Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts

Friday, December 27, 2024

The Accomplice by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson with Aaron Philip Clark

Rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

Pages: 272 pages
Published: September 2024

I'm not sure where I first heard about The Accomplice by rapper 50 Cent, but curiosity got the best of me and I picked up a copy from my local bookstore. I enjoy action-packed movies, and this one was set in Texas making it familiar. I thought this book might have a little bit of action and a lot of the Lone Star State, and I was not mistaken. I also know the author has built a bit of an empire with his TV shows on the Starz network, so I had high hopes of the entertainment value this book might provide.

This gritty, graphic, thriller follows a cast of nefarious characters that are all intertwined in a world of crime. The main antagonist, Desmond Bell, is a bank robber of a different kind. He doesn't steal money but rather items and secrets that would, if exposed, damage the reputation of his victims. Nia Adams, who is the first Black female Texas Ranger serves as the protagonist and the two play a fast-paced game of cat and mouse to the bitter end in this story.

I found the writing to be rather engaging as I could definitely envision what was being described; however, it was a little too graphic for my liking. I do wonder how much of the book Jackson wrote because I think the lion's share of the story lay with his co-author, Aaron Philip Clark. Having said that, I did enjoy the story, and the ending wasn't so much a conclusion as it left the door open for a second book. I also have heard the book will become a TV series starring Taraji P. Henson. And I think this is where we'll see Jackson shine.

Recommendation: This was a short, fast-paced crime fiction novel that served its purpose. I don't know that I'll continue reading the series if more books follow, but I can appreciate what the author was trying to do.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 478 pages
Published: July 2024

At 500 pages in hardback, The God of the Woods looks long but it doesn't feel long. This mystery truly captivated me. And not necessarily because of the mystery but more so the lyrical prose that guided the reader through the story. There were a lot of characters with two vacillating time periods, but the author crafted the plot in such a way that I never felt lost or overwhelmed.

The novel opens in 1975 where 13-year old Barbara Van Laar has gone missing from a summer camp owned by her family. While this is tragic enough, her brother also vanished 14 years earlier. A full-scale search ensues, and the reader is provided clues to the dark family's past that seemingly make everyone feel like a suspect. Coupled with the frantic search and family secrets is a challenging economic dynamic among the community that creates even more suspects in the disappearance of both children.

There's a lot going on with this book, but it done really well and there is a complete ending that I found satisfying, but I will warn future readers, it's not tied up all nicely in a bow at the end. One of my favorite parts of this book was the writing. Here are a couple of my favorite, poignant passages.

It came from the Greek god Pan: the god of the woods. He liked to trick people, to confuse and disorient them until they lost their bearings, and their minds. -p. 40

The best part of being married to George Barlow for a decade was learning that it’s all right not to do everything that’s expected of you all the time. This is a notion that has been positively liberating for me. The way we were raised - the way our parents raised us, I mean - it trained us to think it’s our job to be absolutely correct in everything that we do. But it isn’t, Bunny. Do you see? We can have our own thoughts, our own inner lives. We can do as we please, if we only learn not to care so much about what people think. -p. 112-113

Rich people, thought Judy-she thought this then, and she thinks it now-generally become most enraged when they sense they’re about to be held accountable for their wrongs. -p. 158

Recommendation: Barnes & Noble selected this book for one of its summer monthly reads, and it was a good selection, indeed. I highly recommend this one. Don't rush to learn the ending, but rather take your time and enjoy the journey.

The Devil You Knew by Mike Cobb

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 480 pages
Published: September 1, 2022

The Devil You Knew is a mystery thriller written by author Mike Cobb. The book is broken into two parts that chronologically correspond within the two years the bulk of the plot takes places — 1963 and 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1963, three young girls go missing, and the city of Atlanta goes on the hunt for a serial killer. A young, 11-year old William "Binky" (later referred to as Billy in 1980) Tarwater is infatuated with one of the kidnapped girls. As an adult, Billy gets caught up in the suspense of the crimes, and he finds himself in a pursuit of justice for Sam "Shorty" Jepperson, the Black man whom the crimes were pinned on. Sam was ultimately convicted and serving a life sentence for a crime he and his family claim he did not commit. Throughout this nearly 500-page novel and two-decade timespan, the reader is taken on a plot twist-filled journey with Billy, now a journalist, who seems to be one of the few people concerned with truth and justice for all.

Because the central action of the book takes place in the South in the 60s, one can imagine there were several themes of racism, prejudice and sexism. Additionally, the author has included a large cast of characters that serve as red herrings. Many of those characters are conservative Christians and those typical stereotypes were played into creating intrigue and confusion in determining who the true person is that perpetrated these horrible crimes. While each chapter of the book vacillates from one character to the next in perspective, I did enjoy the main character's narration, especially in the first part of the book. Binky Tarwater reminded me of the main character in the popular TV series, The Wonder Years (either the original or reboot).

Once the book transitions to 1980, there was more tension in the writing as Billy felt time-pressed to help free Sam Jepperson. Furthermore, the author juxtaposed the fictional crimes of 1963 with the very real crimes of the Atlanta Child Murders between 1979 and 1981. Honestly, I am not typically able to guess the conclusion of whodunit and nor do I want to. I enjoy the journey of reading. However, I was able to discern where the book was going rather early on, but that did not take away from the overall story. My only criticism of the book is it's a little long and verbose. I think the author could find a wider reader following by staying within 350 to 400 pages and curbing some of the vocabulary (e.g., deadheading, Klippel-Feil syndrome, etc.). Some readers just aren't going to take the time to stop and look up the words and others may stop reading all together.

Recommendation: This was an excellent book with an engaging mystery and (somewhat) satisfying conclusion. The author says that research is paramount to his writing style, and any reader can clearly identify that in how he wove true crimes into this fictional one. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Trigger warnings: child violence, domestic violence, racial epithets

Until next time ... Read on!

Thanks to Reedsy Discovery for an electronic copy of this book. If you'd like to review for Reesdy Discovery, please visit my affiliate link. Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Mike Cobb's body of literary work includes both fiction and nonfiction, short-form and long-form, as well as articles and blogs. While he is comfortable playing across a broad range of topics, much of his focus is on true crime, crime fiction and historical fiction. Rigorous research is foundational to his writing. He gets that honestly, having spent much of his professional career as a scientist. He vehemently refuses to box his work into a specific genre. Mike splits his time between Atlanta and Blue Ridge, Gerorgia.

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My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 226 pages
Published: July 2019

Can you say dark and twisty? That about sums up my thoughts of My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. It was the second buddy read with my partner, and oh emm gee! Nigerian sisters Korede and Ayoola are vastly different. Ayoola is younger, trendier, prettier, and luckier in love. Also, she kills her boyfriends, and her older, more logical sister, Korede, literally helps her clean up the mess. Korede also has a steady and stable career at the local hospital where she has a secret crush on a handsome doctor, Tade. However, when he meets the younger and more beautiful Ayoola, he falls quickly for her, igniting Korede’s fears of Tade’s possible early demise.

The title of this book is intriguing. The staccato-like chapters make for a fast read. The passages are descriptive. And the overall plot seems predictable; however, I would argue that there are some deeper issues going on between Korede, Ayoola, and their early-departed father as well. This book has the perfect combination of mystery, intrigue, comedy, and is psychologically thrilling. I think any reader could finish it in a day or two. I enjoyed the story, but I was not a fan of the ending.

Recommendation: This is a good book. I would recommend it. Was it the best thing I’ve read in 2021? No, but certainly not the worst either. If you’re looking for a novel to help bump your reading challenge number, this one is a good selection.

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 371 pages
Published: April 2021

I selected When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain as my free add-on book for my birthday month, courtesy of my Book of the Month (BOTM) Club BFF status. When this book was first released on BOTM, it sounded intriguing to me but other choices piqued my interest more and I left this one for later. What took me so long? This fictional story interwoven with true missing persons cases in the early 1990s, most notably the Polly Klaas case, made for an equally interesting and heartbreaking read. The overall plot centers around Anna Hart who is a missing persons detective in San Francisco. Personal tragedy sends her back to the small town she grew up in with her foster parents. While there for healing, she is drawn to a case involving a missing girl. One thing leads to another and she finds herself in the middle of what appears to be a serial murder case.

McLain took great care with the true crime stories that served as a backdrop for this book. You can clearly see that she put forth great detail and research by including those cases. As a result, this book left me feeling uncomfortable - not because it was a bad book but because in reality bad things happened, and I could not use this fictional book to totally escape the real word. In the real world there are bad people who do horrible things. Having said that, I do appreciate very much what McLain has done in weaving a fictional story with real cases. Her writing is moving in that it evokes an emotional response and propels the reader into and through the story. It left me thinking about it for days after.

