The Light in Our Eyes by Nicholas McDonald Book Review

About the Book:

For the millions who have felt disillusioned with American evangelical culture, this book is a lifeline for navigating the cynicism of both conservative and progressive beliefs to find real hope in the life and mission of Jesus.

As a pastor and author, Nicholas McDonald spent years helping people work through serious questions about the evangelical church’s gospel and its often hurtful responses to those confused by American Evangelical culture. He quickly realized that what these people needed—what he really needed—was not merely apologetics answers but the good news that speaks to their deepest dreams: love, beauty, and freedom—the very things Jesus promises to those who follow Him.

With excellent storytelling and profound insights from his own deconstruction journey, McDonald compassionately addresses the concerns so many readers have with the evangelical subculture’s sense of entitlement, nostalgia, and cynicism. And he outlines a clear path to finding restoration in Jesus. The Light in Our Eyes offers nine ancient practices to help you experience anew—or for the first time—Jesus’s love, beauty, and freedom and to embody and extend them in the world. Through the scriptural song of Zechariah and relatable, inspiring stories of men and women who have been re-storied by the gospel of Jesus, this book reminds us that Jesus’ dreams fulfill what our hearts have longed for all along.

Journey from despair and darkness to faith and light as McDonald outlines a path to becoming reenchanted by the dreams Jesus has for each one of us, the church, and the world. To take up His dream is the invitation to believe again, and to hope again.

My Review:

I really appreciate McDonald's concept that deconstruction is not a one size fits all but is rather a spectrum of loyal, doubting, disillusioned, deconstructing, and deconstructed. With McDonald, I think many who have left the church are disillusioned. He points out that many have become disillusioned with the toxic American evangelical subculture, seeing something rotten in it. He notes the difference between American evangelicals and evangelicals in the rest of the world. His book is aimed at the disillusioned, giving them hope, not to return to their previous experience but to find a new experience in true Christian faith.

He shares many of his own experiences and the experiences of others, often giving verbatim dialogues. His stories provide good evidence for being disillusioned. He includes some humor and some tongue in cheek observations.

I can't decide if this book is for disillusioned young people or those who minister to them. Much of McDonald's writing style is aimed at younger readers, say college age. But some of the material, like historical sections, I think they might find boring. The long section about the effect of the Civil War on the church is a case in point. Even so, this would be a good book for discussion over a cup of coffee with those disillusioned with the current state of evangelicalism in America.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Nicholas McDonald is the Associate Pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian church in central Indianapolis and has served in ministry for over fifteen years. His previous positions have included roles in youth ministry and four years as the Campus Minister of Reformed University Fellowship at the University of Missouri. McDonald received his degree from Gordon Conwell Seminary and studied creative writing at Oxford University. He writes regularly for The Gospel Coalition and is the author of Faker. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and their three children.

Multnomah, 256 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot Book Review

About the Book:

Thirteen years ago, Assemblyman Derrick Bell was murdered in his home by an intruder. His wife, Noelle Marshall, was left for dead. The crime was unsolved, but it wasn’t forgotten.

Today the FBI is tackling a fresh perspective on the case and looking to Noelle, now a detective for the Deschutes County sheriff’s office, for new clues. It is reopening everything Noelle thought was behind her. Memories of her escape from a traumatic childhood. A marriage that wasn’t the perfect love story she’d been promised. And a husband whose charm and privilege hid a dark side. But Noelle has been hiding something too: a secret about the night Derrick died that she has never told anyone.

As past and present and leads and misleads collide, one thing is frighteningly clear. Derrick’s murder wasn’t just unsolved. It’s unfinished. And only the truth―no matter the risk―can save the next victim.

My Review:

This is another good mystery from Elliot set in the Pacific Northwest, this time in Bend, OR. It is a cold case investigation. It was interesting that Noelle, wife of the man murdered 13 years ago, is now a police detective herself. The narrative jumps from the current time to various times before the murder and also a few days after the murder. That jumping around is not particularly a plot technique I like. Each time period was clearly defined however. It did provide the background to the murder, the events leading up to it, while at the same time covering the current investigation. Elliot did a good job of providing a number of suspects while leaving the true murderer reveal until near the end. That included a surprising twist I had not anticipated.

