Audio Book Review: “Curse of the Vampire” & “The Idea Man”
Posted: October 30, 2026 Filed under: Audio Books, Book Review, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Mythology and Legend, Review, Speculative Fiction | Tags: Audio Book Review, Canadace Joice, Curse of the Vampire, Fantasy, Kristin Helling, mystery, Spencer Carney, Stephanie Mirro, The Idea Man, Writing to be Read Leave a comment
About Curse of the Vampire
For graduate student Serafina Finch, ideal Friday nights consist of a good book, comfy pajamas, and a glass of Merlot. That is, until she uncovers an ancient and priceless Roman amulet on her summer archaeology dig.
Suddenly, her nights are filled with vivid dreams of drinking blood and violent magic, leaving behind an eerie sense of foreboding.
When a well-known antiquities collector takes an obsessive interest in the amulet, Sera is thrown into a supernatural world that shouldn’t exist, full of vampires and witches all claiming ownership of the mysterious relic. As she digs deeper into the amulet’s secrets, she soon discovers that the consequences of her actions could be deadly.
If she doesn’t figure out the amulet’s secret soon, then she may just follow in her archaeologist mother’s footsteps…
…straight to the grave.
Purchase Links:
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Vampire-Thrilling-Fantasy-Immortal/dp/B0GHSNC5MT/
Chirp: Curse of the Vampire by Stephanie Mirro – Audiobook (No Subscription)
My Review of Curse of the Vampire
I purchased an audiobook copy of Curse of the Vampire, by Stephanie Mirro and narrated by Candice Joice from a Chirp Friday Freebie deal. I am offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
There was something about the voice of narrator Candice Joice that really grated on my nerves and I found this one difficult to listen to. And it wasn’t only me, every time I turned it on, my dog started barking at me to get me to turn it off. I ended up listening to this one with earbuds only.
The story, itself, is a typical ancient curse tale. Serephina finds an amulet with the blood of a god inside on an archeological dig. The god claims her, but immortals set out to possess the amulet and the power of the god within, trying to thwart her at every turn and endangering her and those she loves.
Interesting story, but nothing that really stands out. I give Curse of the Vampire three quills.
About The Idea Man
Words are power, and ideas are dangerous.
Quirky hipster Parker Rebec moves to Paris in order to finish writing his novel. When a mysterious stalker leaves him a trail of notes, Parker is caught up in a story he can’t resist.
A decade earlier, on the other side of the world, Greysen Price must somehow leave his job as an inventor, completely erase his identity, and escape the country. When the two lives intertwine, chaos ensues.
The Idea Man is a comedic thriller, the first book in a trilogy. This plot-twisting thriller is a must for lovers of action-packed stories with a touch of awkward hilarity.
Purchase Links:
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/Idea-Man-Trilogy-Book/dp/B097BP9DH8/
Chirp: The Idea Man by Kristin Helling – Audiobook (No Subscription)
My Review of The Idea Man
I purchased an audiobook copy of The Idea Man, by Kristin Heiling and narrated by Spencer Carney from a Chirp Friday Freebie deal. I am offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
I was not impressed by the narrator, Spencer Carney. His pacing and inflection were both off, and I had to speed up the audio book speed from 1.2 to 1.5 in order to make it sound even close to natural speech. And, he made Parker sound like a little wimpy guy, which didn’t set us up to expect his gallant behavior later.
The author used an interesting way to tell this tale. We follow two characters throughout most of the book, alternating p.o.v. and time. Some chapters follow Parker in Paris, in 2020, and others follow Greyson, in Chicago in 2001. Two seemingly unconnected stories, and only in the last 20% of the book is it revealed how the two are connected.
Parker Rubik is a writer, visiting Paris in the hopes of finding inspiration to complete his novel. What he finds instead, is a mystery. An unknown person, who seems to know a lot about him, is leaving notes on his car, which lead him to a beautiful woman…, and a Paris jail.
Greyson is a brilliant inventor, who wants to save the world, or at least help people with his inventions. He disillusions himself that his employer will use his inventions for good, despite evidence to the contrary, until something happens that he cannot deny and he is forced to face the truth. When he confronts his employer, things melt down fast. His girlfriend and colleague disappears, and he is confronted by two of his employer’s associates, and his whole life disintegrates before his eyes.
I can’t tell you how the stories are connected without giving you a spoiler, so you’ll have to give it a listen, if you want to know. No spoilers here.
A well-crafted mystery thriller with a satisfying ending. I give the idea man four quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
_____________________________________
Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Book Review: “Black Bear Alibi: A Rockfish Island Mystery”
Posted: October 16, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Mystery, Review | Tags: Black Bear Alibi, Book Review, J.C. Fuller, Kaye Lynne Booth, mystery, Writing to be Read 4 Comments
About Black Bear Alibi: A Rockfish Island Mystery
A small island with big lies…Welcome to Rockfish Island.
