Book Review: Family Jewels

Family Jewels (A Rose Gardner Investigation #1) By Denise Grover Swank

The first book in the Rose Gardner Investigation series, a spinoff of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best selling Rose Gardner Mystery series.

Trouble always comes to those who court it. Rose Gardner’s ability to see glimpses of the future has gotten her into hot water time and again, but so have her curiosity and her sense of daring. Those very qualities helped her defeat the most powerful man in Arkansas—a man so adept at hiding his crimes there was no way to defeat him inside of the law—but her success came at a steep personal price. Now she’s throwing herself into her landscaping business, trying to live a life that’s as orderly as one of her gardens.

Rose’s best friend, Neely Kate, is struggling with her own losses, so when she suggests they help a local man find a missing necklace, Rose agrees. It’ll give both of them a welcome distraction, and besides, it’s a simple investigation. What harm could befall them? But things that should be simple rarely are. In seeking out the necklace, Rose and Neely Kate find themselves in the thick of a power struggle in the Fenton County underworld, one that could dethrone Rose’s friend James Malcolm, the surprisingly moral king.

The last thing Rose should do is court more trouble, but she’s not the type to step away from a friend in need—and she’s also not so sure she wants an orderly life.

Expected publication: November 29th 2016 by DGS

MEOW . . . MEOW . . . MEOW

HOW EXCITING!!!! I'm an die hard fan of the series when it was formerly known as the Rose Gardner Mysteries. But now I think this became an more "Mature" book of Rose, sure she's dealing with some nuptials but at the same time she's truly discovering who she is.

But honestly I think when Rose played the role of Lady, I think that is her persona, she just has to find a way to bring Lady into the daytime.

It seems that both Neely Kate and Rose are trying to move on, but the past always seems to come up. Now let's talk about Rose's love life, her heart opens up to everyone it's a trait of her and while she not with Mason (anymore) I'm not sure how I feel about the recent romance that stirring.

There was even a moment between her and James Malcolm that was shocked me, I didn't think that there was something more between them. To be honest I'm not sure I want her with Malcolm only because he lives on the side of crimes and her involvement with crimes is what split up her and Mason.  I still hope for a reunion for Mason and Rose,

As far as Neely Kate, she is for sure ready to move on but again she wondered what happen to Ronnie because she's been trying to be officially "divorce" to him but he's disappeared. Did JR Simmons or even Kate Simmons have a role in that?

I like that Neely Kate is wanting to put her and Rose's investigation skills to the test but now the trouble lies where they are being dragged back to Skeeter's world. How can they be consider serious investigators when they are in the world of Skeeter Malcolm.

I'm happy that Joe and Neely Kate finally have a relationship but god darn it JOE!!! WHY do you insisted on keeping things from her?

I give this 5 Cat Paws, as usual I love Rose, now I love her even more with she and Neely Kate being the single women with an "I take no crap from no one" attitude. Can't wait to read the EXPOSE Novellas and the next investigation, maybe Mason will have an appearance?

Strap in your heels, Sparkles Investigation is coming. 

No really I hope Rose can get Neely Kate to come up with something much more serious.

Book Review: Thirty-Six & a Half Motives

Thirty-Six and a Half Motives (Rose Gardner Mystery #9) by Denise Grover Swank

Book Nine in the New York Times best selling Rose Gardner Mystery series by Denise Grover Swank.

Rose Gardner should be celebrating the arrest of her fiercest enemy, J.R. Simmons. But problems are like weeds—pluck one and five more spring up. Rose’s boyfriend is on the verge of leaving her for good, her best friend, Neely Kate, is grappling with marriage problems, and her sister has a devastating secret. To make matters worse, she discovers J.R. Simmons has not been neutralized. His network of allies and henchman extends further than she suspected, and J.R.’s so intent on revenge, his lackeys might just destroy Fenton County to get it for him.

But the girl who once spent her days alone and afraid is now a strong, independent woman with a network of her own, including Neely Kate, Skeeter Malcolm—the reigning king of the Fenton County underworld—and other loyal friends on both sides of the law. Racing against time, they must dig up J.R.'s empire by the roots, unmasking his allies and unearthing his secrets, both the behind-the-scenes manipulation he’s been orchestrating in Fenton County for decades and the dark stains of his personal life.