I like Elliot's writing style and have read most if not all of her books. This is the first in a series and I will be watching for the next one.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Kendra Elliot has sold thirteen million books, hit the Wall Street Journal top ten bestseller list more than a dozen times, and is a three time winner of the Daphne du Maurier award.

She is an International Thriller Writers' finalist and a Romantic Times finalist. She grew up in the lush and rainy Pacific Northwest but now spends most of her time wearing flip flops.

Montlake, 347 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

By Hook or By Book by Misty Simon Blog Tour Book Review

BY HOOK OR BY BOOK

by Misty Simon

June 2-27, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

The Charmed Inn Mysteries

 

Roxy Gleason, an innkeeper by trade and a bibliomancer by birth, has lived in the same small town on the Susquehanna River in Central Pennsylvania for her entire life. Tradition is strong here. Roxy understands the rules and is willing to play by them most of the time. She runs the Charmed Inn, which has been in her family for decades.

The inn is all set to host a writers’ professional business weekend that’s been planned down to the very last hand-folded napkin, and Roxy is ready for the influx of creatives. She knows she’ll have a lot of different and sometimes unusual personalities to deal with, but this is a yearly function, so she’s not expecting anything to go awry.

Her expectations are completely tanked when she finds a dead body on her daily walk by the river’s shore. Owen Schultz had checked in for the conference a few hours ago, and she’d last seen him having tea with her aunt in the dining room.

How did he get down here on the ferry, and who killed him?

Fans of Lucy Score, Melissa F. Miller, Dianne Harman, Lynn Cahoon, Deany Ray, Kathi Daley, and Merryn Allingham will enjoy Misty Simon.

My Review:

I usually do not read cozy mysteries with a paranormal aspect so I was glad to find that this one is mild in that area. And the gift was unusual, as words in books would rise up and sparkle for Roxy. But she had some trouble as the gift didn't always work for her. And she had issues with family members that kept distracting her. The murder mystery does get solved in the end, not so much by Roxy's dedicated investigation but more by events happening.

This is a good start to a new series for readers who like cozy mysteries with a paranormal aspect as well as a hint of romance.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Rom Cozy (Paranormal Cozy mystery with Romantic elements)
Published by: Rowan Prose Publishing
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Number of Pages: 300
ASIN: B0D98KM21B
Series: The Charmed Inn Mysteries, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Goodreads

Books 2 & 3 of The Charmed Inn Mysteries are due out later this year:

Learn More: Amazon & Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

They called him Cheezy Rider—and with good cause.

I stood at the wide front window of the Charmed Inn with a cup of coffee in hand. I watched my great uncle toddling around the corner onto Chestnut Street, pedaling steadily on his old Beach Comber. The picture he made was something to behold. His bright orange vest perfectly matched the small caution flag waving from a tall pole attached to the back of the bike. His silver bullet helmet matched his thinning silver hair peeking out from underneath. But nothing matched his teal and red-flowered Hawaiian shirt.

His legs, covered in khakis, pumped away as he came up the block waving to anyone who happened to be on the short street in our small town on the shore of the Susquehanna River. The bicycle had a big wire basket on the front that he filled with a box of donuts from Delilah’s Donuts every day, a place that had been in the same family for seventy-five years, like so many other businesses here. Those donuts were heading right for my work and then right to my hips. But I had never said no to pastry, and I wasn’t going to start today. In fact, I needed the pick-me-up. Things were busy at the inn, with everyone checking in for the writers’ extended working weekend, and sugar was always welcome. The staff wouldn’t say no, either.

“I’m going to take a break,” I said to my Aunt Hellen as I passed her in the hallway leading to the dining room. She was technically my great aunt, and she could keep things moving for a few minutes while I stepped out into the beautiful April afternoon sunshine. What I really wanted to say was that I was trying not to break, but that wouldn’t be good for business. It had been one heck of a morning already, and I needed a moment to collect myself in the downtime before the festivities really began. Donuts were a great distraction, even if my erstwhile uncle did bring them every day.

“All righty, Ms. Mighty!” Aunt Hellen yelled back. This highly respected tasseomancer and seance-leader had a set of lungs that should never be allowed near a microphone. “I just finished having tea with Owen, so I’m free if you want to go on your walk, too. His phone rang in the middle of our tea, and it must have been important because he hightailed it out the door after making an excuse.” She situated herself behind the desk and placed her hands on the computer screen like it might fly away if she didn’t keep it locked down. “Hey, one thing before you go.”

