For Keeps: A Green Marble Mystery (Green Marble Mysteries Book 3)

I think this would have been more exciting if he had woken up in the clinic at the end of the book. Too many descriptions of food.

Really good story line with plenty of twists to stop you putting the book down. Well worth a read if you like a good mystery.

In the latest Moore Mystery, Aaron Paul Lazar has made it a little racy, lots more personal, and quite, quite lovely... When Lazar uses magic, he uses it to the ultimate! Paranormal Fantasy at its finest...And that's just about all I'm going to say about it...Unbelievable! But, quite, quite lovely...Sam Moore, hopefully, is not a new character to many of you. But, just in case, he is a retired doctor, married and father of two...Or, at least that was true until creative genius Lazar wrote For Keeps...Because our beloved husband and father once had a very racy interlude. He had told his wife,Rachel, about it, but he certainly wasn't prepared to have that woman appear in his life about 20 years later!Especially dead...Sam had been called by long-time friend and coroner to the scene of the murder. Lou had noticed that his name had been circled in the telephone book lying open near the bed and decided to get him there to have a "heads-up" before the police discovered there was a link.Sam wasn't quite sure he remembered Ginger as she looked that day, but then saw a piece of jewelry that reminded him of the fling he'd had during his one and only spring break... Ginger had been engaged and had told him that they could only be together during that vacation, though Sam had been interested in much more...But soon he had met the real love of his life and been happily married since then...In the meantime, he had a connection with the murder and Lou wanted to discuss the case with him over a meal...or two... But Sam was downright jumpy to talk to her because Lou had admitted to having a huge crush on him in college and was touching him with no apparent reason when they met...Rachel and he talked about it and Rachel suggested they stop and see her; Rachel staying in the car so that he could rush in, clear things up and get back out quickly. Sam saw Lou's car still at the morgue, but the janitor indicated nobody was there. Sam searched and finally found her--dead!A green marble is the conduit for the paranormal magic in this series. The marble connects Sam with his deceased brother Billy. The problem was that usually Billy took him into a scene from the past to give clues to Sam, so that he must always be alone to talk. There had been a number of times Billy had been trying to get his attention, but Sam had not been able to respond to him..That had happened the day he went home and found that a third murder had occurred...and all seemed to be connected to Sam himself! Suddenly, he couldn't take it any more!Aaron has a special way with all his books, building his characters around family life, relationships and familial love. Readers become well acquainted with his characters, especially if they follow the series. I had missed reading the last book and was constantly seeing the effects of that omission in Beth's life especially. You can bet I'll be backtracking to catch up!There are expanded paranormal activities in For Keeps and a new character with prescient skills, which could lead to fascinating events in the future, especially since she already knows about Sam and Billy! I think every time I read the latest from Aaron Lazar that I pick it as my "very favorite" but knowing him, he's just going to make me repeat that phrase over and over. So I'll just close with the fact that there is a reason why I love all the books by Lazar... His books are like potato chips, you can't read just one before you want to reach for another!Add this author to your "Fav" list like I have!GABixlerReviews

I like many others, have read every book that has become available by this author in ebook form. When several books are all coming out close together I, like others, worry if the author is going to lose that special touch that all great authors seem to have. Will the story itself be believeable? If it is part of a series, will the author keep true to the characters themselves as well as not making this new plot take off in a complete opposite direction into another stratosphere? Will the dialog feel real, applicable to the time period and situation? Will I, as a reader, continue to admire the protagonist in all his imperfections? Yes! Yes! Yes and Yes!I will not give away spoilers but to say I had concern when a catastrophic happening occurs at about 39% into the story. I became worried that the tale would become heavy and depressing and possibly rush to an ending. I have found several authors that turn on that "now where did I put my eyeglasses" attitude where as a reader I feel like we are taking a side quest that many times has nothing to do with the true plotline. I should not have worried because this author knew where he was headed. When an author accomplishes a work such as this, I feel that he or she is truly engaged and has accepted the responsibility as a true caretaker of the characters, the story itself and even the reader. This special trust that has occurred in this book is far and few between when it comes to some of the books being put out there in droves.Don't know how he does it, but Mr. Lazar writes from his heart and applies those personal feelings and viewpoints with an absolute enchantment that I have not found in any male author and only a few female authors. He has truly become one of if not my favorite current author.Thanks Mr. Lazar.

I was lucky enough to receive this novel to review from the author a few weeks ago. I don't get to read very many books which don't included werewolves and vampires so this was an excellent change of pace.For Keeps is the third book in the Sam Moore Mystery series. Even though this is the third novel it works perfectly as a standalone. I never once felt lost or confused about the characters, like can sometimes happen in a series. The main character, Sam, is instantly lovable. He reminded me a little of one of my favorite old tv shows about a mystery solving priest.Now being a retired Doctor, Sam thinks he is called to look at a dead body for his expertise. Instead that one body opens up a slew of tragedies all centered around Sam himself. At this point it is important to mention the paranormal aspect of the novel. Sam is able to comunicate with his brother who passed away when they were children. Somehow with the help of a very special marble Sam is able to not just talk with his brother but travel into the past.In previous mysteries this traveling has helped Sam solve a few crimes. This time around Sam hopes to take it to the next level. He wants to go back in time and stop a tragedy. Is it even possible? There is only one way to find out.Beyond the mystery and time travel this story has a raw emotional quality that is to rare in todays novels. Sam and his family try to cope with a terrible tragedy and suffer through the stages of grief in such a way that you can truly feel their pain.This novel was a total win any way you look at it. Once I was a bout four chapters in I found it hard putting it down. :)