If Rose succeeds, she tells herself the quiet and peaceful life she once dreamed of will be at the end of the tunnel. But her quest to destroy J.R. will require her to explore the person she has become. 

Kindle Edition, 403 pages
Published May 17th 2016 by DGS

MEOW . . . MEOW . . . MEOW

MY GOD!!! This book is insane!!! Like have everyone lost their marbles????

My heart breaks for Mason and Rose, they are in such a tough spot right now with their relationship and I truly truly hope that they will work things out. But not until Rose is able to cut off all ties with the criminal world and hangs up her role as Lady in Black . . . For good.

Digging into the past of the Simmons household proves to be a tough one, but there's a reason for everything but when J.R. Simmons is involved, nothing ever has a reason and his power in Fenton County puts everyone on high alert.

For Neely Kate, all the hardship she's gone through I can't say I blame her for her decisions, sometimes you have to let go of all the negative things in order to have an positive outlook. I think she gain back pieces of herself as well discover new things about herself as well embrace all that she knows.

Hilary and Kate are two people, you don't want to mess around with. While we knew a lot about Hilary, we almost know nothing about Kate. Kate has her own secret past, one that only her father had made interference in and honestly I didn't think J.R. had really cared about his daughter because he spent so much time trying to keep Joe in order.

Okay I know I haven't been a huge Joe fan lately, but what happens in this book really starts to change my opinion on Joe. WHILE I am not suggesting for a Joe and Rose reunion, I think Joe will need to relies on who he call friends. Trust me he's going to need it.

Skeeter Malcolm; I thought he would stay zipped-tight on what he knows about the Simmons household, but because of Rose's influence on him that he realizes that it's better to have allies you call friends rather that have enemies and be alone. He finds the strength to fight, to go up against the biggest power of all because in the end he has more to lose than JR Simmons does. Even if JR Simmons EGO is the size of a bear.

Also have you or are you a skillet fan? Listen to Skillet new song Invincible because it reminds me so much of Skeeter Malcolm.

There were so many twists and turns in Thirty-Six, more than any other books in the Rose Gardner series. I wish I could say all that I want to say but they all contains spoilers . . .

While the ending kills me for many characters, I can only hope that Family Jewels the first book in the Rose Gardner Investigation will bring some light to the darkness.

This is an PUURRRFECT book; let's just say that you gotta read it.

Book Review: Thirty-Five & a Half Conspiracies

Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies (Rose Gardner #8) by Denise Grover Swank 

Book eight in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Rose Gardner Mystery series.

Rose Gardner has survived plenty of close scrapes in the past, but her latest bit of trouble has landed her in the Fenton County holding cell on trumped up charges. The most powerful man in southern Arkansas, J.R. Simmons, is determined to put her behind bars for good and destroy everything she holds dear, including her boyfriend, Mason, and her friend Skeeter, reigning king of the Fenton County crime world. In a stunning betrayal, it seems as if J.R.’s son, Rose’s ex-boyfriend, might have turned tail and joined his father.

But Rose doesn’t have to face this fight alone. Her tight-knit group of friends is dedicated to helping her figure out—and foil—J.R.’s plan for ruining her, Mason, and Skeeter. But even with their support and the use of her special power, Rose is at a disadvantage. J.R. is a criminal mastermind who has been using his money, power, and web of influence to hide his conspiracies for years. How can she hope to find solid evidence implicating someone who’s mastered the art of not getting caught?

Time is running out, and soon Rose realizes that reassuming her role of the Lady in Black might be her only chance at ferreting out the evidence that will save them all. In so doing, she will risk not only her life, but the possibility that her secret identity will be unveiled to all. 

Released November 3rd, 2015

Review

35 and a Half Conspiracies delivers the most mysterious of mystery in the Rose Gardner series.

Who's conspiracy who's?

The fate lies with the Lady in Black but doesn't it also lies within Rose as well.

With a power struggle on the rise and all hell is about to break loose, can Rose protect her identity as the Lady in Black but also the people she loves?

Or will Rose be force to make a decision that may change her life as well the relationships she has with her love ones.

PURRRECT!!!!! I'd seriously have to give this one PURRFECTIONS, I have never been so in gasp in worry about something terribly happening. Thirty-Five push limits of all limits, now we must wait until May to see what follows next. 