My only criticism of this book is the ending. I thought the conclusion to the fictional aspect was a little too tidy. Additionally, it seemed as though the author rushed the ending a bit with regards to Anna's personal struggles. She could have easily gone into more depth with that storyline, especially since it was germane to the plot.

Recommendation: This is a heavy read, but it is a good book and I would highly recommend it when you're looking for something sobering.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 320 pages
Published: May 2021

One of my May reads was a new release snagged from Book of the Month. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave is a mystery thriller that features protagonist, Hannah, who is about a year into her marriage with Owen while also trying to bridge the sometimes awkward step-parenting gap with his 16-year old daughter Bailey. On a seemingly normal day, Owen does not come home from work but instead leaves, separately, Bailey with a bag of cash and Hannah a note that seems to point to Bailey reading: Protect her. The bulk of the story is Hannah trying to figure out where her husband has absconded and why and also how to fulfill his request to protect Bailey. In a search for answers, both Hannah and Bailey find themselves traveling from the west coast to central Texas, and ultimately learning that they will have to close that awkward gap in order to survive - physically, relationally and emotionally.

I found this story to be intriguing. The characters were well-written and the dialogue engaging enough to keep me invested as a reader. The plot was solid, albeit with a few holes, and the ending was fulfilling. Overall, it was fun read.

Recommendation: I would recommend this read as an entertaining, driving choice ... just in time for your summer reading list.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

The Shadows by Alex North

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 336 pages
Published: July 2020

The Shadows by Alex North was my second indulgence from my July Book of the Month subscription service. The synopsis is what prompted me to purchase this mystery thriller. Paul Adams, the protagonist, has returned to his hometown to take care of his ailing mother. Twenty-five years prior Paul's classmate, Charlie Crabtree disappeared after an unsolved murder. Everyone believes that Charlie must be the killer because he disappeared without a trace after the crime. Upon high school graduation, Paul left town and never looked back until he was forced to return and when he does he finds himself drawn right back into the mysterious case again.

This is the first book I've read by this author. I think he does a good job creating suspense and giving the reader a reason to continue the journey with the narrator. I found the pace of the book to be just right; not too fast, not too slow, and the conclusion a satisfying one. My only critique would be about the issue with Paul and his high school love interest. I don't think the author did a good job of fully developing that twist in the plot. I won't write anymore so as not to spoil this relatively new release.

I think North is a good writer, and this was a compelling story. It prompted me to purchase The Whisper Man for my August subscription. Review soon to come!

Recommendation: If you're looking for a mystery with dark tones and intrigue, I'd highly recommend this as your next read.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 400 pages
Published: May 2020

What constitutes a good marriage? If you're looking for the answer, you're not going to find it in this book. However, the novel, A Good Marriage, is a legal mystery full of twists and revelations that keep you turning the page until you learn who the killer is. This Book of the Month Club selection features Lizzie, a former federal prosector who is now working as an attorney in the private sector. She gets a late-night call from her former college mate, Zach, who has been arrested and is the main suspect in his wife's murder. Lizzie reluctantly takes his case and becomes an amateur sleuth in trying to find out what happened to his wife, Amanda. On top of that, Lizzie is having some pretty serious marital problems of her own.

The book is told through the alternating perspectives of Lizzie and Amanda and also includes grand jury testimony and other correspondence to give the reader clues for solving the mystery. Having said that, I was unable to discern the killer until the very end. The author, Kimberly McCreight, included several red herrings in the story that threw me off.

I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be very engaging, and I think McCreight is a masterful storyteller. There were a couple of elements she introduced that added more suspense to the plot, but I don't think she closed the loop on. These are very minor and don't affect the story greatly. There was also foul language that I don't think added value to the story, and at times, seemed forced. Overall, this was an entertaining read, especially during this time of quarantine.

Recommendation: I give this novel 5 stars. I highly recommend it. Fans of Law & Order might enjoy this book.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 336 pages
Published: February 2020

I don't even like ghost stories or the paranormal, but I absolutely loved The Sun Down Motel by Simon St. James. It was my first book from BOTM club, and it did not disappoint. I devoured this book every free moment I had over the course of six days. I would have finished sooner, but alas I have a full-time job.

The book vacillates between 1982 and 2017 where Carly, in the more present time, is working as an amateur sleuth to solve the mystery of her aunt who, Viv, who vanished without a trace more than 30 years earlier. In her attempt to find the truth, Carly takes on the life that her aunt lived those many years ago in a town that really hadn't changed as much since the 80s. The atmosphere is spooky, and the hotel that both Viv and Carly work(ed) at is the center of a lot of paranormal activity.

