Uncaged Book Reviews, Issue 20 – March 2018 Now Available
Featuring Laurie Olerich, Bonnie Gill, Jami Albright, Traci Wooden-Carlisle, Leah Grant, R.F. Hurteau, Jessica Victoria Fisette and Gerri Gray.
Special Feature – Uncaged talks with cover model, Vikkas Bhardwaj
Reviews, Short Story, Sneak Peeks
Lying in Ruins
Jami Gray
Dystopian/Fantasy
In a world gone to hell, it’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad…
The world didn’t end in fire and explosions, instead it collapsed slowly, like falling dominoes, an intensifying panic of disease, food shortages, wild weather and collapsing economies, until what remained of humanity battles for survival in a harsh new reality.
Charity uses lethal survival skills learned too early in her work as a ‘Hound, sniffing out pivotal secrets for one of the most powerful people on the west coast. Her work is deceptive, deadly, and best performed solo, which means when she has a run–in with a member of the notorious Fate’s Vultures, she has no intention of joining forces in some mockery of teamwork. The man might be sexy as hell, but she travels alone. She will accomplish her mission and she will settle a score – hopefully with the edge of her blade. But fate has other plans.
As one of Fate’s Vultures, a nomadic band of arbitrators known for their ruthless verdicts, Ruin witnesses the carnage of corruption and greed battering the remnants of humanity, and he bears the scars to prove it. Now he has a damn ‘Hound showing up in suspicious circumstances, leaving every cell of his body sceptical – and painfully aroused. The woman is trouble, and Ruin has every intention of steering clear. But when they realise they have a common enemy, Charity and Ruin will have to set aside their distrust if they want to achieve their mutual goal – justice and revenge.
Sometimes, when the world’s gone to hell, it’s better to stick with the devil you know…
Uncaged Review: This is the first book in a new series for Jami Gray, and Ms. Gray is one of my favorite authors, and this book did not let me down. The author builds a new world from the ground up. Country, state and city borders are different now, and run by strong leaders. Charity is considered a “Hound,” someone who has a gift of being able to track and find anything, from people to information. While she is tracking a missing kid, she goes to Crane, another leader – only to find Raiders have attacked and Crane killed.
The author really ramps up the action and the romance between Charity and Ruin (a Vulture) brews at a satisfying pace. The danger and violence the two of them face in this new world is fast paced and engaging. One of those books that I kept thinking of when I had to put it down. Excellent world building and character building that Jami Gray is known for. Reviewed by Cyrene
5 Stars
The Coffin, The Scarry Inn
Shirley McCann
Suspense/Thriller
When Clare, Lise, and Kelly arrive at The Scarry Inn just before a major storm, they’re thrilled to learn they’ll be staying in a room known as The Coffin, which is adorned with coffin beds and other macabre decorations.
Little do they know that one of them will end up in a coffin for real–because a tornado isn’t the only thing threatening the inn’s grand opening. A killer is determined to make sure the inn doesn’t open at all. And that person will stop at nothing to achieve that end.
Uncaged Review: Scary Inn was definitely a page turner, when a murder mystery weekend turns into a real who done it. The inn and characters where bought to life in this thrilling book. A enjoyable read to the last page. Reviewed by Skye.
4 Stars
Crone
C.L. Marin
Young Adult/Paranormal
Tara is grief stricken over the death of her mother, and heartbroken about Connor’s kidnapping. She drives on, regardless, trying to tap into her authentic powers with the help of Isaac, while the Moodus coven grows impatient waiting for her to fulfill a prophecy she never wanted to know about in the first place.
Going halfway around the world to find the woman who destroyed everything she’s ever loved, Tara ignores the greater issues of the coven for the chance to kill Karmin Cres, and it puts her right in the center of the Haddam fortress. With the world around them erupting into a burning war, will Tara be able to call upon the power of the Crone to assist her? Only one coven will rule when the fires die out, but who will it be? The Moodus or Haddam?
Uncaged Review: Without offering any spoilers, I will say I truly enjoyed this read. The story of Tara deals quite a bit with heartache. You find she is suffering from the grief of her mother’s death as well as the kidnapping of Connor. She isn’t able to take the time she needs however with her coven pushing her to fulfill a prophecy centered around her. With the help of Isaac, who wants to help her realize her full power, she takes off in search of the one who killed her mother, ignoring what her coven needs from her. Tara then finds herself in the middle of a war where her greatest chance is to call upon the Crone for help. The writer did a great job of laying out such a detailed story. In many parts, you felt as if you were there. I look forward to reading more of her work soon.
