Monday, March 7, 2016

A Fool & His Monet

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
A FOOL & HIS MONET

Sketchy politics and a palette of lies can't stop Serena Jones from exposing the mastermind behind the daring theft of a priceless work of art.

Serena Jones has a passion for recovering lost and stolen art -- one that's surpassed only by her zeal to uncover the truth about who murdered her grandfather. She's joined the FBI Art Crime Team with the secret hope that one of her cases will lead to his killer. Now, despite the her mother's pleas to do something safer -- like get married -- Serena's determined to catch thieves and black market traders.

When a local museum discovers an irreplaceable Monet missing, Serena leaps into action -- and a whole heap of trouble.

My Review:

Campy and fun and chock-full of mystery -- an incredible beginning to a new series. And I just love this retro-style cover. Fits the book's ambiance to a T.

Serena has enough quirks to keep a reader smiling in the midst of an intense art theft investigation. The perfect blend of action, suspense and the hint of romantic entanglement...only, oh dear, there seem to be a number of eligible candidates. Time...and a few more books should set us straight on that score.

And her family likes to stir things up a bit -- especially Aunt Martha who has an interesting past. Orchard hasn't shared it yet, but I'm betting on something knock-your-socks-off surprising. There's another character, Nate, who is much more than he seems -- I'm sure of it. Two subtle clues set my reader spidey senses on edge and I can't wait to see if I'm right. Another reason to anxiously await the next installment which comes out in September.

Like most cozy mysteries, A Fool & His Monet is written in first person point of view. We're in Serena's headspace all the way. I know a lot of people don't like this POV, but I think it worked really well in this case. It's kind of fun to see everything through Serena's eyes only, including some interesting men who just might be thinking of her as more than a friend.

And I could tell the author really did her research when it comes to police and FBI procedure and that results in a fascinating journey into the inner workings of an investigation. Honestly, I don't know how Orchard kept all the intricate nuances straight! Spectacularly done.

I have only one complaint and that is the lack of any kind of faith thread. I know this is becoming more commonplace among Christian publishers but it still makes my heart hurt. Especially from a big name publisher like Revell. It is clear that Serena is a Christian through simple things like blessing the food at a family meal but an actual inspirational thread just isn't there. :-(

Still, this is a splendid start to a promising new series -- witty, upbeat and full of the unexpected. Sweet perfection for the avid cozy mystery fan.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  A Fool & His Monet please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 13 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

30 comments:

  1. Interesting book. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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  2. This looks like a great book for my teenage daughter, who loves mysteries. Of course, I get to read it first =)

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    1. Double duty reading is a bonus! I think you'll both love this one. Good luck, Heather.

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  3. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Love suspense novels.

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    1. Sandra Orchard is an awesome suspense writer. Good luck, Stella.

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  4. I don't think I've yet read any of Sandra's books but A Fool & His Monet has been on my wish list since I first heard of it. I love the title! I also like cozy mysteries; this sounds like a really good one. Thanks for the chance to win.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. The title is catchy, isn't it? Very reflective of the book, I think. Good luck, Pam.

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  5. I enjoy Sandra's books,they usually make me smile�� I love a
    good cozy, so please add me!
    Worthy2bpraised at gmail com

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    1. She's brilliantly witty in this one, Merry. Such a fun read...great pacing and surprising humour in unexpected places. Perfection. Good luck.

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  6. I haven't read any of her books yet but this review makes me want to look for them! I like the cover too.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Oh, you're in for a treat, rubynreba. Good luck.

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  7. Thanks for this captivating giveaway and your excellent review which caught my interest. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Glad I could catch your interest -- easy to do with a great book like this. Good luck, traveler.

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  8. This cozy mystery novel sounds intriguing and the plot unique. Thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. One of the things I love about it is that unique art theft plot. Good luck, petite.

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  9. Congratulations, Sandra, on another great series.

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    1. And what an awesome series it's going to be.

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  10. Very catchy title, and certainly a different cover!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Isn't it though? Love them both and what's inside as well. Good luck, Patty.

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  11. Hey Kav! This sounds like a fun read.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  12. I think it gets confusing when an author in Christian publishing has been writing a pretty strong faith theme in previous works and then switches to almost none. It would be nice if there was some way to know in advance because I would be disappointed (and want my money back) if I actually paid for a book and this happened. My question is, does 'cozy mystery' qualify as a heads up to this kind of change from a writer? How are we supposed to know? What do you think, Kav?

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    1. No, I don't think the genre is the issue, nor is it the authors, from my understanding. It's the publishers who seem to be requesting less of a faith thread in order to be competitive with secular publishers.

      Re cozy mysteries -- I think the confusion comes from the fact that cozy mysteries are a clean read so readers like me who love Christian fiction will sometimes branch off for a good cozy mystery. And lately I've been reading Amish cozy mysteries so I've mentioned a lighter faith thread in my reviews even though the books are published by mainstream publishers -- they get away with the faith talk because of the Amish component.

      So the bottom line is really money -- Christian publishers need to make it in order to stay in business and if Christian readers aren't buying they need to look further afield for consumers. So buy books everyone! Give books as gifts! Hug a book today. :-)

      Anne, do you want to be in the draw?

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    2. Oh -- and yes, I agree with you about knowing if a book has an inspirational thread or not. I think the publisher should create an imprint for clean reads vs inspirational reads. That way a reader can make an informed choice. Might be a good way for the publishers to gage what sells best.

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  13. Easily one of the most interesting covers I've seen in years.
    Would love to read it!
    Thanks for the opportunity.
    Lydia
    LittlemisslydiaATgmailDOTcom

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    1. It's fund to mix things up when it comes to cover art, I think. Good luck, Lydia.

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  14. Loved her Port Aster series. Looking forward to this one. Thanks for the giveaway and review.
    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

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    1. I love all her books -- she knows how to weave a great suspense/mystery. Good luck, Melissa.

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  15. I enjoy Sandra's books. huletthouse at mchsi dot com

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