Nancy Cane

What a perfect start to award-winning author Nancy J Cohen’s third book in The Drift Lords science fiction romance series, Warrior Lord. The action starts in Las Vegas, which often feels like outer space anyway. If you haven’t read the first two books in the series Warrior Lord is just fine as a standalone. But if you have already read Warrior Prince and Warrior Rogue, by this time you are all in. You have become accustomed to the idea that bizarre and mundane can happen at the same time show more and you go along for the ride. And what a fun ride it is. The Norse mythology is deep and enlightening, but never boring. Cohen seems to have pulled out all the stops this time as Magnor and Erika search for the sacred book of Odin. I was reminded of all my favorite science fiction movies and theme parks. And how cleverly Cohen uses them for the Trolleks to hide out and confound the tourists. And how extra clever that a kiss is protection against being confounded.

Erika and Magnor are another couple of stubborn, irritating, reckless, strong, brave, loyal people with a powerful – hot! – attraction between them and a lot of things they aren’t ready to share. Erika is a pottery sculptor, artistic, never felt close to her family, felt they judged her. Magnor is a warrior, a swordsman, betrayed by his family and the people of his community. So they are thrown together and while the attraction is strong (and the scenes are fun to read and have you fanning your face), neither of them thinks it can last.

They get married in Vegas, part of what seems to be a contest and all in fun. But Magnor recognizes her magic watch and realizes she is one of six women prophesied to save Earth. Her reason is a little more down-to-earth (sorry) and less altruistic than his. There is a hefty prize package she can use to further her education. When she finds out the marriage is real she realizes this may suit her need, too: she needs a husband for a year to gain access to her trust fund. Plus this guy is a pretty cute hunk and makes her tingle a bit; she just can’t get him out of her mind – or her arms. He is drawn to her, too, but after the shame on his home planet he has sworn off relationships. We’ll see . . . .

As always with one of author Cohen’s books, the writing is superb and the characters are deep and engaging. Even though I’ll probably never meet an ogre, be chased by a Trollek or meet and marry a huge, handsome, hunky almost-Drift Lord out to save my planet, I was completely drawn in and captivated by the story. When Zohar said “make it so” I was with Captain Picard, when Erika and Magnor had their audience before the King of Dwarves I was in the Emerald City with the Wizard, I could feel the splash of water in my face and hear Yo Ho in my head when they were in Loki’s Lair, I made my spinning escape through something like a Stargate and there were booby traps (and maybe snakes) like Indiana Jones. It’s a charming adventure good for a lot of laughs, but even if some of the creatures may not be real, the sense of danger is. Magnor and Erika have narrow escapes and have to use their wits to continue their important mission. And author Cohen definitely has her tongue in her cheek when Nira tells Erika, “That’s a whale of a tale for later.”

I loved these stories, and anything written by Cohen. Warrior Lord is, alas, the final book in The Drift Lord series. In my mind it could easily have been six books instead of three. After all, there are six daughters of Odin to match up with six Drift Lords. Or it could have gone on forever and I would have been happy. But authors do what authors must and three it is. It is an action-packed, non-stop thrill journey, well-written, well-plotted and thoroughly enjoyable. I unhesitatingly recommend you read it, as well as The Light-Years series, more sci-fi romantic fun, and the Bad Hair Day Mysteries. Whatever the genre, Cohen makes the characters feel real and makes you care about them. The mystery or adventure or family situation rings true and you want to learn the outcome. And hope it’s a good one. I was not required to provide a review and all opinions are my own. Read Warrior Lord. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did. show less

Star Tangled Murder is the eighteenth entry in the long-running A Bad Hair Day Mystery series by award-winning author Nancy J. Cohen. Wow, that’s a lot of books. Each book picks up right where the last one left off and builds on it, making you feel like you are meeting a treasured old friend and catching up. If like me you’ve read them all you’ll delight in spotting the references to the past; if you haven’t read them you’ll delight in this book as a standalone.

