Adventure, Abduction, and Arrest by Tonya Kappes

 Adventure, Abduction, and Arrest

Book Summary

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE

USA Today Bestselling author Tonya Kappes brings you southern and quirky characters in her mystery series. Her stories are charged with humor, friendship, family and life in small southern towns.

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal!

When Hank Sharpe asked me in the laundry club ladies to join him in an undercover investigation to help find a missing person, me and ladies grabbed our sleuthing notebook without hesitation.

As undercover Forest Bathing Therapist trainees we were bound and determined to find out with happened to Kyra Tenney. When we did find her body in what appeared to be an accidental forest fire, we thought we were finished with our undercover act. Only the coroner’s report came back that our missing person had been killed before the fire.

Put on your sleuthing caps and join Mae West along with the Laundry Club Ladies as they take their investigation skills to a whole ‘nuther level! Especially after Mae finds herself in the fire!

My Thoughts

Adventure, Abduction and Arrest by Tonya Kappes is the 25^th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  I like Tonya Kappes’ writing style.  It is casual (like talking to an old friend).  Mae West, Hank Sharp, and the Laundry Club ladies are heading to a Forest Bathing Therapy Retreat in the Daniel Boone National Forest to hunt for a missing girl.  Hank was hired by Laura and Steve Tenney to find their daughter, Kyra who disappeared over two weeks ago.  She went out on a hike never to be seen again.  The people at the retreat have proved to be less than helpful.  Hank, Mae, Betts, Dottie, Abby, and Queenie are going undercover at the retreat in the hopes of getting some answers.  Unable to sleep after their first day at the retreat, Mae is admiring the scenery when she notices a fire in the forest. Officials arrive and quickly put out the fire only to find a body in the middle of it.  Someone tried to cover up evidence of a murder with the fire.  Hank, Mae, and the ladies are on the case.  The mystery was fun but simple. There are good clues to help readers arrive at the solution.  I thought the mystery was easy to solve (early in the book).  Mae and the gang conducted a good investigation.  They asked questions and searched for clues.  There are, of course, some hijinks along the way (be prepared to laugh often while reading this story).  Mae also helps out Violet Rhinehammer with her murder mystery in Holiday Junction.  I like how the author tied in Violet’s new series.  There are clever camping hacks and recipes at the end of the book.  Those who enjoy lighthearted, humorous cozy mysteries will enjoy A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mysteries.  Adventure, Abduction and Arrest is an amusing tale with a vanished offspring, happy tree huggers, kumbaya around the campfire, unassuming yurts, a fatal fire, a determined reporter, and six savvy sleuths.

Adventure, Abduction, and Arrest is available from Amazon*.  It is available through Kindle Unlimited.  You can find the other A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mysteries here.  The 26th A Camper & Criminals  Cozy Mystery is Rangers, RVs, and Revenge which publishes on June 30.  The second A Holiday Cozy Mystery starring Violet Rhinehammer is Mother's Day Murder which comes out on June 2.  If you follow Tonya Kappes on Amazon, you will receive an email when she publishes a new book.  Thank you for visiting with me today.  I am off to get a new tire put on our car.  It is all my fault because I hit a curb that I could not see (the curbs are very low in this county).  It will give me an opportunity to run a few errands.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Outdoors, Oars, and Oaths by Tonya Kappes

Outdoors, Oars, and Oaths

Book Summary

I haven’t seen Stanley Shelton since the flamingo keychain with the campervan key dangled from his fingertips as he ripped the Maserati keys out of my grip after my ex-now-dead husband left me broke and penniless, until now.

Stanley claims the Diamond Swamp Mob is after him and he needs my help. Something about my past, but I didn’t take him too seriously until someone was murdered in Stanley’s rented room at the Milkery. The person just so happened to have a tattoo I’ve seen before.

One problem, the tattoo is a brand from a mob in New York City.

Sheriff Hank Sharp has hauled Stanley down to the Normal sheriff’s department for the murder, leaving it up to me and the Laundry Club Ladies to clear Stanley’s name. Looks like I’m driving my campervan back to New York City and make it a girls trip.

I sure hope I can get to the mob boss before he sends anyone else to Happy Trails Campground to finish the job and get revenge on who actually killed the mobster.

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky, where nothing is normal! 

