Book Review: Empty Nest: A Birds of a Feather Mystery

 
Title: Empty Nest: A Birds of a Feather Mystery

Author:Marty Wingate

Stars: 4 out of 5

Review:

This is the second Julia Lancester murder mystery that I have read and I must say I was not disappointed. Marty Wingate tells the story so well that I felt like a bystander who is silently watching it all unfold before me. If you are a fan of non violent British murder mysteries, which take place in cozy surroundings, this series is a must read. I enjoyed the book from start to finish and completed it in two days.

The lead in to the murder and the solving thereof is logical and the characters are developed to the point that you feel that they are intimate friends.

I gave this book a four star rating.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.

Thank you Frank for your Review 

Synopsis:

Manager of a tourist center in a quaint British village, Julia Lanchester finds herself with more ideas than time. Her boss is the Earl Fotheringill himself, but apart from him, she doesn't mix well with the aristocracy. Unfortunately, toxic mold forces her from her cottage and into one of the earl's countless spare rooms at the Hall. She tries to get a handle on her overload of work, while she finds herself arguing with dinner guests, chaffing at the sudden interest the earl's son has in running the estate, and missing her new beau, Michael Sedgwick.

Her life goes from bad to sinister when Julia discovers poisoned sparrowhawks on the expansive estate grounds. And soon after, she finds one of the Hall's visitors murdered—felled by the same poison. While simultaneously both spooked and angry, she still can't keep herself from snooping, and dragging Michael along into her investigation. But will she find the culprit before her own wings are clipped?

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: December 1st 2015 by Alibi 

 

About The Author:

 

Marty Wingate is a Seattle-based writer and speaker about gardens and travel. She is the author of the Potting Shed mysteries from Random House/Alibi, about Pru Parke, middle-aged American gardener who moves to England and digs up more than weeds. The first two in the series are The Garden Plot and The Red Book of Primrose House, followed by the third in late summer 2015. Her new cozy mystery series, Birds of a Feather, begins in June 2015 with The Rhyme of the Magpie. You can hear Marty on the podcast A Dry Rain, free from iTunes and always available at adryrain.net. She leads garden tours to European and North American destinations.

Title: Highland Heat

Author: Jennifer Haymore‏

Stars: 4out of 5

Review:

An great historical romance with an excellent story line.

 It tells of a forbidden love between a Lady and a wounded Scot NCO whom she finds on the battlefield after Waterloo. It encompasses the obstacles that she had to overcome in order to marry her true love. 

I enjoyed this book and gave it a four star rating.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.

Thank you Frank for the Review! 

Synopsis:

With blood still drying on the front lines at Waterloo, Lady Grace Carrington helps an injured soldier to a British medical tent. Though she believes she’s pulled him to safety, in fact she has put them both in grave danger: Because when his brilliant blue eyes meet hers, the passionate Scottish sergeant kisses her in a way that leaves her breathless and trembling. As the obedient daughter of an earl, Grace shouldn’t be tempted by someone so far below her station. But as a red-blooded woman, she longs for so much more.

As far as Duncan Mackenzie is concerned, getting stabbed in the arm was the best thing that ever happened to him. When he wakes on the battlefield, the sight of Grace’s lovely face sets his soul aflame. As an enlisted man and a farmer’s son, however, pursuing his guardian angel means facing the wrath of London society, not to mention his own superiors in the British Army. Aye, but he’d risk all that and more just to keep her in his arms.

Kindle Edition, 247 pages

Expected publication: November 24th 2015 by Loveswept

About The Author:

 

USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Haymore is the author of sexy historical and contemporary romance. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards, including five RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice awards and the prestigious RITA® award for best historical romance.

You can find Jennifer in Southern California trying to talk her husband into yet another trip to England, helping her three children with homework while brainstorming a new five-minute dinner menu, or crouched in a corner of the local bookstore writing her next novel.

You can learn more at:

JenniferHaymore.com

Twitter @jenniferhaymore

Facebook.com/jenniferhaymore-autho 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Book Review: A Whisper of Desire

Title: A Whisper of Desire 

Author: Bronwen Evans‏ 

Stars: 3out 5

Review:

A historical romance with a strong storyline. It started out very well but soon stooped to basic explicit sex  scenes. I felt that the story line was strong enough to stand on its own merit without resorting to the old standby of sex sells.

I would rate the book at three stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.
Thank you Frank

Synopsis:
Lady Marisa Hawkstone’s nightmare is just beginning when she wakes up naked, with no memory of the night before, lying next to Maitland Spencer, the Duke of Lyttleton—a man so aloof and rational, he’s nicknamed “the Cold Duke.” A scandal ensues, in which Marisa’s beloved beau deserts her. As a compromised woman, Marisa agrees to marry Maitland. But on her wedding night, Marisa discovers the one place the duke shows emotion: in the bedroom, where the man positively scorches the sheets.

Taught from a young age to take duty seriously, Maitland cannot understand his new wife’s demands on his love and affection. Marisa’s hot-blooded spirit, however, does have its attractions—especially at night. In retrospect, it seems quite silly that he didn’t marry sooner. But being one of the Libertine Scholars requires constant vigilance, even more so when the enemy with a grudge against his closest friends targets Marisa. Now Maitland must save the woman who sets his heart aflame—or die trying.

