Review - Sleigh Bells and Sleuthing: A Collection of 16 Cozy Mystery Novellas Featuring Female Sleuths by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, Larissa Reinhart, Ritter Ames, Sam Cheever, Abby L. Vandiver, Ava Mallory, Carolyn Dean, Lorraine Hudson, Mona Maple, J.C. Wing

Title: Sleigh Bells and Sleuthing: A Collection of 16 Cozy Mystery Novellas

Author: Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, Larissa Reinhart, Ritter Ames, Sam Cheever, Abby L. Vandiver, Ava Mallory, Carolyn Dean, Lorraine Hudson, Mona Maple, J.C. Wing
Series:
Pages: 101
Release Date: November 20th 2018

Genre: Mystery Paranormal
Publisher: Good Fortune Farm Refuge
Source: Author ARC
Format: Kindle

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: A COZY MYSTERY HOLIDAY NOVELLA COLLECTION WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO SAVING ANIMALS! Get comfy this holiday season with a cup of tea or cocoa, and while you’re enjoying a delightful seasonal cozy mystery, you’ll be helping rescue animals with Good Fortune Farm Refuge, a NO KILL animal refuge located in Alabama.

You’ll love these sixteen cozy mystery stories, many from Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon best-selling authors! Murder, mystery, magic, and mayhem don’t stop just because it’s the holiday season!

All profits from this collection go to Good Fortune Farm Refuge. Find out more about them at www.goodfortunefarmrefuge.org.

Each author is a member of the Sleuthing Women author collective, a select group of women mystery authors who have joined together to connect with our readers through a Facebook group called Sleuthing Women—Read. Sleuth. Solve. Repeat. Check us out on Facebook.

Stories come from both traditionally and independently published authors Abby L. Vandiver, Ava Mallory, Clare Kauter, Larissa Reinhart, Loraine J. Hudson, Mona Marple, Morgana Best, Ritter Ames, Sam Cheever, S.E. Babin, Tara Meyers, Tricia L. Sanders, Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, Jenna St. James, K.E. O’Connor, and Laina Turner.

GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!

My Review: This review is for A One Horse Open Slay which is a Secret of Sanctuary Cozy Mystery short written for an anthology whose proceeds go to charity. It is written from Sandy’s point of view.

          Sandy has a business meeting with Wesson Parker one of the family members from the town of Parker near her home of Sanctuary.

          The meeting is meant to help bring the two families together and he ends up inviting her on a date to ride with him on his Christmas float in the parade only once the parade starts the float breaks and Wesson Parker ends up getting hurt.

          Sandy goes to Ember to get help in figuring out what really happened that night.

          Ember and Sandy become closer while figuring this out and Ember invites Sandy to the towns Christmas dinner.

          When the culprit is revealed I wasn’t expecting it I thought it was someone else entirely.

          This is another great story by Tara and I am looking forward to seeing what will happen next.

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Read in 2018: 28/35

Review - Cat's Got Your Arsenic by Tara Meyers

Title: Cat's Got Your Arsenic

Author: Tara Meyers
Series: Secret of Sanctuary Cozy Mystery
Pages: 
Release Date: October 1st 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: 
Source: Author
Format: Kindle ARC

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Water and ravines run deep in Sanctuary -- so do the secrets.

When a traveling salesman dies under suspicious circumstances, the implications span decades of hidden truths. Veterinarian Ember Burns is no stranger to the long shadows of the small mountain town. But as winter settles into the rugged terrain, and a veil of snow descends, ghosts from the past begin to surface.

As old friends, foes, and lovers collide in a bid to discover who's been keeping the biggest secret of all, will Ember solve the mystery of disappearing animals? Or will she find herself in the path of a killer with a personal agenda?

Recipes included!

My Review: Once again Ember finds herself solving a mystery; this one is ‘the mystery of the missing animals’. All the animals that seem to go missing are valuable pets.

          I love Ember and Mel’s little chit-chats and how well they get along after only knowing each other for a short time.

          As well as trying to solve a mystery Ember is helping her Aunt Becky and the Mayor with their towns Christmas dinner and building her budding relationship with the sexy Nathan.

          This story nearly had me crying because while solving the mystery Ember finds out how her father died and who did it and it all started with the grumpy old vet assistant bringing in her poorly cat.

Once again this story will have you flipping pages so you can find out who the culprit is. I never suspected the culprit but this time I was closer than in the last two books to getting it right.

All I can say is Tara bring on book 4.

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
Read in 2018: 22/35

Review - Man's Best Alibi by Tara Meyers

Title: Mans Best Alibi

Author: Tara Meyers
Series: Secrets of Sanctuary Cozy Mystery
Pages: 159
Release Date: July 2nd 2018

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: 
Source: Author
Format: 

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Something strange is happening in the mountains of Sanctuary. 