My Thoughts

Outdoors, Oars, and Oaths by Tonya Kappes is the 18^th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series because the author provides the background on the main character.  Mae West thought she was being kind when she gave Bobby Rae the diamond for Abby’s engagement ring.  Her husband’s attorney, Stanley Shelton shows up in the middle of the night claiming the diamond belonged to him.  If the diamond is not returned to the Diamond Swamp Mob, Stanley could be killed.  Before Mae can begin to look into the case, a woman is found dead in Stanley’s room at the Milkery with a Diamond Swamp Mob tattoo on her hand.  Mae along with the other Laundry Club Ladies head to New York to make things right.  Outdoors, Oars, and Oaths is a lighthearted cozy mystery.  Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies plus Alicia get to travel in Mae’s trailer to New York.  All our favorite characters are back for some fun.  The whodunit is light with an obvious solution.  I would have liked a little more complexity to the mystery and more time devoted to the murder portion.   Mae and Hank are still tiptoeing around the issue of children.  I am curious to see what happens next with Sheriff Sharp and Mae.  Dottie was a delight in this one.  She has some great lines, and her New York apparel is certainly unique.  There are camper tips at the end of the book.  We are left with a cliffhanger and will have to wait for Wildlife, Warrants, and Weapons to find out what happens next.  Outdoors, Oars, and Oaths is a fun-loving tale with a dangerous diamond, a lethal letter opener, bedazzled apparel, a lily-livered lawyer, fervent friends, and relationship troubles. 

Outdoors, Oars, and Oaths is available from Amazon* (can borrow with Kindle Unlimited).  You can find the other novels in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series here.  The next A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery is Wildlife, Warrants, and Weapons which publishes July 29.  You can find Tonya Kappes' other creations here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for Pint of No Return by Dana Mentink.  It is the debut of A Shake Shop Mystery series.  I hope that everyone has a day filled with laughter.  Laughter is good for the soul.  I had something arrive today that gave me the best laugh.  It certainly lightened my mood. Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Paddlers, Promises and Poison by Tonya Kappes

Paddlers, Promises, and Poison

Book Summary

Paddlers, Promises, and Poison by Tonya Kappes has Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies out looking at the new housing development being built on rare Daniel Boone National Park land in Normal, Kentucky.  Many people are unhappy with the construction including Happy Trails Campground manager, Dottie Swaggert.  The group enters the model home to find realtor, Chelsea O’Connell dead.  Detective Hank Sharp quickly arrives at the scene, but Mae can tell that something is bothering him since he brought Chester with him.  It turns out that cutbacks are going to be made to the Sheriff’s Department and the rumor is it will be Hank’s job.  He wants to solve this high-profile case quickly to show his worth.  Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies want to help Hank and immediately begin investigating.  They have several suspects including owner of the housing development, a local deputy, the victim’s husband, and the town’s mayor.  Can the ladies help Hank?

My Thoughts 

Paddlers, Promises, and Poison by Tonya Kappes is the 16^th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  We return to Normal, Kentucky where Mae West and her friends are in an uproar over homes being built on land from the Daniel Boone National Park.  It has already begun affecting the habits of the local wildlife.  When the realtor of the development is found dead (by Mae of course), the Laundry Club Ladies have a new case.  I always enjoy visiting Normal with its charming shops, the gorgeous scenery of the Daniel Boone National Park, the cozy Happy Trials Campground, and its quirky residents.  Tonya Kappes’ has an engaging writing style.  It draws the reader right into the story and holds onto them until the very last page.  Paddlers, Promises, and Poison went by quickly thanks to its quick pace.   The whodunit has several good suspects, a red herring, and subtle clues.  We are left with some unanswered questions at the end regarding a couple of items that I hope that author will address in Insects, Ivy, and Investigations.  There is humor sprinkled throughout the story that had me laughing.  I just love the Southernisms, especially Dottie’s.  There is some good news for some people close to Mae.  I just love how Mae helped them out.  The ending left me wondering what is going to happen in the next book.  I would say more, but I do not want to spoil this charming tale for you.  Paddlers, Promises, and Poison is delightful Southern cozy mystery with Southern sweet tea, housing hubbub, a job in jeopardy, a puzzling poisoning, unjust government, and relationship queries.  