Ebook, 300 pages

Expected publication: December 1st 2015 by Loveswept

About The Author:
 
USA Today Bestselling Author Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes.

Her debut Regency romance, Invitation to Ruin won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2012, and was an RT Reviewers’ Choice Nominee Best First Historical 2011. Her first self-published novella, To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield, was a FINALIST in the Kindle Book Review Indie Romance Book of the Year 2012, and a finalist in the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2013. Her first contemporary released December 2012, The Reluctant Wife, won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Category 2013.

When not writing or reading, she enjoys long walks in the vineyard, or at the beach, with her Cavoodle Brandy.

Bronwen loves hearing from avid romance readers at romance@bronwenevans.com

You can keep up with Bronwen’s news by visiting her website www.bronwenevans.com
 

Book Review: Hunted

Title:Hunted


Author: Marissa Garner

Stars 3 out of 5

Review:

This is the first time I have read anything by Marissa Garner and I wish I could say that I found this book exciting but I found it middle of the line for Romantic Suspense novels. I personally found the male lead to be slightly condescending to Amber the female lead though out the book. Beginning to end you knew what would happen next without needing to read. There was zero surprises and the book would drag on to the point I started to speed read so I go get to something interesting.
Marrissa used the word dick one to many times for my taste and apparently Ben's penis agrees with his thoughts all the time.
What I love about a suspense novels is the fear something might happen to the character you fall in love with put personally this read like a life time movie. You knew everything that would happen before it happened.

ARC sent from Netgelley

Synopses:
For San Diego's elite FBI agents, risking their lives is standard procedure when it comes to capturing the city's most dangerous criminals-but falling in love is the greatest risk of all.

Catching bad guys in San Diego's underworld isn't just FBI Special Agent Ben Alfren's job, it's his life. He doesn't have time for a serious relationship, doesn't want one either. So when he meets his sexy new neighbor, Amber Jollett, he has nothing more in mind than unwinding with a glass of wine, a romantic walk on the beach...and maybe a hot fling.

But Amber is more than he bargained for. Her job as a nurse has brought her face-to-face with women caught in a human trafficking ring, women she's determined to help. As Ben and Amber plot to rescue the women, the attraction between them flares into passion. But they'll learn that in this dangerous game of cat and mouse, real love can save - or doom - them . . .

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: December 8th 2015 by Forever Yours

About The Author:
 
I’m Marissa Garner. I’m a wife, writer, chocoholic, and animal lover, not necessarily in that order. As a little girl, I cut pictures of people out of my mother’s magazines and turned them into characters in my simple stories. Now I write sexy paranormal romantic suspense, steamy contemporary romance, and edgy romantic thrillers. I live in sunny Southern California with my husband, but enjoy traveling from Athens to Anchorage to Acapulco and to many locations in between.

I write romance to titillate your mind as well as your libido. My stories appeal to romance readers who:
•Choose French Silk over vanilla
•Don’t always color inside the lines and don’t like being told no
•Think some rules are made to be broken
•Have the courage to push the envelope when they’re passionate about something
•Believe fiction should be as unpredictable as real life

If this sounds like your kind of romance, have fun exploring my website and stories.
 

Writing a book on Parenting

I have been asked many times why I haven't tried writing a book on parenting or at least my experiences as a mother.
I would love to write a book on motherhood but I think I need to make it to the teen years for it to work.  Yes I have great stories about tines and all the crazy things that happen in my house which leaves me scratching my head a lot.
I love that my kids can be team players like the one time I came into the kitchen to find a chair next to the counter with a box on top of the counter and my 4 year old handing 6 year old fruit snacks which than tossing a pack to her 9 year old brother who was sitting on said chair opening it for the 1 year old who raced past me with a smile. How do you get angry I mean after all they were working together and no one was fighting.
During the summer months which thankful only last 7 weeks No one is allowed to fight until Noon than they can fight away but before than everyone will be sent to their rooms until noon. You would be surprised how well that works when you bribe them with swimming at their grandfathers house later that day.
No to mention those times you forget to lock the bedroom doors, hiding in the bathroom, missing children who are the best and worst at hide and go seek.  Maybe one day when I look back and write those stories about being a tried mom who loves her children but sometimes just didn't like them.
Dinner time with "Gross Pizza!" or "Oh yea HOT WINGS!"
Being a stay at home mom is a blessing and a curse all rolled into one amazing package I wouldn't change for all the money in the world. Well maybe a few extra dollars to busy those five inch black heels I have been drooling over.

ThrowBack Thursday

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Book Review - Deadly Straits - R.E. McDermott

Title:      Deadly Straits

Author:  R.E. McDermott

Review:  I can't believe this is R.E. McDermotts first book. Deadly Straits is a fast pace thriller that takes no prisoners. From the very beginning of the book the reader knows that the body count is going to be high and at times gruesome.  The author uses almost every country that has issues in the world today from Iran to Venezuela and had them working together.  Terrorists from all parts of the world, Jihadist, former East German to Chechen rebels. The author created such evil characters that you could only hope they would receive the same punishment they gave to others.  The hero of the book, Tom Dugan, was only trying to help a friend and instead found himself in the middle of a CIA\MI5 investigation. Tom wasn't an All American Hero and the author created a character that everyone could identity with when it came to feelings of regret, friendship, love and passion.  Towards the end of the book the author added two Russians for comic relief, the tension that had been building up and I was grateful for the two very funny Russians.

