I received this book for free from . This review is voluntary. My opinion is not influenced in any way.
Dae's Christmas Past on November 4, 2014 Pages: 237
Format: eARC
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Goodreads
When wild horse rescue director Tom Watts is found dead on Duck Road, newly re-elected mayor Dae O’Donnell is determined to find out who killed him. Her friend Jake Burleson is accused of killing Tom even though the two men have been good friends for years.
The problem is the excavation of the horse cult that’s been happening on Jake’s property. Tom and several archaeologists working on the project think that Jake should give up his land to widen the search for artifacts. Jake won’t do that.
It’s not that Jake hasn’t been acting strangely. He shoved one of the ancient stone horses into Dae’s hands when he knew she was afraid to touch it. He’s obsessed with stopping the excavation—maybe to the point of killing Tom.
But Dae thinks there may be more to the story. Jake’s determination has shown her what the horse cult was used for thousands of years ago, the destruction the demon horses brought before they were stopped. She’s afraid something of the past may have already returned to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and there may be more deaths to come.
Featuring Pet Psychic Mary Catherine Roberts!
My Thoughts
Dae’s Christmas Past by Joyce & Jim Lavene is the sixth book in the Missing Pieces Mystery series, but the first that I’ve read in this series. I wasn’t quite sure what to think when I started reading, but I’ve loved everything else I’ve read by the Lavenes, so I figured I would like this one, too. I was right. 🙂 Dae is the mayor of Duck, NC, and she also has some special abilities. She is able to ‘see’ an object’s history by simply touching it. This helps her find lost things and even lost people. The authors did a nice job of explaining this and I felt like I understood what was going on even though I haven’t read other books in this series.
Dae’s Christmas Past by Joyce & Jim Lavene is a top-notch cozy mystery. It is fast-paced and the perfect book to spend an afternoon with, because you won’t want to put it down once you start reading. I was quickly immersed in the characters, the town of Duck, NC, and the mystery from the beginning. I kept trying to guess what was going to happen, but couldn’t. I loved Dae and I really want to go back and read the earlier books in the series now.
Giveaways!
Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win the tour-wide giveaway: a fun prize pack with a book and ornament from Joyce and Jim Lavene. You can also enter the Giveaway Tools widget below the Rafflecopter to enter to win an ebook of Dae’s Christmas Past by Joyce and Jim Lavene. The ebook giveaway is exclusive on Brooke Blogs, so you have a great chance of winning. 🙂
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Joyce Lavene
Thanks for hosting us here today, Brooke!
Brooke
You’re welcome, Joyce! It’s my pleasure to have you both on Brooke Blogs anytime! I love your books. 🙂
Melody Gonser
I have enjoyed everything written by Jim and Joyce Lavene and I figure this one will be just as entertaining as the others. You have more talent and write many books. I am glad when I came across my first Peggy book. Thank you for your giveaway. Melody
Sue Farrell
I so enjoy Christmas books–and the horses of the banks should make this book even more special.
Brooke
I love holiday stories, too, Sue!
Joan Heelan Hadac
The first book I ever picked up by Joyce and Jim Lavene was their very first Missing Pieces mystery, A Timely Vision. I picked it up because it looked interesting and I was searching for new authors to read. I was right, that book was interesting and I have since read all the Missing Pieces mysteries, except this last one. I am waiting, impatiently, for my copy to arrive. I have also read most of their other series, happy that I have more Joyce and Jim Lavene to read. They write wonderful books that are hard to put down after cracking them open. Dae remains my favorite character because she introduced me to Joyce and Jim Lavene.
Brooke
That’s awesome to hear, Joan! I really want to go back and read the other ones in this series. I, too, have enjoyed all their books! They really have a talent. 🙂