A Quarter for a Kiss (Clark, Mindy Starns. Million Dollar Mysteries, 4.)

Rating:
Summary: Buckle Your Seat Belts
Review: Charity investigator Callie Webber finally seems to be having some joy in her life. Although heartbroken by the death of her beloved husband in a boating accident, she has just started to explore a relationship with Tom Bennett, Callie's boss and the philanthropist behind the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation. As they are ending their vacation together in the North Carolina mountains they receive a devastating call; Eli Gold, Tom's friend and Callie's mentor, has just been shot and his last words before sliding into unconsciousness were to ask for the couple's help.

After rushing to Eli's bedside they discover that he had been tracking down a woman he had thought was dead but is apparently very much alive. Callie also learns that Eli has been hiding his own secret past, namely his history with the National Security Agency and his ties with the mysterious woman. As Tom and Callie follow the trail to the Caribbean island of St. John they find themselves involved in a complicated scheme involving art fraud, secret identities, and double-crosses. Complicating matters is that just as Callie allows herself to believe that it's possible to find two loves in a lifetime she must confront Tom's own past and whether she has enough trust left in her to believe in him.

Although labeled an inspirational Christian mystery, Quarter for a Kiss easily crosses into the mainstream thriller genre with its fascinating plot and fast pace. The action speeds up as Tom and Callie use his rock climbing skills to stage an elaborate break-in into an extensively guarded home and coordinate their investigation with federal agents. One of the most entertaining scenes is the detailed description of Callie's attempt to place bugs within the home of their suspect by using actual bug traps. Additionally, Clark so vividly paints a picture of St. John that the reader feels the breezes and sees the clear ocean. The author successfully creates great characters that are conflicted and very real, from Jodi, Eli's immature adult daughter, to Sergeant Abraham Ruhl, the St. John's police officer who is unwilling to give up his investigation to Interpol or the NAS. Of course, Clark's greatest achievement comes with Callie and Tom, who are both very engaging and slowly building a stronger relationship together. Callie's wit, investigative skills, perseverance, and faith will ensure the success of this fourth entry in the winning Million Dollar Mystery series.

Rating:
Summary: Buckle Your Seat Belts
Review: Charity investigator Callie Webber finally seems to be having some joy in her life. Although heartbroken by the death of her beloved husband in a boating accident, she has just started to explore a relationship with Tom Bennett, Callie's boss and the philanthropist behind the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation. As they are ending their vacation together in the North Carolina mountains they receive a devastating call; Eli Gold, Tom's friend and Callie's mentor, has just been shot and his last words before sliding into unconsciousness were to ask for the couple's help.

After rushing to Eli's bedside they discover that he had been tracking down a woman he had thought was dead but is apparently very much alive. Callie also learns that Eli has been hiding his own secret past, namely his history with the National Security Agency and his ties with the mysterious woman. As Tom and Callie follow the trail to the Caribbean island of St. John they find themselves involved in a complicated scheme involving art fraud, secret identities, and double-crosses. Complicating matters is that just as Callie allows herself to believe that it's possible to find two loves in a lifetime she must confront Tom's own past and whether she has enough trust left in her to believe in him.

Although labeled an inspirational Christian mystery, Quarter for a Kiss easily crosses into the mainstream thriller genre with its fascinating plot and fast pace. The action speeds up as Tom and Callie use his rock climbing skills to stage an elaborate break-in into an extensively guarded home and coordinate their investigation with federal agents. One of the most entertaining scenes is the detailed description of Callie's attempt to place bugs within the home of their suspect by using actual bug traps. Additionally, Clark so vividly paints a picture of St. John that the reader feels the breezes and sees the clear ocean. The author successfully creates great characters that are conflicted and very real, from Jodi, Eli's immature adult daughter, to Sergeant Abraham Ruhl, the St. John's police officer who is unwilling to give up his investigation to Interpol or the NAS. Of course, Clark's greatest achievement comes with Callie and Tom, who are both very engaging and slowly building a stronger relationship together. Callie's wit, investigative skills, perseverance, and faith will ensure the success of this fourth entry in the winning Million Dollar Mystery series.

