Book Review: Death Unmasked by Rick Sulik

I enjoyed this fast moving mystery/love story.
Death Unmasked
by Rick Sulik

File Size: 3745 KB
Print Length: 265 pages
Publisher: Christopher Matthews Publishing (November 6, 2015)
ASIN: B017OMVKGE
Genre: Mystery, Police Procedure, Reincarnation
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

A reincarnated evil is stalking the women of Houston. With each murder, the madman quotes an excerpt from the Oscar Wilde poem, “The Ballad of Reading Gaol.” A huge smokestack belching smoke, a ragged flea market double-breasted wool coat, and an old antique picture frame, bring the distant past back to haunt Houston Homicide Detective, Sean Jamison. With those catalysts, Jamison knows who he was in a past life and that he lost the only woman he could ever love. Searching for his reincarnated mate becomes Jamison’s raison d’être as he and fellow detectives scour Houston for a brutal serial killer. The memory of timeless love drives Jamison’s dogged search for a serial killer, determined to finish what he started decades earlier.
Each clue brings Jamison closer to unmasking his old nemesis. Tenacious police work, lessons learned in the past, and intuition may be the only weapons he has in preventing history from repeating itself.

Review:
This story sets off in a distant time and place with a love and marriage “made in Shangri-La”. Emil is a common workman who plays the guitar and sings love songs to his beautiful wife, Laura. They are happy, though poor, and are content to dream of their own family living peacefully. They never expected their country or small town to be invaded by brutal men. When Emil senses danger they try to run, but do not escape. They are gathered with others, marched into town and loaded into crowded trains. Before they reach their destiny, Laura is taken by one of the soldiers, brutally used and discarded in the snow. Emil is devastated but when he lunges towards the man a gun stock is swung into his face, breaking his nose. He could not save his young wife in this life but vows he will find her. And, as a last act before he is sent to his own death, he stares into the face of the monster who killed Laura and severely injures him.

The author then moves forward to current day to follow Homicide Detective Sean Jamison, a man born with a crooked nose. Sean is a dedicated cop seeking 'to protect and to serve'. His work has left him no time for relationships although he is sure that he will meet the woman who is his destiny – perhaps when he retires, which is in his near future. Before he retires though, he is pulled in for a special investigation of a murderer stalking women. The man leaves a line of poetry from Oscar Wilde at each scene and had been responsible for the kidnapping of a fellow officer’s wife a few years before. The poem, certain scenes and objects jar Sean’s subconscious memory of a past life. Now he is certain he will find his destined love and may also have the chance to capture a monster.

Sean is known by his associates as a loner with strange abilities or senses. As they work together, Sean’s superior, Captain Virginia Schaeffer, begins to fall in love with him in spite of his standoffish behaviors. Suddenly Sean tracks down a woman he thinks is his long-lost love. Can he and the investigative team save her from the mad murderer?

Mr. Sulik weaves poetry into the story, particularly the historic portions. The lines are haunting and the love story he paints is beautiful. I found this engaging from the beginning and it moves along at a steady pace. I was not sure how I would feel about the reincarnation elements but I appreciated the unique twists of the reincarnation and entwined lives. I recommend this to readers who like a good mix of suspense and clean romance.

I received this from the author in fall of 2016. It qualifies for 2017 Mount TBR.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 26, 2017

Happy Friday!
We have enjoyed the first vacation week in spite of tire and refrigerator troubles on the coach. I have gotten to walk with, and read or listen to books with our 4 year old granddaughter each afternoon (my main task) and occasionally watch the twins. I have also done some office work in the mornings and blogging at night.

I forgot to get a picture of the latest book group. Sorry. Maybe I'll do it on Friday but don't count on it.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the May 19 Pick. There was one automatic win again this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one title pair blocked which has now been won
Rubynreba gets E is for Evidence.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 19 Pick:
CAROLL gets the Brenda Joyce Pair through the block
Fredamans gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

This works for me; how about you?
Image found at BookLikes at Tumblr.

