Hands Off (Bennett Security Book 1) by Hannah Shield (2022)

 

To keep her safe, he has to keep his hands off… But she has other ideas.

When Aurora Bennett witnesses a murder by a ruthless Los Angeles crime boss, she ends up stuck in her apartment like she’s the one who committed a crime. Then a sexy new neighbor moves in, and he’s just the sort of bossy, broad-shouldered male that makes her crazy—in more ways than one.

Devon Whitestone can’t tell his neighbor Aurora the truth—that he’s actually a personal bodyguard hired by her brother, the owner of Bennett Security. Rule number one: don’t touch.

When a dangerous crime syndicate paints a target on Aurora’s back, Devon swoops in to protect her, even though she insists on making his job as difficult as possible. He won't let her out of his sight. But he’s definitely not supposed to like what he sees.

This action-packed romantic suspense features a brooding ex-Army stud, his boss’s feisty younger sister, and heart-pounding danger… You won’t want to miss the explosive first book of the Bennett Security series!

A fast-paced romantic thriller with heaps of drama and suspense.
The story starts off very tense when Aurora witnesses a murder.
There are a few funny and cute scenes where she interacts with Devon as her new neighbour and then when his bodyguard duties take over there is suspense and action. I liked Devon and Aurora as a couple but I thought they went too fast and Aurora was too pushy and desperate for sex.

There are quite a few supporting characters and they really gelled well as a big group of family and friends. It felt like I got to know them almost as much as Devon and Aurora. I'm looking forward to reading Max and Lana's story. Max is seriously overprotective and I actually enjoyed that about him. I'm sure Lana is more than capable of standing up to this alpha male so I'm excited to read their story next.
Chase and Devon's sister seemed like a good match too and I'm hoping their book won't be too far away.
A great start to a new series and one I can't wait to continue reading.

Hands Off will be published on the 3rd of May and can be

 pre-orderd at 99p for Amazon Kindle. It can also be read for 'free' with your Kindle Unlimited membership.

Solo in the City (In the City Series Book 1) by Zola Joyce (2021)

 

A stolen diary, a broken heart, and two dozen missing Stormtroopers…in a city bowing to the Gods of Money, true crime is being committed with no justice in sight. Until Magda Lane comes to town. With the constitution in one hand, and a loaded .38 in her pocket, she’s determined to carve out a place in the big city.

Three jobs later, she’s offended the mayor, fallen behind on the rent, and can’t keep her mind off the gorgeous J.D. Kelly. If her anti-establishment father doesn’t bury him first, she just might wrangle a second date from the six-foot-two officer of the law.

A third-generation cop, J.D. Kelly knows better than to be swayed by a pretty face with a love for circumventing the law of the land. But how’s a guy to resist a crack shot in spandex with a big heart and a soft spot for the little guy?

Incredibly funny and entertaining from start to finish. The writing is snappy and the dialogue  quick-witted. The story goes at warp speed! I did find it all a little quick at the beginning and it took me a moment to figure out what was happening but after that, I devoured the book pretty quickly. 

I absolutely loved the pranks Magda played on the ex-boyfriends of her clients. I know a few people who are crazy about Star Wars and Star Trek so I found that first prank really hilarious and I appreciated its ingenuity. Magda has some skills! Unfortunately for her, holding down an everyday job such as waitressing is not in her skillset which leads to her bending the law to make money. 

I liked J.D. Kelly instantly. From his rants about today's youth to the way he handled the men trying to make formal complaints about ex-girlfriends, his sense of humour and intelligence shone through. Of course, it didn't take him long to figure out Magda's schemes.

Their antics together are great fun as he tries to balance out her shenanigans with his straight down the line, obey the law attitude.

Magda's family also sound like they are a riot and a half so I am looking forward to seeing how they upend the peace in book 2.

Buy Link  Amazon

Author's website www.zolajoyce.com

A Death at Candlewick Castle (Jemima Jago Mystery #2) by Emma Jameson (2021)

 

Off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are a balmy haven with never-ending beaches and aqua-blue sea. But unbeknown to the happy tourists and cheerful locals, someone is about to commit a terrible crime…

Librarian Jemima Jago’s summer is off to a delightful start. By day she works on cataloguing the oldest library in Cornwall, and by night she can be found stargazing with her old friend Pauley Gwynn.