Reviewed by Rena
4 Stars
As seen in the February issue of Uncaged Book Reviews
Uncaged: Can you tell readers about your Caked with Pleasure series? How many books are you planning for the series?
Someone once said “in order to write well, you must write what you know.” Well, here’s what I know. Baking and racing. With my love of writing, the two seemed to come together naturally.
Jacqui and Nick were supposed to be a one-off, however, her friends had other ideas. Peri and Cami insisted I give them their own stories. There are 2 books currently available in the series, with the third in progress.
There are possibilities for more, but for now I’m sticking to three.
Uncaged: On Track with Icing was your first full length novel, and honestly, I never thought about the pairing of a bakery owner and a racecar driver, but it works. What was the inspiration for these characters?
I drew on my own personal experiences when I created these characters. I’ve been a race fan for as long as I can remember, and I come from a family of bakers. I even worked in my family’s bakery for a few years, and drew on that experience to create Jacqui’s Bakery.
NASCAR brought me together with my husband, who spent many years working with a female driver at our local track, and he was a wealth of information when it came to getting the mechanics of the cars and accuracy of the on-track action.
Uncaged: You also have a “day job,” do your co-workers know about your books?
I honestly don’t think my coworkers are interested in reading my books. Or if they are, they haven’t approached me. I have the covers on my desk, but as yet no inquiries about them.
Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you take away from them?
Of course I read reviews! I want to know what my audience thinks of my books, good or bad. If I don’t know where my mistakes are, I can’t fix them. Being a part of an amazing critique group, I see every review as an opportunity to improve both my craft.
Uncaged: Can you tell us what you have coming up next?
I get asked frequently about when Cami’s story, Knotted Up with Passion, will come out. I still have a huge, gaping hole in her timeline that I need to fill (because she’s in captivity and I don’t want to bore my readers when she’s stuck in her cell), and I need to get her reunited with her man (whom I have not officially announced yet, though readers will probably pick up on it pretty quick. I kinda left a trail of bread crumbs in the first two.)
In addition to Knotted Up with Passion, I’ve also started a massive project I call my Romantic American Tour. One romance story for each state. One of my favorite authors created her Americana series back in the 70s and 80s, and she inspired me to write my own series.
I’ll be writing my own stories, using different locations of the states as backdrops. I have Wisconsin and North Carolina done, with Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Maine currently in progress. I also have outlines for Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, and Virginia. Without outlines I would probably go stark raving mad with this project!
Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?
Someone told me once that Jacqui’s story made her cry, that she could relate to Jacqui’s inability to have children. Hearing how someone else, even if she’s just a fictional character, dealt with endometriosis and the subsequent consequences, helped her cope with a similar situation.
Uncaged: What is your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?
My favorite part about being an author? Writing of course! Creating fascinating characters in exciting locations. I also love meeting fellow writers and readers. Encouragement from the readers helps keep me going.
My least favorite part? Probably everything else. Promotions are the hardest thing, because I’m extremely introverted. I’ve always hated drawing attention to myself, and now I’m forced to in order to promote my work. And there’s no magic formula for instant readership, so it’s constant trial and error.
Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
I love reading, of course, which inspired me to get into writing. I read a number of badly-written romances, and had the “brilliant idea” (said with a sarcastic smirk) that I could write better. So I put my pen where my mouth was, so to speak. On Track with Icing was the first novel that I felt was worthy of publication.
When I need a break from writing I enjoy crafting. Crochet, loom-knitting, counted cross-stitch, sewing. Last year for Halloween I made my own Ursula costume from a pattern I had left over for a different costume. I even turned my front porch into Ursula’s Lair, which was a huge hit with the kids.
Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?
The hardest part for me is probably just sitting down to write. Between the day job and other demands on my time, I have to make time to write. The easiest, I’d say, is the actual writing. Once I get in my zone, I can easily get several chapters written.
As for how long it takes to finish a complete book, well, it varies. On Track was 3-year project, however Icing the Competition was written within a few months. Knotted up with Passion is currently going on 2 ½ years from the first moment I started the first chapter.
Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?
I want to thank the readers. Without them no author, me included, would be where they are. So please, show them your appreciation by leaving a review and passing along the word about their books.
