Cozy Wednesday featuring Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries) by Mindy Quigley #Review / #Giveaway @MinotaurBooks @StMartinsPress @minty_fresh_books

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!  I am delighted to feature Public Anchovy #1  by Mindy Quigley today! Public Anchovy #1 will be released on December 26, but you can pre-order it now here.

Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Setting - Wisconsin St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 26, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250792479 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250792471 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C1X7M6ZS

Public Anchovy #1 is the third book in Mindy Quigley's delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria. While Geneva Bay’s upper crust gets ready to party down at a Prohibition-themed fundraiser, pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is focused on seeing her struggling restaurant through the winter slow season. The temperature outside is plummeting, but Delilah’s love life might finally be heating up, as hunky police detective Calvin Capone seems poised to (finally) make a move. But Delilah’s hopes of perfecting a new “free-from” pizza recipe for a charity bash are dashed when a dead body crashes the party. Soon, Capone, Delilah, and her entire staff are trapped in an isolated mansion and embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. To catch an increasingly-desperate killer, Delilah will have to top all of her previous crime-solving accomplishments, and a few pizzas, too. Dollycas's Thoughts Winter in Wisconsin can be very pretty but it's cold so Delilah has to add catering to her repertoire to keep her restaurant in the black. She and her staff have been hired to cater a Prohibition-themed fundraiser for the library at Bluff Point, one of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin's "most opulent private residences". At the last minute, one of the guests has requested a “free-from” pizza without gluten, dairy, or nightshade plants causing Delilah to send her staff ahead to the venue while she went home to gather everything she needed to fulfill the request. She unknowingly brings back a surprise guest. Before the food is served and after a little entertainment, Edgar Clemmons, former chair of the library board, tumbles down the stairs to his death. Some of the guests leave as the snow continues to fall but before Delilah, her crew, and several other guests can leave they learn that they are trapped until plows can clear up higher-priority roads and highways. It also means EMS can't get there to remove Edgar's body. Was Edgar's death an accident or was he murdered? Are Delilah, Capone, her staff, and others in the company of a killer? When the apparent murder weapon is found in an unusual place and the head librarian is killed Capone and Delilah get in high gear to isolate the killer before anyone else dies. _____ I was so happy to return to Geneva Bay and the great characters Ms. Quigley has created. At the start of the story, Delilah was lamenting mostly in her own head about her relationship with Calvin Capone going nowhere because he never called. Well spending time trapped in a mansion with the killer on the loose sure changed that. Capone's mother was introduced and played a larger role than I had expected. Aunt Biz is dealing with a huge change in her life and not handling it well. Sonya finds herself fainting at one point and in danger at another but she is still there for Delilah as she tries to piece all the clues together. Each of Delilah's staff has their own talents and interesting backstories. We continue to learn more about them in this book. Ms. Quigley's characters are multidimensional and continue to grow as the series continues. The setting at Bluff Point was fantastic. It had so many unique rooms, alcoves, stairways, an observation tower, and a dumb waiter. It was right on the water too with a dock and a good size boat. It was a character all on its own. The author did an excellent job describing everything. I easily visualized all the places and happenings. The mystery was very well-plotted with a plethora of twists and turns. Edgar Clemmons had a mission when he arrived at the party and that got him killed. The fundraiser was for the library so it was apropos that some books provided some major drama and clues. I enjoyed the way Delilah and Capone worked together, not only to solve the murders but to keep everyone safe. Yes, Delilah went a little rogue a couple of times but I would have been disappointed if she hadn't. Her A-ha moment was priceless. But it was an unexpected person that set the showdown in motion and what a showdown it was! I love that this series is set in my home state and while Geneva Bay is fictional I have a very good idea of the city it is based on. There is even a mansion there similar to Bluff Point. Ms. Quigley draws from Wisconsin history, especially regarding the Capones, Calvin's relatives. I find myself looking for little references that give me a warm feeling of home. I also love Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and appreciate the recipes included in the book. This time they include an Italian Beef Crostini and Delilah's Free-from-Pizza Deep Dish Pizza recipe for those looking for vegan, or gluten-free or dairy-free pizza but not one I will be trying. I need my meat and cheese, no anchovies, please. Public Anchovy #1 was A Perfect Escape for me. Engaging characters, a terrific mystery, and a very intriguing setting kept me entertained until the final word. I can't wait until Ms. Quigley serves up another huge slice of the next Deep Dish Mystery.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent   About the Author

MINDY QUIGLEY has won a number of awards for her short stories, including the 2013 Bloody Scotland Prize and the 2018 Lightbringer Award. Originally from Chicago, she possesses a naturally sophisticated pizza palate. Her desert island pizza choice would be Lou Malnati’s “Deep Dish Lou” or an Aurelio’s thin crust with spinach, tomatoes, and black olives. She lives in Virginia with her history professor husband, their two children, and their miniature Schnauzer. You can find more info about Mindy Quigley on her website here.