Marla and Dalton show more have been married three years now and Ryder is 13 months old. They are comfortable with each other. Comfortable enough to have arguments and get aggravated. Which is exactly how Star Tangled Murder starts. They are on their way to Pioneer Village to observe a recreation of early Florida life, a battle reenactment of the U.S. Army versus the Seminoles in 1836. Dalton will be retiring from his job as homicide detective in a couple months and to say Marla is kind of freaking out would be an understatement. We know how Marla likes her routines. She has the salon and the day spa and Ryder and works hard to juggle it all. The last thing she wants is a retired, stir-crazy, bored Dalton home all day every day upsetting that. Yes, she wants him to be happy and will support him but could he just get on with it and make that decision. To that end, she makes little suggestions: do woodworking, grow corn . . . to the point where it seems everything is a potential job or hobby. It’s almost comical – but only if you’re not Dalton.

Author Cohen quickly sets the scene and the tone for the day and the book, as well as refamiliarizing us with friends and family, Marla’s employees and Dalton’s coworkers. We settle in, this is familiar, these are people we know. But already we are waiting for the other shoe to drop, for that moment when Marla just happens to stumble upon a dead body. Even though she reminds herself frequently to stay away from danger and focus on the home front, she just can’t help trying to protect those she cares about or right a wrong. She starts out methodical and careful and bristling at Dalton’s warnings, but she inevitably unintentionally veers into recklessness. They are strolling along in Pioneer Village and hear a scream, the mystery and the murder to solve are established, and we’re off. The plot is solid, fast-moving, logical and full of surprises. The characters we already know keep us anchored in the familiar, pleasant routine of Marla’s day-to-day life. The new ones are a mix of good and bad: those to trust, those to suspect – and those to fear. Parts of the story are very intense. Marla and her friend Susan are in a lot of danger and have to think and act quickly. Marla was right to be suspicious of some of these folks, but the actions of others come as a shock, with everything leading to a very satisfying conclusion, both for the mystery and Marla’s personal life.

Marla’s life has changed a lot over the course of the series. As a result, she’s matured, and become more confident. In this book she’s even more relaxed, willing to let her often funny side show. She’s always been responsible, dedicated and loyal and now she’s demonstrated she can handle the roles of wife, mother and business owner very, very well. She always wanted to be a hairdresser but sleuthing is like a second calling. She’s good at it: observant, logical, able to get people to open up. So when she declares she’s done with mystery-solving and going to focus solely on the home front I take it with a grain of salt and will believe it when I see it. The inner conflict “to-sleuth-or-not-to-sleuth” is fun to watch.

In addition to the attention to detail and vivid descriptions of hair, clothes, jewelry, food, home and surroundings there is always a bonus to the Bad Hair Day mysteries in the form of learning. Just a little, not too much, fascinating. Cohen enriches these stories with facts you never realized you needed but were happy to get. Marla is curious, inquisitive, and eager to learn new things and Cohen weaves these lessons seamlessly into the narrative of the mystery. Pioneer Village was a treasure trove, starting with marshals vs. sheriffs and touching on muskets and rifles, plants including those that are poisonous, the Seminole Nation flag and Native American food, the history of buttons, buttonholes and fear of buttons, tea history and running an artisan tea plantation, gold coins missing from Civil War days, and last but not least Paleoethnobotany (look it up!) Something for everyone, and don’t forget to check out the author’s notes for more detail and recipes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest adventure with Marla. Cohen does an excellent job of making Marla seem like a real person while expertly blending in the mystery, resulting in a fresh yet familiar story that you will love. The wrap up of both the case and the latest family/friends happenings is terrific. Has Dalton selected a job all on his own so that Marla can stop looking? Is she really yearning for a daughter and might there be an addition to their family on the way? Can she do it – stop searching for clues? You’ll just have to read Star Tangled Murder and find out. And then of course you’ll have to read all the previous books. Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of Star Tangled Murder via NetGalley. I can’t recommend it enough. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review; all opinions are my own. show less

I am not an author or an aspiring author but Writing the Cozy Mystery: Expanded Second Edition by author Nancy J. Cohen is so thorough, complete and easy-to-read that I think I am probably ready to launch my writing career. Well, maybe not quite yet, but it really is an outstanding reference guide for anyone who writes, ranging from wannabe mystery authors to experienced, published authors who are looking to refresh their books. Detailed and well-organized without being overwhelming, this is show more a good go-to reference to keep on your desktop when you want a quick check or refresher.

