Ghost of a Gamble by Sue Ann Jaffarian
585518
Sue Ann Jaffarian brings readers the fourth book in her Ghost of Granny Apples mystery series, Ghost of a Gamble. Emma and Granny are off on another road trip in this book, this time to Sin City, Vegas will never be the same. This humorous mystery series featuring paranormal elements will have readers sitting on the edge of their collective seats. Jaffarian has an over the top writing style that is appealing and full of surprises. Readers never know what is going to happen next in a Granny Apples mystery and Ghost of a Gamble is no different. A great addition to the series.

What I liked:

Sue Ann Jaffarian is one of those writers that can give you a totally unbelievable idea and make you believe every word of it. Her stories are written with a flamboyant style that draws the reader in and has them giggling under their breath in no time. Jaffarian's use of humor is excellent and almost as entertaining as the mystery itself... almost!

Emma is a great cozy heroine. She is a medium and is used to dealing with spirits and their issues. She has a humorous outlook on life that is contagious and she knows how to solve a mystery. I love the fact that her sidekick is the ghost of her great great great grandmother. It adds a great paranormal aspect to this mystery series that will draw in a whole different audience. Emma is a cross between The Ghost Whisperer and the Long Island Medium, serious at times and hilarious at others. A very versatile character.

I loved the Los Vegas setting for this one. I have enjoyed the fact that the Granny Apples mysteries tend to take place in different areas and are not limited by a stagnant setting. Jaffarian does a fantastic job using the history of Vegas to add to the details of this mystery. It's obvious that she did her homework and the city really comes to life for the reader. I liked the whole mobster idea and how it played into the outcome of the mystery as well.

Granny Apples once again steals the show in this mystery though. I love her character and how each time Emma finds herself in the middle of another mystery, it somehow involves Granny. I like the fact that Granny can move around and travel to different places, which gives each mystery more versatility. But the humor and comic relief that Granny adds to every book is the best part of all. I think Jaffarian has done a great job with this series and I look forward to seeing where Granny and Emma turn up next.

What I didn't like:

I thought this one was a fun romp in Las Vegas that happened to center around a murder. The mystery itself was a little long in coming to a head, but once readers get past that, it is a great read, that is original and full of surprises.

Bottom Line:

This is a great series with a lot of humor and it always features a great mystery that makes the reader do a little thinking to figure it out. I love the paranormal aspects of the book, featuring Granny Apples and the charismatic lead character, Emma.
2444234
Ann Kinnear is a quiet, private person who senses spirits. She and her brother Mike have a spirit consulting business, but Ann prefers to stay out of the limelight. When Ann is asked to sense spirits for a client in a home that shes considering purchasing, Ann immediately senses that a terrible event has occurred within the home. Ann is then unwillingly drawn into a murder mystery that puts her own life in danger.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It has so many great elements going for it. Yes, readers are aware of who the murderer is at the start, but that in no way ruins the book. In fact, I found The Sense of Death to be one of the most suspenseful books Ive ever read. I never knew quite what would happen next.

Matty Dalyrmples writing is wonderfully expressive. Her characters are well developed and relatable. She does a great job of making the murderer a highly unlikable character. I enjoyed the authors writing, plot and characters so much that I was able to breeze through the book in a day. I was also very interested in seeing how it would end. The ending was tidy and satisfying!