Coming December 26, 2023

Also written by Mindy Quigley

Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy to give away! The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End January 3, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org The Winner Will Be Notified By Email and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read the full article

The newest Orphan X book - The Last Orphan - comes out this week. Great series and great character from Gregg Hurwitz. Are you a fan of action thrillers? #thelastorphan #gregghurwitz #minotaurbooks #shelfie #orphanx #sundayshelfie #bradshelfie #bookstagram #bookshelves #booknerd #readinglife #bookphotography #homelibrarygoals #libraryroom#bookcommunity #bookblogger #sodacityreads #suspensebook #bookhaul #literarycrimefiction #homelibrary #thrillerbooks #domesticthriller #crimefiction #thriller #characterdrivenbooks #mysterythriller #bookrecs #actionthriller https://www.instagram.com/p/CokEJRFLNUa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

🌟 BOOK REVIEW🌟 🌟 💫 Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 2 incidents- one at the brink of Y2K and one 15 years later- each eerily similar with the killer leaving just one survivor. How do the survivors get together to unravel the mystery- are the 2 incidents related- will the cold case and the suspect on the run ever be caught- that pretty much sums up pseudonymous author Alex Finlay’s much anticipated follow up to Every Last Fear. To the author’s credit, the book is razor sharp and goes at full throttle from the word go. The story proceeds through the POVs of Ella- the sole survivor of the Y2K video store killings- her interaction with Jessica, the survivor of the latest killings- a FBI officer, Sarah Keller, pregnant with a set of twins and the public defender, Chris- brother to the prime suspect of the 1st murders and battling his own demons. The suspense is actually pretty good and it helps as each character is well etched out and keeps you intrigued. On the negative side, the cold case aspect wasn’t fleshed out well as the Y2K period with lack of technologies could have been used further. The psychological aspect of abusive household of children was handled sensitively. The final reveal isn’t something you wouldn’t have read before but the journey is worth it. Going for a 4- 4.5 🌟 #bookreview #bookstagram #bookphotography #bookrecommendations #thenightshift #alexfinlay #libby #mcmillanaudiobooks #minotaurbooks #booknerd #thriller #coldcase https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg-Dx2WA13i/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy Monday! James Byrne (The Gatekeeper) is a newly discovered author by me that I am loving! The Gatekeeper is such an entertaining and thrilling read and I enjoyed every page. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . 📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚 . Who is the most recent author that you’ve discovered? . 📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚 . . . . #thegatekeeper #jamesbyrne #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks #newlydiscoveredauthor #allthebooksjune22 ##mysterymonday #mysterybooks #mysteryreader #mysteryreads #thrillerbooks #thriller #thrillerreads #thrillerbook #thrillerbooksaddict #entertaining #thrilling #witty #snarky #netgalley #netgalleyreads #justout #fivestar #bookreview #bookreaderscommunity #bookrecommendations #mondayvibes #bookblog #podcast (at Lake Davidson) https://www.instagram.com/p/CewLInErGRj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Let's have a two for one Thursday! The Favor by Nora Murphy Staying is dangerous. Leaving could be worse. Leah and McKenna have never met, though they have parallel lives. They don’t ever find themselves in the same train or meet accidentally at the gym or the coffee shop. They don’t ever discuss their problems and find common ground. They don’t ever acknowledge to each other that although their lives have all the trappings of success, wealth and happiness, they are, in fact, trapped. Leah and McKenna have never met. But they will. I finished this book in one setting! The suspense is thick and heavy! Just the way I like it! The writing is absolutely fantastic! The pace is nonstop and the ending was wonderful! Such an amazing read! I can't wait to see what Nora Murphy will give us next! Poison Lilies by Katie Tallo She made a mistake she couldn't undo. So she packed all her things in the dead of night and took off. Now somewhat settled into one of Ottawa's oldest neighborhoods, fresh start or a good place to hide? When a body is found in the pond of a nearby park, her connection to this powerful turns dangerous, possibly deadly. The Mutchmores are hiding something and are willing to do anything to keep their secrets buried. I found this to be a very entertaining read! The pace was great and I really enjoyed the main character. She was easy to like and root for. It is the second book in the Gus Monet series and even though I haven't read the first book I didn't feel like I was missing anything! But I will be going back and catching up before the next book! And the ending was perfect. It didn't feel rushed or out of the blue; it felt natural! I'm looking forward to reading more about Gus Monet! #StMartinsPress #books #HarperPerennial #NoraMurphy #MinotaurBooks #booklover #read #TheFavor #KatieTallo #PoisonLilies #mysterybook #thrillerreads #HarperPaperbacks #bookstagram #bookish #readabholic #booksy #readsta #bookrecommendation (at Cleveland, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdvRREQrR-D/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Off the Air by Christina Estes #BookReview #ARCReview #NetGalley #CozyMystery #MinotaurBooks #NewBooks

What a great debut offering from reporter turned author, Christina Estes. #OfftheAir is a murder mystery with a lot of behind-the-scenes of a news station thrown in, which was just right for this former TV producer. #Bookreview #minotaurbooks #cozymystery

Equal parts thought-provoking and entertaining, Emmy Award winning reporter Christina Estes introduces Jolene Garcia in her Tony Hillerman Prize winning debut, Off the Air . Jolene Garcia is a local TV reporter in Phoenix, Arizona, splitting her time between covering general assignments―anything from a monsoon storm to a newborn giraffe at the zoo―and special projects. Stories that take more…

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Review: The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes

☆☆➹⁀☆4.5 stars ☆➹⁀☆☆ The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes #cozymystery #Britain #mystery @MinotaurBooks #KatAiles #debutnovel #Debut

☆☆➹⁀☆4.5 stars ☆➹⁀☆☆ About the Book: For Alice and her partner Joe, moving to the sleepy village of Penton is a chance to embrace country life and prepare for the birth of their first child. He can take up woodwork; maybe she’ll learn to make jam? But the rural idyll they’d hoped for doesn’t quite pan out when a dead body is discovered at their local prenatal class, and they find themselves…

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#review - The Expectant Detectives is a refreshing, humorous, and heartfelt mystery that follows a group of expectant mothers who unexpectedly become detectives. With its dark wit and arch humor, this novel is full of delightful characters, including Alice's lovably silly dog. The fast-paced and original storyline makes it an enjoyable and entertaining cozy read. It left me eagerly anticipating a sequel.

The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes https://bit.ly/47Pw8wq 

Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me to share my thoughts on an ARC copy of this book. 

#gifted #MinotaurBooks #arcbook #bookmail #affiliatelink #TheExpectantDetectives #lovelyloveday #lovelylovedayblog 

New #historicalmystery! Amy Chua comes out as a novelist in THE GOLDEN GATE via

@MinotaurBooks. My 4* #BookRecommendation is here: https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-golden-gate-is-about-how-not-golden.html

"What The Neighbors Saw" by Melissa Adelman - Book Review @MinotaurBooks @StMartinsPress #WhatTheNeighborsSaw #BookReview

Set in an affluent suburb of Washington, D.C. this thriller debut was a well-crafted novel which centers around a young couple with two very young children. Alexis and Sam purchase a house in a ritzy part of town to provide more space for their growing family and to impress their friends and co-workers. The old house turns into a vast money-pit, needing renovations and upgrades that they can ill…

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Playing it Safe by Ashley Weaver - ARC Review!

Today on my blog I have a review for #PlayingitSafe by @AshleyCWeaver! I adore this historical mystery series and I fall a little more in love with Ellie & the Major in each book! Thanks to @MinotaurBooks for the review copy. #BookReview

As the Blitz continues to ravage London, Ellie McDonnell—formerly a safecracking thief, but currently determined to stay on the straight and narrow to help her country—is approached by British Intelligence officer Major Ramsey with a new assignment. She is to travel under an assumed identity to the port city of Sunderland and there await further instructions. In his usual infuriating way, the…

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Catch Me If You Candy: A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander #Review @StMartinsPress @BakeshopMystery