[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Reading and writing have always been a part of CJ’s life. Ever since she can remember, she’s been putting pen to paper, creating complex characters in rich environments. She lives in Western Wisconsin with her husband and fur-baby. When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys baking, cake decorating, and of course, watching NASCAR. She picked up her first piping bag at age fourteen and started decorating full-time at age twenty-three. Using the experience she’d gained while working in her family’s bakery, along with her love of racing, she created the setting for her first series of novels. She also enjoys volunteering at the local animal rescue shelters and advocating for those who are unable to speak for themselves.[/symple_box]
Prisoner of Fate
Tami Lund
Paranormal/Shifters
The bad guys are winning.
There are two types of shifters in the world: Rakshasa–the bad guys who want to destroy the world—and Light Ones—the good guys who want to protect it.
Lily’s one of the good guys, the last of her kind, the only one who can save their species.
She’s also a 170-year-old virgin who isn’t in a hurry to get tied down. And then she meets Matteo, a Rakshasa who has been a prisoner of the Fates for a thousand years. They should be mortal enemies. She shouldn’t strike up a friendship with the man. She certainly shouldn’t develop feelings for him. And while we’re listing don’ts, she definitely shouldn’t give the man her most precious commodity: her innocence.
Because otherwise who’s going to save humanity?
Uncaged Review: This is the third installment to a series in which I haven’t read the others. After checking this one out, I plan on catching up. In this world, there are two types of shifters, Rakshasas, who are the darker side and want to end the world, and the Light Ones, those who are trying to protect it. The story revolves around Lily, a light one, who is the last of her kind and the only one who can see to her species continuing. Lily is also a 170 year old virgin who meets Matteo, a Rakshasa who should be her enemy but she finds herself drawn to. He has been a prisoner of fate for thousands of years and Lily finds herself developing feelings for him. Their story turns into a great read that will keep you wondering as to what will happen between them. Reviewed by Rena
4 Stars
On Track with Icing
C.J. Bower
Contemporary Romance
She’s everything he wanted in a woman…except for one thing.
Plus-sized bakery owner Jacqui Jacobson’s confidence is at an all-time low after her public divorce and her ex-husband’s despicable accusations. So the last person she expects to show interest in her is racing hot-shot Nick Barrister. But when the two click over her risqué cake designs, it seems like icing on the cake.
However, Jacqui hasn’t told him that not being able to have children was the main cause for her marriage ending. As her relationship with Nick turns from casual to serious he expresses his desire for children, and now time is running out. Can she tell him first before her ex-husband, who has reared his ugly head and is determined to destroy her new-found happiness, beats her to it? And will Nick still want her once he finds out?
Excerpt
Shawn is so going to owe me, Nick thought as he opened the door to the bakery. This was not part of the job description. The chime of the doorway reminded him of the one from his favorite childhood candy store, and he grinned. He looked around the shop, the colors also reminiscent of the candy store. The bakery’s walls were decorated in pastels and the floor was set in a series of multi-colored tiles alternating with white in a checkerboard pattern. The yeasty aroma of baking bread still permeated the air. He’d died and gone to heaven.
Instead of the rotund, pock-faced chocolatier who had owned the candy shop, the woman who stepped from behind the counter stole his breath. She was lovely, with a voluptuous figure. Her smile was beautiful, lighting her up from within. He had the sudden urge to unwind the coil of her hair to see how long it was.
“Good afternoon! How can I help you?”
And she was tall. She topped him by a good four inches. The dark-haired beauty before him had a gorgeous, kissable mouth, and glowing cheeks. Her wide-set, deep green eyes sparkled like the sea.
Nick cleared his throat, “I need to order a cake.”
“Sure.” She reached across the counter, the action pulling her top across her luscious curves and giving him a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage. But it was her stunning gray-green eyes that captured the majority of his attention.
He’d gotten so lost in the pool of her gorgeous gaze that he missed her question. He smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry?”
“For your cake.” Was that amusement in her voice? “What would you like?”
He had no clue how to respond.
“Is the cake for you or for someone else?”
Yep. She was laughing at him. Heat rose to his face. “Someone else,” he replied.
“Male? Female?” She rapidly fired off the questions.
“Male.” He cleared his throat. Where had this embarrassment come from? He was usually more female-savvy, but for some reason this voluptuous woman fried his circuits. Maybe it was because he was used to handling the stick-thin women at the track who propositioned him with trashy come-ons about making sure all of his pistons were firing. This woman, though, he would love to get to know away from the track.