I held steady, waiting for the inevitable question. My life seemed to be filled with questions.

“What kind of afternoon do you think we’re going to have? Should I restock the printer?”

Showing my teeth in what should have been a smile, I flipped open the book I held in my other hand, shaking my head at the ridiculousness of it all. Why, oh why, did I have to have this particular book with me? And why was my aunt always trying to force me to use my “gift”? I had no real power to do anything, just predict the future or get guidance from the text. Sometimes it was right, sometimes not. Either way, it was not high-powered magic in the least.

While poking my finger at the text, I said, “No need to stock the printer, but be prepared to deal with many irritations.” There’s nothing like trying to give a vague answer to a mundane question when the page you opened to was a spicy-hot scene between the hero and heroine in a recently released romance novel.

“I could have told you that. You have to try harder if you want to own your power, Roxanne Gleason. This is not a game.” Peering at me over her bifocals, she twitched the classic “Mom finger” in my general direction and then tsked.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, but only because I knew it wouldn’t do me any good. It would probably get me a lecture, and I didn’t have time for that today. Plus, those donuts were calling my name.

“Yes, Aunt Hellen. Sorry, Aunt Hellen.”

“Cheeky,” she said under her breath, but I still heard it and smiled.

“Is Owen’s nephew here yet?”

“No, Owen said he had to back out at the last minute, so we have a free room if we need it.”

I sighed because as much as I liked Andrew, that was one less eccentric I’d have to deal with. Owen was a character all on his own, but he knew when to rein it in, Andrew not so much. Plus, his room would still get paid for even if he wasn’t going to use it.

“Okay, thanks for letting me know. Keep an eye out for Paddy McGruver,” I said. “He hasn’t checked in yet, and sometimes he likes to come in the back door to avoid what he assumes are the paparazzi.”

“Oh my, Paddy’s coming in today? Will he be here all four days?” Aunt Hellen smoothed down the front of her shirt over what she jokingly called her shelf since it pretty much caught any crumbs she dropped while eating. She then pulled her peach cardigan closed over her stomach.

“Yes, and yes. Try to keep your hands to yourself this time. You read tea leaves, not rumps. No one is falling for that I’m-a-rumpologist-bit, no matter how hard you try to sell it.”

With that, I walked out the door and left her to primp and prime herself for one of the more problematic creatives who was going to be here for four whole days. Well, not quite four, since it was more like seventy-two total hours from check-in to check-out. But who was counting?

With ten of the writers showcasing their intelligence and posturing over who had the best book and which classes were not to be missed, it would be enough time for me to need a vacation afterward.

The hotel hosted this event every year, but this was my first as the owner of this fine establishment. I had been told to give myself the seven days following the event to only host boring people, so I could rest, relax, and restore my faith in down-to-earth people. I had taken the advice since it had come from the previous owner, my grandfather. We would have guests checking in on Sunday after everyone left, but there wouldn’t be a pen and paper or laptop in sight as far as the guest list went. I had made sure of it.

Uncle Vince was racking his bike at the side of the building and removing his helmet when I stepped out onto the wide veranda that encircled the inn. I looked forward to his visits and had for all the years he’d been in my life. I wasn’t sure exactly how far away on my dad’s family tree he was, just that he was there and always had been.

He was like a beacon in the middle of the day, everyone stopping as they strolled along the sidewalks to say hi and ask about his health. It kept him busy until I could reach him, which worked in my favor. As long as he didn’t give away any of my donuts.

“I see you got two boxes this time,” I said as I approached the old man in his loud get-up.

“Roxy, my love, my dove, how are we on this fine afternoon?” His smile was far cheekier than anything I had ever sported, and I immediately wondered what he was up to. It was almost never good. Or rather, it usually was good for someone but almost never good for me.

“What are you hiding?”

He slapped his hand to his chest and feigned hurt. “I would never -”

“You do. Always,” I shot back, but a smile was trying to come out on my lips that I did not want to give in to. If I indulged him, he always had to see exactly how far he could take it.

“I’m offended.”

“Only because I’m catching you before you can even begin. Hand over the donuts, and I might be able to see my way to just watching for any missteps instead of thwarting you before you even get started.”

