Review: Finger Lickin’ Fifteen

Synopsis:

Unbuckle your belt and pull up a chair. It’s the spiciest, sauciest, most rib-sticking Plum yet.
Recipe for disaster: Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton in a barbecue cookoff and loses his head – literally.
Throw in some spice: Bail bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she’ll talk to is Trenton cop Joe Morelli.
Pump up the heat: Chipotle’s sponsor is offering a million-dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers.
Stir the pot: Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help find he killer and collect the moolah.
Add a secret ingredient: Stephanie Plum’s Grandma Mazur. Enough said.
Bring to a boil: Stephanie Plum is working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, aka Ranger, during the day. Can Stephanie hunt down two killers, a traitor, and five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, and solve Ranger’s problems and not jump his bones?

Warning: Habenero hot. So good you’ll want seconds. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich is a hilarious yet entertaining mystery. I enjoy reading the Stephanie Plum series by this writer. Never a dull moment withthe main protagonist. Stephanie Plum isn’t perfect. She’s full of quirks. It’s easy to relate to the sleuth and her friends. Her relationship with the police officer Joe Morelli is complicated. Stephanie likes him but she feels they fight way too easily over everything. But she can’t deny her attraction to the sexy man. Their relationship is off and on…through the book. There’s also the hot security expert, Ranger, whom Stephanie likes, too. Where this new adventure leads her is for readers to open up and follow along. I laughed as the famous humor from the talented writer came to live on every page. Still fun, spontaneous, and intriguing. 

Review: First Case Scenario

Synopsis:

Most cops walk a beat. She dances to one.
Undercover and using moves she didn’t learn at the Detroit Police Academy, Harlee races to identify the cold case murderer who has struck again. While juggling a charming ex-fiancé, a friend with benefits, and a partner who is too darn handsome for his own good, Harlee begins socializing with the potential suspects outside of work… until the killer learns of her double identity. 
This mystery has a perfect blend of humor, sexiness and suspense. It is the first novel in the Harlee’s Whodunit in the Motor City Series. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

First Case Scenario by Annemarie DeClark is a fast-paced yet exciting read. The whole story caught my attention immediately. It was easy to connect with the characters, especially with the main protagonist. Brilliant mystery. I was intrigued by what Harlee was going through and how she would juggle it all. She’s a new leading woman to watch out for…similar to Stephanie Plum. I laughed so hard and was entertained from beginning to end. Danger, suspense, and mystery all woven into one stunning novel. There’s even a bit of romance included, too. Addictive. Annemarie DeClark has been added to my favorites list. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next time. Overall, I highly recommend this book to all. 

Review: Holiday Spice

Synopsis:

Darcy Shaughnessy has gotten used to her overbearing brothers chasing away any man she wants to date. But a chance meeting with a brooding — and deliciously handsome — artist is about to make this holiday season one to remember.

There’s only one thing Benjamin Tanner loves more than his woodcarving: solitude. Then he gets snowed in with Darcy in his cozy cabin in the woods, and their heated feelings begin to melt the icy barrier between them.

With Ben’s need for privacy and Darcy’s love of family and social life, will opposites still attract once the snow clears and the holiday festivities come to an end?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Holiday Spice by Samantha Chase is another brilliant masterpiece. The ending made me cry with happiness. I was affected during the entire book. Intense, emotional, and intriguing. The plot was well-done as always. Addictive…the pages went by fast. The scenes dragging me up into the characters’ lives. Every page left me wondering what will happen. I’ve never been disappointed yet with any of Samantha Chase’s novels. Her books are out of this world. Holiday Spice is exactly that. Spicy and sweet. A holiday novel that was hard to stop reading. 

The main characters were total opposites. The male character, Ben, was similar to Darcy’s brother, Owen. Socially awkward, smart, and extremely talented. Ben hates interacting with others. In fact, he doesn’t interact with his orders at all. Ben and his two brothers lost their parents. The loss and grief hit Ben the hardest. He never celebrates Christmas anymore because that’s when they lost them…

Then, comes along beautiful yet sassy, Darcy Shaunghnessy. She knocks Ben’s world out of tilt. He can’t stand hearing the truth from her so he runs and hides. But he knows she’s right. He loves her laughter, her baking, and making love to her. She makes him feel alive again. Without her, his world is grey.

Darcy Shaunghnessy is a young woman who lost her mother ata young age. Ever since then, she’s been dealing with family issues. Wanting a mom…but Santa never brought her one. Instead it was just her, her brothers, and her dad. Now, as an adult, her brother blessed her with sister-in-laws and nieces to spoil. But Darcy’s world still isn’t whole. 

Until she meets Ben. Ben makes her knees weak. He makes her feel whole. Complete. But his world and hers don’t match…it will take something toget these two their happily ever after…

Overall, I fell in love with this book. Samantha Chase knows just what us, readers, want. Heartfelt and unforgettable stories. Stories that left me laughing, crying, and falling in love. I highly recommend this new novel to readers worldwide. 

Review: Reagan Through the Looking Glass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

She’s stepped into a world where everything and everyone has a price, and her time is running out to discover who holds the bounty on her head.

 

 

When Reagan’s student adviser is found dead, the police say he’s the victim of a burglary gone bad, but it’s not that simple. Jabberwock-the kingpin of the deep web, and the man who killed her brother-knows she’s close to discovering his identity.

 

 

Two men insist they can keep her safe and help her find answers. Hare is sweet, soft-spoken, and introduces her to a wicked walk on the wild side, spiced with temptation and thrill.

 

 

Hatter has kept secrets from her since they met. But he speaks her language, and a single touch from him ignites her desire.

 

 

As she follows the tracks down the rabbit hole, Reagan is dropped headfirst into a world of the dangerous and surreal, where everything and everyone has a price. And her time is running out to discover if it’s the Hatter or the Hare who owns Jabberwocky’s bounty on her.

 

 

 

Author’s Note: This book is part one of a duet. It does not stand alone.

 

 

 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Reagan Through the Looking Glass by Allyson Lindt is a fascinating new world. One that caught my attention right away. Some many references to the Alice in Wonderland that it’s intriguing. All the codes names and secrets. Reagan’s brother is killed by a notorious man. One that is well connnected and knows everyone’s secrets. Yet Reagan aka Alice soon discovers his. That’s when the game becomes deadly. She’s super smart when it comes to computer technology. And soon, the Jabberwocky won’t know what hit him until it’s over…

Allyson Lindt is a talented writer. Her books are addictive. This one, is part of a duet. Making it a must read and leaving readers like myself hanging for the next release. Exciting, dangerous, and intriguing. Reagan Through the Looking Glass is creative yet thrilling read. I enjoyed the mystery, suspense, and the risks the characters took. Hot, sexy, and entertaining to follow. I loved reading it. Reagan is a strong yet determined heroine that kept me guessing. Overall, I highly recommend this soon to be released title.

Review: The Promise of a Letter

Synopsis:

A letter brings him back to his Amish family. It will take someone truly extraordinary to make him stay. 

Roman is on the verge of leaving the Amish ways. Feeling confined by the strict rules, he longs to do something more with his life. But when things don’t go as planned, Roman’s prospects outside of the community dwindle. Upon learning that his beloved grandmother has died and left a letter urging him to reconcile with his brother in Birch Creek, Roman decides to return home. But he doesn’t plan to stay for long.

Leanna Chupp has always made her own way in her small community of Birch Creek. Though some may call her unconventional–strange, even–Leanna is happy. Her unique outlook on life has meant she’s never had many suitors pursuing courtship, which Leanna doesn’t mind. She is content being single.

But when Roman and Leanna find themselves working together again, everything changes. Though neither fit squarely within the strictures of the Amish faith, their differences could be the very thing to help them form a deeper connection to their community and to each other. The question remains: will this strengthening bond be enough to make Roman stay for good? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

The Promise of a Letter by Kathleen Fuller is an exciting adventure. A book with meaning and purpose. Two protagonists feel trapped, lost, and hurt. But with some time, hope, and faith they will be able to heal and move forward with happiness. The title is exactly what the story is about and shows that even the things we want are not what we may need. 

Kathleen Fuller is a writer with a magical wand. I love traveling deep into her books.  The characters are hard to ignore. Their life issues sucked me into their dilemmas and had me rooting for them. The book also contained a great emotional journey. I felt each characters loss, hope, faith, worry, anger, and fear. It was exciting to watch them grow. 

Leanna is a young Amish woman who is nothing like the others in her community. She hated school except for a few subjects like math. Her ability to fix things is amazing. Mechanical knowledge is for men. And here, I got to watch her fulfill that role. Leanna struggled with what others said about her working as a mechanic. But still, she never gave up…and it was thanks to one man who gave her that break. Only…soon, a gossip breaks out, bringing forth doubt and fear. This causes Leanna to lose her job. I felt sorry for her. It was funny to watch her fulfill more duties suited for her gender….like canning tomatoes. Leanna is terrible at the traditional women duties. But as a mechanic, friend, daughter, and as a sister, Leanna does well. 

Roman is a young Amish man. Not wanting to marry just like Leanna. He too, is interested in mechanics and engineering. In fact, he was pursuing a degree in it. But then, tragedy strikes. Causing Roman to travel home once more. He’s not happy about it. The way he left the last time, will cause for hardship between him and his older brother, Daniel. Daniel is all he has left. But Daniel doesn’t want him home nor helping him. However, Daniel is foolish and gets injured. This causes him to feel worse. With his injuries, Roman automatically takes up the challenge to help his brother. A mechanic shop should be easy…only Roman knows he needs help. Leanna…

Daniel is the older brother of Roman. He owns his own memchanic shop. Before it was just him and Roman. Until he got married…then, things changed. Roman left never saying goodbye. This hardened Daniel’s heart and made him angry. Struggling with things, Daniel is to stubborn to ask for help. His wife is pregnant and he’s afraid she loose the baby…then, there’s the nasty rumor that has him and his wife upset. He lets go of his only employee. His best employee, Leanna. 

The Promise of a Letter is an outstanding read. Kathleen Fuller knows how to nab her readers’ attention immediately. Every page was full of action, suspense, tension, and drama. I loved it. A good clean Christian novel with a bit of romance. Overall, I highly recommend this to all. 

New Release: The Mercenary by Petra Landon

Synopsis:

She’s a prisoner of the Imperial Forces. He’s a nomad with a private mercenary army. Can a desperate girl’s risky gamble and a fierce warrior’s love turn the tide of war and alter the balance of power in their slice of space?
In a distant corner of the galaxy, Quadrant Five burns in the flames of a deadly war. The Budheya people are one of the worst affected. Once the most advanced civilization in the quadrant, they now struggle under the cruel yoke of Ketaari occupation. 
Saakshi

Imprisoned by the Ketaari Imperial Forces, a young Budheya girl is sent to a distant space station to work in an alehouse. For a girl who has known only hardship in her short life, things could be worse. Until an old foe walks into the alehouse.
Zoran

Zoran is Hadari’Kor – notorious across star systems for their prowess in battle. Their fierce reputation allows them to retain their independence, even as others are forced to choose sides in the war. Drawn to a weary-eyed server girl, Zoran is forced to confront age-old traditions and question his role in the war.
The Prisoner & The Mercenary

Alone, friendless and far from home, Saakshi makes a desperate gamble to trust a formidable and enigmatic stranger whose hot gaze haunts her dreams. The fallout from this improbable pact reverberates across space. As a relentless enemy hunts her, Zoran must fight to protect Saakshi through a minefield of shifting alliances. When passion ignites amidst the embers of a smoldering war, will a warrior’s quest for justice bring a mighty Empire to its knees …

Author’s Note : A spirited and resilient girl, a fierce warrior with a conscience, a fiery passion that flares amidst the debris of a deadly war and a love that will alter the fate of an entire quadrant forms the tale of The Mercenary, a standalone story that sets the scene for The War Chronicles – a collection of SciFi Romance & Space Opera tales with romance, swashbuckling adventure & a sprinkling of action. (less)

Release Date : August 25, 2017

About Petra Landon

An avid reader all her life, only recently has Petra allowed her own imagination to run riot. She loves to travel, loves the outdoors and reads everything she can get her hands on, time permitting. Her taste in books is very eclectic – she tends to like stories with vivid and quirky characters that have elements of fantasy, adventure, romance and mystery interspersed together. A good book for her is one that makes the reader think long after it has been finished and set aside. And one that draws the reader back to it, again and again. 