At thirty-five years old, thoughts of settling down and starting a family had begun going through his mind every once in a while. Not that he thought of marriage often – more like never – but when he did, his bride was always a nameless, faceless supermodel-like figure swathed in white satin and lace. Unfortunately life at two hundred miles per hour didn’t leave much time for a personal life.
“Occasion?” Her lyrical voice slid down his spine like a caress.
“I’m sorry?” he said again.
“Birthday?” she suggested.
“Uh, no,” he stammered, his discomfiture over having to order his friend’s cake intensifying. He shifted his weight. “Bachelor party.”
“Ah.” She pointed to a thick black three-ring binder propped open on a display board. “Feel free to browse through the designs. Let me know if you find one you think your friend would like.”
“Thank you.” He gave her the smile made famous by the media in all of his Victory Lane celebrations before sinking into the book like a lifeline, feeling out of his element in the Candyland-style shop that was Jacqui’s Bakery.
Nick turned several pages with the intention of going right to the bachelor section, but found himself looking at the wedding cakes instead. As he flipped through the pages he felt both uncomfortable and intrigued. It wasn’t something he did every day, but the sheer artistry of the cakes amazed him. They were all perfectly displayed; the lettering in even, precise cursive. No doubt done by hand. Ribbons, string work, every flower imaginable and adornments resembling his grandmother’s embroidery were all showcased in her designs. The deceptively simple, classy, elegant ones caught his attention the most. He finally flipped to bachelor and bachelorette selection. They ranged from funny to outrageously raunchy to downright pornographic.
He couldn’t help it; he laughed. “Don’t you get turned on by these cakes?”
The woman across from him shrugged, and a corner of her mouth kicked up in a sexy little half-smile. “I guess I don’t think about it anymore, I’ve been creating them for so long.”
The faint color settling high across her cheekbones was endearing. He’d been around brazen pageant queens and pit lizards so long that the blushing beauty before him was refreshing.
As much pride as she took in her work, Nick wondered if she carried the same level of commitment over to other aspects of her life. Something told him she’d be worth the time and effort it would take to get to know her.
Nick turned the page and spotted the shape of a woman’s body, anatomically correct, covered in an icing corset. Attached were garters with rosebuds, which held up lace-trimmed, thigh-high fishnet stockings. The most startling feature, however, was the swirls of brown at the juncture of the thighs.
“That’s my favorite,” the woman behind the counter said, twirling the pen between her slender fingers. “There’s a cherry hidden beneath the chocolate icing, and I use them for the nipples as well.”
He couldn’t hide his surprise as their gazes held. The sparkle of mischief in her eyes had him chuckling again. And if he wasn’t mistaken, the gray-green color changed to emerald. The racy design put them on a more equal footing, and he became more comfortable talking with her.
While he appreciated the art of the cake, he couldn’t help thinking he’d be embarrassed making that cake more than once. He bared his teeth in a wolfish grin. “May I ask why it’s your favorite?” “No reason. I just like creating beautiful things,” she said evasively. “Did you find a cake that would be suitable for your friend?”
Her carefully worded question had Nick smiling even broader. “Don’t you mean to ask if I saw anything I liked? Or if I saw anything that interested me?” He paused, still grinning. “As a matter of fact, the answer is yes on both counts.” He hesitated for effect, and then waggled his eyebrows in an exaggerated Groucho Marx imitation as he said, “Yes to all three if you count the cake.”
He’d never had this much fun flirting with a woman before. He delighted in her response to his teasing, and watched as she gathered her wits and pulled her professional discretion around her like a cloak.
“So you’re interested in the bustier then?” she asked.
Her voice wasn’t quite steady, which sent sparks of pleasure shooting through his system like electricity. “I’m definitely interested,” he said suggestively, watching her blush again.
“Which cake?” she managed to ask, though not without difficulty.
Nick let her change the subject for the time being. It was time to discuss business anyway. The pleasure could come after. There would be pleasure. Any woman who created such risqué cake designs would know how to have fun and enjoy life.
“I’ll take that one,” he said, indicating the bustier design. “Where are the prices?”
“The standard pricing guide for the sheet cakes is on the wall,” she said pointing behind her. “But the specialty cakes in the book are based on how elaborate the design is.”
“Makes sense,” he said, nodding.
She flipped to one of her floral tiered creations. “Especially with the wedding cakes. My specialty is the handmade flowers. It sets my bakery above the rest, and I absolutely love the therapy of making them.”
