"Halloween Moon" Cottage at Gooseberry Bay By Kathi Daley: Review/Giveaway

 by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of this book, and a link to purchase it.

Introducing...

To an already vast library of clever stories filled with delightful settings and wonderful characters, Kathi Daley has added another series, Cottage on Gooseberry Bay. Twenty-something Ainsley Holloway, first introduced in The Inn at Holiday Bay: Ghost in the Gallery (2020), is originally from Savannah, Georgia, where she found a diary that called into question the story of how she came to live with the man she calls “Dad” and an old photography of a young woman with two children sitting on the porch of an old house. She’s been unable to get the image out of her mind, and her waking and sleeping hours have been haunted with vivid thoughts leading her on a personal journey to seek answers. Having inherited her father’s detective nature and her experience as a reporter, her search has led her to the Washington coast and the little hamlet of Gooseberry Bay. Her first greeting is both disappointing and fortuitous. Hope Masterson explains that due to the Halloween festivities, for which the community is well known, there’s not a vacant room in town, including her Inn, but if Ainsley doesn’t mind a bit of “rough,” she could rent one of the five cottages located out on the peninsula. From the cottage Ainsley has a perfect view of the house on Piney Point that has piqued her interest. She is not entirely alone on this extended stay; her two four-legged traveling partners, Kai and Kallie, are well-trained, well-behaved, and well on the large size for Bernese Mountain dogs. Ainsley is set, but what else does destiny, karma, or some lost memory have in store for her?

The Cottage on Gooseberry Bay

Halloween Moon (September, 2020)

Thanksgiving Past (October, 2020)

Gooseberry Christmas (November, 2020)


➡ switch to KingsRiverLife.com for more articles ⬅

Halloween Moon earns 5/5 Mysterious Photos...Totally Engaging! 

Gooseberry Bay is festooned with holiday decor, pumpkins galore, and a variety of festivities in which residents and tourists are participating. Ainsley is eager to get started with closely exploring the house on the cliff, but getting herself and her dogs settled is a priority. She learns the small town grapevine is faster than the internet when she is greeted by many residents and neighbors already aware she’s rented one of Hope’s cottages. At the market she meets a lovely young girl with an “infectious smile,” Cammy Collins, and in the parking area gets blocked by a big truck. She patiently waits for the man’s return, but after he does and leaves giving her room to depart, she sees the young woman, appearing distraught and closing the market early...odd! Odder still is the next day while attending a brunch with all her cottage neighbors, she learns that Cammy’s body has been found at the bottom of Bramblewood Bluff. Ainsley’s investigator/reporter’s intuition will come in handy along with her new friends. Nothing bonds acquaintances more than a murder investigation. It’s going to “take a village” to uncover the truth.

“Between Parker’s nose for news, my experience as a PI, Jemma’s hacker skills, and Josie’s ability to charm anyone she set her mind to, the four of us really did make a pretty awesome team.” —Ainsley Holloway, Halloween Moon

A Hit! Kathi Daley has penned a clever start to a new series introducing an intriguing mystery, endearing strong lead, delightful supporting characters, and a couple of extraordinary four-legged friends. Kathi follows her signature style with a small town setting near the sea, a close knit group of residents by whom the lead is accepted and becomes friends, and a mystery or two that has led the main character on a personal journey of self-discovery. The group of townies and cottage residents all have realistic skills and curiosity levels to weed through the evidence gathered outright or with a bit of trickery. Some of the investigation occurs off the page, but the team gathers together often for an update, more theorizing, and planning their next move. The conclusion of book one has some satisfying closure, and the personal revelations are hinted (Wow, do I have a theory), but answers not yet complete...hence a book two and book three [insert giggle]. I personally enjoy the first-person narrative providing me a vicarious way to be part of the story with the “I” perspective along with descriptive language creating a delightful setting, appearances, and tone, and dialogue does well to illustrate emotions and personalities. Engaging...another mystery is hinted to at the end! 

Alert! Halloween Moon can be found in print, eBook, and in audio versions. The audiobook is narrated by Angel Clark. Her performance uses a pleasant voice that seems to fit what one understands about Ainsley’s age and personality and goes beyond a traditional reading out loud with a focus on tone, emotions, and other female voices. A fun way to enjoy Kathi Daley’s new story. Check it out at Audible HERE.

Alert! Following Halloween Moon, the second installment Thanksgiving Past, is currently on PREORDER HERE set to release on October 20. The third book, Gooseberry Christmas, is set for November 17 and also currently on PREORDER HERE 

Be a Big Kathi Daley Fan!

USA Today bestselling author Kathi Daley has twelve series (Book List) offering something for every cozy taste with clever dramas, arctic to tropical to west coast settings, close relationships with friends and family, and a variety of “fur” friends. She has a great social media community of fans and can be followed on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub. Keep updated on all of her book releases, events, and goings-on by signing up for her newsletter HERE.

Facebook - Kathi Daley Books

Join the Club Kathi Daley Book Club

On the Web Kathi Daley Website

Blog - Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings

To enter to win an ebook copy of Halloween Moon, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "moon,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 26, 2020 . U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. We delete all emails after the contest is over.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! One of our past episodes features another of Kathi's books. You can listen to it here: mysteryratsmaze.podbean.com/e/boxes-in-the-basement-by-kathi-daley A new episode went up this week!

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:


Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
'
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Comments

  1. Love to get in on the start of a new series. Halloween books are fun and a hint that fall is on its way.
    thanks. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathi Daley never stops! Count me in1

    ReplyDelete
  3. I’d love to read this! Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love Kathi Daley's books. Would love to read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a fan of Kathi Daley's books from the very beginning. Kathi always has well developed characters and plots that make each of her series different and enjoyable. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the review and telling us about the new series.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for Sharing this Book With Us and For the Chance to Win a Copy
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com 💓😍💓

    ReplyDelete
  8. Shared Post Today on Twitter 😍💗😍
    #SharingIsCaring 😁💖😁
    https://twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/1311477498908213250

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fall - a time to kick back and read! dlkdls318@att.net
    Diane


    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment