Book Review and Giveaway - Broadcast 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery) by J.C. Eaton

My Review

Broadcast 4 Murder is a cozy mystery set in Arizona. Phee Kimball works for a detective agency along with her boyfriend.  She becomes involved in solving a crime when her mother stumbles upon a dead body. Phee's mother Harriet has just started a cozy mystery show on a local radio station.  Unfortunately, murders begin happening at the station on her first day of work.

I wanted to read this novel because I have enjoyed the previous Sophie Kimball mysteries that I've read.  I am a dachshund person and love Harriet's dog, Streetman, a Chiweenie (dachshund-chihuahua mix) with lots of personality!

I really enjoy this series. It has a refreshing blend of mystery with some little wry humorous asides. This book has the same lively tone, and it was fun to read!

There is also a bit of a mystery from the past, since the scissors that stabbed the first victim previously belonged to a local teacher who died 20 years ago.  I found that aspect of the mystery particularly intriguing.

This is a well paced mystery with several viable suspects.  I enjoyed Phee's detective work, and already am looking forward to the next book in the series!

I recommend Broadcast 4 Murder - and the Sophie Kimball mystery series - for other fans of cozy mysteries.

Book Synopsis

All of Arizona’s Sun City West heard Sophie “Phee” Kimball’s mom scream bloody murder, but it’s up to the reluctant sleuth to find the killer . . .  

Phee’s mother Harriet is going to be a star! At least, that’s how the Sun City West retiree describes her chance to host a live radio program of her book club’s Booked 4 Murder Mystery Hour on Arizona’s KSCW. But instead of chatting about charming cozies, Harriet ends up screaming bloody murder over the airwaves after discovering the body of Howard Buell, the station’s programming director, in a closet—with a pair of sewing shears shoved into his chest.  

The number one suspect is Howard’s ex-girlfriend Sylvia Strattlemeyer who believed she was going to host a sewing talk show before Harriet was offered the spot. But not only do the fingerprints found on the scissors not match Sylvia’s, they belong to a woman who passed away twenty years ago at the age of ninety-seven. Now, with the whole town on pins and needles, it’s up to Phee to stitch together enough clues from the past to uncover the identity of a killer in the present . . .

Author Bio

J.C. Eaton is the wife and husband team of Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp, authors of the Sophie Kimball Mystery Series and the Wine Trail Mysteries. A New York native and former middle school principal, Ann has published eight award-winning and highly acclaimed YA time travel mysteries. James is a U.S. Navy veteran and retired tasting room manager for a large upscale New York winery. Visit their Website at JCEatonMysteries.com. –This text refers to the mass_market edition.

Author Links

Website: www.jceatonauthor.com

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

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound

Giveaway

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Dear Abby - Vintage Halloween Dog Photos

Dear Friends,

Boo! It is almost Halloween. Do you have special plans this year?  My Momma said there will not be trick or treaters this year, so we are going to enjoy a movie and some fun time at home.  I am not a big fan of people knocking at the door (especially again and again!) so I am not complaining about this.

I wanted to share some vintage Halloween photos that feature dogs.  The first is my favorite.  It is a little girl dressed up as a clown - and her Chihuahua is right beside her, in a clown costume as well!  I bet they got lots of treats!

This photo features a boy dressed up for Halloween.  I am not sure what he is supposed to be but his costume seems to advertise dog food!  His dog is very cute and has on a costume that says CARNIVAL.

This photo features another little clown -- who also has a dog dressed up as a clown.

This very young child is dressed up as an elf and her dog did not have to wear a costume!  Now that is a good Halloween.

Here is a cute little Boston Terrier in a sailor costume!

This is one of my favorites - a pretty Cocker Spaniel wears a witch's hat and carries her own Jack O' Lantern for treats.

I hope you enjoyed these photos and hope you have a very Happy Halloween!   I look forward to chatting with you again soon here.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Book Review - National Geographic’s Drives of a Lifetime

My Review

National Geographic's Drives of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Road Trips (Second Edition) is a big, beautiful coffeetable book. It is organized thematically:

Hills and Mountains

By Sea and Shore

Rivers, Valleys and Canyons

The Road Less Traveled

Village Byways

Urban Excursions

Driving Through History

Gourmet Road Trips

Each road trip is on a separate page with a description of the trip, a map, a photo, and basic information (roads, driving time, when to go, planning).

I wanted to read Drives of a Lifetime because I am a lifelong road trip fan!  I was very curious about this book and knew there would be some fun new ideas here.

