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Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Introducing Melange Author Wayne Zurl


Wayne Zurl grew up on Long Island and retired after twenty years with the Suffolk County Police Department, one of the largest municipal law enforcement agencies in New York and the nation. For thirteen of those years he served as a section commander supervising investigators. He is a graduate of SUNY, Empire State College and served on active duty in the US Army during the Vietnam War and later in the reserves. Zurl left New York to live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with his wife, Barbara.

Zurl has won Eric Hoffer and Indie Book Awards, and was named a finalist for a Montaigne Medal and First Horizon Book Award. He has written four novels and more than twenty novelettes in the Sam Jenkins mystery series.


Sam Jenkins Mysteries




 



Sunday, May 13, 2018

Review of A Bleak Prospect a Sam Jenkins mystery By Wayne Zurl

MR Zurl had me biting my finger nails and cogitating right to the end.
 
 
 
 
An avid reader of fictional crime, I can’t understand why I have just found the remarkably, talented Wayne Zurl's - Sam Jenkins mysteries.
The first thing I really liked about this book, there is no pussyfooting around. MR Zurl plummets right into the story with a murder scene, in in the foothills of the Great Smoky
Mountains. 
By the end of chapter one I was hooked, for two reasons:  
The intrigue of how the story was going to develop, now that Chief of Police -Sam Jenkins and his team, find themselves investigating the murder of a young prostitute. The eighth victim of a serial killer, nicknamed the Riverside Strangler.
The way MR Zurl skilfully described every character, not just physically but their personalities, witticisms and foibles, created lifelike images. Sam, reminded me very much of my favourite British Detectives, Rebus, DCI Banks and Throne. A straight talking guy, who makes it perfectly clear he is not a team player. Even though his unorthodox policing pisses off the powers that be, he always gets a result. Along with his dry sense of humour, I have to confess like the females in the story, I was somewhat smitten by him.
As the story continued with yet another murder, I found myself submerged in the plot. The action, twists and turns, of this bracing page turner, that at times I felt I was actually watching a TV police drama. Which I am also an avid watcher of.
As a rule, even with the great detective authors, I find myself sussing out who the predator is, midway through.  By a medico author, usually chapter three or four. However, MR Zurl had me biting my finger nails and cogitating right to the end. Never in a million years would I have fathomed the killer of the second murder. Or the outcome of Sam’s future as chief, at Prospects Police Department.   
I highly recommend this book to any fictional crime buffs. To the not yet converted, I say grab this book and you will be hooked. 
I can’t wait to get stuck into MR Zurl’s earlier Sam Jenkins mysteries, while anticipating his next book.  
No doubt about it. A well-deserved 5/5
 
A Bleak Prospect
A Sam Jenkins Mystery
A serial killer dubbed The Riverside Strangler by the Knoxville press corps has murdered eight Internet prostitutes in East Tennessee, the most recent found floating in Prospect’s Crystal Creek.
Chief Sam Jenkins joins a task force led by the county’s chief deputy, Ryan Leary, a cop known for his flamboyant police work and questionable methods.
When investigators hit a stone wall in the case, the killer strikes again—or was it a copycat? The type of victim and location follow the Strangler’s pattern, but some details are significantly different.
During the investigation, Leary is charged in a bizarre and seemingly unrelated case of police brutality and relieved of duty. Sam is faced with assuming command of the task force or turning over responsibility to the FBI.
The outcome of the case and subsequent actions taken by the Prospect City Council affect everyone at Sam’s police department and suggest that life there will never be the same.
Buy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Friday, May 4, 2018

New releases for Satin Romance



From Florida With Love

Moonlight & Stormy Nights


Jacie Floyd, Kay Callaway & Gladys Gann, Sonja Gunter, Kristine Taylor, Tara September, Victoria Hinshaw, Cheryl Debrone, Kathleen Balota

 

A Kiss in the Moonlight by Jacie Floyd
While visiting her grandfather, Colette Eversol encounters a sexy Wildlife Agent on the trail of an International animal smuggling ring. Adam Winters thinks Colette’s grandfather is involved; she disagrees. On a romp from the sultry Everglades to the rarefied air of wealthy Naples, they uncover common ground and an overwhelming attraction while on the hunt for the true smuggling mastermind. Before disaster strikes, an old friend arrives to take a bite out of crime.