Philip Russell, a U.S. Park Ranger for a small island in the Pacific Northwest has stumbled across a body in the woods. Unsure if the dead woman is a local or someone from the mainland, the new female sheriff is called in to find out if the community has anything to fear. Eager to help solve the mystery, both instantly find themselves at odds with each other. Philip, defending the people he’s known his whole life, and Sheriff Lane, giving no one the benefit of the doubt…not even Philip. Together the investigation progresses and both quickly realize that on this sleepy island not everyone is who they pretend to be…and possibly, one of their fellow islanders is a killer.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Bear-Alibi-Rockfish-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07RRLNC99
My Review of Black Bear Alibi: A Rockfish Island Mystery
I purchased a digital copy of Black Bear Alibi, by J.C. Fuller, through a Bookbub Free Friday deal, and I am providing an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own. I chose this book because the title intrigued me.
Clever killers cover their tracks, but how many use nature to camouflage their foul play? This almost cozy murder mystery carries an original storyline which is expertly executed by the author. Wildlife officers aren’t usually involved with solving murder mysteries, but when a young and cocky new lady sheriff, Lois Lane, feels a need to prove herself, she enrolls park ranger, Phillip Russell for his local knowledge and assistance after he finds a woman’s body in the woods which has been mauled by a black bear. But the unofficial partnership is not a smooth one, as suspicion is cast on Russell’s friends and neighbors, placing him in precarious positions.
A fresh and original mystery which keeps readers guessing. I give Black Bear Alibi five quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
___________________________________
Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Audio Book Review: “Night Shift Witch” & “Magnolia Bay Mystery: Tainted Taffy”
Posted: September 18, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Books, cozy mystery, Fiction, Mystery, Review | Tags: April Doty, Audio Book Review, Cate Lawley, cozy mystery, Fiona Grace, Kaye Lynne Booth, Magnolia Bay Mystery, mystery, Night Shift Witch, Writing to be Read 1 CommentAbout Night Shift Witch
A witch with a side hustle
Star needs another paying gig while she finishes her witch training. Why not at a funeral home? It fits her goth image, and the funeral director is sort of hot…even if he does wear a suit and tie.
Less than a day on the job as makeup artist to the dead, and Star discovers one of their accidental death clients didn’t die accidentally.
Before she knows it, she’s neck-deep in paranormal intrigue and her completely human, way-too-nice-for-his-own-good boss is right there with her.
Purchase Links:
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Shift-Witch-Mysteries-Book/dp/B096T5W2LG/r
Chirp: Night Shift Witch by Cate Lawley – Audiobook (No Subscription)
My Review of Night Shift Witch
I purchased an audiobook copy of Night Shift Witch, by Cate Lawly and narrated by April Doty from a Chirp Friday Freebie deal. I am offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
April Dorey is the perfect narrator to capture Miss Lawly’s laid-back writing style. I must say, she did an excellent job. The tone of the story is set by that same writing style, so all the pieces fall into place perfectly.
What a fun story!
I chose this book because of the cool, purpley cover, and was pleasantly surprised with a light-hearted magical murder mystery, that tickled my fancy and made me smile all the way through.
Star, a goth witch in training, lands a job at a funeral home in the real world to support her while she finishes her studies in the magical realm. Throw in a hot funeral director for a boss, a mysterious death which turns out to be magical murder, and an old boyfriend who is a wizard enforcer to help her solve the case. The list of suspects grows as our trio delves into the mysterious demise of their non-human victim, who should never have showed up in a human funeral home, and it turns out, wasn’t such a stand up guy.
A fun, cute, and light-hearted tale of magic and murder, with a touch of romance. I give Night Shift Witch five quills.
About Magnolia Bay Mystery: The Tainted Taffy
On the charming, historic isle of Magnolia Bay, Autumn Ray runs her bed-and-breakfast and enjoys a different pace of life. But whether she likes it or not, Autumn will have to step into the role of sleuth to defend not only her name, but her home.
Summer brings more than just tourists to Magnolia Bay; it ushers in a chilling mystery when poison taints the sugar-sand shores. Autumn Ray must trade her tranquil routine for detective work when she’s thrust into unraveling the murder of a beloved local confectioner. Will her sleuthing skills prove sweet enough to catch a killer? Or will she face the bitter aftermath of a community torn apart by suspicion?
Purchase Links:
Chirp: The Tainted Taffy (A Magnolia Bay Mystery—Book 1) by Fiona Grace – Audiobook (No Subscription)
My Review of Magnolia Bay Mystery: The Tainted Taffy
I purchased an audiobook copy of Magnolia Bay Mystery: The Tainted Taffy, by Fiona Grace and narrated by the synthesized voice of Olivia, from a Chirp Friday Freebie deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
This is the first audiobook I’ve listened to featuring AI narration. I have to say that the quality of the narration was excellent, and had I not known it was a synthesized voice, I would not have guessed that it wasn’t a human narrator. With the AI debate blazing on both sides, I’m not sure if that is good or bad, but I feel obligated to state my honest opinion about it.
Autumn Ray is an Inn owner on Magnolia Bay, a quaint little island, reminiscent of days of old as a matter of choice. There are no automobiles, and the shops are filled with old fashioned goodness. When Autumn finds the local sweet shop owner dead, after eating a poisoned sandwich, small town tongues fly and the tourists, who are the islander’s main source of income every summer, begin to clear out. Autumn is determined to help the understaffed and unprepared island police chief to solve the crime, and together with her dog, Max, she is hot on the trail, making this a classic cozy mystery.