I highly recommend The Sense of Death to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery, with a unique paranormal slant added in for plenty of additional interest.
2386800
Picked up Michelle Muto's The Haunting Season because I really enjoyed her Book of Lost Souls. Plus I like good haunted "anything" stories. The Haunting Season didn't let me down. Siler House is the perfect haunted house and Ms. Muto's desriptions and prose set the haunted tone perfectly. Throw in the ghosts of two young girls, a wicked demon, and characters that exhibit some type of paranormal power and you have all the ingredients of an entertaining ghost story. But for a ghost story to really worlk the characters must be individuals you care about and the author does an exemplary job here. The plot is fun, dialogue fast and the ending will not allow you to put the book down. Plus it's got romance and some sexy scenes to go along with the supernatural. Highly recommended for any readers who like haunted house stories--or all readers or who looking for a good entertaining story.
506610
Award-winning author, Roberta Kehle, delivers high-gear suspense in The Covered Bet. A story sure to keep you turning pages late into the night.
Diana Gunn and her husband, Hawk, have mended their marriage after enduring years of his gambling addiction. However, their son and grandson have followed in Hawks footsteps, making their family a target for an organized crime group.
Traverse the dark streets of underground Seattle. Fly over Puget Sound as Diana pilots a plane from their air charter business to the San Juan Islands. Hear her desperate prayers and follow her efforts to break the cycle of addiction and reunite her family.
Will they make the right choices, or will their decisions cost them their lives? Filled with suspense and characters who face life-changing decisions, The Covered Bet won't disappoint.
I gave this book a five star rating because of Kehles ability to make the reader feel they're right on scene with the characters, scenes that had my heart pounding. And for any who know someone who cant stay out of the casinos, youll be able to tell the author did her research.
711290
very good book, it really kept me wanting to turn the pages, hope to read some more books by Paula Hawkins
4880249
Very nice read. Peri can see ghosts. She has since she was a little girl. In a small town like gaslight she's either laughed at or believed to be crazy.
Peri's cousin is murdered. It is up to her to find the murderer (she believes). She meets new people along the  way, and loses a piece of her heart in the end.
3061339
I really enjoyed "Ghostly Paws" as my 1st book by Leighann Dobbs.  This was my first read.  I liked so much I bought the 2nd book, "The Mystic Tail"/
2091522
Good story certainly worth a readers time. I found it to be very interesting, and one anybody who enjoys ghosts would like
2204251
I'm usually not a fan of ghosts, since I know they're real and it creeps me out, but this book was very interesting.  I liked the imperfect characters and the AA meetings.  I loved her friends!  Vern is awesome!  I loved how it ended, but I want to read more about what happens to her friends!
1333883
A book that was just a delight to read.  Very interesting story line and great characters.  Hanna had inherited a ten bedroom house from her grandparents.  The catch was that she had to live in the house for one year, But, with Donovan, his father and son.  Whomever was still there after a year would take possession of the house.  As expected, there were twists and turns getting through that year.  Plenty of interesting incidents happened to liven things up even more.  One of them being the ghost in the basement.  Hanna and Donovan were really good people but my favorite character was Donovan's father Pop who was a sweet "grandfatherly" type of person.

Sue Fineman has written a great book here that I would recommend highly.  Can't wait to get into book #2 in this series.  Find a quiet corner with this book and enjoy!
2320253
"Hide and Snoop" was one of several Jaffarian books I read while suffering from a bad cold.  All were a nice distraction from my misery.  Good characters, interesting plot.  Also, Jaffarian has a nice writing style.
1649160
I loved this book.  It's the first I've read by Nancy Herkness and I like her writing style.  I can't wait for the next book in the Wager of Hearts series.  Too bad it doesn't come out until summer 2016.
4714699
Really enjoyed Parlor Game by Linda S. Browning.  I have a problem with books that don't capture my interest right from page one.  She definately has the  skill to do that.  I will be looking for more of her stories.

Bob V
847068
This book was a great joy to read.  It had everything that I like to read, mystery, romance, and ghosts.  Love it! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the their paranormal with a little fun and mystery.
1398378
I liked the brisk writing style, which I thought was perfect for this fast-moving story about a Greek gambler and the mysterious woman he falls in love with and is threatened by dark forces. Lots of suspense and lean to the bone. A definite five stars.
2569993
I am just reading  Dolled Up For Murder by Jane K. Cleland and I love it. Her books are always really good. They are antique mysterys , well written, keeping you in suspense and if you're interested in antiques you will learn a lot about them. I have read other of her books and you will never be disappointed.
721340
Gambling on an Angel is the second book I've read by Paty Jager and she's on my look out list-  I love her characters, humor and page turning story that hooks you from the beginning. Don't miss this one - Ms. Jager is a wonderful storyteller who delivers a satisfying read!