Terri Ann Armstrong

There’s a murdered body planted where it shouldn’t be, leaving a flower shop filled with suspects, putting the family business “in the middle of something horrible”.

Lily Aster runs the business and if she has anything to do with it, nobody is going to accuse her sister, family or employees of the murder. And she just can’t seem to control her sharp tongue when Detective Anthony Falcetti begins his investigation and needs to interview everyone.

What follows is a battle of wits between Lily and Falcetti, which finds them embroiled in romance, mystery and some truly great knock-down war-of-words. Lily is feisty and unrelenting until the last page. The murderer certainly picked the wrong place to leave a body and its fun watching Lily take no prisoners.… (meer)

“Maternal Menace” by Terri Ann Armstrong

This novel is the prequel, the story behind the story. I now am able to see why Starleen is not quite balanced. Any psychiatrist can tell you that the root of many people’s problems lie with the parents. Perhaps…but there’s more. She and her sister Teddy fall victim to an out-of-control mother Pamela, and an absent father, David. That is, until their father finally witnesses the cruel and physical condemnation Pamela puts the girls through. Things get better when David takes them away from the delirium that is their mother. He meets Greta and begins a new life…a new family.

Well, that happy little family circle is not acceptable to Pamela. Those are her girls and there is no way Greta is going to ride off in the sunset with her family. Let’s just say, Starleen is never quite able to say she enjoyed much of her growing up years.

A perfect ending to a great trilogy that finally gives up the inside secrets about Starleen. We get to see the backdrop and what the hoopla of “Morning Menace” and “Medieval Menace” is all about. I’m so glad this is one book I didn’t miss! And yes, another must read that I’m recommending.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda's Story”… (meer)

“Medieval Menace” by Terri Ann Armstrong

The second in this trilogy is by no means ‘second.’ The story takes a front seat to its predecessor.

A demented person is attacking people around him. One unfortunate victim found his way to Starleen’s front porch. Well, it was only the head, but that was enough to send Starleen screaming and running.

An investigation is under way, but even a cop becomes target. There is someone out there…someone who is hell-bent on destroying others. Though affiliations between the victims are figured out, no one understands why let alone who.

Starleen’s psychosis is revealed, but it’s a little justifiable considering what she goes through. Her sessions with Dr. Harmon begin to help. Whether or not those shrink sessions will be enough to combat the terror and allow her an understanding of the reason for the monstrosity dispensed upon innocent victims, is still up for debate.
Armstrong successfully combines thundering action with wit. A terrific read and most definitely a great follow through to her first novel, “Morning Menace.”

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda's Story”… (meer)

“How to Plant a Body”

Apparently, one day author Terri Ann Armstrong decides to churn together a blooming relationship with a healthy dose of disaster. Mix together a body found by a sensitive man in a greenhouse, one very sarcastic lady and her laid-back sister and you get “How to Plant a Body.” A title apropos to the story within the pages.

Lily Aster and her sister Angel manage a flower shop for their now retired parents. They have hired Joey Emerson to help them in the shop. One morning, Joey walks in and finds a body. Panic sets in and he calls the police. Lily and Angel arrive to find Detective Anthony Falcetti ordering them out of their own shop while he investigates.
Lily doesn’t take kindly to being ordered around, even if it is by the authorities. She sets her mind to doing her own inquiry into the murder and keeps running up against Falcetti at every turn. Or maybe he’s ‘planting’ himself close to her on purpose. He takes a liking to Lily despite her snarky tongue (or maybe that’s because of it) and tries to convince her they are going to have a relationship.

She fights him on it, not wanting to immerse herself in misery she defines as the male-female bond. While she’s fending off his unwanted (or wanted?) advances, Lily tries to find out what happened to the man found in her greenhouse. Falcetti does his job, but is unwilling to share his findings with a civilian, which leads Lily to quick retorts about the falsity of trust in a relationship (that is, if they were to have one).

This is a witty cozy that you’ll be more than glad you picked up. This is Terri’s first attempt at the cozy genre and I do believe she has found her calling. I rate it a five-star!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”… (meer)