At first, he looked defeated, but I knew for a fact that was a lie. He’d just figure out a different way to get around me. It was a game he liked to play, and since he was an uncle and someone who had watched over me since I was a toddler, I knew, and so did he, that I had a weak spot for him and his antics. As long as they didn’t hurt anyone.

Sure enough, that smile popped back out on his face. As I knew it would.

“I saw you in my scrying bowl this morning.”

Ack, that was the last thing I wanted him to say. I would have preferred almost anything else, even the practical jokes he sometimes liked to indulge in. He wasn’t very good at them, but I laughed, even if it was just a big fake spider on my porch. His visions were some of my biggest fears, though. Or it might be better to say his visions had brought about many of my stumbles in life.

***

Excerpt from By Hook or By Book by Misty Simon. Copyright 2025 by Misty Simon. Reproduced with permission from Misty Simon. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.

Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at misty@mistysimon.com.

Catch Up With Misty Simon:

MistySimon.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @MistySimon
Instagram - @mistysimonwrites
Threads - @mistysimonwrites
Facebook - @misty.simon.18

 

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I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

Sharp by Therese Huston Book Review

About the Book:

What if your best days weren’t left to chance, but something you could control and activate at will? Most of us want to be a little happier, a little more focused, and a lot less stressed. We want simple approaches that are easy to fold into our everyday lives.

In Sharp, you’ll discover dozens of evidence-backed strategies to help you unlock your potential and enhance your performance—whether at work, school, home, or in relationships.

Cognitive scientist Therese Huston unpacks the latest neuroscience research to deliver a gold mine of techniques to help you feel your sharpest including:

• How a calming deep breathing technique improves decision-making

• Exactly what kind of exercise helps you think on your feet

• What brain science says you should look for in a doctor, and

• How to get focused on your most unfocused days.

Sharp dives into more innovative, actionable tips that can make a difference in your daily routine. Best of all, many of them take five minutes or less.

Whether you want to make fewer mistakes, support your partner through life’s challenges, or simply learn faster, Sharp gives you the tools to do it all, without having to overhaul your entire lifestyle. It’s time to take charge of your mental and emotional well-being with science.

My Review:

I am a septuagenarian and keeping my brain sharp is important to me. Huston offers the latest findings and uses them to create practical actions so I can use my brain better. While she divides her book into ideas for work and for personal life, I found the work ideas good for general use too. I appreciate that individual topics could be read as needed. I really liked her practices at the end of each chapter. She also provides her website where I can find the latest discoveries and insights.

While I knew some of what Huston covers, I really appreciate the information in this is book and will be using the practices she recommends.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Therese Huston, Ph.D., is a cognitive scientist at Seattle University, where she transforms good science into great strategies. She was the founding director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Seattle University and is now a consultant for their Center for Faculty Development. She is the author of Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower; How Women Decide; and Teaching What You Don’t Know and has written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, TIME, The Guardian, and Harvard Business Review. Therese has led workshops and delivered presentations to Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and universities across the globe. She lives in Seattle with her husband and their dog, who insists on being the real boss of the household.

Mayo Clinic Press, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

Person in Progress by Jemma Sbeg Book Review

About the Book:

Jemma Sbeg launched her wildly popular podcast, The Psychology of Your 20s, in the back seat of her car, driven (no pun intended) by the simple desire to understand the universal experiences of twentysomethings through psychological research. She’s done the hard work and lived through these years, and now she shares advice, personal stories, and research-based insights to help you navigate this jungle of a decade, too.

Whether you’re wrestling with a sweaty case of imposter syndrome, doing your best not to self-sabotage, attempting to settle your anxious mind, or trying to keep your head above water in the murkiness of the dating pool, Sbeg will help you deal with the most chaotic personal and professional moments of this decade by understanding the psychology behind them. For example:

• You have a multitude of choices about your career before you. Learn how to reframe the way you think about your future so that you don’t get overwhelmed by the options.
• Whether you’re feeling the stigma of being single, stuck in a probably-going-nowhere situationship, or still hurting after heartbreak, discover how to understand and articulate what you’re looking for in a relationship.
• It’s normal to make mistakes. Unpack how to get comfortable with your mistakes and let them teach you instead of ruminating on them.

To enhance your own self-growth journey, the book includes questions and self-guided moments for your own reflection in each chapter. An invaluable guidebook to your twenties that will help you make the most of this formative decade, Person in Progress reminds us that it’s okay to embrace uncertainty and transitions.