 

MEOW . . . MEOW . . . MEOW

When we left 34 Rose was being hauled away to jail . . . Now she must stand trials for the false evidence that J.R. Simmons has placed on her. 

Mason is probably facing his worst fears in this book, the thought of losing Rose makes him sick. He felt that he failed to protect her from JR Simmons once JR had let the fabricated evidences surfaced. 

For the Team Joe fans; Joe had stepped on too many toes and did too many thy bidden, while later on in the book he surfaced again with the true purpose of protecting Rose. It might be too late. 

As far as for Joe's sister Kate, she is enigmatic or mysterious so to speak. I have no idea where her loyalties lies. Is she working alone or is she working for someone else that is not her father? 

Rose's LADY IN BLACK identity is at risk, but when Rose is being Frame by the orders of JR Simmons. She REFUSED to stand down. I admire Rose's strength and courage in this book, however I worried that she was going a little too far and not think about the repercussion of the after math. 

For Team Mason Fans: Better have a box of Kleenex next to you. Some part are happy, even one got me jumping in cheers but . . . . I'll just leave it at that.  

For Neely Kate Fans: She is such a tongue-twister! I did not expect that from her or her other secret of secrets. While Neely Kate knows about Rose being the Lady in Black, but what I did not expect her plan if things started to go down. She's an sneaking spy. 

The other thing about that Journal that Rose had in 34 and Joe took it? Well that was rarely brought up but I guess with all the things going on that maybe Denise just couldn't do it all in this book. The other thing that was sparsely left out was Hilary's pregnancy and all the crazy ideas we readers have. there's no confirmation on is it Joe's or is it JR's?

32 & a Half Complications

Thirty-Two and a Half Complications (Rose Gardner #5) 

by Denise Grover Swank 

The fifth book in the USA Today Bestselling Rose Gardner Mystery series.

There’s no denying trouble finds Rose Gardner like a divining rod finds water, especially when Rose lands in the middle of a bank robbery. But after the robbers steal her deposit bag—containing a large amount of cash—she soon finds out that trouble is threatening her business as well, thanks to her sister Violet’s financial mismanagement.

To top it off, Rose’s ex-boyfriend, Joe Simmons, has moved back to Henryetta to fill the chief deputy sheriff position. Rose’s involvement as a witness is the perfect opportunity for Joe to reinsert himself into her life. But Mason Deveraux, Fenton County Assistant District Attorney and Rose’s new boyfriend, has waited too long for Rose to give her up without a fight.

Rose’s pregnant best friend, Neely Kate, suggests they find the robbers using Rose’s visions and Neely Kate’s knowledge about everyone in town. The women are soon hot on the trail of the stolen money, but Rose is caught off guard when Neely Kate’s snoopiness detects the biggest complication of all: Rose might be expecting a baby of her own. 

Kindle Edition, 350 pages

Published June 24th 2014 by DGS 

Review

Things are heating up in Rose Gardner's life . . . her new relationship with Mason is fast-growing but is it too fast? 

Thievery! Thievery! Thievery! 

With a loss of money might put Rose's and Violet's business out of business before it can flourish. 
Rose will do anything to get her money back but how far is she willing to go? 

Things just might put Rose in the face of dangers, how about helping Skeeter Malcom? 

I give this 4.5 cats Tails Up, the dynamics in Rose's life is giving her her own voice, she's truly growing into the person she needs to be. 

Meow . . . Meow . . . Meow 
WARNING there might be spoilers. 

Rose is starting her new life at her mother's now hers farmhouse, and honestly I'm so happy that Rose is starting off new in this book. Yes she is still dealing with some sort of guilt about her and Joe but the reality was what Rose was getting from Joe was not all 100% genuine even though Joe said it was. 

Joe is too conflicted with his father and the political power he has, but with his on and off again fling with Hilary that makes even more tough to actually trust Joe's words. But now Joe is the new sheriff of Henryetta county and he's willing to do ANYTHING to try and win Rose back. 

Mason and Rose romance just keeps getting hotter!!!! Mason fits right in with Rose life and he truly does love Rose even when he tends to be overprotective. He knows not to hold her back but he also knows that Rose ends up digging for trouble which drives him crazy. 

Rose and Violet shop are in dangers of bankruptcy or very deep in debt, but with a bank robbing that Rose got stuck in the middle of it all lost the money that would keep everything afloat. Unsure of what to do she turns to Bruce who might be able to help her, all Rose want is her money back but first she must help the new mob King Skeeter Malcolm to find out who is plotting to kill him. 

Aside from family and a few selected friends, Rose never shares that she gets visions but a little slip of the tongue by Bruce Wayne now makes Skeeter want Rose to work for him in return to get her money back that was stolen. But Skeeter asked Rose for a vision to make sure that she's legit and Rose ends up seeing and experience something she never had before. 

However helping out a mob king isn't the least of her problems, she also might be expecting which is too fast in her brand new relationship with Mason. 

The new adventure Rose's life I believe are just starting and I can't wait to read more! 

Book Review: Falling To Pieces

Falling to Pieces (Rose Gardner #3.5) by Denise Grover Swank

A serialized novella for the Rose Gardner Mystery series.

When Joe walks out of Rose’s life, she can’t imagine life without him. But with support from her friends—and an unexpected person—Rose finds her way to climb out of her despair.

After his father’s blackmail forces him to leave the love of his life to protect her, Joe is thrown into the race for Arkansas State Senate. But while Rose has people to help her grieve, Joe finds himself completely alone—except the one person he detests is the only person who’s offering comfort


The story takes place between the end of Thirty and a Half Excuses and the beginning of Thirty-One and a Half Regrets. (release January 9, 2014)

The novella will be released to Denise Grover Swank newsletter subscribers to be read for free in three parts: October, November and December.

The novella will be available for sale January, 2014 

ebook, Serialized Newsletter Edition, 103 pages

Published January 2014 by Denise Grover Swank (first published November 9th 20

Review

How do you piece up your broken heart?

How do you stand against your family?

The answer . . .

Time and a lot of healing

You don't, you must abide them

Two different path means sacrifice

Read the after math of Rose and Joe's breakup in Falling to Pieces

I give this 4.5 Cats Tails Up, read inbetween the lines.   

MEOW . . .  MEOW . . . MEOW

So honestly I'm still a Team Mason, although picking up the pieces reflects a lot on Joe and his feelings through the whole dinner nightmare ordeal. But Joe will always do what daddy wants him to do.

I like that this novella focus a lot on Joe since we already seen how Rose felt but now we saw the aftermath. Even Violet played a role in trying to protect Rose but Rose makes her own choices and she has to learn from her choices. 

I still can't believe how much JR is such an influence of a lot of Fenton county problems even if it's not stated, he's is the mastermind behind all things. Honestly the Simmons family is as stuck up a rich family can be, if any low class person steps within feet of them they are speck of dirt. 

Needless to say Rose didn't stand a chance and Joe was never going to be able to run his own life.

Rose is very heartbroken, I love how Neely Kate invited her a gathering where she even invited Mason. I love that small interaction they had with one another. I love that Mason was giving Rose space even when Rose thought he was avoiding her but Mason didn't want to push her. 


This novella really showed what was going on after the breakup, now having to have read all the Rose Gardner Series I truly think that Rose will never go back to Joe. Joe probably won't ever be able to get Rose back no matter how hard he tries.

Spoiler thoughts if you haven't read 32, or 33 or even the novella . . . 
And to make note about Hilary baby daddy, I still think JR is the father because when you think of it he could have easily knock her up after Hilary and Joe did it when he was in a drunken state so the fact that who's the father still yet remains a secret and that Hilary won't consent to a paternity test means that she has something to hide.

Book Review: 31 and a Half Regrets

Thirty-One and a Half Regrets (Rose Gardner #4) 

by Denise Grover Swank  

While Rose recovers from a broken heart, she finds herself at odds with her sister—and business partner—Violet. Rose buries herself in her landscaping work, but becomes worried when her employee and friend, Bruce Wayne Decker, goes missing.

In the meantime, Fenton County assistant D.A., Mason Deveraux has been patiently waiting to begin a relationship with Rose, but she realizes she needs to confront the demons of her past before she can embrace a new future. She needs to find out the truth about her birth mother.