Rating:
Summary: fantastic Million Dollar Mystery
Review: In the North Carolina Mountains, Callie and Tom spend three weeks together becoming acquainted in person with one another after only meeting over the telephone due to work. Tom is the philanthropist behind the J.O.S.H.U.A. Project while Callie investigates non-profit groups for grant suitability. Tom introduces Callie to his favorite hobby, mountain climbing while Callie does likewise with canoeing. Both feel something special connects them.

As their time together draws to a close, Stella Gold calls to tell them that her spouse, Eli the man who brought Callie and Tom together has been shot. They rush to Cape Canaveral to visit Eli in the hospital. The ailing Eli asks Callie and Tom to find out who shot him. The duo would refuse nothing if Eli asked so they begin investigating and soon find themselves in danger in the Virgin Islands from someone who wants certain truths to remain hidden.

The fourth Million Dollar Mystery' is a fantastic story that moves the series forward on a personal level as well as providing the audience with a delightful who-done-it. The relationship between Tom and Callie evolves beautifully as each finds they are falling in love with the other, but has baggage holding them back. The amateur sleuth inquiries is cleverly handled because of Callie, who though she is not a detective, her work makes her something more than an amateur. Mindy Starns Clark keeps the suspense going from the moment the dynamic pair reach Florida until the final confrontation in St. Johns and the romance blossoming from the first wall climb to the closing discussion making the upcoming half dollar tale something to look forward to reading.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: fantastic Million Dollar Mystery
Review: In the North Carolina Mountains, Callie and Tom spend three weeks together becoming acquainted in person with one another after only meeting over the telephone due to work. Tom is the philanthropist behind the J.O.S.H.U.A. Project while Callie investigates non-profit groups for grant suitability. Tom introduces Callie to his favorite hobby, mountain climbing while Callie does likewise with canoeing. Both feel something special connects them.

As their time together draws to a close, Stella Gold calls to tell them that her spouse, Eli the man who brought Callie and Tom together has been shot. They rush to Cape Canaveral to visit Eli in the hospital. The ailing Eli asks Callie and Tom to find out who shot him. The duo would refuse nothing if Eli asked so they begin investigating and soon find themselves in danger in the Virgin Islands from someone who wants certain truths to remain hidden.

The fourth Million Dollar Mystery' is a fantastic story that moves the series forward on a personal level as well as providing the audience with a delightful who-done-it. The relationship between Tom and Callie evolves beautifully as each finds they are falling in love with the other, but has baggage holding them back. The amateur sleuth inquiries is cleverly handled because of Callie, who though she is not a detective, her work makes her something more than an amateur. Mindy Starns Clark keeps the suspense going from the moment the dynamic pair reach Florida until the final confrontation in St. Johns and the romance blossoming from the first wall climb to the closing discussion making the upcoming half dollar tale something to look forward to reading.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A page turner
Review: The first book in the Million Dollar Mysteries that you get to see Callie and Tom work so closely together. Clark drives the story along amongst breathtaking scenery, and mounting action. She kept me turing the pages and I finished the story in a short time. The Christianity part wasn't overbearing. I enjoyed being able to see a bit more of Tom, and can't wait to read what the next book will tell of him and Callie.

The only flaw with the series is that the story is "told" to you. I feel as if I don't get to feel and see as Callie actually does, that she is holding me slightly at bay. For a story written in FP POV, I'd like to have more of my senses involved. But it still is a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling and entertaining
Review: The latest in the Million Dollar Mysteries series is, as always with this author's work, better than the last (and that was pretty good to begin with). Her characters are deepening, she has a gift for plot and structure, and she leaves you wishing she could write the next book fast enough to read as soon as you're done with this one. As Callie and her new beau (and still boss) Tom investigate the shooting of an old, dear friend, the stakes are higher than usual, the emotions are more intense and the story is propelled forward more forcefully. The secrets are many, the solutions make sense and the reader is left wanting more. Can you ask for more than that?

Rating:
Summary: Compelling and entertaining
Review: The latest in the Million Dollar Mysteries series is, as always with this author's work, better than the last (and that was pretty good to begin with). Her characters are deepening, she has a gift for plot and structure, and she leaves you wishing she could write the next book fast enough to read as soon as you're done with this one. As Callie and her new beau (and still boss) Tom investigate the shooting of an old, dear friend, the stakes are higher than usual, the emotions are more intense and the story is propelled forward more forcefully. The secrets are many, the solutions make sense and the reader is left wanting more. Can you ask for more than that?