Review of The Sand Bluff Murders by C.M. Albrecht

Classic "Who-done-it" Done Right

Hired as Chief Detective with the Sand Bluff police department, Jonas McCleary is the towns only detective. Just in time too, they just had their first murder in nearly 20 years and is followed by two more cases that Chief Detective McCleary now has to deal with as well. I don't know why, but as I was reading the story, I kept imagining a classic murder mystery in black and white that I might have seen growing up. While I tend to enjoy more fantasy genres, I really liked the humor, and it left me guessing. The plot is strongly written, along with Albrecht's charm, this makes for a good read.

Overall I give The Sand Bluff Murders 4 out of 5 stars. I would not have chosen this book if it was not presented to me. I usually am not interested in this genre and would not have bought it based on the description and book cover, if I was searching. However, I am glad that I did read it and would recommend this book to any murder-mystery reading lovers. Now that I have been exposed to this genre, I may have to go and check out some other titles by this witty and talented author.

About the Author

"People say I've got attitude. Attitude they don't like. I get that a lot. The cops and me? We work toward the same end, but we're like water and electricity. They think I cramp their style. They hat that I don't have to play by their rules."

"I usually end up needing a lawyer. I had one. He fell off the back of an ambulance full of mesothelioma patients and got run over by a speeding Cooper. I'm alone and on my own. It's a mean life. I'm used to it."

This is part of the charm that C. M. Albrecht embodies, a clever wit that is actually mild-mannered who loves his mysteries and detectives. He not only writes mysteries, he's a private eye in real life. "When my casebook's empty - and it's empty a lot - I write books."

He sits at his desk and drinks coffee and daydreams. 

He lives in Sacramento, CA where he proclaims to "wear a dark fedora and trench coat even when it's a hundred and five" outside." Mr. Albrecht is happily married to his beautiful wife Irma since 1967. While his head may be in the clouds, she helps keep his feet firmly on ground. (http://www.cmalbrecht.com/)

About the Book

When Jonas McCleary gets the opportunity to join the force in sleepy Sand Bluff, he jumps at it. A cushy job in a little town where nothing ever happens. He can relax and enjoy life, and since Jonas is getting onto thirty, he's hoping with a little luck, to meet Miss Right.

But on his third day in Sand Bluff, another officer, Ackers, finds a body in an alley. Now the only bright things about Harold Ackers is his badge. Ackers thought the guy was drunk and only after he managed to get him to headquarters did someone inform Ackers that his drunk was dead. Albert Mohr, cocky and mouthy, isn't much better, and probably not much brighter, so Chief Raymond Castillo is depending on Jonas, his only real cop with any previous training, to solve this mystery and bring a killer to justice.

Jonas just wishes he had the confidence his chief places in him. But he's going to give it his best shot. As he goes around town talking to people, he meets some strange residents, especially little person, Lester/Jessica, trailer court operator and dog trainer. Lester/Jessica is also a transvestite with a mammoth bodybuilder boyfriend, and of course, there's Larry Peters, the town insurance agent and his wife, town hussy, Twyla. Twyla's got quite a reputation. Jonas also meets Roxie Jenkins whose father runs the local newspaper. Could she just be Miss Right? 

Links

C. M. Albrecht Blog http://cmalbrecht.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/the-sand-bluff-murders-2/

The Sand Bluff Murders Blog: http://cmalbrecht.wordpress.com/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/pub/c-m-albrecht/63/578/54a

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cmalbrecht @cmalbrecht

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/albrechtcm

Google+ https://plus.google.com/107345551330616827318/posts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1424679.C_M_Albrecht

Acclaim for "The Sand Bluff Murders"

"An old-fashioned page turner." (I. Reitmann, Cleveland Courier)

"I highly recommend this book... The Sand Bluff Murders - with its witty narration, charming protagonist and solid mystery plot - is definitely worth the read." (Cafe' Reads, www.cafereads.blogspot.com)

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Other Titles Available by C. M. Albrecht

(Not in chronological order)

Beck Valley Book Tour - Scent of Roses by Charlene Rodden

K.E.Nowinsky Review of The Scent of Roses by Charlene Raddon

It has been a long time since I lost any amount of sleep, let alone not slept through the night due to a story I was wrapped up in. Surprisingly, I am o.k. with it too! While it took me awhile to get into the story and to get comfortable with how the book flowed, once I was hooked I was entwined and sent back in-time to a harder more difficult time. How quickly we forget of our luxuries we are fortunate to have in today's society. Unlike the character in this book, who had to deal with washing out cloth diapers, going to outhouses or having to use bed pans, and wearing constricting layers of clothing that could contribute to dizziness or even fainting.