Paddlers, Promises, and Poison is available from Amazon*.  You can fIind the other A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery novels here (can be borrowed through Kindle Unlimited).  Tonya Kappes writes several other engaging series.  You can find Tonya Kappes' Amazon page here.  The next book in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series is Insects, Ivy, and Investigations.  Thank you for joining me today.  Phantoms and Felonies by Lucy Ness is planned for next time.  It is the 2nd A Haunted Mansion Mystery.  I hope that you have a fulfilling day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreens by Tonya Kappes

Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreens

Book Summary

Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreens by Tonya Kappes has Normal, Kentucky enjoying the Winter Festival with artisan booths.  Mae West is thrilled that Happy Trails Campground is fully booked which is where she is headed when she has an accident on the icy roads.  Mae ends up unconscious in the hospital where she overhears an unusual conversation.  When the man next to Mae in the emergency room dies, Mae has a feeling that his death is anything but natural.  Detective Hank Sharp soon confirms that the man’s death is suspicious, but he does not want Mae investigating.  Neither does Mary Elizabeth who just wants Mae to rest and get better (and threatens everyone in town).  Mae, though, has no intention of being sidelined.  She is going to uncover the truth and explore a few old memories as well.  It should be an entertaining holiday season in Normal, Kentucky.  

My Thoughts

Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreens by Tonya Kappes is the 14^th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those for those new to the series.  It is Christmastime in Normal, Kentucky where Mae came up with the Winter Festival to help draw in tourists to the town.  Mae’s car slips on the icy roads and she ends up unconscious in the hospital distressing her family and friends.  Mae overhears a conversation while she is comatose that has her investigating a suspicious death.  Some old memories also resurface from when her family died in a house fire and Mae wants to explore those as well.  Mary Elizabeth was a mother hen in this story being protective of Mae. It led to some humorous situations.  The mystery had a couple of suspects, good clues, and a red herring or two. Tex and Glenda make an appearance in this story.  Mae needs Tex’s help and they can use someplace warm to live.  It sounds like a win-win for both parties.  Tonya Kappes provided a humorous and diverting cozy mystery that captured the holiday season in Normal, Kentucky.  Tonya Kappes has an engaging writing style that draws the writer right into her tales.  The characters are developed, and you can count on plenty of humor as well as southern hospitality.  I am looking forward Ropes, Riddles, and Robberies.  Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreens is an charming cozy mystery with a black ice incident, a meddling mother, a bothered boyfriend, holiday happenings, festival fun, a distrustful demise, and some Mae West mayhem.  

Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreens is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series here.  The 15th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery is Ropes, Riddles, and Robberies which publishes December 17 and the 16th novel is Paddlers, Poison, and Promises which releases January 21.  All the books in the series are available through Kindle Unlimited.  You can find Tonya Kappes' other novels here.  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope I have helped you find a new book, series, or author.  I am taking a little time off to handle some things at home.  I will be back soon with new books to share with you.  I hope that you have a contented day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Gear, Grills, and Guns by Tonya Kappes

Gear, Grills, and Guns by Tonya Kappes

Book Summary

Gear, Grills, and Guns by Tonya Kappes has Happy Trails Campground fully booked In October because a classic car show coming to Normal, Kentucky.  There is also a new trail opening in the Daniel Boone National Forest that begins near the Old Train Station Motel owned by Coke Ogden.  In the middle of the night, Mae hears rustling outside her camper.  She runs into Dottie Swaggert who also heard noises.  They see a car take off, a person disappearing into the woods, and then they hear a woman screaming.  They run to the bungalow number four to find guest Lonie Holliday holding a gun and standing over the body of her husband, Wendell.  Lonie tell Detective Hank Sharp that she did not commit the crime.  Mae and the rest of the Laundry Club ladies quickly gather to begin their investigation.  Then one of Mae’s vintage campers goes up in flames with the guest inside.  The fire brings forth unexpected memories for Mae.  The Laundry Club with aid from a newcomer to town work to quickly expose the killer before he can strike again.  

My Thoughts

Gear, Grills, and Guns by Tonya Kappes is the 13^th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading all the books in this delightful series.  Mae West owns Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky.  She has worked hard to build up the business as well as to help promote the town.  Normal is fortunate to have a special car show in town which is drawing numerous visitors.  Every place in town is booked including Happy Trails.  Mae has come a long way since she arrived in Normal.  She has a close group of friends, reconnected with her adopted mother and foster brother, turned around Happy Trails, obtained a dog, and has a boyfriend.  I enjoy the descriptions of Happy Trails with the bungalows and fixed up vintage trailers.  Mae comes up with creative themes for her the monthly party she throws for the townspeople at Happy Trails.  When one of Mae’s guests who is in town for the car show is murdered, Mae is ready to dive into the case.  Hank may not like her investigating, but Mae just loves it and so the rest of the Laundry Club ladies.  The mystery was multifaceted.  There are two murders, a fire, misdirection, and multiple suspects.  I like how it all played out, especially the reveal.  I had fun following Mae and the Laundry Cub ladies as they worked to solve the case.  One little detail was the key to me solving this whodunit.  You never know what will help a sleuth solve a case.   Fall is Mae’s favorite time of year.  I like how Dottie and Mae decorated the campground the Halloween.  Mae has certainly made Happy Trails a cozy place for people to stay.  One of the events triggers repressed memories of Mae’s.  I like how Mary Elizabeth helped her.  There is humor scattered throughout the story.  I laughed often while reading this amusing tale especially from Mary Elizabeth’s antics.  Ava, Tex, and Glenda are a great addition to the story.  I hope we see more of them in future books.  Gear, Grills, and Guns is a fun Southern cozy mystery that will provide you with a diverting afternoon with the treacherous trails, the fall foliage, classic cars, the mystifying murder, curious clues, the horrifying fire, and a concerned campground owner.  

Gear, Grills, and Guns is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other twelve novels in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series here.  They are all available through Kindle Unlimited. The 14th book is Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreen and it will be out on November 26.  Ropes, Riddles, and Robberies releases December 17 and Paddlers, Promises, and Poison publishes January 21 (both books on Kindle Unlimited).  The pictures today show the Daniel Boone National Forest in the fall and a purple vintage trailer (like Mae has at Happy Trails Campground).  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with my review of An Amish Holiday Family by Jo Ann Brown.  It is the 4th book in Green Mountain Blessings series.  I hope you have an entertaining day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kayaks, Kickbacks, and Kidnapping by Tonya Kappes

Book Summary

Kickbacks, Kayaks, and Kidnapping by Tonya Kappes has Mae West gearing up for Paddle Fest in Normal, Kentucky.  Mae has added water activities to the list of services offered by Happy Trials Campground.  Happy Trails will host the opening ceremony with activities available at camps around the Daniel Book National Forest. There will be a kayak competition that Bryce Anderson is hoping to win and get a coveted spot on the Olympic team.  Mae is proud that Happy Trails is up for the Campground Hospitality Award.   They are distributing ballots to all arriving guests.  Mae has been asked to join the Daniel Boone National Park board.  She would be the first female member.  After the opening ceremony for Paddle Fest, Mae heads over to the board meeting.  Just as she is about to accept the position, the receptionist announces that there was a murder at Happy Trails.  Mae rushes back to the campground to learn that Bryce Anderson was found dead at the lake.  The news of his death is spreading rapidly which has people fleeing Happy Trails.  Mae and the Laundry Club gals quickly gather and start working on their suspect list.  Mae needs to solve this case before everything she has achieved for Happy Trails and the town of Normal disappears.  

My Thoughts

Kickbacks, Kayaks, and Kidnapping by Tonya Kappes is the 12^th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone as the author provides all the background information needed on Mae, the town, and the campground.  I always enjoy visiting Normal, Kentucky with its friendly residents and Southern hospitality.  Mae West turns out to be quite the entrepreneur.  She has added water activities (canoeing, white water rafting, fishing, kayaking) to the services offered at Happy Trails Campground.  Mae also dreamed up Paddle Fest to launch her latest brainchild.  She coordinated with campgrounds around the Daniel Boone National Forest so there will be water happenings throughout the event.  In addition, there is a kayak competition where the winner hopes to get a coveted spot on the United State Olympic kayak team.  Bryce Anderson is the leading competitor and he is staying at Happy Trails with his agent.  When Bryce turns up dead after the opening ceremony, Mae must work quickly to solve the case.  Mae and the ladies from the Laundry Club get out the notebook and commandeer the write on/wipe off board in the Happy Trails office.  There are a variety of suspects, misdirection, and some good clues.  I like how Mae works with her friends to gather intel and question suspects.  Dottie Swaggert is a hoot.  She is recovering from hip surgery and is cranky.  Dottie made some humorous remarks that had me chuckling.  I enjoy Tonya Kappes’ conversational writing style.  Tonya provides an amusing Southern cozy mystery with quirky characters and small town charm.  It is wonderful what Mae has created at Happy Trails.  She has given the place a cozy, family feel.  Thanks to the authors word imagery, I can envision what the campground looks like with the trailers, cabins, the fires, the trees, and the lake.  I love what Mae has done to her cozy camper home.  It makes me want a small trailer that I can turn into a she shed.  A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series has friendship, family, small town charm, sweet dogs, romance, humor, and, of course, murder victims.  I look forward to Mae’s next adventure in Gear, Grills, and Guns.  Kickbacks, Kayaks, and Kidnapping is an entertaining cozy mystery with tempting trails, committee conundrum, walker woes, naughty “nekkidness”, and killer kayaks.  