Wow! This is an amazing book for a road trip fan. As someone who has traveled a lot in the south, I had to look up southern road trips to see information on road trips I am familiar with. For instance, Crossing Chattahoochee is a road trip through Helen, Georgia with an excursion to the gold rush town of Dahlonega.

There is, of course, a page devoted to Route 66, which is one of my "bucket list" road trips. It is illustrated by a beautiful photo of an old diner lit with a neon sign.

Drives of a Lifetime has worldwide road trips.  I wish that the book was divided into American trips and international trips;  I am a leisurely American travel fan, and would have loved the flow of information about American road trips grouped together. 

Drives of a Lifetime is such a gorgeous book and it is going to please lots of travel fans!  It would be a wonderful gift idea for anyone who loves road trips.

Book Synopsis

This lavishly illustrated travel planner features 500 of the world’s most memorable driving experiences, from legendary Highway 1 in California to Japan’s famous Irohazaka Winding Road.

Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic’s legendary travel writers, Drives of a Lifetime spans the globe to reveal the best celebrated and lesser-known road trips on the planet. Inside this fully updated and revised edition–featuring more than 20 new drives–you’ll find routes through spectacular landscapes, ideas for quick getaways, leisurely journeys of discovery, and revelations of secret worlds beyond Google Maps. Some are legendary long-distance odysseys; others are easy day trips close to home, taking you down charming local byways. All will inspire you to pack up the car and hit the road. The possibilities are endless: Take Colorado’s San Juan Skyway for a 10,000-foot climb over towering mountain passes. Or travel the ancient Silk Road on an expedition across Central Asia and through time. Or why not drive the perimeter of Puerto Rico, a tropical paradise with many beaches along the way? Whatever your taste and budget, you’ll find plenty of routes tailored to your interests. Alongside detailed descriptions, full-color maps guide the way and planning tips help you make the most of your journey; top 10 lists offer quick, easy side trip ideas. Beautiful, informative, and inspiring, this luxurious volume is a lifelong resource that readers will treasure.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Paws for Concern (A Canine Confections Mystery) by Amy Hueston

Book Synopsis

Life is good for Samantha Armstrong. She left her cheating boyfriend, settled into her cozy cottage on her Aunt Mary’s Palm Beach estate and is finally opening Canine Confections, her dream dog bakery on the ritzy Worth Avenue.

But Samantha’s happy new life goes doggone crazy when Palm Beach resident and pastry shop owner Whitney Goodwin is found dead on Canine Confections’ floor, whisking Samantha into the middle of a murder investigation. The only bright spot is that she finds herself adopting Whitney’s loveable dog Sweet Pea.

As the killer strikes again, it’s obvious that the shopkeepers on Worth Avenue are the target. Samantha’s impatience won’t let sleeping dogs lie. She takes it upon herself to move things along by padding around town with Sweet Pea and sniffing out clues to clear her name and Canine Confections’ reputation—before it is too late …

Includes a recipe from Chef Sarah Deters at the test kitchen of Three Dog Bakery, the original bakery for dogs!

Author Bio

Author Amy Hueston writes mini-mysteries for Woman’s World when she isn’t writing mysteries and suspense books. Paws for Concern is the first book in A Canine Confections Mystery series.

Author Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.hueston.73
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyhueston/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HuestonAmy
Website: https://amyhueston.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20626879.Amy_Hueston

Purchase Links  – Amazon – B&N 

My CD Download on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Talk-Love-Amy-Hueston/dp/B08C252M8D

Giveaway
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Dear Abby - Videos Abby Likes: Two Talented Birds

 

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week! Is it cool where you live yet?  It still is warm and nice here, and I have enjoyed many sunny walks outside this week.

I have not one but two fun videos for you this week!  Both feature talented birds.  I have not met any birds up close and personal, although there are lots of birds in the green space where I walk, and I like to watch them.  I never have tried to chase them;  I just find them interesting.  They are so different from dogs and cats.  I guess you could say I am still trying to figure them out.

One short video features a cockatiel singing opera. This little yellow bird is named Yogi and he bobs along a bit as he sings.  He is very dramatic!

The other bird is an African Gray parrot named Einstein. He is trying really hard to whistle the theme song from The Andy Griffith Show. I know this song well because my Momma loves this show and I have heard it on TV a lot.  Einstein gives several tries before he gets a strong whistle out.  I think he does a good job!

Does your dog or cat like birds?  Or do you have birds along with other pets?   My Momma had parakeets for years and loves birds.

I hope you enjoyed these short, happy videos.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo