Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates -#Reviews – #Thriller Paulette Mahurin, #Fantasy Marcia Meara, #Mystery J. A. Newman

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Cafe and Bookstore where I share recent reviews for authors on the shelves.

The first author with a recent review is Paulette Mahurin for her thriller Irma’s Endgame

As with all Paulette’s books, profits from will go to rescue dogs from kill shelters.

About Irma’s Endgame.

When newspaper headlines screamed in large bold print that one of the world’s leading heart-transplant surgeons, Peter Dayton, was arrested for the death of one of his transplant patients, shock waves were felt around the world. Particularly impacted was an attorney, Irma Mullins, who found it inconceivable that the man she once loved could have committed the heinous act for which he had been arrested. Determined to find out what happened, she embarks on a course of action to uncover the truth. But when all paths lead to one dead-end after another, and Dayton continues to maintain his innocence, she detours.

Through desperation, frustration, fear, and determination she grasps at thin threads for anything that might uncover facts to help exonerate Dayton. What she ultimately discovers is both shocking and unbelievable. Written by the award-winning, international best-selling author, Paulette Mahurin, Irma’s Endgame is a story of friendship and loyalty, of betrayal and revenge, of mystery and discovery, of enmity and love. It is a narrative that shakes the very core of the scientific ground we all walk on and proves that what we think is real is not always solid terrain. This is a novel that will be remembered long after the last page is finished.

One of the recent reviews for the book

John Maberry 5.0 out of 5 stars Has the makings of a good movie  Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2020

Kept my interest throughout. The back story central to plot is a transplant patient exhibiting personality traits of an organ donor. It’s not unheard of. The author does a good job wrapping up a complicated story involving the donor (briefly) and her spouse, along with the recipient and his spouse. Lots of emotional turmoil between the husband who received the heart transplant and his wife–who has her own history that contributes to the trying times.

There’s much sturm und drang among the rich Beverly Hills set. Some years after the transplant, leading cardiac surgeon Peter Dayton is charged with manslaughter. He allegedly prescribed the wrong meds to another patient. Irma Mullins, attorney who mediates cases, is shocked to see the news about Dayton. She never stopped loving him, despite his spurning her decades ago for someone more acceptable to Dayton’s parents. She reaches out to him and offers her help.

Did Dayton do it? Well, given the set up, the reader has to conclude probably not. So, how will Irma prove it? With lots and lots of research, aided by her investigative journalist friend. Plus, deep dives into the lives of all those folks involved back in the transplant situation–the brokenhearted husband of the heart donor, the recipient and his wife who doesn’t like the changes her husband has after he receives a new heart.

The only complaint in an otherwise excellent story is length and the words spent getting to the end. Might have been able to shave 15% or more words, making for a quicker read. Some of the rich characterization and other details seemed superfluous to the storyline. I felt impatient at times, wishing the book would just move along, skipping some of the internal dialogue. On the other hand, they may be just what a screenwriter and producer wants for adapting the book into a feature film. That is, once COVID-19 slows down enough. Don’t be surprised to see it in theaters in a two or three years.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

A selection of other books by Paulette Mahurin

Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And : Amazon UK

Profits from Paulette’s books go to help rescue dogs from kill shelters.

Read more reviews and follow Paulette on : Goodreads 

Connect to Paulette via her blog: The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap on WordPress

The next author today is Marcia Meara for Wake-Robin Ridge Book 4: The Light, the latest in the Paranormal fantasy series.

About the book

The Magic is Back!

For Robert MacKenzie Cole—or Rabbit, as he’s known to all—the chance to accompany his family to see North Carolina’s infamous Brown Mountain Lights has him nearly dizzy with excitement. And what better night to watch this unexplained phenomenon unfold than Halloween?

But when the entrancing, unpredictable lights show up, Rabbit gets far more than he bargained for. He’s gifted with what folks in the Appalachians call “the Sight,” and it’s this extrasensory perception that enables him to spot the one light different from all the rest.

In his biggest challenge to date, Rabbit—aided by his daddy and his newest friend, Austin Dupree— begins a quest to learn more about the mysterious light. Their investigation unveils a web of cons and corruption none of them expected and exposes a brutal murder along the way.

Throughout all, Rabbit is unfaltering in his commitment to do whatever it takes to understand the truth behind the glowing orb and to determine how he can help it. After all, it followed him home.

One of the recent reviews for the book on Goodreads

Apr 05, 2020 Deborah rated it Five Stars.

The fourth book in the Wake-Robin Ridge series is once again a terrific read. Rabbit is now settled in happily as Mac and Sarah’s son. He adores his baby sister, and continues to bring his wide-eyed innocence to everything he learns about modern life, without once losing his impeccable sense of morality.

This book begins with Rabbit’s request to view the phenomenon known as the Brown Mountain Lights (a real, as yet unexplained event), and what happens when one of the mysterious lights behaves oddly, and follows Rabbit home.

At first, it seemed like the villain was going to be motivationally similar to the previous book, but no, Meara sneakily misleads us about what’s really going on, while introducing Rabbit’s new friend and accomplice, Austin, and integrating the family yet further as a supportive unit that doesn’t back down from a challenge when the emotional stakes are high.

Once again, the author has blended mystery, murder, ghosts, folk lore, and reality into a coherent and enthralling story with real heart. As ever, it is beautifully told, and my only gripe is that now I’ve reached the end of the four books in this series (read back to back), I now have to wait for the next one to be written.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

and: Amazon UK

A selection of other books by Marcia Meara

Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And : Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow Marcia Meara on: Goodreads

Connect to Marcia via her blog: Marcia Meara Writes

The final author today is J. A. Newman with a review for her recently released mystery Bay of Secrets.

About the book

Shifting between the 1960s and the present, Bay of Secrets is a spellbinding saga of mystery and enduring love.When Jayne returns to Seawinds, her family home in Cornwall, she is determined to solve the mystery surrounding her father’s death.But why is the house revealing its secrets after fifty years and why are Jayne and her siblings drawn to the bay?

One of the recent reviews for the book

Dr. R. J. Westwell 4.0 out of 5 stars review of ‘Bay of Secrets’ by J.A. Newman  Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 April 2020

This charming novel is a must for someone who wants to revel in the warmth of close family ties in Cornwall. The mystery of the death of Jayne’s father hovers over the family’s personal involvement with ‘Seawinds’, a property in Cornwall that is in an idyllic position overlooking the sea. As the plot progresses readers are bathed in the beauty of the surroundings as they follow the lives and loves of the family that is inextricably involved. Credible Cornish characters come into play as readers become absorbed in the story.

The mystery is finally resolved and we are given an understanding that time is no barrier where the love for the family and Cornwall are concerned.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK

And: Amazon US

Also by J.A. Newman

Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon UK

And: Amazon US

Connect to J.A. Newman via her blog: Julie Ann Newman WordPress

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books under your arm.. thanks Sally.