Fireworks in Paradise By Kathi Daley: Review/Giveaway

Nov 4, 2017 | 2017 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win either a copy of Fireworks in Paradise, and a link to purchase it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

The Tj Jensen series has been around since 2013 opening with a Halloween favorite Pumpkins in Paradise, and in 2016 Henrey Press jumped on board reenergizing the series with a new set of book covers. Kathi Daley has penned a delightful set of eight books following Tj Jensen and her extended family of two half-sisters, her dad, her granddad, and a plethora of animals in Serenity, Nevada, with her signature engaging mysteries, clever and sometimes quirky characters, and realism that makes her work very popular. Immediately following book seven, Treasure in Paradise, Kathi Daley sends us right into another gripping murder mystery.

bookTj Jensen’s relaxing vacation with family and friends is cut short, interrupted by a frantic phone message from Dr. Hunter about her father being in an accident. A devastating car crash has killed Judge Harper, a close family friend, and put her father in a coma. What a way to make this very personal and engaging for fans and newbies alike! The past twenty-seven hours have been the worst of Tj’s life, and Kyle, her hopeful romantic interest, has stepped up brilliantly to get her preferential treatment on a flight back home: delaying takeoff, first-class seat, disembarking before anyone else, but all she could think about was making it to the hospital in time. Tj will not be left out of this investigation despite her fears that her father might not regain consciousness. Deputy Fisher explains the evidence doesn’t prove ‘accident.’ The brake line on the judge’s car had been deliberately cut making it more obvious that Judge Harper was the intended victim and her father an innocent bystander. Tj is spurred into hunting down whoever did this, but a new deputy assigned to the station may not be so tolerant of civilians actively involved in police investigations.

A key part of Kathi Daley’s work is she continues to write a clever mystery along with a positive perspective on the importance of law enforcement having her characters, like Tj, working in tandem with, not circumventing, local authorities. Even though there are opportunities for Tj to go ‘rouge’ or partner with her friends and family, she has a unique talent recognized, not ignored, by the deputy in charge. Kathi’s style in her mysteries often provides a wide range of motives and ample suspects giving us readers the opportunity to channel our inner detective, although I’m always challenged to uncover the killer myself. Tj works through the clues knowing that even though retired Judge Harper must have some typical enemies from his time on the bench, he also was the mayor of the town which widens the suspect pool closer to home with disgruntled business owners and maybe even neighbors. “Wow!” There’s always a very clever solution capped with someone ending up in jeopardy!

This story is further complicated for Tj with Deputy Fisher with a new partner being assigned to the station. ‘She’ may not be so tolerant of a civilian actively ingratiating themselves into police investigations; Tj will need to rely on her ability to be subtle to avoid being shut out completely. Always playing in the background of Kathi’s work we find family issues, holiday or community events, and a bit of romance that itself has realistic ups and downs. In this story we continue to see the evolution of the Jensen family with a her father’s fiancé, the town prepping for the Fourth of July festivities, and in the wake of a very romantic kiss, Tj and Kyle are trying to navigate through a new relationship. Fireworks all around Paradise Lake, and I enjoyed every bit of it!

Fireworks in Paradise
earns 5/5 Clever Mysteries and Wow Endings!

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Check out other Henery Press mysteries on their website.

To enter to win a copy of Fireworks in Paradise, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “fireworks,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 11, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

You can use these links to purchase these books from Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the 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.

25 Comments

  1. I love this series, great review thanks
    Penney
    penneywATsbcglobal.net

    Reply
  2. Kathi’s books are amazing!!! Thank you for the chance!!!

    Reply
  3. This series sounds wonderful. I need to check out the earlier books, also.

    arlettaDOTboultonATgmailDOTcom

    Reply
  4. Looks like a great book!

    Reply
  5. Would love to win a print copy. I don’t have this book in the series yet. ?
    Thanks for the chance ?
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com

    Reply
    • Sorry those aren’t questions, my phone did that lol

      Reply
  6. Love the cover. Love Tj and all of her adventures investigating.
    pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply
  7. I love Kathi’s books!

    mjhopper at cox dot com

    Reply
  8. I am caught up in this series and I think this book would make a great November birthday present!!! Winning a copy would work too!!!
    lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  9. A lot going on in this one and I’ve waited patiently for Fireworks in Paradise to see what happens next with TJ and Kyle too. Love Kathi Daley’s books and characters!! oh_bother88@hotmail.com

    Reply
  10. Thank you for the chance. Love,Kathy’s books.

    Reply
  11. This is a new to me series. The plot and characters sound very interesting. Can’t wait to read.

    Reply
  12. Kathi is an amazing writer and I can’t believe how many books she writes each year. I would love to read Fireworks in Paradise. Thank you for the chance.

    Cynthia B.
    ceblain (AT) tmlponline (DOT) net

    Reply
  13. Thanks for the giveaway! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  14. I love Kathi Daley’s books. Thank you for this chance! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  15. Just love this I have read a few of them in the series and would love to read this one! ptclayton2@aol.com

    Reply
  16. I just love Kathi Daley’s books. I haven’t read this series yet but would love to.
    jsjacobson(at)prtel(dot)com

    Reply
  17. A great series & wonderful author.

    Reply
  18. Great series. Would really like to read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  19. Would love to read this book! minishoes(at)msn(dot)com

    Reply
  20. We have a winner!

    Reply
    • Congrats to the winner

      Reply

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