“So you’re –”
She nodded. “Yes, I’m Jacqui.”
He pointed to the flowers on the cake. “They look too real to be icing.”
“They’re not,” Jacqui explained. “At least not butter cream or royal icing.”
Nick looked at the flowers again, then back at Jacqui. There was a husky quality to her voice that he loved, and wanted to keep her talking. She had grace and elegance. Her overall package knocked him in the solar plexus and he had difficulty remembering his own name. To make her feel more at ease with him, he asked, “What is it, then?”
“Gum paste. It’s rolled out like cookie dough and dries like porcelain, but it’s really delicate and can be damaged easily. I color the finished flowers with food-safe chalk dust brushed onto each petal, air brush, or in some cases I dip the whole flower into liquid food dye. Gum paste is edible, but I wouldn’t recommend eating it because of the wires.”
He looked at a few more cakes. “I like the look.”
“I do, as well. It’s really dramatic in this cake, with the bold color against the pure white butter cream.” She flipped to a wedding cake where she’d applied the technique. “Many of my past clients saved the gum paste toppers as souvenirs because if they’re handled just right they last forever.”
“If I ever get married that’s definitely the cake I’ll be looking for.”
“I’d be honored if you kept my bakery in mind when planning such an occasion.”
Nick didn’t want her to just be honored at the thought of doing a cake for his wedding. It surprised him how much he wanted her to be a part of that wedding, and not just as the bakery service. As his bride? Could they create a future together? The thoughts came completely from left field and momentarily blindsided him like a T-bone crash at Bristol. He filed the information away in his brain for pondering at a later date.
Nick placed the order for his friend, and fellow racecar driver, Shawn Sheldon. Shawn’s bachelor party coincided with the October night race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Nick found it amazing that he’d lived in the posh Lake Norman neighborhood north of Charlotte for most of his racing career, yet he’d never heard of Jacqui’s until he’d passed by on a detour through Center City.
Nick gave Jacqui the time he’d pick up the cake on his way to the track. Shawn’s either going to love it or he’ll kill me, Nick thought as he walked out the door. But it wasn’t the risqué cake or his friend’s reaction that he thought about as he climbed into his Mustang. It was Jacqui.
Uncaged Review
A nicely written romance and this being the author’s first full length novel – there is a lot to look forward to from her. She does a great job and I enjoyed Jacqui and Nick’s story and I’m looking forward to reading more by Ms. Bower.
Some stuff I loved about the story, is the fact that the author didn’t stick with perfect characters, or a perfect couple that society has deemed the norm. Jacqui is a plus size girl and tall, where Nick is shorter than her by several inches. It’s nice to see the author not shying away from it and taking the easy way out and also not letting it bother her characters. Some things I didn’t like so much, is the romance was shot out of the cannon at warp speed. Jacqui is divorced from an emotionally abusive ex-husband, and for her to kick it into high gear so quickly is a bit unrealistic. Secondly, she runs so hot and cold in the beginning, I surprised Nick didn’t have whiplash. When Nick orders a cake at Jacqui’s bakery the first time they meet, they talk for a very short time and when Nick leaves, he’s already has the word “family” floating in his head.
With all this said, this is a nicely written story – and even though the plot is a bit predictable with the bad-guy-ex, it’s a sexy, easy read that jumps away from the norm and well worth a look.
Reviewed by Cyrene
4 Stars
As seen in the February issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.
Uncaged: Can you tell the readers about the different books you have out right now?
I have fifteen books in print, which include five romantic mysteries and short stories in three anthologies, plus erotic romances under my pen name, Anita Kidesu. I also have three children’s books published.
Uncaged: Where did you get the inspiration for the love notes in envelopes in Missing My Heart?
At the beginning of the story, Ellie knocks over “The Horse,” one of her grandmother’s prized possessions. I actually have the horse described in the story and did knock it over
when I was vacuuming. The saddle fell off and sawdust spilled on the floor. A sudden idea hit me of love notes hidden in the horse. I needed more notes and since her grandmother was a hoarder of sorts and Ellie needed to clean out her house, I thought finding envelopes with notes and money in them would be mysterious.
Uncaged: You also have leant your talent to short stories in three different anthologies. How is it different to write for an anthology vs. your own full length novel?
For me it’s a bit more difficult to write a short story. Most of my other books are 60,000 words or longer. There’s always so much more I want to put in a short story. Writing short stories tend to make my writing tighter, though.
Uncaged: Can you tell us what you have coming up next?