New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
PAIRS:
Brenda Joyce: The Third Heiress and The Rival
Jayne Ann Krentz: Dangerous Affair and True Colors
SINGLES:
Identity: Unknown by Suzanne Brockmann
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner
Anna’s Book by Barbara Vine (Audio Cassette)
Passions Treasure by Betina Krahn
My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell
Led Astray By A Rake by Sara Bennett
Deep Freeze by Lisa Jackson
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Valley of Bones by Eric Wilson
Memorial Day by Vince Flynn (Hardcover)
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)


New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
PAIR:
Matthew Reilly: Temple and Area 7
SINGLES:
Deception on His Mind by Elizabeth George
‘E’ is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
In Plain Sight by C.J. Box
Keepers by Gary A. Braunbeck
Lullaby and Goodnight by Wendy Corsi Staub
One Dark Night by Kevin F. McMurray
Rattlesnake Crossing by J.A. Jance
The Cat Who Sang for the Birds by Lillian Jackson Braun
The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina
The Silenced by Heather Graham
The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood by Susan Wittig Albert
Total Exposure by Tori Carrington
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
The Old Silent by Martha Grimes (Audio Cassettes)


New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
PAIRS:
Betty Neels: The Girl With Green Eyes and the Damsel in Green
Linda Howard: The Touch of Fire and Loving Forever
SINGLES:
The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke by Jillian Hunter
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn
Love Letters From a Duke (The Bachelor Chronicles Book 3) by Elizabeth Boyle
Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
Only With Your Love (Vallerands Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Scandalous Love by Brenda Joyce
Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
Valentine by Jane Feather
A Visit From Sir Nicholas (Effington Family Book 9) by Victoria Alexander
Winter Fire by Jo Beverly


New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
Some books for Christmas
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLE:
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown



New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)


New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
SINGLES:
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,066+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Book Review: Best Kind of Love by Rebecca Talley

This is a sweet, sort of second chance, romance.

Best Kind of Love: A Reunion Romance Novella
by Rebecca Talley

File Size: 2917 KB
Print Length: 98 pages
Publisher: DuBon Publishing (November 4, 2014)
ASIN: B00P9RVW5G
Genre: Romance, Novella, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Brynn Sawyer is a successful project manager in Houston. When her best friend from high school convinces Brynn to attend their ten-year reunion, Brynn hopes she’ll have the chance to reconnect with Troy Richards, the guy who stole her heart back in middle school.
Craig Dawson, an attorney in San Diego, is in a relationship that’s going nowhere and wonders why he can’t seem to commit. When he sees Brynn at their reunion, he thinks he might finally understand why. The only problem—she’s still infatuated with Troy what’s-his-name.
Will Brynn find the love she seeks with Troy, or will she realize the best kind of love has always been right in front of her?

Review:
Brynn is returning to her home town for her 10-year high school reunion. She allowed a close friend to talk her into it partially so they can see each other and enjoy some 'girl' time. Another reason Brynn is going is in hopes of a dream fantasy opportunity with the boy she had a crush on during high school, the popular athlete, Troy.

When Brynn and her friend go to the first ‘meet and greet’ event she runs into her best friend from grade school through high school, Craig. Craig was always there for Brynn. She could be herself with him and they always had fun together. Later she turns around causing Troy to spill his drink down his front.

Even though her first encounter with Troy is an awkward stumble, he keeps seeking Brynn out trying to talk to her. Unfortunately, Troy’s high school girlfriend is quick to interrupt and to advise Brynn that Troy would only be interested in her as a conquest.

Brynn keeps thinking she wants to get time with Troy while Craig keeps trying to get Brynn’s attention. Brynn always thought of Craig as her “go-to” friend and never as a boyfriend. But suddenly she is experiencing tingles and butterflies at unexpected contacts. As Brynn finally has Troy’s attention she is more confused than ever as it appears her dream date may be only fantasy and the real thing may be closer than she thinks.

This is a quick, easy read. I enjoyed the nice writing style from the very opening. This is reflected as "inspirational" but the faith aspect is lightly, but sincerely included. Although the story does not present a new theme it is nicely handled and I found it engaging. I hope to read more from this author and I recommend this as a nice quick romance read.

I received this title in December through instaFreebie. It qualifies for 2017 Mount TBR.

Audio Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Dead on Ice by Lauren Carr

Another fun, fast cozy mystery with quirky characters and lots of twists.
Dead on Ice: A Lovers in Crime Mystery
Written by: Lauren Carr
Narrated by: Mike Alger

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
Series: Lovers in Crime Mysteries, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:11-23-16
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Spunky Cameron Gates is tasked with solving the murder of Cherry Pickens, a legendary star of pornographic films, whose body turns up in an abandoned freezer. The case has a personal connection to her lover, Joshua Thornton, because the freezer was located in his cousin's basement. It doesn't take long for their investigation to reveal that the risqué star's roots were buried in their rural Ohio Valley community, something that Cherry had kept off her show business bio. She should have kept her hometown off her road map, too - because when this starlet came running home from the mob, it proved to be a fatal homecoming.
©2012 Terri Lynn Zaleski (P)2016 Terri Lynn Zaleski