I enjoyed that R.E. McDermott gave a back stories to everyone who was important in the book so the reader could better understand the characters motives later on.  The only problem I found was the story jumped around from character to character and after a while there were too many characters to keep track of causing me to reread large sections of the book.  I ended up taking away their names and renaming some of the lesser characters as rebel 1 terrorist 2. At one point in the book I wasn't even sure who some of the lesser character were and decided to more past them to get back to the main story.

The author created a very believable story just like other great thriller authors such as Tom Clancy.  The author also had a large body count and with that came several scenes of strong language and gore.  I could have lived without someone’s guts coming out and a missing leg all in one chapter.

I felt this book was a combination of the movie Taken with the large dead body count but the suspense of a Tom Clancy mystery.

Thank you Heidi for this fabulous review…keep up the great work.

Publisher:  Published July 28th 2011 by R.E. McDermott

Copyright: 2011

Pages:  412

ISBN:    9780983741701

Quick Review:  31/2  Stars out of 5. 

Where I Obtained the Book:  The author sent it for review.

Synopsis:  When marine engineer and very part-time spook Tom Dugan becomes collateral damage in the War on Terror, he's not about to take it lying down.

Falsely implicated in a hijacking, he's offered a chance to clear himself by helping the CIA snare their real prey, Dugan's best friend, London ship owner Alex Kairouz. Reluctantly, Dugan agrees to go undercover in Alex's company, despite doubts about his friend's guilt. Once undercover, Dugan's steadfast refusal to accept Alex's guilt puts him at odds not only with his CIA superiors, but also with a beautiful British agent with whom he's romantically involved.

When a tanker is found adrift near Singapore with a dead crew, and another explodes in Panama as Alex lies near death after a suspicious suicide attempt, Dugan is framed for the attacks. Out of options, and convinced the attacks are prelude to an even more devastating assault, Dugan eludes capture to follow his last lead to Russia, only to be shanghaied as an 'advisor' to a Russian Spetsnaz unit on a suicide mission.

Deadly Straits is a non-stop thrill ride, from London streets, to the dry docks of Singapore, to the decks of the tankers that feed the world's thirst for oil, with stops along the way in Panama, Langley, Virginia, and Teheran. Richly spiced with detail from the author's 30 years sailing, building, and repairing ships worldwide, it is, in the words of one reviewer, "fast-paced, multilayered and gripping."

 

Author Biography:  R.E. McDermott grew up on the Gulf Coast and graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He's worked in the marine industry for over thirty years, in positions from ship's officer to shipping company management. Traveling widely, he's lived abroad for extended periods, and managed ship-building projects in the U.S., Japan, Singapore, and China. He currently splits his time between the U.S. and Singapore, where he operates a marine consultancy, advising clients on ship construction, and operational and engineering matters. Deadly Straits is his first novel

Title: Dead In Her Tracks (Rogue Winter #2)

 
Title: Dead In Her Tracks

Author: Kendra Elliot

Stars 5 out of 5

Review:
 Dead in her tracks starts off where Track of her tears leaves off completing the mystery. This novella
is more police procedural than book 1 and we have to follow the clues to find out if Zane and Stevie are chasing after a serial killer.  I will admit I was a little surprised at who the killer ended up being.

I love that Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot they are able to write two different stories and yet be able to blend the novella as one. As a reader I have have enjoyed every book both of these amazing authors have written and I can't wait to read the next book in all of their series.

Each books has it own twist and turns that will keep the reader wanting more even when the story ends.  Dead in Her tracks has the perfect blend of suspense even when you find our who and why the person or persons is killing you can't help but pray everything ends happy.

I love this story and can't wait to read more in this series of Novella's.
ARC from Netgalley


Synopsis:

This wasn’t how Police Chief Zane Duncan expected to spend his first Christmas with fellow officer and girlfriend Stevie Taylor. But when a local motel calls in the discovery of a dead body, the couple’s holiday takes a grim turn. This is the second murder in Solitude within the week, despite the fact that their primary suspect is already in custody. Together, Zane and Stevie must face a disturbing truth—their small town may be harboring two killers.
As their investigation digs deep into the backgrounds of newcomers and longtime residents alike, Zane and Stevie also struggle to adjust to life under the same roof. Even if the stress of homicides and cohabitation don’t bring an end to the couple, the murderer lying in wait just might.

Kindle Edition, 99 pages

Expected publication: November 17th 2015 by Montlake Romance

About The Author:

Kendra Elliot grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives there with her husband, three daughters, two cats, and a Pomeranian. She's fascinated with forensics, refuses to eat anything green, and loves a strong Mai Tai on the beach on Kauai.

The BONE SECRETS NOVELS: HIDDEN, CHILLED, BURIED, ALONE, and VEILED (a novella.) KNOWN coming JAN 2016.