Miner's 1800's

The Scent of Roses finds us in a western town named Whiskey Ridge, where a tragic event just took place. Many people here work hard for their means of life, this includes mining. Due to cost cuts, there has been a devastating mining accident that claimed the lives of three hard workers. This sends business partners and friends Whip and Jasiah into an altercation that will change their fates forever. The story reads as a murder mystery, a puzzle that you are constantly trying to put together, and asking yourself: who killed Jasiah Bullock?

Whiskey Ridge and it's inhabitants are dead-set to lynch Whip Kincade for Jasiah's murder. Especially since his wife Lucinda walked in and saw her husband, Jasiah, dead at his desk and there is Whip, standing over the body with a gun in his hands. But! That's not the only person that encounters Whip that night, apparently Jasiah had many secrets and she is one of them. Enter the main protagonist, Roselyn. Another mystery that seems to fit well with the puzzle that is Rose House, where Whip and Jasiah shared residency. More puzzle pieces are emerging and more motives for the death of Jasiah, the next question you ask yourself: who is the lawful wife of Josiah?

Water & Vinegar =
Roselyn & Lucinda

Finding his partners murderer becomes an insanely complicated matter, not only to clear his own name, but to discover who killed his business partner and friend. This becomes an interesting twist when Whip is hiding out in Rose House, trying to avoid the inevitable lynching. This way he can also keep an eye on his daughter Lenna, who forms a strong relationship with Roselyn. Adding to the warmth of the house comes Molly, a widowed woman and her newborn. While Roselyn and Molly become quick friends, this isn't as easy with the other occupant in the house, Lucinda. At first Lucinda is like oil and water to Roselyn and Molly; they just weren't mixing well. 

Desert in bloom

Roselyn's extreme generosity and kindness shines through after the reading of Josiah's will. My mom always said, if you really want to get to someone, you kill them with kindness. This inevitably wears on Lucinda and her brother Tony, But luckily, Roselyn understand and has empathy for the siblings and helps Lucinda, eventually they can call each other friend. Lucinda's brother, not so much. After an incident with Tony and Roselyn that involved his inebriated state, after which he was asked to leave Rose House to never return again (and rightly so!)

Roselyn & KD's date

The mystery continues as Roselyn meets KD, a mystery man tat she connects with and starts to form a relationship with. Unbeknownst to her, it is one of the very men she fears, whom she presumes to be the murderer of her late husband. Will their relationship last the deceit? I can't say - I will say that it was really fun to read how their relationship developed and blooms. There were many relationships within the book that I enjoyed reading, the characters seemed like familiar people, endearing and personal.

Desert Sunset

Roselyn has secrets of her own too. She's running away from an abusive past that threatens the happiness of her future. What I liked about Roselyn's story was that while she was very much the damsel in distress, she still fought for herself. While she relished in the false sense of security of having a strong man by her side, it can't always save you. Sometimes you have to pull up your britches and handle matters yourself! I really loved Roselyn's stubborn and willing behavior to fight for the new life she built there in Whiskey Ridge. I guess it is also why it was so frustrating reading how she was determined to leave it all as well, letter her past dictate her future.

"If you need light just look up"
KD - The Scent of Roses

Once it all comes together, another secret is revealed about Rose House itself, which takes on an entity all its own. An intriguing old British butler that still resides within the house adds a quirky touch to help support the new relationships and pushes toward the buds to bloom fully. In the end we learn the butlers tale as well and it envelopes the charming story within The Scent of Roses. Which, Rose House itself is named because of the lovely roses that bloom in front of the house, along with the physical roses blooming, Roselyn too blooms within the house - Rose becomes her endearing term to the one she loves. Rose, it seems is the last piece of the proverbial puzzel that completes the story.