I had a hard time buying in to the old-fashioned island community that has been held back in time, and just like Miss Marple, Autumn sticks her nose in places she would never get away with in real life. Also, I’m not sure where the tainted taffy comes in, since the murder weapon was a poisoned sandwich. But, Autumn is determined to find the murderer and save Magnolia Bay’s tourist season, despite being warned to stay clear of police business. But cancellations are coming in, and people are leaving, not wanting to vacation where a killer may be lurking. With a list of folks with possible motives, Autumn pieces together the puzzle, but can she solve the mystery before the guests all clear out and bankrupt the island businesses?
A well-crafted cozy that will keep you smiling. I give Magnolia Bay Mystery: The Tainted Taffy four quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
_____________________________________
Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Audio Book Review: “My Queendom for a Horse” & “The Recipient”
Posted: August 14, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Review, romance, Speculative Fiction, Thriller | Tags: Audio Book Review, Audrey J. Cole, Bridget E. Baker, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Kaye Lynne Booth, My Queendom for a Horse, mystery, Shifter Romance, Speculative Fiction, The Recipient, Thriller, Writing to be Read Leave a commentAbout My Queendom for a Horse
Kristiana Liepa was supposed to use the money to save her family farm. She was not supposed to spend it all to save a massive, black stallion.
But when she saw how he was being treated, what’s a vet to do?
She had no idea that gorgeous beast was really a powerful (and morally gray) magician who had been cursed by a witch, or that she was the only one who could reverse the curse.
And she couldn’t possibly have known how that one rash decision would irrevocably change her life…and his.
Need a little more information to make up your mind? Read a longer description below:
Kristiana’s father has a gambling problem. After a particularly bad hand of cards puts their family’s land in jeopardy, her dad’s solution is to call her billionaire ex, but Kris can’t bring herself to beg him for money. At least, not her first time seeing him in 10 years. Instead, she withdraws her life savings and bets on herself.
Thankfully, it pays off! She and her most promising horse win big at the Down Royal steeplechase in Ireland, but only because the best horse on the track wasn’t ridden properly. Luckily, it’s just enough to grant a stay of execution with the bank.
It would have been, but when Kris realizes her nemesis is abusing the gorgeous black stallion who should have won, she can’t help herself. She spends her winnings buying the horse she fell for the moment she saw him. It may not be the smartest move in the short run, but Obsidian Devil’s her best hope of finally digging out from under the massive debt hanging over them. She’ll have to ask her ex to help with the next payment, but seeing him again won’t be sobad.
What Kris doesn’t know is that her new purchase is actually a powerful magician stuck in horse form by a witch’s curse. She also has no idea that she’ll be the only person who can help him lift the curse. And worst of all, that helping him may mean losing the family farm for good.
Purchase Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/My-Queendom-Horse-Russian-Witchs/dp/B0BV7Z3BM8
Chirp: My Queendom for a Horse by Bridget E. Baker – Audiobook (No Subscription)
My Review of My Queendom for a Horse
I purchased My Queendom for a Horse, by Bridget E. Baker and narrated by Cindy Gunderson from a Chirp Freebie Friday deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
I chose this book because of the fantastic cover with shades of blues and purples. Although the tiny sparkles indicated a magical theme, the image of a horse made me think of the story of Black Beauty, a story I loved as a child. Soon after beginning to listen, I was surprised to learn that what I had was a shape shifter romance.
Setting out to save her family farm from her father’s gambling debts, Kristiana has a plan to ride the winning horse and take the purse and a bet on her own horse. And it would have worked if she hadn’t impulsively purchased a stallion which was being abused by one of her competitors, forcing her to take a loan from the man who dumped her years ago. You can imagine her surprise when she finds her newest purchase is not a horse , but a shape shifting Russian prince who had been cursed hundreds of years ago, and somehow, Kris has the key to his powers. The whole scenario leads to some humorous scenes, as the headstrong prince rears his jealous head, while Kris tries to sort out her feelings for her ex, and raise the money to save the farm.
The author has crafted a truly enjoyable story that makes you laugh in all the right places. And Ms. Gunderson does an excellent job of narrating. I give My Queendom for a Horse five quills.
About The Recipient
Sergeant Wade McKinnon knows who killed Samantha the moment he arrives at her crime scene. Problem is, he watched her killer die a year ago.
A year after serial killer Michael Rhodes is executed and allowed to donate part of his brain as an organ transplant, Wade gets called to a murder scene that shares uncanny similarities to those of the late Michael Rhodes. Other similar killings happen around Seattle, and Wade seems to be the only person still alive who knows enough about Michael Rhodes’s murders to be able to replicate them. When evidence found at one of the crime scenes points to Wade as the killer, he races to find the real culprit before it’s too late to clear his own name.
Elle is overjoyed when her husband, Brian, receives a partial brain transplant and gets a second chance at life. Until she learns that his brain cells came from a serial killer….
Purchase Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/The-Recipient-Audrey-J-Cole-audiobook/dp/B07QYK6WBZ
Chirp: The Recipient by Audrey J. Cole – Audiobook (No Subscription)
My Review of The Recipient
I purchased The Recipient, by Audrey J. Cole and read by Marcio Catalano and Veronica Pace, from a Chirp Freebie Friday deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
This story uses dual male and female narrators, which I’ve found works well in romances, but I was unsure how that would work for a thriller. In hindsight, although each of them missed inflections a few times, they really did a premium job. Catalano and Pace did a smash-up job, instead of just alternating chapters, they dubbed the female voice of Pace into the male POV chapters, and the male voice of Catalano into the female POV chapters, which is how the dual narrating should be done. I can see why this book was nominated for the Voice Arts Awards, as advertised on the cover.