My Review:

I am a septuagenarian so the years in my 20s were a long time ago. But they were turbulent years containing career and relationship changes. There were no podcasts back then nor books to help me go through those times.

Sbeg has included a great deal of information to help readers through those formative and often rocky years. The book contains a good combination of personal experiences and results from science. Listening to her podcast will give potential readers a good idea of its content. I do wish this book had been available decades ago.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Jemma Sbeg is a world renowned Australian podcaster and mental health advocate best known for her podcast, 'The Psychology of your 20s'. Launched in 2021, the podcast aims to reduce the stigma and promote the conversation around the less-discussed transitions, events and topics of our first real decade of adulthood. In 2023, the show was the 19th most streamed podcast worldwide and one of the top mental health and self help podcasts in the world. Jemma also hosts the podcast 'Mantra', a weekly self help podcast with PAVE Studios. Person in Progress is her debut book.

Rodale Books: 336 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. Mine is an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Fake Christianity by Jed Coppenger Book Review

About the Book:

We are the problem. But Jesus can save us from ourselves.

Fake Christianity is deceptive and deadly. And, unfortunately, it's very much alive today. We can easily recognize problems and hypocrisy around us. But it takes humility and courage to face the error and deception within us. With a pastoral heart, Jed Coppenger shows us how unnoticed hypocrisy, like prayerlessness, neglect of the Bible, gossip, bitterness, and every form of ungodliness, compromise our heart and weaken our Christian witness.

In Fake Christianity, Coppenger looks to the teachings of Jesus that address a culture remarkably like our own. He exposes ten traps of inauthentic faith and provides a gospel-centric response. The best way to tell a fake thing is to look at the real thing. That's true when looking at gems. It's also true of the Christian life. If we want to understand what's true and good, we must look to Jesus. And we must listen to Him.

My Review:

We may be one of those who appears godly, our actions may seem to honor God, yet our heart can be far from Him. Jesus confronted the Pharisees for an appearance of godliness without having a heart for Him. Coppenger confronts us here, to evaluate our heart's connection to God.

He explores several areas for us to investigate. We might enjoy bossing others, for example, but do no work ourselves. We might be critical of others' mistakes but deny our own. We may have zeal or passion but for the wrong things. We may like to point out the grievous sin of others. Coppenger challenges us to identify our own “acceptable” sins in the light of God's holiness.

Coppenger's writing style is easy to read. This book is more like a discussion across a cup of coffee than a theological work. I recommend it to those who are ready to take an honest look at themselves, making sure they are not merely doing things Christians do, going though the motions while having a heart far from God.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Dr. Jed Coppenger is the lead pastor of First Baptist Church Cumming, GA. Jed's first book, "21 Days to Childlike Prayer: Changing Your World One Specific Prayer at a Time," was released Jan 18, 2022 (Harvest House). His second book, "Fake Christianity: 10 Traps of an Inauthentic Faith (and How to Avoid Them)" comes out March 4, 2024 (Moody). He loves preaching, coaching, and helping people follow Jesus. He's married to Melanie and they have three kids. You can connect with him at https://www.jedcoppenger.com/

Moody Publishers, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Elegance and Evil by DK Coutant Blog Tour Book Review

ELEGANCE AND EVIL

by DK Coutant

June 2 - 27, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A Cleo Cooper Mystery

 

Cleo Cooper left ocean-dipping weekends as a psychology professor in Hawaii to sample life in the high desert of Santa Fe for her sabbatical. With her romantic relationship on the rocks in Hawaii, Cleo falls for Luc, a charming international expert in her field and is tempted to make the change permanent. She enjoys the people, the work, and the sparkling conversations, even if they come with a bite. But, when a wealthy backer of her project is killed, the snarky scientists, artists, and a Saudi ex-pat, who Cleo thought were her new friends, are now at the top of the suspect list. And with a killer on the loose, Cleo finds her life, and her love, in danger.

Praise for Elegance and Evil:

"DK Coutant’s ELEGANCE AND EVIL is a tightly written, fast-paced read that plunges us into the backdrop of a Santa Fe community, so beautifully described, it becomes one of the characters. Celo Cooper is a smart and savvy amateur sleuth who reads people as thoroughly as the research papers she reviews in her world of academia, making her an A-plus crime solver. A cast of quirky characters adds to the book’s charm and had me wondering who to trust until the surprise ending. A big thumbs up!"
~ Cindy Goyette, PSWA award winner and LEFTY finalist author of OBEY ALL LAWS and EARLY TERMINATION of the Probation Case Files Mystery Series.