Cohen begins by defining what is and what is not a cozy mystery, and then throughout the book provides well-chosen, relevant, relatable examples likely familiar to the book’s target audience. Examples are drawn from television shows, movies and her own work and illustrate the point being made. If you have read any of Cohen’s books, particularly from her long-running, successful Bad Hair Day Mystery series, you will see at once that she does, indeed, practice what she preaches. It’s subtle and not obviously recognized in the structure of her books, but the elements of Writing the Cozy Mystery are clearly there when you stop to look. It’s no wonder the Bad Hair Day Mysteries are so enjoyable to read and the mysteries within such fun to try and solve.

Chapter headings clearly indicate what will be covered in each chapter and chapters are presented in the logical order to begin your writing project. Cohen hits just the right tone, serious and professional but lighthearted enough to prevent it from becoming a dry lecture and the length of the book makes it an easily accessible resource. Exercises are inserted throughout as well as references and links to point the reader to more in-depth explanations or learning or subjects that are outside the scope of this book.

I received an audiobook copy of Writing the Cozy Mystery from the author and purchased a digital copy. Cohen does an excellent job focusing on cozy mysteries; it’s hard to describe, but the look, feel and sound of this book are just like the look, feel and sound of a cozy mystery. Writing the Cozy Mystery was educational, fun to read and a comprehensive, valuable tool to help a cozy mystery writer make the Story Magic happen. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

I don’t think “Mazel Tov!” is actually the opposite of “Oy vey” – as Marla’s mother Anita is fond of saying – but whatever the opposite is, that’s what I felt after reading Styled for Murder, the seventeenth book in author Nancy J. Cohen’s Bad Hair Day Mystery series. At the end of Easter Hair Hunt, book #16, I wasn’t quite sure if we would see Marla again or not. She was expecting a baby and many plot points were very nicely wrapped up and all characters were accounted show more for. So I have to admit that I was a little afraid Marla would ride off into the Mommy Sunset.

But Marla is back! Yes, life has changed and she has had to change with it, but we’ve still got the essential Marla that we’ve all grown to know and love. As a fan of the series from the beginning I have enjoyed seeing Marla grow with each book, adapting to and savoring changes in her professional and personal lives. She has always been an efficient, capable businesswoman, and then a loving wife and partner to Dalton and loving stepmother to his daughter Brianna. And while she is now a devoted mother to their son Ryder, motherhood has not changed her fundamentally - she's still pragmatic, detailed, organized, loyal, determined, and stubborn. No flighty, mushy Marla :)

As Styled for Murder opens Marla’s response to her mother Anita’s cry for help after finding a dead tile guy in the bathroom they are renovating is rather low-key, but that’s normal for her; panicking is not her style. And from some of her inner thoughts we deduce that Marla is a bit peeved at Anita and her (somewhat) new husband Reed for moving a town or so away. Not out of reach but not just around the corner when Marla could really use some help and advice with Ryder. We enjoy a little humor at Marla’s expense: motherhood is pretty overwhelming at times, juggling family, friends, and the job. And now she has to fit in some sleuthing. She “retired” from investigating when Ryder was born, but this is her mother we’re talking about and she is not about to rest while Anita and Reed may be in danger.

Styled for Murder has a wonderful, complex, fast-moving plot with many, many connections – kind of a 6-degrees of separation – and hints and secrets and clues and surprises and twists that you won’t see coming but make perfect sense when you do. The large cast of characters have complicated backstories that make their current behavior and motives consistent and understandable. Dalton and Marla are an old married couple now, but she still loves to eyeball that handsome husband of hers. Ryder is adorable. Brianna is a joy as always. Anita, as always, can be irritating and Reed and his secrecy fits right in. But they are a loving family and they will do whatever it takes to keep each other safe and happy. Marla is still pragmatic and ordered and somehow gets people to open up and talk to her even though what she asks is often very personal and intrusive.

Styled for Murder is a thoughtful, well-written book that was impossible to put down. Once again I enjoyed the perfectly detailed descriptions of clothes, hair and accessories – and people – and was delighted to learn something about edible gold (!??!) and copper robberies. There is also a little hint at the end about things to come so I cannot wait for the next book in this always delightful series. Thanks to author Nancy J. Cohen for providing an advance copy for my reading pleasure and honest review. Read it! Read the entire series! All opinions are my own. show less