The CALLAHAN & McLANE novels are a spin-off of the Bone Secrets books. VANISHED, BRIDGED, SPIRALED, and a fourth coming Summer 2016.

BURIED was a 2014 International Thriller Writers finalist, a 2014 Daphne Du Maurier winner, and a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice finalist. 

Product Review: Lego Silicone Ice Trays

5 Stars hands down!!

If you  have Lego loves in the house this is the perfect gift! You can make chocolate Candies, Ice Cubes and melt crayons making really fun colorful Lego! They wash well in the dishwasher and are simple perfect.

My family cannot get enough of these ice trays. We have made ice, crayons and chocolates and have had so much fun with these!! We plan to buy more.

#FunIceTrays

Given this product for my honest review and I LOVE IT!

Book Review: BloodLines

 
Title: Bloodlines

Author: Lynn Lipinski

Stars 4 out of 5

Review:

An indian/western murder mystery with a modern day flair. A troubled young man (half indian) accepts responsibility for his younger half sister while clearing himself of the murder of his mother in a suspicious fire that destroyed their mobile home. It has a strong ending which will leave you silently cheering for the young hero who solves the murder while also resolving his own murky background.

I enjoyed the story immensely and gave it a  four star rating.

 

 

Synopsis:   

Fired from his job at the Tulsa Zoo, 26-year-old Zane Clearwater wakes from an alcohol-and cough syrup-induced blackout to learn his mother was killed the night before in a fire in their trailer-park home. Zane has no memory of that night-could he have set the blaze? The police have a lot of questions, but so do Zane and his 14-year-old sister Lettie. When he gets a mysterious text that indicates everything his mother told him about her past was a lie, Zane embarks on a journey of discovery that results in meeting his supposedly long-dead father. Jeremiah Doom has a dangerous streak as long as the Arkansas River and a shady, secretive life. Zane may share his father's Cherokee blood, but can he battle against the anger and violence that also lurks beneath the surface of his own skin? Is Zane destined to repeat the sins of his father?

 

Paperback, Trade paper, 264 pages

Published October 13th 2015 by Majestic Content Los Angeles 

 

About the Author:

 

Lynn is a writer and editor who pens non-fiction for a living and mystery fiction for fun.

Favorite writing projects in the past few years include a speech on the history of the Internet, a blog about wearing a monkey costume at work and a mystery novel set in her hometown, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her nonfiction feature stories on topics ranging from a bad dental school experience to electricity deregulation have been published in the Los Angeles Times, UCLA Magazine, arcCA, USC News, Trojan Family Magazine, UCLA Today and Aqueduct Magazine.

Decades of living in Los Angeles have worn away the Okie accent, but not the affection for all things Oklahoma. She blogs occasionally about writing, PR, Oklahoma and travel at www.lynnlipinski.me. Her passport is filled with stamps and visas from all the places her jobs have taken her in the past four years, including Argentina, China, Czech Republic, Senegal, Singapore and South Africa.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and completed fiction and screenwriting classes through UCLA Extension, Writers Boot Camp and the 2010 Prague Summer Program of Western Michigan University. She's currently pursuing an MFA in creative writing at Mount St. Mary's University in Los Angeles.

 

 

ThrowBack Thursday

Friday, December 31, 2010

Think Like a Black Belt - Jim Bouchard

Title: Think Like a Black Belt

Author: Jim Bouchard

Publishers: San Chi Publishing

ISBN-10: 0578057506

ISBN-13: 978-0578057507

Copyright: 2010

Pages: 180

Quick Review: 5 stars (out of 5)

Why did I read it: The author contacted me though Goodreads and asked if I would read it. He sent me a copy.

Synopsis: Change the way you think about life, business and success forever. From now on, Think Like a Black Belt!Bestselling author Larry Winget says “Jim, a real black belt himself, does a great job teaching you to be your best by obtaining the mindset that will propel you towards excellence. Read this book!”Spencer Hughes, host of FOX Across America calls Think Like a Black Belt “a much needed roundhouse kick to laziness and complacency for those of us who need that spark to make our dreams come true.”Think Like a Black Belt is a full-contact look at the fundamental mindset characteristics we all need to achieve excellence in personal and professional life. The author, Jim Bouchard, shares the philosophy he developed as a professional martial artist to give the reader a look inside the mind of a black belt. Not another “quick fix” entry to the personal development genre, this book lays the foundation for success by examining the values and characteristics essential to the process of personal growth including discipline, focus, confidence and courage. The author freely shares his journey from college drop-out and drug abuser to black belt and professional martial artist.Often blunt, this book sometimes punches the reader in the face with the reality. At other times the author gently takes your hand and offers encouragement in a humorous, accessible “tough-love” format. If you’re looking for shortcuts, this book is not for you. If you’re ready to take control of your life and step into the ring with Black Belt Mindset you’ve found your “Sensei.”

Review: I loved this book, motivation is something I need as we come to the end of the year. I need to set goals and get ready for something new. I added my favorite quotes. The leadership chapter was great, "Leadership is the ultimate expression of sharing." He quoted Patton: "A good leader takes responsibility when things go bad and shares the credit when things go right." So true, who do you know that does that? And do you want to be like them? I do.

