Black Cat Crossing..First in a Cool New Cat Cozy Mystery Series by Kay Finch!.

My heart leapt to my throat and I stood, fearing the worst, "Is Aunt Rowe okay?"

"She's fine, Miss Sabrina." Thomas pulled out a chair and plunked himself down.

"Thank goodness." I eased back into my seat.

Thomas took his hat off and placed it on the chair across from me. "Your aunt's having a good day so far. Glenda got her settled on the patio chaise so she can enjoy some sun before the day gets too hot. The physical therapist should be there shortly."

My aunt, Rowena Flowers, took a nasty fall in early spring and was recovering from a concussion and a broken leg. Which was my impetus for finally quitting my Houston paralegal job and accepting her offer to come live with her for a while. In addition to keeping my aunt company, I was helping Thomas and Glenda, the housekeeper, manage the cottages during Aunt Rowe's recuperation.

Thomas lifted his arm to check his watch, and I spotted a bloody cut on his forearm. Looked to me like he might need stitches.

"What happened to you?" I pulled a fresh napkin from the dispenser and handed it to him.

He accepted the napkin and dabbed at the wound. "El Gato Diablo is what. Gosh-darned cat crossed my path, next thing my toe caught on the curb, and fell flat out. Arm caught the edge of one of them fancy metal planters in front of the wine shop. Better'n smacking my head, I guess.

"A devil cat?" My forehead creased. "What are you talking about?"

"The black cat," he said. "Big fella. Been around these parts since I was a kid."

Since he was a kid?

"You're what?" I said. "Thirtysomething?"

"Close enough."

The coffee shop's owner, Max Dieter, came up with a mug for Thomas in one hand and a steaming coffeepot in the other. The big man had a fringe of strawberry blond hair surrounding a bald crown and always offered a holly smile. Without asking what Thomas wanted, he filled the fresh mug with a flourish.

"Heard you talking about the bad luck cat," he said. "Legend around town. I thought we'd seen the last of him when West Krane loaded him up and carted him off to Nolan County."

"I'd met the crotchety Mr. Krane, owner of the local hardware store, and wasn't surprised that he'd drive across the state just because a cat annoyed him.

Thomas lifted his arm to show Max his injury. "The cat's here in Lavender. Did this to me."

May shook his head. "The animal better steer clear of my place. I remodeled to bring in more business. Don't need bad luck scaring people away..."

!!!

Black Cat Crossing

By Kay Finch

Sabrina was not superstitious and she was surprised to learn that many residents of Lavender considered black cats bad luck! In fact, as soon as she met the black cat who was "terrorizing" the town, she was drawn to him, even to the point of starting to feed...hide... and name--Hitchcock--him! And we all know that once a cat is named, a bond is developed...

"Aren't you gorgeous?" 
I said, and that's
when the cat took off...
~~~

But there was even talking in the town of setting traps and Sabrina had taken him into her cottage on the property of her aunt. Of course, she didn't dare tell anybody that it was Hitchcock who had led her to the discovery of the body...  

And since the murdered man had been related to Aunt Rowe, and they had fought when he came to see her, of course she was the main suspect! 

Get a grip. You're talking
 to a cat as if it's your
therapist...
~~~

When I reached my cottage, I saw the cat sitting on the top stone of the steps leading to the river. I stooped down and talked to the animal. "You've made quite a trip coming all the way out here from town," I said... The cat meowed.

"Glad to meet you, too," I said... The cat stood and looked at me, then turned and darted down the steps...When I reached the bottom, the cat's eyes appeared in a place that made it seem like the animal was suspended over the water.

