YvonneI am quite excited to have been contacted by author Rebecca Dahlke, as this is the third book she has invited me to read, so I can only assume that she is pleased with the reviews I have completed for her so far and for my part, I just love her books.
I love Rebecca’s style of writing and the complex mix of genres, which leads her to describing her books as humorous romantic mysteries. There certainly is never a dull moment in the stories and you need to have your wits about you to keep up with the pacey plots.
‘A Dead Red Oleander’ is the third adventure in the Lalla Bains series
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“A DEAD RED OLEANDER”
When a late in the season emergency forces Lalla Bains to accept a greenhorn ag pilot for her dad’s cropdusting business, she sighs in relief . After all, he comes highly recommended, his physical is spotless, and with a name by Dewey Treat, what could possibly go wrong?
Then her quirky relatives arrive from Texas and things go south in a hurry; Dewey Treat drops dead, his tearful widow claims he was murdered, clobbers Sherriff Caleb Stone with his own gun, and makes a run for it. Lalla, convinced the widow is innocent, sets out to prove it—against the express wishes of fiancé Caleb Stone.
Feds, local law, suspicious ag-pilots, nutso relatives, and her daddy’s new sidekick, Bruce the goat, make life a living hell for Lalla. Will her nosey nature solve the crime and save the day? Or put them all in mortal danger?
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R.P. (REBECCA) DAHLKE
Rebecca is a well established and respected author in the romantic mystery/suspense genre, with three titles already on the shelves and a fourth (the third in the Lalla Bains series) well underway and due to be published later in 2012.
She was raised on the family crop dusting ranch in California USA, although these days, she lives with her husband in Arizona USA.
Rebecca began writing way back in 1994, although a family tragedy curtailed her writing for many years after the publication of ‘A Dead Red Cadillac’, until she felt able to pick up her pen again in 2010, when ‘A Dangerous Harbor’ was conceptualised and ‘A Dead Red Heart’ was finally completed.
Rebecca set up a chapter of SINC (‘Sisters In Crime Inc’) in her home town, adding to the some 48 chapters which exist all over the world. SINC is an organisation of about 3600 members in 48 chapters world-wide and founded in 1986, offering networking, advice and support to mystery authors. It comprises authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians bound by their affection for the mystery genre and their support of women who write mysteries. The aims of the organisation are to promote the professional development and advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry.
Rebecca is also an accomplished artist and you can view her beautiful paintings on her website.
Visit Rebecca at her Website
Connect With Rebecca on Facebook
Follow Rebecca on Twitter
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MAILBOX MONDAY
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the last week.
Be warned that Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!
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An adorable cover that gives nothing away about the story… or did Bruce the goat do it? 😀
Hi Nikki,
An interesting concept, and where Lalla Bains is concerned, nothing would really surprise me!
Lalla generally ends up, right up to her pretty neck in trouble, which is not what her fiance Caleb needs, especially as he is the local Sherriff.
Rebecca’s books always make me smile and can cheer me up no end, just what I need right now.
Have a good Bank Holiday monday, the weather doesn’t look too bad!
Enjoy the book! What a great cover!
I hope you have a great week and have a great Holiday.
Hi Yvonne,
I was really cheered by this great cover and I am looking forward to reading what is sure to be a good and action-packed story.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations have been slightly dampened by some pretty miserable weather, especially the Thames Pageant yesterday, when the fly-pasts had to be cancelled and everyone got a thoroughly good soaking with torrential rain. The Queen herself looked rather tired and cold by the end of the 5 hour spectacular and I felt quite sorry for her, especially after the scorching weather we had enjoyed almost right up until the day.
Thanks for stopping by, good to talk with you again.
Absolutely love the cover!! It sounds like a very fun read! Can’t wait for your review!
Hi Vicki,
I didn’t read the first book in the series, but from the very first page of the second book, ‘A Dead Red Heart’, I felt that Lalla Bains, her family and friends, were personally known to me.
She has been keeping local Sherriff, Caleb Stone, at arms length for so long, that I am really hoping that they ‘get together’ in this book, although I suspect that all will not be plain sailing … it never is with Lalla….!!
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, with a touch of humour, then this would be a great series for you to try.
Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate your comments.
That does sound interesting and I like the cover. Happy reading 🙂
Hi Naida,
I agree with all the commenters on this post, that the cover is really alluring and cheery, a great talking point before you even get to the story.
Checking out the credits at the front of the kindle edition of this book, whilst trying not to see any of the other blurb about the story, I read that the cover was designed by one Karen Phillips, who I am assuming is this lady, judging by her profile.
https://www.elance.com/s/kphillips8055/
It doesn’t sound as though Lalla Bains’s life is getting any easier, so I am sure that this story is going to as much of a rollercoaster ride, as her two previous outings … I am not sure how one person can land themselves in so much trouble, without trying!!