the mystery, “Amtrak Joe” re-teams with the only man he’s ever fully trusted—the 44th president of the United States. Together they’ll plumb the darkest corners of Delaware, traveling from cheap motels to biker bars and beyond, as they uncover the sinister forces advancing America’s opioid epidemic.

Part noir thriller and part bromance novel, Hope Never Dies is essentially the first published work of Obama/Biden fanfiction—and a cathartic read for anyone distressed by the current state of affairs. 

Release Date: July 10, 2018

Audible Studios/Quirk Books

An Obama/Biden Mystery

Mystery

Narrator: Joe Barrett

Audio review copy provided by author

Liza's Review:

I honestly didn't know what to expect when I started listening to Hope Never Dies...would it be a real mystery or something funny? I have to say while the humor was very strong in this story; the mystery was equally as strong.

I really enjoyed Hope Never Dies a great deal. The narrator was pretty spot on with the voices of both Biden and Obama. The mystery kept me guessing for a good bit of the story, and the antics of Biden and Obama, while out of character for them both probably, kept me totally engaged. Yes this is a work of fanfiction about Biden and Obama, yet I actually found myself believing these two men not only would, but could work together to solve the mystery of the death of a train conductor and friend.  I loved the twist and turns they had to take along the way and getting to see them reestablish their connection and friendship had me a little weepy at times. I also have to say the banter between Biden and Obama was perfect. They picked at each other like brothers/best friends and it was fun to watch them work together after being apart for a while.

Hope Never Dies really was a refreshing story to read in this crazy mixed up time in our political world. It was also laugh out loud funny at times and I have to say I really do hope Andrew Shaffer writes more stories with Obama and Biden. 

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

NEED TO KNOW

In pursuit of a Russian sleeper cell on American soil, a CIA analyst uncovers a dangerous secret that will test her loyalty to the agency—and to her family.

What do you do when everything you trust might be a lie?

Vivian Miller is a dedicated CIA counterintelligence analyst assigned to uncover the leaders of Russian sleeper cells in the United States. On track for a much-needed promotion, she’s developed a system for identifying Russian agents, seemingly normal people living in plain sight.

After accessing the computer of a potential Russian operative, Vivian stumbles on a secret dossier of deep-cover agents within America’s borders. A few clicks later, everything that matters to her—her job, her husband, even her four children—are threatened.‎

Vivian has vowed to defend her country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. But now she’s facing impossible choices. Torn between loyalty and betrayal, allegiance and treason, love and suspicion, who can she trust?

Release Date: January 23, 2018

Ballantine Books

Mystery/Thriller

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

I love the mystery/thriller genre and especially when I get pulled in from the very first page. While I was pulled into Need to Know when it started, it quickly felt like it was going all over the place for me.

I really liked the main character Vivian Miller, but absolutely didn't buy into the fact that she would break so many laws and rules. I understood wanting to protect her children and her husband, but I just couldn't see a high level CIA counterintelligence agent not seeing signs along the way. Maybe because she was high level CIA, I expected more of her. I have to say that Matt played her like a fiddle to make it look like he was the wronged individual. I just never bought his innocence at any point in the book. Maybe I'm too jaded when it came to this story. I will say the actual mole within the CIA was a surprise to me, as I had picked a different character as the mole. I really liked that twist to the story.

While Need to Know didn't really end up being the book for me, I did enjoy the author's voice and would give her another try in the future. 

Rating: 3 Stars (C)

DOG COLLAR COUTURE SPOTLIGHT EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY

DOG COLLAR COUTURE by Adrienne Giordano

About the Book

Title:                           Dog Collar Couture

Series:                                    Lucie Rizzo Mysteries

Authors:                     Adrienne Giordano

Release Date:                      May 10, 2016

Publisher:                  SilverHart Publishing

Genre:                                    Mystery

Buy Links:                  Amazon / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Book Summary:

Mafia princess turned canine couturier Lucie Rizzo knows dogs are woman’s best friend. Thanks to her fashion-forward four-legged clients, Lucie’s dog walking/designer pet accessory business is booming. And for once her love life isn’t far behind.

Lucie devotes her days to building the Coco Barknell brand, but her nights are all about roguishly sexy Tim O’Brien. At least they will be if she and Detective O’Hottie finally take their relationship to the next level. But bring an Irish cop home to her mobster father? Fuggetaboutit.

