Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Between a Book and a Hard Place (Devereaux's Dime Store, Bk 5) on + 648 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
A tangled web, Dev's mom returns to Shadow Bend and it is a complete surprise to Dev but not a surprise to everyone. Her mother, Yvette, moved on years ago leaving Dev behind. Why come back now? and with another new husband? Dev is on high alert, her mother is up to something. Her husband Jett has offered a huge amount of money to reopen and refurbish the town's library. He says he is a history buff and all he asks is that he be able to do a little research in the library's archives. Before he can delve too deeply someone kills him and Yvette is the prime suspect but Dev and her dad could be on the suspect list as well. Dev doesn't really want to help her mom but she would do anything for her dad so she is going to track down the real killer and be sure he is booked for murder.
I whipped right through this story. Unlike the the last installment Noah and Jake are both back in town vying for Dev's affection. Things get a little steamy with both of them but they both have their share of excess baggage. She is going to have to choose one or set them both free soon, but I certainly don't know what I would do in her situation. It does make for fascinating reading.
The author gives us a fun mystery to solve too. One that takes us visiting all over Shadow Bend and searching back in history too. You know Missouri was kind of split during the Civil War and Shadow Bend families were also affected. I loved tagging along following the clues and putting the pieces together.
Denise Swanson writes a fantastic story with characters I have grown to care about. She fills the story with mystery, mayhem, suspense, and a liberal dose of romance and romantic tension. Seriously, those guys are going to come to blows one day :)
A tangled web, Dev's mom returns to Shadow Bend and it is a complete surprise to Dev but not a surprise to everyone. Her mother, Yvette, moved on years ago leaving Dev behind. Why come back now? and with another new husband? Dev is on high alert, her mother is up to something. Her husband Jett has offered a huge amount of money to reopen and refurbish the town's library. He says he is a history buff and all he asks is that he be able to do a little research in the library's archives. Before he can delve too deeply someone kills him and Yvette is the prime suspect but Dev and her dad could be on the suspect list as well. Dev doesn't really want to help her mom but she would do anything for her dad so she is going to track down the real killer and be sure he is booked for murder.
I whipped right through this story. Unlike the the last installment Noah and Jake are both back in town vying for Dev's affection. Things get a little steamy with both of them but they both have their share of excess baggage. She is going to have to choose one or set them both free soon, but I certainly don't know what I would do in her situation. It does make for fascinating reading.
The author gives us a fun mystery to solve too. One that takes us visiting all over Shadow Bend and searching back in history too. You know Missouri was kind of split during the Civil War and Shadow Bend families were also affected. I loved tagging along following the clues and putting the pieces together.
Denise Swanson writes a fantastic story with characters I have grown to care about. She fills the story with mystery, mayhem, suspense, and a liberal dose of romance and romantic tension. Seriously, those guys are going to come to blows one day :)
Kristina A. reviewed Between a Book and a Hard Place (Devereaux's Dime Store, Bk 5) on + 1528 more book reviews
Between a Book and Hard Place by Denise Swanson is the fifth book in A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery series. Devereaux Sinclair owns Devereaux's Dime Store and Gift Baskets in Shadow Bend, Missouri. Devereaux is getting used to having her father back in her life. Kern Sinclair was recently paroled (even though he was innocent). Things are going well until Devereaux's mother returns to town with her latest husband, Jett Benedict. Jett has offered money (financing for three years) to the town for the library which has been closed (for quite some time). He only asks for access to the libraries archives immediately. The town, of course, agrees. While Jett is busy in the archives, Yvette (Devereaux's mother) is busy flirting with Kern (Devereaux's father). Then Devereaux gets an urgent call to come to the library. Jett Benedict is dead with Kern and Yvette at the scene of the crime. Devereaux quickly comes up with a plan (she does not want her father to violate his parole). Devereaux gathers up her friends and set out to find who wanted Jett dead and why did Jett want access to the towns archives. Devereaux also has her two love interests vying for her attention as well as dealing with Jake's ex-wife, Meg and Noah's crazy mother, Nadine (who swears that aliens are invading the town).
Between a Book and Hard Place has interesting characters, a good setting, and an intriguing mystery (involves the Civil War). I am disappointed, though, by the lack of character development (they have not changed much since the first book). I was hoping that the love triangle would be resolved in this book, but it is still alive and strong. This book does contain some humor (it will have you laughing). Unlike other cozy mysteries, this book does contain foul language and some sex related scenes (steaming up the windows of Jake's truck). The mystery was easy to solve (there were not many suspects). I give Between a Book and Hard Place 3.5 out of 5 stars. I hope the next A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery will have more mystery and less on the love triangle (or maybe it can be resolved). If you have not read the previous book in the series, you will have trouble reading Between a Book and Hard Place (in the beginning).
I received a complimentary copy of Between a Book and Hard Place in exchange for an honest review of the novel.
Between a Book and Hard Place has interesting characters, a good setting, and an intriguing mystery (involves the Civil War). I am disappointed, though, by the lack of character development (they have not changed much since the first book). I was hoping that the love triangle would be resolved in this book, but it is still alive and strong. This book does contain some humor (it will have you laughing). Unlike other cozy mysteries, this book does contain foul language and some sex related scenes (steaming up the windows of Jake's truck). The mystery was easy to solve (there were not many suspects). I give Between a Book and Hard Place 3.5 out of 5 stars. I hope the next A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery will have more mystery and less on the love triangle (or maybe it can be resolved). If you have not read the previous book in the series, you will have trouble reading Between a Book and Hard Place (in the beginning).
I received a complimentary copy of Between a Book and Hard Place in exchange for an honest review of the novel.
Regina C. (flyinggems) reviewed Between a Book and a Hard Place (Devereaux's Dime Store, Bk 5) on + 437 more book reviews
The Library is going to be saved, a very generous benefactor has offered to give funds so that the Library can be reopened. The one condition is the Dev must attend the town meeting in which the Benefactor will be revealed. The town has gone a little crazy with folks seeing lights in the sky and there are Alien Hunters in town. There is also the little problem that Mom is back in town. Can Dev solve the mystery and keep her Dad safe?
Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery
1. Little Shop of Homicide (2012)
2. Nickeled and Dimed to Death (2013)
3. Dead Between the Lines (2014)
4. Dying For a Cupcake (2015)
5. Between a Book and a Hard Place (2016)
6. Lions and Tigers and Murder Oh My (2017)
Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery
1. Little Shop of Homicide (2012)
2. Nickeled and Dimed to Death (2013)
3. Dead Between the Lines (2014)
4. Dying For a Cupcake (2015)
5. Between a Book and a Hard Place (2016)
6. Lions and Tigers and Murder Oh My (2017)
Louise H. (snowie) reviewed Between a Book and a Hard Place (Devereaux's Dime Store, Bk 5) on + 27 more book reviews
I didn't find this book to be as good as the others in the series. I'm tired of her books always having two men fighting for her affection and she can't make up her mind as to which one she will marry