Stories have swirled in her head for years. Sometimes, when the ending of a promising book disappoints her, she imagines a different and more satisfying outcome for herself. To share the characters and tales that have lived in her imagination for so long is a labor of love and a lifelong dream come true for her.

Author Links :

Website : www.petralandon.com

Amazon : www.amazon.com/author/petralandon

Goodreads : www.goodreads.com/PetraLandon
Twitter : www.twitter.com/PetraLandon

Pinterest : www.pinterest.com/PetraLandonLife

Mailing List : https://madmimi.com/signups/49db2caaca814574981e134850a9585e/join

Book Links :

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35393531-the-mercenary
Website: www.petralandon.com/The-Mercenary

Review: Macaroons and Mayhem

Synopsis:

Excitement blossoms through Peridale when a prestigious gardening magazine picks the village as the spotlight for their next issue, but that joy quickly turns to dread when members of the local gardening society, The Peridale Green Fingers, start dying one by one after their obituaries are sent to The Peridale Post the day before their murders.

Julia is asked to bake macarons for the magazine’s unveiling of ‘The Best Garden in Peridale’ party, but with death striking the village, she has more important things to worry about. Is somebody killing The Green Fingers’ to better their chances of winning the title as well as the cash prize, or is there something more sinister happening? With her old friend and newspaper reporter, Johnny, by her side, Julia must uncover the truth before every member of the club is crushed like an unwanted weed.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Macaroons and Mayhem by Agatha Frost is the nest best book in this thrilling mystery series! I love her books. Agatha Frost has once again, proven that she is queen of the cozy mystery genre. There’s so much to love about her writing. Fast-paced, exciting, romantic, hilarious, deadly, and plenty of drama to keep me busy as always. 

The main character, Julia South, is my all time favorite sleuth. A baker at heart who has the ability to become the best world known detective. She always solves every case. Wherever Julia goes, there’s always a murder mystery to solve. In this case, more than one person dies and a fourth victim as or may not survive the attack. Someone is targeting a garden club. The top members are being killed one by one. Unless the police can figure it out, more people will die. That’s when Julia is called to the case. An investigative journalist friend comes to her after the police mocks him. He thinks he’s stumbled upon a murder investigation. But even Julia is skeptical….but as the events unfold her skeptics may changes and she’s on the hunt. Macaroons and Mayhem has proven to be Julia South’s toughest case yet. Overall, I loved reading this new mystery. I can’t wait to read the eighth book. Agatha Frost is beyond talented. 

Review: Expresso and Evil

Synopsis:

The 6th book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series!

When a coffee shop opens in the village, Julia is surprised when her customers flock to the new business, leaving her café almost empty. A failed protest against the corporate chain store leaves Julia wondering if her café can survive, but she suddenly has bigger fish to fry when the owner of the coffee shop is poisoned, and she is framed for his murder.

As Julia attempts to clear her name, she is stopped in her tracks when an unwanted familiar face arrives in Peridale. Her past and present crash together, threatening to jeopardise her blossoming relationship with Barker. Julia’s history is back to haunt her, and she is forced to deal with the consequences of her actions before it is too late. Somebody is trying to frame Julia for her rival’s murder, but can she juggle her most challenging case yet with her complicated love life before she loses more than just her café?

Book 6 in the Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series! Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe-owning amateur female sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. Written in British English and 48,000 words long. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Expresso and Evil: A Peridale Cafe Mystery by Agatha Frost is another brilliant mystery! I was hooked instantly. This, is the sixth book in the A Peridale Cafe Mystery series. I don’t know how Agatha Frost manages it, but she delivers a clean, hilarious, and intriguing tale every time. I haven’t found a bad book by her yet…

Inside Expresso and Evil, I followed the main character and her close knit group as another mystery tumbles literally into their own territory. In fact, it happens inside of Julia South’s bakery. Her well-know enemy is found dead in her cafe. As the facts pour forth, it looks like someone has been going to a lot of trouble to frame Julia. Her bakery is also suffering a major loss due to her customers going to her enemy’s cafe. Then, to add to the drama, mystery, and trouble, her ex husband has a surprise for her…then, there’s the technical issue with their divorce that puts Julia and Barker at a distance. So much action, mayhem, and sparks flying everywhere. Julia is my favorite sleuth. She’s kind, caring, and smart. Plus, her baking is out of this world….

Agatha Frost combines a lot of genres into one marvelous read. Her series of cozy mysteries are addictive. Once, I start a new book of hers, I can’t stop reading. Then, I wait in anticipation for the next novel to be released. Fun, charming, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. This book was also heartfelt in many ways. Expresso and Evil suits this novel well. Coffee and murder…overall, I recommend this book to readers everywhere. 

Review: Protecting the Enemy

Synopsis: 

Protecting the Enemy was originally published as Honor Bound. It has since been expanded, revised, and re-edited.
Twelve years ago, I gave up the love of my life because my family made the relationship impossible. Now that Ali has come back to me, I’m not going to give her up again.
It’s been years since I’ve seen her, and I know she’s hated me all this time. I never expected to see her working as an event planner for one of my father’s business partners. But here she is, always snooping around and getting into trouble. I’m supposed to be providing security, but I can’t stop thinking about her.
She’s up to something, and it might put her in danger. She sees me as the enemy now. Maybe I am, but I’m not going to lose her again. I might be hired to protect the man she’s working against, but my heart only wants to protect her. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Protecting the Enemy by both Samantha Chase and Noelle Adams is the second installment to their new romance series. This book is another tale about second chances. A romance that existed but never got the chance to bloom until now. But there’s plenty of obstacles to get through first. Love is messy, complex, and complicated. It can leave damage…

Hatred, anger, danger, and sparks ignite in this exciting book. I felt closer to these characters than the previous book. However, I still miss the full fledge magic that Samantha Chase always brings to her books. Seeing as this is co-written, it’s hard to  feel that magic that I’m so used to feeling. But it’s still worth reading every damn page. I was engaged. Hooked. Intrigued by ehatwould transpire between the two protagonists. Writers Samantha Chase and Noelle Adams create a chemistry that lingers far after one finishes reading. Overall, I recommend this second title to readers everywhere. Protecting the Enemy is a contemporary full of heat and action. 

Review: Pancakes and Corpses

Synopsis:

Soon to be divorced Julia South never expected to be caught up in solving a murder, until she discovered the body of her cafe’s most awkward customer. With a new smug Detective Inspector in town who underestimates her every move, Julia makes it her mission to discover the real murderer, before her village friends are dragged into the frame, and more bodies are discovered.
A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe owning female amateur sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Pancakes and Corpses: A Peridale Cafe Mystery by Agatha Frost is an exciting new series. I love the main character, Julia. She’s a divorced women returning back to her hometown. Here, in Peridale, Julia is baking. Baking is her passion. But then, her cakes go missing…and a dead customer turns up…which then, catches the unwanted attention of the new detective. Something about him, puts Julia off in more than one way. 

I’ve read a few other book witinnthis series before this one, and I was easily able to follow along. The mystery in each book is different and thrilling to follow. Julia is the best baker. Her hometown, Peridale, is small but sets forth a variety of interesting characters. Intriguing, fun, hilarious, sweet, and sometimes deadly. Pancakes and Corpses is a must read for all. Action, adventure, and a murder case to solve. I couldn’t stop reading it. Agatha Frost is a talented writer. Her pages flew by fast.  

Review: Second Chance Cowboy

Synopsis:

Dancer Larissa Martine is ready to start over and Las Vegas seems like the perfect city for a shiny new beginning. But first, to honor her pact with her girlfriends, she wants to make a quick stop in Cheyenne, WY to make amends with her first love, the guy she left to chase her dreams of Broadway fame. Except rancher Matt Briggs isn’t nearly as interested in her regrets as he is in keeping her in town for his sister’s wedding. It’s a request she can’t deny when his family takes up the cause to make her stay for just one more week, but it’s difficult to maintain her friends-only boundaries with a man who attracts her as much as ever. 
After losing his father and inheriting the family ranch in addition to the one he’d bought on his own, Matt’s life is all about obligations. But Larissa’s unexpected arrival during the wedding mayhem is a bright spot he won’t ignore, even if that means tempting her into far more than just a dance. He figures one night with her will bring them both some peace with their past, which is all she said she wanted. But one night leaves Matt wanting a whole lot more and this time, he’s willing to gamble everything to make her stay. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

Second Chance Cowboy is the second book that I’ve read by Joanne Rock. I was amazed by her talent with her other book that I read before this one. Her characters literally pop off the pages. Bringing the story to readers in live motion. I felt like I was there experiencing it all in both the main characters’ shoes. I got the best perspectives from the leading female and male protagonists. Their thoughts, actions, and words could easily be felt and understood. 

Joanne Rock made me cry happy tears while reading this contemporary romance novel. I also laughed a lot. Cowboy rancher, Matt, just has affect on women. Especially, Larissa, aka Rissa. Sexy as hell, Mattcan make any woman swoon on spot. But the one woman he wanted left him eight years ago. Now, he finds her back in their ranching world. This time, he’s not ready to let her go…

Larissa is having a crappy life. Her dancing career did hit it off until her injury. Her hips still give her pain. But she still wants to audition in Las Vegas. However, on her way there, she stops home to seek forgiveness and a fresh start. Little does Larissa know that fate has more in stored for her than she planned. Like resurfering sparks between her and Matt. Matt…looked even better than she remembered. She wants him again. Feeling a bit jealous of the girl hitting on him, Larissa skates her feelings. Then, Matt’s sister ends up forcing them together for her wedding. Close proximity with each other will set off memories they never forgot…

Second Chance Cowboy is the latest novel by Joanne Rock. I love how she created so many raw emotions within me. The journey was epic. Addictive, hot, and charming. Every page was well-written. The entire story went by faster than I thought. The actions of the protagonists sped up my reading. I was so eager to find out what happened between them that I soon found the last page. And it was so good. Better than good. Superb. I have fallen in love for the second time with Joanne Rock’s writing. She delivers only the best for her readers every time. Overall, I recommend this sexy cowboy romance to all.  

Review: Chihuahua Confidential

Synopsis:

“If I say so myself, I am muy foxy!”

When novice P.I. Geri Sullivan first heard her adopted Chihuahua talk, she thought she’d gone barking mad. But it turns out Pepe is a savvy sleuth—and if he has his way, he’ll soon be a bone-a-fido celebrity, too, as Pepe and Geri are Hollywood-bound to star in the reality show Dancing With Dogs. So far, so bueno. 

