Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Dial L for Lynda (Linda & Lynda Detective Agency Book 1) by Tracey Jane Jackson and Amanda Washington (2016)

Publisher's information

Despite their economic and social differences, Addison Allen and Harley James have been inseparable since sixth grade. But when Harley is arrested for the murder of her ex-boss, prison bars threaten to be the one thing that finally comes between them. 

The body left on Harley’s doorstep proves to be too problematic for even Addison’s enormous bank account, forcing the duo to roll up their sleeves and search for the murderer themselves. Working to prove Harley’s innocence brings out an unexpected passion for investigating a knack for uncovering the buried truth. 

However, their freshly-acquired skills propel them into a dangerous new world full of lies, secrets, and quite possibly…romance. 

Will they be able to keep Harley out of jail? 
Or will they lose their hearts, and maybe even their lives, in the process?



Review 

Dial L For Lynda had me laughing out loud. Addison and Harley are in their early twenties and their youth is reflected in their sharp, sassy, and hilarious dialogue. They certainly know how to turn a serious situation into an act of comedy.
In addition to the abundance of humour, there is a very good murder mystery behind it all. Harley's life is on the line as she is considered the main suspect. Having little faith that the police will capture the real killer, Addison and Harley take it upon themselves to help the investigation along and solve the case.
I loved the romantic interests for the two ladies as well and I can't wait to see how Addison and Detective Jake get on in the next book. Their teasing and arguments are comedic and cute while Harley's relationship with Addison's brother is a little bit more real and grown up. The pair are childhood friends who have fallen in love but need a little push to move out of the friendship zone.
I loved every minute of this book and I can't wait for more.

Dial L For Lynda will be available to buy from the first of May.
You can pre order it at Amazon

I received an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, 24 April 2016

Sunset Reads: William & Cristina (A Sunset Reads Novel Book 1) by D.C. Triana (2016)




Publisher's summary

Within the doors of Sunset Reads William Jameson has come home to take over his mother’s New York publishing house after her death. He’s ready to turn things around when an electrifying encounter with the company’s sexy bestselling author makes him change his priorities to more sensual plans. While his cruel stepfather has decided he wants control of the company, William tries to remain focused as images of soft brown eyes and sensual lips continue to keep him up at night. 

Cristina Cruz suddenly finds herself with part ownership of Sunset Reads. Not only has the previous owner left her with part of the publishing house, but also at the mercy of her son William, the company’s handsome new CEO, who seems to be determined to drive her crazy. Not only is he annoyingly attractive, but his alluring blue eyes continue to send shivers down her spine. Working side by side with him becomes all the more torturous as his enticing looks and their heated encounters send her senses reeling.

Review 


Sunset Reads is my favourite contemporary romance so far this year. 

Sparks fly and tempers flare from the outset as Cristina and William clash over working arrangements and deadlines. I loved how hot headed Cristina was and how it didn't take much on William's behalf to make her fly off the handle. He is arrogant and authoritarian in his approach which really annoyed Cristina. I enjoyed watching her tear strips off him when he annoyed her. Will isn't the type to back down but I like how he immediately apologises when he cools down after an argument and finds a sensible solution to whatever problem is at hand.
Away from work William shows a different side to his personality and Cristina can't help but be charmed by him. William also finds Cristina irresistible. Their fiery relationship becomes equally passionate as they acknowledge their attraction to each other and they strive to strike a balance between work and play. 
William's stepfather is a nasty piece of work and his story arc added good suspense to the novel. I couldn't wait to see him get his comeuppance.
 The storyline involving Cristina's ex added another layer of tension and allowed William to show his protective side.

I loved Sunset Reads. I highly recommend William and Cristina's story and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Buy Sunset Reads now from Amazon

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Two Down, Bun To Go (Oxford Tearoom Mystery #3) by H.Y. Hanna (2016)




Publisher's Summary

THE NEW BOOK IN THE BESTSELLING SERIES!

A sinister phone call in the middle of the night throws tearoom owner, Gemma Rose, straight into the heart of a new murder mystery--this time with her friend, Seth, arrested as the key suspect! The grisly killing in the cloisters of an old Oxford college points to a bitter feud within the University--but Gemma finds unexpected clues popping up in her tiny Cotswolds village.

Meanwhile, her love life is in turmoil as Gemma struggles to decide between eminent doctor, Lincoln Green, and sexy CID detective, Devlin O'Connor... whilst her quaint English tearoom is in hot water as she struggles to find a new baking chef.