But her past isn’t her only demon. An undercurrent of tension has been spreading through Henryetta, Arkansas since drug lord, Daniel Crocker’s arrest six months ago. Still, she’s not prepared for a nightmare come true: Crocker’s escape from prison. Crocker carries a grudge and he’s determined to make Rose pay, but he plays a game of cat and mouse, forcing Mason and the Fenton County Sheriff’s department to hide Rose on her birth mother’s farm. But will it be enough to save her? 

ebook

Published January 9th 2014 (first published January 4th 2014) 

Review

How do you heal a broken heart?

Rose underwent the biggest and most toughest breakup with Joe, with him not being able to stand up for himself he reverts back to his parents control.

But a broken heart can be mend right? Walks in Mason . . .

But Rose's broken heart isn't the only thing, Daniel Crocker broke out of jail and is on the hunt for Rose. Worry about her safely, she goes into hiding but there's another problem . . . there's a leak in the police department that may get Daniel Crocker closer to Rose then she would like.

Can Rose out run Daniel Crocker? Or will she fail under his trap?

 A new journey awaits for Rose

PURRRFECT! I LOVE LOVE! this book! There was so much growth for Rose and the being on the run while hunted by a psychopath made this book contains so much excitement and changes that it kept me reading it over and over again.

Meow Meow Meow

Poor Rose I just feel so bad for her!!!! However with Mason in the picture I know things just gotta heat up, however how can Rose heal her broken heart if Joe is still protruding in her life? I mean come on Joe! what you did was unacceptable and you basically choose your family over her!!!! 

However Rose is doing her best to not let Joe affect her, even though his father JR planned his whole appearance at the shop for Joe's Campaign and Hilary by his side. But it all for good deed, Violet and Rose will get the financial boost as well the media boost once again.

But Rose's trouble isn't over! Daniel Crockery broke loose out of jail and he is on an hunt. . .for ROSE. To get REVENGE . . .

And to start it off with a bed full of roses . . .

Now Rose must rely on Assistant AD Mason Deveraux for help but also learn a new kind of relationship that she thought she had with Joe but there's more to the fire with Mason.

Okay I'm glad that DGS put Mason and Rose together, I suspected that there was something when Mason was first brought in book two. Now I see after what happen in book 3 why Mason needed to be part of Rose's surrounding . . . To mend her broken heart. Also be her biggest rock to lend on when thing got tough between her and her sister. 

While on the hide from Daniel Crocker, even after close call of Crocker finding her the best place for Rose to hide is at her birth mother's Dora farm house which was left in her will for Rose to have once she was old enough and when Rose decided on if she want to keep the farmhouse or not. 

Yes clearly there are many ways that the farmhouse would look like but really this is how I'd imagine it but it could have looked a little bit more aged. But oh well, I think the farmhouse started to become importance to Rose in more ways than she thought.

Rose digs her birth mother Dora's past while hiding out on the farm with Mason and hiding from the psycho Daniel Crocker. Honestly these two are meant for each other! I can't see Rose ever going back to Joe after being with Mason. He's open with his feelings and would do anything to protect Rose, either from Joe or even from Daniel Crocker.

Can you survive a night out in the wood . . . when a Psychopath is chasing you?

The two end up being on the run from Crocker after Mason's suspicions that there was an insider that was someone working for Crocker. As well a leak in the Fenton Country police system, I have to say for Rose being on the run from a psychopath made her somewhat stronger. But also grew her relationship with Mason even stronger 

 Returning to Reality . . .

I'm not surprise that there was a fall out between Rose and her sister Violet, there's just something about Violet that bothers me. She had always had to be the "BIG Bad Wolf" and simply wouldn't accept the fact that Rose was her own person and was gaining her own Independence even when's Violet's world was crumbling down. Maybe Violet is one of those person that just doesn't really know how to express her thoughts and feeling but also just allowing lies about Rose that just isn't true. NOW that was HURTFUL.

A New beginning is about to start for Rose

Book Review: 30 and a Half Excuses

Thirty and a Half Excuses (Rose Gardner #3) 

by Denise Grover Swank

Life in Henryetta, Arkansas is turned upside down with the arrival of a televangelist, but it’s the death of a little old lady on Rose’s street that catches her attention. The Henryetta police deem her death natural causes, but Rose suspects foul play and so does an unlikely supporter–-the president of the Busy Body Club, her eighty-two year old neighbor Mildred.

