A POSTCARD FROM HELL by Adrienne Blake

Title:  A POSTCARD FROM HELL

Series:  The Goblin Dicks Paranormal Detective Agency #1

Author:  Adrienne Blake

Publisher:  Adrienne Blake

Publish Date:   12.26.2019

Category /Genre:  YA, Fantasy, Short story

Recommended for:  16+ due to language

Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect

Received from:  Adrienne Blake (as an ARC gifted copy)

Goodreads link: A Postcard from Hell

Date completed: 12.24.2019

Description from the publisher:

After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job.  But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full.  But there’s mischief in the shadows, and if she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.After a piss poor performance with a deadly werewolf leaves her scarred for life, private detective Dionne Cruz isn’t trusted with anything more arduous than an uptown babysitting job. But when a random gas explosion proves to be anything but, her investigative and witchin’ skills are tested to the full. But there’s mischief in the shadows, and If she screws up again, more than her reputation is on the line – she could lose her soul.

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A POSTCARD FROM HELL is the first book in The Goblin Dicks Paranormal Detective Agency series. 

There are a lot of references to past events, but this is supposed to be the first in the series.  It left me feeling that I had missed a book that doesn’t exist.  It’s not that I felt I needed to have read another book, just that there were all of these references to something else.  For example, if I needed to know about the attack that left Dionne scarred, then why not a prologue, at the very least, that provided that?

Now, the Postcard from Hell?  That was a fun paranormal mystery with a dash of romance.  Dionne and her partner at the Goblin Dicks Paranormal Detective Agency are working around the clock for a big client who has received threats.  The first night that Dionne is to relieve Harrison, her partner, for her shift of babysitting the client a gas explosion happens on another floor in the building.  Thus begins the many questions about a pretty little postcard for a seaside resort.

“An ancient handwriting on a modern-day postcard with a modern-day message, with a ridiculously expensive stamp on it. I’ve got to admit, this one has me baffled.”

The story is creative, the characters are deliciously diverse, and the plot is beautifully tangled and twisted.

Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Goblin Dicks Paranormal Detective Agency Series:

1.      A Postcard from Hell

Also from Adrienne Blake:

·         The Cardinal’s Whores

·         London Lady

·         The Rancher’s Runaway Bride

·         Tamed by the Rancher

Misty Cedars series:

0.5  Spelling Bee

1.      Blood Curse

2.      The Necromancer’s Curse

2.5 Magic and Mayhem Academy

Sassy Captives of Corolla Series:

1.      Tamed by the Alien

2.      Taken by the Alien

Wonderful Women of History Series:

1.      Loving the Duke’s Daughter

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BIBLE WORD SEARCH 101 PUZZLES

Title:  BIBLE WORD SEARCH 101 PUZZLES, LARGE PRINT

Publisher:  Game Nest

Publish Date:   12.22.2019

Category /Genre:  Humor & Puzzles

Recommended for:  all ages

Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect

Received from:  Game Nest (as an ARC gifted copy)

Date completed: 12.27.2019

Description from the publisher:

Sit back and relax with these Biblical puzzles printed in a large, easy-to-read size.

Features:

• 101 puzzles based on favorite bible verses (with solutions)
• Verses contain underlined words which are hidden in the grids
• Easy-to-read large font
• Includes popular verses such as:
• For Thou Art With Me (Psalm 23:4-6)
• Love is Patient (Corinthians 13:4-8)
• Rejoice In The Lord Always (Philippians 4:4-7)
• Eternal Life (John 3:16-18)
• For I Am With You (Isaiah 41:10-12)
• Trust In The Lord (Proverbs 3:1-6)
• For Them That Love God (Romans 8:28-30)

Perfect gift those who love Bible themes puzzles or enjoy the uplifting and strengthening words of faith.

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This is a fun way to learn the verses.  As you review the verse to find the underlined words, your mind is absorbing the text.  It is beautifully laid out with one puzzle per page and the answers at the end of the book.

This is appropriate to work as a family or individually and the large font makes it easier to share the page or for older or tired eyes.

Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Also from Game Nest:

·         5 Crowns Score Sheets

·         Bible Word Search – 101 Puzzles, Large Print

·         Bunco Score Sheets

·         Sudoku Easy to Expert – 555 Puzzles

·         Sudoku Large Print – 101 Puzzles

·         Word Search Large Print – 101 Puzzles

·         Yahtzee Score Sheets

 

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DELLA by Vivi Holt

Title:  DELLA

Series:  Cowboys and Debutantes #2
Author:  Vivi Holt
Narrator:  Meghan Kelly
Length:  2 hours and 7 minutes
Audible Release Date:  06.01.2018
Publisher:  Black Lab Press
Publish Date:  06.03.2017
Category /Genre:  Historical Romance
Recommended for:  16+ due to vocabulary
Listenability:  OK  or  NSFW
Received from:  Meghan Kelly (as an Audible gifted copy)
Goodreads link: Della
Date completed: 12.10.2019

Description from the publisher:

Introducing Cowboys and Debutantes!  Enjoy these clean and wholesome, sweet historical western romances.  These riches to rags shorts prove that love can be found in the most unexpected places, and that money does not always make the man.  But as our debutantes know, it sure helps!