"Elegance and Evil is crisp, engaging, and subtly atmospheric, blending elements of classic mystery with a modern, conversational tone. DK Coutant crafts a narrative that is both immersive and accessible, using a first-person perspective to draw readers into Cleo’s thoughts and observations."
~ Morgan Hatch, author of Gone To Ground

"Readers will enjoy the balance between a spicy romance and cunning mystery in Elegance and Evil by DK Coutant."
~ Joy Ann Ribar, author of The Bay Browning Mysteries and Deep Lakes Cozy Mysteries

"Cleo Cooper is a fascinating character in this taut, twisty mystery that will delight readers. Hopefully, author DK Coutant brings her back very soon."
~ R.G. Belsky, author of the Clare Carlson mystery series

"When psychologist Cleo Cooper takes a temporary assignment in Santa Fe, volcanic eruptions threaten her Hawaiian home, and her relationship with her boyfriend in Hawaii falls apart. A new love interest emerges, and Cleo soon finds herself at the center of a murder investigation that could change everything. Set against the enchanting backdrop of Santa Fe and filled with quirky, intelligent characters, Elegance and Evil is an entertaining blend of mystery, romance, and suspense."
~ Stacy Wilder, author of the Liz Adams Mystery series

My Review:

This novel is more of a deep dive into Cleo's life in Santa Fe than it is a murder investigation. There is a good mix of information on Santa Fe culture with Cleo's advancing relationship with Luc. The murder investigation seems to take a back seat and come forward only from time to time. There are also a couple of additional themes explored, both involving people who moved to the U.S. from oppressive countries. It seemed Cleo was not quite as intelligent in this novel as in the earlier one. The villain is eventually identified but not because of Cleo's astute work.

This is a mystery for readers who would like the exploration of an interesting setting and an emphasis on the amateur sleuth's life. It is the second in a series and people from the first book are referenced in this one but are not essential to the plot, so this book reads fine on its own.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my review of the first book in the series, Evil Alice and the Borzoi.

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional Mystery, Amateur Sleuth
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: June 4, 2025
Number of Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-1-5092-6136-9
Series: Cleo Cooper Mysteries, Book 2
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

New in Town

“Are you ready for this, Cleo?” Luc asked.

“Sure.” Beginnings were intimidating. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Luc pulled into the driveway of a traditional adobe house, typical of what I had seen here in Santa Fe, NM. A stocky man of medium-height, with hair pulled back in a small man-bun exited and locked the front door.

“Jon can be a bit insufferable sometimes, but his heart is usually in the right place,” Luc said. Jon was one of Luc’s closest friends, and a scientist who worked at a federal lab nearby. Luc was giving him a ride to the dinner party we were attending.

Jon swung open the back door of Luc’s car. “This should be fun,” he said sliding into the backseat.

I turned and smiled at him from the front passenger seat. “Hi Jon, it’s nice to meet you. Luc has told me a lot about you. I’m Cleo—”

“Cleo Cooper, I know. I’ve heard about you too. Anyway. Luc, did you get my email about the new grant I was awarded?” And Jon rattled on about the mega-grant he’d received for his latest research project.

Oka-a-a-a-y.

Luc pulled away from the curb.

“This grant will cement my spot at the top of the food chain at the lab. The Defense Department is really interested in my ideas on further miniaturization of key components,” Jon said.

“That sounds interesting. What kind of components? And how small do you think you can shrink them?” I asked.

Jon’s gaze shifted to me. “You’re just a psychologist, right?”

“Yes.” But I suspected where this was going.

“Were your parents scientists?”

“No.” My parents ran a diner.

“Then it is a waste of my time to try and explain atomic physics to you. Luc’s parents at least taught him enough over the dinner table that he can understand the basics of my research. But a psych professor from a small university in the middle of nowhere—”

“Hey.” Luc interrupted. “Cleo is a scientist, a social scientist. And she has conducted some solid studies. And I’m a psychologist too. So no looking down your nose at us because we don’t get defense department grants. And, if you’re going to bring up my parents… they claim that any good scientists should be able to explain their work to someone outside the field.”