When the body of Hermie Castleberry is found on the beach at Candlewick Castle, Jem’s perfect summer turns into a nightmare. Hermie was new to the islands, could he really have made an enemy so soon? Jem doesn’t want to get involved, but when somebody close to her is arrested for the murder, she springs into action to clear their name.

Jem soon discovers that Hermie had already ruffled a few feathers in St Morwenna and she’s worried that the police seem to have overlooked other suspects. Could Jimmy the scorned salesman or Seth the shifty scout leader have killed Hermie? As she hunts down more leads, she butts heads with the handsome Sergeant Hackman. If their relationship is purely professional, why does Jem blush every time she catches his eye?

The discovery of another victim, this time in the island’s picturesque harbor, leaves Jem reeling. Can she catch the coldblooded killer and stop another life being taken before the sun sets on summer in St Morwenna?

A charming cozy mystery from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Emma Jameson. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Agatha Christie will adore A Death at Candlewick Castle.

Jem's second murder mystery is equally as good as the first one. The characters are well established by now and they all seem like old friends to me. I enjoyed the originality of the setting and the mystery. Jem finds herself needing to investigate a murder to help an old friend prove his innocence. Sergent Hackman is reluctant to involve Jem but he ultimately can't stop her from sticking her nose in. I like their interactions. Their relationship is in its very early stages which leaves an opening for an old crush to make his feelings for Jem clear. The other man isn't as likeable and I'm sure it won't take Jem long to be firmly on #TeamHack. I love a good love triangle told well and I'm looking forward to the tension it will create, the little jealousies and awkwardness that will come about as things develop. 

The mystery concludes well with plenty of suspense and drama. 

I listened to the audio version of this book and thoroughly enjoyed the narration. Book 3 is already on my playlist for listening to soon.

An Affair by the Sea (Siren's Retreat Quartet Book 2) by Erica Ridley (2022)

 

What happens when a wallflower's extremely make-believe fake suitor appears in the flesh just in time to ruin all her spinsterly plans? Find out in AN AFFAIR BY THE SEA!

Orphaned pianist Allegra Brown is a poor relation with nothing much to recommend her, save a minuscule dowry and a very big imagination. She has spent the past several years as governess to her younger cousins, who are now ready for their come out—and want Allegra to marry, too. Specifically, they eagerly await the return of Allegra’s dashing, handsome, swashbuckling, conveniently absent and secretly fictional fiancé, the dread pirate Captain L’Amour.

The only place Mr. John Sharp strikes fear is in the courtroom, where his neat, ordered mind is renowned for winning every case he presents. John loves predictability and longs to be a chef. Unfortunately, every time he puts on an apron, the entire kitchen catches fire. Much like passion burning between him and a certain wildly unpredictable spinster, who seems to have confused him for a dashing, exciting pirate. By fulfilling her fantasies, can his dreams come true…together?

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This second book in the series is easily read as a standalone. The story is lighthearted and charming. I loved the fact that John took on the persona of the cartoonish Captain L'Amour without hesitation. Allegra and John both have dreams they wish to fulfil and it was great fun watching them do this and flirt with each other at the same time. This was a quick read and a lot of fun. I'm sure the rest of the series will be just as delightful.

Buy link Amazon UK

Irresistible Attraction (The Irresistible Series #2) by Marlyn Love (2022)

 

** A sizzling stand-alone, irresistible, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine novel with twists you did not see coming.**



Alisha McQueen is a confident woman who has always stood on her own two red stilettos. Even now, suffering from nightmares, paranoia, and aversion to men’s touch following a brutal attack, she doesn’t accept anyone’s help. But when the man who attacked her finds her home and begins stalking her, it sends her into a spiral of despair. Now what she needs is security, and the one person able to help her with that is none other than the arrogant bulldozer, Cole Walker.