Kayaks, Kickbacks, and Kidnapping is available from Amazon*.  It is on Kindle Unlimited along with the other novels in A Camper & Criminal Cozy Mystery series.  You can read the first chapter of Kayaks, Kickbacks, and Kidnapping by clicking here.  You can find Tonya Kappes' other novels here.  Tonya Kappes' next release is Gear, Grills, and Guns which will be out on October 27.  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I will be back tomorrow with Goodnight Moo by Mollie Cox Bryan.  It is the 2nd novel in A Buttermilk Creek Mystery series.  I hope that you have a cheerful day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal by Tonya Kappes

Happy Sunday!  I received twenty-two new books from NetGalley this past week (this is what happens when you have too much time to surf NetGalley).  Some of the titles include Proof of Murder by Lauren Elliott (April 28), Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey (April 28), Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan (May 5), Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano (May 5), The Promise by Patrica Davids, South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber (July 21), Peace in the Valley by Kelly Irvin (August 4), and Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger (October 6).  Thank heavens for my Excel spreadsheet which helps me keep track of the books I have promised to review.  Is there an upcoming book you are eager to read?

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal by Tonya Kappes has Mae West busy at Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky.  She is thankful for book club night so she can enjoy a quiet evening with her Laundry Club friends.  Mae has just arrived when she hears Abby scream.  They find her outside the Normal Diner where Mae goes in to find longtime and beloved waitress, Trudy Bull dead.  Trudy was supposed to a plus one at a wedding that evening and no one seems to know why she had returned to the diner.  The only thing missing from Trudy’s belongings is her cell phone which she always kept handy.  Detective Hank Sharp has little to go on and warns Mae to keep her nose out of the investigation.  She begins thinking up suspects before Hank finishes the sentence.  The next day, Dottie and Mae begin assembling information on their “murder board” (the write on/wipe off board in the campground office).  To talk to Trudy’s plus one, Mae will have to return to her hometown which she is reluctant to do, but she will if it will help to get justice for Trudy.  Mae has another worrying matter on her mind.  She received a call from the bank telling her that a hacker drained her account.  A handful of other residents have experienced the same problem.  Who is behind these hacks?  Can Mae and the Laundry Club find who murdered Trudy?

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal by Tonya Kappes is the tenth novel in A Campers & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.  Each book in the series can be read on its own.  It is always fun to visit Normal, Kentucky with its quirky residents.  Mae West has just arrived for book club with the Laundry Club gals when she hears a woman screaming.  They find Abby Fawn pointing at the Normal Diner where Trudy Bull, a beloved waitress, is dead.  The motive was not robbery since her purse still has money inside, but Trudy’s cell phone (which she always had with her) is missing.  Mae along with the ladies of the Laundry Club work to solve the crime despite Hank’s warning to stay out of his investigation.  Mae must return to her hometown of Perrysburg to speak with the man Trudy was seen with the evening she died.  There are a handful of suspects in this whodunit. Mae gets bad news from the bank.  It turns out that someone has hacked her bank account and drained it.  Mae and a handful of other local residents were affected.  The police are working with the FBI to identify the evildoer.  I was able to recognize the murderer and the hacker early in the book but that did not hinder my enjoyment of this fun cozy mystery. With Mae returning to her hometown, we get to learn more about her plus Mae learns some startling information.  I like Tonya Kappes’ engaging writing style which makes the book a delight to read.  There is humor sprinkled throughout the story.  I enjoy the descriptions of Normal with its quaint shops and surrounded by the National Boone National Forest.  There are recipes and RV hacks at the end of the book.  Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal is a merry book with a harsh hacker, a cozy campground, out of the blue news, a pocketed phone, happy hikers and a meaningless murder.

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal releases on March 24.  You can pre-order it here*.  You can find the rest of the novels in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series here.  All the books in the series are available on Kindle Unlimited.  The next book in this series is Tents, Trails and Turmoil which will be out on April 28. Thank you for dropping by today.  My Fair Latte by Vickie Fee  is on deck for tomorrow.  It is debut of A Cafe Cinema Mystery series.  May you have a peaceful day.  I want to leave you with a book pun.  I just wrote a book on reverse psychology.  Do not read it! (Did you laugh or groan?) Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Valleys, Vehicles and Victims by Tonya Kappes

Greetings!  A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry comes out October 8 along with A Christmas Home by Marta Perry and Child's Play by Danielle Steel.  Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle is available on October 15.  I love reading Christmas stories.  They are always heartwarming, feel-good stories.

