by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of Outdoors, Oars, & Oaths, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Southern Karma
Mae West may find it difficult to remember her life as a New York “pampered wife” with all its perks and privileges, but, although events she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy, she was forced to leave due to her now late-husband’s financial crimes with only basic items, a camper, and a deed of ownership to the much-need-of-repair Happy Trails Campground. Normal, Kentucky, not far from where she grew up and swore she never return to, has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. With her hard work, successful planning, and a great deal of help over the past couple of years, she built a popular, full-service destination and contributed to the boon to the local economy. In many ways, she is living her best life with a renewed relationship with her adopted mother and foster brother, valued friendships, and a loving boyfriend providing her some great contacts in law enforcement. All of that she’ll need since her life in Normal hasn’t always been normal with mayhem, mystery, and murder too often invading her peace.

Outdoors, Oars, & Oaths Earns 5/5 Tiny Tattoos…Engaging and Clever!
It’s three a.m. when Mae is abruptly awakened by Dottie, the campground manager, pounded on her camper window, “There’s someone in the storage unit.” Another break-in had occurred a couple of weeks ago, so Mae wasn’t taking any chances. Racing over with an oar in hand, she sees a shape rummaging through her locker. “Whack!” The intruder falls to the ground, but as he rolls over, Mae is surprised to find Stanley Shelton, her ex-con, long dead husband’s lawyer. “Where’s my diamond?!” he demands. There had been a diamond, but she thought it the one her husband had given her, so she made a gift of it. Now, Stanley is frantic about its immediate return or they will kill him and others. But, someone else ends up dead in Stanley’s B&B room, and he’s under suspicion of murder. Seems that Mae has another murder mystery on her hands, a diamond to deal with, and another attack adding an exclamation to “Be careful!” So…road trip? Mae and her Laundry Club Ladies head to New York to forestall any mayhem. Heaven help New York!

Bedazzling! Tonya Kappes has continued her A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series with this eighteenth adventure having Mae again confronted by her past. Her late husband’s lawyer has a history of clients blurring the lines between legal and illegal, so being targeted by one of them shouldn’t be a surprise. How clever incorporating a different kind of mob, a unique tattoo, diamonds, and threats, attacks, and murder to challenge Mae and her team of amateur snoops, but sending them to New York? Cool! The surprises, memories, and running into old friends provided additional insight into Mae’s past and better clarity about her future. I had my suspicions about the killer, but the side stories and lack of an obvious motive or connection clouded my vision…in a good way! Kappes’s writing style continues to be descriptive bringing to life the settings and varied characters and the banter always adds to the humor and southern charm. Dottie hasn’t quit smoking, so that image is uncomfortable, but she’s still a star sidekick along with the other ladies. Criminals, dazzling gems, good friends, a few close calls, and a bit of a cliffhanger make this a great read!

Bonus! Adding to the delightful experience with this series is the unique Camper Tips and recipes. Camper Tips include (1) ideas and thoughts about trailering your RV, (2) reminders to make reservations, (3) have maps, either paper or downloads, (4) always have the right tool (checklist provided). Mae’s recipe for Campfire Chicken and Dumplin’ and Campfire Hobo Cheeseburgers are perfect for outdoor dining whether camping in the woods or in your backyard.

Alert! A Camper and Criminals Cozy books has several books set for release now thru December. Book nineteen Wildlife, Warrants, & Weapons, releases July 22, is on Amazon preorder HERE, and Book twenty Blossoms, Barbeques, & Blackmail is on Amazon preorder HERE set to release on July 29. But keep an eye out, since books twenty-one thru twenty-three are set for releases in the Fall. Check out the series on Amazon HERE to review other dates.

Be a Big Tonya Kappes Fan!
USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes pens a variety of series. along with this eighteen-book Camper & Criminals Cozy series, she also has a six-book Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery along with exciting ghostly-, magical-, and caffeinated-themed series. For ghosts, she has an eight-book Ghostly Southern Mystery and seven-book Kenni Lowry series. Add some magic with a twelve-book Magical Cures Mystery and three-book Spies and Spells series. And finally, get a little caffeinated with her eight-book Killer Coffee Mystery. She also has an enjoyable online presence and various events enticing fans to gather to talk, share, and partake in the fun!

To enter to win an ebook of Outdoors, Oars, & Oaths, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “oaths,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 31, 2021. US only, and must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out the first chapter of Tonya’s book Dead to the Last Drop which was featured in a past podcast episode. You can check it out here, or in the player below:

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Be sure to check out our new mystery podcast too with mystery short stories, and first chapters read by local actors. A new episode goes up next week.

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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 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 year 2 of retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband of 26+ years.

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.