“And my university isn’t in the middle of nowhere. It’s in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a gateway between East and West.” I was on sabbatical from my university on the Big Island of Hawaii, and I wasn’t going to let anybody talk smack about my island. Maybe coming to Santa Fe, NM to work with Luc for six months wasn’t such a great idea.

Jon sighed. “Whatever. I think I’d rather wait until we get to the party to explain my grant so I can see the look on Matias’s face when he realizes I’ll have the largest grant at the lab. He won’t be able to get rid of me now. And he’ll have to take me seriously.”

We reached downtown Santa Fe and Luc pulled into a parking garage. Butterflies took flight in my stomach. I was usually comfortable in new situations. But Jon’s obnoxious condescension had me feeling jittery. On our short ride from Jon’s house to the garage, his bombastic wit had overwhelmed me.

I’d left a secure, comfortable career as a psychology professor, and a secure, mostly uncomfortable boyfriend, to create a new life. I arrived a week ago, and this dinner party would be my first opportunity to meet people. A lot of movers and shakers were expected, including Luc. I contemplated the man strolling beside me, his striking bone structure and tousled black hair. He was influential in town, and his Institute for the Study of International Relations lined up perfectly with my research.

Luc, Jon, and I traversed a crooked sidewalk that undulated over roots of old Siberian elms. My butterflies flittered again, and I hoped the walk from the parking garage to our hostess’s home on the other side of the Plaza would rein in my nerves. I glanced at Luc. He’d invited me here to work on his project during my sabbatical. I wanted to keep the relationship professional, but his dark, smoldering eyes, broad shoulders, and kindness made my heart beat faster.

Luc must have noticed. “We’re almost there Cleo, not much farther.”

Luc and Jon would know everyone at the party. Again with those damn butterflies. Luc smiled at me as we approached a crosswalk. Jon stepped off the curb ahead of us as a dark grey Lexus turned on to the street we were crossing and sped up.

“Watch out!” I grabbed Luc’s arm to hold him back from the crosswalk. I winced, expecting the car to hit Jon who was already in the street but managed to maneuver out of the car’s path.

“What the… that driver only missed you by inches.” My hands shook from the adrenaline surge. The Lexus ran through a red light as it raced away. “Is someone out to get you, Jon?” I bit my lip as my heart thumped and my mind caught up with the fact I’d almost witnessed someone’s death.

“Maybe.” Jon grinned. The 40-ish nuclear physicist bounded forward to the other sidewalk. His legs bounced with a child-like spring. As he stepped out of the street he threw his head back and let loose a loud “Ha.”

“I guess a brush with death has made him a little giddy,” I said.

“Either that or Jon has been taste-testing his marijuana cookie recipe again.” We took the last steps out of the road. “It was probably somebody texting while driving. You should have looked before you stepped into the crosswalk, Jon,” Luc said. “But, if Cleo’s right, and that driver was trying to run you down, the tough call is narrowing who does not want to knock you off.”

I took a deep breath to steady myself. “How can you guys joke? It scared me to death and I’m not the one who almost died.”

“Who’s joking?” Jon asked with a laugh. But his laugh wobbled. He blinked rapidly. “Luc’s probably right. It was somebody texting, or drinking. But both Matias and Kyle hate my guts, could be either one of them. What do you think, Luc?”

“A tough call. You annoy so many people.” Luc smiled fondly.

We resumed ambling down the sidewalk. The shaking in my hands subsided. I glanced up the street, but the Lexus didn’t reappear. Maybe it was my imagination and the car didn’t aim for Jon.

“Is Kyle still living with Ginger?” Luc asked.

“Surprisingly, yes. I thought she would have tossed him out by now. He’ll be there tonight, as well as Matias, to hear my big grant news. Jon’s grin returned. “This should be fun.”

Luc let out a low whistle, nudging me gently with his elbow. “Better keep your head down, Cleo. Sparks could fly.”

Great. I had hoped to meet some nice people and make some connections, so I wouldn’t depend on Luc to get acclimated. Is everybody going to be at each other’s throats?

“Here we are.” Luc touched my elbow gently with his right hand while extending his left to open a wooden gate elaborately carved with a detailed mural of a Mexican village.