Della Stout can hardly believe it when her father tells her he's lost it all - the money, the house, the servants, their entire fortune.  But things only get worse when they inform her she's to be sent west, as a Mail Order Bride.  When she meets her husband to be, she's less than impressed - by him and the dusty little town he lives in.

Clement White has spent his whole life working toward this moment.  After opening a bank in Montana Territory, he feels as though his dreams have come true.  All but one - he realizes there's no one to share in the fruits of his labor.  A Mail Order Bride seems like just the thing to complete his life, that is, until she arrives.  Suddenly he's saddled with a woman who doesn't know a stovetop from a washtub, and to make matters worse she wants nothing to do with him. 

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Della is the second book in the Cowboys and Debutantes series.  This series is co-authored with Kit Morgan.  I’ve been offered the books penned by Vivi Holt from this series and told they will stand without the companion books.  I’ll let you know!  I can tell you that Della stands on its own.

There couldn’t be much more different about the two people thrown together as mail-order bride and her groom than Della and Clement.  Della is a debutante from New York City who is used to parties and fun, servants and society.  Clement is a banker in a small western town with dirt roads and simple dreams. 

Della may be a debutante, but she isn’t a screaming Bridezilla.  She has accepted that she is a mail-order bride because of the circumstances of her father’s business.  The situation may not be easy, but it is entertaining to read as Della and Clement grow together to become a couple ready to become a family.

Clement is exactly the kind of man a woman would hope to find at the end of her journey to become a mail-order bride.  He is patient, kind, and generous.  He even encourages and helps her to find new friends in her new town.

I really enjoyed this low-stress sweet romance.  I’m looking forward to reading/listening to more of the series.

Narration:  Meghan Kelly is one of my favorite narrators.  She has a very relaxing way of reading that never feels rushed.  With a short story, this is even more important, because I like to feel that I’m hearing every word of what is being given.

Note:  While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Cowboys and Debutantes, Historical series:

1.      Effie  (Kit Morgan)

2.      Della

3.      Minnie (Kit Morgan)

4.      Hattie

5.      Lula (Kit Morgan)

6.      Pearl

7.      Love’s Saving Grace (Kit Morgan)

Also from Vivi Holt:

·         The Billionaire’s Email-Order Date

·         Getting Out Alive:  The David Donovan Story (True Survival #4)

·         Home Is Where the Heart Is

·         Kidnapped

·         The Lift

Cowboys and Debutantes, Contemporary series:

1.      Dalton

2.      Eamon

3.      Parker

Cutter’s Creek series:

1.      The Strong One

2.      The Betrothed

3.      Cherished

4.      Season of Love

5.      Captivated

6.      Beguiled

Make -Believe series:

1.      Make-Believe Fiancé

2.      Make-Believe Wedding 

3.      Make-Believe Honeymoon

4.      Make-Believe Husband

Orphan Brides Go West series:

1.      Christy

2.      Ramona

3.      Katie

4.      Holly

Paradise Valley series:

1.      Of Peaks and Prairies 

2.      Winds of Paradise

3.      Lost in Laredo

4.      Cheyenne

5.      Forgotten Trails

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DIAMONDS DON’T CRY by Dawn Brower

Title:  DIAMONDS DON’T CRY

Series:  Mystifying Music #1

Author:  Dawn Brower

Narrator:  Rhonda Cusumano

Length:  2 hours 47 minutes

Audible Release Date:  11.25.2019

Publisher:  Monarchal Glenn Press

Publish Date:   11.12.2019

Category /Genre:  Romance

Recommended for:  16+ due to language

Listenability:  OK for most ears

Received from:  Dawn Brower (as an Audible gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Diamonds Don’t Cry

Date completed: 12.18.2019

Description from the publisher:

Scarlett Oliver's life hasn't always been easy. Though many believe it has. The lyrics in her songs come from her soul and the music that accompanies them from the world around her. Both help her to get through some of the toughest times in her life.

When she was 18, she planned to marry her true love...until he abandoned her at the altar and ran away with her best friend. She threw herself into her music and built a career most would envy. Everything seems all right until the only man she loved returns, and his very presence might destroy her carefully crafted facade.