Black cats
don't cause
bad luck,
Sabrina,
remember?
~~~

No, he was sitting on a fallen tree limb. A rather large limb with one end resting on the riverbank, the other end submerged. The cat was taunting me for some reason, and I was crazy to be out here in the middle of the night following the animal around...I swear he meowed again, though I couldn't be sure over the sound of the river. I turned the light back toward him and stopped when I spotted a brown ostrich-skin boot propped on top of the fallen limb near the cat.

What the heck?

I walked as close as I safely could to the riverbank's edge, three feet or so above the water. The book was actually lodged in the fork of a branch attached to the limb.

My heart raced. Was there still a foot in that boot?

Sabrina had quit her job to come help her aunt, but she is also trying to write her first novel...But investigating the unexpected death of a distant relative, even though nearly everybody hated him, became priority when the police officer assigned to the case is working hard to prove her aunt murdered him. As a little cute sidebar to that investigation is that the Sheriff has been after Aunt Rowe to enter into a long relationship for many years and he feels he must pull out of the investigation. Sabrina really has no choice...she begins her own work to talk with all potential people involved.

And when she discovers that years ago, a young girl was found in the same tree in a similar position, she immediately believes that is a major issue in the present murder. Of course, nobody else is listening...much...

Aunt Rowe has a group of cottages that are rented out and the various individuals who are in the cabins at this time lend an interesting flavor to the story. Especially the little girl who has also found a friend in Hitchcock... 

And then there's the man who moves into the cottage next to Sabrina who she mistrusts immediately...

He pointed. "That's the--"\
"The cat who saved my
life," I interrupted, "and
she's one heck of a good
luck charm."
~~~

This should prove to be a fun, exciting cozy mystery series. The cat, Hitchcock, has a personality that tends to support the "bad luck" reputation, yet proves to be loving and totally involved with the life Sabrina has offered him. It just shows that those who don't believe in bad luck cats are right! And, of course, the bond that develops between cat and human is unlike any other, since the cat...chooses the human first...

Of course, I loved it! Cat Cozy Mysteries are my absolute favorite to read, even though I now need to sneak them in every once in awhile due to my other book reading and reviews. LOL!
The mystery and investigation in this particular book is fairly complex and many different characters had motive because of the man's own life of shenanigans! Enjoy!


GABixlerReviews


Kay Finch grew up on a Pennsylvania farm but she got to Texas as fast as she could and discovered the Texas Hill Country, the setting of her Bad Luck Cat mysteries coming from Berkley in 2015. As a child Kay wrote mystery stories, but it wasn’t until she went to work for a renowned criminal defense attorney that plot ideas once again began to flow. In addition to the Bad Luck Cat mysteries, check out Kay's Corie McKenna PI mysteries, Final Decree and Final Cut, and Relative Chaos, her Klutter Killer mystery. Kay is long-time member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division. She lives with her husband, a rescue cat, and two wild and crazy rescue dogs in a Houston suburb. Visit her at www.kayfinch.com.  

D. T. Pollard Provides Analysis of Two Hot Subjects Directly From Top News Stories!

ESSENCE ® bestselling author D.T. Pollard lives in the Dallas/ Fort Worth, TX area. He is married and has one son.

He earned an academic scholarship to the School of Business and Industry at Florida A & M University and stopped writing during his second year in college.

D T was at the top of his class in Marketing and graduated Summa Cum Laude and won the Most-Outstanding-Performance-in-Marketing award for the graduating class of 1981.

While working in sales for giants of the high-technology world for over 28 years, his desire to write returned after losing several siblings from various causes. D T Pollard is the author of many works including Rooftop Diva, Fools' Heaven, Vulture Capitalism and Ratchet Woman. Rooftop Diva, a fictional account about a Hurricane Katrina survivor became an Essence Magazine bestseller and is featured in libraries nationwide and abroad in hardcopy and audio formats.

I'm a product of Affirmative Action--when Affirmative Action was implemented. At that time I was one of the few women who made out of clerical ranks into technical and then administrative ranks at a major university. As an administrator, I then often was involved in affirmative action hiring and am fully knowledgeable about how the process was done. During those years, I had several African American men working in my office and became friends with one female Black Dean with whom I greatly enjoyed working.  

