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Peril for Your Thoughts
Kalli always imagined life would be easier if she could just read people’s minds. But when a freak accident gives her such a gift, her life becomes anything but easy, especially after her best friend is accused of murder…
Kalli’s a shy, slightly OCD, mind-reading fashion designer with a prissy calico cat and hand sanitizer always at the ready. Nik’s a loud and boisterous half-Greek detective with a big, sloppy St. Bernard and a devil-may-care attitude. In other words, Kalliope Ballas and Nikos Stevens are not a good match, despite the opinions of Kalli’s overbearing mother and the rest of her tight-knit adoptive Greek family.
So when a murder investigation brings the mismatched pair together and Kalli must use her newfound ability to clear her best friend’s name, how can she explain how she knows what she knows without confessing her mind-reading ability to Nik?
This book was initially released in episodes as a Kindle Serial. All episodes are now available for immediate download as a complete book. Learn more about Kindle Serials
Kalli’s a shy, slightly OCD, mind-reading fashion designer with a prissy calico cat and hand sanitizer always at the ready. Nik’s a loud and boisterous half-Greek detective with a big, sloppy St. Bernard and a devil-may-care attitude. In other words, Kalliope Ballas and Nikos Stevens are not a good match, despite the opinions of Kalli’s overbearing mother and the rest of her tight-knit adoptive Greek family.
So when a murder investigation brings the mismatched pair together and Kalli must use her newfound ability to clear her best friend’s name, how can she explain how she knows what she knows without confessing her mind-reading ability to Nik?
This book was initially released in episodes as a Kindle Serial. All episodes are now available for immediate download as a complete book. Learn more about Kindle Serials
266 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2013
8 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Kari Lee Townsend
55 books460 followersNational Bestselling Author, Agatha, RT Reviewer's Choice & Golden Duck Award Nominee. Kari lives in Central New York with her husband & Samoyeds. She's a lover of wine & travel, obsessed with reality TV, and loves a good book with mystery, romance & humor. Inspired by TV shows like SMK, Moonlighting, Bones & Castle, she writes paranormal and fantasy cozy mysteries, historical mysteries & upper Middle Grade as Kari Lee Townsend, romantic suspense, romantic comedy & women's fiction as Kari Lee Harmon.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 17, 2021
NOTE... This book is being reissued as Mind Over Murder, the first book in the Kalli Ballas series. I can't wait for more!
This was originally published as a "Kindle Serial,*" something I hadn't heard of until I read another book by this author. It was published in 2013, so I was able to get the complete story at one time.
Kalliope (Kalli) Ballas is a talented lingerie designer who lives and works with her best friend Jazlyn (Jaz) Alveraz in a small Connecticut town. Kalli's extended and intrusive Greek family also lives in town. Kalli's mother is constantly on her daughter to settle down with a nice Greek man and start producing grandbabies, but Kalli is slightly OCD about cleanliness (germs) and touching and doesn't see that happening. Enter Detective Nikos (Nik) Stevens, who is half Greek and is getting the same nagging to settle down and produce grandbabies from his mother.
After a disastrous blind date, Kalli and Nik are thrown together again when Jaz becomes a murder suspect. To Nik's annoyance, Kalli, who after an accident suddenly finds she can read the minds of people she touches (or who touch her), decides to clear her friend's name. On top of that, the mamas have gotten together -- and that can't be good. And, Nik can be a pain, but his thoughts when he touches (and kisses!) Kalli silence her OCD. Could they have a future once this murder is solved?
Rounding out the main cast is Nik's partner Boomer Matheson, an ex of Jaz's.
I loved the humor and romance as much as the whodunit. Kalli and Nik have the beginnings of a great couple. I would love to see where these and the other characters go as a series progresses. PLEASE, Ms Townsend, may we have some more?
I almost rated the book three stars because of a disjointed feeling I got now and then. It wasn't something I experienced with the other Townsend "Kindle Serial" Kicking The Habit. There weren't issues with continuity, but every once in a while the story would jump, or stagger, or something--I really can't explain it--taking me out of the story for a minute as my mind tried to figure out what was wrong. I don't know if it had to do with this being an episodic offering; I can't even tell you that when the whatever happened it was at episode breaks. However, overall the book was really good and this issue was not enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story and the characters so there was no way I could rate it lower. As I stated, I want MORE!!
This was originally published as a "Kindle Serial,*" something I hadn't heard of until I read another book by this author. It was published in 2013, so I was able to get the complete story at one time.
Kalliope (Kalli) Ballas is a talented lingerie designer who lives and works with her best friend Jazlyn (Jaz) Alveraz in a small Connecticut town. Kalli's extended and intrusive Greek family also lives in town. Kalli's mother is constantly on her daughter to settle down with a nice Greek man and start producing grandbabies, but Kalli is slightly OCD about cleanliness (germs) and touching and doesn't see that happening. Enter Detective Nikos (Nik) Stevens, who is half Greek and is getting the same nagging to settle down and produce grandbabies from his mother.
After a disastrous blind date, Kalli and Nik are thrown together again when Jaz becomes a murder suspect. To Nik's annoyance, Kalli, who after an accident suddenly finds she can read the minds of people she touches (or who touch her), decides to clear her friend's name. On top of that, the mamas have gotten together -- and that can't be good. And, Nik can be a pain, but his thoughts when he touches (and kisses!) Kalli silence her OCD. Could they have a future once this murder is solved?
Rounding out the main cast is Nik's partner Boomer Matheson, an ex of Jaz's.
I loved the humor and romance as much as the whodunit. Kalli and Nik have the beginnings of a great couple. I would love to see where these and the other characters go as a series progresses. PLEASE, Ms Townsend, may we have some more?
I almost rated the book three stars because of a disjointed feeling I got now and then. It wasn't something I experienced with the other Townsend "Kindle Serial" Kicking The Habit. There weren't issues with continuity, but every once in a while the story would jump, or stagger, or something--I really can't explain it--taking me out of the story for a minute as my mind tried to figure out what was wrong. I don't know if it had to do with this being an episodic offering; I can't even tell you that when the whatever happened it was at episode breaks. However, overall the book was really good and this issue was not enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story and the characters so there was no way I could rate it lower. As I stated, I want MORE!!
February 10, 2021
I've been reading another series by this same author and the main character is really over the top. I thought I'd try this one instead and while Kalli isn't quite as as animated as Sunny from the other series, the mothers in this book are just ridiculous. I understand the stereotype of overprotective Greek mothers who only want their children to get married and have babies, but do we really have to continue to buy into that? Not only did she make them a stereotype, she also made them stupid. Screaming that their adult children caught "the rabies" from the South American best friend (because obviously she's a bad influence) and literally covering up hives and lacerations with aloe and duct tape. Duct tape on a wound. Because duct tape fixes everything. wtf? The mystery itself was interesting, but it was overshadowed by the utter nonsense of the characters.
November 11, 2013
Ok. This was fun enough, but...Well, let's explore. The protagonist is so neurotic about germs that she can't stand to be touched. I suspect that was primarily to limit how much she can benefit from the "gift" she received from a mishap that enables her to read people's minds when she touches them. So this was unnecessarily quirky on two fronts, especially since really neither of them played much of a part in solving the mystery, as far as I could see. There is no explanation as to why she is so weird about germs either, especially since she comes from a big, sloppily stereotypical Greek family. And then, she says (this is a first person book), nearly at the end of the book, that it had been so long since she had had sex. One wonders, is this germ fetish thing recent? There is no indication that it is -- and in fact it implies that it is not. So one is left with the feeling of "how did she manage this?"
Lots of loose ends, not particularly well tied up, perhaps because this was generated as a serial (although I came in late enough that I ended up just reading it straight through). It does seem that only one of her several idiosyncrasies would have been more than sufficient.
Lots of loose ends, not particularly well tied up, perhaps because this was generated as a serial (although I came in late enough that I ended up just reading it straight through). It does seem that only one of her several idiosyncrasies would have been more than sufficient.
November 26, 2013
I'm enjoying this serial immensely!!! The characters feel like old friends and I can't wait to se what happens next! Meddling mamas, hunky cops and a murder...what's a girl with a mind reading gift to do?
This is one serial that I'm anxiously awaiting the next episode! Keep them coming Ms Townsend! I hope there's another story with Kali and Nik!
This is one serial that I'm anxiously awaiting the next episode! Keep them coming Ms Townsend! I hope there's another story with Kali and Nik!
July 14, 2021
I read this as a kindle serial and WHAT a fun read!! The characters just jump off the page. I certainly hope there will be more in this series!
December 16, 2017
I enjoy Kari’s book
Her books are sweet and tantalizing. I enjoy the descriptive scenery and characters. I have read many of them and have loved them all.
Her books are sweet and tantalizing. I enjoy the descriptive scenery and characters. I have read many of them and have loved them all.
August 12, 2016
While I enjoyed this new offering from Ms. Townsend, I can't say that it was my favorite. It may have to do with my distaste for the fashion industry as a whole, being a full figured woman and having been shunned by every designer that has ever lived, except of course, for Omar the Tent Sharif and his lovely moo-moos. It has always seemed to me that with 60% of all Americans being obese, the fashion industry MIGHT want to consider clothing us, since they all would complain - and loudly - if all of us fat people got together & went naked, even for just one day. *End of rant* (Sorry) At any rate, I was a bit put off by the setting but I was intrigued with the OCD twist. Unfortunately, some of the things the lead character Kalli does is just so far away from the reality of what someone with her specific symptoms would be able to do - I mean, diving into a dumpster? Really? I wouldn't even do that & I don't have OCD. And why didn't she just hide BEHIND the dumpster? I felt like some of the sequences were a little choppy too. On the positive side, the mystery itself held my interest & I absolutely adored Nikos & Wolfgang. The mind reader aspect was especially fun! The Greek mamas were fabulous as well. I'm glad I got to read this in paperback form though, because I'm not one for serials - I'm just not patient enough for them. I love Ms. Townsend's fortune teller mysteries & I'm looking forward to seeing what is next for this lovely author.
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
August 9, 2016
I bought this Kindle book because I really like Kari Lee Townsend's books, then Audible advertised it as a Whispersync for Voice companion. The book is funny, the mystery is good (although I had my suspicions), and the characters are quirky and, of course, really good looking.
Peril for Your Thoughts is a quick read about a lingerie designer who falls off a balcony and is suddenly able to read the thoughts of anyone she touches. Of course, she doesn't go around touching a lot of people because she is germ phobic and a bit of a hypochondriac. Her Greek mother (Kalli is adopted, so she is not Greek by birth) is anxious to marry off her 29 year old daughter so she can have grandbabies.
Nick is half Greek and his Greek mother is anxious to marry him off so she can have grandbabies, he is also a new detective on the police force and Kalli keeps interfering in his investigation of the murder Kalli's best friend is accused of committing.
As this was a whispersync book, I listened and read. The narrator is great.
Peril for Your Thoughts is a quick read about a lingerie designer who falls off a balcony and is suddenly able to read the thoughts of anyone she touches. Of course, she doesn't go around touching a lot of people because she is germ phobic and a bit of a hypochondriac. Her Greek mother (Kalli is adopted, so she is not Greek by birth) is anxious to marry off her 29 year old daughter so she can have grandbabies.
Nick is half Greek and his Greek mother is anxious to marry him off so she can have grandbabies, he is also a new detective on the police force and Kalli keeps interfering in his investigation of the murder Kalli's best friend is accused of committing.
As this was a whispersync book, I listened and read. The narrator is great.
February 4, 2014
Kalliope Ballas, aka Kalli, is a talented lingerie designer besieged by her Greek mother. Nothing will do for Mom but for Kalli to settle down and marry a nice Greek man. Kalli’s OCD about cleanliness and touching, so her chances of having a good first date, much less a marriage, are minimal.
Enter Detective Nikos Stevens. He’s in the Greek marital hot seat as well. He and Kalli work together to try to clear Kalli’s friend Jaz of a murder charge. The push/pull of detective dreamy and Kalli draws the reader into the story and the investigation.
Kalli’s got a secret that gives her an edge over most amateur sleuths. The reason she doesn’t like touching is that she can read the mind of the people she touches.
An engaging read with brilliant characterization.
Enter Detective Nikos Stevens. He’s in the Greek marital hot seat as well. He and Kalli work together to try to clear Kalli’s friend Jaz of a murder charge. The push/pull of detective dreamy and Kalli draws the reader into the story and the investigation.
Kalli’s got a secret that gives her an edge over most amateur sleuths. The reason she doesn’t like touching is that she can read the mind of the people she touches.
An engaging read with brilliant characterization.
October 29, 2014
Some interesting characters here and a nicely crafted mystery. But I read the Kindle edition and it needed better editing. There were some obvious errors, like I think Nikos's hair goes from light brown to black, but there were also some really clunky parts. Readers seem to be complaining about Kalli's OCD. To me that was one of the most interesting things about her. She was quite upfront about how she knew she was odd and people didn't get it and that side of her was interesting
February 23, 2014
I had never read anything from this author before and now I will look for books written by her. I enjoyed this book so much I read in 2 days. It had a great mix of friendship, romance and humor {I loved wolfgang}. I received this book free from Goodreads First Read. This is a great site because it gives people who read a chance to read things from authors they might not have read before.
August 17, 2014
i had won this book in a giveaway. Never having read one of Ms Townsend's books i was not sure what to expect. i was pleasantly surprised. I laughed often while reading this nice cozy mystery. exactly what i like in this type of book. no over the top sex or violence. this is first in a series, so i will keep an eye out for the next one.
May 19, 2016
Quirky, funny cute and I couldn't put it down. Love her ocd germ aversion and the Greek family so reminds me of my Mexican one (thankfully I'm married now and don't have to live through the matchmaking.) pick this up for a fun read!
August 5, 2016
if you are expecting a mystery -- this isn't it. It is a harmless little romance
July 30, 2014
Loved the story and Kalli's gift! I didn't think that Kalli telling her Jaz, her best friend and roommate, about her gift was clear. I love Wolfgang! What a great dog. He should be on the cover.
January 10, 2015
Fun
An unusual phobia and a fall have some interesting repercussions for Kalli. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.
An unusual phobia and a fall have some interesting repercussions for Kalli. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.
June 18, 2016
Peril for Your Thoughts review
Peril for Your Thoughts is a Mind Reader Mystery written by author Kari Lee Townsend. It's a fun cozy mystery.
Peril for Your Thoughts is a Mind Reader Mystery written by author Kari Lee Townsend. It's a fun cozy mystery.
May 5, 2014
Fun characters. I hope she writes more
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews