Book Review: Ninja School Mum by Lizzie Chantree

Title: Ninja School Mum

Author: Lizzie Chantree

Stars: 5 Stars

Review:
Ninja School Mum is as funny as the title. The story is over the funny with action, romance and mystery readers will enjoy as they shut the door of reality. The story is fun, imaginative and while the story isn't perfect and sometimes left this reader a little confused. 
Ninja School Mum is worth a few hours of fun. Not to mention if you are a parent who has dealt with schools yards, playground and play dates this story will make you laugh out loud.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Crooked Cat Books for my Copy.

Synopsis:
Obsessive-compulsive school mum, Skye, is a lonely elite spy, who is running from her past whilst trying to protect the future of her child. She tries hard to fit in with the other parents at her son’s new school, but the only person who accepts her unconventional way of life is new mother, Thea.

Thea is feeling harassed by her sister and bored with her life, but she suspects that there is something strange about the new school mum, Skye. Thea has secrets of her own and, although the two become unlikely friends, she hesitates to tell Skye about the father of her own child.

Zack’s new business is growing faster than he could have dreamed but, suddenly, he finds himself the owner of a crumbling estate on the edge of a pretty village, and a single parent to a very demanding child. Could he make a go of things and give his daughter the life she deserved?

When three lives collide, it appears that only one of them is who they seem to be, and you never know who the person next to you in the school playground really is

Paperback, 1, 310 pages

Published January 30th 2018 by Crooked Cat Books

About the Author:

Lizzie writes sizzling beach reads, for people who love a good romance story. She is an enthusiastic inventor, businesswoman and artist. She founded her first company at the age of 17 and has been creating products and driving her family mad ever since! 

Lizzie appeared on Sky News, ITV Lunchtime News, This Morning, The Big Breakfast, BBC’s Worldwide Radio Service, amongst others for becoming one of Fair Play London’s Female Innovators.

Lizzie lives near London, with her gorgeous husband, two bouncy children and a very unusual dog. In between the school run and baking cakes (or burning them), she sits in her rooftop studio writing romance stories about sexy entrepreneurs and the quirky businesses they run. 

Book Review: Trusting Danger (The Danger Series #2) by Caila Jaynes and Allyson Simonian

Title: Trusting Danger (The Danger Series #2)

Author(s): Caila Jaynes  and Allyson Simonian 

Stars: 3 1/2 stars

Review:
 3 1/2 stars

Trusting Danger is a romance right off the bat while there is suspense it is a romance as the two leads Grayson and Claire refuse to accept that they have feeling for each other.
The authors are able to create a picture with remorse, sadness, romance and action. While it wasn't perfect and I was lost even though I was told it was a stand alone novel I think readers would benefit from reading the first in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Altapoint Publishing for the copy of Trusting Danger.


Synopsis:
While investigating a drug ring, Grayson Matthews learns of a kidnapping threat and is tasked with safeguarding the daughter of a US senator. In the close quarters of a safe house, he fights his attraction to his protectee as he strives to learn who’s intent on kidnapping her.

Although born to a life of wealth and privilege, Claire Parker is tired of being told what to do. Normally a people-pleaser, she chafes against the rules of the man sent to protect her. He’s infuriating and bossy, and evokes a visceral response she’s never experienced before.

When a violent death links them in grief, Grayson and Claire must overcome their differences and trust in each other to unmask the kidnapper before it’s too late.

Trusting Danger is written as a standalone and is the second book planned for the Danger Series.

Kindle Edition, 332 pages

Published January 4th 2018 by Altapoint Publishing, LLC

About The Authors

Allyson Simonian lives in California with her husband and children. She credits the Fifty Shades trilogy for not only bringing her back to reading the romance genre, but for inspiring her to write. Allyson is at work on The Danger Series with Caila Jaynes. You can learn more at www.allysonsimonian.com and www.cailajaynes.com.

Caila Jaynes is a romance author who prefers a little suspense before her happily-ever-after. She and her husband live in the Inland Northwest, sharing their mountain home with their feline fur-babies. When she’s not writing, she loves to curl up with a quilt and watch Hallmark movies, dreaming about writing one someday.

Caila is best known for her romantic-suspense collaboration with Allyson Simonian, the Danger Series. To keep up with the latest releases, visit www.cailajaynes.com.

Book Review: Federal Agent Under Fire by Julie Anne Lindsey

Title: Federal Agent Under Fire 

Author:  Julie Anne Lindsey 

Stars: 5 stars

Review:
I am a fan of Julie Anne Lindsey and her writing style.  She has an ability to bring readers to the point of nail biting suspense as well as make them swoon for the characters hoping for the Happily Ever After readers love. 

This story off face pace pulling reader happily along as Blake and Marissa try to find a killer who wants to see her dead.

The characters stay true to who they are from beginning to the end of the story. Read will fall in love with smart tough as nails Marissa who has a soft side for her family and Blake who can't seem to understand how he could fall in love with someone who fast.

The story is well written and a must read by the pool during spring break. it is a quick fast read that will sastify mystery and romance readers.

I can't wait to read what Julie Anne Lindsey has up her sleeve next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Intrigue for the advance copy

Synopsis:

She'd fought for her life but the terror continues. For five years FBI agent Blake Garrett has fixated on a serial-killer case. Now the madman has attacked Marissa Lane. She escaped with her life...and some clues that could help Blake. Yet she is still the object of the killer's obsession. And Blake is torn between the unquenching need to catch his prey and a deep desire to protect the woman he can't possibly keep.

About The Author:

Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at night. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd with a penchant for words and proclivity for fun. Julie lives in Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Today, she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world. Julie is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Romance Writers of America), and Sisters in Crime. She is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Book Review: Watching You (Hollywood Heat #1) by Leslie A. Kelly

Title: Watching You (Hollywood Heat #1)

Author: Leslie A. Kelly

Stars: 3 stars

Review:
While writing the first book in the series set up to the rest of the book the Author will be writing it keeps to be done well to keep readers hooked for the next book. This book falls flat from the male and female points of view that readers will guess who is who at first to the cliffhanger that isn't needed.  Many loose end that could have been tied up in this book are left up in the air. The part that kept me wanting to put the book down and not finish it was the little stalker  manipulatively controlling romance.  

First books in the series need to establish a backstory that can have understanding motive as well as character development but it can also have hidden gems.  This Story has no of that.
I do not think I will be reading the next in the series.


Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy Leslie A. Kelly Watching You (Hollywood Heat #1)

Synopsis:
Aspiring screenwriter Jessica Jensen grew up on movies starring heartthrob Reece Winchester, the eldest brother of a Hollywood dynasty. She never thought she'd meet the man in person, though. Actor, director, millionaire, and gorgeous mystery man-he's every woman's fantasy. 

Reece wants Jessica the moment he sees her, and he's a man who always gets what he wants. At first he was only after a night in her bed, but as he comes to know the smart, confident woman beneath the stunning exterior, he realizes once will never be enough. 

Unfortunately, Jessica's real-life Cinderella story is about to take a deadly turn... 

Reece's world is filled with fierce ambition and dark family secrets the Winchesters desperately want to hide. But he and his brothers aren't the only ones who know those secrets. Someone else is out there, waiting to strike. Waiting-and always watching. 

When danger finally steps out of the shadows, Reece will have to face his past. And Jessica will have to decide just how far she can trust the man she loves with her heart...and her life.

Paperback, 368 pages

Expected publication: March 13th 2018 by Forever Yours

About the Author:

Leslie A. Kelly is a New York Times Bestselling author of more than fifty novels in various genres. She writes contemporary romances--usually funny and sexy--as Leslie Kelly. The middle initial--A.--means a thrilling, dark suspense novel, like one of her Black CATs or Veronica Sloan titles. 

She lives in Maryland with her husband and their daughters. 

Book Review Plum Tea Crazy (A Tea Shop Mystery #19) Laura Childs

Title: Plum Tea Crazy (A Tea Shop Mystery #19)

Author: Laura Childs

Star: 4 out of 5

Review:
A very cozy mystery set in the beautiful locale of Charleston SC. The author is able to build a word picture of the area that made this reader feel he was there last week and not 40 years ago. The story unfolds quite nicely and will keep the reader engaged. The author gives a hint to solving the mystery if the reader is astute and able to grasp it's value. Overall a clean cut story with minimal violence.

I have given this book a four star rating.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review

Thank you Frank for the review.

Synopsis:
While viewing the harbor's Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy Neville's Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it's discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow.

At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner--all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: March 6th 2018 by Berkley Books

About The Author:





Laura Childs is a pseudonym for Gerry Schmitt and she is the best-selling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Scrapbook Mysteries, and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries.

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries - set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She's also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn't rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries - a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans' spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries - set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe's undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.