Lucie’s knack for finding trouble lands her in the doghouse—and on the six o’clock news. Someone’s absconded with a million-dollar piece of cinematic costume history, with Lucie the only witness to the crime. Not to mention the prime suspect. To clear her name, she’ll need an assist from her entire wacky crew: friends, family…and future (hopefully) lover.

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Adrienne Giordano writes romantic suspense and mystery.  She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her workaholic husband, sports obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a co-founder of Romance University blog and Lady Jane's Salon-Naperville, a reading series dedicated to romantic fiction. 

Connect with Adrienne:  Website / Newsletter / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Street Team

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Dog Collar Couture – Excerpt 3

(Follow the tour to read a different part of the excerpt each day, as they are all part of Chapter One and in chronological order. You can find the list of blogs participating here: http://bit.ly/1pTuXGH.)

Now she was a pro and whipped out her card to anyone with even a passing interest. Her growing bank account helped inspire this newfound aggressiveness.

Estelle took the card. “Thank you. I have a little guy at home myself. A mutt, but the cutest darned thing. Maybe I’ll buy him a collar or something.”

“Sure. Check out our Web site. If there’s something you see, let me know, and I’ll drop it by next time I walk Fin.”

“Oh, that’d be great. Thank you.”

Finally, Estelle bent over and gave Fin a good rub.

“Stay, Fin,” Lucie warned.

Please don’t let him launch. With Fin, she never knew. One second he’d be calm and the next—airborne.

But, lookie here, he stayed put. He’d definitely get a treat for that.

“Good boy, Finnie!”

Lucie pulled out another treat. Peanut butter this time. Although the carob seemed to be his favorite.

He made a move to jump, but Lucie tightened her hold on the leash. “Stay.”

“Well, now I’ve made a new friend.” Estelle gave him one last pat. “I’ll be sure to look out for you now, Fin.”

“He loves people,” Lucie said. A little too much.

“I see that. It was lovely meeting you, Lucie.” She held up the card. “I’ll check out your Web site.”

Giveaway Details

There are two giveaways on this tour – one is a $20.00 Gift Card plus a Swag Pack from Adrienne and the second is a $20.00 Gift Card.

Rafflecopter Code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1c9cd1c934/?

WEDDING CAKE MURDER (HANNAH SWENSEN #19)

Everyone in Lake Eden, Minnesota, may have had their doubts, but at long last, Hannah Swensen is getting married! 

Hannah is thrilled to be marrying Ross Barton, her college crush. And her excitement only grows when she learns he’ll be able to join her on her trip to New York City for the Food Channel’s dessert chef contest. She’s especially nervous about facing Alain Duquesne, a celebrity chef with a nasty reputation. But before he can tear into Hannah’s layer cake, she finds him stabbed to death on the show’s kitchen set. Out of the oven, as the saying goes, and into the bright lights of Broadway, as Hannah tries to solve a mystery with more layers than a five-tiered wedding cake…

Release Date: February 23, 2016

Kensington

Hannah Swensen #19

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I've been a fan of the Hannah Swensen’s books from the very beginning. While I did miss reading the last 2 books, I was able to easily pick up the series and keep up with no problems. I do plan on going back to read the books I missed, as I really love the characters in this series.

I really enjoyed Wedding Cake Murder. I got to spend time with all my favorite characters while getting to see Hannah prepare to get married and compete in a dessert chef contest. Of course, no Hannah Swensen novel is complete until we have at least one murder and the Swensen sisters work together to solve the crime.

Hannah has always been my favorite character from this series, but I love her sisters Andrea and Michelle as well. I love how each sister's mind works a little bit differently, but they can work so well together to solve murders. I also love that the police always know that Hannah and her friends and family are on the case just like them and actually look to Hannah for help with the investigations.

Since I had missed the last 2 books, I was a little surprised to see Hannah was getting married to someone other than Mike or Norman. I'm still not really sure how I feel about Ross other than to say I don't think we know enough about him at this time. Maybe because I like Mike and Norman so much, flaws and all, I wasn't ready for another man to be in Hannah's life, but I still think there is something we are missing about Ross. I’ll really be watching him in the next book to see if anything is revealed.

I'm still a fan of the Hannah Swensen books and absolutely love all the recipes that are included in each book. I do wish all the recipes were listed in one section at the back of the book rather than at the end of the chapters, but I can always skip ahead pretty easily while reading. With Wedding Cake Murder many changes happened that could effect upcoming books and I look forward to seeing where the author takes her fans.