I have another book in the Sable Hunters’ Hell Yeah! KindleWorld being released on February 21st. My last book with her was A Photograph of Love. There are four siblings in the story. The oldest was in the first book. Love With a Side of Crazy is about the youngest sibling, Marie. I am planning books for the other two siblings.
Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?
When someone said my books were on her keeper shelf. I cried. I have a keeper shelf of my favorites and to know someone has mine on her shelf was emotional.
Uncaged: What is your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?
My favorite part of being an author is creating characters and putting them in difficult and humorous situations, then trying to figure out how resolve their problems. The part of least like is promotion. I’m an introvert and putting myself out there (and figuring out the best way to do it) is difficult.
Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
Read, of course. I also love photography, especially nature and old barns. My husband and I hike, bike, and camp. I can’t forget spending time with my five grandchildren.
Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?
For me the hardest part of writing a book is editing – and sometimes, since I write mystery, figuring out “whodunit.” I’ve had several occasions when I get to the last chapter and have no idea who the bad guy is. The easiest part is coming up with the idea. I’m a panster, so I let my characters tell me what they want. It’s hard to say how long it takes to write a book. It depends on the length. Unless I’m given a specific word count, I never know how long the story will end up. Once I’m done writing the rough draft, I set the story aside and start the next one, then go back and start edits, so I’m usually working on two projects at once.
Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?
I want to thank my fans for reading my books. I appreciate that they think enough of my stories to spend their hard-earned money on them.
[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Tina Susedik is an award-winning, multi-published author with books in both fiction and non-fiction, including history, children’s, military books and romances. Her favorite is writing romance stories where her characters live happily ever after. She lives in Northwestern Wisconsin and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Wisconsin Romance Writers of America, Wisconsin Writer’s Association, and Sisters In crime. Tina also write spicier romances as Anita Kidesu.[/symple_box]
Testament
Mark P. Dunn
Suspense/Thriller
On the surface, it looks like Paul Callahan has it all. The family, the house, the job. But nothing is ever as perfect as it seems, and when a college friend contacts Paul out of the blue, he finds himself reliving his first year of college, when everything went so right, and then so very wrong.
Uncaged Review: “…you want to keep reading…I will definitely be looking for more of his work.”
A key strength of this novel is one of the most important in any book – you want to keep reading! But it does not stop there. I found character development to be very good, and the main characters were credible on a number of levels. Writing about how someone goes through their college experiences to a mature adult is not easy, because you are subject to the values of each reader. In this novel, the principal characters each attempt to resolve their own demons, while at the same time balancing the relationships between themselves.
A Prologue sets the stage, and then ‘Testament’ combines elements of mystery, suspense, and drama to take the reader on a journey, providing just enough clues to connect all the dots, without really giving the ending away.
Mark Dunn has delivered a professional grade novel. I will definitely be looking for more of his work. Reviewed by Doug
4 1/2 Stars
Missing My Heart
Tina Susedik
Romantic Suspense/Humor
After the death of the grandmother Ellie Farrell had lived with since she was sixteen, she is tasked with the job of cleaning out the over-packed house. When Ellie begins to find love notes and money from a Bert to Randi spanning over four decades, she sets out to find out who these people are and what they have to do with her. An unexpected check for $100,000 dollars delivered to her house, ramps up the mystery – especially when death threats begin to arrive.
Patton Trullinger, an investigative reporter, comes to Chandler County to research bootleggers for a book he’s contracted for. As a Vietnam veteran, he’s dealing with PTSD. When he meets Ellie, he finds her mystery too good to pass up.
Who are Bert and Randi? Who is sending death threats? Will Ellie and Patton’s love bloom as the mystery deepens?
Excerpt
Ellie smiled as she leaned against a counter, eating a bowl of her favorite cereal. This was her house now and she could do any damn thing she wanted. And today she wanted to attack the kitchen. The first thing she needed to do was call for a dumpster—a very large dumpster. She glanced around the room. Maybe two dumpsters.
She tapped a finger against her lips. Which cupboard would get the ax today? The door to the spice cabinet bulged open several inches and beckoned for help. Her grandmother loved cooking and trying new seasonings. The only problem was, instead of planning ahead, she’d think of what to cook while at the store. As the years went on, she couldn’t recall what she had at home and simply bought more. Lord only knew how many duplicates nor how old they were.