With her exasperating mother and her mischievous little tabby cat, Muesli, driving her nutty as a fruitcake--and the nosy Old Biddies at her heels--Gemma must crack her toughest case yet if she is to save her friend from a life behind bars.
** Traditional English Chelsea Bun recipe at the end of the story!

This book follows British English spelling and usage.
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Genre: humorous culinary, cat cozy mystery series / women amateur sleuth / British mystery


My Review 

I enjoyed this third instalment in the series. Gemma is embroiled in another escapade after her friend, Seth, is accused of a murder at Oxford University. The Old Biddies are also on hand to help along the investigation. It is a quick read and the mystery kept me turning the pages.
I enjoy Lincoln's role as a rival for Gemma's affections but I like him too much to see him to get too romantically attached to her. Devlin is her one true love. 
I felt that the book lacked some of the spark and humour that I enjoyed so much in the first two. Gemma's hilarious mother is away on holiday for much of the story and I missed the extra light heartedness that she brings. Hopefully we will see more of her in book 4.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.


Two Down Bun To Go is available from Amazon

Defiant (The Fallon Sisters Trilogy #2) by P.J. O'Dwyer




Publisher's Summary

Intrigue, romance, suspense....
Defiant supports horse rescues around the world. With every purchase, a donation will be sent on your behalf to help with their mission of rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Together we can end horse slaughter for good.
When love turns deadly, the beloved play dead.
Western Maryland farm girl Kate Fallon wanted more than horse pastures. Now a trial lawyer in the affluent Annapolis law arena and married to multi-millionaire Jack Reynolds, also the US Attorney of Maryland, she's got it all - at least everyone thinks so.
Behind closed doors, Jack is as cruel as he is intelligent, as controlling as he is handsome. When his tirades turn physical, Kate must fight for her life. But her efforts to leave him will take her down a rabbit hole to secrets she doesn't fully understand, and that Jack will kill to suppress.
Two years later, Kate's keeping secrets of her own. Living as Charlie Robertson, a take-no-lip general contractor, she's secure most days knowing her nightmare is right where she left him - 2,000 miles due east under FBI scrutiny. Wielding a nail gun instead of a briefcase suits her, as does the small mining town of Creede, Colorado. With its scenic views and open spaces, life is simple and so are her rules: lock all doors, check for signs she's been followed, and don't get involved romantically ever again.
Unfortunately, retired Navy SEAL and tourist Nick Foster didn't get the memo. Mysterious, sexy, and powerfully attracted to Charlie, Nick typically likes things easy. Only easy isn't in Charlie's vocabulary, and neither is trust. Worst part is, she's right not to trust him, and yet he can't help falling for her. But love won't save either one of them if she discovers his true identity or doesn't give him what he came for. His boss won't tolerate failure.



Review

This story was filled with plenty twists and turns and kept me listening for far longer than I probably should have been. The demands of everyday life did not get a foothold while I was listening to Defiant.
I enjoyed the suspense and excitement in the first quarter of the book when Kate is building evidence against her husband. As the tension built I couldn't help but feel a little bit scared for her. It the later section was just as exciting when Kate's new life is threatened by her past.
I am really looking forward to the rest of the series.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review

Defiant is available at Amazon  Audible and with FREE SHIPPING from BookDepository

Monday, 18 April 2016

Scraps of Paper (Spookie Town Murder Mysteries #1) Written by: Kathryn Meyer Griffith. Narrated by: Wendy Tremont King

Publisher's Summary

Abigail Sutton's beloved husband walks out one night, doesn't return, and two years later is found dead, a victim of a long ago crime. It's made her sympathetic to the missing and their families.
Starting her new life, Abigail moves to small town and buys a fixer-upper house left empty when old Edna Summers died. Once it was also home to Edna's younger sister, Emily, and her two children, Jenny and Christopher, who, people believe, drove away one night, thirty years ago, and just never came back.
But in renovating the house Abigail finds scraps of paper hidden behind baseboards and tucked beneath the porch that hint the three could have been victims of foul play.
Then she finds their graves hidden in the woods behind the house and with the help of eccentric townspeople and ex-homicide detective, Frank Lester, she discovers the three were murdered. Then she and Frank try to uncover who killed them and why...but in the process awaken the ire of the murderer.