As far as story goes, the title gives it all away, but it is also a little misleading. Early on I figured out who the killer was and although the author was skilled in laying it all out, I still felt the story to be predictable as events unfolded. Overall, though, it was a decent thriller with tension building in all the right places and well-developed characters.
I give The Recipient four quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
_____________________________________
Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Book Review: “The Dreaming Crystal” & “The Slayer Rule”
Posted: July 31, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Hard Fantasy, Hard Science Fiction, Mystery, Review | Tags: Book Review, Dan Williams, Hard Fantasy, Hard Science Fantasy, Hard Science Fiction, Kaye Lynne Booth, mystery, Richard DeGrandpre, The Dreaming Crystal, The Slayer Rule, Writing to be Read Leave a commentAbout The Dreaming Crystal
One reckless murder is all it takes to change the world forever. An angry ghost is trapped in a crystal prison and an unlucky few are fused to the Stone, doomed to an eternal torment of maddening shared memories.
But that was all twelve thousand years ago. Now it’s 2096 and there’s no magic and no ghosts; everyone knows! There are only little people forever scrambling to stay out of the way of big tech. Everyone knows humanity is beleaguered by drought, flooding, poverty and society shot through with corporate corruption. But no one has time to care.
Yet as Nate, Chen and Tina struggle to get by from day to day and pay to pay, the ancient ghost rages on in the Stone and the chains of power that bind it are weakening. Strange earthquakes gather force off the coast of Akarana Island and when an old house is demolished, something unbreakable is broken and Nate, Chen and Tina and everyone in the world will be drawn into the legacy of the curse of the ghost in the Stone whether they believe in such nonsense or not.
Hard Fantasy. Hard sci-fi. Gritty realism and golden characters.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Crystal-Order-Stone-Book-ebook/dp/B0BHZQM8D3
My Review of The Dreaming Crystal
I received a digital copy of The Dreaming Crystal, by Dan Williams through Sandra’s Book Club review program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
This is a long book, but it is necessary for such an intricately detailed story, with well-conceived world building and a story crafted to span over thousands of years. The characters are well-developed, but are skillfully revealed in increments over the course of the story. By the end, I was rooting for Nate and Chen to be reunited, and hoping to see Teens, (or Tina, or Elayne?) and Rengi defeated. That being said, I must admit I was disappointed in my expectations and left feeling as if I’d missed more than a little something. Without giving up any spoilers, the ending was left a bit open ended, perhaps to give an opening for the next book in the series, but without things being wrapped up neatly, I felt there were several promises made on premises that were left unfulfilled.
An excellent hard fantasy/science fiction tale which left me feeling a bit cheated. I give The Dreaming Crystal four quills.
About The Slayer Rule
Set against the backdrop of the American West, “The Slayer Rule” is a sweeping crime drama that delves into themes of friendship, love, loss, and the silent tragedies that haunt the rural landscape.
The story begins with a dinosaur hunter being found dead at the base of a cliff, just days after our protagonist, Nick Yearsley, arrives in Jordan, Montana. Unfortunately for Nick, the local sheriff doesn’t believe in coincidences.
But Nick isn’t looking for trouble—he’s looking for dinosaurs. It shouldn’t matter what happened in Jordan thirty years ago when a twelve-year-old boy deliberately killed his drunken father in a hunting “accident.” Nor should it matter that the area has a history of disappearances and deaths dating back decades. And it certainly shouldn’t matter that the young sheriff was promoted from chief deputy because of the recent death of her husband, the previous sheriff.
What does any of this have to do with the present-day life of Nick Yearsley? On the day he arrives in Jordan, absolutely nothing. By the end of that day, with what he accidentally sets into motion, everything.
Richard DeGrandpre’s stunning crime novel employs great depth of characterization to harness the age-old power of storytelling. If you’re expecting a straightforward whodunnit or a formulaic crime thriller, prepare yourself for a page-turner that is, well, just the beginning.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Slayer-Rule-Bone-Hunter-Book-ebook/dp/B0DC4Z2DTZ/
My Review of The Slayer Rule
I purchased The Slayer Rule, by Richard DeGrandpre through a free BookBub Deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
I chose this book by title alone, thinking it was a thriller. It’s not. It’s a crime drama, but it did turn out to be a decent mystery. Paleontologist Nick Yearsley comes to Jorden to confront an old colleague turned nemesis, who is on a dig there. But things don’t turn out the way Nick planned at all, and suddenly he’s the number one suspect in his colleague’s death, and the pieces aren’t adding up right.
When the pretty sheriff asks him to not leave town, Nick takes the opportunity to discover some real dinosaur bones, all while trying to clear his name and stay out of an old feud between two neighbors. As luck would have it, he keeps finding himself back dab in the middle of it all.