Daniel Boone National Park

Valleys, Vehicles and Victims by Tonya Kappes takes us back to Normal, Kentucky.  Mae West owns Happy Trails Campground which will be hosting a wedding party.  A giant RV pulls up to the campground office and the bride disembarks with her entourage.  Mae is surprised to recognize the bride’s mother as Misty Moon whose husband, Tom is the creator and owner of Moonbucks Coffee Company.  Mae associated with Misty Moon and her husband, Tom when she was married to Paul.  Shay Moon wants a Southern themed wedding (well, her idea of southern) which is being held at Old Train Station Motel in Coke Ogden’s renovated barn.  Mae gets roped into being Shay’s wedding planner and everything is a go except for coffee from Gert Hobson’s Trials Coffee Shop.  It turns out that the Moonbucks signature blend was created by Gert when she was in college which Tom stole.  Gert and Tom have a public argument which many people were happy to capture with their cell phones. Unfortunately for Gert, Tom ends up dead with her new knife in is back (want to guess who found the body).  With Gert the prime suspect, Mae and the Laundry Club ladies work to clear their friend’s name.  The killer is not happy with Mae’s snooping and attempts to eliminate her.  Can Mae and the Laundry Club ladies track down the killer before her strikes again?

Valleys, Vehicles and Victims by Tonya Kappes is the ninth A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  For those new to the series, the book can be read alone by why would you want to do that.  I always enjoy visiting Normal, Kentucky to catch up with Mae, Dottie, Hank, and the rest of the gang.  Tonya Kappes has created a delightful cast of quirky characters.  Mae is a spunky woman who has found her place in life which is in Normal.  Mae is happy with the campground, her camper, friends, boyfriend, and her little dog, Fifi.  Normal, Kentucky is a charming town with quaint shops and friendly residents.  It is situated next to the Daniel Boone National Park which is currently showcasing reds, oranges, and yellows for fall and the area is enjoying cooler temperatures.  Tonya’s conversational writing style draws a reader right into the story (it is like talking to an old friend).  The story moves along at a peppy pace. I liked that we get to learn more about Mae’s childhood and her parents.  The murder does not occur until after the halfway point.  By the time Tom is axed, there is a slew of suspects (he was not a pleasant man).  There is misdirection along with a twist or two.  I enjoyed how it all came together at the end.  Hank’s attitude, though, needs an adjustment.  He needs to accept the fact that Mae is going to meddle and there is no stopping her.  In the future, though, May might be forced to make a choice. I loved the drama and humor in this engaging tale.  A story that can make me laugh is special indeed.  Valleys, Vehicles and Victims is an appealing cozy mystery with a ritzy RV, a robbed recipe, a bratty bride, a relentless reporter, and greedy graspers. 

Valleys, Vehicles and Victims is out today and available at Amazon.  You can find a complete list of A Camper & Criminal Cozy Mysteries here.  The books in this series including Valleys, Vehicles and Victims are available through Kindle Unlimited.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be reviewing A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall tomorrow.  May you have a day filled with laughter.  It is good for the soul.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Assailants, Asphalt and Alibis by Tonya Kappes

Good Day!  I hope everyone is having a good week.  An Amish Christmas Kitchen by Kate Lloyd, Jan Drexler and Leslie Gould comes out on September 3 along with Word to the Wise by Jenn McKinlay.  Fatal Cajun Festival by Ellen Byron releases on September 10 with Buried in the Stacks by Allison Brook.  There are many delightful new books coming out in September.  I, once again, overbooked myself.  I wish there was a way to read by osmosis (hand on kindle while I sleep).  

Assailants, Asphalt and Alibis by Tonya Kappes takes us back to Normal, Kentucky.  Mae West is hosting her monthly get-together at Happy Trails Campground which gives the townspeople and campground residents an opportunity to mingle.  Around the campfire, Mason Cavanaugh, a treasure hunter, begins telling the story of John Swift and his lost treasure.  It is the weekend for the annual Legend of John Swift Excursion and Mayor MacKenzie has obtained grants to pave the trails to the Swift mine.  After hearing about the treasure hunt, Abby, Mary Elizabeth, Agnes Queenie and Mae decide to take part.  The following morning, they hook up Mae’s camper and head to The Furnace passing protestors of the paving along the way.  The next day, the ladies are following the clues in John Swift’s journal when Mason tumbles off a rock ledge into the lake clutching Mary Elizabeth’s missing peals in his dead hand.  Unable to call for help nor depart, Agnes deputizes herself and dives into the investigation.  Did the John Swift curse strike again or did one of the treasure hunters eliminate the competition?  Mae and the ladies need to work quickly before another victim drops at their feet.

