Monday 21 November 2016

Tarte Tatin Murder: A Seagrass Sweets Cozy Mystery (Book 2) by Sandi Scott (2016)

Publisher's Information
Ashley Adams is catering a charity golf outing for a nonprofit that is working to cure cancer. When a high profile researcher who was only a few months away from bringing a promising treatment to market is found dead on the golf course, the victim’s golf partner is charged. 
When Ashley learns that the suspect is her friend Ryan’s Uncle Charlie, the two of them set out to find the real killer. Meanwhile Ashley’s business partner Patty LaFontaine is acting strange and distant towards her, making Ashley wonder what is amiss. 
As Ashley and Ryan get deep into their investigation, they uncover secrets about their friends and family that shock them. Uncle Charlie is looking guiltier by the day - will they find the real killer and prove his innocence in time? 
A perfect book for readers who like cozy mysteries with women sleuths and pets. If you enjoy reading cozy mystery authors such as Harper Lin, Hope Callaghan or Susan Gillard of the Donut Hole mysteries, you will want to check out this series. 


Review 


This is the second book in the series.
The opening chapter really grabbed my attention straight away and I found the story to be a fun, fast read. I felt that I knew the characters well after reading the first book and so I was happy to see my favourite characters again. The author didn't waste any time rehashing lots of information about the characters. There is just enough information for any new readers to the series to be caught up. Instead, the author builds up the scene of the crime in the first chapter and puts the reader right in the middle of the action from the beginning. 

The story was a fun read which I found difficult to put down and I would certainly recommend it to any fans of the cosy genre.
The mystery had me entertained and guessing to the end. I prefer cosy mysteries to have a little bit of romance in them and so I loved the sweet romantic sub plot in this series.



Tarte Tatin Murder is out today and can be found at Amazon



Wednesday 2 November 2016

The Legendary Lord (Playful Brides) by Valerie Bowman (2016)



Book 6 of 6 in Playful Brides Trilogy (6 Book Series)

THE MAKING OF A LEGEND…
When Christian Forester, Viscount Berkeley, flees the stuffy ballrooms of London for his Scottish hunting lodge, the last thing he expects to find ensconced before his fire is an incredibly beautiful woman. But the plight of lovely young Sarah Highgate, who has run away from an unwanted betrothal, inspires an eminently practical exchange. He’ll safeguard her reputation with the ton while she advises him how to best attract a proper bride…

As the undisputed belle of the season, Sarah has enchanted plenty of suitors. Still, she isn’t interested in marriage, especially not to the pompous bore her father has chosen for her. But her hasty escape seems reckless now that she’s estranged from her family and has no one to count on besides Christian. Turning the lucklesslord into such a catch has another unplanned consequence for Sarah: Has he run away with her heart?
The Legendary Lord is the sixth installment of Valerie Bowman's Regency-set Playful Brides series.


Review 

A lovely Regency romance, sparkling with wit and humour. 
Christian and Sarah make a delightful couple right from their first meeting. Sarah is young and full of cheer and has plenty of ideas to help Christian make a match in society. It left me tingling with anticipation for what was to come when the pair made their way back to London.

I haven't read any of the other books in the series but it certainly didn't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying this one. This is a series I will enjoy reading from the beginning.

I couldn't put this book down and I would definitely recommend it to all Regency romance fans.

The Kindle edition is now available from Amazon

Thanks to the publisher for the Advance Reading Copy.

Running Wild (LCR Elite #4) by Christy Reece (2016)




Publisher's Information

He’ll Stop At Nothing To Protect The Ones He Loves

LCR Elite operative Aidan Thorne is dedicated to rescuing kidnapped victims from some of the most dangerous places in the world, but that will never stop him from hunting down a cold blooded killer. Child psychologist Anna Bradford is a temptation unlike any he’s ever faced, penetrating the steely armor encasing his heart. Though he wants her with an unending ache, Anna’s very survival requires Aidan to stay as far away from her as possible.

Understanding human behavior is Anna Bradford’s profession. Aidan Thorne is a mystery she has yet to unravel. Her fascination for the snarling, often rude man is a battle she fights on a daily basis. Her head tells her to stay away, her heart tells her something different. When they join forces to help rescue a friend, Aidan finally allows Anna to see the man beneath the tough exterior. Falling in love with him was inevitable.

But someone is watching. He’s been hiding in the shadows for years, waiting. The time has finally arrived. Anna Bradford will be his tool, his perfect weapon of revenge. She will be his masterpiece.

His worst fears realized, Aidan must now find a way to save Anna before the madman that destroyed his life once before lives out his ultimate fantasy.



Review


Anna and Aidan's story is jam packed with suspense, intense emotion and lots of action.
Aidan's backstory is sad and tragic. He is fearful for the ones he loves and refuses to have a serious relationship because of this. I loved watching how his feelings for Anna finally made him make that last step in taking action to end the vicious cycle once and for all. 
I loved Anna's character. She was adorable, strong and kind; a perfect partner for Aidan.
She must have been really tiny though or else Aidan has some superhuman abilities. At one stage he climbed a mountain with one hand whilst carrying Anna under his other arm. I wouldn't want to see him try lugging my big arse up a mountain. 

It amazed me the amount of action and suspense the author managed to get in to this story without it distracting from the romance. I prefer more suspense, action and a sense of the characters' emotions rather than a lot of sex scenes so I thought the author did a good job of balancing the two. 

A great read and thoroughly entertaining.

Available now from Amazon and with Free Intl Shipping from Book Depository

Thanks to the author for the Advanced Reading Copy.

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Cream Puff Murder: A Seagrass Sweets Cozy Mystery (Book 1) by Sandi Scott (2016)

This is Book 1 in the *new* Seagrass Sweets cozy mystery series.



BONUS: Recipe included.

Ashley Adams is settling back into her life in Seagrass, TX after leaving a broken heart and criminal ex-boyfriend in Paris, France. Her French sweets catering company has finally landed a major job, making Ashley grateful for all that is going right – her business, her work partnership, and reconnecting with an old friend Ryan.


All that changes when Ashley overhears one of the guests arguing with a strange man in the bathroom. Things get worse when the woman is found dead the next day, poisoned by one of Ashley’s cream puffs.

Ashley must solve the mystery to save the reputation of her nascent business. She is thrust into the lives of people from her past who all have something to hide. Is the murderer a jealous lover? An out-of-towner with business interests? A local hero turned criminal? Teaming up with her old friend Ryan and her loyal dog Dizzy, Ashley sets out to solve the crime.

Will she be able to solve the murder before her business reputation is completely ruined?


Review 

I really loved this fun, cosy mystery. It's a cute story with very likeable characters including Dizzy, the dog, who was a very cute and helpful friend to have along on the investigation. There is a great bunch of characters in this gossipy, little town. 

I found it very interesting that Ashley followed a different career path before she took up catering. Her contacts and experience in the tech industry really come in handy. It was also refreshing to see that the love interest wasn't the usual police detective typical of the genre. I'm hoping that there's more to Ryan than just good computer skills. I really liked the sweet ending and I'm looking forward to reading where their budding romance leads them. 


I was very intrigued with the whole mystery and there were plenty of twists and red herrings along the way to keep me guessing.
The scene is set now for further adventures and I can't wait to see happens next in this series.
This is definitely a cosy series I'll be following and adding to my auto buy list.

Available now from Amazon