I agree with him on competition, it seems to have gotten a bad rap, but without it- we all fail. "Fair competition does not destroy; it makes both combatants stronger." What are we doing not letting our kids compete? My daughter was saying she was doing so well at flute she didn't need to practice as much, until the teacher moved her up a class and she was at the bottom. It made her mad, but then she started to work harder and practice more so she could be at the top of the class again. She is growing with the competition, not sitting complacent. She needs to be pushed like everyone else so she can find her true potential. "Complacent societies don't progress, they stagnate." Do we want to stagnate? I don't!!! But you can see that happening around you every day.

I agree with almost everything he says, we are responsible for ourselves, we cannot expect or wait for someone to pull us up by our boot straps. We need to put on our big boy or girl pants and get in the game. Sitting around waiting for someone to change your circumstance is wrong and not only that, its stupid, get off your lazy butt and do what you need to do to succeed. Be thankful for those who help you along the way, but remember it is you who is responsible for you. Not the government, not you parents and not society as a whole.

"Freedom is ultimately your decision to accept personal responsibly for your own success and happiness. The greatest responsibility you have is to continually improve yourself, Make yourself better and you bring more value to the world." Again, I loved this book.

What a wonderful world we would live in if everyone took responsibility for themselves. I plan to keep doing just that and to teach my children the same. You're the only one who can improve or change your situation, if you aren't happy then get out there and do something about it. It isn't education that makes people successful, its hard work and perseverance. If you have an education, its because you worked for it and deserve it and any success you gain from having it, but it doesn't change who you are. You are a motivated, hard working, disciplined, focused individual and that is what will win the race in the end. Now go get this book and read it, we all can use a little kick in the butt sometimes.

Author Biography: Martial arts transformed Jim’s self-perception from former drug abuser and failure to successful entrepreneur and Black Belt. As a speaker and author of Amazon bestseller Think Like a Black Belt, Jim tours nationally presenting his philosophy of Black Belt Mindset for coporate and conference audiences. He's a regular guest on TV and radio programs including FOX News, BBC Worldview and FOX Across America.

Book Review: The Devious Dr. Jekyll

 
Title: The Devious Dr. Jekyll

Author: Viola Carr

Stars 4 out of 5

Review:
Steampunk novels are something new to me and at first I was a little confused until I remembered most Steampunk novels are taking place in a alternate universe. Viola Carr takes a classic novels by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story and creates a beautiful twist with the dark moments and memorable sharp wit.
Everything from the background to the characters themselves pop off the pages until you finish the book still wanting more. The mystery was a perfect blend of everything the reader could hope for.

With all that said sometimes I needed to reread parts of the book because I would get lost at moments.

ARC sent to me from the publisher for my honest opinion.

Synopsis:
Solving the infamous Chopper case has helped crime scene physician Dr. Eliza Jekyll establish her fledgling career in the chauvinistic world of Victorian law enforcement. But the scrutiny that comes with her newfound fame is unwelcome for a woman with a diabolical secret. And there is the mercurial Royal Society agent and wolf man Remy Lafayette. Does he want to marry her, eat her, or burn her at the stake? Though Eliza is uncertain about Remy, her dark and jealous shadow self, Lizzie, wants to steal the magnetic and persistent agent, and usurp Eliza’s life.

It’s impossible to push Remy away when he tempts her with the one thing she can’t resist: a bizarre crime. The search for a bloodthirsty ritual torturer dubbed the Pentacle Killer draws them into a terrifying world of spies, art thieves, and evil alchemy, where the price of immortality is madness?or damnation—and only Lizzie’s dark ingenuity can help Eliza survive.

As Eliza and Remy race to thwart a foul conspiracy involving the sorcerous French, they must also overcome a sinister enemy who is all too close: the vengeful Lizzie, determined to dispose of Eliza for good.

ebook, 464 pages

Published October 27th 2015 by Harper Voyager 

About The Author:

 

http://www.violacarr.com

 

Book Review Hidden Impact (Safeguard #1)

