What to do with all those Amazon/B&N gift cards you received from Santa? Here's a few suggestions:

http://kingsriverlife.com/12/27/coming-attractions-new-years-edition/

For more books you can win, go to the Mystery Rat Maze and click on the various books being reviewed. Instructions for entering the contest at the end of the article. Contests run to next Saturday, Jan. 3.…

I chose this accompanying picture specifically because I don't like pushups. Never have. I don't have the strength to do many pushups because of my right arm.

For those who aren't familiar with my story, let me share. When I was a baby I fell out of bed. I was ill and the infection settled in my ankle and elbow. The ER nurse told my parents that I was crying just to get attention. (Dad, to this…

Here's a seasonal Agatha reading list

http://youtu.be/NkboeGIaheg

Having read Susan Hill's horror classic some time ago, the back of my mind considered The Woman in Black as a kind of horror piece; but it's not - it opens with the story of a woman impersonating a call girl to help a detective  solve a mystery that has kept his investigation at arm's length. But her mission is about to become a lot more complicated; not only because a new speech emulation program is enabling her to pull off the switch so far, but because she is also becoming more involved…

“I think the freezer deserves a light as well.”

Why not? Illumination certainly would make finding that long forgotten frozen bagged hunk of round steak you placed in there eight months ago an easier task. This is one of those questions that nobody has taken the time to answer.

How does this truth relate to writing? Again, you'll have to…

From award winning criminologist R. Barri Flowers and the bestselling author of The Sex Slave Murders 1 & 2, Serial Killer Couples, and Murder of the Banker’s Daughter comes Murder Chronicles, a gripping collection of true crime tales.

The collection includes ten compelling stories of murder, madness, and mayhem that span more than a…

Murdered in the Man Cave is a cozy mystery novel by bestselling crime writer R. Barri Flowers.

In the first book of this exciting new cozy series, Riley Reed has a popular blog offering advice on home décor and renovation and does part-time consulting work in Cozy Pines, Oregon.

When Riley is asked by an old flame, Brent…

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

6075 Mills Civic Parkway

West Des Moines, IA 50266

Phone: 515-333-5665 Fax: 515-309-3359

6800 Fleur Dr.

Des Moines, IA 50321

Phone: 515-287-0847 Fax: 515-287-0850

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Today we find Lori Campisi back home after a Friday night out after a…

 Best of the year list. At Murder Beach Mystery Reviews. http://billsmedia.blogspot.com/

First up is Book # 3 in the Grace deHaviland Bounty hunter series—With Intent to Deceive

 How far would you go to protect a friend? For bounty hunter Grace deHaviland and sheriff’s deputy Suzie Jensen the answer may be: until someone ends up dead.

 Rhona Hasen says she didn’t kill her husband. The police say otherwise.

Still, Sheriff’s Deputy Suzie Jensen wants to believe her. Yet her efforts to…

“It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often need to buy things during 'siesta' time-this should be banned.”

I'm sure if the person had spoken to the mayor, he would have made a new law right then and there. Sheesh!

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This brings up the topic of schedules. Since the move back in October, '13 to a bigger city (well, a suburb of a…

What better gift than books for the holidays? This week in my Coming Attractions column I have a hefty list of titles. Better yet, you have a chance of winning 10 books just by making a comment or emailing ezine editor Lorie Ham. Contest ends Dec. 6.…