Then I watched as Affirmative Action no longer required hirings based upon that principle. New leaders came in and women in administration were slowly eliminated. Hiring no longer required a specific process... I watched as my friend, Ruth, left her job. And we shared a number of discussions of what we were seeing...

For me that is when I started watching it happen... the slow deterioration of what earlier lawmakers had done to try to make amends for what you might simply call "Male White Supremacy..." Believe me, you would never include women of any race as part of the good ole boy system of hiring...

Since that day, I've had an affinity for those in the Black Race. I knew exactly what happened...they couldn't get hired unless laws created for that purpose was followed. To cut my own opinion off quickly, let me just conclude with my personal opinion that was when it began and, now, we are seeing the results of that loss of effort...that change by the government to stop trying to help the hiring decisions of the past...to stop "caring" about people, employees included...

The title of Pollard's book, Black Phobia; Blue Phobia tells you exactly what the book is about. America has reached the point where there is NO trust. In particular, Pollard speaks to the ongoing and now major problem of total mistrust of the Police.

Pollard provides the necessary research of cases of violence, but he does not stop with just those attacks on Blacks. He talks about all that has happened in America... Then specifically discusses the unanswered questions about lack of punishment of the offender, if it happens to be a police officer.

But this is not a one-sided diatribe. It is a well-written review and analysis of the topic...Both sides have developed a real phobia--a fear, or in some a hatred of those on each side.

Given the previous losses it would truly be an opportunity wasted to fail to achieve a breakthrough in bridging the racial divide in America. We may be at a tipping point and on the edge of a potential racial explosion if there is not meaningful acknowledgement that there are issues that must be solved in how some police officers react to African Americans. Seemingly deadly escalations of tensions from some police officers when dealing with African Americans compared to White citizens...

Pollard discusses how the advances of electronics has provided the means by which individual actions are no longer just known locally--they are broadcasted nationally. 

Let’s not be naïve, what we are witnessing between law enforcement and the Black community is not new, it is just being captured on camera and played back for everyone to witness.

From a police leadership standpoint, this has allowed them to see the scope and wide-spread actions that have occurred and are increasing!

When a police officer is dispatched and encounters a dangerous individual who refuses to comply with instructions and takes potentially life threatening actions against the cop, the result may be the death of that person regardless of their race. We can’t deny the existence of dangerous individuals in the Black community as evidenced by the level of Black on Black crime...

It should not take those that fear the lack of police support to solve this major problem! But more and more we find individual citizens such as Pollard speaking out because of what is happening. The reality exists; justice must be swift and strong. It should not lead to further fear and/or, worse, hopelessness.

That's what got America to where it is today...

For me, every individual has to take a position of action. We need to speak out intelligently, proactively, and be able to see and discuss both sides of this issue. This book is an excellent review of what has occurred, along with the beginning of conceptual thoughts on the problem. I consider it a must-read for all who see, acknowledge, and want towork to move constructively ahead toward solution. 

This book is free for now...Get it like I did and share it like I did...Let's get people talking! All lives DO Matter!


GABixlerReviews

I've never been much interested in politics...Along with others, I've grown to lack trust...especially of politicians. Oh, sure, some are bound to be good, but...  Anyway, maybe it's because of all the books I've been able to read since I've retired...or maybe it's because I've felt an extreme lack of faith in both of the candidates, which I've not felt before. Frankly Trump scares me, but I don't think Clinton will have the follow-through America needs at this point... Just my personal opinion of course...

Take into consideration that the voting rate in the last United States Presidential election was under sixty percent. Republicans lost the last two Presidential elections and although they took control of both houses of the United States Congress, the mid-term voting rate was less than thirty-seven percent. The prior voting rates means that over forty and sixty percent of the voting eligible population of the United States stayed on the sidelines while others elected the leaders of the nation. That meant that millions of eligible voters basically decided it did not matter who or which political party was in charge of leading the nation forward because they felt there was not a significant difference between either major party. Years of political gridlock, infighting and talking points without tangible results that rewarded all of the conservative fervor and energy expended over the past several years dating back to before President Barack Obama was elected in 2008 took its toll...