Review 

There are lots of things that I loved about this story. 
I enjoyed the mystery and the sad story behind the missing children and their mother. The story had me hooked. It was fast paced and easy to listen to. It wasn't too hard to figure out 'who dunnit' but there were plenty of suspects and I enjoyed the process of figuring it out along with Abigail. 
 I loved the friendship slow developing friendship between Abigail and Frank and I am going to enjoy seeing how their relationship progresses through the series.
I loved the setting, a little town in America, with a whole mix of characters and strange personalities. Abigail is a brave character. I would not want to live in her spooky house! 

I have not listened to any of Wendy Tremont King's performances before but I would happily pick up another recording by her. I thought she did an excellent job with this production. I tend to listen with the audio on a faster speed to save time and because I'm too impatient to hear what happens next! The performance worked well on both normal and faster speeds.

I found the story of the dead children and their mother to be very sad. I also felt sorry for Abigail because of her personal tragedy. 
The story was a lot more serious than what I was expecting. With a name like Spookie Town I was expecting there to be some cute humour and light relief provided by the quirky characters of the town. But, it has a more solemn tone than some of cute cozy mysteries that are popping up in large numbers these days and I liked that Spookie Town was a bit different.
I really enjoyed this traditional, small town murder mystery and I will definitely pick up the rest of the series.


I received an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 
You can find it at Audible 
It is also free to download for your Kindle at Amazon
TOP TIP! Download the Free Kindle edition and get the Audible book at a fantastic low sale price

Sunday, 17 April 2016

Must Love Breeches by Angela Quarles (2014). Narrated by Mary Jane Wells (2016)

Publisher's Summary

She's finally met the man of her dreams. Only one problem: he lives in a different century.
How far would you travel for love?
A mysterious artifact zaps Isabelle Rochon to pre-Victorian England, and suddenly her love of historical authenticity collides with the reality that she's a modern-day girl. But when a thief steals her card case, she determines to retrieve the time-travelling artifact. Now she must hunt down the case, navigate the pitfalls of stiff society London, conceal her time-travelling origins, and resist her growing attraction to Lord Montagu, a viscount so hot he curls her shower-loving toes.
Lord Montagu is resolved to avenge his sister and has no time for dalliances, despite the appeal of the strange but lovely Colonial. However, when his scheme for revenge requires a respectable match, he convinces Isabelle to masquerade as his fiancée. But he did not bargain for Ms. Rochon being his intellectual match or the irresistible attraction.
Isabelle thought all she wanted was to return home, but as passion flares between them, she must decide when her true home, and her heart, lies.
Set in 1834 London, this time travel historical romance features a small cast of historical characters, including Ada Byron, Lord Byron's daughter, and Charles Babbage, inventor of the Difference Engine. It explores the often overlooked scientific developments of pre-Victorian London.
With a heroine caught between the Regency and Victorian eras, find out why USA TODAY calls this time travel romance "a delicious twist on historical drama and romance."

Review 
I love time travel romances especially those that involve going back to 19th century England rather than the Scottish Highlands. I find it difficult to find any Scottish Highland time travel books to rival Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

Mary Jane Wells manages to make the story sound like it is set in historical times. She makes a difference with Isabel who is a modern day woman but the other characters all suitably sound like they are from the past.
I loved hearing Isabelle's American accent and her cute inner thoughts about Lord Montague in juxtaposition to the English accent and formal dialogue of the time. I liked the humour in the story. Isabelle doesn't find it completely easy adjusting to the time period and her thoughts and observations are funny. 

I really enjoyed the this book. Lord Montagu is a charming character and the romance between him and Isabel was sweet. I liked that they had a mystery to solve but I would have liked it to be a bit more dangerous or exciting. 
I found Isabel's musings in her letters to Kate to be amusing and fun to read.

The final scenes that played out between Lord Montagu and Isabel made a lovely romantic ending to the story and the epilogue gave a nice glimpse into what their lives were like further down the years.



I received a copy from the author via audio book blast in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, 13 April 2016

Trust Me (The Donovan Family #4) by Margaret Watson


Book Description

Raine Taylor has one goal – justice for her murdered sister. She knows Genie's husband strangled her and left her in an alley – Peter had been threatening to kill his wife for years. The police said there was no proof Peter Northrup killed Genie. So it was up to Raine to make him pay. 

When Detective Connor Donovan answers a call about a trespasser outside Northrup's house, he finds a woman running down the street. When he tries to stop her, he's left holding her hoodie as she strikes out like a ninja then vanishes like smoke. 

Connor quickly realizes Raine is his mysterious trespasser. Now he has to figure out why she was outside Northrup's house at three A.M. Raine isn't his usual criminal – she's a schoolteacher who coaches a tae-kwon-do team of under-privileged girls. And he's wildly attracted to her.