Title: Hidden Impact (SafeGuard 1) Author: Piper J. Drake Stars 3 1\2 out of 5 Review: This is the first in a series so the reader in introduced to the future books in the series and since there were not to many it made it easy to keep up with the different characters. The author tried and did a really good job of convincing the readers that the bodyguards at Centurion were not just a team but friends making it very easy to get excited for the next books in the series. As for the book as a whole in a nutshell a brilliant girl goes missing, girls sister (Maylin) approaches a bodyguard (Gabe) for help, bodyguard is handsome and grudgingly helps. Girl's sister and bodyguard fall in love (Shock Right). They find sister and save the day! Ex lover turns up adding a weird part to the story that kind of works. The book wasn't bad but things didn't flow as easy as I had hopped it would. I enjoyed the Chinese phrases thrown in throughout the book. Gabe was your typical Alpha and didn't really set himself part from any other character in any other book I have read recently. I needed something from the male character I haven't read in other books but it was lacking. Maylin's passion was cooking and it was fun to read and in some ways made me want the recipe's so I could try some of the meals out. Sexy time was sexy with out being outlandish and flowed with the book. However things just didn't quite flow right and I just can't put my finger on it. Again in a nutshell It is a middle of the road Romantic Suspense series. ARC by netgalley Synopsis: As part of the elite Centurion Corporation team, military-veteran-turned-mercenary Gabriel Diaz is a natural defender. He'll do anything to ensure a mission is successful. Anything but get emotionally invested—he learned the hard way that can be deadly. Easy bodyguard jobs in between the more challenging missions are all he's interested in now. Maylin Cheng is desperate and running out of time. Her younger sister has gone missing but no one seems to take her concern seriously. Her last hope lies in asking an aloof bodyguard for help. He dismisses her outright, but all that changes when she is almost killed in a not-so-accidental hit-and-run right before his eyes. As Maylin leans on Gabriel, she begins to rely on him for more than just her safety. But as their attraction grows, so does the danger surrounding them. When the elaborate web they're trapped in unravels, Gabriel will do anything to protect them. Even if that means putting his heart in the crosshairs. Book one of the Safeguard series Kindle Edition Expected publication: November 9th 2015 by Carina Press About The Author: Piper J. Drake (or "PJ") spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every interesting novel she could borrow from the local and school libraries. She was introduced to the wonderful world of romance by her best friend and dove into the genre. PJ began her writing career as "PJ Schnyder" writing sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk. She has recently received the FF&P PRISM award for her work as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award. Now, PJ is exploring the complexity of romantic suspense, incorporating her interests in mixed martial arts and the military into her writing.

Book Review: Tracks of Her Tears

Title: Tracks of Her Tears

Author: Melinda Leigh

Stars 5 out of 5


Review:
For a novella this book packs one heck of a punch! From being to end the reader will not be able to put this book down.  Track of Her Tears is a sequel to the Rogue River Novellas which I would recommended you read before you tackle this book. Its a Novella so it doesn't have the number count to go over the last few books so please read the others before reading this book.  
Melinda Leigh as the ability to pull at readers heart strings with her stories. Each book builds on the Relationship between Seth and his wife Carly and her family.  The authors ability to tell such a great story in a short amount of words has me speechless.
The killer isn't a secret but its the story that will have the reader unable to put the book down.
The suspense in this book will have you reading all afternoon and once the reader finishes the novella they will go back and reread the other novella's.

Another Success from Melinda Leigh.

ARC from Netgalley



Synopsis:
In the first thrilling Rogue Winter Novella, sleepy little Solitude, Oregon, wakes up to another deadly threat.

County investigator Seth Harding intends to spend the holidays with his newly reconciled family, but a few days before Christmas, a homicide thwarts his plan. Seth arrives at the scene and makes a painful discovery: the victim is his brother-in-law’s girlfriend. Her apartment has been ransacked and her toddler left motherless. To make matters worse, Seth’s brother-in-law, Bruce, is missing. With Solitude locked in a rare, deadly deep freeze and the temperature plummeting, the residents launch a desperate search.

Seth calls his wife, social worker Carly Taylor, to take the case so the little girl doesn’t get lost in the foster care system. With the holidays near, Carly brings the child home with them to celebrate Christmas. But when the Taylor farm is also trashed, Seth and Carly must race against time—and against a paralyzing winter storm—to find Bruce and catch a killer in the first pulse-pounding sequel to the Rogue River Novellas.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: November 10th 2015 by Montlake Romance

About the Author:
 
Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A life-long lover of books, she started writing as a way to preserve her sanity while raising her kids. Over the next few years, she learned a few things about writing a book and decided the process was way more fun than analyzing financial statements. Melinda's debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. Her bestselling books have twice been nominated for the Daphne du Maurier Award.

Melinda holds a 2nd degree belt in Kenpo Karate. She's dabbled in Arnis stick fighting, studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and taught women's self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two kids, a couple of shelter dogs and two rescue cats who clearly run the show. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination. Find out more about Melinda by visiting melindaleighauthor.com. 

Book Review: Go, Ivy, Go

Title: Go Ivy Go

Author: Lorena McCourtney

Stars 5 out of 5

Review:
Just finished " Go Ivy go" an Ivy Malone mystery by Lorena McCourtney, it was a fun book causing me to remember why I like the series.  The story centers around Ivy, after having been on the run for a few years, decides to return to her little house on Madison St. in an unnamed city in the Midwest about a day and a half from St. Paul just north of Nebraska, as I said some unnamed city in the Midwest.

When she arrives she notices the yard is a mass of weeds and some rather oddities that had not been there before, such as a mannequin head, a picture of Elvis, and other such miscellaneous things that normally are not used to decorate a yard.  As Ivy unlocks the side door, she steps in and is assaulted with an odor that is almost overwhelming, but closed up houses do have smells so she proceeded to open up the downstairs Windows and then proceeded to the upstairs, passing an unpleasant stain on the carpet.  

Some background on Ivy!  She is an LOL or little old lady, Who wears sensible shoes, with rugged gray hair and quite a few wrinkles and sags in all the wrong places.  Ivy also has the habit of stumbling into murder!!!!