But Rose is in the middle of opening her nursery with her sister Violet, who’s separated from her husband Mike, as well as stalling her boyfriend Joe’s family, rich socialites who are determined to meet her. Along with her multiple encounters with Fenton County’s new assistant DA, Mason Deveraux III, it’s just another day in the life of Rose Gardner–-chaos.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published September 10th 2013 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 

Review

Ready to start anew, Rose and her sister Violet have decided to open up an landscaping/Nursery shop in hope for a brand new start and new recognition.  

There's a new Reverend in town and with a big media/community followers and being a potential new clinet could that boost up the nursery/landscaping business? Jonah Pruitt believes by bring the Gardner sisters into the fold, the church and the business will be a double threat. 

But is a double Threat too literal?

Now someone is killing old women who are mysteriously turning over their will to the new reverend Jonah, making Jonah an targeted suspect. but he has his eyes on Rose. 

Will she his next victim?  

Rose tries to stay out of trouble but when the killings are happening on her street, she can't help but initiate her own investigation . . . despite Joe and Mason's warnings. 

Rose must figure out the pieces before she becomes the next victim.

I give this an 4 Cat's Tails up, the times are changing for Rose and the stakes are getting higher but whose going to fall through the cracks?

Meow Meow Meow  

I've been putting off this series for so long and now I've finally was able to get the next four books (not Novella included) and I went through this book in one day! 

I know it's been almost exactly a year since I read the second book but I did my best to brush up on what happen I'm not going to waste my meow meow meow listing of what I remember and what I got out of brush up information. 

Rose and Joe, aw those two are hopelessly in love but I happen to notice that Joe is greatly absent in this book because of an undercover stint and he was currently living in Little Rock. Seems odd that he's been so far away and so distance from Rose. 

MASON AND ROSE sitting in a tree . . . . You know what's next

 

Mason really became more apparent in this book and it's clear as day that he has a total crush on Rose, although Rose is blind because she is with Joe. But I asked myself this "How can she be with Joe, when he's gone all the time?" 

I love how the car dealer quickly thought that Rose and Mason were a couple, I mean come on! The world is screaming at them GET TOGETHER!!! BE A COUPLE!!!! Plus thanks to Neely Kate, Rose tells Mason her "gift" which is a pretty big deal telling Mason.

The business venture

Rose had her own things to deal with like opening up a nursery/landscaping shop with her sister Violet, their little shop gets great media with the new Reverend  in town that is directly across from the shop.  Enter Jonah Pruitt, he is wildly known for his church community.

However something fishy is going on surrounding Jonah and Rose gotten herself in the middle of elderly sudden and strange deaths, making her believe that foul play has happen. 

Danger is getting closer and time could be running out.


Joe's BIG family dinner, was a trap in itself Poor Rose had to endure such an horrible night. Joe's father put Joe in the running for senator and everyone was making it pretty apparent that Rose would not be a suitable politician wife/girlfriend or even a good image towards Joe.   They belittle Rose and Joe wouldn't even stand up for her!!!!

Here's the big kicker!!! Joe Propose to Rose!!!!!

In the end Rose makes her epic list, Why shouldn't she marry Joe? after her conclusion, Mason calls just as danger lurks around. And can you guess who came to her rescue? And if that wasn't enough hint, even the nurse who took notice of Rose's ring thought it was her and Mason.

Joe and Rose basically ended right then and there while Rose was recovery as well the vision she had of Joe and Hilary. I believe that Joe thinks he made his own decision by leaving Rose to do his father deeds in order to protect her but swears to himself that he will work as hard as he can to win Rose back and avoid the vision he asked from Rose since that wasn't what he expected. 

Rose is left with a broken heart and Joe made his own selfish choice to do his father bidding, what will happen in 31 and a half? Where will Rose stand and will the things she seen come true?

Kitty Blitz: 34 & a Half Predicaments

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Book seven in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling

Rose Gardner Mystery series.

Rose Gardner hates seeing her normally flamboyant best friend Neely Kate struggle with depression. So when Rose stumbles onto a piece of evidence indicating her birth mother might have been involved in a crime, she does the one thing guaranteed to cheer Neely Kate. She convinces her friend to help her solve a mystery. Though their penchant for investigating has gotten them into plenty of pickles in the past, what can go wrong if they’re looking into a case that went cold a quarter of a century ago? But the deeper they dig, the more dirt they unearth.