Then Nigel St. Nigel, the judge everyone loves to hate, becomes the judge someone wanted dead. Pepe and Geri are hot on a killer’s heels but between perfecting the paso doble and protecting Pepe’s Pomeranian lady love, both have their paws full. If Pepe’s new status as a Beverly Hills Chihuahua goes to his head, it may be the last waltz for Geri’s crime-biting compadre…

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Chihuahua Confidential by Waverly Curtis is another exciting adventure. In this new mystery, Pepe and his owner, Geri, are headed for stardom. Pepe and Geri will be featured on Dan omg with the Dogs. It is there that they find a new case. A judge most disliked is found dead. Many suspects are found making finding the killer harder to catch. Danger, risks, and mayhem are everywhere. The pages are filled with humor. Pepe the talking Chihuahua is my favorite character. Then, there’s Geri an average female who is needing a job to pay bills and feed both her and Pepe. Geri is learning to be a detective and Pepe is helping her learn. And it’s not long before another case finds the pair. Hilarious, well-developed, and a perfect read for animal lovers worldwide. I enjoyed reading the first novel in this series. This second book, was just as good. Overall, I recommend it to all. 

Review: Onyx Webb The Series (book 10)

Synopsis:

Welcome Back to the World of Onyx Webb! This is Book Ten. (Episodes 29, 30, 31, & 32) Haven’t Gotten Entangled Yet? Please Start with Book One.

Book Ten is the end of the Onyx Webb saga with the final pieces of the web sewn together.
Onyx Webb is a complex multi-genre mash-up that combines elements of supernatural suspense, crime, horror, romance, and more. The Onyx Webb series follows the unusual life of Onyx Webb along with a central group of characters in various locations and times.
In Book Ten: The Mulvaneys deal with aftermath of the Solstice Eclipse Ball. Stan Lee and Spider Boy finally meet. Readers finally learn the fate of Onyx Webb. Scroll Up and Grab Book Ten Today! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Onyx Webb: The Series by both Richard Penton and Andrea Waltz is the last installment to this superb series. A paranormal soap opera tale filled with tons of action, adventure, and ghosts. Onyx Webb is by far still my favorite character. Her story was beautifully done. Noah is another character from this series that I loved too. He’s Onyx’s other half. Their relationship is unusual and emotionally engaging. All the other characters were awesome. They added to each featured episode. Fueling the drama, trouble, and mystery.  Richard Penton and Andrea Waltz are two talented writers. Each one spun this entire book and it’s Series into one that readers like myself will never forget. Nothing is easy in this book nor among the characters. Complex, complicated, and exciting. Never a dull moment. The pages flew by fast. I was once more hooked. I can’t wait to see the next book these writers come up with next. Their words brought forth a new world in which readers like myself easily got lost within….addictive. Overall, I highly recommend book ten to all. 

Review: Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister

Synopsis:

Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister was originally published as Duty Bound. It has since been expanded, revised, and re-edited.

The only woman I want is the one I can never have.

Harper. My best friend’s sister. I’ve wanted her since I was eighteen, but she’s always been off-limits. Now I’m home after years in the Marines, and nothing has changed–except everything has. Her brother is dead, and she’s on a hopeless quest for answers about his death.
And I want her just as much as ever.

Someone is trying to kill her now, and she won’t let me keep her safe. I have to protect her anyway, even if she doesn’t trust me, even if she hates me for it. A man protects what’s precious to him, whether or not he can ever claim her for his own.

And Harper has always been precious to me.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister by both Samantha Chase and Noelle Adams is a sexy yet emotional short read. This novella is packed with loss, anger, and lust. Levi is best friends with Harper’s older brother. He has wanted and liked Harper since the beginning but it really hit Levi the hardest when Harper grew up…

As a teenager, Harper turned heads. Levi was no different. She had him wrapped around her finger and had no idea. Levi has struggled with his attraction to Harper. She’s off limits. Not going to mess up a friendship just because he likes his best friend’s sister. Little sister.

Now, Harper is a grown woman. No little about her. Curves, flawless skin and still as fierce as before…Levi wished it was under better circumstances. His best friend, Harper’s brother, Gavin, died. Burying him. Sadness and pain hits them both. Harper hates Levi. 

Only she doesn’t know why he left her that one day. Nor does she know just how much he really cares about her…

Harper is in danger and Levi will protect her. But where that leaves them afterwards is something readers will have to discover on their own. 

Hot, well-developed, and entertaining. Both Samantha Chase and Noelle Adams have started a series that caught my heart and attention. I missed the deeper connection I get from Samantha’s novels but this one was still good. Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister is a must read.  

Review: The Portrait of Vengeance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

An unsolved case. A tempest of memories. The future’s at stake—and time is running out…

 

 

Gwen Marcey has done a good job of keeping the pain of her past boxed up. But as she investigates the case of a missing child in Lapwai, Idaho, details keep surfacing that are eerily similar to her childhood traumas. She doesn’t believe in coincidences. So what’s going on here?

 

No one knows more about the impact of the past than the Nez Perce people of Lapwai. Gwen finds herself an unwelcome visitor to some, making her investigation even more difficult. The questions keep piling up, but answers are slow in coming—and the clock is ticking for a missing little girl. Meanwhile, her ex-husband back home is threatening to take sole custody of their daughter.

 

 

As Gwen’s past and present collide, she’s in a desperate race for the truth. Because only truth will ensure she still has a future.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks is another brilliant mystery in this exciting series. Gwen Marcey is the main protagonist who is dealing with a lot. She lost her parents at a young age. Now, as an adult she will come close to the killer. The one who killed her parents is trying to kill her and the six missing kids she found. Gwen forces herself into this new investigation. She left the crime scene where her mother was murdered. Gwen will use all of her power to uncover the truth for this cold case investigation as well as save the children…all of the, who are now, counting on her to save them all.

The Portrait of Vengeance is a thrilling rush. Adventure, action, and mystery. Themes of death, loss, and hope are found here. I was hooked. The forensic artist, Gwen Marcey, has her own demons to face as well as the struggle to survive an ordeal. She must conquer the new challenges. Strong, determined, and smart. Gwen is a character to love. I immediately connected to her. Overall, I recommend this entertaining tale to readers everywhere.

Review: Fault Lines

Synopsis:

As a security expert, Charlie Hazard is all about taking control of the situation. But when the stunning Dr. Gabriella Speciale draws him into a secret psychological project, risk parameters are shattered. Every move brings him to the edge of one fault line after another, and Charlie struggles to stay clear of a maelstrom of entangled dangers. 

The research team abandons the lab on the Florida coast and flees to a mountain refuge in Italy. The battles in Charlie’s mind are overtaken by real life attacks. He must grapple with the daunting realization that a conspiracy is taking hold on both internal and external levels. Can Gabriella be trusted, or is she just part of the scheme? 

Leave behind your assumptions about the way the world works, and race along the unknown corridors of human consciousness in Fault Lines.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Fault Lines by Thomas Locke is fascinating thriller. Instantly, I was hooked. The story is about mind-shifting technology that one can destroy and another is fighting to keep alive. Danger, risks, and a mystery that propelled me from my chair into the book. The plot was well-developed and built up the intensity as the pages were flipped. Two main characters, Charlie and Gaberiella brought this tale to life. Charlie is in the line of protection duty while Gabriella is a psychologist who takes him deeper into a deadly scenario. My heart raced. The threats felt real. The novel reminded me of the fast-paced Bourne Series. Overall, I recommend this thrilling title to readers worldwide. 

Review: Need You Now

Synopsis:

Welcome to the small island town of Cloud Bay, where it’s never the wrong time to find a love that’s oh-so-right. . .

Caleb White knows what he wants out of life—and being a star tennis player is not it. After speaking to the press about his plans to retire, Caleb decides that a trip to quaint, beautiful Cloud Bay for its legendary music festival is exactly what he needs. There will be time to figure out what to do with his life without a racket in his hand soon enough. Until then, Caleb is content to be stuck on an island with CloudFest’s gorgeous director Faith Harper. . .

The daughter of a famous rock star, Faith knows all about fame, fortune, and hot flings that aren’t meant to last longer than a few good songs. Gorgeous, built Caleb is a temptation she can’t resist, but she’s not prepared for the way he makes her feel. . .and the dreams that they both share. What begins as a carefree distraction deepens into something real. But is Caleb ready to put his celebrity behind him and give life in the slow lane with Faith a chance?

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Need You Now by Emma Douglas is a hot summer read. The instant chemistry between characters lured me further into the book. The daughter of a musician is needing a new fling. She soon spots a sexy man with the bluest eyes. Attraction hard and fast. Later on, Faith finds out who he is. The famous Caleb White, star tennis player, who has recently retired. Both start out wanting a good distraction. A no strong relationship. But the more they’re together the harder that becomes for them both. Sparks fly everywhere. Hot, sexy, and fun. Emma Douglas has created an exciting contemporary novel. I was entertained. In the beginning the pages dragged a bit in speed, but soon took off fast. Need You Now suits this book well. Both Faith and Caleb need each other in their lives. But the question lingers if they will figure it out…overall, this was an engaging story. 

Review: Unraveling

Synopsis:

What happens when happily ever after starts to unravel?

Eliyana Ember doesn’t believe in true love. Not anymore. After defeating her grandfather and saving the Second Reflection, El only trusts what’s right in front of her. The tangible. The real. Not some unexplained Kiss of Infinity she once shared with the ghost of a boy she’s trying to forget. She has more important things to worry about–like becoming queen of the Second Reflection, a role she is so not prepared to fill.

Now that the Verity is intertwined with her soul and Joshua’s finally by her side, El is ready to learn more about her mysterious birth land, the land she now rules. So why does she feel like something–or someone–is missing?

When the thresholds begin to drain and the Callings, those powerful magical gifts, begin to fail, El wonders if her link to Ky Rhyen may have something to do with it. For light and darkness cannot coexist. She needs answers before the Callings disappear altogether. Can El find a way to sever her connection to Ky and save the Reflections–and keep herself from falling for him in the process?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Unraveling by Sara Ella is an unforgettable fantasy. The second book in the trilogy set. I was hooked. A magical place full of action, suspense, and intrigue. It was an epic emotional journey. One that swept me off my seat and pulled me directly into its world. The main character El is quite interesting. Determined, brave, and hopeful. Her connection to Ky, a ghost is lost in a way. But still lingers. Only if El can remember…him. The story was heartfelt, engaging, and romantic. Fast-paced. The danger, mystery, and characters have pulled me in closer to the world. I can’t wait to read the next book. Sara Ella writes well. I got lost within her pages. Felt the rush of excitement, fear, and loss. This is one book that I recommend not only to teens, but also to adults. It was addictive. Superb. Unraveling is a masterpiece readers must read. 

Review: When Lightening Strikes

Synopsis:

Simon O’Neal’s causing trouble again. And it’s up to Gail DeMarco to stop him.

Gail DeMarco left Whiskey Creek, California, to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. Her PR firm has accumulated a roster of A-list clients, including the biggest box office hit of all—sexy and unpredictable Simon O’Neal. But Simon, who’s just been through a turbulent divorce, is so busy self-destructing he won’t listen to anything she says. She drops him from her list—and he retaliates by taking the rest of her clients with him.

Desperate to save her company, Gail has to humble herself by making a deal with Simon. The one thing he wants is custody of his son, but that’s going to require a whole new image. He needs to marry some squeaky-clean girl who’ll drag him off to some small, obscure place like Whiskey Creek….

Gail’s the only one he can trust. She agrees to become his wife—reluctantly. But she isn’t reluctant because he’s too hard to like. It’s because he’s too hard not to love!