That being said, I know some readers might complain of some slight errors within the book. I know this really irritates some readers, but I didn't think it was distracting neither did it take away from the story. Overall I would suggest individuals that enjoy fictional, westerns, mystery, romance reads toward The Scent of Roses. It had the charm of an old Western, with modern twists along the way, putting more humanistic and relatable characteristics with what we know of the proprieties of the time.

Since I lost a nights sleep reading this book - I have to give it a 5 out of 5 stars - of course I might still be a little delirious but I did enjoy reading the book and that's what I love most about reading, getting lost in a story and loosing time of our realities. The Scent of Roses is well worth the investment, both time and monetarily. Thank you +Charlene Raddon for delivering such an endearing story and characters I definitely would love to continue to read about further.

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Beck Valley Books - Book Tour - Scent of Roses by Charlene Raddon

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A WOMAN’S SMILE

Rosalyn Delaney’s husband, Josiah, had vanished six years ago. Following a private detective’s lead, Rosalyn leaves Salt Lake City and boards a train heading to the mining town of Whiskey Ridge, Arizona. She arrives at Rose House, an old mansion reputed to be haunted, only to discover her missing husband has been killed, and his business partner, Whip Kincade, is wanted for his murder. Determined to uncover the secrets surrounding Josiah and his death, Rosalyn decides to stay-even when she begins to receive nightly visits from a charming 

“ghost”…

A GHOST’S KISS

Escaping a troubled past, Whip Kincade had hoped he could make a fresh start by coming to Whiskey Ridge and opening a saloon with his friend, Josiah. Now as a murder suspect hiding in his own house, Whip’s future looks bleak indeed…unless he can find the real culprit. But the unexpected intrusion of Rosalyn ruins his plans of sneaking out at night to investigate. Scaring her away is the first step in clearing his name, but Rosalyn doesn’t rattle easily. And Whip isn’t sure he wants the lovely widow to walk out of his life—especially when she would take his heart with her…

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About the Author

Charlene began her writing life at an early age, often penning stories where she cast herself as the heroine. It was after college when she dug out her old college typewriter and started her first novel, which came from a spirited dream she'd had the pervious night.

While that book never sold, her second novel did. Tender Touch became a Golden Heart finalist and earned her an agent who signed the book, and two others, in a three book contract with Kensington Publishing. Kensington went onto publish five of Charlene's western historical romances: Taming Jenna (1994); Tender Touch (1994 Golden Heart Finalist); Forever Mine (1996 Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award Nominee and Affaire de Coeur Reader/Writer Poll finalist); To Have and To Hold (1997); and as Rachel Summers, The Scent of Roses (1999).

Charlene took a break from publishing, but not from writing. A Kiss and A Dare is Charlene's first paranormal romance.

Divine Gamble is Charlene's latest work and won first place in the western historical category of the 2010 Romance Through The Ages

contest.

When Charlene isn't writing, she loves to travel, do genealogy, digital scrapbooking and dyes eggs in the Ukrainian style. And she enjoys camping and fishing with her husband in the Utah wilderness. 

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Lovers Unchained by Siren Allen

About the Author

Siren resides in southern Mississippi, where when she isn't performing the duties involved within her Clinical Laboratory Technician career, she writes steamy romances and is a lover of all things romantic and erotic.  She is married and enjoys time with her family, who she claims is just as silly as she is. Siren and her husband do not yet have children, but it sounds like it could be a possibility for the future.  She proclaims that if she was not a lab tech or a writer, then she would be a secret agent; that she thinks of herself as a queen and her siblings as her minions. (What older sister doesn't think that way!)

