“Dead of Winter” is a scary short story set on a lonely country road. Joe is driving to meet up with his partner when he sees a woman stranded by her car. He pulls over to help with obvious bad intentions. He is a creepy character who wants something but at the same time needs help from his partner—whom he can’t contact. The woman is careful in her responses and doesn’t jump right into trouble with him, which I liked. The pacing was broken up with chapters that worked well, as it seemed to match Joe’s thinking process. There are a couple of surprises, with a great twist. The ending was very satisfying. I can easily recommend this quick read.
The Bloody Shoe Affair: A Daring and Thrilling Adventure with the Jailer’s Daughter
by Joy York
“The Bloody Shoe Affair” is a fun YA whodunit set in Mississippi in the late 1960s. Fourteen-year-old Christi is visiting her grandparents for their 50th-anniversary celebration. She stays with her cousin, Lily, whose father is a law officer, and the house is attached to the jail. Lily’s curiosity of a pair of bloody shoes found but no body pull the two girls into a who was or wasn’t killed. Lily decides the man sitting in jail is innocent, and the two girls begin their investigation. It was fun to go back to the late sixties and see references to snacks, clothes, music, and communications. It brought back some memories of when I grew up. I liked how opposite these girls were, but how they pulled together and got along. Lily was strong and knew how to manipulate adults. While Christi wanted the excitement brought into her life by her cousin, she was more cautious. This was a fun read that reminded me of the Nancy Drew books I used to enjoy with more thrills added in. I could see middle-grade readers enjoying this as well as YA and adults. A fun story that kept me engaged with an exciting ending!
by Jan Sikes
“Jagged Feathers” focuses on Vann or the soldier who brought the message back from Sam in “Ghostly Interference.” He has settled into a cabin with a stray dog who found him. He is broken from the war and vows not to give his heart to anyone. But he also has the rune given to him by another couple, Jag and Rena, who found their happily ever after. When Vann goes into town to get supplies, he runs across a sick woman, Nakina, who needs help. Promising not to go to the hospital, he takes care of her. One thing I really loved about this story is the gentleness of these two characters and their journey. Vann doesn’t feel like a whole man with part of his leg missing but is courageous and kind. Nakina is not only running from some bad people but learning about her gifts and how to use them. Both are artistically inclined, with Vann working with wood and Nakina feathers. Painting feathers completely fascinated me. Plus, they both are carrying issues from their past that could hold them back. I fell in love with the stray dog Champion and this couple. When the bad finds Nakina, it becomes nonstop action while this couple keeps connecting. It’s a beautiful love trying to bloom while they battle the bad guys. This was a perfect blend of PTSD, guilt, bad guys, friendship, acceptance, and embracing the spiritual realm. I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for the next rune couple. 😊 I highly recommend!
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!
Watch for a special edition blog this week! You won’t want to miss it.
Embrace your inner child with a huge hug by reading a great book! D. L. Finn
Congrats Jan, Joy, and Lionel on these great reviews. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Denise 💕🙂
Thank you, Harmony 🙂
The Bloody Shoe Affair sounds fun. I have Jagged Feathers on my TBR. I’ve read “Dead of Winter” and enjoyed it, especially the twist I didn’t see coming! Good reviews, Denise!
I’m thrilled to hear that Jagged Feathers is on your TBR list, Priscilla! Thank you!
Bloody Shoes was fun, especially with the setting and time. I have a feeling you will enjoy Jagged Feathers and yes that was certainly an unexpected twist in Dead Of Winter!
Great reviews, Denise. I’ve read and enjoyed Jagged Feathers. The Bloody Shoe Affair sounds like a fun read, especially if it’s set in the late 60s. Dead of Winter sounds intriguing.
Thank you, Joan, for your added recommendation of Jagged Feathers!
Jagged Feathers was a fantastic read, and I always enjoy when stories are set in the 60s or 70s, especially when music comes up. Dead of Winter was a fast read that surprised me. Can’t go wrong with any of them.
Wonderful selection of titles. Great reviews. Congratulations to all the authors.
Thank you, Craig 🙂 I enjoyed reading them.
Hi Denise,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my book and post you kind review on you blog! I hope you have a wonderful week! Happy Monday!
Happy to post it here, Joy 🙂 I enjoyed it. Thank you, I hope you have a great week and Monday as well!
Congratulations to all three authors. I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed Jagged Feathers and The Bloody Shoe Affair. Dead of Winter sounds like it would be highly intriguing. Great reviews, Denise!
Thank you, Mae, for your added recommendation!
Thanks, Mae 🙂 Definitely all good reads. Dead of Winter was intrigued me too.
Congratulations to the authors! I’ve only read (and loved) Jan’s, but all three sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing, Denise.
Thank you for your added recommendation, Staci!
I’m happy to share those good reads, Staci!
Oh my!! I’m so grateful for this beautiful review of Jagged Feathers, Denise! And I’m honored to be here with these other two fabulous authors! Thank you!
I’m thrilled to share it here today. Such a great story!
Super reviews, Denise. Congratulations to the authors.
Thank you, John 🙂
Good collection. I like that you only list three (I’ve been known to review as high as 18 at a time–yikes!). They all sound good–Jagged Feather I know is–but the bloody shoe and jailer’s daughters, that sounds intriguing.
Thanks, Jacqui 🙂 I decided it would give the authors and books more of a showcase to limit how many I do at once, but I always appreciate reviews, no matter how many listed at once, to add to my reading list. Like you I can have double digits too for a month of reading. You can’t go wrong with any of these reads.
Great reviews, Denise! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us! It’s always fun to hear about new books! 🙂
Thanks, Mar 🙂 It is fun hearing about new books, and I pick up a lot from reviews.
Thanks for sharing your lovely reviews Denise… all books sound so good! I am planning to read more this month. 😊
Thanks, Balroop 🙂 You can’t go wrong with any of these books. Have a good reading month!
I just finished The Bloody Shoe Affair and loved it. I’m hoping to read Jan’s book soon. Great reviews, Denise. 🙂
Thanks, Yvette 🙂 It was a fun read, wasn’t it? I know you will enjoy Jagged Feathers. Xo
Thank you for sharing the reviews on the books by these fabulous authors.
Happy to share the good books read, Linnea:)
Congratulations to these amazing writers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Denise.
Thanks, Beem 🙂 Happy to share the good reads.
All three of these sound like must-reads. Great reviews, Denise!
Thanks, Jacquie. They were 🙂
Sounds like you found more good reads;) I’ve got Ghostly Interference on my Kindle:)
YOU take special care.
scoxox
Yes all good reads, Sandra 🙂 You will enjoy Ghostly Interference. Thank you, you take special care too! Xo
Wonderful reviews as always, Denise! Congratulations to Jan, Joy, and Lionel! This is my reviews:
https://theshowersofblessings.com/2022/03/08/book-reviews-mystery-jacquie-biggar-ya-yvette-calleiro-children-d-l-finn/
Thank you, Miriam 🙂 All great reads. I was thrilled to see you enjoyed Dolphin’s Cave…yay! Xo
Hi Denise, these are all great reviews. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations, Lionel, Joy, and Jan! Jagged Feathers is certainly on the TBR list. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Denise, these are all excellent reviews.
Great reviews, Denise. You got me very excited to read Jan’s book. Congrats to all three authors!
Thanks, Diana 🙂 I’m sure you will enjoy it!