Aloha to Kate Dyer-Seely and IN CAVE DANGER (Pacific Northwest Mystery) - Book Review

On an expedition into Oregon's Lava River Cave, outdoor journalist Meg Reed stumbles across a body buried way more than six feet under . . .

A debate is raging over the use of public lands, and to cover the story for Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg joins a congressman and several others on a subterranean adventure--despite her intense claustrophobia. The thoughts of cave-ins and cougars are unnerving, but at least it's a distraction from her other anxieties, like her best friend's departure for Italy, her boss's plan to sell the company, and the ongoing questions about her father's suspicious death. But in the chilly darkness of the volcanic rock, she discovers a Forest Service employee, stabbed with a trowel. Now Meg will need to do some in-depth investigating or the truth may never come to the surface . . . 

Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing, featuring a young journalist, Meg Reed, who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme. Only Meg’s idea of sport is climbing onto the couch without spilling her latte.

Kate lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet—all three.

Learn more about Kate and her books at katedyerseeley.com.

Thurston Lava Tube near Kilauea, Hawaii

What fresh Hell awaits! 

- Frasier 

When Meg Reed graduated with a journalism degree, job prospects were slim pickings.  She convinced the owner of Northwest Exposure, a high adventure magazine, that she could tackle each assignment with gusto.  Yet each gig required her to face a personal fear.  IN CAVE DANGER, Book 5 in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series, Meg signs up for a tour of a lava cave despite her fear of small spaces.  Just as the tour descends into the tunnels, she stumbles across the dead body of a forest ranger.   

IN CAVE DANGER tackles the timely debate of public lands - should the land be preserved for posterity or opened for recreation?  The murdered ranger was an outspoken advocate for preservation thus Meg suspects a local rancher of foul play. As she launches her own investigation of the ranger's death, she finds herself embroiled in a larger mystery that involves her father, a legendary journalist who was run down while investigating the meth trade.  This larger mystery has been the overarching story line since SCENE OF THE CRIME, Book 1 in the series.  I felt the meth trade overshadowed the "mystery of the week" thus shortchanging Meg's sleuthing around the lava cave and high desert.  Yet Dyer Seeley was able to wrap up both mysteries in this series finale while staying true to Meg's character.

IN CAVE DANGER followed previous books in detailing the great outdoors in the Pacific Northwest which fuels the high adventure industry.  I enjoyed learning about the Lava River Cave and the Oregon High Desert - who knew Mother Nature was so creative?  I also appreciated Seely Dyer including the emerging culture of Bend, Oregon, along the Deschutes River - what's not to love about fresh air, majestic scenery, and indie pubs?

I purchased IN CAVE DANGER since I enjoyed previous books in the series.

My family found a lava tube under tree roots along 

the Road to Hana on Maui 

I am giving away "high adventure" swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about the Pacific Northwest - have you explored its natural resources?  Or enjoyed it unique culture?

During my first assignment in the Air Force, I often traveled from home outside Boston to Seattle to meet with the Boeing Company.  I often stayed the weekend to soak up the local sights, including the Seattle Underground Tour (link).

2. Comments are open through Sunday, December 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, January 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Kate Dyer-Seeley and SLAYED ON THE SLOPES - Book Review

After talking her way into a job writing for Portland's Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head. . .

She's at Mount Hood's remote Silcox Hut, covering the the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers-- Oregon's elite high-altitude rescue team--during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she's still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg's now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!

Vintage image Silcox Hut
Public Domain (link)

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted. - Mae West

Meg Reed, like Mae West, has bravado.   She talked her way into a writer's job with an extreme sports magazine despite the fact that she is not an athlete, let alone extreme athlete.  Still, Meg takes each assignment with gusto ... only to find herself embroiled in a murder mystery.

SLAYED ON THE SLOPES is Meg's second adventure in this cozy mystery set in Oregon.   I enjoyed the first book, SCENE OF THE CLIMB, and purchased the second book with high expectations.  Dyer-Seeley takes Meg (and readers) to a new level of research (and height) when she joins the newly formed Ridge Rangers for their initial training as an elite ski rescue team atop of Mount Hood.  During a snow storm, the financial sponsor is murdered, distracting the team from their training and Meg from her writing.   As Meg discovers clues to the murder, she comes to realize who are her friends ... and who is the enemy ... in more than just the mystery. 

SLAYED ON THE SLOPES follows a predictable path of a cozy mystery - the heroine finds false leads; law enforcement warns her to stop snooping; and she consults with friends who appear on the scene.   Yet Dyer-Seeley sets this series apart with a 23 year old heroine who will resonate with readers of all ages - she has talent but questions herself.  Meg wants to be brave, on and off the slopes, but acknowledges her limitations.  She is loyal, committed, and ethical, making her very entertaining to follow along in this series.   The added bonus is Dyer-Seeley's detailed narrative of winter sports on Mount Hood, including the Timberline Lodge and Silcox Hut, that seemed more like a travel experience rather than a history lesson.    I read for escapism and  Dyer-Seeley transported me to the winter wonderland along the Magic Mile.

SLAYED ON THE SLOPES continues the overarching story of what happened to Meg's father, a newspaper reporter "killed" in a biking accident.   The last page left me speechless and satisfied.

SLAYED ON THE SLOPES can be read as a stand alone book as Dyer-Seeley provides Meg's back story and reintroduces other characters in her life - Gam (her healing grandmother), Jill (her almost perfect best friend), Matt (her reliable shoulder to cry on), and Greg (her too good to be true boss).  However, I recommend reading SCENE OF THE CLIMB first to enjoy Meg in all her glory.

I purchased a print copy of SLAYED ON THE SLOPES.

Mount Hood reflects in Mirror Lake.

Public Domain (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my covnention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about winter sports - do you have a favorite?  Like Meg, I am hopeless on skis!

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 13, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Kate and her books at katedyerseeley.com. 

Check out my review of SCENE OF THE CLIMB at this link.

Aloha to L.A. Kornetsky and CLAWED, A Gin and Tonic Mystery - Book Review

In this fourth mystery in the charming and witty Gin & Tonic series, private investigators Ginny and Teddy—with the help of their faithful pets—must unravel their most intriguing case yet…

Even though she’s unlicensed as an investigator, the infamously nosy Ginny Mallard and her cohort Teddy Tonica have begun to make a name for themselves in solving cases. But Ginny still has her day job as an event planner, and the promise of a lucrative job draws her to Portland, with her shar-pei puppy, Georgie, in tow. Much to her shock and horror, however, she’s been led there under false pretenses—and discovers a body in the parlor of her client's house!

Though the cops warn her to keep her nose out of it, Ginny just can't resist the itch to solve this case, and soon gets drawn into Portland's seedy underbelly of identity theft, forgery, and of course, murder…with Teddy and his cat Penny's devoted sleuthing helping her at every turn.

Vintage Image of Portland, 1890
Public Domain (link)

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine. - Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), Casablanca

Ginny walked into Mary's neighborhood bar ... and might borrow Rick's other famous line, "Teddy, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."  Ginny (with George the dog) and Teddy (with Penny the cat) have turned their friendship into a budding hobby of private investigation in three previous novels.  For their fourth adventure, CLAWED, Ginny's event planning business takes her (and George) out of town, leaving Teddy (and Penny) out of sorts.  Yet Portland welcomes Ginny with a dead body in the house of her new client.  Although the police (and Teddy) advise her to let the "pros" do their job, Ginny can't but take an interest in the murder mystery.  While Ginny (and George) poke their nose around Portland, Teddy (and Penny) run background checks on the victim and the client.  Teddy ultimately joins Ginny in Portland where they uncover nefarious dealings in the suburbs.

CLAWED is a lighthearted cozy mystery laced with humor, friendship, and fur therapy.  The plot follows the standard path with false leads and unorthodox methods.  Kornetsky keeps it fresh with the unique relationship between humans and pets.   Think Cheers meets Lassie.

I received an ARC from Pocket Books for an honest review.

I am giving away a copy of CLAWED to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Portland - have you visited the Rose City?  I have not but I am curious to visit it!

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 6, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about L.A., her books, and her alter ego at lauraannegilman.net.

State of Romance, Benjamin Franklin, and Authors Behaving Humanely

Mount Hood, Oregon
Public Domain (link)

I contribute a weekly column, State of Romance, to USA Today's HEA Column.  Today we visit Oregon, the Beaver State, at this link.   We also return to the other state of romance ... the flow of free thought (link).   I continue sharing the musings from the colonial catfisher, Benjamin Franklin, posing as a middle aged Silence Dogood in his/her letters to the New England Courant.

April 30, 1722 • Silence Dogood #3

I am very sensible that it is impossible for me, or indeed any one Writer to please all Readers at once. Various Persons have different Sentiments; and that which is pleasant and delightful to one, gives another a Disgust.

I intend to proceed, bestowing now and then a few gentle Reproofs on those who deserve them, not forgetting at the same time to applaud those whose Actions merit Commendation. 

No doubt Mrs. Dogood would offer a few gentle reproofs to those authors behaving badly.  Likewise, she would applaud those whose Actions merit commendation ... 

Standing up to Cancer -  LAST HERO STANDING is a box set from Dianna Love, Cynthia Eden, Elisabeth Naughton, Joan Swan, Bonnie Vanak, Pamela Clare, Mary Buckham, Adrienne Giordano, Norah Wilson, and Stephanie Rowe.  Proceeds benefit Pamela Clare who is recovering from breast cancer. Learn more at this link.

Supporting deployed personnel - Geri Krotow and Heather Ashby sent books to deployed personnel.  Geri and Heather understand the challenges of deployment - they are Navy Veteran and spouse.  Mahalo, my fellow RomVets!

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Oregon, Benjamin Franklin, or an author you know who behaves humanely.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Remember, you can also support deployed personnel at this link.