Captivate My Heart by Kay Callaway & Gladys Gann
After agreeing to a temporary position with a high-maintenance celebrity, Ariel Woods is whisked from her simple roots to glamourous Naples, Florida. She discovers she may be in for more than she bargained for after an unexpected encounter with the gorgeous gardener next door—who conceals some delicious secrets about his identity. From walking a pampered shih tzu, to managing an array of holiday charity events, the only silver lining is the possibility of finding true love.

Darling, This is for You by Sonja Gunter
A historic Everglades City inn holds many secrets including Tricia Smallwood’s. When the Naples Widow Society arrive, so does her long-ago love. The memories of the past come full circle with a twist proving that steamy nights are the corner stone for lasting relationships.

Faith, Love and Deception by Kristine Taylor
Kindergarten teacher and aspiring artist Stephanie Graham is flattered when not one, but two intriguing admirers vie for her attention. Her poor history with the opposite sex has left her hesitant to trust either one of them. When one of the men turns out to be less than honest, she also has doubts about Kevin, her painting instructor. He becomes more appealing as she learns they share many of the same personal values. When her painting is displayed at an art reception, her choice between the men becomes crystal clear, but can she learn to take a leap of faith to share a life with Kevin?

It Might Be You by Tara September
Serina Spring is trading in her blossoming real estate career in Manhattan and a gay ex-boyfriend to start anew in Naples, Florida. But playing cards with her matchmaking grandmother was not exactly the exciting new life she had in mind. Fortunately, while on the white sandy beaches of Southwest Florida, Serina discovers that all is not what it seems if you just open yourself up to fate. 

Playing For Good by Victoria Hinshaw
Stacy Parsons needs all her talent and focus to nail a permanent position as a cellist in the Naples Philharmonic. But veterinarian Jack Leland threatens her concentration by winning a wager she was certain he would fail. She worries her performances will be spoiled by her fear of an Everglades snake hunt, her penalty for losing the bet. Nevertheless, she finds herself unaccountably attracted to Jack, rattlers or no rattlers. A steamy night under enchanting moonlight seals her destiny.

Surrender Now by Cheryl Debrone
Treasure hunter Samantha Jenkins thought finding the lost money buried in Everglades City from the biggest drug bust on record would be easy. After all, she had her father’s map. However, she didn’t expect her dad’s ex-partner to get in the way. Or to meet a handsome airboat captain that rescued her from the swampy mangroves. They were thrown together by chance, only to find their fates are intertwined. Could he be the only one to help her recover the lost money? Or is it too late for both of them?

Sweet Tooth by Kathleen Balota
A young woman fears she will never find love after an embarrassing rejection on South Beach. Can her Naples’ grandparents help her find that special man?

 

Purchase:
Kindle  Nook  Smashwords  iBooks  Kobo  PRINT

Genre: Romance Anthology

 
 
 
Trouble in the Tropics by Sarah L. Parker
Can love be found in paradise?
Lily is given a new lease on life when she wins an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii. She unexpectedly reconnects with an old flame while in Hawaii for passionate romps in the tropics. She is indeed in paradise, but things are not always as they seem.
His nickname for her was Trouble, but when his life is in danger and he gets into trouble, will she once again lose her long-lost love?
Purchase:  Kindle  Nook  iBooks  Kobo  Smashwords
Genre: Contemporary | Romance | Novella
A Red Satin Romance Hot
 
 

 


New Releases Melange Books



Sword of Conquest

A Wolf Slayer Saga #7 by Richard Dawes

After helping an Atlantean king regain his throne, Valka the Wolf Slayer travels to Mesoamerica with the great master Kukulcan. While Kukulcan travels to Tiahuanaco, Valka leads the Toltecs in a defensive war against the Nahuas. Valka faces a series of hair-raising challenges that require all of his skills in order to return alive.