Veterinarian Ember Burns makes a grisly discovery and it leads authorities to the body of a man in the woods above her home. Although the circumstances are suspicious, the only witness is her dog and the death's ruled a suicide. 

But things aren't that simple. When Ember looks into the man's local connections, it creates more questions than answers. Including the source of an unusual rock, and what he was really doing in the mountains. 

As a mysterious illness sickens the local animals, Ember's battle to save them leads to a startling discovery. She races to prove both the cause of the animals' symptoms and how the man died, but will it be too late?

My Review: I had been waiting for this book since finishing the first one, so much so that I often sent Ms Meyers messages asking when it was going to be out -along with other books in her series- and I was happy when she messaged to tell me the beta was ready.

Man's Best Alibi starts off with Ember wondering where Deanerys is as she has been missing a while. When Deanerys finally comes home she brings Ember a gift, but it's not a gift anyone would want, she brings back a glove with a hand inside.

Obviously Embers curiosity streak kicks in and she asks Nathan and Sheriff Walker if she can go along with them, the search and rescue team and the sent dog to find out where Deanerys found the hand.

This story is quite sad compared to the last one as the body part belonged to Deanerys' owner and a lot of animals end up really sick or dead and its all down to the man who's death is ruled a suicide.

Ember want's to find out if it was a suicide or not as she want's to know if she is going to lose Deanerys.

The plot is good and the characters have progressed since book one.

I loved that Ember got to keep Deanerys  and her relationship progress between Ember and Nathan and I can't wait to see where it leads. I love Mel and Embers friendship especially Mels movie references. I didn't guess who the killer was but when it was revealed I remembered something that had happened previously and I could have kicked myself for not putting it together.

The only thing lacking from this story was there were no flirty scenes with Aunt Becky and the Sheriff, I did love those in book one, so here's hoping to some more Becky and Ben mischief in book three.

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling, Ragdoll by Daniel Cole and Dark Water by Various Authors
Read in 2018: 16/35

NEW RELEASE!

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Man's Best Alibi

Something strange is happening in the mountains of Sanctuary 

Veterinarian Ember Burns makes a grisly discovery and it leads authorities to the body of a man in the woods above her home. Although the circumstances are suspicious, the only witness is her dog and the death's ruled a suicide. 

But things aren't that simple. When Ember looks into the man's local connections, it creates more questions than answers. Including the source of an unusual rock, and what he was really doing in the mountains. 

As a mysterious illness sickens the local animals, Ember's battle to save them leads to a startling discovery. She races to prove both the cause of the animals' symptoms and how the man died, but will it be too late?

How does a $25 Amazon gift card & 16 eBooks sound?

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Book #1, You Can Lead a Horse to Murder is on sale for only .99!

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Author Tara Meyers

At nineteen, I was recruited into a secret government program, where my memory was erased .. wait -- that's the outline for a potential book. Sorry, my real biography isn't quite as interesting, but I'll give it a shot!

I live in the Pacific Northwest, and when I'm not writing, I'm out beach combing with my dogs for sea glass, or hiking in the rugged Cascade Mountains. It's the perfect backdrop to fuel my creative genius. *rubs hands together evilly*

You'll find all my adult romantic suspense and cozy mysteries here, and on my OTHER profile (secret identity ;)) Tara Ellis, I keep my middle grade and young adult books. Check them out, You might like those, too!

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Review - You Can Lead A Horse To Murder by Tara Meyers

Title: You Can Lead A Horse To Murder

Author: Tara Mayers
Series: Secret of Sanctuary Cozy Mystery
Pages: 181
Release Date: March 12th 2018

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Forest Grove Books
Source: ARC
Format: ebook

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: There’s a killer in Sanctuary, and the prime suspect is a horse.

When spirited Ember Burns is led back home to open her own veterinary practice, her first client lands her in the middle of a mystery. It starts as a desire for Ember to clear her name, and turns into a personal entanglement in a rapidly unfolding story of lies and deceit. 

The small mountain town of Sanctuary has always had its secrets. Who can be trusted? It’s been ten years since Ember lived there but roots run deep. Discerning friend from foe isn’t an easy task. 

Relying on her intelligence and instinct, Ember tries to piece the clues together as the town gears up for its centennial celebration. 

From the quaint historic shops, to the rugged mountains surrounding them, Ember works to unveil the true culprit before they get away with murder.

My Review: Ember Burns is the new vet in her home town of Sanctuary, she took over the practice from Dr Bernie Chambers who has recently retired and is planning on moving to Florida.