While she’s busy unraveling the past, Rose must also reprise her role as the Lady in Black as part of her ongoing agreement with the king of the Fenton County underworld. In so doing, she discovers a mysterious enemy is intent on attacking her friends, and her assistant DA boyfriend might be next on the list.

As both situations reach a boiling point, Rose must face the possibility that certain secrets were meant to remain buried and not even her special talent can get her out of every predicament.

“I thought you’d been banned from the Piggly Wiggly.”

I turned around to see my former neighbor standing in line behind me. The octogenarian looked the same as ever—cranky—only there were some new faint blue streaks in her white hair.

I lifted my chin. “I guess that’s just proof you can’t believe everything you hear.” I pulled a bag of pasta out of the cart. “I like what you’ve done with your hair.”

She patted the top of my head. “What happened to my hair is none of your business.”

Fair enough. I turned my back to her.

“Are you still living in sin with the assistant DA?”

“I could argue that the answer to that question is none of your business, but I have nothin’ to hide. So if you’re asking if Mason and I are still living together, the answer is yes.” I set a container of strawberries on the conveyor belt. “What have you been up to, Miss Mildred? Have you stalked any other neighbors lately?”

“The neighborhood has been remarkably quiet since you left. Murder and mayhem are at an all-time low.”

“You can’t blame Miss Dorothy’s death on me. That was Jonah Pruitt’s mother.”

“And then there was the bank robbery.”

“I was an innocent bystander. Besides, you weren’t even there.”

She pointed her finger at me. “I heard about your job at that stripper club. God rest your poor momma’s soul.”

“I never stripped! I never even took my clothes off!” I protested louder than I’d intended. She didn’t need to know Neely Kate had taken a disastrous turn on the stripper pole.

A mother with two small children was rounding a corner just then, about to head down another aisle. Her mouth dropped open and she gave me the stink eye as she shoved her poor preschool-aged boy on the other side of her, away from me, as though my presence might somehow infect him. Only she pushed him a little too hard and he crashed into a cereal box display on the endcap. An avalanche of boxes came crashing down on him and his mother.

“Look what you did!” Miss Mildred shouted, louder than any loudspeaker could hope to be. Every person in the front of the store turned their attention to her.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” I shouted. “I wasn’t anywhere near that display!”

The store manager walked toward the cash register as Bennie—who was sacking my groceries—stared, taking everything in.

Miss Mildred narrowed her eyes and pointed her finger at me. “You are a menace to society. I’m gonna start a petition to have you kicked out of town.”

“You can do that?” If so, maybe I could somehow get Hilary kicked out on her rear. But my excitement over possibly evicting her was short-lived. I quickly remembered Joe saying if he had the authority to force her out of town, he would have done it by now. “Well, I guess that’ll give you some excitement to take your mind off how boring the neighborhood’s become without me.”

That wasn’t the reaction she’d wanted, but she clamped her mouth shut.

The mother of the boy was trying to dig him out from under a pile of boxes while her little girl started sobbing. “I lost my brother!”

The store manager had rushed over to help, but he kept throwing glances my way that clearly said he was trying his best to figure out how to blame me for the latest mishap.

Thankfully, the cashier said, “That will be one hundred and thirty-six dollars and fifty-nine cents.” Her tone let me know she was just as eager to be done with me as her boss was.

Bennie was bagging the last of my items. “Look, Miss Rose. I was careful with your eggs.”

“You did a great job, Bennie,” I said as I dug through the cash in my wallet. The girl was crying louder and her brother had joined in the chorus, although not because he was hurt—he was upset his mother had dug him out of his new fort. The afternoon had gone from bad to worse and I just wanted to go home. When I realized I didn’t have enough cash, I handed the cashier Mason’s credit card.

She glanced at it and turned it over. “This isn’t your card.”

I rested my hands on the small shelf near the conveyer belt, wondering why I hadn’t just slid the card through the card reader. “It’s okay. It’s my boyfriend’s.”

“But it’s not yours.”

“Well, no. But he gave it to me to use.”

She looked over her register toward the fracas behind me. “Ed.”

But Ed was too busy tripping over boxes and dealing with the irate mother to hear her.

“Ed!” she shouted, and when she got his attention, she continued. “We got a case of identity theft at register four.”

“What?” I gasped.