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

When Lightening Strikes by Brenda Novak is another brilliant contemporary tale. I was excited to see what Brenda Novak has written. After reading it, I was in love. The characters were realistic. Even when a PR marketing lady with a famous movie star is stuck together, I was intrigued. Both when about their actions the way real people would have done. That surprised me. Usually, characters do some realistic things and some Dream worthy things. Being around a sexy male actor would be any woman’s dream. Everyone’s except for Gail. She wants nothing to do with the stubborn no good actor, Simon. Sure he has money and looks. But his attitude is sour. Plus, his actions make his life spin further out of control. He drinks, he tried breaking into his ex wife’s house to see his son…and all he gets is trouble. The media love that. His wife wants his money and uses their kid as a leverage. Simon can’t win custody due to his bad boy image. So, that’s where Gail comes in…she’s the best at PR. He wants her to help him. However, she can’t stand the man and declines. Gail doesn’t want to work with someone who won’t listen to her. So, she says some awful things to him and cuts him loose. Then, he gets back at her. That’s where all hell breaks loose. Soon, they find themselves crawling back to each other for help. Gail needs him to undo the damage done to her business, and she will help him win his kid back. Sounds easy….add in a fake marriage of two years and a force of no drinking, no sex, and no bad stuff. Simon can only handle so much. But he does what Gail says…

Falling in love is what neither one wanted nor expected. The more time they’re together the harder it is to resist…

Overall, When Lightening Strikes is a charming heartfelt story. I loved it. So many emotions and an epic journey ahead. Brenda Novak has done it again in creating the best romance. I was hooked. Engaging, sweet, and funny. This is a book I recommend to all. 

Review: Take Me Home for Christmas

Synopsis:

Christmas is a time for remembering….
Too bad all memories aren’t pleasant. Everyone in Whiskey Creek remembers Sophia DeBussi as the town’s Mean Girl. Especially Ted Dixon, whose love she once scorned. 
But Sophia has paid the price for her youthful transgressions. The man she did marry was rich and powerful but abusive. So when he goes missing, she secretly hopes he’ll never come back—until she learns that he died running from an FBI probe of his investment firm. Not only has he left Sophia penniless, he’s left her to face all the townspeople he cheated…. 
Sophia is reduced to looking for any kind of work to pay the bills and support her daughter. With no other options, she becomes housekeeper for none other than Ted, now a successful suspense writer. He can’t bring himself to turn his back on her, not at Christmas, but he refuses to get emotionally involved. He learned his lesson the last time. 
Or will the season of love and forgiveness give them both another chance at happiness? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Take Me Home for Christmas by Brenda Novak was another brilliant read. I don’t know how she does it. Every book is good. Engaging, whole hearted, and stunning. This latest novel, was centered on family. There were other themes like dealing with bullying, harassment, alcoholism and other stuff. Plus, old flames rekindling. 

First, I was introduced to a young woman. One that was super gorgeous and still is. She used her popularity around Whiskey Creek to her advantage. However, that left her with enemies, a broken heart, and no friends. Sophia left a good guy for one that turned out to be way worse than she ever feared. Her one night with a rich guy ended up with her being pregnant. So, her only option was to marry him. Leaving behind the one guy who truly cared about her as she did for him. 

Now, after having lost her husband on the day of her anniversary, Sophia returns back home. Whiskey Creek is her home. But then, she finds her husband stole money from all the people. Their home, cars, furniture, and jewels were taken. The people in town hate her. All but for one man. The one she left behind…Ted Dixon. 

Ted Dixon doesn’t want to be around Sophia. He wants to be over her. But he’s not. He’s hurt but seeing her current situation, he hires her to be his housekeeper. From there, he finds out what has happened to her before her marriage and afterwards. Ted can’t stop himself from saving Sophie and her little girl. But things are getting more complicated…

Take Me Home for Christmas left me feeling sad, angry, and happy. The emotional journey was epic. Brenda Novak has once again, swept me off my feet. Her book was intriguing. I was hooked from the beginning. Life is messy. The characters were three dimensional. Believable and realistic. I can see Sophie and Ted’s situations happening worldwide to real people. Hurt, betrayal,  hope, and love. So many emotions. I loved it. I wasn’t sure how the book would end. Overall, I recommend this contemporar romance to all. 

Review: Forbidden Beginnings

Synopsis:

A senseless assault. An agonizing, life-threatening decision. In the moment of truth, with countless lives at stake, how can justice hope to prevail? 
New York City trauma surgeon, Dr. Christopher Ravello, has it all. A breathtaking, vivacious wife. Lovely children. Life-saving work, and a beautiful home in one of the City’s most coveted neighborhoods. 
But in an instant, Chris’ world is shattered. 
The brutal and senseless assault of his mother, Jacqueline, leaves her barely alive. Consumed with anguish and fear, battling time and circumstances, Chris’ search for a life-saving treatment leads to an agonizing decision and takes him down a path of no return. 
In the wake of his mother’s assault, Chris and life-long friend, Detective Kevin Kennedy, risk their lives and livelihoods tracking down Jacqueline’s attacker. 
When Ravello, driven by an all-consuming rage, at last comes face-to-face with his mother’s assailant, every fiber of his being calls out for vengeance. In the moment of truth, with so much at stake for he and his family, what will Chris choose? 
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Forbidden Beginnings: Jacqueline’s Tragedy by William Rubin is a thrilling start for this medial thriller series. Powerfully written. I was intrigued. The main character was easy to relate to and understand. Loss of his mother and pressure everywhere. As a doctor, Christopher Ravello, makes a big decision. To help find the man who killed his mother. This new path leads him on a dangerous journey. One that could end deadly…

The medical background was believable. Since, the writer is a practicing physician. Ifound that this story was based off some true life events in a way. Both the main character and writer share the same occupations and loss of a mother. I was immediately drawn into the dark web that William Rubin created. A life changing situation that pulled me in….nailing my attention to every word. Forbidden Beginnings was addictive to read. I highly recommend this to readers who love murder and crime fiction. Plus, characters with a medical background. 

Review: Dead Silence

Synopsis:

There’s a body buried behind a Mississippi farmhouse
Grace Montgomery knows who it is, and she knows why it happened. She was only thirteen the night it all went wrong. And now, like then, she has no choice but to keep her mouth shut.
Grace left the town of Stillwater thirteen years ago, trying to forget, trying to make good. As an assistant D.A. in Jackson, she’s finally achieved the success that was supposed to change her life. But it hasn’t so she’s come back to confront her own history. Which means returning to the farmhouse now owned by her brother and facing the people of Stillwater, a number of whom suspect the truth.
Widower Kennedy Archer is one of those people. He’s running for mayor and needs to stay as far away from Grace as possible. And yetshe’s an enigma he can’t resist. Even though her enemies are close to finding out what really happened and that could ruin them both.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Brenda Novak is the best writer! Her novels range from suspense to romance. She even writes historical novels. I am awed by Brenda’s talent. She never disappoints me. Her writing is always phenomenal. Exciting, intriguing, and epic. Dead Silence is the first book in this series. A mystery that has gone under radar long enough is now, popping back to surface. For Grace it was a nightmare that she couldn’t forget. Her mother, step-sister, and brother all knew what had happened. They kept it between themselves. Grace comes back home, and something about her being back stirs up trouble. Unwanted trouble. Her other half-sister is wanting to know what happened to her father. And the son, wants to find Gracie and her family guilty for his father’s death. But vegance only goes so far…

Dead Silence is intense. It occurs in a small-town intent on hating one family. Grace’s family. Her mother married a preacher because she had nothing for her kids and didn’t want to lose them. Then, the respected and ever loved preacher turns out to be anything than what he seemed…dark, haunting, and engaging. Brenda Novak has brought her characters to life. The words create visual images that make it feel like I was experiencing the whole thing first hand. Believable and realistic. Themes of loss, family, secrets, and love are found inside this stung tale. I couldn’t put it down once, I started. Overall, Brenda has hooked me again. I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: Inside

Synopsis:

Virgil Skinner served fourteen years for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s finally been exonerated, but he can’t escape the gang he joined in order to survive. They’ll do anything to keep him from telling what he knows. And if they can’t get to Virgil they’ll go after his sister and her kids.
The California Department of Corrections needs someone to infiltrate another gang, one that’s taking control of the state’s most notorious supermax. Virgil agrees to do it under an alias—in exchange for his sister’s protection.
Chief Deputy Warden Peyton Adams is opposed to having Virgil in her prison. How will she protect him if things go bad? Besides, she’s far too attracted to him; she might even be falling in love with him. That makes her all the more desperate to keep him safe—and it gives him someone else to lose. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Brenda Novak is the master of suspense! Her latest novel, Inside, is thrilling. Dark, dangerous, and sexy. The journey inside is epic. A man who framed by his mother and her boyfriend for murder. He was sentenced to prison. Then, a gang inside that prison had him as one of their own. Only when Virgil gets out, they want him dead. Somehow, they find out he’s flipped sides with the police. Being on probation, Virgil is used by authorities to go under and filtrate another deadly gang. One just as bad the previous one that he left. From there he meets the Chief Deputy Warren, Peyton. Peyton is beyond gorgeous. Her life was hard but she enjoys her job. Dangerous, definitely. 

Peyton is soon in charge of an investigation that could turn deadly. And it’s taking place right inside of her prison. The man that is chosen to filtrate a serious yet deadly gang is Virgil. Some thing about him, has Peyton curious. So, curious that she breaks into his motel room to find more info. What she finds only makes her more determined to save this man. 

Both Peyton and Virgil find themselves falling for each other. However, one gang is after Virgil. They can’t find him, so they go after his sister and her kids. One member of that gang ends up making a big decision that sons leads him on another path. Virgil is worried about his sister and the kids. Being inside another gang, feeling attracted to Peyton, and worrying about his sister is leaves him in knots. I was both intrigued and hooked. Inside by Brenda Novak is exciting, fast-paced, and hot. I felt the chemistry, the fear, and the risks as if I were experiencing them instead of the characters. Believable and stunning. Well-told. I highly recommend this novel to all. 

Review: Until You Loved Me

Synopsis:

Sometimes starting over means finding everything you’ve been missing…
After catching her fiancé cheating—with another man–usually straight-laced, workaholic scientist Ellie Fisher liberates her wild side just long enough to indulge in a passionate one-night-stand with a tall, dark stranger she meets at a trendy Miami bar. Embarrassed by her recklessness, she ducks out the following morning without learning the guy’s full name, something that shouldn’t have been a problem…until a pregnancy test turns positive.
Being a professional football player, Hudson King has always been cautious around women. But this one had been different—so disinterested in his celebrity, so convincingly into him. When Ellie tracks him down, claiming she’s carrying his baby, he’s stunned. And more than a little betrayed.
But after growing up as an orphan, he’ll do anything to stay involved in his child’s life, so he urges Ellie to move to Silver Springs where they can co-parent. Hudson has a lot of love to give—certainly enough for his child, and when their initial spark reignites, perhaps for Ellie too… 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Until You Love Me is the third novel in Brenda Novak’s latest series. Each book within this series can be read independently and out of order. Once more, Brenda Novak has delivered another masterpiece. A story featuring a single woman who hold herself into a tight wad. But that all changes when she fI ally lets loose for one night. A night of fun that changes herworld faster than she ever thought. Ellie is pregnant with a stranger’s child. She never got his name. Her goal is to track him down….only that proves to be difficult. Hudson King has not had the perfect life growing up…and now, he learns that he’s a father. He won’t let his child have the same life as he did. Co-parenting is the only option. Neither Hudson nor Ellie thought that their one night could end up bringing them together in more ways. Sparks fly. Heat is there and so is the blossoming chemistry. I fell in love with the characters. Their situations reflect real life. Messy, complicated, and never easy. Until You Loved Me is a brilliant contemporary tale. Brenda Novak has reeled me into her latest story. Filled with romance, hope, and maybe a happily ever after….overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers everywhere. Once you start like I did, you won’t be able to stop until you finished reading it. 

Review: Resurrection

Synopsis:

From USA Today bestselling author Katie Reus comes the ALL NEW Redemption Harbor series where sparks fly and so do bullets…
She faked her own death…

Skye Arévalo left the CIA and faked her death to protect Colt Stuart, the only man she ever loved. Months later, a brutal kidnapping draws her to infiltrate a dangerous cartel. Just when she thinks she’s home free, things go horribly wrong and she escapes with bloodthirsty enemies on her heels…only to find herself face to face with a bewildered and angry Colt.
He’ll cross every line to save her…  

When Colt Stuart, a former Marine, finds out the woman he loved betrayed him, he’s shocked and hurt, but it doesn’t stop him from breaking every law on the books to keep her alive. Unfortunately, it might not be enough to stop a powerful enemy who will do anything to see Skye dead.
FIRST IN NEW SERIES.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Resurrection by Katie Reus is another brilliant book. A fresh new series by this talented writer. I’m a huge fan of her work. As usual, there’s always a steamy romance and tons of action. Intriguing right from the get go. I was in love. The two heroes help their friends survive. One goes away to save a female friend. The male partner slash love thinks both his partner and best friend are dead. So, he try’s to console the other male over his loss. Lo and behold, there’s many twists ahead. And heat packed moments…I couldn’t get enough of these new characters. Hot, suspenseful, and entertaining. Katie Reus brings forth more than just a sexy new romance. She breathes life into her work. Making her words come alive. Everything felt real. It was like being with both Colt and Skye as the danger and risks increased with every page. Overall, this is a must read for all romantic suspense spy loving readers. I loved it. 

Review: Jennifer Brown’s Journey

Synopsis:

Five feet one and full of fizz, Jennifer Brown lights up the room. She has a gorgeous partner, a wicked best friend, and a boss who doesn’t mind that she’s the worst typist on the planet. She’s loyal, generous and irredeemably ditzy. Everyone loves Jennifer Brown. But can she learn to love herself? When her world caves in, she needs every ounce of her steely core to step back from the abyss and take charge of her life, reinventing herself first as cook and housekeeper to a saucy sexagenarian, then as manager of a tumbledown country estate with sensitive secrets.

Peopled by a battalion of hilarious characters from the caustic, cross-dressing confidant to the besotted ex-boyfriend with a barmy ex-wife, Jennifer Brown’s Journey is a heartwarming, thoughtful, often poignant portrait of the trials of life as a thirty-something woman.Jennifer Brown champions the importance of self-belief, and the value of a bucket-sized glass of wine in a tight spot. And, always in the background, there’s the quiet man with the warm eyes and the velvet vowels. What on earth is Jennifer Brown going to do about him? 

The first in a series of three, Jennifer Brown’s Journey is a story of female self-empowerment and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of challenges that many women will recognise. Lighthearted and poignant, the story gives readers a very real sense of a woman, initially rather ditzy, maturing into a redoubtable, self-possessed individual who faces her many challenges with developing aplomb. 
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Jennifer Brown’s Journey by Angie Langley is an entertaining book from beginning to end. The main character, Jennifer Brown, is an ordinary woman. She’s stuck at a job that she doesn’t like nor do well. Her episodes of mistyping memos is hilarious. I love her humor. Jennifer isn’t sure what she wants to do. She feels like she’s the only one growing old. Her journey from one job to another is exciting. There is plenty of juicy scenes to enjoy. Drama to respecting herself, Jennifer Brown has a journey that is just beginning. Angie Langley has created a fun atmosphere. Her character feel real. Their troubles are easy to understand. A laugh out loud comedy that is alluring. Overall, I recommend this novel to all. 

Review: Fire in the Wind

Synopsis:

Book 4 Wind Series. Outraged by a cross burning on her land, Megan forms the Night Posse then strikes back. Meanwhile, she is saddened by the tragic illness of her dear friend, James. After her new boyfriend is killed, she is jailed for his murder. Later she fights to the death in the darkness against an avenger. An undercover cop pursues her. When a dying James attempts to end his life, Megan is forced to act.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Once more Judy Bruce has lured me into her world of fiction. Here, I found tons of action, danger, and risks. Love, loss, and murder are also inside this exciting read. Never a dull moment. The main character, Megan, has her hands full in this tale. Things being done on her property, being charged for her boyfriend’s murder, and trying to fight back. With the police trailing her, it quite an interesting and intense plot. Fire in the Wind is a perfect title for this book. Book four to a wonderful, engaging, and mysterious series. I recommend Judy Bruce’s writing to all. 

Review: Dead Time

Synopsis:

If someone took everything you live for, how far would you go to get it back?
From award-winning author D. L. ORTON comes book three in the Between Two Evils series…
Shannon fights to stay alive inside a rogue biodome and discovers something totally unexpected… Peter. Lani is forced into the role of the reluctant heroine but rediscovers her street-kid mojo and sets out to find everything she’s lost. Diego receives another dirty sock (and a note) from the poorly aimed fireball express: “The window between universes is closing.” If Diego has any hope of getting back to Iz, he must get to the Magic Kingdom and power up the time machine before it’s too late. 
What could possibly go wrong?
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Dead Time by DL Orton is book three to an entertaining series. Cleverly written by the award-winning writer. I can see why…her talent shines forth on each page. The plot grabs my attention. Leaving alert for what may come next. Fast-paced, edgy, and thrilling to read. Dead Time takes readers from their seats and sends them forth into the book. I was hooked. DL Orton has once more captured my interest. Her latest novel is a fantasy time-travel adventure that snatches readers up….overall, I recommend this novel to all. 

How growing up in a female-dominated family influenced my stories, characters, and the overall inspiration for writing the Fair Fae Trilogy.” By Patricia Bossano

How growing up in a female-dominated family influenced my stories, characters, and the overall inspiration for writing the Fair Fae Trilogy. ” 

By Patricia Bossano

In general English, Matriarchy is a form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line. It is also defined as a social system in which females hold primary power, predominate in roles of leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property.

Present day matriarchal societies include: the Mosuo (near the border of Tibet), the Minangkabau of Indonesia, the Akan people of Ghana, the Bribri in Costa Rica, to name a few, but there are also the legendary Amazons, scores of fabled early feminists, mythological sisterhoods, and of course, Faerie, which in my opinion is the ultimate form of a matriarchal clan.
Each community of troop faeries is ruled by a Faery Queen, the first of them originating in Italy—where the sun is said to shine at its loveliest. From there they spread to different parts of the world during the expansion of the Roman Empire, seeking remote locations to set up their underground realms, learning the language of their host countries and adopting the more intriguing customs practiced there, as an act of silent diplomacy.

Being that the smallest structure of society is a family unit, I looked to my own in order to write what I know. On my mother’s side, women are in the majority so I say the beauty, the experiences, and the paradoxical personalities of the females in my family, directly influenced me and inspired the magic of Faery Sight, Cradle Gift and Nahia—true story!

Through my novels, I hope to give you a heartfelt snapshot of the life-journey of my characters who, like me, are part of a grand matriarchal clan celebrating not only the onward, dynamic spirit of the family but also the magical relationship between mothers, daughters and sisters. My dreams of publication became a reality through their support and encouragement, so in return, I feel compelled to be at best, an inspiration to them, and at a minimum, a source of entertainment.
I’m doing my utmost to paint for them a realistic picture of the magical world inside of us—the realm of faerie is the place where mundane abilities can be magnified through perspective and attitude. Sure, a full-fledged faery can fly and shape shift at will, but there is no less magic in the human dimension—I think faerie is an achievable state of being we can aspire to. In the human dimension, our spirits can soar and we may reinvent ourselves as we navigate each day. Buoyed by confidence, we are driven to accomplish ordinary feats and transform them into astonishing ones—such as waking up in the morning with a word of gratitude to the cosmos, thus creating a positive mood for the day ahead. Simply smiling to cause your brain to release endorphins, because we all know how life-altering those little neurotransmitters are…

Clean out your desktop and see how clearheaded you feel afterward—seriously, Feng Shui is practical magic at its best!
Whenever I feel discouraged and like I’m a rookie at life, I choose to see the ordinary as extraordinary and focus on the brightest aspect of any given situation. That seemingly insignificant shift in attitude gives me the satisfaction of knowing I’m doing the right thing, which in turn makes me smile (see above for what smiling does), and enthusiasm bubbles up inside me.

I believe faeries are due to surface all over the planet as nurturing forces of creation and restoration. I think my troop of full-blooded, hybrid fairies is part of a worldwide movement to explore the new, unlearn some of the old, and carry on with heightened awareness.

Review: A Sky Full of Stars

Synopsis:

The stars are about to align in the newest Shaughnessy brothers romance!
WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

Brilliant astrophysicist Dr. Owen Shaughnessy feels more connected to the cosmos than to people. He’s great with calculations, but when he leads a team of scientists to study a famous meteor shower, he doesn’t factor in his free-spirited artist assistant Brooke Matthews.
LOVE CAN DAZZLE YOU

Polar opposites in personality, the friction between them threatens to derail the project. But the beauty and mystery of the night sky draw Owen and Brooke together—and she’s going to surprise him in ways the stars never could.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Sky Full of Stars by Samantha Chase is another brilliant masterpiece. Once again, this talented writer, has brought me to tears. Her story is full of emeotions that pulled at my heart strings. Sad, hilarious, frustrated and loved. A book that made readers feel something is a book worth reading. A Sky Full of Stars has it all. 

Inside this latest novel, Samantha Chase features the brainiac brother. Dr. Own Shaughnessy. He’s hot, clever, and the sweetest man ever. But little by little, I got to view his bolder side. His personality is one that intrigued me. All his life, his family stood up for me. Telling him,,he’s normal. When everyone else said differently. As an adult a lot of that feeling of not being normal transferred over…making it harder for Dr. Owen to believe in himself. Yet, his family continued to tell him he’s perefect. I love the Shaughnessy family. Yes, they’re loud and different, but they’re loyal. They love each other. 

A Sky Full of Stars is about Dr. Owen finding the courage to believe that he’s perfect the way he is. That’s he’s normal. It’s a real struggle for the man whose so talented. Then, as the plot unfolds, his world gets shaken. Enter Brooke Matthews. A girl trained for beauty pageants. Together their lives will be rocky. As in the real world nothing comes easy…these two will cry, laugh, love, and fight. I enjoyed watching them grow. Also, themes of loss, love, and courage are found on every page. Overall, I highly recommend A Sky Full of Stars to all. 

Review: Drama Luau (A Nicky and Noah Mystery)

Synopsis:

Theatre professors and spouses, Nicky Abbondanza and Noah Oliver, are on their honeymoon at a Hawaiian resort, where musclemen in grass skirts are keeling over like waterfalls. Things erupt faster than a volcano when Nicky and Noah, along with their best friends Martin and Ruben, try to stage a luau show. Nicky and Noah will need to use their drama skills to figure out who is bringing the grass curtain down on male hula dancers—before things go coconuts for the handsome couple. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining fourth novel in this delightful series. Curtain up and aloha! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Drama Luau: A Nicky and Noah Mystery by Joe Cosentino’s is another grand adventure with this stunning pair. Nicky and Noah are two professors who end up solving cases. Wherever these two go, there’s always a murder investigation around the corner. This time, Nicky and Noah are heading on their honeymoon. Both choose Hawaii as their destination. Not only does murder follow them where they go, but there’s always an opportunity for them to perform a show. 

Joe Cosentino’s has once again, brought all of his usual talents with him. Drama Luau is his newest piece to the Nicky and Noah mysteries. A novel that speaks out for the LGBT community. I love reading Joe Cosentino’s work. He always incorporates major themes into his tales. Each theme brings out a real life issue that readers everywhere can relate to immediately. As with his previous novels, this one was just as exciting. Humor filled the pages. Readers will have found adventure, mystery, and romance with every page. Nicky and Noah are my favorite gay couple. Something about them just lures me further into their story. Funny, clever, and sweet. One teaches fitness the other teaches drama. Their roles as detectives isn’t lost on their friends nor family. I can’t find anything not to love about this series. Especially, Drama Luau. This read had me laughing and falling in love…I was hooked instantly. Overall, I highly recommend Drama Luau to all. 

Review: The Prada Plan 5

Synopsis:

In this explosive addition to the New York Times bestselling series, Ashley Antoinette brings you pain, pleasure, love, hate, as YaYa struggles to hold it all together before life blows up in her face, in The Prada Plan 5.
Disaya finally has it all. The man she fought for is hers at last. Her name is Mrs. Indie Perkins and their daughter is safe. Leah is gone. Life is supposed to be good. So why isn’t she satisfied? Why does life suddenly seem so bitter? YaYa’s Prada Plan had worked but with the riches comes pain.
She and Indie have grown apart, and with Parker now a permanent fixture in their lives, Indie is pressured to juggle it all. But YaYa’s patience is running thin. Indie is loving her wrong. Her life isn’t what she wants. Her Prada Plan has changed…and now, it’s time to pursue a plan B in order to get what she really wants… 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Prada Plan 5 by Ashely Antoinette is another drama filled urban fiction read. Having not read any of the previous novels, it was hard to follow along. Trying to figure out why the main charcaters made the choices they did was not easy to understand. However, the drama filled world of their was certainly entertaining. There was never a boring moment. Tough love, bad choices, wrong relationships, and trouble were just some of the issues brought into the book. Living the rich life isn’t easy, nor as fun as the fantasy of it. Pressure lies heavily upon the charcaters…their actions will layout their futures…chasing after dreams is hard. Ashley Antionette is a talented writer. I have read other novels co-written by her. This novel would be easy to follow along if I had read her previous Prada novels. However, the plot was fast-paced and juicy. The entertainment never ended. Overall, The Prada Plan 5 was a great read. 

Review: Whispering Winds

Synopsis:

Healing is a power that fifteen-year-old, Brenna Finlayson, has fought long and hard to subdue. When a harebrained idea suddenly occurs to her, she risks losing everything by revealing herself to the one person she fears losing the most. 

  

Brenna’s spontaneous unveiling brings about the revealing of other truths. She, and her twin sister, Keely, have destinies to fulfill. Destinies that require them to fight. maybe even kill. As an innate healer, violence is the last thing Brenna wants.  
In an attempt to live a normal, peaceful life, Brenna rejects her heritage, choosing a different path. But the path she chooses doesn’t bring her the normalcy she was hoping for. 

Not even close. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Whispering Winds Unveiled by Tiffany Garnett is another great YA read. For fans of the paranormal genre this needs to be added to your list. Two sisters, twins, have destinies to fulfill. Like most charcaters in this environment one of them isn’t too thrilled about her destiny. Avoiding her path, Brenna still faces the life she tries to avoid. The plot was intriguing. A bit slow at first but worthy of reading. A new adventure full of drama and twists. Brenna is a charcater that is easy to relate to…her life isn’t easy and tough choices have to be made. Overall, I recommend Whispering Winds Unveiled by Tiffany Garnett.

Review: City of Miracles

Synopsis:

Revenge. It’s something Sigrud je Harkvaldsson is very, very good at. Maybe the only thing. 
So when he learns that his oldest friend and ally, former Prime Minister Shara Komayd, has been assassinated, he knows exactly what to do and that no mortal force can stop him from meting out the suffering Shara’s killers deserve. 
Yet as Sigrud pursues his quarry with his customary terrifying efficiency, he begins to fear that this battle is an unwinnable one. Because discovering the truth behind Shara’s death will require him to take up arms in a secret, decades-long war, face down an angry young god, and unravel the last mysteries of Bulikov, the city of miracles itself. And perhaps most daunting of all finally face the truth about his own cursed existence. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett is an epic science fiction fantasy. Robert Jackson Bennett has impressed me with his writing. I haven’t read a book of his until this one, and I am thrilled I did. This novel of his, has a powerful emotional journey. One that sucks readers straight into its emotions. Sadness, anger, loss and many more. I enjoyed following this closing piece of the trilogy. Fast-paced story. City of Miracles offers action, adventure and a deep sense of attachment. It kept me captivated. The characters are complex and the plot is woven in a way that kept me from putting down…overall, I highly recommend this masterpiece to readers everywhere. 

Review: Chocolate Cake and Chaos

Synopsis:

The 4th book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series is 28th April 2017!
A funeral wreath is delivered to Barker’s cottage. Is it a prank, or a grim warning? Julia’s fears that somebody is trying to kill Barker are confirmed when a dead body with a striking resemblance to him is found on his doorstep the very next day, just as their romance is deepening. 

Barker might be on temporary suspension from his role as Detective Inspector at the village police station, but that doesn’t mean he’s short of enemies in Peridale, especially when a dark face from his past arrives in the small village to stir up painful memories. 

With an unclear list of suspects and motives, Julia vows to keep Barker safe, but can they figure out the puzzle as they work outside of the law in a race against time to stop Barker paying the ultimate price? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Chocolate Cake and Chaos by Agatha Frost is the fourth masterpiece in this series. I absolutely loved it. Once again, I was following the heroine, Julia, and her boyfriend, the suspended inspector. Here, I learned a lot of surprising twists. Inspector Barker finds that a man he put away for a murder case, has been released due to false charges…and that same man is now, in the same town as him. Talk about suspense, intrigue, and fear! As always there’s a new murder investigation happening where Julia is involved. This time, it hits closer to home. A personal case that has everyone nervous and scared. The brewing romance between Julia and Inspector Barker is sweet as sugar. A man who loves chocolate as much as I do is a keeper. Chocolate Cake and Chaos is a hilarious, romantic, and engaging read. I was intrigued throughout the piece. Again, Agatha Forst has created another favorite book for me to always remember. I love her charcaters and sticky plots. Overall, I highly recommend this cozy mystery to all. 

Review: Doughnuts and Deception

Synopsis:

The 3rd book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series! 
Julia never expected to be caught up in another murder investigation, but when she discovers that homeless people are dying suspiciously and the police aren’t investigating, she can’t sit back and do nothing. After promising her young lodger, Jessie, that she will do everything she can to help, Julia finds herself diving headfirst into the case, aided by her new Detective Inspector boyfriend, Barker. Sure there is a serial killer preying on the vulnerable residents of an old burnout warehouse, Julia must act quickly to get to the bottom of the mystery, but can she crack the case before more bodies turn up? 
Book 3 in the Peridale Cafe Mystery series! Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe owning female amateur sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Doughnuts and Deception by Agatha Frost is another brilliant masterpiece. Julia is a baker but also one of the best ameature sleuths ever. She practically does the entire police force’s work for them. And not a single officer believes her when she’s informing them about a new case and why they should investigate it. However, there’s one investigator on her side…Barker. He’s completely fallen in love with the stubborn, brace, and smart Julia. Julia also likes Barker just as much. Julia’s gran is crazy but hilarious as well. She ‘spies’ on Julia and Barker as they do things and speaks her mind like no one else I know. Caring, sweet, but crazy older lady. Then, there’s the adoptive teenager, Jessie. Jessie was homeless until Julia took her under her own roof. Both Jessie and Julia are good bakers. 

In this latest piece, the main characters are taken into a string of murders deemed as ‘not murdered’ and the police won’t take interest. These murders involve mostly homeless men. Men that Jessie knew when she was homeless. Jessie takes the murders to heart….and Julia can’t help but to dig into the mystery. Then, there’s Barker who will have to stick with Julia if he wants her to be safe…but his career and everything else might be jeopardized…overall, Doughnuts and Deception is another highly engaging and well-told story. Agatha Frost has once more caught my full attention and my heart with her new book. I highly recommend this read to all. 

Review: Balmy Darlings and Deaths

Synopsis:

Raina Sun is cashing in a gift certificate for a free hairstyle from the town’s premier beauty salon and day spa. No more walking dandelion head, thank you very much. Life is on the up-and-up—until she finds an attacker holding her best friend in a headlock outside the treatment rooms. 

She never thought she would spend her birthday pinned against a sweaty armpit, gagging on a mouthful of seaweed, with the attacker plucking at her best friend’s weave like a farmwife de-feathering a chicken. 

When the attacker ends up six feet under, her best friend becomes the prime suspect. Raina summons her sleuthing skills to jump full-tilt into this murder investigation to clear her best friend’s name. With her stink-bomb-toting grandma and the geriatric posse, she soon discovers death is easy, and it’s the living that kills to protect the dead. 

For readers who like fun cozy mysteries, quirky characters, and a dash of humor. 
Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Balmy Darlings and Deaths by Anne R. Tan is a fun cozy mystery. This novel has plenty of action to keep readers intrigued. I enjoyed following Raina as she worked as a sleuth to solve the mystery. Imagine going into a hair salon only for an elderly lady to hit the salon, a jealous woman to attack a worker of the salon, and for the jealous attacker to be found dead. So many things happen and it’s only time to find out if Raina’s best friend is a murderer or not. Raina has a lot on her sleeve. A crazy grandmother, an ex, and a best friend who isn’t acting like a friend at all. Emotionally troubling…and full of drama. The elderly ladies make this tale sweet and hilarious. Balmy Darlings and Deaths is one adventure after another. A murderer is on the loose and situations keep getting more intense…Anne R. Tan has woven an entertaining tale. I recommend it to all. 

Review: The Beloved Hope Chest

Synopsis:

In the final installment of the Amish Heirloom series, the Fisher sisters learn the mystery behind their parents’ marriage—and about the sibling who has never been spoken of.

Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past.

But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades?

Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it’s a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it’s past time to share it. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston was a wonderful Amish heirloom read. This novel, was a journey down memory lane for Mattie. Memories that might change the present. Doubt, fear, and worry fill Mattie’s mind. Her daughters know something…but not enough. Imagine keeping a secret for so long…and finally it’s about to be revealed. Choices have to be made. For better or for worse. I loved reading this charming, engaging, and emotionally powered book. The family life tugged at my heart strings. Suspense of what might happen kept me intrigued. Every page was entertaining. The Beloved Hope Chest is another brilliant piece featuring strong female heroines. Amy Clipston has once more captivated my full attention with her latest novel. Overall, this heartfelt read is one that I would recommend to readers everywhere. The story is full of both woe and happiness. 