Jensen "JD" Drake has always loved Scarlett. His one regret was leaving her behind to pursue his own dreams. He allowed her to believe he cheated on her so it would be easier for him to leave, but no woman has ever held his heart the way she has.

Now a starting catcher for the Sparkle City Suns, he's come home, and he intends to stake a claim on her heart once again. It won't be easy, but nothing worth having ever is.

Through all the heartache, Scarlett never stopped loving JD, but she doubts she can ever trust him again. There are too many years and uncertainty between them to go back.

Just when she starts to hope, something else threatens to destroy her, and she'll need JD more than ever. Healing old wounds might be the salve Scarlett needs to find the strength to survive the upcoming agony awaiting her.

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DIAMONDS DON’T CRY is the first book in the multi-author Mystifying Music series.  Each will stand on its own.  The only unifying factor is the magic of music.

I love second chance romance stories.  After ten years apart, JD has returned to stake his claim on the only heart that ever mattered to him.  Scarlett is his only love, besides the baseball diamond.  He just has to prove it to her.  That’s what is wonderful about second chance romances.  That proving – it’s not supposed to be easy, but it is the stuff that makes me swoon.

I’d love to read about Scarlett’s sisters as this series continues.

Narration:  Rhonda Cusumano narrates and though it starts out a little rocky, she soon finds her own voice as she brings her characters to life.  There were times that it was hard to tell which character was speaking because she was using the wrong voice for the line.  That happens when an actor cold reads.  Still, I like her voice and she does an excellent job at pronunciation of the difficult words.

Note:  While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy via free audiobook promo codes (dot) com, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Mystifying Music Series:

1.      Diamonds Don’t Cry (Dawn Brower)

2.      Echos in the Shadows (Elizabeth St. John)

3.      A Song to Remember (Carrie Pulkinen)

4.      A Satyr for Christmas (Rebekah Lewis)

5.      One Man Band (Shea Brighton)

Also from Dawn Brower:

·         Broken Pearl

·         Charming Her Rogue (Enduring Legacy #10)

·         Christmas at Fortuna’s Parlor

·         Deadly Benevolence

·         Diamonds Don’t Cry (Mystifying Music #1)

·         Don’t Happen Twice

·         Find Me Love

·         A Gypsy’s Christmas Kiss: Scandal Meets Love (Connected by a Kiss #6)

·         Kindred Lies

·         The Legacy’s Origin (Enduring Legacy #1)

·         Odds of Love (Scandal Meets Love #4)

·         Snowflake Kisses

·         A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss (Connected by a Kiss #3)

Begin Again Series:

1.      There You’ll Be

2.      Better as a Memory

3.      Won’t Let Go

Bluestockings Defying Rogues Series:

1.      Earl of Harrington

2.      A Lady Hoyden’s Secret

3.      One Wicked Kiss

4.      Earl in Trouble

5.      All the Ladies Love Coventry

6.      One Less Scandalous Earl

7.      Confessions of a Hellion

Broken Curses Series:

1.      The Enchanted Princess

2.      The Bespelled Knight

3.      The Magical Hunt

Ever Beloved Series:

1.      Forever My Earl

2.      Always My Viscount

3.      Infinitely My Marquess

4.      Eternally My Duke

Heart’s Intent Series:

1.      One Heart to Give

2.      Unveiled Hearts

3.      Heart of the Moment

4.      Kiss My Heart Goodbye

5.      Heart in Waiting

Kismet Bay Series:

1.      Once Upon a Christmas

2.      New Year Revelation

3.      All Things Valentine

4.      Luck at First Sight

5.      Endless Summer Days

6.      A Witch’s Charm

7.      All Out of Gratitude

8.      Christmas Ever After

Linked Across Time series:

1.      Saved by My Blackguard

2.      Searching for My Rogue

3.      Seduction of My Rake

4.      Surrendering to My Spy

5.      Spellbound by My Charmer

6.      Stolen by My Knave

7.      Separated from My Love

Marsden Descendants Series:

1.      Rebellious Angel (Christmas Wishes #6)

2.      Tempting an American Princess

3.      Loving an American Spy (Miracle Express #8)

4.      How to Kiss a Debutante

Marsden Romance Series:

1.      A Flawed Jewel

1.5  A Crystal Angel

2.      A Treasured Lily

3.      A Sanguine Gem

4.      A Hidden Ruby

5.      A Discarded Pearl

Novak Springs Series:

1.      Cowgirl Fever

1.5  Dirty Proof

2.      Unbridled Pursuit

3.      Christmas Temptation

4.      Sensual Games

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