The author did a fabulous job of creating suspense, mystery, intrigue, and fear with her literary devices. I would be lying if I told you I didn't get a little uncomfortable reading some of the passages. The writing was so engaging that there were times when I had to close the book because I was home, alone, at night. My only criticism is that, even with the decades time difference, I sometimes had difficulty discerning if I, as the reader, was reading about what happened in 1982 or 2017. Each chapter did have a label at the beginning that identified the time period and perspective (Viv's or Carly's), but once I turned the page and was deep into one chapter I'd sometimes forget. This may have been intentional by the author to demonstrate how the town of Fell, New York was still stuck in the past.

Recommendation: Overall, I enjoyed this book and think that my new BOTM membership will be well worth the money paid. I don't even like ghost stories ... until I did. Thanks to BOTM and Ms. St. James for opening me to a new genre!

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Free Cyntoia by Cyntoia Brown-Long

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 319 pages
Published: October 2019

I first learned about Cyntoia Brown (as she was known then) when celebrities started sharing her story and documentary on social media. When she was released from prison, I celebrated with her and her family. And when she published her memoir, I knew I had to read it. (Thanks to the Fort Worth Public Library for the digital borrow.)

Going in, I thought that I would learn about what a difficult childhood Cyntoia had, how she came from a broken home with no stability or parental support. Serves me right for making assumptions and applying stereotypes! That is not what I learned as I read her story. In my opinion, she had a good foundation but made some poor, and ultimately detrimental, life choices. During the first third of her autobiography, I was so frustrated with and mad at her. By the middle of the book, my heart began to soften, and by the end of the book I was absolutely enamored by the transformation she had made. Essentially, just as I changed my mindset in reading her book, she changed hers over the course of nearly two decades.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Cyntoia Brown-Long (as she is now known). I appreciated the journey she took me on as a reader, and I am grateful for her being vulnerable and sharing her story in this way. It is not a pretty one, but it is a beautiful illustration of God's grace and mercy.

Recommendation: This is an interesting true account of a young life, and how our criminal system impacted it. It is non-fiction but definitely a read for mature audiences. Even if you are not a Believer, I think you can appreciate the maturity and personal growth written about in this book.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Killer Resolutions by Elizabeth McKenna

Category: Adult fiction; Genre: Mystery Suspense
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Pages: 174 pages
Published: October 2019

For fans of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None . . .

In a remote lodge in northern Wisconsin, friends gather for a festive, New Year’s Eve weekend. When a blizzard traps them with a murderer, who will be left to kiss at midnight?

Five years ago, a tragedy shattered the friendship between Dani, her older brother, and their college pals. When her brother invites the old gang for a weekend of outdoor winter fun at a remote lodge, she sees it as a chance to reconnect and heal. But when her friends are murdered one-by-one, Dani must determine whom she can trust before she becomes the next victim.

Killer Resolutions by Elizabeth McKenna is an adult fiction mystery novel that features a group of college friends reconnecting five years after a horrible tragedy involving them all. In present day, the past event is still affecting the friends, and one by one we learn the deadly results of the issues not resolved between them.

The story is brief, fast-paced, and intriguing. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to review another McKenna mystery. I find the author's writing to be engaging, keeping the reader's attention to the mystery is solved through to the very last page. I feel the same about her newest mystery novel.

I finished Killer Resolutions in just a few hours. Once I started I had to keep turning pages until I learned who the killer was. McKenna did a good job keeping the suspense going. My only critique of this book is that it was a little on the short side. I think a little more character and plot development delving into the the history and motives would have made the story more complete.

Recommendation: This is a book that you'll want read with your night light on! The book is dark yet timely with the upcoming holidays. There is some explicit language in the book, so beware if it is the type of thing thing that bothers you.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories. She had never read a romance novel until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). Her novels reflect her mercurial temperament and include historical romances, contemporary romances, cozy mysteries, and dark mysteries. With some being “clean” and some being “naughty,” she has a book for your every mood. Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

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One Night in Georgia by Celeste O. Norfleet

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Pages: 304 pages
Published: June 2019

Shortly after I read One Day in December, I stumbled upon One Night in Georgia and the juxtaposition of the titles made me smile. The synopsis of latter made me want to read it. The novel is set in the late 60s where the black is beautiful and Civil Rights Movements are in full bloom. The main character, Zelda, meets up with her college friends and sorority sisters, Veronica and Daphne, near the end of summer to drive from New York to Georgia where they will resume their college education at Spelman University. They meet up with family friend*, Daniel, who escorts them on this tumultuous trip that includes several episodes of racism, terrifying encounters with the police, and some fun and excitement. However, the tone of the book foreshadows a pivotal event that changes the lives of the college students forever.