Raine needs to stay away from Connor. She has a plan to deal with Northrup, and she can't get involved with a cop. But like two magnets drawing together, she can't resist him. Can Connor help her find justice for Genie? Or will her sister's killer claim another victim before they can stop him?


Review

This was my first Margaret Watson book and I will definitely be checking out her other titles after reading Trust Me.
Sparks fly from the outset when Connor and Raine meet under less then ideal circumstances. Neither truly trusts the other to begin with but they can't deny their chemistry and it isn't long before they are tearing up the sheets at night and working together during the day to bring justice for Raine's sister. 
The heat level was quite high in this romantic thriller and there was plenty of action, suspense and twists and turns to keep me turning the pages.

I thought that Connor and Raine were both very strong characters and a good match for each other. Raine is passionate in her pursuit of justice and she doesn't think twice about endangering herself in the process. She is of the mindset that the ends justifies the means. Connor isn't quite as prepared for her to get hurt and so he tries his best to steer the direction of the investigation and  limit Raine's involvement in it. There is some conflict between the pair as they grapple with their growing feelings for each other. Connor isn't beyond acting like a typical man and being a jerk to Raine but despite their arguments Connor's loyalty never sways. His natural instinct is to help and protect her. 

I loved that Raine is very capable of taking care of herself in tough situations. She lets Connor do the alpha male thing such as checking her apartment for intruders and getting her a new lock on her door but when push comes to shove, Raine doesn't hesitate in jumping right into the middle of the action using her tae-kwon-do moves. 

Book 4 in the Donovan Family series, Trust Me is easily read as a stand alone novel. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to going right back to the beginning and getting to know the rest of the Donovans in turn.


I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romantic suspense.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Buy Now from Amazon 

Monday, 11 April 2016

The Wife of Riley (Mercy Watts Mysteries Book 6) by A.W. Hartoin (2016)

Description

There’s darkness in the City of Light. 

The Fibonacci family saved Mercy Watts’ life and now she owes them a favour. Calpurnia Fibonacci calls on Mercy to make good. When you’re dealing with a powerful mafia family, refusing isn’t an option. So Mercy travels to Paris, home of the Louvre, catacombs, and secrets, to search for the identity of a woman glimpsed for just a moment on the fashionable Rue Cler and some answers to a few family mysteries of her own. To make matters worse, Chuck and Aaron tag along and they have agendas of their own. With the Mafia and the shadowy Klinefeld Group involved, finding the wife of Riley will be much more dangerous than she ever expected. 


Review 


Another thrilling and humorous adventure in the Mercy Watts mystery series.
The Wife of Riley is book 6 in the series and for me it is a five star read. I love the quirky characters, the mystery is always intriguing and well thought out. 
I love how active and capable Mercy is. She can certainly defend herself and others when the occasion arises. 
There is a sub-plot that runs through the series involving Mercy's godmothers and their WWII art collection. We are also teased with Mercy and Chuck's relationship which I am loving. It keeps me coming back for more. 
Aaron is another very quirky and lovable character who really comes into his element in Paris and we learn more about him. The trio's adventure really made me nostalgic for the city. 
 If I had just discovered this series with book 6 I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much without already knowing the characters well from the previous books. So I would recommend anyone who is thinking of reading the series please start at book one. That way you won't miss any of the fun and you will fall love with the characters just as I have.

Book 1 A Goodman Gone is Free to download at Amazon
The Wife of Riley is also available at Amazon

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Saturday, 9 April 2016

Ebony Fight (The Guard Duet #2) by Natalie Herzer (2016)




Description

A witch on the run

After allying Lillian’s Ivory Guard, Becca is determined to round up more like-minded demons and Ebonys that could help in their fight against the old system. She knows her actions draw unwelcome attention and that she has to be careful now more than ever before.

So, is she foolish to trust Stone, the man who saves her brother's life - and stirs her blood?

A demon out to get her

Stone is as cold and hard as his namesake. When he infiltrates a group of rebellious demons to find out how far the do-gooder attitude has spread, he doesn’t even blink at his orders to kill the leader. What he didn’t count on was Becca - the hot whirlwind turning his world and heart upside down. 

...and all hell breaks loose.



Review 

After reading and loving Ivory Guard I dived straight into Ebony Fight. The story picks up where Ivory Guard left off but without Lillian and Raz as the central characters. This is very much Becca's story and it is a compelling one. 