About the Book

Title – Lovers Unchained

Series – Curse of the Dark Witch
Author – Siren Allen
Genre – Erotica, Paranormal
Publication Date – August 15, 2013 Publisher – Torrid Books http://www.torridbooks.com/
Cover Artist – Gemini Judston - http://www.geminijudson.com/Gemini/Welcome.html

A Cursed Demon: 

Twenty years ago Jude made a huge mistake resulting in him and four of his best friends being cursed by the Dark Witch. For twenty years he has searched for his mate-the only being able to break the curse placed upon him. Until he finds her he will not be able to release the pent up sexual energy that is driving him insane. On his journey to find his mate he is captured and held prisoner by Lana, a vicious vampiress. 

A Sex Crazed Vampiress: 

Lana is intrigued by Jude's ability to resist making love to her. She doesn't know of the curse placed upon him years ago. No matter how hard she tries to seduce him she always fails. His life means nothing to her and she is ready to end his existence, but first she must know what prevents him from succumbing to her seduction. She wonders if it's her or if Jude is like this with all women. To test her theory Lana places one of her female prisoners, Carissa, and Jude together. To her dismay, sparks ignite between the two captives. 

A Witch on a Mission: 

Carissa is searching for her friend who is rumored to have been captured my Lana and her men. She doesn’t plan on finding love but she can’t resist the attraction she feels for her fellow captive, Jude. She senses the desire raging through him and yearns to ease the tension coursing through his muscled body. However, their lust for one another angers Lana and can only lead to one thing…death for both her and Jude. 

Now that Jude has found his mate he must get them both to safety before Lana destroys them. Will Jude lose his mate so soon after finding her or will they escape Lana's wrath and form a bond so strong nothing and no one can break it?

Excerpt from Lovers Unchained

"Lana straddled him. She ran her hands up his chest.

Jude kept his eyes closed. “Why didn’t you teleport in?”
“I was trying to be polite.” She licked his nipple. Between her legs, she felt his cock jerk and felt his hardness through her leather suit. She wanted him badly; more importantly, she wanted him to want her. He was an obsession she couldn’t get rid of; a puzzle she couldn’t figure out.
Lana ground her sex against his, drawing a moan from both of their throats.
“I have some friends I want you to meet,” she whispered. She pulled back a little and watched for his reaction. Unfortunately, all he did was yawn; he didn’t even open his eyes.
“Aren’t you a little curious as to who I want you to meet?” Once again, he ignored her. His nonchalance only made her want him more. Every time he ignored her, or pretended to not want her, it only made her work harder to please him and make him want her. Every prisoner she owned would give their last breath to have her show them the amount of attention she wasted on Jude.
Lana licked his nipple again. She refused to give up; defeat was not a feeling she was accustomed to. She placed soft kisses from his nipple up to his neck, and then nibbled along his jaw line. She tried to kiss his lips, but he turned his head causing her to kiss his cheek instead. Lana hissed in frustration.
She was tired of playing games with him. When she told her brother about all the problems this slave was giving her, he asked to borrow Jude for a month to train him, but Lana said no. She wanted to be the one to break him. She gave him plenty of chances to give in to her demands. If she couldn’t have him by choice, she would have him by force.
Without warning, Lana teleported Jude to her bedroom, where they landed on her bed; she quickly climbed off of him.
“Handcuff him to the bed,” she said to her servants waiting in the shadows. She was tired of playing nice. It was time for her to be the bitch he thought she was."
Lovers Unchained (Curse of the Dark Witch) by Siren Allen

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Blog Tour - Hosting for My Family's Heart Book Review