Catch Me If You Candy: A Bakeshop Mystery Cozy Mystery 17th in the Series Setting - Oregon Minotaur Books (August 22, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250854407 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250854407 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BQGJGX34

Things are getting spooky in Catch Me If You Candy, the next delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series from author Ellie Alexander, set in Ashland, Oregon! Halloween has arrived in picturesque Ashland, Oregon, and all of the ghouls and goblins have descended on Main Street for the annual parade. It’s a giant street party and Torte is right in the mix. Jules Capshaw and her team have been baking up autumn delights and trick-or-Torte bags filled with sugar cookie cutouts, spiced cider, and mummy munch. It’s the end of the season at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which means that the costumes for the parade are going to be out of this world. The elaborate guises even extend to pets. The grand marshal of this year’s parade is no other than a regal pug aptly named King George. Jules is delighted to get to share the experience with Carlos and Ramiro, but things take a dark turn when she discovers a dragon slumped in front of the bakeshop. Jules is distraught when she realizes the dragon is dead. She’s also shaken because a few days before the parade, her mother's Mahjong partner Helen discovered a warning note about a dragon in an antique game set. Jules hopes it’s just a random coincidence, but as the clues begin to unfold it becomes evident that there’s been a murder on All Hallow’s Eve. Can Juliet sift out the truth before the killer comes after her? Dollycas's Thoughts Halloween is a big deal in Ashland, Oregon. It starts with the annual parade followed by a huge street party. The team at Torte has been busy filling trick-or-Torte bags with mummy munch and Halloween-themed sugar cookies. It also marks the end of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's season and the actors, human and canine, will be involved in all the Halloween festivities. This year's grand marshall just happens to be a royal pup named King George. Jules is so excited to share all the events with her husband Carlos and his son Ramiro. There is quite a crowd of people but when Jules and Carlos arrive back at Torte. Then they notice a person in a dragon costume down on the ground in front of the shop. Jules quickly sees that the person is dead. She is quite upset because just a few days ago one of her mother's friends found a note warning about a dead dragon in an antique Mahjong set. Is it a connection to the murder or just a coincidence? Jules is determined to find out. I love the characters in this series! Jules and Carlos's relationship is strong.  I am happy that Ramiro has been added to the mix and his presence continues to grow in each new story. He is a good kid and parenting him is pretty easy. Thanks to Jules's mother, a true gem, all the employees at Torte are as close as family. They work so well together and come up with so many delicious things to serve from special coffee drinks to soups and sandwiches and every fantastic baked sweets you can imagine. The Sunday suppers they host are so creative. All of Ms. Alexander's characters are well-developed and genuine and fresh even after 17 books. Several new characters are introduced. Actors and staff associated with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. It was crazy to see what two women would go through to have their dogs get the leading role in a play. We also meet a group of ladies that love to play Mahjong and Camille the new owner of the hospice shop where a unique antique Mahjong set was found. All the new characters were interesting. I must say I now want to learn how to learn to play Mahjong. The mystery was very well-written. There are several suspects along with several twists and turns. I was keeping notes to keep everyone straight. I did pare my list down to two rather quickly. As usual, Lance was excited to investigate but I did enjoy the way Jules and Carlos talked through the clues and motives. A bit of confusion sets up a standoff and a very gripping reveal. Catch Me If You Candy is a fun Halloween-themed cozy mystery with some of my favorite fictional characters.  Each visit to Ashland and Torte is always a good time, I just wish each book came with free samples because I am always left craving all the delectable treats described within the pages. I am already looking forward to my next trip, A Smoking Bun is set to be released on February 20, 2024.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About the Author Ellie Alexander (aka Kate Dyer-Seeley), author of the Bakeshop Mystery Series (St. Martin's Press), is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. Author Links - Website  Facebook     Twitter      Instagram    GoodReads