Several containers spilled to the counter when she opened the door. A mixture of cinnamon, poultry seasoning, nutmeg, and other scents she couldn’t identify wafted over her. Before sorting, she pulled a large garbage bag from under the kitchen sink. Since Miranda never used the cleaning supplies, it was the only organized cupboard in the kitchen.
One-by-one she removed container after container, some tall, some short, and set them in rows by spice on the gray, 1940s oval kitchen table. She’d pulled back the red and white vinyl chairs to make it easier to walk around the table. The chrome legs and table edgings gleamed in the morning light.
The jars in the front of the cupboard were recent. As she moved further into the supply, the dates ranged from 1972 to 1970. Halfway through the cupboard, she came across an envelope. Her breath caught. She dropped onto a chair. Inside were five one-hundred-dollar bills. Why had Grandma kept that much money hidden? There had been times when money was in short supply. Why hadn’t she used it? Had she forgotten it was there? But who would forget that much money? She searched the envelope for a note, but no such luck.
After setting the envelope aside, she went back to the cupboard. The rows of spices on the table grew. Behind the last batch of containers lay another envelope, this one yellowed and brittle.
“What the hell?” She pulled out another five one-hundred-dollar bills wrapped in a narrow piece of paper with the words For M on it. The handwriting looked familiar, but it wasn’t Miranda’s. She placed the envelope on top of the first one. Her grandmother had become absent-minded in the past few years, but both the envelopes looked to be older than that. In fact, the last one seemed to be several decades old. Her grandmother had lived through the Great Depression. Had this been her way of squirreling away money?
Ellie removed the last jar and set it on the table. Geez, Louise. Five jars of cinnamon, four of nutmeg, six poultry seasoning, five meat seasoning, three cilantro. What the hell was cilantro? With the various other spices, there were forty-four jars. Did other people have that many spices? She couldn’t recall what her own mother had used.
After setting aside those whose dates were from the current year, she held the black garbage bag open at the end of the table and, with a sweep of her arm, sent them crashing into the bag. She tied it shut and tried lifting it.
“Damn, this is heavy.” She let it sag to the floor and opened the door to the back yard to haul it out there until the dumpster came. No sense in letting the neighbors see what she was discarding. Then she grabbed the bag, and moving backwards, tugged it out the door, letting it drop to the concrete patio.
She brushed her hands together and surveyed the room. “One down, too damn many more to go. Not to mention having to clean them all.” Before moving to the next cupboard, she wiped the spice one clean and replaced the seven seasonings she would actually use.
The double door pantry was next. She pulled the doors open and gasped. How had she not known how much food Miranda had squirreled away? When Ellie had started making her own money after high school, her grandmother had designated one cupboard for her use, saying she wasn’t going to pay for food that wasn’t good to eat. So, she’d had no reason to go into any cabinets other than her own and the ones for dishes, glasses, silverware, and cups.
Canned fruit and vegetables, boxes of gelatin and cereal, packages of noodles, and cans of soup were stacked haphazardly. Why were there so many boxes of cereal? She couldn’t even recall her grandmother eating cereal. Oatmeal, yes, but not cereal. With a deep sigh, she once again began the arduous task of removing each item, checking the expiration dates, keeping those that were still good, and tossing the rest into garbage bags. Except for the cereal boxes, since these items were heavier than the spices, the bags couldn’t be as full before she dragged them outside.
She tugged a particularly heavy bag across the floor, bumping into the table with her rear. A box of cereal that had been opened who knew how long ago tipped over. The top flap popped open and flakes spilled out like a waterfall onto the floor. A corner of something white caught her eye when she picked up the box.
Hoping no creepy-crawlies were in the box, she used two fingers to pull out an envelope similar to those in the spice cabinet. Like in a magic show, one more appeared, then another. Three envelopes in one box. Each containing a cryptic note and several hundred dollars.
Buy something pretty for yourself. B. When can I see you again? B. If we could be together again, my life would be complete. B. She assumed B was this Bert guy.
Ellie put the envelopes with the others. So far there was close to two thousand dollars. She scooped up the fallen flakes with a dust pan and dumped them in the garage bag, then stopped and raced out the back door. What if this wasn’t the only box containing envelopes? She’d tossed away fifteen opened boxes. Thankfully, the bags weren’t as heavy as the ones with canned goods, so bringing them back into the house was easy.