The mother looked up at me like I was one of the horsemen of the apocalypse.

Bennie’s eyes widened like saucers. “You’re a thief, Miss Rose?”

“What? No!” I turned to the cashier. “I didn’t steal his identity. If you’ll just call Mason, he’ll tell you it’s okay.”

Miss Mildred gave me a smug grin. “I knew you were wicked since you were little. It was only a matter of time before you were put away in prison.”

“I didn’t steal Mason’s identity!”

The cashier’s frown deepened and it was a wonder she hadn’t set permanent lines in her face. “You can tell it to the Henryetta Police.”

Crappy doodles.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in 

Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to

perform many unspeakable tasks.

 She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity.

Or so she leads you to believe.

Website 

Facebook

Twitter 

Email: DeniseGroverSwank@gmail.com

ROSE GARDNER BOX SET #1

iBooks: http://apple.co/1b6Uh5z

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NQKYrE

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1rvL32S

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ROSE GARDNER BOX SET #2 

iBooks http://apple.co/1NQP6YS 

Amazon http://amzn.to/1FXwxuY 

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1IOTPa0 

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Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday 

Okay now that I've read the next four books of the Rose Gardner Series, plus Ripple of Secrets. I can't wait for book 7 Thirty-Four and a Half Predicaments. Yeah I still have to post my reviews of the four books and I'm working on it but I'm treading slowly on that process. 

Denise herself just reveal the cover of Thirty-Four and a Half Predicaments and honselty the covers are just becoming more beautiful!!! 

I'd would be really curious to when Denise is ready to end the series, what kind of cover she would have as the final book. My guess and my hope is that Rose and Mason will get married and obviously have kids or maybe all in one book! The Political influence of JR Simmons will be over, Joe will find someone that he will love just as much as he did with Rose. 

There's a lot of wishes and there's a lot of titles that Denise will have to come up with for the next couple books she has plan.

Book seven in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Rose Gardner Mystery series.

Rose Gardner hates seeing her normally flamboyant best friend Neely Kate struggle with depression. So when Rose stumbles onto a piece of evidence indicating her birth mother might have been involved in a crime, she does the one thing guaranteed to cheer Neely Kate. She convinces her friend to help her solve a mystery. Though their penchant for investigating has gotten them into plenty of pickles in the past, what can go wrong if they’re looking into a case that went cold a quarter of a century ago? But the deeper they dig, the more dirt they unearth.

While she’s busy unraveling the past, Rose must also reprise her role as the Lady in Black as part of her ongoing agreement with the king of the Fenton County underworld. In so doing, she discovers a mysterious enemy is intent on attacking her friends, and her assistant DA boyfriend might be next on the list.

As both situations reach a boiling point, Rose must face the possibility that certain secrets were meant to remain buried and not even her special talent can get her out of every predicament. 

Expected publication: April 28th 2015 by DGS 

 

  

  

 

Hide & Seek: 33 and a Half ShenanigansAmazon UK

MEOW!!!!

Can I just tell you that I've in love with the recent covers of Denise Grover Swank's Rose Garnder books

I love how the covers and Rose wearing a very classy dress(s) in the last two covers this one included.

So first a little info on what Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigan is all about . . . . Available November 4!

Rose is called into action when Neely Kate’s cousin goes missing and the police refuse to take it seriously. But while the authorities—Rose’s ex-boyfriend, included—are certain the missing woman has run away, mounting evidence points to foul play. Rose agrees to help her friend, even if it means partaking in Neely Kate’s shenanigans, including an impromptu trip to a strip club.

And because trouble never comes without a guest, Skeeter Malcolm, Fenton County’s newly crowned underground king, resurfaces, saying he needs Rose’s visionary gift to track down his enemies. He makes her the only offer she can’t refuse: The guaranteed safety of her assistant DA boyfriend, Mason Deveraux, who is being threatened by forces unknown. The Fenton County law enforcement is still abuzz about the infamous Lady in Black, who took part in the underground auction that earned Skeeter his crown. Can Rose risk a reprisal of her role?

As the stakes continue to rise and the search for Neely Kate’s cousin becomes increasingly complicated, Rose must struggle to keep both her secret identity and her sanity.

Preorder: 

 Amazon US: Amazon UK: iBooks:  and B&N  

Now are you ready to see the cover?