The title of this book intrigued me, I must admit... Donald Trump - The Reverse Obama. I immediately wondered what this Black man had to say. I'd already read his book, Black Phobia and Blue Phobia and found I supported all he had said. Now how would this Black man feel about Trump?

Actually, once again, Pollard did an excellent presentation and analysis of his topic. He writes well, with no hint of bias in his work, and is easily followed through his thought processes. His points are clear and, when appropriated, cites his research, such as the past "Operation Wetback". Only at the end does he share a little personally--much less than me! LOL!

But what about this statement about Obama???

...while Barack Obama was selling hopes and dreams. As crazy as it sounds Donald Trump is metaphorically the reversed engineered Barack Obama of the 2016 Republican Presidential contest, but he is selling a decidedly different set of hopes and dreams to a much different audience...

And I understood exactly what he was saying...and I understood...  

Pollard uses his personal history to great effect in this book, talking about when he was young and trying to understand his place in the larger world. For me, I could actually see the parallels he was drawing...and I had to agree...

If only a part of his analysis is true--and I felt his narrative along with research proved credible--then you as a voting citizen might find this a must-read. If it comes down to choosing, and now that has been made final...Trump versus Clinton... what will happen? I believe Pollard has presented an effective, easy-to-read analysis to help evaluate what your future decisions may mean.

This book is also free now on Amazon...Get it!


GABixlerReviews

Rhys Flint Takes Readers Deep Into Criminal World in Fast-Action Kross Out!