This story kept me pondering. I give The Slayer Rule five quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
_____________________________________
Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Audio Book Review: “Behind You” & “A Shift in Shadows”
Posted: July 17, 2026 Filed under: Audio Books, Audiobook Review, Crime, Dark fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Review, Speculative Fiction, Thriller | Tags: A Shift In Shadows, Behind You, Book Review, Crime Fiction, Crime Thriller, Demons, Fea, Kaye Lynne Booth, Krys Janae, Maddox Grey, mystery, Rylie Dark, Speculative Fiction, Susan Marlowe, vampires, werewolves, Writing to be Read 4 CommentsAbout Behind You
Despite being a rising star in the BAU unit, FBI Special Agent Hailey Rock still lives in the shadow of her older sister, who remained in their small Midwestern town to become a police sheriff and who remains the favorite in their parents’ eyes. Hailey has not thought of her estranged family in ages, but when young women turn up dead in her hometown, the FBI dispatches Hailey to solve the case her sister cannot—and forces her to face demons, including that of her kidnapped sister, that Hailey wished she would never face again.
Women are turning up dead, posed in local farm fields like scarecrows, and time is running out. A serial killer lurks, and their small town never felt so small.
A cat-and-mouse thriller with harrowing twists and turns and filled with heart-pounding suspense, the Hailey Rock mystery series offers a fresh twist on the genre as it introduces two brilliant protagonists who will make you fall in love and keep you listening late into the night.
Purchase Links:
Chirp: Behind You (A Hailey Rock FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 1) by Rylie Dark – Audiobook (No Subscription)
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-You-Hailey-Suspense-Thriller/dp/B0BY9M881V
My Review of Behind You
I purchased an audiobook copy of Behind You, by Rylie Dark and narrated by Susan Marlowe from a Chirp Friday Freebie Deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
The trail of a serial killer creating human scarecrows in her hometown brings FBI Agent Hailey Rock back to work the case alongside her small-town sheriff sister, stirring old memories and old grievances, as they follow the crime trail to discover who is responsible for these reprehensible crimes. Unable to work together, the sisters pursue their individual theories independently, and it becomes more of a race to see who can solve the crime first. But you can’t solve the puzzle until you have all the pieces, and some are still missing. We are given enough viewpoint from the killer’s perspective to be able to speculate if each of the suspects could be the perpetrator, but the identity isn’t revealed until the very end.
This mystery is well written, although the personal conflict between sisters is over played in this listener’s opinion, making both law enforcement officers seem unprofessional and petty. That said, the narrator, Susan Marlowe does an excellent job, providing distinctive voices that don’t all sound alike, but very natural, and carefully placing just the right emotional touches exactly where needed.
A well-crafted crime thriller mystery with an excellent narrator. I give Behind You four quills.
About A Shift in Shadows
Betrayed by love.
I was a fool in love once—until I learned he only wanted me for my power. I left him and found love with someone else. He retaliated by ripping out her heart.
Driven by revenge.
Every year my warlock ex-lover leaves me a bloody heart as a gift. A taunt and a reminder that I belong to him. But he’s forgotten that I’m the ruthless feline shifter that was hunting down my enemies long before we crossed paths. Sooner or later, it’ll be his heart I’m holding in my hand.
Damned by magic.
But to destroy the warlock who has haunted my dreams once and for all, I might have to embrace the dark magic I’ve been hiding my entire life. And even if I survive… it will change the course of my life forever.
A Shift in Shadows is Book One of the urban fantasy romance series Lost Legacies. Perfect for fans of stabby morally grey FMC’s, all the found family vibes, and slow burning romances.
Purchase Links:
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/Shifvt-Shadows-Lost-Legacies-Book/dp/B0F14MTQWP/
Chirp: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/a-shift-in-shadows-by-maddox-grey-99acfacc04
My Review of A Shift in Shadows
I purchased an audiobook copy of A Shift in Shadows, written by Maddox Grey and narrated by Krys Janae, through a free Chirp deal. I’m offering here an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
I must commend this narrator. Every character has a distinctive voice which fits the character’s personality. Krys Janae does an excellent job of bringing these characters to life, whether they be shifter, vampire, witch or warlock, fae, demon, or…. something else. Janae may be the best narrator I have as yet encountered. Bravo on a job well done.
I had a hard time getting into this world. I am familiar with werewolves and vampires, but I haven’t read a lot of stories where they exist together and socialize. Add to that, witches and warlocks, demons, and members of the fae realm, all either loving or fighting amongst themselves, and new, unfamiliar beings called devourers, and that’s a lot to learn and assimilate. There are vampire hybrids, too; vampire kids, which goes against all that I know about vampires, which comes from classic vampire literature and Anne Rice. But once I accepted that this world was different from others which I had explored and accepted it for what it is, I began getting into the characters and the world, and I have to admit, I became invested.
Lemane knows who she is, but she is unsure what she is, and she is on a constant search for answers. But it’s hard to search when you are hiding from a crazy rogue warlock, who is determined to have her as his own or destroy her. All her life she was taught to keep her own magic hidden, and since she’s not encountered any other beings which have magic such as hers, the kind that can open gateways to other realms, she fears what will happen if she lets it out, but is forced to use it to save herself and those she cares for, time after time. With a vampire for a roommate, a werewolf for a lover, and a fae for a bestie, Lemane searches for answers in this realm and beyond. But there’s more going on than she realizes, and greater powers are at work, all in a grab for control of the realms.
Can Lemane find the answers she seeks and stop an evil coupe, avoid the warlocks and vampires, and stay alive long enough to save her world and herself?
