Five Things You Should Know about Sgt. Windflower by Mike Martin, Author of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series

 

RCMP officer Winston Windflower’s rare afternoon off gets interrupted when a hit and run turns into murder and he must pull together a team of Mounties from Newfoundland to resolve the crime. Following the money and fentanyl— and bodies—Windflower and his team join forces with police officers in southern Ontario to take down an international drug-smuggling ring.

Windflower must face personal doubts and fears when fellow Mountie Fil Romano is kidnapped. While the higher-ups at HQ make plans to give safe passage to the drug lords in return for Romano’s life, Windflower worries Romano will get caught in the crossfire. Windflower again looks to his friends and allies for help in the difficult hours and days ahead.

PURCHASE A CHANGE IN PLANS HERE!

Five Things You Should Know

 about Sgt. Windflower

Hi everybody, and pleased to meet you. I’m Sgt. Winston Windflower of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Mounties, as we’re better known. Here are five things you should know about me.

1. I’m a Cree from Northern Alberta who got assigned to a small town in Newfoundland, on the easternmost tip of Canada. Grand Bank has become home to me and my beautiful wife, Sheila. We have two adorable daughters, Lady the collie, and Molly the cat. 
2. I love living in Grand Bank. I fell in love with the place first, and then I met Sheila. That sealed the deal. I love almost everything about Grand Bank. But not the weather. If you read any of the Sgt. Windflower Mysteries, you will see why. 
3. I like to cook. My specialties are anything you can grill, especially meat. But I love to eat even more. Meat, fish, and whatever vegetables Sheila puts in front of me. My favorite dessert is chocolate peanut butter cheesecake. You can get it at the Mug-Up café in Grand Bank.
4. I have great friends. Eddie Tizzard has been a Mountie and assigned to the same area as me for the last eight years. He likes to eat even more than me. Herb Stoodley is a former Crown Attorney who co-owns the Mug-Up café. That really is friends with benefits.
5. I try to be a good person in the world. I have learned from my ancestors and family to always try and be kind. My Aunt Marie says that I should be strong like grass. It will lie down if you step on it, but when the pressure eases, it is resilient and rises up again. I am working on that.

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer, and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand.

He is the award-winning author of the best-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 17 books in this light mystery series with the publication of A Change in Plans. 

A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. All That Glitters was shortlisted for the LOLA 2024 Must Read Book of the Year award.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks, and the latest Darkest Before the Dawn was released as an audiobook in 2024. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

Mike is the Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers, and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and Capital Crime Writers.

Visit Mike’s website at https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com. 

Connect with him on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mike54martin 

First Chapter Review & Giveaway: Freedom Drop by Brian Silverman

 

Freedom Drop, the first book in the Len Buonfiglio Caribbean Mystery Series, is on tour with Partners in Crime Tours. 

BLURB:  Len Buonfiglio is a former New York bar owner and family man. He has the perfect life until he yearns for more—for something he knows will destroy everything he had, but something he can’t resist. He makes his choice and that, along with a traumatic event, shatters his world. His life and what he had now broken, his only choice is to leave the city and his family. His flight takes him to the remote Caribbean island of St. Pierre where he opens a sports bar that he runs with his friend and partner, a young local islander named Tubby Levett.

In Freedom Drop, a genial tour guide, Rawle “Big Tree” Johns is a suspect in an American woman’s fall from a cliff and held in custody. John’s mother enlists Buonfiglio to help free her son and to prove that he had nothing to do with the woman’s death. Conflicted by the need to spend time with his sixteen-year-old daughter who he hasn’t seen in two years, Mr. Len as he’s known on the island, reluctantly agrees to help.

Buonfiglio’s search for the truth reveals that there are other, much more powerful forces involved in the woman’s death that threaten both his life and his family. In the course of his investigation, he confronts a high-ranking island politician, the local superintendent of police, the dead girl’s mother, and, ultimately, a shady yet powerful outsider investor. Was the girl’s death an accident or did Johns cause that accident? Or was she murdered? The lack of clarity—the mystery of what really happened to the girl—he realizes, reflects the enigma that is St. Pierre. It’s a riddle that, despite living on the island for several years, he still cannot solve.

COVER: What a beautiful cover! Love the colors, the texture, and the deep blue sky with the moon adding a hint of mystery. 

FIRST CHAPTER: Len and his best friend on the island, Tubby, are driving to the airport. Numerous people descend the ladder as they make their way across the landing strip, but Len's eyes are on only one person.

KEEP READING: After a suspenseful and intense prologue that takes place in the past and sometime in the present, the reader finds Len and Tubby headed down the dangerous roads of St. Pierre to the airport. Silverman provides just the right amount of description to keep the reader engaged, without bogging them down with what they don't need to know yet. The friendly banter between Len and Tubby helps to lighten the emotions of the trip. The reader must wonder at this point how many, if any, of these other new arrivals to the island will play a bigger role, but the one Len has been waiting for will certainly be part of the story. I'm eager to see what happens next!

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DTJ8TSMW
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Down & Out Books
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 7, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
• Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 301 pages 
• Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled 

Read an excerpt from FREEDOM DROP:  

I received a copy of this book from the author. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Tour Participants:

Ready to visit the caribbean? Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

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This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Brian Silverman. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

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Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Jan 29

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.   

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.   

Welcome to the last Monday in January. Can you believe it? I feel like this year will totally fly by. 

Sunday was snowy and wet. We actually had a pretty yucky weather week, but that's to be expected this time of year.