At just a little over 300 pages, this book is not overwhelming. It actually reads much faster that one might expect. I enjoyed taking a peek back in history through Norfleet's eyes of this time period. It was an important one for African Americans, and the first part of the novel was spot on in capturing the time period, retelling actual events that occurred, and illustrating similar events through fiction. However, about halfway through the book, it changes from a study of the African American condition to a kind of cheesy love story which later evolved into some 50 shades-type prose, and the ending just fell flat for me.

I was hoping for better character development and resolution of the major issues presented like Zelda's relations with her mother, and the relationship between both of them and her stepfather. I wanted more of a conclusion about how Zelda could begin healing from her father's death. The other friends, who had major roles in the story, had their endings wrapped up much too quickly in a few sentences without really dealing with the heavy issues (arranged marriage, sexual assault, biracial identity) they were tackling. Overall, I felt like Norfleet took the easy way out with the ending and left too many other issues up in the air. What began as a driving and intriguing story quickly lost its power and effect.

Recommendation: Even though this was a quick read, I would not recommend this one. There are other books that deal with some of the major issues in this book in a more effective way. And maybe that was the problem, the author tried to cram too much into one story and didn't know how to synthesize it all. So disappointed!

*The Goodreads synopsis says Daniel is a family friend of Veronica, but I am certain he was a family friend by way of Zelda. I'm not sure if this the publisher's error or an error on the part of Goodreads.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

The Great Jewel Robbery by Elizabeth McKenna

Series: Book 1, A Front Page Mystery
Category: Adult fiction; Genre: Cozy mystery
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 204 pages
Published: May 2019

Mystery with a splash of romance…Chicago Tribune reporters Emma and Grace have been best friends since college despite coming from different worlds. When Grace is assigned to cover an annual charity ball and auction being held at a lakeside mansion and her boyfriend bails on her, she brings Emma as her plus one. The night is going smoothly until Emma finds the host’s brother unconscious in the study. Though at first it is thought he was tipsy and stumbled, it soon becomes clear more is afoot, as the wall safe is empty and a three-million-dollar diamond necklace is missing. With visions of becoming ace investigative journalists, Emma and Grace set out to solve the mystery, much to the chagrin of the handsome local detective.

Mystery with a splash of romance indeed! This little cozy mystery by Elizabeth McKenna is a pure delight. The novel features two strong female protagonists - Emma and Grace, an engaging plot, and a little romance that propelled this reader from the beginning to end in just a few days.

The Great Jewel Robbery is the first book in a series and also this author's first attempt at the cozy mystery genre. McKenna definitely succeeded in her efforts. Emma and Grace are friends from college, and when Grace is assigned to work at a charity ball, she invites Emma as her plus-one. Shortly upon their arrival, madness ensues. A guest is assaulted, jewels are stolen, and strange things keep happening. The women's interrogative spirits get the best of them and they choose to stay nearby and help solve the crime of the missing valuables. This decision brings one of the friends, Emma, in close contact with Detective Ryan O'Mara, and that's where the romantic spark is lit. Even so, the book focused more on the mystery than the romantic element, which I appreciated. Overall, the storyline was captivating, and the mystery was intriguing enough to keep the reader's attention. The author provided enough detail and clues that allowed for the mystery to be solved while reading along. McKenna effectively injected humor and provided vivid descriptions. In the end the story wrapped up nicely, and maybe just a bit too quickly, but provided the reader with a satisfying ending.

Recommendation: I enjoyed this book. I especially liked the supportive friendship between the two women. I think this book would be great for readers who appreciate cozies in a modern day setting. Its lighthearted tone would make it nice to take along on a fun weekend trip. I'm looking forward to book 2 in the series.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Amazon.com | Add to Goodreads.com

Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories. She had never read a romance novel until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). She combined her love of history, romance, and a happy ending to write the historical romance novels Cera’s Place and Venice in the Moonlight. Her contemporary romance novel, First Crush Last Love, is loosely based on her life (she eventually married her first crush).

The Great Jewel Robbery is her debut cozy mystery, and she hopes readers will like it as much as they have enjoyed her romances. Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

Connect with Elizabeth:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Prizes: Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Elizabeth McKenna (open to wherever Amazon.com delivers)

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