Coming February 20, 2024

Also by Ellie Alexander

Read the full article

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano is our third adventure with Finlay "finlay owes a favor to the Russian mob boss, Feliks. He wants her to find a contract killer before the police do. But the killer might be an officer. Luckily, hot cop Nick, has started a citizen's police academy. The pressure from Feliks and Finlay's looming book deadline convince her and Vero to get involved. It's the perfect cover to ferret out an assassin, find some time with Nick and finish her book by deadline." Finlay reminds me so much of Stephanie Plum. There are lots of insane characters and situations. Finlay is making things up as she goes along. Especially as she finds out even more secrets about Vero. There are plenty of red herrings and some inspiration for her book. There is a cliffhanger which seems to be the way EC sets up the next book. I'm not really a fan of leaving a storyline hanging, but there it is. Fans of the first two books will enjoy this one. #finlaydonovanjumpsthegun #ellecosimano #minotaurbooks #stmartinspress #finlaydonovan #womensfiction #humor #bookstagram #bookshelves #booknerd #readinglife #bookphotography #bookcommunity #bookblogger #sodacityreads #suspensebook #bookhaul #literarycrimefiction #homelibrary #thrillerbooks #domesticthriller #crimefiction #thriller #characterdrivenbooks #mysterythriller #bookrecs https://www.instagram.com/p/CmwLVI2rtyu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Tell-Tale Bones by Carolyn Haines (Sarah Booth Delaney #26)

Private Investigator Sarah Booth Delaney and her partner Tinkie are in Sheriff Coleman Peters's office, consulting Coleman about cold cases, when Elisa Redd storms in with a case of her own. She wants Coleman to reopen the investigation of her missing daughter, Lydia Redd Maxell, the heiress to a large fortune who disappeared along with her friend Bethany nearly seven years ago. Lydia and Bethany were rumored to be working as human rights organizers abroad, but Elisa suspects Lydia’s problems might have stemmed closer to home. Now Lydia’s husband, Tope, is set to inherit the fortune, and Elisa believes he’s behind the disappearance.

Sarah Booth and Tinkie soon connect the case to a series of mysterious disappearances over the years, as well as to a perplexing recurring dream. With another woman’s life at stake, the friends follow an increasingly twisty trail all over Sunflower County, leading them to a tree and an empty grave in the county cemetery. A grave that’s said to be haunted…

Book Page: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250885852/telltalebones

My Review: I don’t think Carolyin Haines can write a bad or boring book nor I think I will stop enjoying Sarah Booth mysteries. They’re entertaining, well plotted and compelling but there’s also a more serious side and I learned a lot about historical fact or places. This solid mystery is a bit darker than usual as it talks about missing persons  and family violence. Don’t expect a gritty story, Ms Haineaas delivers a very entertaining story with food for thought. Sarah and her friends are as lovely as usual and it’s like meeting old friends and catching up. Another winner I read in one sitting. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Minotaur Books for this arc, all opinions are mine

The Author: Carolyn Haines is the USA Today bestselling author of over 70 books. In 2020, she was inducted into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. She was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Library Association, the Harper Lee Award for Distinguished Writing, the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, as well as the "Best Amateur Sleuth" award by Romantic Times. Born and raised in Mississippi, she now lives in Alabama on a farm with more dogs, cats, and horses than she can possibly keep track of.

Connect with Minotaur Books: Instagram: @minotaur_books Twitter: @minotaurbooks Facebook: @minotaurbooks

Connect with Carolyn: Facebook: @AuthorCarolynHaines Twitter: @DeltaGalCarolyn Instagram: @carolynhaines

FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN by Elle Cosimano

New #bookreview: FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN by Elle Cosimano. I love this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mystery with a touch of romance - don't miss it! #FinlayDonovan bk 3 @ElleCosimano @MinotaurBooks #romanticsuspense #mystery #crimefiction #mustread

CLICK TO PURCHASE The Finlay Donovan Series, Book 3 From the publisher: From USA Today bestseller and Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun―the hilarious and heart-pounding next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series. “Fresh, heartfelt and witty, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a twisty page-turner, and its relatable heroine Finlay Donovan is…

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#ARCReview #NorthofNowhere #AllisonBrennan #Thriller #Suspense #Mafia #NewBooks #August2023Books #NetGalley #BookReview #MinotaurBooks #MurderMystery

Want a thriller that involves the mafia, two kidnapped kids, and a crashed plane? #Northofnowhere #Allisonbrennan #Netgalley #ARCReview #BookReview #thriller #suspense #murdermystery #mafia #august2023books #newbooks #minotaurbooks #Macmillanaudio

After five years in hiding from their murderous father, the day Kristin and Ryan McIntyre have been dreading has arrived: Boyd McIntyre, head of a Los Angeles crime family, has at last tracked his kids to a small Montana town and is minutes away from kidnapping them. They barely escape in a small plane, but gunfire hits the fuel line. The pilot, a man who has been raising them as his own, manages…

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