Delightful Story in Taking Notes on Murder

Today’s blog is another wonderful book from an author and series we have featured before. I was excited to experience another story from this author and share it with you dear readers. I have two stops on the Deep Blue Murder (A Fiona Quinn Mystery) Book Tour. The author C.S. McDonald is a real talent. I have read her featured book and will have a blog review on that in a few days. Today I am reviewing another of her wonderful books. It is the audiobook version of Taking Notes on Murder. I will also be providing some details about some of her other fantastic books. If you haven’t read my other blogs I’ll let you know if I have read it

BOOK DETAILS

Book Title:  Taking Notes on Murder (A Fiona Quinn Mystery #9)
​Category:  YA Fiction, 184 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  May 19, 2020

Book Description:

Mysterious notes are showing up in Fiona’s kindergarten classroom, claiming a suicide from 2005 was actually a homicide. Detective Landry maintains the messages are too vague, possess no integrity, and do not warrant a review of the old case.

Fiona’s not convinced. She’s determined to find the author of the enigmatic notes and uncover the truth about a man who had many secrets and countless enemies, including Fiona’s mother and former suspect Nancy Quinn!
Can Fiona crack this cold case, and what will it take to get Detective Landry involved? Don’t miss taking notes on this murder! 

REVIEW

Another great sleuthy story featuring Fiona Quinn. The story in this one starts right away and is great. There is a cryptic note involving a cold case murder. The characters hold strong to previous writing and are still wonderful. Fiona continues to be curious and must know more. If you are a teacher you will also like this story not just for the wonderful cozy mystery, but for the relatable classroom elements too.

The notes in this one are next level and increase the intrigue in this story. I like this concept. It is a well thought out and well written story with wonderful characters. I think whether you have read any of the Fiona Quinn Mysteries or not you will enjoy this one. It will get you hooked. I have enjoyed them all so far and I have read several. They do keep getting better and I wonder how can that be because they are always great! Another must read Fiona Quinn Mystery.

BUY THE BOOK
Audible ~ Amazon

BLOG TOUR FEATURED BOOK DETAILS

Book Title:  Deep Blue Murder (A Fiona Quinn Mystery) 
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 268 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Nov 2022
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald’s books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults–no bad language or sexual content.

Book Description:

Fiona is delighted when her new mother-in-law, Rita Landry invites her and Nathan to a private island in the Bahamas owned by a US ambassador. Sun, sandy beaches, and romantic tangerine sunsets await the newlyweds, but for Rita and her executive assistant, Hal Underwood the trip to Deep Blue Isle is a working vacation. Ambassador Taslow has summoned them to the island to discuss a scandal he has fallen victim to. However, when the Landry’s and Hal arrive, they find less than welcoming circumstances: no internet or Wi-Fi, mischievous monkeys, a dangerous tenant, and then there’s that pesky dead body.

​A storm is brewing on Deep Blue Isle, and it has nothing to do with wind and rain.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon
add to goodreads

SOME OF HER OTHER BOOKS

Book Title:  Murder on Pointe:  A Fiona Quinn Mystery #1
​Category:  YA Fiction, 219 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone–adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)

Book Description:

Fiona can’t wait to attend the performance of Coppelia at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. Her old friend, Silja Ramsay, is dancing the principal role. They have dinner after the show, but when they return Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is down one dancer! Ballerina, Alexis Cartwright, has been found dead in the dressing room. Is this murder a result of hot tempers among the cast members? Or is it a random act of violence? Will there be more murders? Homicide Detective Nathan Landry isn’t taking any chances. After finding out Fiona has a strong background in ballet, he recruits her to go undercover among the cast of Coppelia. Can Fiona help catch a killer, or will she be the next victim?

BUY THE BOOK
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads

Book Title:  Merry Murder:  A Fiona Quinn Mystery #2
​Category:  YA Fiction, 219 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Sep 16, 2016
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone–adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)

Book Description:

The cookies are baked. The tree is trimmed. The shopping? Well, it’s almost done, and Fiona’s parents have finally returned home for a holiday visit – along with some unexpected unruly friends. Yep, Fiona’s perfectly planned Christmas is coming together, but how could’ve she planned for her favorite uncle’s murder? Who could possibly kill a sweet old man who’s played Santa at the local mall every year without fail? Fiona’s boyfriend, Detective Nathan Landry, is determined to find out – before Christmas day arrives. There’s only one problem: Nancy Quinn. Fiona’s mom is just as determined as the detective to catch the murderer, and she isn’t shy about getting the job done – even if it includes breaking a few pesky laws! Will Fiona and her mother find the killer first or will the killer find them?​

This is one I have read and recommend.