As usual, the old woman came out at 2: 47 pm. Trey was in, he held the door open for her and entered the building. On his way in, he collided with someone leaving. He bumped into her, and papers flew all over the place. His envelope slid across the floor. 
Trey looked up and was left momentarily speechless. This must have been the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. She had coffee colored skin and looked to be about 5’ 7 tall with jet black hair pulled into a bun. The most striking thing about this woman was her eyes; they looked to be a bluish-green color against her skin. The Chanel suit she was wearing hugged her body to perfection. 
“You idiot!” She quietly yelled while stooping to pick up the papers. “Watch where you’re going. You almost ran me over!”
Trey stumbled clumsily as he helped the woman pick up her papers, which was the least he could do to apologize for not watching where he was going. “I apologize ma’am. I didn’t see you. I’m new, and I didn’t know how the door would open.” Trey answered regaining his composure. 
“See that it doesn’t happen again.” She said standing up. 
Trey caught another quick glance as he reached to pick up his parcel. As he bent down, he noticed her feet. They were beautiful, painted with a pink-tipped French pedicure encased in Gucci open toed alligator pumps. 
“Don’t let it happen again, peon!” She rudely replied. 
Trey thought she was a beautiful woman, but she had a razor sharp tongue, and that was a turnoff for most men. Trey saw it as a sign of strength. As she stood and prepared to leave, Trey was able to get the full view of her amazing body from head to toe. “Damn!” He mumbled as he stood to his full height of 6’3...
~~~

Kross Out

By Rhys Flint

No, I'm not a fan of the criminal life, but I am a fan of action and suspense stories and this one moves fast, even while it's written at a steady pace...Once you meet Devon, you'll understand what I mean by that. You see, he's a paid assassin, and his plans are meticulously planned and carried out. In fact, everything was moving to plan on his latest assignment, when he literally bumped into...her...

She wanted a man with an edge
 and adventure. She wanted to be
 a little reckless with a man that
 could handle her, literally.

And while I'm talking about...her...I might add that she felt quite different about him when she met him the next time. Of course, the setting was changed and his clothes and manner revealed him to be someone "worth her attention" LOL. At least that's the kind of woman she presented. What she was really thinking? Well, readers will find that out. Actually, however, Devon was taking a chance--would she remember him from the first time they met, bumping into each other in a hallway...she in a hurry as the busy executive she was...he on his way to complete his latest assignment.

Portia keeps Devon's interest but she doesn't have much more of a role in this the first book... Soooo, forewarning. This is a cliff hanger and it does leave you hanging. I was disappointed. Still the book is well written, has many exciting action activities and there is a second book coming...if you can wait...LOL... And I think it is worth waiting, especially for those who enjoy Urban Fiction/Street Lit...

All of the characters in the book are involved, in one way or another, as part of the underground. Devon could not help thinking about the fine woman he had just met... He had recognized a spark of interest in her, even if she had thought he was a delivery man, unworthy of her interest... He knew his looks came from his Cuban father and that many women found him

attractive.. Who is my lookalike playing Devin??!

 

Devin Kross was a successful attorney with a thriving practice in Atlanta, Georgia by day. He specialized in criminal law, and he was damn good at what he did. He was also damn good at killing, which is why people paid him so well to take care of their unwanted problems. After returning the rental, Devin headed towards the airport terminal to wait for his plane’s arrival. He thought back on the job and vowed to tighten up. He’d made some crucial errors today, one being bumping into that woman and attracting unwanted attention. That could cause problems later because she could in some way identify him, even through his disguise. He checked his luggage and made his way to the lounge. He changed clothes, and he felt comfortable in his tan Polo slacks, camel hair Polo Red Label sweater and Ferragamo loafers. Looking at Devin now you would never guess he was anything other than a successful attorney...

When he found his seat, he looked next to him and saw the damn woman from the building. She was absorbed in an e-mail and didn’t notice him when he sat down next to her, so it gave him a chance to really look at her. She had a light caramel complexion with a dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her hair was in a high ponytail,
unlike the bun-type do that she was wearing earlier. He could see now that it was soft and wavy. She was a true classic beauty. 

Devin could tell she was either mixed or of Creole heritage. The Chanel suit she wore did little to hide the fact that she had a banging body, even though she was sitting down. As his eyes traveled down her legs, he noticed that she was barefoot and wearing toe rings, one on each middle toe. She had beautiful feet, and they were perfectly pedicured, a sign that let Devin know there was more to her than her Ice Queen image.

~~

So while Devon and Portia play at getting together, Devon is handling an important case for "Flacco" a local drug dealer who has been pulled in for possession, although Devon assured him it was a weak case and he'd be out quickly...  

Readers will discover that Flacco's got more juice than even he realized, when a contact from South America pulls him in for a little surprise. 

I've got to admit that it's a little hard to follow the players and their various connections, so full attention is required as first someone calls for help from Devon and then find out that she has a connection that could cause problems... I knew who was doing what, but you'll have to read it to get the various characters sorted out and then who their local and distant ties are with, especially with a major cartel and a heavy kingpin.

And there is...poor Devin...getting caught in various assignments that are totally unexpected and, for the first time, causing him inner turmoil...

Where does loyalty lie among criminals? Do you stick with who you've known and worked with? Or do you accept what you're now being told...and offered...? Now you can see how Flint did indeed leave us hanging.

Nevertheless, the twists in this book are numerous and the emotional impact becomes heavy when some of the female characters are caught in terrible situations... Then there's the parents who robbed one of the houses that belonged to their son...LOL... Well, you get the idea... Enjoy this one 'cause you'll never know what is coming around the corner...or what weapons they'll be carrying...

GABixlerReviews

Rhys Flint is from Atlanta Georgia. He lives in northern California with his wife and family. His Passion for writing started in college where he wrote short stories mainly as a pastime. His hobbies include ; sports, Mixed martial arts, travel and networking. His latest novels include the highly addictive Kross series and Juug men. CEO at RHYSWORLD PUBLISHING, Rhys And his team are committed to bringing the most exciting novels to readers of all genres.

Double Dip Dilemma - A Short Mystery by Constance Barker

Dahlonega sitting in for Caesars Creek...

While the weather in Caesars Creek Georgia cools down in November, we do have a few warm and humid days on occasion, much to Stormi’s chagrin. Just as she gets use to the low humidity… Wham!… humid air enters the picture leaving her blond waves like limp noodles trailing down her back. 

This morning the dew point soared as she scampered into the store, right to the long mirror situated at the back wall behind the ice cream case of my shop The Frozen Scoop. Her face fell as she picked up the end of a few strands of hair. You have to understand, Stormi’s hair was her crowning glory. This short, curvy and sassy woman could handle extra pounds and gun wielding murderers, but frizz her hair and she’s on the warpath. She marched back to my shoppe’s door, opened it, and yelled into the wind. “Dang you Georgia humidity for taking the life out of my hair!”

“Get a hat!” I heard someone yell from across the street. I watched as Stormi waved her hand and replied, “Thanks for the tip.” She turned around to look at me as the door to the shoppe swung closed. “My hair tip for the day from ol’ Charlie Ledbetter.” 

I laughed...

My own love life had received an infusion of late. Brandon, Stormi’s brother and I were dating. I was afraid it would be awkward at first, since we’d known each other since childhood, but it actually wasn’t. We still laughed and kidded one another as we always did. Only now, there was more affection to our relationship. And it helped that my little Westie Winchester also 

approved. He accompanied me to the shoppe everyday and was the official customer greeter. Stormi slumped into a chair at one of my tables in the shoppe and Winchester jumped into her lap. “Greg may have to live with it.” I stopped and looked at her. “Something wrong in paradise?”

Stormi sighed as she petted Winchester‘s head. “I don’t know. Honestly I love the man to pieces.” Stormi looked at me. “Did I just say that out loud?” 

I smiled. It was the first time she’d ever said she was in love with any guy. “You sure did.” 

“Then why do I feel so confused 

with a hundred thoughts racing through my head? I feel like I’m on a treadmill and can’t get off. Is this love? Tell me before my head spins off!” 

I couldn’t help but laugh at her. I sat down at the table and grabbed her hand. “You’ll be fine. Love can sometimes hit you like a ton of bricks. For other people it’s a gradual 

climb. You’re one of the lucky ones whose been hit by a love tsunami.”