I looked beyond to the creamy pumpkin-colored pueblo structure. Old wood broke the adobe into sizable chunks, so while the house was large, it didn’t devour a guest. Well-trained roses and wisteria wound up far above my head around high frames of mesquite wood which offered sweet-smelling shade. The front door was constructed from some exotic wood, with dramatic zebra stripes punctuated by a natural sunburst pattern in the grain. Bespoke, oversized windows appeared to curve with the walls. I’d never been in a house of such obvious wealth. My confidence faltered.

I looked at my companions.

“You first, my dear.” Jon bowed with a dramatic flourish. “I want someone to hide behind if people start throwing things.”

***

Excerpt from Elegance and Evil by DK Coutant. Copyright 2025 by DK Coutant. Reproduced with permission from DK Coutant. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

DK Coutant graduated from Davidson College with a Psychology degree and initially applied her behavioral training to animals at Sea World, working with dolphins and whales. After a couple of years, she realized that scrubbing fish buckets might get old, and went back to Graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology, specializing in Cross-Cultural Issues. She began her academic career in Maine. A few years later, she made the jump to Hawaii and worked at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, rising to Department Chair of the Psychology Department. After many happy years in Hawaii, her love for travel led her to make the move out of academics. She accepted positions as a professional geopolitical forecaster with GJ Inc. and Rand Forecasting Initiative. She splits her time between Olympia, WA, Santa Fe, NM, and France, with her husband and an Old English Sheepdog, Beasley. Evil Alice and Borzoi was released by the Wild Rose Press in 2023. Elegance and Evil is the second in the Cleo Cooper Mysteries.

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(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

Bazaar by Miles Joyner Blog Tour Book Review

BAZAAR

by Miles Joyner

May 26 - June 20, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A high-profile homicide of a former ambassador’s son in the nightlife district of the nation’s capital gets connected to an assassination market on the dark web. When political elites panic upon finding their names listed on the online dead pool, entrepreneurial siblings Karen and Yemi Uzunma see a business opportunity for their DC area-based executive protection firm, RAPTOR. Their first major client becomes the ex-diplomat himself, Chiedu Attah, but to guarantee his safety, they realize they are going to have to go to war in the streets with an inventive contract killer who will not stop attacking until Attah suffers the same fate as his son.

Praise for Bazaar:

"Bazaar is not just about action; it unfolds layer by layer, offering more than just a high-stakes thriller."
~ Priya Bhasin, The Bibliophilic World

"Truly an interesting book with a perspective rarely seen in fiction"
~ Jeff Sexton, Head Librarian for Hardcover.app

"A fast-paced book that caught me off guard more than once."
~ The Mystery Review Crew

"If you like complex, suspenseful, thrills, chills, hidden agenda type books, then I recommend giving Bazaar by Miles Joyner a try."
~ Susan Blogs About Books

"Saying that I was awestruck by Miles Joyner’s character development and knowledge of subject matter would be an understatement. I highly enjoyed this novel."
~ J.M. Clark, Author of Palace Program series of novels

BAZAAR Trailer:

 

My Review:

This is one action filled novel. I lost count of the deadly gun fights included. The plot concept is intriguing with people betting on an assassination day then plotting the very act to win the pool. The novel introduced me to a world I had not experienced, filled with unsavory characters and extreme gang violence.

Joyner's wordy writing style and use of adjectives took concentration for me to comprehend. Potential readers should also be aware that much of the dialogue is between gang members and includes much slang and many foul words. I had difficulty liking any of the characters. This is really a novel for readers who are ready to delve into groups containing people committed to violence.

My rating: 4/5 stars. 

Book Details:

Genre: Technothriller
Published by: World Castle Publishing
Publication Date: March 24, 2025
Number of Pages: 355
ISBN: 9798305201901 (HC) 9798891263369 (PB)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Kobo | Google Play (Audio) | Goodreads | Smashwords

Read an excerpt from Bazaar:

 

Author Bio:

A lifelong fiction writer, Miles turned to penning novels after nearly a decade of holding various producer/editor roles in the D.C. area media industry. He still pursues filmmaking in between books and finds that writing in the thriller genre only enhances that passion even more. Miles is an active member of International Thriller Writers where his novel, Bazaar, was selected for ITW's Debut Authors Program. He also attends monthly meetings for Novels in Progress DC.

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)