WWII - A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE - LED BY A LITTLE OWL - TWO SOLDIERS - A GERMAN & AN AMERICAN SHELTER IN A CAVE. WILL THEY BOTH MAKE IT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS? A CHRISTMAS OWL IS WONDERFUL STORY BY VIV DREWA

Visit World War II Germany, but this won’t be a pleasant holiday when two brave soldiers face dire circumstances against heavy odds – can a mystical owl lead them to safety before it’s too late?

Gigi Sedlmayer, Book Excellence Award Finalist winning author of the Talon series

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing story of survival

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020

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It is world War II, Soldiers are getting diploid to join the war in Germany.
So was Tom. He had to go just before Christmas. His family hoped he would be back by Christmas.
But tragedy happens. Tom was separated from his platoon, while running to safety.
Hiding he knew he had to come out and go to and find the border to Switzerland, to safety. But not really knowing where to go, an owl found him and helped him. Not really believing, but he still followed it.
Did the owl really guided him to safety? And was he found before he starved to death? Could he spent Christmas with his family?
A very inspiring story. I recommend it to everyone.

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DID NATALIE REALLY COMMIT SUICIDE? AND WHO KILLED TERRI? DEAD TO WRITES BOOK 7 OF THE LAURA & GERRY MYSTERY SERIES BY KAREN VAUGHAN

Natalie Fisher committed suicide after an author stole her work and published it as her own. Two years later, her best friend Terri is found dead in her hotel room. Are the two deaths connected? Laura Fitz and Detective Gibbons are on the case to trap a ruthless author trying to get away with.

Cold Coffee rated it it was amazing

Whether you have been following the Laura & Gerry Mystery series, or you are jumping into book seven in the series like myself, you will enjoy the read.

Sit back in your favorite beach chair, relax with lemonade in hand, and follow Laura Fitz and Detective Gibbons as they try to unravel the mystery of why Terri Carter is the second author to die. Best not to drink wine and eat dark chocolate while reading this very active, short, easy to read, suspenseful mystery. Keep reading and you will learn why….

Chapter one opens in November 2015 with Natalie Fisher frantically searching for her flash drive which holds her finished manuscript. If data has ever gone missing on your PC, you can relate to her dilemma. For an author who has just invested their life into a manuscript, traumatic is an understatement. This is the beginning of more than one mystery that will keep you turning the page. Question remains, is theft of a manuscript worth committing suicide over?

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WHEN THE THUGS FIND OUT PETE DIDN'T DIE THE GAME IS ON. CAN THEY KEEP HIM SAFE? LEFT FOR DEAD - BOOK 6 OF THE LAURA & GERRY MYSTERY SERIES BY KAREN VAUGHAN.

Things are really starting to heat up in the Fitz family. Even pregnant, Laura can't stay out of harms way after Gerry’s cousin and best buddy is left for dead after a beating. When the thugs responsible find out he didn’t die, the game is on to keep Pete safe until he has to testify. After finding a body on a mountain trail in cottage country Laura helps a local police officer solve the crime while waiting for the birth of her first baby.

P.S. Winn

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder and mystery have never been such fun.

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2017

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I think Karen Vaughan must have fun every time she sits down to write a story, Thankfully the humor and fun come through n her books and readers get a delightful read that also adds in murder, mystery and suspense. The novels with Laura and Gerry are a series that can also be read as stand alone books, I highly recommend all of them because readers will love the characters the author has created. In this story, murder and mystery connect to mob ties and the adventure is on. For me, I loved that a neighbor of Laura and Gerry's and a tenant in the building they manage is the one caught up in murder. Through the books, I have found, Stella is the character you love to hate. Grabbing a book by this author always guarantees a good read, a fun story and a murderous adventure.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars DELIGHTFUL MURDER MYSTERY

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2016

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Left for Dead by Karen Vaughan, is witty and intelligently told mystery story. It’s the 6th in the Laura and Gerry mysteries series and a delightfully penned book.

It seems even pregnancy will not stop Laura Fitz from being a corpse magnet, as she stumbles yet again onto another dead body. While Laura is talking to the police, she receives a phone call from hubby. Apparently, Laura’s gift or curse for discovering the dead and becoming embroiled in the nasty affairs of the murder has rubbed off on to Gerry, for he has found his cousin near death.

The Fitz’s have once again become entangled in murder, mayhem, the lives of others along with the danger it entails. But, through it, all Laura remains her witty self. Gerry doesn’t fair as well as his love for Laura and their coming baby, upset his judgement at times. After all, it is difficult to be objective when the life of one's wife is on the line.

Ms. Vaughan has another terrific read in Left for Dead. I enjoyed this book enormously and highly recommend it to everyone.

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A PERUVIAN MYSTERY STRAIGHT OUT OF THE INDIANA JONES MOLD. THE OWL OF THE LORD OF SIPAN - BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR VIV DREWA

Martin and Clare Montgomery worked together as an archaeological team until Martin mysteriously died. Fearing the rumors of a curse Clare vowed to never return that was until a rare blue eyes owl began to haunt her dreams. Was this a sign from her beloved Martin or something more sinister?

Broadway Turk Superstar

5.0 out of 5 stars Shadows of El Brujo?