http://tonyaloveslife.wordpress.com/

LOVERS UNCHAINED – TOUR SCHEDULE

August 15
S. Cu’Anam Policar - http://cusauthorspotlights.blogspot.com/ (Excerpt/Spotlight & Interview)
Kelly Powell – http://kellyatx.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Samantha Holt – http://www.samanthaholtauthor.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight, Interview)
Samantha Martin – http://faerietalebooks.org (Excerpt/Spotlight & Review)
Antoinette Smith – http://promiscuousbookblog.blogspot.com/ (Excerpt/Spotlight & Review)
August 16
Linda Mooney – http://www.lindamooney.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Tich Brewester – http://lovesallthingsbooks.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Mari Brown – http://keepinitrealbookchicks.wordpress.com/ (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
Doris Orman – http://dowiesplace.blogspot.com (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 17
Tonya Gauthier-Kellum – http://tonyaloveslife.wordpress.com (Excerpt/Spotlight, Interview & Review)
Jamie Birdwell – http://alphasauthorsbooksohmy.blogspot.com (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
Janine Fourie – http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight, Interview)
August 19
Beverly Ovalee – http://SSLYblog.wordpress.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Vanessa Collins – http://haloangelreads.blogspot.com.au (Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 20
Sarah Daltry – http://sarahdaltry.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Brenda Kness – http://brenysbookobsession.wordpress.com/ (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 21
K.E. Nowinsky – http://kenowinsky.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Carrie Fort – http://paranormalbookfairy.blogspot.com (Review, Interview & Excerpt/Spotlight)
Tanya Vought – http://www.thebookobsessedmomma.blogspot.com (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 22
Jessica Wentz - http://jessbookblog.blogspot.com (Review, Interview & Excerpt/Spotlight)
Obsession is a Book – http://obsessionisabook.blogspot.co.uk (Review & Excerpt/Spotlight)
Kylie Lacovich – http://thereadingcow.blogspot.com.au (Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 23
Ashley Barnett – http://ashleysreadingbliss.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Brandy Dorsch – http://www.romancebookworm.com (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 24
Tiffany Riach – http://booksinfatuation29.blogspot.com (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
Angela Pratt – http://ifeeltheneedtheneedtoread.com (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 26
Wanda Swafford - http://facebook.com/wandalovesbooks & http://wandalovesbooks.blogspot.com/?m-1 (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
Melissa Simmons - http://biggirlsheartbooks.blogspot.com/ (Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 27
Myra Espino – http://msme28.blogspot.com (Review, Expert/Spotlight)
Christi Williams – http://writerchristi.blogspot.com/ (Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 28
Ruthi Kight – http://rmfabbookreviews.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Melissa Baker – http://buriedunderbooks1.wordpress.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Danielle Claude-Ngontang Mba – http://danielle-claude.blogspot.co.uk/ (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
Mary Lou Moench – http://pageprincess.wordpress.com – (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 29
Jennifer Greeff – http://www.batteryoperatedbookblog.com (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
Deliza Rafferty – http://www.dirtydramas.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)
Mandy Smith – http://www.rawbooksonline.com (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
August 30
Star Price – http://www.illustriousillusions.com/ (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
Natasha Bennett – http://scandalousbookblog.blogspot.co.uk (Review, Excerpt/Spotlight)
J Hooligan – http://onemorechapterreviews1.blogspot.com (Excerpt/Spotlight)

IWSG: Pilgrimage Through Platforms

Just in time for the Insecure Writing Support Group submission, just today I read an article about utilizing different platforms for a single title and how it can generate multiple avenues of income. While my title "Going off Dreams" is already available on two platforms; both createspace.com and through Amazon. I now am considering two more options, today I enrolled for open auditions through ACX an Amazon platform for audio books. Also, this past month I received an email about another new possible platform for our e-books called Book Track. This site lets you match music to your books for an entire different experience for our readers or listeners. An associate of mine is looking into this (+Stevie Nowinsky) since he is a proprietor of +Wonky Sensitive and is the creator of the Going Off Dreams Soundtrack through MixCloud, this is the perfect opportunity to match the two together for an amazing experience.

Has anyone else ventured these different platforms? Would you suggest these platforms?

As excited as I am, being a self-published writer is like riding a roller coaster. There are times of optimism like today, but most days I don't feel as optimistic, especially when I check my sales statistics. I should take advantage of this energy and begin editing the second book again, I'm probably about half way thorough and planning to launch it this October.  I guess right now I am having a hard time juggling everything. My motto has usually been to take deep breaths and just do one thing at a time. I'm trying to market my first book while editing the second, and let alone the other things going on in my life (loosing my house, having a sick child, and taking care of foster pets). We have to wear so many different hats, we are our own agents, marketers, public relations and everything else in between. To say it can be frustrating is an understatement.

How do you juggle self-publishing and the chaos of life?