Book Review: Weeping Women Springs by Tamara Eaton

When you hide your light under a bushel basket, your light doesn’t shine. That truism has been handed down for untold generations, but the people who live near a secret spring don’t pay it any heed.

The story opens with a fully peopled, quaint small town. WWII arrives, and the men and boys of the town enlist. As tragedy befalls them, the women close ranks to survive. In doing so, their grief pollutes the restorative effect of the magical spring hidden in the town. Some of the women leave town too.

With each loss, the remnants grow more isolated, struggle harder to survive. This book is the story of Liv, Maxine, Ruth, Susie, and Anna. You’ll never think the same way about death again.

Maggie Toussaint and Rigel Carson for Muddy Rose Reviews

Book Review: Deadly Places by Terry Odell

I was so pleased that Detective Ed Solomon got a story of his own. He’s been in the other Odell stories about Mapleton, Colorado, but finally he’s out from under Sheriff Gordon Hepler’s shadow.

With the sheriff on leave, Acting Chief Ed Solomon is running the show in Mapleton. Though the longer hours and increased responsibilities take their toll, Ed is increasingly drawn to case he’s been working on for a long time, the Deadbeat Dad Case. Another deadbeat dad is found dead nearby, and Ed believes the death is linked a popular social media outlet.

All too soon, the message becomes clear to Ed. If he’s going to catch this wily serial killer, he has to be all in.

Deadly Places is a solid police procedural in novella length written by a skilled author. I very much enjoyed returning to Mapleton. It felt like Old Home Week.

I received an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Maggie Toussaint and Rigel Carson for Muddy Rose Reviews

Book Review: Tough Choices by Terry Ambrose

A novella with new characters set in Terry Ambrose’s Hawaii is a delightful way to pass an afternoon.

Marty Fitch hits Honolulu hoping to start over after his ex takes him to the cleaners. With his inventions career on hiatus, he launches a new “tell-all” video blog. Only, the Honolulu PD is angry when his live blog feed spoils a drug bust they’re working. Off Marty goes to jail, but his cousin gets him out.

Jail time was just the thing to ignite Marty’s imagination. He found a new story to follow, a new tale to spin for his blog listeners.

Marty is an everyman protagonist. He wants a second chance, and I found myself rooting for him to get it right as his story unfolded.

A fun ride in a great escapist setting will help you get your island time vibe going.

I reviewed a free advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Maggie Toussaint and Rigel Carson for Muddy Rose Reviews