Genres  Fantasy Series

Heat Level: 2 Simmering  Some love scenes. These are more sensual then graphic.

Buy

http://www.melange-books.com/authors/richarddawes/wolfslayer7.html



Black Water Well

The Dark Arrow Trilogy #3 by Mathias G. B. Colwell

With his family free of enslavement, Elliyar and his companions chart their course back home. However, there is more to be done before they can return to Andalaya. Rihya is captured by the brother of Half-Mask; the three-way conflict is coming to a head between both elven races and the humans; and Elliyar is waging a war inside himself as well as without. Elliyar decides to strike a decisive blow at the heart of the southern kingdom, in the hopes of ending this struggle once and for all, and to save himself in the process. Dark and light, hope and despair, battle inside and out as Elliyar Wintermoon fights to save his people and rid the world of the Unsired.

Genres  Fantasy Series

Heat Level: 0

Buy

EBOOKS  Amazon Kindle  Nook  iBooks  Kobo  Smashwords 


 


A Bleak Prospect

A Sam Jenkins Mystery by Wayne Zurl

A serial killer dubbed The Riverside Strangler by the Knoxville press corps has murdered eight Internet prostitutes in East Tennessee, the most recent found floating in Prospect’s Crystal Creek.

Chief Sam Jenkins joins a task force led by the county’s chief deputy, Ryan Leary, a cop known for his flamboyant police work and questionable methods.

When investigators hit a stone wall in the case, the killer strikes again—or was it a copycat? The type of victim and location follow the Strangler’s pattern, but some details are significantly different.

During the investigation, Leary is charged in a bizarre and seemingly unrelated case of police brutality and relieved of duty. Sam is faced with assuming command of the task force or turning over responsibility to the FBI.

The outcome of the case and subsequent actions taken by the Prospect City Council affect everyone at Sam’s police department and suggest that life there will never be the same.

Genres  Mystery Series

Heat Level: 1 Sweet  Love scenes are not consummated, or if the love scenes are consummated details are not given.

Buy




 

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Review of Donnach's Daughter by Nancy Pennick


The Clan MacLaren #2

Donnach's Daughter by Nancy Pennick

“Aaron?”
“Yes?” He breathed in her ear.
“Ye never finished yer story.”
“I would like to never finish my story with you,” he whispered.

Glynis MacLaren longs to see the world, not get married and live a suffocating life in Scotland. She leaps at the chance to escort her sister to the colonies. She soon finds out the larger world is just as constraining for a woman. People expect her to marry and follow certain protocol. Then she meets the ship’s captain. He stirs feelings in her that she never knew she had. The trip across the ocean is filled with the adventure she sought, love she didn’t expect and a sudden heartbreak when the journey ends.

Genre: Historical Romance

Pink Satin Romance Sensual

Purchase:



Not a fan of historical romance, I have to say Ms Pennick quickly changed my opinion. Once I started reading Donnach's Daughter I could not put the book down.

Glynis, heroine of this page turning story, is a feisty independent woman. An eighteenth century feminist before her time, determined not to marry. I just loved her.

However, while accompanying her sister and brother-in-law on a voyage to make a new start in America, Glynis finds herself victim to two admirers. Neither of which Glynis is the least bit romantically interested in. To her surprise, she only has desires for one man. The dashing captain of the ship, Aaron Redding, who she falls deeply in love with.

The story was very well written, and flowed. I became so engrossed in the storyline, and the characters that seem to come alive, at times I felt I was a participating bystander.

 

  


5/5  A delightful love story, alongside twist and turns, also not forgetting the jollity and sadness that made this novel a pleasure to read.

I was given a free copy of the book for an unbiased review.