I've been using my time wisely, organizing my home office, cleaning out the bonus room (ugh), and putting some systems in place for my 2024 real estate business. I also edited all 23 chapters of Amelia's Mission. That is a historical middle grade novel that I swear I've been working on forever. Now that I have a good system in place for novel writing, I want to use that to complete it. 

In my reading world, I also had a productive week.

You can find the review of this one here. Enjoyed it better than I thought I would. 

My review of this one appeared here on Sunday. Highly recommended for lovers of Amish romance. 

I also snuck in this booklet that I snagged for free Sunday. My review is here.

I also continued with these two.

I need to read these next. 

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy - Jan 31 (interview)  
• Arresting Alan by Amber Daulton - Feb 1 (guest post)
• When the Red Bird Flies by Courtney Reames Haydell - Feb 5 (review at TC&TBC)
• Civil Twilight by Anique Taylor - Feb 19 (guest post)

At the Christmas Year Round blog last week

• After Christmas Sales
• Cutting Back on Christmas

 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Another decent mailbox this week.

That's it for me today. I look forward to visiting your blogs to check out what your reading and you're new arrivals. Hope you have a blessed day.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Oct 2

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.  

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.     

Welcome to the first Monday in October! Hope your weather has been drier than ours. At this point, I'm thinking of building an ark.

Last week was a good one. The schedule was a bit slower than usual, which I appreciated. Even had time to fit in a long overdue massage and head to Boston to take in a pre-season Bruins game. 

While I rarely post photos of houses I view with clients, this one reminded me of my childhood and those years before I was even born. 

Not sure this is the most inclusive choice in wallcoverings. 

This is wood grain paneling with artwork. I usually see plain paneling in a house, but today two properties had something similar to the design above. 

This faux electric fireplace is hung on a faux brick wall. The screen can be moved out of the way to reveal a pretend gray mound (honestly thought it would look like logs), and hidden behind that is a lightbulb plugged into a red and yellow glass that must create a glowing embers feel. I found this one online that Sears, Roebuck & Co. used to sell, but that is a forced air heater. 

I am preparing for NaNoWriMo, so I need to stay on top of my reading. With two book reviews this month and two First Chapter Reviews, and then three books to review in November, discipline will be the key to success. 

Finished this historical comic last week. Will definitely be looking for more of these. Review here.

Grabbed these three from NetGalley. My review of this rhyming book series appears here.

Look for my review of Murder at Midnight on October 4th.

Started this one for my October 17th review. 

I am also reading Creating Your First Novel by Hank Quense. This comes out October 15th.   

Reviews coming in November.

These are next in line. 

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman - October 4 (review)
• Death and the Sisters by Heather Redmond - October 17 (review)
• Racing the Dream by M. T. Bass - October 23 (first chapter review)
• The Folly at Raighvan Park by Judith Crow - October 31 (first chapter review)
• Resparking Creativity by Fatemah Mirza & Sumayyah Rafiq - November 20 (review)
• The 12 Months of Christmas by Sheila Roberts - November 21 (review)
• The King Who Lost His Colors by Glen Liset - November 27 (review at TC&TBC)
• The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy - January 31 (interview) 

At Christmas Year Round last week:

• Christmas on TV: LHOP: Christmas at Plum Creek
• Christmas fanfiction: LHOP inspired fiction, "Sleigh Bells Ring"
• This or That? - Funny or Dramatic Christmas Movies
• Christmas on TV: LHOP: Blizzard
• Christmas fanfiction: Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman inspired fiction, "A Christmas Candle"
• Evolution of Our Christmas Tree

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This is Jill Kemerer's latest release. I downloaded this to my Kindle. I love cowboy romances. Simply don't get to read them often in amongst everything else I read. 

That's it for me today. Hope you enjoy your week. I will see you at your blogs!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Aug 14

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday. 

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.       

Happy Monday! It is a busy one, so this will be short and sweet. Lots of real estate happenings--some good, some not so good. I finished two editing projects over the weekend and am reading a potential acquisition for the publishing house. HelloFresh is helping me with suppertime on those crazy days. I also signed up to try Blueland, which are eco-friendly cleaning products. First shipment of laundry supplies arrived Saturday. Anyone else tried these? Would love your feedback. 

In my reading world, I finished these two for reviews on August 21st and August 18th respectively. 

I didn't read this one last week. 

Next up are the following:

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• Red Tail Feathers by Wendi Lou Lee - August 18 (review)
• Sammy the Sailing Sea Turtle by Gwendol - August 16 (TC&TBC)
• Ravage & Son by Jerome Charyn - August 21 (review)
• Victoria James: And The Mysterious Case of the Chilly Willies by Elizabeth Burns August 29 (review TC&TBC)
• Precious Burdens by Avery Sterling - August 31
• Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman - October 4 (review)
• Death and the Sisters by Heather Redmond - October 17 (review)
• Resparking Creativity by Fatemah Mirza & Sumayyah Rafiq - November 20 (review)

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

With an Audible credit, I decided to go with a writing craft book on August 7th. 

For more than twenty years Natalie Goldberg has been challenging and cheering on writers with her books and workshops. In her groundbreaking first book, she brings together Zen meditation and writing in a new way. Writing practice, as she calls it, is no different from other forms of Zen practice—"it is backed by two thousand years of studying the mind." This edition includes a new preface and an interview with the author.

That's it from me. I will check in on blogs later today.