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2014

The Owl of the Sipan Lord by Viv Drewa is an action-packed adventure novel centered on the exploits of Clare Montgomery, a widowed 52-year-old archaeologist. She goes on a vision quest to Peru along with Cord Willoughby, intent on discovering the secrets of La Senora de Cao. The mysterious death of Hans Windmueller leaves little doubt as to the presence of evil spirits along the trail. Upon arrival in El Brujo, they find themselves delving headlong into a web of mystery, intrigue and murder. It takes them to the ancient Temple of the Moon, where they enlist the aid of the Lord of Sipan, Cantunta. They find that his daughter Adelgonda awaits in the land of the dead, and only by overcoming the evil goddess can they rid the land of the curse of Cao.

The author develops her tale with artistic flair, bringing us into the storyline with authentic narratives of Peruvian society and culture. There is also the midlife element portrayed by Clare’s affair with Cord, leading to the possibility of a pregnancy that serves as a highly unexpected distraction. Yet the dream sequences force the reader to keep their eye on the ball as her visions reveal the imminent danger awaiting them. The theme of betrayal resonates throughout the novel as Adelgonda endangers not only the lives of her parents but her entire clan as her death cult endures. It brings us to a dramatic conclusion as Clare and Cord are brought face-to-face with the ancient demons in a final showdown.

For action/adventure fans as well as sorcery buffs, The Owl of the Sipan Lord by Viv Drewa is a worthy addition to your collection.

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DEAD MEN DON'T SWING - BOOK 4 OF THE LAURA & GERRY MYSTERY SERIES BY KAREN VAUGHAN, IS ONE SLIGHTLY BAWDY FUN MURDER MYSTERY

Laura and Gerry have moved from Scarborough to North York. Death has followed them to the highrise they manage and Laura has to deal with a tenant with attitude as well as a dead one in the dumpster. Cookie the corpse magnet strikes again in this hilarious yet slightly bawdy mystery.

Christina rated it it was amazing

I was surprised several times by this book and that’s hard to do to this reader these days. Karen Vaughan has cleverly weaved a murder mystery that had me thinking I knew what was about to happen. “Dead Men Don’t Swing” is an easy and entertaining read in which a married woman kills her lover who decided to dump her. Of course Laura Fitz is the one to discover the body and is thrown straight into the melee of murder, swingers and insane tenants.

Laura has become a likeable character and though you do need to suspend disbelief in some of these situations, it’s still a fun read. I do have to warn you not to get too overconfident like I did as the story reached its climax. I thought I was about to seriously disappointed in the ending and I wasn’t. So here’s my take, if you need to be entertained this is the book for you.

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A TRUE STORY OF ESCAPE FROM RUSSIAN OCCUPIED POLAND IN 1913 BY VIV DREWA - FROM THE PAGES OF GRANDFATHER'S LIFE WILL CAPTURE YOU FROM PAGE ONE.

Story of a young man's escape from Russian ruled Poland in 1913.

Crysmisty

5.0 out of 5 stars Loving Legacy!

Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2016

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Grandfather fought for his freedom not unlike the slaves who fought for their in the south around the time of the civil war. Grandfather escaped from a communist regime in Russia and Poland to make a better life for himself and his family. The things this man had to endure during his escape from what sounds like a living hell makes me realize the pursuit of happiness of the human race. A place to live in peace, freedom, liberty and justice. The author of this book is his granddaughter a lovely person who carries on her grandfathers legacy in a beautiful and endearing way. Read this short excerpt of Grandfather's life. It is humbling to say the least. A feel good read.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking Reality

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2018

In nineteen-thirteen, when Lucjen finds out that he will be drafted into the Russian military, and forced to fight his friends and neighbors for the Russian Czar. He and his friend Franciszek, join twenty other people in an harrowing escape to the Americas.

Ms. Drewa's short story of her grandfather's escape holds all the fear, terror, and hardship one would expect if they themself were living through it.

I hope that Ms. Drewa turns this suspense filled story into a novella. This brief glimpse into the times leaves one begging for more.

Kudos to Viv Drewa for taking on the telling of her grandfather's journey. A must read for both history buffs and those who love adventure, and suspense.

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DAYTONA DEAD - IN BOOK 3 OF THE LAURA & GERRY MYSTERY SERIES BY KAREN VAUGHAN - TAKES THEIR HONEYMOON INTO A DANGEROUS TURN.

The honeymoon of Laura and Gerry Fitz is off to a fast-paced yet deadly start when they arrive in Florida. There is a maniac behind the wheel who needs to win at all costs. When he wins, life is great but when he loses he is DRIVEN TO KILL!
The first victim off the starting line is Laura's ex-husband Lou, and she is taking it personally. Mix in a creepy cop and some unexpected surprises and you have a race for your life. Who will win and who will wipe out?...

Marilyn Kubinak

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous read

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2013

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Karen has brought to life once more Laura and Jerry. I have read all but one of Karens book and I really feel this one and last are so good. She brings her characters alive so I feel I know them. Also I sure would like to meet them. When I find an author that can make me feel I am there with the lead characters, I feel the author has done her job. I hopoe Karen will keep writing about these characters. She also is a very special person and hope one day to meet her. We play a lot on pogo, I hope people will join me in encouraging her to keep writing.

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