She flipped open the flap of the first box, the one with a rooster on the side. Anticipating another envelope hidden in with the cereal, she was surprised to find the inner bag still sealed. What the heck? Why would the box be unsealed, but not the sack? She gave it a tug and found an envelope taped to the side. Without bothering to open it, she grabbed the next box, then the next. As if an alien had taken possession of her body, she ripped, pulled, jerked, and tossed envelopes in a pile, not paying attention to the mess taking over the room.
“Ellie. What the hell are you doing?”
Ellie jumped at Pam’s voice. The box jerked in her hand, sending little round, brown pieces of cereal shooting across the room. Pam stood in the living room doorway, eyes wide, fingers over her mouth.
“Have you gone crazy?”
Maybe she was crazy. Scary thought considering her mother had been. She focused on the mess she’d created in her frenzy. Boxes with leprechauns, tigers, silly rabbits, a captain, a dog dressed as a sheriff, and a moose were scattered around the room. Cereal in various shapes and colors littered the floor, making it look like a huge bag of confetti had thrown up in the kitchen.
The cereal crunched beneath her feet as she grabbed Pam’s hand. “You won’t believe what I’ve found.”
“I hope like hell it’s your brain, because I think you’ve lost yours.”
“Look.” Ellie held out the stack of envelopes.
Pam took them, brushed flakes from a chair and sat down. “What’s the big deal?”
“Open one.”
“Oh, my gosh. There’s five hundred dollars in here.” She fanned the pile. “There’s at least twenty envelopes here.”
“I haven’t looked through every single one.” Ellie pulled up a chair and sat next to her friend. She swept her hand over the table, sending flakes, pebbles, and marshmallow shapes to the floor. “I found two in with the spices. Then I started on the pantry. I was just throwing away all the old stuff. A box of cereal got knocked over and I found another envelope. Then I figured I should go through all the boxes.” She leaned back in her chair and held back a fit of giggles.
“Every single box had one, if not two envelopes in it. The first ones I found totaled two thousand dollars. Each one has a note like the ones we found in The Horse.”
Pam frowned and opened another one. “Wow. I mean, like wow.” She glanced around the kitchen. “How come you never found them before?”
“Grandma did all the cooking and except for the cupboard that was mine and the one with the dishes and pots and pans, she wouldn’t let me go in them. You know how she was. I didn’t dare touch anything.”
“Yeah. I hate to speak ill of the dead, but she could be quite the bitch.”
“Tell me about it.” Ellie bit her bottom lip. “I simply can’t imagine why she hid this money.”
“Sounds like another mystery to me.” Pam’s eyes sparkled. “Do you think there’s more?”
“Who knows? I mean, this was just from going through the cereal.” She shook her head. The idea of going through the massive amount of food was getting to her. Even the thought of the money didn’t make the job seem easier. “There’s boxes of other junk in there.”
“I came over to ask if you want to go to lunch, but now I want to help. Can I?”
Relief washed through her. “I would love it.”
Pam set the envelopes on the table and rose. “How about it I go grab us a frozen pizza from the store. It can cook while we devise a plan of action. I think we need to be methodic about this.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’ll clean up this mess while you’re gone and try to get a bit more organized.” She opened one of the envelopes and handed Pam a fifty-dollar bill. “Why don’t you get us some wine and soda and more garbage bags while you’re at it.”
When her friend was gone, Ellie stood in the middle of the kitchen, hands on her hips, tears pooling in her eyes. “Geez, Grandma, what were you thinking? Why were we living from hand to mouth when you had all this money? Why did you act like I was such a financial burden to you?”
If it wasn’t for the fact that some of the envelopes were in boxes with expiration dates from the previous year, she’d think Miranda had forgotten about the money. Maybe she had, but why hadn’t she ever used the money? And the biggest questions were, who the hell was Bert and what was his relationship to Miranda?
Uncaged Review
Set in the 1970’s, Ellie begins finding envelopes with notes and money hidden all over the house after her grandmother’s death. The notes seem to be love notes, although Ellie doesn’t know any of the story.
Patton, a veteran who is also researching for a book, is friends with Ellie’s best friend’s husband, and comes along when they all come over to help her move heavy furniture to the garage to unclutter the house. When she receives a large check from an anonymous sender, she also starts receiving threats.
I enjoyed the original concept, and the suspense builds along with a romance between Ellie and Patton. I was not pulled into the book right away, it felt a little sluggish in the first few chapters. Many secrets will be revealed that will surprise Ellie and the reader. A good suspense that kept me intrigued and turning the pages. Reviewed by Cyrene
4 1/2 Stars