Ivy fancies herself as a Jr. Detective and tries to solve murders but usually get's herself into serious trouble which is why she has been on the run for the last few years.  It hasn't been all bad, while on the run Ivy has made some very good friends including one she really, really likes, named Mac.

Well back to Ivy's present murder.  The smell was stronger upstairs as Ivy headed to the bedroom and bathroom  that she and Harvey shared for over 40 years.  She opened the bedroom window and then headed to the bathroom to air out that area when she stumbled over some rags on the floor that also were in the bath tub.  Well she had to clean the whole place she might just as well start here.  Leaning over, listening to her back creak, she picked up the rags and jumped back, under the rags she saw a black and very shriveled toe, human toe, oh no! Thought Ivy, not again!

Great book, end of a great series, sorry to see the series end!  I give this book five stars out of five!

Thank you Eileen for your Review

Synopsis:
Ivy Malone is back! This "invisible" LOL (little old lady) has been on the run, hiding out from the vengeful Braxtons, for almost three years now. With an unlikely propensity for getting tangled up in murder, and with the threat of the Braxtons always on her heels, they have not been dull years. Friend (boyfriend?) Mac MacPherson is usually around too, hints of marriage occasionally surfacing - but always sinking.

But Ivy's longing for home back in Missouri has been growing ever stronger. Now, with the Braxtons' interest in her apparently over, a letter offering to buy her house, and a sign from the Lord, she happily decides it's time to return home.

Mac, however, is less than happy about her decision. When she heads for Missouri, he goes a different direction, a parting with a dark finality.

Okay, fine. She can live without Mac, can't she? Once back on Madison Street, the area looks more rundown than when she left and her house a little shabby, but she's still so very glad to be home.

Until she discovers an unpleasant surprise in the upstairs bathtub, a surprise that makes her wonder if she misinterpreted the "sign" from the Lord, and maybe coming home was a big mistake. Because it definitely appears she has not been forgotten by the Braxtons after all.

Kindle Edition, 216 pages

Published May 27th 2015 by Rogue Ridge Press 

 

About The Author:

 

 

Book Review: Biker Brigade

 
Title: Biker Brigade

Author: Nicolette Pierce

Stars: 5 out of 5

Review:
Yes I love Indie author Nicolette Pierce so when Biker Brigade came out I was excited to see what would happen to Mars, Brett and the mashup of different characters that have floated in and out of the Mars Cannon series.
This series has always been a really fun combination of laughs, suspense, romance and nail biting moments and this book doesn't disappoint. With the large cast of characters their are moments of getting lost but the author tried to keep it easy with only mentioning names and not having have dialog.  With the new additions to the story I wonder how Nicolette Pierce will be able to keep readers from getting lost. You have Brett's family, two sets of biker groups, bar friends, friends and lets not forget the killer enemies.
I have found that Nicolette other series always seem to have a really good book but the next one wasn't near as fun but with this series each book get better and better. The characters grow, develop and change, thankfully not being stagnate like the Stephine Plum series by Janet Evanovich.
 This is a quick easy read that a reader can finish in a day or enjoy throughout a nice cool weekend.
Nicolette keeps true to her characters and will have the readers excited for the next installment of the Mars Cannon series.


Synopsis:
Mars Cannon is in Texas with Brett, ready to face her worst nightmare in court. The Sledgehammer’s trial will commence in only a few days, and Mars’ nerves begin to fray. With Brett’s help, she prepares to face the killer one last time. But there’s a snag. Mysterious boxes appear on doorsteps with new, horrifying evidence. While Annie is behind bars, the murders continue. The defense lawyer will demand her release in light of this new evidence. Mars knows Annie is the killer, so who is the copycat?

While Brett works with T to shed light on the latest murder, Brett’s past catches up with him. Mars receives anonymous texts revealing Brett is not the man she thinks he is. He’s a hitman with a perfect completion rating, and his next target hits too close to home. When she overhears his conversation with T, she fears for her life and wants to run. The only problem: She’s stranded in Texas. In a moment of panic, she engages the help of Rand, Brett’s young, ill-tempered uncle.

With two serial killers on the loose and Brett on the hunt, Mars quickly finds herself in the crosshairs. Mrs. Janowski and her friends ride in to help, enlisting the aid of the Comets, a biker gang with Mars’ dad as their newest member. They drive cross-country on a mission to take down the lynchpin that entwines them all together. But Brett has other plans for them.

ebook

Published October 17th 2015 by Smashwords Edition 

About the Author:

 

I'm relatively new to the publishing world. I was an accountant at my last job, so this new direction is very exciting and I love every new discovery. My writing could fall under the category of romantic suspense or even woman sleuth. I tend to read regency romance novels because I'm a sucker for a handsome lord. Strong characters make me keep reading. Wishy-washy characters irritate the heck out of me and I rarely finish the story. In stories -- like in life -- heroes happen.

