Friday, April 14, 2023

Book Review and Giveaway - Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold


My Review

Bowled Over Americano is the start of a new cozy series.  Sara Cain is a police detective who works days and nights sleuthing, along with her partner Sean McKinley.  While investigating a case involving a champion bowler who is murdered, Sara ends up adopting the bowler's beagle Magnum, and the dog goes along on a few cases.  

I wanted to read this book because the bowling storyline sounded like fun.  I love cozy mysteries and I also liked that this is the first book in a new series.

This is a great start to a new series with Sara and Sean solving mysteries together.  They are a great pair - detectives and friends, but there is also a sweet romantic storyline.  The mystery aspect of this story is well written.  Sara and Sean have great sleuthing experience because of their work.  There are several possible suspects, and it was fun to tag along with Sara and Sean as they worked to solve the case.

Magnum the beagle was a fun addition to the story!  The author captures the beagle personality perfectly in this book.  I am a lifelong animal lover and especially enjoy mysteries that involve dogs or cats.

I look forward to future books in this series, and recommend Bowled Over Americano to other fans of cozy mysteries.  This is a lively, well written start to a new series!

Book Synopsis

Sara Cain isn’t your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…

When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor. 

Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.

But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers. Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.  

A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.


Author Bio

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers readers police procedurals, hard-boiled and cozy mysteries, thrillers, and action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™. 

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower. 

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Author Links

Website https://carolynarnold.net/

Blog https://carolynarnold.net/blog-posts/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold/

Twitter https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolynarnold/

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4893460.Carolyn_Arnold

Purchase Links – AmazoniTunesB&NKoboGoogleSmashwords

Giveaway

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