Ember left Sanctuary ten years ago to go to veterinary school to study to become a vet and to get away from the small town and she ended up staying away, but when her mother dies she comes back for the funeral and with a little push from her Aunt Becky she decides to stay.

After paying off all the funeral bills and her school fees Aunt Becky encourages her to take Dr Chambers offer at buying the clinic which she does instead of returning to her internship.

While Ember is setting up the clinic ready to be opened her Aunt drops by with Ember's three cousins, 14 year old Elizabeth and her ten year old twin Bret and Tim. Ember's Aunt runs an animal rescue centre and she takes in some of the rescue animals as well as placing them in forever homes, as well as bringing her children Becky bring a cute labradoodle that Becky and her children try to convince Ember to take in but Ember doesn't think that its a good idea as she doesn't believe she has the time to look after the dog and get her clinic ready for opening but she takes her in and names her Daenerys.

While Aunt Becky is at the clinic she gets a distressing call from Bonnie Hathaway who own's a farm with her husband and they have recently taken in a horse that Becky had rescued, this call ends up with Ember getting her first client.

While out at Hathaway Farm Ember attends to the distressed horse and once they have the horse somewhat settled a phone ring's from inside the barn and they find Tom lying dead in the stall.

Ember and Daenerys go on hikes together and she meets Nathan a park ranger who seems to have a thing for her and she also goes on dates with a new guy in town Sean. I liked these two guys Nathan seemed lovely and Sean was kind of weird with his hot and cold attitude with Ember but I just figured he was just hung up on his ex wife.

Ember has to try and convince the sheriff and everyone else that the horse didn't kill Tom and while doing so she puts herself in danger.

I really loved this story and I spent most of my time reading it trying to figure out what was going to happen next and who the murderer was but each time I guessed wrong. I was convinced from the start that it was one guy but I was wrong it was a total shock that I never guessed it right before the end of the book which in my opinion makes it a great murder mystery story.

I loved Ember's Aunt Becky she seems like a feisty woman and she has the sheriff wrapped around her little finger, anything she want's him to do he does. Maybe this is a hint at a future fling even though Becky is currently married. I guess we will have to wait and see.

**I received this book for an honest review**

Currently Reading: The Earth Bleeds Red by Jackson Paul Bear
Read in 2017: 9/35

Cover Reveal - You Can Lead A Horse To Murder by Tara Meyers

Blurb
There’s a killer in Sanctuary, and the prime suspect is a horse.

When spirited Ember Burns is led back home to open her own veterinary practice, her first client lands her in the middle of a mystery. It starts as a desire for Ember to clear her name, and turns into a personal entanglement in a rapidly unfolding story of lies and deceit. 

The small mountain town of Sanctuary has always had its secrets. Who can be trusted? It’s been ten years since Ember lived there but roots run deep. Discerning friend from foe isn’t an easy task. 

Relying on her intelligence and instinct, Ember tries to piece the clues together as the town gears up for its centennial celebration. 

From the quaint historic shops, to the rugged mountains surrounding them, Ember works to unveil the true culprit before they get away with murder.

Excerpt Ember jerked awake, springing up in her bed and blinking at the thick darkness. For a moment, she wasn’t sure where she was, and then the past month’s events came rushing back. The outline of her bedroom window came into focus, the curtains somewhat illuminated by a bright moon. It was her old bedroom. Home. Her cell phone buzzed from its spot on the nightstand, casting its own blue light into the space before erupting with sound. The ring tone was a harsh one, meant to grab Ember’s attention so she wouldn’t miss a call. It worked. Rubbing at her eyes, she snatched the phone up, worried that something was wrong with Becky or a member of her family. Who else would be calling in the middle of the night? Glancing down at the painfully bright screen, she saw that it was just past 2am, and it was an unknown caller. “Hello?” Her voice was harsh. She didn’t appreciate the scare for what was likely a wrong number. “Is this Doctor Burns?” The man’s voice was filled with urgency. “Yes …” Ember answered, cautious. “I’m Doctor Burns. How did you get this number? Who is this?” “I’m sorry to wake you, but I have an emergency with a foaling mare. Mrs. Stratton gave me your number. There isn’t time for pleasantries, but I’m Morton Ellsworth. I understand you live at the Burns’ place out on Crystal Lake? This mare doesn’t have much time, Dr. Burns.” Jumping from the bed, Ember displaced Daenerys, who she didn’t even notice was curled up alongside her legs. The dog had started out the night in her own bed on the floor but must have decided at some point to join her.

Pinching the phone between her chin and shoulder, Ember yanked on her blue jeans that had been cast onto the floor a few hours before.

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