If you want to know more, visit my website at www.NicolettePierce.com

 

 

Book Review: Stranded

Title: Stranded

Author :Lorena McCourtney

 Stars: 3 out of 5

 Review:
This is a series of mystery novels staring Ivy Malone an LOL "little ole lady"by her own definition. There are five books with the last two having just been published in the last few months. It is available from Amazon and is available as a kindle book. Ivy is an older lady who seems to fall into solving murders totally by accident. At the beginning of book four she is on the run from a family called Braxton's who have decided that she is a threat to them because of her snooping into things that look suspicious, suspiciously like murder.
As the book opens Ivy and her young friend Abilene are traveling across country on their way to Arizona to try and hide from the Braxton's and Abilene's ex husband who is determined to get his "property" back, namely his wife. As Ivy and Abilene pull into town the motor home they are driving makes clunks, pops, and grinding sounds, then stops. Luckily there is a mechanic in town who tells Ivy he can fix the motor home, only problem is that the motor is burned out and it will have to be replaced. $$$$ signs pass in front of Ivy's eyes and she realizes that she and her young friend are going to have to find a job. While at the mechanic's she visits with a man who intrigues Her with the story of a murder of an old man in the small town of Hello, Colorado. As they wait to find out about their transportation to Arizona, a young lawyer named Kelli comes in and introduces herself. She the number one person of interest to the police for the murder.
 Ivy, not one to judge a book by its cover, talks to Kelly and hears her side of the story which does not jive with all the gossip Ivy has heard since she arrived. Kelli offers her Uncles house to Ivy and Abilene to stay while they figure out what they want to do about fixing their means of transportation. Only one problem with the house, it is the scene of the murder of the old man who just happened to be Kelli's uncle. Get the picture, and with that Ivy is on the scent and starts at it again.
 This book is fun with lots old friends from the first three books returning to help Ivy solve the murder, though not on purpose. Mac, Ivy's love interest moseys into town and sets her pacemaker all a flutter, the handsome young vet also has his eye on Abilene and so romance is in the air for young and old alike.
 Fun book, well written, not quite as witty as the first two but certainly equal to the third and lots of fun to read. A good clean books with a fun mystery and a cute side stories to add color.
 Thank you Eileen For this Review.

 Synopsis: Super sleuth Ivy Malone's inquisitiveness has gotten her into plenty of trouble, including murder, mayhem, and a place on a mini-Mafia hit list. Still on the run from the mob, Ivy ends up in a small town in the Pacific Northwest with a broken-down motor home, a young traveling companion running from a violent husband, and a stray cat.

Paperback, 318 pages Published October 1st 2006 by Fleming H. Revell Company (first published January 1st 2006)


About The Author:
 
Lorena McCourtney is a long-time resident of Southern Oregon and enjoys using Oregon settings in her books. She wrote numerous short stories for children before moving on to romances and now to mysteries, often with a bit of humor. She won the American Christian Fiction Writer's Mystery "Book of the Year" and twice won the Daphne Du Maurier Award of Excellence.

Book Review: Dangerous Games (O’Connor & Kincaid #1)

Title:  Dangerous Games (O’Connor & Kincaid #1) 

Author: Tess Diamond

Stars 4 out of 5

Review:
I will start off with I am not much into cliffhangers when it comes to books. I need a complete book from beginning to end with some sort of resolve otherwise I feel short changed. Yes the author Tess Diamond did give you the kidnapper but I still feel like if she wanted to have a cliffhanger she could have given a little more meat to the story.
The ending of the book was a nail biter but it felt more like an episode of 24 than a compete novel.

Meggie our female lead was The best FBI hostage negotiator but when things go wrong on her last case Meggie leaves the FBI. Meggie former boss pulls her back in for one last case a Senator daughter has been kidnapped. While in search of the daughter former special forces security expert Jake O’Connor tries to push Meggie out of the way until they both realize they need each other to find the missing daughter. Yes sexual attention is in the air but they both know their job to find the missing girl.
 I enjoyed the gym scene it gave the book a little more light when Meggie suggested Jake was a meat head.

With the book being a cliffhanger I needed more meat to Meggie background her kidnapping and why she joined the FBI. I personally felt it was skimmed over to quickly in this book.
 
It is a quick paced story that keeps the reader hooked. Tess Diamond keeps a great pace so the book never has a dull or slow moment which will keep the reader hooked until the end.

Tess writes like the style of Kendra Elliot but lacks the polish that will set this book apart from others in the same genre.

Thank you to author for providing me the E-copy for my honest review.

Synopsis:
A thirteen year-old girl has been taken - and Special Agent Maggie Kincaid is the only one who can get her back.

When a Senator’s daughter goes missing, every minute counts. The FBI’s best hostage negotiator, Agent Kincaid, knows what it’s like to be a terrified victim. Kidnapped as a child, those memories haunt her every day - and give her an insight into the evil mind behind this deadly crime.

But the Senator’s family has other plans, and have brought in ex-forces security expert Jake O’Connor to oversee negotiations. He’s got secrets of his own, and doesn’t play by the same rule book. With time running out, Maggie and O’Connor will have to overcome their differences to keep this case from ending in tragedy.



About the Author: 

Tess  Diamond is a romantic suspense addict with a taste for danger - and chocolate cake. She lives in Colorado Springs with her law enforcement husband, two kids, and ferocious Jack Russell guard dog. She always dreamed of being an FBI agent, and now she almost is - if watching 24 reruns and plotting her next novel counts.