Monday, October 31, 2016

Another Day Another Dali

GIVEAWAY

ORCHARD, SANDRA
ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER DALI

The world of art theft can be a deadly game -- one that Serena Jones understands all too well.

When FBI Special Agent Serena Jones takes on the case of a forged Dali painting as a favor to her grandmother, she assumes it will be a typical investigation. Hopefully collaring the thief will also mean finally measuring up in her grandmother's eyes. But the deeper she delves into the forgery and the suspects surrounding it, the less typical it becomes.

The Dali isn't the only painting that's fallen prey to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the possibility of a sophisticated theft ring -- one with links to dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved murder of Serena's grandfather. To make matters worse, someone connected to the forgeries seems to be determined to stop Serena's investigation -- no matter the cost.

Another Day, Another Dali gives the plucky Serena Jones -- and readers -- a new high-stakes case to crack. You won't want to miss a single brushstroke!

My Review:

Clever title. Clever cover. Clever plot. Campy good fun with lots of tongue-in-cheek wit and a passel of quirky secondary characters. Not to mention an opinionated cat named Harold. What is not to love?

And that includes the two hero heart-throbs engaged in a subtle one-upmanship as they vie for Serena's attention. In fact the author has invited her readers to cast their vote for the man who will ultimately claim Serena's heart by the end of the series. I'm hovering between Team Nate and Team Tanner in the worst way. I love them both and I don't want either one to get hurt. :-(  The uncertainty of it all is causing me severe romantical reader anxiety!

Serena Jones has moxie...except maybe when it comes to facing her formidable grandmother. A complicated family history ties Serena to her past and that shapes her present. She feels like she has a lot to prove and becoming an FBI Agent extraordinaire is her way of doing that. Unfortunately she has to juggle her professional life with an eclectic mix of relatives who kept me grinning the whole read through. And Orchard dangles an exciting hint about Aunt Martha's past for the avid mystery connoisseur to store away in anticipation of the next book. (Another Day, Another Dali is the second book in A Serena Jones Mystery series and while it can be read as a standalone, there's enough carry over in characters and one over-arcing plot point that I think it's best to read the books in order.)

A compelling mystery with plenty of potential suspects and hair-raising cat-and-mouse scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. Orchard is really skilled at creating whiplash plots. Half the time I didn't know if I should be laughing or ducking. But in the end, Serena emerges triumphant. Case closed along with another piece of the larger puzzle that ties the books in the series together.

The only thing missing is an inspirational thread. Just a mention of attending church and a paragraph about observing Sunday as a day of rest. And there's so much potential in Serena's life for a solid faith thread to be woven in. Otherwise, this novel ticked all the boxes and then some. Can't wait for the final Serena Jones installment.

My thanks to the author and Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Another Day Another Dali 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 November 6 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

35 comments:

  1. This looks like a good, fun read.
    dianemestrella at gmail dot com

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  2. A clever mystery with an opinionated cat? I need to add this one to my reading list. Thanks for the review and the giveaway. momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. You'll love Harold. :-) Good luck, Loraine.

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  3. Sounds interesting. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. I enjoy Sandra's books. Karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. She's such a good author -- and pretty unique in her genre too. Good luck, Karen.

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  5. Looks like a neat book!! Thanks for doing this giveaway!

    rosebudsinjune at gmail dot com

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  6. Sounds cool. Thanks for the introduction to the author.

    mindyhoung AT msn DOT com

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  7. Sounds fun. TY for the chance.
    leliamae54@aol.com

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  8. I really like the titles in this series. They look like great mysteries. Thanks for the chance to win.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Such clever titles and fits the stories too. Good luck, Pam.

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  9. It's rather telling that the blog just ahead (or behind) yours was from Revell introducing this mystery. I guess I need to get it. Great review, Kav. Thank you

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  10. I didn't think I liked cozy mysteries until I read a couple and then I was sold. I enjoy the humor and the little bit of romantic tension that is usually written within them. I'm excited to hear that this book has those elements, as well. I have the first book in this series, but haven't read it, yet. You've definitely helped put it on the top of my pile. As always, Kav, your reviews are a big help to readers and, therefore, the authors. Thank you so much. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Terrill. This is such a fun series -- I adore quirky characters and opinionated cats. :-) And, goodness, but Sandra Orchard knows how to weave a mystery. She has one scary mind. LOL Good luck.

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  11. Anything by Sandra is got to be stellar! Is this one of those cliffhangers...I really dislike those, but there's always the anticipation of a next book :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. The case is solved in each book but Serena's grandfather was killed during an art heist in his home and Serena became an FBI agent with the hopes of solving that crime. Anyway -- that's an over arcing plot through the books...but not a huge one that leaves you frustrated. You're just picking up a few clues in each book which is going to pan out in the final installment. So, not really a cliffie...if my explanation makes any sense to you. :-) Good luck, Trixi.

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  12. This sounds so fun!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. I have the first book and have read great reviews for the second too! Looking forward to reading them both!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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  14. I always enjoy books like this when there are a lot of potential suspects.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Sandra has a scary clever brain for mystery writing. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  15. Fantastic review, KAV! I enjoy both art and mysteries. This sounds like a fun read.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  16. Looks great thanks for the chance to win love the title iamabho (@) Gmail (.) com

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  17. Okay, you've convinced me to search out the first in the series, and we'll do a wait and see on the second. I love mysteries especially with a lead I can grow with. Thanks for sharing your review and advice on number one!
    kellyblackwellwrites@gmail.com

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    1. It's such a fun series, Kelly. You won't be disappointed. Good luck.

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  18. Loved her Port Aster series. Looking forward to this one as well. Thanks!
    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

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