~~~

Double Dip Dilemma

By Constance Barker

Ahhh, the joys of a small town, especially in Georgia where there's a certain ice cream parlor, where many come to talk and share with neighbors and gossip about their lives and their loves...

But that morning everything stopped when a major vehicle accident occurred right outside the Shop! It looked like 

 a Chevy Malibu was impaled on a parked SUV! The driver started crying as soon as people reached her and proclaimed that her brakes had failed.

Greg. one of the arriving officers was the same man who had sent Stormi her latest bouquet of flowers that morning and she was quite willing to take the opportunity to flirtingly thank him, and embarrass him, while he was working...

The woman had been taken to the hospital and since released but her car was totalled...and as they began to gain information on who she was, the gossip quickly got underway...

With just 30 pages, this short reminded me of a little "minute mystery" that I used to find in a magazine years ago. While this one was, of course, longer, it moves fast and takes readers directly into the work of solving the case... 

After all, the woman who had been in the car was accusing a specific individual that he had caused it... And by now it had been proven that the brake line had been cut on purpose...

But even with everybody talking about the attempted murder and working to solve it--in this case, it seemed like most of the town was involved...LOL

They still had time for fun and food, especially at a local country music festival...

I attended a George Jones small town concert

years ago...this takes me back!

And would you believe while the mystery is being solved, we have a couple of romances that give us a nice break from trying to figure out whodunit! And it was almost a surprise for me... Still I was guessing and working on it and the story is well worth your time...so if you like short, fun and humorous cozy mysteries...Check out this one!

I found that the development of characters was too low, perhaps because they have been identified in earlier books? In any event, for me it lacked sufficient information to know the characters other than what they were actually involved with in this story. and thus I wasn't interested in reading further.

GABixlerReviews

Constance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.

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