BUY THE BOOK
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads

Book Title:  Waves of Murder:  A Fiona Quinn Mystery #3
​Category:  YA Fiction, 190 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Apr 11, 2017
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone–adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)

Book Description:

School’s out for the summer! Kindergarten teacher Fiona Quinn is looking forward to spending some quality time in her yard and with her boyfriend, Detective Nathan Landry. However, Fiona’s plans get squelched when her mother volunteers her to edit a manuscript for famous romance author Wyla Parkes.
What’s so bad about that? The author insists Fiona must work on the manuscript at her beach cottage on Presque Isle – three hours away from her yard and Nathan. Spending six weeks in an adorable cottage on a private beach doesn’t really seem all that bad until people start turning up dead – beginning with the author! Fiona’s summer of sun and sand is instantly transformed into a murder investigation. Can Fiona and Nathan crack the case or will the murderer getaway on a wave of deceit?
Join Fiona and the gang for a hot whodunit on the sandy beaches of Presque Isle, Pennsylvania!

This is another one I have read and enjoyed. I recommend it.

BUY THE BOOK
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads

Book Title:  Tastes Like Murder:  A Fiona Quinn Mystery #4
​Category:  YA Fiction, 202 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Nov 23, 2017
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone–adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)

Book Description:

The bridesmaid dresses are ruffles and ruffles of ugly, one bridesmaid is trying to micro-manage…well, pretty much everything, and the bride-to-be is a total bridezilla! Wedding bells will soon be ringing, but as usual, Fiona is a bridesmaid and not a bride. As the maid of honor, how can Fiona keep the volatile pre-wedding festivities running smoothly? The problem is abruptly solved when the bride drops over dead at the elegant wine-tasting wedding rehearsal. Yikes! Who poisoned the wine? The suspects are lining up, and Fiona finds herself at the top of the list! Double yikes! It’s a vintage murder case for Fiona, Detective Landry, and the gang. Cheers!

BUY THE BOOK:
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads

MEET THE AUTHOR

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries includes nine books with a tenth slated for 2021. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg.

Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh and the female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Nest Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!

Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister. 

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR

Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook ~ Instagram

GIVEAWAY

Check out the website at this link and scroll down to enter the giveaway. Good luck! While you are there you can check out other stops on the tours and see other books being reviewed in the series.

NOTE: This blog and review were written with and provided by media kit information from the iREAD BOOK TOURS Host team.

Always Finding Time To Read Even During Busy Months

We have a variety of books to review this week. This has been a busy month and will continue to be busy for the next few weeks. But, here are a few books to look over for your consideration.

The Highly Sensitive Person’s Guide to Dealing with Toxic People

This is a book that focuses on people that are highly sensitive or considered empathetic, but really anyone that deals with a toxic person can benefit from this book. Read The Highly Sensitive Person’s Guide to Dealing with Toxic People: How to Reclaim Your Power from Narcissists, Manipulators, and Others by Shahida Arabi to get some interesting and perhaps important insight. This world may seem overwhelming with people that are acting narcissistic or controlling. This is really not a new type of personality but seems to be something we see often today. Dealing with personality conflicts is definitely something everyone deals with and often daily, but at least from time to time. Having some ideas on dealing with, creating boundaries, or coping with it is found in this book.

There are strategies for surviving a variety of confrontations and behaviors dealt with by toxic people in our lives. It could be someone we know or someone we meet. It mentions:

“five main types of toxic people — Garden variety boundary steppers, Crazymakers and Attention seekers, Emotional vampires, Narcissists and Sociopaths and Psyothopahs (associated with antisocial personality disorder types.” It goes into detail about these types and provides good information about dealing with them as well as evidence-based skills on how to handle them along with what they do.

This is a helpful guide for anyone. While it was not the most organized book there is some interesting and helpful information inside. You are the only one really that will know how to best handle a situation. But, you might find reading this book helpful and be able to pull from what you read to give you the confidence to deal with the situation.

This is available for $15 at Amazon.com.

The Inkwell

The Inkwell by Tim Brown is a short story I recommend. I enjoyed reading it. I mean if you want more then you are going to feel you are missing out but think about it. This is just because you enjoy it. This is a short story. I liked the idea of this story and how it was presented. I liked it enough I would have enjoyed it more, but reading a short story works sometimes. I also enjoy a historical setting and this has it. It brings us to the American Revolution.