I may not know what an FMC is, but I surely know a good story when I hear one. I give A Shift in Shadows five quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Book Review: “Smoke and Secrets” & “The Corpse Wore Stilettos”
Posted: May 29, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Mystery, Review | Tags: A.J. McCarthy, Book Review, MJ O'Neill, mystery, Smoke and Secrets, The Corpse Wore Stilettos, Writing to be Read 1 CommentAbout Smoke and Secrets
Charlie and Simm, Montreal pub owners with a knack for sleuthing, thought they were taking on a straightforward case when Noah Wolfe hired them to find his missing family fortune. Their search leads them to the idyllic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where they quickly realize this is no ordinary investigation. Joined by Noah’s sharp-witted sister-in-law, Sarah, they dig into the Wolfe family’s past at a grand estate brimming with secrets.
As tensions rise, Simm’s estranged brother and his wife arrive at the mansion, adding to the already crowded and mistrustful atmosphere. A simple search for lost money turns menacing with suspicious deaths, an attempted murder, and buried mysteries that refuse to stay hidden. The deeper they delve, the more dangerous the case becomes. Charlie and Simm are forced to confront their own fears and face a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to protect dark secrets, leading to a shocking climax that will change everything.
Award-winning author A.J. McCarthy brings back Charlie and Simm in this latest instalment of her mystery series. Can the much-loved couple outsmart a killer and unlock the puzzles that threaten them?
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZX35V3/?bestFormat=true&k=smoke%20and%20secrets&ref
My Review of Smoke and Secrets
I received a digital copy of Smoke and Secrets, by A.J. McCarthy, from Sandra’s Book Club in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
Always a fan of good mysteries, Smoke and Secrets, is up there with the best of them. This mystery is a big jigsaw puzzle, unfolding gradually as each new piece is uncovered. But each piece added brings even more mystery and more questions to the table, leaving the reader scratching her head in puzzlement all the way to the end.
My one complaint was with formatting issues, which made the paragraph layout weird and was distracting from the story. My eyes like to read in smooth lines and properly formed paragraphs, so this was a problem for me. I also noticed that the formatting didn’t offer page breaks between chapters, although that really wasn’t a big deal.
Simm used to be a P.I. and now cases keep falling into his lap, and his wife, Charlie is all in on helping to solve the case. This time an old client, Noah, shows up with a new dilemma to look into. His family was murdered in the last case they handled for him, and now, his brother has died and the family fortune has mysteriously come up missing. Simm and Charlie go with Noah and his siter-in-law, Sarah, to investigate the mystery and see if they can pick up a trail on the family fortune. Simms estranged brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Clarisse, show up unexpected and uninvited to round off our cast of characters. But, it soon becomes apparent that someone murdered Noah’s brother and covered up the crime.
Journals with poetic clues, secret passages and hidden keys all play a part in solving this well-crafted mystery. I give Smoke and Secrets four quills.
About The Corpse Wore Stilettos
SHE WORE A DONNA KARAN MARKED FOR REPOSSESSION.
Since Kat Waters’s father took a trip to the slammer on what she’s sure are trumped-up racketeering charges, life’s been tough. All their assets are frozen, and she’s down to the last few pairs of Jimmy Choos she can swap for rent. To keep her family out of the homeless shelter, the former socialite took a job at the local morgue—a job she’s about to lose when the body of a murder victim goes missing on her watch.
HE WORE A CAPTIVATING SMILE.
While Kat’s processing the latest victim in the prostitute serial killings, ex-Special Forces soldier Burns McPhee strolls in with an air of confidence, expecting access to the Jane Doe. While Burns tries to flirt his way into examining the latest victim, whom he thinks is connected to the death of his best friend, someone else steals the body right out from under them.
THE CORPSE WORE STILETTOS.
Dodging questions from the cops and kidnapping attempts from a body-snatching psycho, Kat and Burns forge a deal. He’ll clear her name and keep her safe if she gets him information on her peculiar coworkers, one of whom he’s certain is involved with the body heist. But digging up secrets can lead to a lower life expectancy. The unlikely team will need all their talents not to end up as the morgue’s next clients while they hunt for a murderer, the missing corpse, and a pair of diamond-studded stilettos.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Corpse-Wore-Stilettos-MJ-ONeill-ebook/dp/B07Q6VZ4V9/
My Review of The Corpse Wore Stilettos
I purchased a digital copy of The Corpse Wore Stilettos, by MJ Oniell, through a KindofBook Deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own. This murder mystery is book 1 of A Sharp-Dressed Corpse Mystery Series.
This was just a really cute murder mystery. Morgue worker Kat Waters finds herself in the middle of a body snatching. When all the evidence points to her involvement, and it seems the police aren’t inclined to look further, she finds herself playing amateur sleuth, searching for the real body-napper. She’s not sure who to trust, including ex-Special Forces soldier, Burns McFee, who always seems to show up in the oddest places, (like at the morgue at the same time the body was nabbed). Kat just keeps getting in deeper, and McFee offers to clear her name, so she teams up with him to investigate her slightly odd co-workers in order to discover who the inside man, or woman, is that aided in the body-napping.
While Mcfee has high-tech equipment and special ops people at his disposal, Kat relies on her good fashion sense to turn up clues about the well-dressed corpse and the body snatcher, just from observing their shoes, and eliminating suspects according to their attire. Filled with red-herrings, reversals, and lots of misdirection, this mystery leads to some surprising revelations.
