Book Review and Giveaway: Sprinkled with Sabotage

"Miss Peach in the Courtyard with a Rope!" I announced to Robert and Gracie when I tried to guess who-dun-it in our latest game of Clue Master Detective.  I opened the envelope and was stunned to see Fountain written on the card instead of Courtyard.  I looked at my notes and, chagrinned, admitted, "I forgot I had the Courtyard."  My daughter had already guessed wrongly - because she didn't realize I had two cards when she guessed in one particular room - which meant my husband won yet again - but this time only because we messed up.  Oh well, it goes like that sometimes.

I love a good mystery with some suspense thrown in and Sprinkled with Sabotage was a good story in that genre.

  Like in my most recent game of Clue, I was able to put together most of the unknowns but not in the way I thought it would be.  That, to me, makes for a good story.  Overall, I enjoyed this book.  I only put it down when there was something else I had to do (like take my daughter home from two different activities - how dare they not go into overtime?!).  The story is riveting and the setting is very realistic.  The characters come alive on the page and grow through the book. Lizzy Bennet is tough as nails and yet vulnerable to some degree.  Koby is a down-to-earth, simple comforts kind of guy who becomes a hero to Lizzy more than once.

The only thing I didn't like about the book is that it became quite obvious early on that this was not the first book of a series.  There were a couple of backstories alluded to, one of which was essential to the story and came out in small doses, so that was fine.  The other backstory (perhaps more than one?) was mentioned but was confusing to me since I have not read the other books.  I'm not sure if I would rather have not had those details in the story or not.  At the very least, I think I would've appreciated a page or two summarizing what had happened before this book took place in the front part of the book.  I did enjoy the book well enough that I want to (someday) go back and read the other books in the series.  Also, I think that there should be at least one more book in the series as a nefarious character mentioned seems to be in an ongoing subplot, and I would like to see that person caught.

I only highlighted one quote this time, although I wish I had highlighted more:

"What they intended for bad, God intended for good."  Koby's attention was drawn back to the pastor's words as he closed the service in prayer.  God, if [name redacted]'s intentions are bad, give me the opportunity to turn it around for good.

I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit so that I could read and review it.

About the Book

Book:  Sprinkled with Sabotage

Author: Allison Pearl

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

 

Lizzy Bennet loves life as a lawyer in the city. And not just because of the miles it puts between her and her ex. However, when she’s attacked on the street just hours after learning her identity was stolen, she tries to call home for help and ends up with the last person she expects: the very same high school boyfriend who broke her heart. He says he’s there to help, but she’s not so sure, and now, all the endless questions and regrets are clouding her judgment and preventing her from seeing the dangerous saboteur closing in.

Small-town auto mechanic, Koby Knightly, is looking forward to seeing a car show in the city. But when an unexpected call from his old girlfriend disconnects suddenly, he rushes to her apartment only to find her limping and bleeding. Throwing his plans out the window, Koby makes it his mission to protect her and discover the identity of the person trying to frame her. Will he also be able to figure out what went wrong between them back in high school or will a killer get to her first?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Allison Pearl is a small-town girl who’s lived just about everywhere. She loves books, tea, chocolate, and watching old movies with her husband and black lab, Sal. To keep in touch and get updates on new releases follow her Facebook page ‘Books by Pearl’ at www.facebook.com/allisonnicolepearl/ or follow her on Twitter at @AllisonPearl5 and Instagram at @allisonnicolepearl.

 

More from Allison

Doughnuts and Suspense: Now’s the Time

 

In a lot of ways, this pandemic season we are in is encouraging. Quarantined families are spending time together that sports, events, and the demands of normal everyday life wouldn’t otherwise have allowed. Churches are finding new and creative ways to connect with people and share hope. Stories of mind-blowing generosity are popping up on social media all the time. Yes, there’s a lot to be excited about.

But in a lot of other ways, this all sucks. Domestic violence. Drug addiction. Unemployment. Their numbers are all up. And on top of that, hundreds and thousands of people have died from this coronavirus.

We’re all doing our best to hang in there. But you know what, it’s okay to not be okay. And it’s okay to do something for yourself. Do it now. Do it five minutes ago. We’ve all earned it. Don’t stress about the COVID 15 creeping up your bathroom scale. Go get a doughnut. Get two. And then pour yourself a coffee and sit down with a book and escape. Worry about what’s going to happen in a made-up person’s life for a few minutes instead of what new catastrophe is about to drop. Escape into those I-didn’t-see-that-coming moments. Pick up a suspense that will beg you to keep turning the pages and spend an evening in a comfy chair reading chapters instead of headlines. God can handle the news. You handle you.

Above all, I want Sprinkled with Sabotage and the whole Love and Danger in St. Claire series to give you a break and the comfort that faith brings. Enjoy!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 6

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 6

Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, January 7

Reflections From My Bookshelves, January 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 8

Artistic Nobody, January 9 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, January 10

Texas Book-aholic, January 11

Stephanie's Life of Determination, January 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 12

deb's Book Review, January 13

CarpeDiem, January 13

Inklings and notions, January 14

For Him and My Family, January 15

Blogging With Carol, January 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 16

Splashes of Joy, January 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 18

Maureen's Musings, January 18

Batya's Bits, January 19

A Novel Pursuit, January 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Allison is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10531/sprinkled-with-sabotage-celebration-tour-giveaway