This might not be a top read for everyone, but give it a chance. It is a good story that has a charming idea. If you are looking for a short story that might take you off guard a little this is a nice read for you. It is a well-written story that could surprise you. I would enjoy reading more from this author and yes, while this was a short story it would be great to have more. If you like family, heirlooms, and fly-fishing stories then this is a great fit for you.

Amazon.com is selling this book for $11. There are also Kindle and hard copy versions available.

The Liberation of Marguerite Harrison

The Liberation of Marguerite Harrison: America’s First Female Foreign Intelligence Agent by Elizabeth Atwood is a talentedly written biography. It is late 1918 during World War I. which is coming to an end. If you have read many or enough of our blogs you know I enjoy history and learning about those that have lived interesting history. This book fits that and I recommend this story. It features Margueritete E. Harrision. She was 39 and a socialite in Baltimore. She wanted to be a spy and wrote to the U.S. Army asking for this job. This is her fantastic story. It sounds fantastic and it is. The presentation is as wonderful as the actual life she lived. This is the story of the First American female foreign intelligence officer.

We learn about her amazing life and her personality that lead her to this job. It also shows us the world of the 1920s. It is an amazing story. Anyone interested in history this is a must-read. It is well written with wonderfully documented information included giving us the entire story. If you like this type of writing with great detail then you will be overjoyed to read this. It is a true academic writing.

This book is available at Amazon.com for a hardcover copy is $25, but a Kindle version is also available.

Under-Eye Patch Soothes

Do you find yourself tired and looking for a refreshing under-eye patch? Quewel is a company that is known for helping beautify the eyes with a skill of helping eye lashes. They also have an under-eye patch than I was provided with to try and review. That is this week’s product. It is Quewel Hydrogel Under-Eye Patches with Aloe Vera.

Quewel Hydrogel Under-Eye Patches with Aloe Vera

This is a product designed to help under your eyes look more refreshed and even younger. I cannot say you will look younger, but refreshed perhaps and the product is comfortable and soothing enough to use. It might help with puffiness under your eyes too, if you have that. I don’t know as I just know it is soothing and reduces pesky drowsy under-eye look. Perhaps you get dark circles, which is something that you notice as well, and it is part of what could be reduced.

It has aloe vera and mild anti-aging vitamins with a hydrogel under-eye patch. I thought it was a nice product and would recommend it if you are looking for such a product.

HOW TO USE
1. Thoroughly clean and dry your face
2. Remove the patch from its packaging
3. Apply the patch under your eyes for 15-20 minutes
4. Remove the patch slowly from the edges
5. Allow any remaining serum to absorb completely.

Learn more about Quewel and Quewel products at Quewel.com.

Celebrating Another Year of the Blog with A Busy Year

It is the anniversary of the blog — April 11, 2023, It is the year that Jackson and Matthew are back in school together, which is wonderful. Jackson is a senior and Matthew is a freshman. They have enjoyed this time together. Their lunchtime is together and they see each other in the halls. They have participated in activities together including Science Olympiad, which was a wonderful experience.

I told you I have been busy this year. Everything is in a whirlwind right now. The last thing on my schedule was the Anniversary blog. Sorry to say.

I didn’t get this posted on April 11, which is our blog anniversary date. But, the wonderful world of technology allows me to backdate it. So that’s what I have done.

Why am I so busy?

Why is our family so busy?

First, there is everyday life. The deadlines of bills and other things, including activities, that we must keep track of using calendars whether they are paper or digital. Perhaps you use more than one of these devices. There are top things on the list and I am sorry this blog wasn’t event wasn’t even on my calendar.

Second, our work and school schedules have been crazy. They have been different than the everyday. You know when changes happen in your schedule and your routine it can really mess up everything.

Yet, really, it is in a little over a month our family and our lives will change. We will experience the next step or chapter. Jackson is scheduled to graduate from high school. There are many decisions he is busy making right now and there are deadlines on the way for that final college choice arriving soon. There are scholarships to turn in and seek out.

It has been a good year of wonderful books and products. When it comes down to it I know everyone has busy things happening in our lives and especially, it seems in Spring. Sometimes we must prioritize and family, for me anyway, comes first.

As for the blog, I was concentrating on the required blog I have scheduled for later this month. We have had another great year with the groups we work with that is providing books and book tours. Be looking for another great book, well books actually, that we will be featured on the blog. We hope for another year filled with products still coming our way and wonderful books to share.