A well-crafted murder mystery and a truly fun read. I give The Corpse Wore Stilettos five quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Book Review: “The Joker’s Revenge”
Posted: May 22, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, Review | Tags: Book Review, mystery, Nancy Beaule, The Joker's Revenge, Writing to be Read Leave a commentAbout The Joker’s Revenge
Darci Miller is fiercely committed to being the perfect daughter for her widowed father, but his overprotective nature is driving her crazy. Set in the backdrop of a Maine summer camp in 1972, this captivating young adult mystery/romance dives deep into a dark family secret surrounding her late mother—a mystery Darci is determined to unravel. When she learns of an opportunity to become a secretary at the very camp where her mother once worked in the 1950s, she jumps at the chance.
As Darci settles into camp life, she quickly realizes that there’s more afoot than just innocent marshmallow roasts. While a malicious prankster is playing cruel tricks, the head chef is on the verge of a culinary breakthrough—a machine that eliminates fat and calories from food. This invaluable invention has drawn the attention of someone intent on stealing it for financial gain and to settle old scores.
When Darci delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers startling revelations about her mother’s past that could change everything. Amidst the escalating chaos, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her charming boss, complicating her life further as she navigates the jealousy of the spoiled daughter of the camps’ owners. Will Darci be able to uncover the truth and protect those she cares about? Dive into this enthralling tale of love, betrayal, and discovery!
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Jokers-Revenge-Intriguing-Maine-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0F1W7RJZZ/
My Review of The Joker’s Revenge
I received a digital copy of The Joker’s Revenge, by Nancy Beaule, through Sandra’s Book Club in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
This tale has a complicated mystery plot which grabs reader attention and keeps them guessing, but the presentation could have been smoother. There is little to no foreshadowing, so we learn things are in the scene or previous circumstances exist abruptly, only when their part to play is necessary, and come as a shock, pulling the reader out of the story. It throws the timing of things off and makes buy in somewhat difficult.
My other criticism of this book is that the characters are not well enough developed, which makes relationship.progression between them seem forced or fakey. I just didn’t feel it. Although Darci’s feelings toward Ryder are alluded to, it comes as shock to discover that they have a mutual relationship, making me pause to wonder why I didnt see that coming. It makes it all seem kind of sudden.
Darci takes a job at Camp Chickadee in search of answers about her deceased mother, who had also worked there, so many years ago. But, someone is playing pranks at the camp and leaving a calling card from “The Joker”, and each one is getting more serious. Darci is convinced that the pranks at the camp are connected to the time when her mother worked there, although I’m still not sure why.
As each prank gets more dangerous, and some of the campers are hurt, camp staff become convinced that Gunnar, the maintenance man is behind them, even before we see any evidence pointing to him. But there’s more going on, since DeAngelo, the cook, has invented a machine that removes the calories from food, and he’s convinced that Gunnar is after his invention.
Is Darci right about the pranks being connected to her mom’s time at Camp Chickadee? Or are they connected to DeAngelo’s invention? When DeAngelo starts acting suspicious and then, disappears, readers must wonder, but you’ll get no spoilers here.
Plenty of suspense and lots of twists, which makes it an intriguing mystery. I give The Joker’s Revenge four quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
_____________________________________
Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Book Review: “Haunted River” & “Of Body and Bone”
Posted: May 8, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Review | Tags: Book Review, Crime Fiction, Dectectives Daniels and Remalla, Haunted River, J.T. Bishop, Kaye Lynne Booth, mystery, Of Body and Bones, Paranormal, Writing to be Read Leave a commentAbout Haunted River
Detectives Daniels and Remalla came to Dumont for a quiet week off. They found a body on the riverbank instead – and a town that suspects they’re the killers.
The Black River has secrets. For years, locals whispered about the ghost of a murdered woman haunting its banks. Her killer was never found. Her case went cold.
Then they discover a second body on the riverbank behind Daniels’ cabin. Same spot. Same killer?
Suddenly, their peaceful vacation becomes a fight for survival. The small-town sheriff suspects them. The townspeople watch their every move. And someone in Dumont is willing to kill to keep the past buried.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Haunted-River-Paranormal-Thriller-Detectives-ebook/dp/B08HY1KL8P
My Review of Haunted River
I purchased a digital copy of Haunted River: A Murder Mystery Suspense Thriller, by J.T. Bishop through a free KindofBook deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
I chose this book because of the title. I mean, who wouldn’t be intrigued by a mystery involving a haunted river? It is book 1 in the Detectives Daniels and Remalla Murder Mystery Series. Obviously, the characters carry this series.
Gordon Daniels is a great dad and husband, in addition to being a first-rate detective. Aaron Remalla is a good-looking single guy, with a healthy fear of the paranormal. Together, they charm the local residents of the small town of Dumont, (or not), and battle the bad guys, once they dispel the myth of the woman in white that roams the river and identify who the bad guys really are. This tale has more twists and turns than a winding mountain road as Daniels and Remalla try to unravel what is truly happening in Dumont, where everyone is suspect, even the local sheriff.
When a dead body is found in the river on Daniels’ uncle’s property, our two big city detectives become suspects, and the race is on to prove who really murdered the girl before the local sheriff finds a way to pin it on them. The girl is found in a place and a manner that is uncannily similar to another death which occurred in the distant past and is also tied in with the local legend of a lady in white, reportedly seen by many of the local residents.
