October Book Reviews Part 2! @jamescudney4 @MaeClair1 @Virgilante @judypost @DawnDun66350980 #IARTG #ASMSG #WritingCommunity

Haunted House Ghost (Braxton Campus Mysteries #5)

by James J. Cudney

I wanted to get into the Halloween mood and chose this book to kick it off! Not having read the Braxton Campus Mysteries, it worried me I’d be lost in the story, but Mr. Cudney does an excellent job making sure the reader keeps up with the extensive list of characters and relationships. I enjoyed meeting Kellan, the college professor who seems to run into many murders that need solving. He’s moving into a house that needs some TLC, so contractors are fixing it up, but things happen that seem to point to a ghost. While Kellan works on that mystery, there is the planning of the local festivities for fall and Halloween, which is a favorite time of year for me, so I enjoyed that. There’s a budding romance with the local Sheriff and lots of interaction with family, my favorite being Nana D who adds humor. When there’s a body found, then a murder, there’s a long list of suspects. I changed my mind several times about who the killer was, and my final guess was incorrect. This is an entertaining cozy mystery set in a town I wouldn’t mind living in, minus all the murders. It will be fun to go back and read the other books in this series.


Murder They Wrote

By Judi Lynn, C.S. Boyack, Mae Clair, Kathleen Palm, Julia Donner, D.P. Reisig, Rachel Sherwood Roberts

I’m already of fan of C.S. Boyack and Mae Clair and was looking forward to this anthology. Their stories were as good as I expected them to be. There was a continuation of a familiar character “In the Files from Jason Fogg” by Mr. Boyack. I find it intriguing when Jason disappears into fog and how he handles it. In “A Winter Reckoning,” by Ms. Clair, was riveting. I felt like I had just read an incredible novel complete with love, mystery, and family drama. Then, I was introduced to five new writers and their stories. They all had a different feel and flavor, including a haunted attic, a dead body in the middle of a house renovation or garden party, a widow’s butterfly collection, and Abraham Lincoln. There were some gems in those stories, and one of my favorites was “Within the Plum Attic.” A diverse collection of seven stories kept me entertained, and I got to meet some wonderful new authors. Four-Stars!


I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn

60 thoughts on “October Book Reviews Part 2! @jamescudney4 @MaeClair1 @Virgilante @judypost @DawnDun66350980 #IARTG #ASMSG #WritingCommunity”

  1. Reading your wonderful reviews makes me realize that I need to really focus on my bulging Kindle! Thank you for sharing, Denise. Your showcases always add to excitement! ❤

    1. Thanks, Gwen:) I wish I had more time to read and catch up on that bulging Kindle! Happy reading.

    1. Definitely wouldn’t want to live with so many killers, even as a writer lol 🙂 Thanks, Jacquie!

  2. Denise,

    I would love to live there too. We can protect each other. Writers can’t ever be killed, right? 🙂

    Thank you for this amazing review around the holiday season. I’m truly grateful for your kindness this week with 2 of my books! WOW.

    J

    1. I think that’s true rule, Jay, writers can’t ever be killed 🙂 It was the perfect Holiday read that I couldn’t pass up. I was happy to help with the release and look forward to that read too!

  3. I read Murder They Wrote – some good stories there. I also liked Within the Plum Attic. I haven’t read a cozy mystery in a while. This sounds like a good. one.

    1. I had fun reading a cozy mystery and will be reading more. Within Plum Attic was a unique read:)

    1. It is always fun to find new authors this way, Judi. I enjoyed journeying into your world and will be exploring more!

  4. Another great selection, Denise. I’ve heard great things about Haunted House Ghost, though I haven’t read it. But I have read Murder They Wrote and gave it five stars.

    1. I had heard good things about Haunted House Ghost too and wasn’t disappointed:) Yes, Murder They Wrote was not only a good read but a great place to meet new authors. Thanks Staci!

  5. Thank you for including Murder They Wrote in your reviews, Denise. I’m so glad you enjoyed all the stories. It was such fun to be part of that anthology.

    And Jay’s Haunted House Ghost is a perfect read for this time of year. I really enjoyed that one. It was the book that introduced me to his Braxton Mysteries–and to Jay! 🙂

    1. Murder They Wrote was not only a good read but I was introduced to new authors, which is always a bonus.
      Haunted House Ghost was my first Braxton Mysteries too, what a fun way to jump into a series. I’m enjoying The Glass Family story too. Xo

    1. I was happy to be introduced to your work in Murder They Wrote, Dawn:) I’m always excited to share the good books I read!

  6. Excellent reviews, Denise! Thanks for reminding me that I still have “Murder They Wrote” on my Kindle. I swear they get buried so quickly I forget what I have. 🙂

    1. Thanks, Jan:) That’s so true they do get buried fast and seeing a book review always helps remind to get to them;) Happy reading xo

    1. Haunted House Ghost was a great Holiday entry for me. I look forward to going back and starting with book one. Murder They Wrote is the perfect read right now, plus I always enjoy short stories. Thanks, Balroop 🙂 xo

    1. Thanks, Jessica. I know! I wish we had more time to read too, but sleep always wins out at the end.

  7. Great reviews, Denise. As you know, I also enjoyed Murder They Wrote. And thanks for the recommendation of Jay’s book. It sounds like a perfect Halloween read. 🙂 Happy Reading.

    1. Thanks, Diana:) It was a great way to find new authors in Murder They Wrote. Yes, Haunted House Ghosts is a great Halloween read. Happy Reading!

  8. Excellent reviews on both books, Denise. Nana D is quite a character in Jay’s books. I haven’t read the Haunted House Ghost or Murder They Wrote yet. Thank you for your recommendations.

    1. Thanks, Miriam. Yes, Nana D Is so much fun and I liked getting to know her character. Both good reads! xo

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