A Fool and His Monet - A Review

Published - March 2016, Revell Books
Series - Serena Jones Mystery Book 1
Author - Sandra Orchard
Title - A Fool and His Monet
Format - ebook, paper
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Summary (From Amazon):
Serena Jones has a passion for recovering lost and stolen art--one that's surpassed only by her zeal to uncover the truth about the art thief who murdered her grandfather. She's joined the FBI Art Crime Team with the secret hope that one of her cases will lead to his killer. Now, despite her mother's pleas to do something safer--like get married--Serena's learning how to go undercover to catch thieves and black market traders.

When a local museum discovers an irreplaceable Monet missing, Jones leaps into action. The clues point in different directions, and her boss orders her to cease investigating her most promising suspect. But determined to solve the case and perhaps discover another clue in her grandfather's murder, she pushes ahead, regardless of the danger.

My Thoughts:
I'm in a minority here, but I couldn't get into the book. The characters are quirky, which always makes for entertaining reading, but I was very easily distracted with this book. I frequently found myself putting it down and not coming back to it.

Still, I enjoyed the mystery part of the book. I enjoy mysteries. But I'm not sure on the whole love triangle thing.

When book 2 comes out, I might give it a try, but I might not too.

I received this book for free from Revell Books for the purpose of reviewing. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommend to fans of mysteries

Rating - 3 stars

Desperate Measures - A Review

Published - June 2015, Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Series - Port Aster Secrets Book 3
Author - Sandra Orchard
Title - Desperate Measures
Format - ebook, paper
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Kate Adams has finally identified the plant that is responsible for tearing her family apart. Yet someone else doesn't want her research into it to go any further than it already has. With Kate staying with her injured colleague, she hopes she's out of danger. And that's what detective Tom Parker hopes too. Yet a runaway case he's working keeps entwining with Kate's penchant for being in danger. Only this time, they seem to be related. Will Kate ever be safe?

This is the conclusion to the Port Aster series. Trust me. This is a series that needs to be read in order.

I thought that it was just ok really. First of all, I have read the prior books. And I enjoyed them. I enjoyed this one as well, but I felt that things got tied up too nicely. And too conveniently. I'd figured out about halfway through that one of the characters wasn't a suspect.

But still, reading Kate's romance with Tom was pretty fun. And learning about some of the different plants and their antidotes was interesting. I thought that the epilogue was a nice touch.

I'd say that those who enjoy cozy mysteries would really enjoy this book.

I received the Kindle version of this book from Revell books via NetGalley for free for the purpose of reviewing. I was not required to like this book, only give my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of cozy mysteries, Love Inspired Suspense, Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon

Rating - 3.5 stars, which will be 3 stars

Blind Trust - A Review

Published - June, 2014 by Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Series - Port Aster Secrets Book 2

Author - Sandra Orchard

Title - Blind Trust

Format - ebook, paper

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Kate Adams would like nothing better than to live a peaceful life immersed in her research and the budding relationship with Detective Tom Parker after the past few months of trying to solve the murder of her friend. Yet, trouble has a way of finding Kate. This time it's counterfeit bills that she accidentally uses to purchase groceries for her elderly neighbor. As the case to find the counterfeiters unfolds, Kate soon finds herself in the midst of another police investigation that soon turns deadly. Long held secrets are revealed as Kate and Tom race to find this new threat to Kate.

I enjoyed reading the first book in the series when I was able to review it. This one was just as much of a page turner. The story moves along quickly and the characters had a bit more depth to them this time.

I still love Tom. I love how he strives to have Kate's best interests in heart. I do think that those two need to sit down and have a good conversation, but their relationship is progressing nicely. I look forward to seeing how it progresses through the series.

This was a pretty fast read for me. While by no means is it my favorite one, it was still good. It'd make a perfect read for a lazy summer day or the beach.

I received the Kindle version of this book from Revell Books via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Irene Hannon, Love Inspired Suspense, Lynette Eason, romantic suspense.

Rating - 4 stars

Deadly Devotion - A Review

Research scientist, Kate Adams, is shocked when her mentor dies suddenly in what the police have ruled as a suicide. Kate knows that Daisy didn't kill herself and is determined that the police re-open the case. Former FBI agent Tom Parker is reluctant to reopen the case. Yet when he discovers Kate investigating on her own, he unofficially reopens the case. As Kate and Tom investigate, someone feels that Kate has stumbled too close to the truth and wants her silenced - forever. Can Tom protect Kate before it's too late?

I'm not sure if this is the first book of Sandra Orchard's that I've read or not. I may have read some of her Love Inspired Suspense novels a while back, but I just don't know. I do know I enjoyed this book. I had my own list of suspects and one second I'd be like "oh such and such did it." Then the next chapter, I'd change my mind. So I really had no clue who was the guilty party, which was a good thing. I loved Tom's Dad. I think he was my favorite character in the book. This is a fast paced story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received the Kindle version of the book from Revell Books via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of romantic suspense, Love Inspiried suspense, Irene Hannon

Rating - 4 stars

Available June 2013 at local bookstores from Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


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