To me, Becca is one of the most honest characters in that she doesn't paint herself as wholly good or wholly bad, even though in my eyes she is quite saintly. She acknowledges her inner demons and fights to stay true to her own beliefs and good intentions. I love how she is able to use magic and uses it selflessly to save others.  

 She has undertaken the task of spreading the word among the demon world which garners her the wrong kind of attention resulting in Stone, an assassin, being sent to kill her. He doesn't pose much of a threat to her as it isn't long before he is falling in love with her. However, it isn't just Satan that needs convincing. Stone isn't the only one out to stop Becca and the threat may be closer to home than they realise. 


The Guard Duet series is irresistible and I recommend it to all readers of paranormal, fantasy and romance.

Buy now from AMAZON

















Saturday, 2 April 2016

Ivory Guard (The Guard Duet #1) by Natalie Herzer



Description

Life will make you stumble... 

One peaceful afternoon Lillian finds two angels in her living room - wings and gloriole and all - telling her she is an Ivory. Half human and half angel, she is born to fight for humankind and guard the hellholes where the membrane between worlds is at its weakest. 
She, an important warrior? Yeah, riiiight. 

Life can make you fall... 

Raz might be an angel, but he doesn’t do compassion. His job is to train and make her a leader. So Lillian will just have to suck it up when she discovers the deadly truth behind his words. When she does exactly that, he has to admit there’s more to the bookworm than he thought. Much more. But there’s one thing he shouldn’t forget – in his world feelings come with a price. Is he willing to pay? 

Love will give you wings. 

Review 5 stars

A brilliant introduction to a new series that I can't wait to read more of.

I don't dip into fantasy very often but when I do it has to be for something that will grab my attention and keep me wanting to read right to the end. The Ivory Guard does that and more. 

There are a lot things that I liked about this novel. Lillian's initial jolt from normal teenage life to that of the guard where death could be just around the corner had me sympathising for her while anticipating the adventures and fights she would ultimately get into. The action begins almost immediately where Lillian has to fight demons in her own home before she is taken away under the protection of the angel Raz. The pace doesn't slow down after this. 

Lillian is a mysterious and interesting character. In her human life she is a bookworm but even as an Ivory Guard there is more to her than meets the eye.  The fight scenes between the demons and the Ivory Guard are exciting, made more so by the fact that demons are a real threat and well able to kill angels and Ivory Guards. I couldn't help but wonder if all of Lillian's team would make it to the end.


Lillian's relationship with and growing love for Raz is complicated and dangerous which makes for entertaining reading between fight scenes. 
I liked the side characters, especially Becca, and I can't wait to read her adventure in the next book, Ebony Fight.

The Ivory Guard is available from Amazon and has the great low price of 99p. It's also available on Kindle Unlimited.

Friday, 1 April 2016

The Branches of Time (The Branches of Time #1) by Luca Rossi



Book description
A shower of splinters exterminates the people of the island of Turios. Only Bashinoir, badly wounded, his wife Lil and the Priestess Miril survive. They would like to give a worthy burial to their loved ones, but the corpses have disappeared. Their only hope of salvation lies in the magical protection of the Temple. But they must cope with dark threats. A shadow haunts their hearts, threatening to divide and destroy them; their bodies seem to be less consistent. The closeness between the two women contrasts with the isolation of Bashinoir.

In the realm of Isk, wizards and advisors must submit to the insatiable greed of sex and war as well as the power of King Beanor. The last of his young wives, however, does not want to surrender to the loss of love and freedom. Will games and tricks under the sheets be the key turning point of a millenarian war?



A fast paced, magical and sexy read.     5 stars

The quick pace and the short chapters made this book a very enjoyable and addictive read. It isn't bogged down with scientific theory which made it easier for me to get into it quickly.

I love time travel stories but this one was unique to me because it's set on the island of Turios, instead of Earth, where fantasy and magic blend into the fabric of the island. Only magic can protect the last three survivors but time is running out.

I loved how the story alternated from the island of Turios to the realm of Isk where the people are under the thumb of the crazy King Beanor who is obsessed with sex and war. He is both a frightening and compelling character and I found that I enjoyed his scenes a lot. 
In Isk I got a better sense of where the characters were in time. Their world is reminiscent of medieval times. Beanor resembles a bored evil king in a medieval court where he throws enemies and anyone who fails him into the torture chamber and dungeon. The court is riddled with spies and plots to overthrow him. 

I really enjoyed this book. It does end abruptly and with a cliffhanger but I look forward to reading book 2

Available in digital and paperback format from Amazon and with free shipping from the Book Depository

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.