Review:
Cameron Gates is a sharp, spunky homicide detective. She is dating Joshua Thornton, a Philadelphia State Attorney, former naval officer. They are both concerned when Joshua’s cousin fails to show for church because he is always at every church event. They discover that he has died of an accident in his hoarder home. The church is the beneficiary of his Will and a group come to the home to clear out the massive collection. One of the elderly ladies drags Cameron to the basement where she discovers a bomb. The house is evacuated before the explosion so everyone escapes safely. As they begin to clear the ashes they discover a freezer that survived the blast with a grizzly secret inside: a woman “dead on ice”.

The woman turns out to be a pornographic star from the 1980s, who, not so coincidentally, had left the community shortly after high school graduation. Another teen girl had gone missing on prom night. The missing girl’s body had been found seven or so years earlier but the case was still a cold case. Cameron and Joshua are soon on the case to solve both murders. There are plenty of suspects as the friendships and rivalries of high school are revealed.

This was great fun with the quirky suspects, beyond the mob from whom the porn star was running. There is a cougar winery owner who makes passes at Joshua’s sixteen-year-old son, Donnie, two determined church ladies who have carried their teenage rival forward to their present-day bickering, and a heartbroken boyfriend who may have wanted revenge. The clues lead back and forth until the final chapter.

I had listened to two other books that included these characters in a 'sister series', the Thorny Rose Series, and found it fun to listen to the story that sets off the career of this couple as “the Lovers in Crime”. The romance is warm and growing even with the problems of Cameron’s cat, Irving, who looks more like a skunk and views Joshua as a rival. Ms. Carr does a great job with her mystery series. She provides strong characters, quirky secondary characters and lots of twists in the mysteries. I recommend Ms. Carr’s books for good mystery reading and or listening.

Audio Notes: Mike Alger does a good job narrating the character personalities. The narration makes this move at a good clip and captures the humor and emotions of the story. I enjoyed listening.

I received this audio book through iRead Book Tours for tour review. This qualifies for my 2017 Audio Book Challenge

A broadcast veteran of over 30 years, Mike Alger is best known as the award-winning Chief Meteorologist for KTVN-TV in Reno, NV. He is also a successful author, having penned the Mystery-Thriller novel "Snow Storm," and is the narrator of the audiobook of the same name.

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends July 22, 2017

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with narrator James C. Lewis

Interview with narrator James C. Lewis

Tell us a little about yourself.

I've worked in some form of media all my life, starting out at age 15. First radio, then I hosted a local television show, "Sock Hop". It was a local knockoff of "American Bandstand". Later I transitioned into newspaper reporting and photography. Then TV news. And, finally, television weather. Even now, I'm recognized in Nashville as "the weather guy" and it's been over 10 years since I was there.

How do you prepare for accents and different characters?

Once I was narrating a book of 19th century preachers in Wales. One of them was from Cynghordy, a village in the rural community of Llanfair-ar-y-bryn in Carmarhenshire. Oh my! I went to my usual sources: You Tube and several web sites. Finally I called Spire Hospital in Cardiff, the capital. (I have a phone plan that costs only one cent per minute for international calls.) But they were too busy saving lives and hung up on me. Then I phoned up the newspaper, the South Wales Argus in Cardiff. The young reporter thought I was joking. But I convinced him I was on the level. And he helped me right away! I think that my decidedly American accent may have helped.

Are there any genres you prefer narrating?

I have a fondness for crime fiction and spy dramas. I come from a journalism background. At one time, I was a police reporter in Seattle and I came to deeply respect cops and their emotionally taxing jobs. And I enjoy being the voice of the tall tough-talking private detective with the snazzy girlfriend. (I’m not very tall. But please keep that information just between us.)

Will you narrate any book if the conditions are right?

I have narrated a wide range of books but not erotica. But I’ve narrated some horror fiction with really creepy monsters. (They’re actually the best!)

What is the hardest part of narrating a book?

The hardest part is finding the voice of the character. Is the character old, young, angry, happy, educated, ignorant? And of course where are they from. I find that evil characters from Eastern Europe are the easiest to do. And it’s hard being confined to a small studio by myself (other than the character’s voices). 

How is it working with the author?

I really like Lauren Carr’s work. Being the voice of Mac Faraday is great fun. Lauren writes for the ear as well as the eye. She would be a great screen writer. (And she’s wonderful to work with!)