A top-rate paranormal murder mystery. I give Haunted River five quills.
About Of Body and Bone
A kidnapper strikes again, but his evil ties to a killer reveal a dangerous threat.
After a shocking investigation ends, Detectives Daniels and Remalla are back at work, but their routine is shattered when a child goes missing and they rush to find a young boy and the man who kidnapped him. But all is not what it seems when they discover the kidnapper’s connection with a previous case and a killer now behind bars.
When Daniels becomes a target and Remalla is plagued by the past, they must trust their instincts to find a killer and protect an innocent victim. But when Daniels’ family is threatened, Daniels must choose between following the law, or breaking it.
As the killer reveals his true nature, strange abilities, and mysterious hidden ties to an evil past, Daniels and Remalla are forced to confront their oaths as officers and moral compass in order to defeat a man capable of destroying… both body and bone.
Of Body and Bone is book three in the Detectives Daniels and Remalla Series. It closely follows and should be read after Of Breath and Blood.
If you love two bantering detectives, a gripping murder mystery thriller that will keep you up at night, a touch of supernatural suspense, and a riveting fast-paced read, then enjoy Of Body and Bone.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Bone-Edge-Your-Seat-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B08W4PKQZW
My Review of Of Body and Bone
I purchased a digital copy of Of Body and Bone, by J.T. Bishop through a free BookBub deal. I am offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
I chose this book because I just finished Book 1 in the Detectives Daniels and Remalla Murder Mystery Series and very much enjoyed it. So, when I found Book 3 in a free BookBub deal, I just couldn’t resist. The series is titled for the two detectives who are the main protagonists, the good guys who solve the crimes, but not before being put through the wringer by their adversaries, Gordon Daniels and Aaron Remalla.
I must say, these books are written in such a way that they work well as stand alones. Even though I skipped book 2, the author offers enough information about the interim between books. 1 and 3 to have a general idea of what happened in book 2 without actually reading it. As a reader, that’s a good thing, but I wonder if it is so good for the author.
In Of Body and Bone, Rem is still recovering from his experience with an evil cult in Book 2, and we learn that although the head of the cult is behind bars, looking at being locked away for a very long time. But her reach is far and they soon find that the kidnapper they are looking for in their current case has ties to the cult leader, Allison. It soon becomes apparent that this is no ordinary kidnapper and things just get weirder as they try and solve the case, and Allison’s lawyer tries to discredit them both. No spoilers here, but we are left with the feeling that this story may not be over yet, even as they wrap up the case.
Filled with surprises, this paranormal mystery does not disappoint. I give Of Body and Bone five quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Book Review: ” Saddled Hearts”
Posted: April 10, 2026 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Mystery, Review, romance, Western, western romance | Tags: Book Reveiw, Jan Sikes, Kaye Lynne Booth, mystery, Saddled Hearts, western romance, Writing to be Read 14 CommentsAbout Saddled Hearts
Colt Layne lives an idyllic life between caring for the animals on his ranch and playing music with his band. That is, until a stranger appears with unreasonable demands. Now the man is dead, and Colt is facing a murder charge. He’s being framed, but by whom and why?
His only hope lies in a conversation with his deceased grandfather—an impossible task. Or is it?
His answer arrives in Sage Coventry, a psychic who can speak to the dead. Though skeptical, Colt needs her help. But he gets more than messages from beyond the grave as she breezes into his heart with sweet patchouli fragrance and tempting lips.
As the clock runs out to clear his name and save his beloved ranch, Colt and Sage unearth shocking revelations about the past, their love, and the future.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Saddled-Hearts-White-Rune-Book-ebook/dp/B0G3XV9C4T
My Review of Saddled Hearts
I purchased a digital copy of Saddled Hearts, by Jan Sikes through a countdown deal promoting through Author Sikes’ Newsletter. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
One might think Saddled Hearts is a western romance, but it is really a western mystery. Strange things are happening at the Double L Ranch and it seems someone is trying to take the ranch from Colt Layne. A mysterious stranger shows up, claiming to be the lawful owner of the ranch, a horse is mysteriously poisoned and fences are cut. Of course, the romance is there, too. Thinking his deceased grandfather might have answers, he seeks a reading from a medium, Sage Coventry, and falls for her before he realizes what is happening. When Colt goes to talk to the stranger and finds him dead with evidence pointing to Colt as the killer, the stakes of the game are suddenly higher, and Colt worries about bringing his beautiful new love into his life, but it takes a lot more than a little danger to discourage Sage from the man she is quickly falling in love with.
The romance seems too easy, but the mystery is quite the puzzle. The two seek answers, Colt from his grandfather’s papers and Sage from beyond the veil. Together, they piece together the puzzle and uncover the secrets which have lain hidden for three generations.
Skillfully crafted, author Jan Sikes brings her characters to life in living color and keeps readers guessing to the very end. Saddled Hearts is book 3 in Sike’s White Ruin Series, but it holds up just fine as a stand-alone. In fact, I didn’t realize it was a mid-series book until I began to do this review.
Romance and mystery, all with a distinctive western flavor, Saddled Hearts is a delightful love story with a twist. I give it five quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
______________________________________
Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