Assailants, Asphalt and Alibis is eighth A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  It can easily be read on its own, but I have enjoyed following Mae’s journey from the beginning.  It allows readers to watch her grow, find friends, and help develop the campground.  Tonya Kappes has an engaging writing style that draws the reader into the book and holds their attention.  Her writing reminds me of chatting with an old friend.  A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series has quirky characters with small town charm.  We also get to learn more about the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. Mae West, Abby Fawn, Queenie French, Agnes Swift and Mary Elizabeth Moberly head out in Mae’s camper for a weekend of treasure hunting.  They have three different maps along with John Swift’s original journals to help them with the hunt.  Mary Elizabeth provided several laugh-out-loud moments especially when she discovers the camping location has no electricity, no running water and no cell service.  The proper Mary Elizabeth may get dirty this weekend and Mae is curious to see her without her pearls.  The mystery fits with the theme and length of the book.  There is clever misdirection and good clues.  While I wish it had been more of a challenge to solve this whodunit, it was fun to follow the ladies as they dig into the case.    When one of the characters keeps cursing upon learning that Mason is dead, Agnes makes him quit by threatening to tell his grandma.   Only in a small town would this threat work.   One of my favorite scenes is when Mae is wearing her sparkly shoes, she clicks the heels together and says, “There’s no place like home.”  I got a kick out of this Wizard of Oz reference.  The ending will leave you with a smile on your face.  There are RV Hacks and recipes from the book at the end.  Assailants, Asphalt and Alibis is a lighthearted, humorous tale with a treacherous treasure hunt, pavement protestors, dangerous desperados, pilfered pearls and one cozy camper.  

Assailants, Asphalt and Alibis can be purchased on Amazon (Amazon UK)  For a complete list of the stories in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series click here (Amazon UK)  All eight books are available through Kindle Unlimited.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will share my review of The Dark Side by Danielle Steel  (Amazon UK) tomorrow.  I hope you have a happy day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

I couldn't resist this picture!

Hitches, Hideouts and Homicides by Tonya Kappes

Happy Book Release Day!  A few of the new books out today are The Amish Widow's Rescue by Rachel J. Good, Southern Sass & Killer Cravings by Kate Young, A Daughter's Truth by Laura Bradford, Into the Frying Pan by Sarah Osborne, Crepe Expectations by Sarah Fox, Murder, She Uncovered by Peg Cochran,  Sconed to Death by Lynn Cahoon, Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches by Karen Rose Smith, The Amish Cookie Club by Sarah Price and Hitches, Hideouts and Homicides by Tonya Kappes!  Which book are you interested in reading?

Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide by Tonya Kappes takes us back to Normal, Kentucky.  Mae West is assisting Betts Hager in cleaning the Old Train Station Motel owned by Coke Ogden.  Coke transformed the old train station into a motel, and she is having a grand opening the next day along with a hoedown.  Before they depart, they witness Jay Russel, who teaches competition riding, chasing off a hiker with a gun.  It seems the man has been hanging around the stable.  The next day there are break-ins at Deter’s Feed-N-Seed and the Cookie Crumble Bakery.  Mae wonders if the hiker Jay ran off could be responsible.  The hoedown is a rousing success until the electricity goes out.  Coke asks Mae to see if she can spot the problem, and Mae ends up stumbling over Jay dead against the electrical fence (explains the power outage).  Mae wants answers and she is going to get them despite Hank telling her to keep her nose out of the investigation (not that Mae will listen).  There are rumors that Jay robbed the Normal Bank & Loan twenty years ago and the money is hidden in the stable.  There is plenty of gossip swirling around town, but it is hard to know what is real and what is fake.  Mae, with the aid of the Laundry Club, begins asking questions which helps her assemble a suspect list and gather clues.  Mae has her work cut out for her this time if she is to outwit the wily killer and get justice for Jay.

 

Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide is the seventh tale in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.  I suggest reading the series in order as they build upon one another, but the book can be read alone.  Mae West is a strong woman who has taken her last asset and turned it around.  She continues to plow the profits back into the camp to attract tourists.  Mae is fortunate to have Dottie Swaggert as her friend and manager of Happy Trails Campground.  Mae also has her friends known as the Laundry Club.  They love helping Mae solve crimes (aka get into trouble), and they are there for each other in times of need.  Normal, Kentucky is a small Southern tourist town that sits alongside the Daniel Boone National Forest (it is a charming town).  They get hikers and campers visiting to take part in town events like the upcoming hoedown at the Old Train Station Motel for Coke Ogden’s grand opening.  Tonya Kappes has an engaging writing style.  It is down-to-earth which draws the reader right into the story.  The story proceeded at a snappy pace as Mae talks to various suspects and follows up on leads.  I liked the variety of fun loving characters from Dottie Swaggert to Abby Fawn.  Abby is having some self-assurance issues after a talk with Ty.  It leads to some zany behavior on her part, and, of course, she manages to drag Mae into it.  The mystery was intriguing with the multiple suspects and red herrings.  There is a twist or two to surprise readers.  I like the way the author tied a past event to the current murder (who doesn’t love a treasure hunt).  There are good clues to help readers solve the crime.  Hank, though, got on my nerves in this installment.  I did not like the way he talked to Mae and the way he handled information Mae gave him while visiting his parent’s (ungentlemanly).  Mae needs to think long and hard if Hank is the right man for her.  If you are looking for a fun loving Southern cozy mystery, then look no further than Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide.  Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide has two cute dogs, an unusual murder scene, missing money, a cranky detective, good friends, a hoedown, three robberies and one nosy campground owner. 

Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide is available on Kindle Unlimited.  You can find a complete list of the books in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series here.  Thank you for reading my review.  Tomorrow I am featuring A Daughter's Truth by Laura Bradford.  I hope you have lively day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers by Tonya Kappes

Welcome!  The Memory House by Rachel Hauck will be published on April 2 with A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer.  Bat Wings, Rings and Apron Strings by Erin Johnson releases on April 6.  It is the final book in the Spells & Caramels series starring Imogen Banks, Hank and the bakers.

Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers by Tonya Kappes takes us back to Normal, Kentucky.  Mae West receives the key to the city for her work in transforming Happy Trails Campground which helped increase the town’s economy.  The shops in town are now thriving thanks to Mae and her creative ideas.  Principal Donald Bass invites Mae to teach a six weeks economics course at Normal High School, and she cannot wait to get started.  After the party, Mae decides to take some food over to Coach Scott Goodman, the high school’s economic teacher, to see what he thinks of her ideas.  She finds him on the floor of his trailer with an arrow in his back.  Scott was also the coach for the Archery and Rifle Club.  Immediately people start phoning the camp and canceling their reservations.  If tourism does not pick back up, Mae could lose her beloved campground.  Mae and the Laundry Club gather together to work up a plan to solve Scott’s murder.  Violet Rhinehammer, new editor-in-chief of Normal Gazette, wants them to join forces and Mae reluctantly agrees.  Mae soon has a list of suspects that include angry parents, disgruntled students, and the victim’s wife.  Her investigation takes a turn when the killer strikes again.  Mae needs to work quickly to find the executioner before she ends up his next target.

It is always a delight to visit Normal, Kentucky with its charming shops and quirky residents.  Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers is the sixth book in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.  I suggest that you read the series in order.  It will give you a better understanding of Mae, her friends, the campground and the town.   Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers contains good writing and a snappy pace.  Mae West is quite a character (starting with her name).  She loves her trailer, her friends, boyfriend and her dog, Fifi.  Mae is happy that she has been able to turn Happy Trails into a thriving enterprise and it has helped improve the town’s economy.  The last thing she expected is a key to the city and an opportunity to teach economics at the high school.  The murder of Scott Goodman is threatening her livelihood and that of her friends.  Mae and her close group of friends (called the Laundry Club) are quick to gather together and form a plan.  Mae and her friends never fail to entertain.  I like that they have such a close friendship.  There are three murders in the book which is not good for tourism and Violet, of course, is reporting all the details in the Normal Gazette.  There is active investigating with Hank repeatedly telling Mae to quit (she is not going to listen, but he wants to keep her safe).  The mystery is clever, and I believe some readers will be surprised when the solution is revealed.  I enjoy the descriptions of the picturesque Normal.  The Laundry Club sounds like a cozy establishment.  I would love to work on a puzzle there and catch up with friends while doing my laundry.  I had to laugh when the ladies discussed getting detective licenses (Hank would have a fit).  The beauty shop, Cute-icles sounded unique (poor Mae ended up with an unfortunate nail polish color).  Tonya Kappes conversational writing style along with her friendly characters and attractive town will keep you riveted until the very last word.  Do not miss out on Mae’s latest adventure in Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers. 

There are recipes and helpful RV tips (hacks) at the end.  Canyons, Caravans and Cadavers is available on Kindle Unlimited. The next A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery is Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide which comes out May 28. Thank you for visiting me today.  I hope you will consider following my blog (upper right--various methods) so you can know when I will have contests and feature different books.  I plan on reviewing Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien tomorrow.  It is the third book in A Noodle Shop Mystery series.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader