Deadly Dozen: 12 Mystery/Thriller Novels by Bestselling Imajin authors

by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

The DEADLY DOZEN Book Bundle contains 12 complete mystery/thriller novels by award-winning and international bestselling authors: Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Catherine Astolfo, Alison Bruce, Melodie Campbell/Cynthia St-Pierre, Gloria Ferris, Donna Galanti, Kat Flannery, Jesse Giles Christiansen, Rosemary McCracken, Susan J. McLeod, C. S. Lakin and Linda Merlino.

1. THE BRIDGEMAN by Catherine Astolfo
2. DEADLY LEGACY by Alison Bruce
3. A PURSE TO DIE FOR by Melodie Campbell & Cynthia St-Pierre
4. CHEAT THE HANGMAN by Gloria Ferris
5. A HUMAN ELEMENT by Donna Galanti
6. LAKOTA HONOR by Kat Flannery
7. PELICAN BAY by Jesse Giles Christiansen
8. SAFE HARBOR by Rosemary McCracken
9. SOUL AND SHADOW by Susan J. McLeod
10. INNOCENT LITTLE CRIMES by C. S. Lakin
11. ROOM OF TEARS by Linda Merlino
12. DIVINE INTERVENTION by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

With an individual list price total of more than $45.00 and over 640 reviews collectively on Amazon.com, the DEADLY DOZEN Book Bundle is a value-packed, rollercoaster thrill ride that takes you from amateur sleuth to detective to paranormal to ancient mysteries set in intriguing worlds and so much more.

Editorial Reviews:

"You won't catch your breath until the last page [of The Bridgeman] turns."--Lou Allin, author of She Felt No Pain

"Deadly Legacy grips your attention from the first page...a treat for the senses." --Garry Ryan, award-winning author of Malabarista

"[A Purse to Die For has a] page-turning pace, fascinating characters, sly wit, and a plot that will keep you guessing." --Janet Bolin, Agatha-nominated author of Dire Threads

"Cheat the Hangman is a refreshing and chilling paranormal mystery you won't want to miss." ―Jeff Bennington, author of Reunion

"A Human Element is an elegant and haunting first novel. Unrelenting, devious but full of heart. Highly recommended." --Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Code Zero

"Transport back to the old west with this paranormal historical [Lakota Honor], and its alpha hero, and a heroine hiding her secret talents." --Shannon Donnelly, author of the Mackenzie Solomon Urban Fantasy series

"Christiansen offers a tale sure to entrance readers--a story of love and wisdom and the mystery of a forgotten graveyard under the waters of Pelican Bay." --Man Martin, author of Paradise Dogs

"[Safe Harbor] offers a coherent structure, an exact feel for the Toronto locales, and, in Pat, a hugely attractive sleuth figure." --Toronto Star

"Soul and Shadow is a deep and complex tale of deceit, danger and love. Well plotted and extremely engaging...so engrossing that I couldn't put it down." --Romance Junkies

"Revenge is indeed a dish best served cold in this fast-paced, thrilling story...[Innocent Little Crimes is] a page-turning thrill-ride that will have readers holding their breath the whole way through." --Publishers Weekly

"[Room of Tears is] a beautiful and gut wrenching story...Miss Merlino weaves a flawless tale that will have you sobbing by the end of the book." --#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken, author of The Bet

"Great imagination, fabulous imagery...This chilling page-turner [Divine Intervention] is a genuine Canadian crime novel...Tardif gives her readers plenty of twists and turns before reaching a satisfying ending." --Midwest Book Review

Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2014

About the author

http://www.cherylktardif.com
http://www.whalesongbook.com
http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com

Contact Cheryl: cherylktardif at shaw.ca

I am an avid reader and an international bestselling suspense author. My novels are often cross-genre works that fall into the categories of suspense, mystery or thriller.

My books have been compared to works by Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, Sue Monk Kidd, J.D. Robb, Kay Hooper, James Patterson, Dan Brown, and Michael Crichton.

I am always asked that one question: "Cheryl, what do you do?"

My reply: "I kill people off for a living." ;) CKT

Reviews

[Michelle Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO SPOILERS.......I was lucky to get an ARC of this box set....I will buy box sets in the future as they are great value and it introduces you to more authors....I am pleasantly surprised how many I truly enjoyed....

THE BRIDGE MAN ....Christiane astolfo
It was a great book it was so easy to get into I new from the first page that I was going to enjoy it....I'm going to get book two next....This is such a good way to find new authors....
DEATHLY LEGACY ....A carmedy & garrett mystery Alison Bruce
This book starts with a death of a father the daughter starts to investigate and helps you understand all the characters....it's a ok read....

A PURSE TO DIE FOR....melodie Campbell & Cynthia st-pierre
I really loved this book I enjoyed it from.start to finish and I'm hoping there is or could be more in this series .... I will be looking at more books they have ....

CHEAT THE HANGMAN....Gloria Ferris
I really really enjoyed this book the story was fantastic but what I loved most was the wittiness it made me chuckle in so many places.... I'm praying there is more to come in this series....

A HUMAN ELEMENT.... Donna Galanti.
this is a very unique story and I loved the way you got to know each character it's like there was a few leading characters and you got inside them all.... As the story unfolds you can't but hope that goodness wins the day ....

LOKOTA HONOR....Kay Flannery.
Its not what I would usually read but I gave it a go and I'm glad I did was nice to be taken back in history.... A very different read....

PELICAN BAY.... Jesse Giles Christiansen
This took a bit of getting used to the style he writes is very different....this book is book one in the captain shelby trilogy ..I found it hard to get in to it but that's just my opinion....

SAFE HARBOR....Rosemary McCracken.
I loved this book from start to finished I loved all the characters and I'm so happy there is a second book in this series....well worth reading ....SOUL AND SHADOW .....Susan j. McLeod
This was a very different read makes a change ....It isn't what I would normally read but that's why these box sets are so good opens your mind .....

INNOCENT LITTLE CRIMES....C.S.Lakin
I'm currently reading this book ..so far so good..I had a peak at the blurb and I'm looking forward to rest of it.. I will update when finished x

ROOMS OF TEARS....Linda Merlino
When I first started this book I had high hopes ..... I found it a little hard the first four chapters .. then I got to chaper5 and all things changed...... a good read...

DIVINE INTERVENTION....Cheryl Kaye Tardif
I'v read all of Cheryl books they are that good ill never forget them, they touched me and made me think... the way Cheryl writes is fantastic you feel like your there....The storyline flows nicely and the twists are good ,you find yourself lost inside the book for hours ....To me this books a must read and I feel Cheryl's book will always deliver....

[Doris Vandruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a set of books that has something for everyone. There is western, paranormal, futuristic, aliens, and the list goes on. Each is a complete story that is entertaing and well written. A great asset to any library.

[Aislinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boxed Set Review: The TL;DR [too long didn't read] review is as follows:

Overall, this entire set is WELL worth the investment. The current price is less than you often pay for a single e-book and there are 12 stories in total. Even if every story, or every author isn't what you would typically read I HIGHLY recommend this set to expose you to a wide variety of Imajin published authors.

From stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, to ones which keep you guessing until the very end I was highly entertained with each story and am glad to say I've added several new authors to my regular "to be read" list. These reviews are shorter than a typical review just to ensure that this post isn't too long and is able to include all 12 books.


Individual Reviews: Varies

Book: THE BRIDGEMAN by Catherine Astolfo
Star Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review: As an avid reader and one which my spouse refuses to play Clue with, I very rarely find a story that I can't figure out prior to the end, and end up losing interest. This story kept me going from start to finish. I felt like it was a classic small town with dirty secrets tale, but so much more than that. This story also, in my opinion, includes a "story within a story" as you are taken along with Emily while she reads the diary of Nat in twist of events that can shake a small town to its core. Drawn in from the first page, I couldn't put this story down.

Book: DEADLY LEGACY by Alison Bruce
Star Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Review: This story reminded me of the "whodunnit" and murder mysteries I grew up reading. Set slightly in the future, the characters and technology aren't beyond belief and the author is an amazing storyteller, but you don't feel like you're being told the story, it unfolds in front of you. The writing style may feel a bit "slow" to some. It seemed realistic that there is no "quick fix" when an investigation is afoot, but I do feel that it may detract somewhat from the overall action of the book. Definitely an addition to any "must read" list.

Book: A PURSE TO DIE FOR by Melodie Campbell & Cynthia St-Pierre
Star Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Review: This interesting mystery about a series of deaths starts out face-paced and continues that way until the end of the book. The characters interactions are relatable, but I just couldn't connect to the storyline and felt no real connection to the fashion/design aspect that it brought up in the book. That being said, I will still give other books by both these authors a try.

Book: CHEAT THE HANGMAN by Gloria Ferris
Star Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Review: This story is not your typical mystery story which kept me coming back to the book time and again. I was able to related to the protagonist and the characters in a realistic way, even when the situations were outside the realm of today's "normal". I enjoyed the aspect of secrets from the past coming back to "haunt" you and the humor. I could easily see this as a series.

Book: A HUMAN ELEMENT by Donna Galanti
Star Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Review: This story has a mixture of sci-fi and mystery that makes it hard to put down. I read half of it before I realized it was 6 am in the morning. I think that even though the situation isn't personally relatable, the characters have heart and feel real. It's a story that keeps you going and makes you think, a great addition to this bundle.

Book: LAKOTA HONOR by Kat Flannery
Star Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Review: I haven't read a story with a western setting since I was young and used to take my mom's Louis L'Amour books to read. The characters were believable and you find yourself feeling their emotions throughout. This story has everything you love - a strong female character, a "conflicted" leading male character and romance. Kat is truly an author worth adding to your library and I look forward to more stories of hers in the future.

Book: PELICAN BAY by Jesse Giles Christiansen
Star Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Review: This story has been called a love letter to the sea and that's true. It's the story of a young man, his first love and the interesting Captain Shelby. This book is now book two in the Captain Shelby trilogy. You're introduced to a small coastal town and the dark secrets it harbors. Is an inquisitive mind a good thing, or dangerous or both? Jesse Giles Christiansen is an amazing author, even though I felt at times his "inner poet" slowed this story down it was still well worth the read. You can see the full review here.

Book: SAFE HARBOR by Rosemary McCracken
Star Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Review: As a mother and wife, I could identify with Pat and I can't imagine what my response would be thrust into the situations that she is, but I feel like I would do whatever necessary to protect my family. Could I accept a child that wasn't mine as my own? I would like to think so, under the same circumstances. The plot moves on in a timely manner and keeps you looking for more, thinking "What would I do if this was me?" I do feel like some characters and plot points could have been developed further, but it may have weighed down the overall story, so I am pleased.

Book: SOUL AND SHADOW by Susan J. McLeod
Star Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Review: I absolutely love books that include ancient cultures and mythology, especially when you add mystery to the mix. The plot point was interesting, but I felt it was a little too similar to major plot points contained in the movie The Mummy, even if the information was executed differently. As part of a series, I really appreciate when books can stand alone, but this one ended abruptly and left so many questions. That being said, I still want to look further into the series before I let the characters and story go, and I will definitely try other books by this author.

Book: INNOCENT LITTLE CRIMES by C. S. Lakin
Star Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Review: This story reminds me of a murder mystery I once read many years ago in which a guests to a private island resort go missing and end up dead one by one. The writing style of the author was enjoyable, but unfortunately it's rare that a mystery goes unsolved for me until the author is ready for it and I often determine the plot too soon. It seems like the typical "unpopular in youth, popular later in life, revenge story" with a murderous twist. I think this book may have been better as multiple books, as it had a lot going on which made it hard to follow at some points and could have been better developed by turning one story into two or three to develop all the aspects more fully without slowing down the story line. Despite that I could relate to Lila in more ways than one, although I can't say that revenge is my ideal reason for a reunion.

Book: ROOM OF TEARS by Linda Merlino
Star Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Review: This story has been considered a tribute to 9/11 and those lost on that horrific day so many years ago. I felt as though Diane was mostly one of the more believable elements in the book, and I cried many times throughout this story. I felt like there were a lot of things going on in the story, from paranormal events and a question of faith, to a heartfelt attempt to help others sort the events through a fictional tale of the aftermath that tragedy left behind. I appreciate that the author, Linda, was trying to cover so much in one story, but it left some parts making no sense or at least not in flowing with the rest of the story. It could be because it's an emotional topic, so I would definitely give this author another try.

Book: DIVINE INTERVENTION by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Star Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review: Again, it's not often that a mystery story keeps me guessing until the end and I don't figure out the plot and storyline in advance of where the author has set to reveal everything, but this story did just that. It's easy to see why this author is award winning and this story is a best seller. Cheryl kept the characters real enough to be believable and draw you in even with the paranormal aspects to the story. The story was fast paced, but didn't seem rushed, I definitely enjoyed this story and look forward to adding her to my regular list of authors to check out.

[BERNICE · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would rate this a collection one star but....

I always read books to the end, no matter how bad. This book collection almost made me not finish a book for the first time and sadly, I was tempted to quit by several of the books in the collection. It started out that bad. However, a few books were not too bad, almost good. Some even had promise to be outstanding but the best stories in this collection still had problems: repetitive dialogue or too many "He winked" phrases or meanderings of plot.

Later I realized that nearly all the books were set in Canada or New York so I researched how this collection came to be. These are books published by the small publishing company called Imajin and it appears to be a collection to introduce the reader to their authors.

I generally like reading collections because it allows me to sample several authors cheaply in the pursuit of finding good writers.

I recommend that you research Pelican Bay by Jesse Giles Christiansen and Divine Intervention by Cheryl Kaye Tardif. If those two interest you, buy the collection. Otherwise, pass up wasting your hard-earned $1 buying this collection.

[Arlene Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of mystery/ thriller short stories. I personally have never read stories from these authors. But I feel like I have been missing awesome stories.
All of these stories were awesome! They were written so well. I spent the whole time just wanting to know who it was. I could not put my kindle down until I read all of them.
I am not normally a mystery/thriller fan but these ones were written in a way that made you invest you self into them. They weren't to creepy where it made you not want to read them.
I cannot say enough about this compilation book. Except you need to read it!

[gary l spellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection

Refreshing Canadian perspective on mysteries, crimes and sleuthing. Canadian settings made plots and characters fresher. Makes me want to visit Canada. Enjoyed them all.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something for everyone