Review: The Chocolate Touch

Synopsis:

Chocolate expert Chantelle Cummings arrives in Marietta, Montana with two goals—sign copies of her new book and research a quaint local chocolate shop. When she meets a gorgeous guy passing out chocolate samples, her visit turns sweeter than she ever imagined. The man melts her heart, but her dream of working in France with her family makes her hesitant to pursue a romance. 
Former Air Force captain York Parker has one month before embarking upon a consulting career. He never expected to be selling chocolates, but he’s happy to help his sister and her boss. He also likes spending time with sassy, pretty Chantelle. His new co-worker may have the chocolate touch, but he’d rather taste her decadent kisses… That is, until he learns the real reason she’s in town. 
Will the truth harden his heart, or will love pave the way to a sweet future? 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Chocolate Touch by Melissa McClone is another exciting journey that involves chocolates, romances, and hearts on the line. I love chocolate and this book like the others in it’s series have been heart melting. Sweet, decadent, and intriguing. The suspense of what will come between an Air Force captain and a book writer is one that stole my heart. The characters were believable. The scenes made me feel like I was watching them unfold. The writer has a way of engaging her readers like me into her plot. Two alphas working together, fall in love…but can they keep what they have or will their differences set them apart? Truth can set them free or break them into a million pieces. Chantelle and York will both be tested and tempted. I liked the duo combination as it sparked chemistry, heat, and an HEA possibility. Overall, The Chocolate Touch was entertaining to follow. I recommend it to others. 

Review: Finding Our Forever

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak welcomes readers to the town of Silver Springs, where surprises wait around every corner!
The search for her birth mother brought Cora Kelly to the New Horizons Boys Ranch. Getting a job there was easy enough, but confiding in Aiyana, the ranch’s owner, that she’s really her daughter? Cora’s not sure she can do that, not unless she’s confident the news will be welcomed. And once she gets to know Elijah Turner, Aiyana’s adopted son and ranch manager, that decision becomes even more difficult.
Although Elijah can’t deny his deep attraction to Cora, he’s always struggled with trust. Anyone with his past would, and there’s something about the ranch’s newest employee that isn’t exactly as it seems. But if the feelings she awakes in his guarded heart are any indication, she might be just what he’s long been waiting for. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Finding Our Forever by Brenda Novak is the beginning to a new series. Talk about a starter…this novella is packed full of emotional journeys. In this tale, I met a young woman who was adopted. Luckily for her, her adoptive mother and father were good people. That doesn’t happen much for orphans. Yet, Cora lucked out and she’s about to luck out further. Cora is a twenty-eight year old woman who hired an investigation into who her birth mom was and where she could find her. Finally, she has her answers. Little did she know that she would not only met her mom but her future husband, too. I was ecstatic. Neverous, happy, and sad. The intensity of the story kept building up to where it could end badly…I wasn’t sure which way the news would swing. 

Brenda Novak has once more impressed me with her writing. This writer is a pro at coming up with plots that are engaging. From the beginning to end, I was tailing after Cora every second. Left in suspense as to what will happen next and what Cora might decide to do. I was happy to have read this new novella by Brenda Novak. She truly, knows what her readers want and expect. I have read many of her books….and I love them all. There’s always some form of an emotional attachment that has me connecting immediately with the main charcaters. There’s either a dilemma that has me on edge of my seat guessing or a romance that has me hooked. Either way, I’m always left feeling satisfied having read each of her works. Finding Our Forever had a theme of adoption and family. I thought it was brilliant. A believable tale with all its craziness just like the real world brings. Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers worldwide. 

Review: Heels, Heartache, & Headlines

Synopsis:

It’s a showdown for the spotlight as Hollywood’s elite Pampered Princesses scramble to outshine each other for the ultimate crown. But being on top is never what it seems…

Heartbroken and humiliated, teen supermodel London Phillips is done with her pity party and ready to move on. But between the mean-spirited media, a shocking realization about her billionaire ex, and a vengeful obsession, London’s discovering that while confessions are good for the soul, deception is so much sweeter… 
When it comes to juggling her cuties, Rich Montgomery is the queen. But now she’s fallen for a bad boy who comes with more drama than she ever did–and her fairytale love affair soon turns into a nightmare. Will she find a way out, or will pride get the best of her? 

Spencer Ellington could teach an advanced class in revenge. So when she’s shunned by her frenemy, Heather Cummings, again, backstabbed by her bestie, Rich, and sucked into her parents’ sordid antics, she’s ready to roll up her designer sleeves and pull out all the stops. After all, frenemies fight. Divas wage war… 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Heels, Heartache, & Headlines by Ni-Ni Simone Amir Abrams is a juicy YA read. A Comtemporary African American piece of literature that speaks real teenage language. The drama is high and the risks…make this a hot read. Nobody likes a diva. After reading this tale, I saw why. All the trouble that comes a diva’s way can turn her faster than a blink of an eye. The three divas inside were different but similar in ways. 

Ni-Ni Simone Amir Abrams has created three realistic queen bees. All trying to win the top place. However, that will prove most difficult as each girl has a secret. That could make or break them. Love enters their worlds and complications arise. Matters will need solving or they’ll escalate further than the girls thought. Betrayal, romance, and frenemies are popular themes found in this entertaining novel. Exes, bad boys, and revenge…are in the air. Heels, Heartache, & Headlines is full of action, drama, and some adult like material. I was fascinated with London’s, Rich’s and Spencer’s lives. One big emotionally exciting ride from beginning to end. Overall, I recommend it to readers. 

Author Interview with Anita Kulina

Interview With Anita Kulina 

ULM: How would you describe your main character, Mrs. B?

Mrs. B has lived in Burchfield since she and her late husband Albert bought their little house when they first got married. She has two children, but both of them livethousands of miles away. Every morning Mrs. B plays pinochle at the Senior Center in the basement of St. Mary’s Church, where she gets to see her closest friends, Myrtle, Anne and Rose. Dinner used to be a quiet meal watching the classic movie channel, but Mrs. B sometimes has company now that her new neighbors moved in across the street. Burchfield is a city neighborhood that feels like a small town. It’s a very rooted neighborhood, where people live in the same house for generations. Mrs. B and herfriends sometimes struggle to get by, but they have each other and, to them, that’s the most important thing.

ULM: What inspired you to write, A Question of Devotion?

I write what I know. The character of Mrs. B came first, based on the strong women I knew growing up. Then I developed the town of Burchfield, which I based on the world I knew as a child. Most of the characters in A Question of Devotion are based on people I knew, or are composites of people I knew. After I had the characters and the town, I knew right away it would be a series. Theidea for the plot of A Question of Devotion was based on a newspaper article I ran across a long time ago. I had set it aside, thinking, “I might want to do something with this someday.” When Mrs. B was born, that someday had come.

ULM: What other hobbies do you have besides writing?

I love writing, it’s lots of fun for me. Other than being with family and friends, it’s really the way I like to spend my time. I do have to take a break once in a while, though! When I do, you can usually find me walking through my city neighborhood, or in my kitchen baking scones.

ULM: Will there be another Mrs. B novel?

I’m halfway through the second novel and have an outline for the third. So the answer is yes!

ULM: How would you describe your writing?

If you’re looking for a serious, dark book full of dead bodies and mayhem, you need to look elsewhere. But if you want to curl up in a comfortable chair on a cold afternoon with a cup of cocoa and a cozy read, A Question of Devotion might be just what you’re looking for.

ULM: What other books have you written, if any?

A Question of Devotion is my first mystery. I also have a nonfiction book, a historyof Western Pennsylvania. Now that may sound dull, but I assure you Millhunks and Renegades is not a typical history book. It’s told through the lives of the residents of Greenfield, which was once part of Squirrel Hill, home of the notorious Girty family. There are lots of scandals and the book is chock full of tidbits of fascinating information. Did you know Andrew Carnegie once belonged to a street gang, and that he dated Stephen Foster’s wife? 

You can read excerpts of Millhunks and Renegades at: http://www.brandtstreetpress.com/millhunks.html. 

ULM: Where can readers find you and your book online?

A Question of Devotion is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, or you can ask for it at your local bookstore. 

I probably should learn more about social media, but the truth is I’d rather be writing. If you’d like to contact me, I’d be happy to hear from you. 

Send me an old-fashioned email at: anita@brandtstreetpress.com. 

Brandt Street Press is my publishing company. http://www.brandtstreetpress.com/ 

Review: Remnants

Synopsis:

“If you are a fan of murder mysteries, tense crimes, and a great team, then this series is perfect for you.” 

—The Reading Café on Violated (Brandon Fisher FBI series) 
All that remains are whispers of the past…
When multiple body parts are recovered from the Little Ogeechee River in Savannah, Georgia, local law enforcement calls in FBI agent and profiler Brandon Fisher and his team to investigate. But with the remains pointing to three separate victims, this isn’t proving to be an open-and-shut case.
With no quick means of identifying the deceased, building a profile of this serial killer is more challenging than usual. How are these targets being selected? Why are their limbs being severed and their bodies mutilated? And what is it about them that is triggering this person to murder?
The questions compound as the body count continues to rise, and when a torso painted blue and missing its heart is found, the case takes an even darker turn. But this is only the beginning, and these new leads draw the FBI into a creepy psychological nightmare. One thing is clear, though: The killing isn’t going to stop until they figure it all out. And they are running out of time…

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

After reading Remnants by Carolyn Arnold, I can definitely see how she is an international bestselling writer. Her writing is impressive. This latest novel of hers, is the sixth book within the FBI series. I haven’t read any of her previous books, yet I was able to connect easily with her charcaters. Plus, The plot had me deeply engrossed. 

Remnants is a thrilling yet suspenseful crime novel. Similar to popular programs like Criminal Minds and NCIS. Police procedurals, hard-boiled mystery, and tons of action. Every page left me guessing as to who was behind the murders. Dead body parts start popping up everywhere and then a full body. Police and the FBI profiler, Brandon Fisher, are puzzled. The count climbs, the intensity of the situation can be felt throughout the book. I loved the dark and edgy vibe as I dug further into the novel. The scenes felt real. It was like I was there investigating with Brandon Fisher. Carolyn Arnold is a mastermind in creating this stunning, clever, and engaging tale. 

Remnants is a suspenseful journey that will keep readers frightened once they finished reading. For those who love solving crime and chasing serial killers, this edge of your seat title is just for you. Overall, I highly recommend it. Looking forward to reading more, by Carolyn Arnold. 

Review: White Heat

Synopsis:

A dangerous cult has recently taken over the desert ghost town of Paradise, Arizona. Members worship at the feet—and in the bed—of its charismatic leader, Ethan Wycliff, and obey his orders blindly. They’ve already tried to murder one woman and they’re implicated in the disappearance of another.
Nate Ferrentino, who works for private security contractor Department 6, has been assigned to infiltrate this group. It’s a challenge he welcomes—until he learns that colleague Rachel Jessop will be going undercover with him. Thanks to their shared history, he’d much rather go alone….
The problem is, only married couples can participate in cult rituals. So, like it or not—and they don’t—Rachel and Nate must pretend to be husband and wife.
There’s no choice. Because if Wycliff isn’t exposed, if he isn’t stopped, more people will die. And Rachel might be one of them.
Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

White Heat by Brenda Novak is an intense yet stunning FBI read. Two FBI agents have to go undercover to catch the bad guy(s). Nate was the guy the wouldn’t let loose…and Rachel is the FBI agent who is beautiful as she is smart. She thought Nate liked her…so, she goes to surprise him…in the way most men wished. But it turns out that was ruined. Nate handled that situation horribly. Seeing Rachel there waiting for him, had him set on fire. But she’s a fellow co-worker. Rachel however feels hurt, embraased and ready to move forward from that situation. But a part of her still yearns for Nate. And Nate can’t stop his feelings toward her…especially now, with a new job where both have to be in close quarters as husband and wife. Rachel takes the drastic measures to get inside the compound they are needing to get into…but the danger is one neither could have imagined. Hearts, lives, and and their jobs are on the line. I loved following both charcaters as the tale unfolded. The heat was hot enough to light a forrest on fire. The suspense made me sit on the edge of my chair waiting as the intensity grew with every passing page. Fast-paced, thrilling and engaging to read. Overall, I highly recommend White Heat to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Bad Luck Bride

Synopsis:

All were shocked at the announcement of the “cursed” Lady Claire Cavensham to Lord Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, especially since she is already engaged to another unfortunate Lord. Perhaps she will make it to the altar this time with one of these fine gentlemen! Could her run of bad luck finally be at an end? It’s highly doubtful in this writer’s humble opinion. —Midnight Cryer
No one is left breathless at the imperious pronouncement of her engagement to Lord Pembrooke more than Claire. She hardly knows the dangerously outrageous man! But after three engagements gone awry and a fourth going up in glorious flames, she isn’t in a position to refuse…especially once she realizes that Lord Pembrooke makes her want to believe she’s not a bad luck bride anymore…
Alexander requires the hand of his enemy’s fiancée in marriage in order to complete his plans for revenge. It’s his good fortune that the “cursed” woman is desperate. However, what begins as a sham turns into something scandalously deeper. The beguiling lady has no business laying claim to his heart. But as a mission of revenge turns into fiery passion, Alexander wants nothing more than to break Claire’s curse…and lead them both to their hearts’ desire.
“The Bad Luck Bride is a stroke of good luck for readers—the intricate plot, arresting characters,and rich emotional resonance will leave you swooning.”—New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries

The Bad Luck Bride is the first in a new Regency romance series from Janna MacGregor!

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor is a fascinating historical. Immediately readers are drawn deep into the tale. It lured me further by pure curiosity. The suspense of one charcater’s plan…and what will actually come of it got me excited. The Bad Luck Bride is about one man getting back at another by using his enemy’s fiancé. But little will both the bride and husband to be know that real love will play into the equation. I found it hilarious, enticing, and ful, of drama. Th action was never disappointing. Janna MacGregor has a flare for writinga romance that beckons and captivates readers whole. My heart was with the charcaters as their troubles unfolded. Society has a way of drawing the characters out…and pulling them closer than they thought they would ever be. Revenge is not to be toyed with…emotions ran strong within the book. I was highly entertained. Both Alexander and Claire are characters that readers like myself will always remember. Overall, I highly recommend this well-written plot to all. 

Review: Knight Takes Pawn (Happy Release Day!)

Synopsis:

Jagger rules everything. The cities from the elite districts, to the slums, and everything in between are his domain in one of three sovereigns on the planet Jaru. The only law is Jagger Law which can change at any moment. One wrong look or word can get a body part chopped off or have you killed.
Since the beginning of the war, which was almost over three decades ago, the air has had been stale and musty, still smelling of burnt metal. All resources needed to survive are severely limited, causing many Jaruians to pillage one another just to get a single meal for the day.
There are some who wish to end Jagger’s power and they’ve started to infiltrate his organization. Money, amongst other things, are just a farce that Jagger uses to dangle in front of his subjects to keep the population in line and distracted. Those who want to see the end of Jagger’s reign want to take control over the depleting natural resources in order to save the planet and the Jaruian species.
Natalie gets caught up in Jagger’s twisted game of power and control when she’s taken from her sovereign. Against her will, like all women who are caught, Natalie is thrown into the Jaruian sex trade. With her new, unwanted job responsibilities, Natalie takes a stand, willing to die fighting for her life rather than be used. When an opportunity presents itself, is Natalie willing to do whatever it takes to free herself or remain only a pawn?

WARNING: This series contains sensitive material. Reader discretion is advised. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Knight Takes Pawn by Martha Sweeney is her 5th novel. I have read everything published by this talented woman. Unlike her previous fictional worlds, Knight Takes Pawn heads in a new genre direction. This one is a psychological thriller. All previous books were contemporary romance. I can honestly say, that Martha Sweeney has a knack for writing the best reads. Whether they are short or full-length novels.  Instantly, I was intrigued wondering how this writer was going to do with her new direction. But I was amazed once again. She totally blew me out of this world and deeeply into her new one. Thrilling, engaging, and dark. Knight Takes Pawn is a must read for all. 

Inside this latest book, Knight Takes Pawn, Martha Sweeney take us, readers to a new place. Themes like slavery, cruelty, and trust are incorporated throughout the piece. Trust is greatly lacking due to the spies. Martha Sweeney has created a world that no one can trust someone else. If trust is placed in the wrong person…everything is lost. Gone forever. Death hangs in the air. The suspense of what is to come on every page will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Absolutely, a compelling yet frightening read. One woman is tired of what happens to her and fights back. I love the daring, and boldness of the characters. Evil versus good. I was addicted from beginning to end. Overall, I highly recommend Knight Takes Pawn to readers worldwide. 

Review: Best of Luck

Synopsis:

Amber has only ever wanted one thing in life. To be a star. When that dream has finally come true, an old friend ends up getting in the way and friendships may end up jeopardizing everything. Now in a time when privacy is a thing of her past, where paparazzi follow her every move, she’ll need to decide what’s more important to her, because it’s more than just her career on the line. 
Tom has struggled for years with his feelings towards Amber, his best friend’s little sister. The woman has been driving him crazy since… well, forever. Now that she’s on every TV set, every movie poster in the country, it’s even harder to avoid looking into those sexy blue eyes and not remembering her passion. Especially when she’ll be spending the next few months back in Denver filming her latest movie. This time, Tom may not be able to hold back the sparks that fly between them.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Best of Luck by Jill Sanders is another sensational hit by this talented writer. It’s no wonder her books are stunning. The romance brewing inside this latest novel was heartfelt. I fell deeply in love with the plot. Fast, engaging, and hilarious. A bit of suspense and danger but mostly a sweet entertaining read from beginning to end. 

Jill Sanders has once again, written a superb contemporary romance. I love her writing style. The words are written in a way that entices readers like myself further into the plot. Love…is powerful. Imagine holding onto a love thatnever really gotto begin and then that person comes back…the old feelings come back hitting harder than before. Especially, for Tom. He’s had a thing for Amber for a long time. Her career has made it impossible for Tom to forget how much he likes her…and then when she came back…it was a breaking point. Tom wasn’t going to do nothing…he was going to show Amber. But not all is well in Amber’s world. Threats are happening and Tom isn’t letting it slide. He’s going to do all he can to protect her. Best of Luck is  a romance that shows dreams can come true. Amber made her dream career work but now she doubts it. I felt like that characters were real and their issues were easily believable. This tale was enjoyable to read. Overall, I highly recommend it to all.

Review: Murder in the Dark

Synopsis:

It’s Christmas, and Phryne has an invitation to the Last Best party of 1928, a four-day extravaganza being held at Werribee Manor house and grounds by the Golden Twins, Isabella and Gerald Templar. She knew them in Paris, where they caused a sensation. Phryne is in two minds about going. But when threats begin arriving in the mail, she promptly decides to accept the invitation. No one tells Phryne Fisher what to do. At the Manor House, she is accommodated in the Iris room, and at the party dallies with two polo-playing women, a Goat lady (and goat), a large number of glamorous young men, and a very rude child called Tarquin. The acolytes of the golden twins are smoking hashish and dreaming. The jazz is as hot as the drinks are cold. Heaven. It all seems like good clean fun until three people are kidnapped, one of them the abominable child, and Phryne must puzzle her way through the cryptic clues of the scavenger hunt to retrieve the hostages and save the party from further disaster.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Murder in the Dark by Kerry Greenwood is another fabulous murder mystery. Inside, I found myself following Miss Phryne Fisher as entangles another crime. Her detective skills are amazing. Miss Fisher is a modern living woman who defies that of her own time period. She’s bold, clever, and charming. Kerry Greenwood has once more kept me hanging onto every one of her words. Action, adventure, and clues to chase. 

Murder in the Dark is highly engaging to read. I never knew what to expect next from the woman detective. Danger is always around with Phyrne Fisher. That and nothing is done in simple terms either. The high, rich, and dramatic lifestyle is featured every time. Miss Fisher may have many faults but her skills make up for them. A daring personality is needed when threats are made and people are missing. Time is racing and Miss Fisher is chasing after the evidence…

Richly detailed, exciting,and thrilling…Kerry Greenwood has done it again. Creating a vivid bright world of fiction that readers can loose themselves within and feel the rush of adrenaline as the plot unfolds…overall, I highly recommend this book to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Children Under the Ice

Synopsis:

Twelve year old Mikey hates hockey, but loves newspaper reporting, he’s quirky that way. One night, Mikey discovers the newspaper story of a lifetime when he falls through the ice of the Sherman Oaks Pond and sees the ghosts of children with a secret. And that’s when everything falls apart. No one believes Mikey’s story, not even his dad, the town Sheriff. 

With the help of his quirky friends, Mikey decodes the ghost’s clues and discovers the killer is closer than he thought. Mikey has always found it hard to trust anyone. This time he will have to trust a ghost. Can you trust a ghost to solve a crime? Mikey has to convince the town his story is true before the killer strikes again. Will he do it? Or will the killer get to him first? 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Children Under the Ice by R. A. Douthitt is the most intriguing start to a new mystery series. The story is beyond suspenseful. Dark, thrilling, and frightening. They story  starts out with one murder that soon turns into multiple murders. Never ever go into the woods. No telling what evil resides within it. A murder is on the loose. He’s gotten away with murdering people…but now, one person may be able to put a stop to it. A young boy, Mickey ends up meeting the ghosts of those who were murdered. They use Mickey to get the killer caught. Only time will tell, if the murder gets put away before someone else gets hurt again. Dangerous, clever, and never a boring moment. Writer, R. A. Douthitt, has done a magnificent job in weaving a tale that sends goosebumps on one’s arms and chills down their spines. I found this first novel of the series to be creepier than the Goosebumps novels. Loved reading it. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: Scorch Road

Synopsis:

A new romantic action adventure series for fans of romance thriller suspense and family romance sagas!

One of six Italian brothers and a sister, JT Luciano is a widowed environmental biologist with a touch of the Sight who is preparing for an apocalyptic event he knows is coming. Holed up at the military survival camp prepared for his family, the Haven, JT is ready for whatever might come… except for one woman.

Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, virologist and Senator’s daughter, is carrying precious cells for a vaccine against the swiftly-evolving, deadly flu that’s sweeping the nation. Her plane crashes in JT’s potato field—and she must convince him to leave the Haven and help her get to Washington, DC.

One by one, the structures of society implode in the face of the flu’s devastation as JT and Elizabeth travel a scorching road cross country.

Can danger bring them together to find one good, true thing in a changing world?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Scorching Road by both Toby Neal and Emily Kimelman is as exactly as it sounds…scorching hot! I have read previous books by the talented writer, Toby Neal, and I was immediately taken to this new title. I know this work was a piece featured by two writers and I couldn’t distinguish either writer’s handiwork within the novel. It read as tho it had been written only by one. These two writers have a unique talent in making a deeply suspenseful yet sexy tale. There’s a flu that is proving deadly across the nation. Dr. Elizabeth Johnson and her partner were working on the vaccine. Only her partner finally got it down…yet it cost him his life. Now, the vaccine is in her hands and it will take everything she has to get it completed in time. But things get complicated. Her plane crashes…she meets a man unlike any other and together they venture out for one of the toughest journeys ever told. Epic, stunning, and brilliantly woven. I couldn’t stop reading, Scorching Road. This romantic suspense piece kept me hooked from beginning to end. I look forward to the next grand scheme by these writers. They sure knew how to capture my attention inside this exciting plot. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.