***

Cole is a man who's attached to his drama-free lifestyle; that's the way he has managed to succeed in business while keeping the ghosts from his past at bay. But, although their personalities clash beyond reason, he's been attracted to Alisha from the start. So, when she offers to help him with his newly discovered teenage daughter in exchange for the safety of a second apartment he owns, he can't say no.

As they grow closer, realizing that they get along better than they originally thought, the spark between these two headstrong people burns to unbearable heights. However, the secrets and demons they keep buried deep inside force them to face new challenges. Will they and their blossoming relationship be stronger than the real evil trying to tear them apart? 

Irresistible Attraction hits all the right notes- a steamy, suspense-filled romance with lots of family drama and a bunch of friends you can't help but care about. This is quite a long read with numerous sex scenes but the pages practically turn themselves as the story is brilliant and addictive.
Cole and Alisha have instant chemistry and it's impossible not to want them to be together. Both characters have flaws and inner demons. Cole is guilt-ridden over the death of his father and is quick-tempered at the beginning of the book. The relationship he has with his daughter is so heartwarming and it is one of my favourite things about the novel. Cole's character mellows as he becomes used to being a father and after he opens up about his past to Alisha he is much happier.
I loved the suspense in the book although there were times that I forgot all about the stalker amidst the family drama. However, the stalker didn't hold back once he had Alisha and Cole where he wanted them and those scenes were very dramatic. I wasn't sure how bad things were going to get for Alisha and I was on tenterhooks for her.
Cola and Alisha's friends were cute and added humour to the story with their direct questions and meddling. I am itching to find out what happens with Amanda and Brian and I'm really hoping there's some other man drama so that she can torment him with jealousy and regret because it seems like he deserves a taste of it. I can't wait to dive into more of the series.

Irresistible Attraction is out now. 

BLOG TOUR ~ Find You ~ by Mary Burton (HQDigital, 2022)

 

The chase is on in this utterly suspenseful and unputdownable mystery from New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton.

After being on the run for the last nine months, Kristen Rodale has finally settled in a small town in Virginia, where she hopes her dangerous and deadly brother Benito can never find her.

But former FBI agent, Dane Cambia, has other ideas: after his sister died at the hands of Kristen's brother, he wants to hunt Kristen down and use her as bait to get his final revenge on Benito.

Cambia manages to locate Kristen, setting his plan in motion. But playing into the killer’s hands is just the beginning of Kristen and Cambia’s new nightmare…

Previously published as Wise Moves 

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A fast-paced and addictive romantic thriller. The opening scene is tense and exciting. Kristen is under police protection pending her brother's trial where she is to give evidence against him. There is an inevitable sense of doom about this scene as the reader is expecting the worst to happen and that Kristen is not going to make it to the courthouse.

Kristen inevitably ends up on the run and undergoes tough times in order to survive and stay undetected by the police and her brother. I really enjoyed the suspense element of the story and the tension built up very well. I was expecting a big showdown with Benito at the end but it fizzled out very quickly and some of it was off scene.

The romance was nice but a little bit rushed. I didn't really feel the connection between Dane and Kirsten. Nevertheless, they made a sweet couple and the story concluded nicely for them.

My favourite character in the book was Kristen's friend, Sheridan. There is more to her than meets the eye and I'm intrigued by what her back story could be. It's one I'd like to read. 

                                                  Find You is out NOW! 

Dane enters her life under false pretenses but the pair find themselves getting romantically involved. I

The Bookbinder's Daughter by Jessica Thorne (2022)

 

The song surrounded her now, the murmuring of the library insistent, and her foot took the first step on the winding stairs. She knew it wasn’t entirely a dream. It was the library calling her, its magic driving her.

When Sophie is offered a job at the Ayredale Library – the finest collection of rare books in the world, and the last place her bookbinder mother was seen when Sophie was just a teenager – she leaps at the chance. Will she finally discover what happened to the woman she’s always believed abandoned her?

Taking in the endless shelves of antique books, the soaring stained-glass windows, and the grand sweeping staircase, usually shy Sophie feels strangely at home, and is welcomed by her eccentric fellow binders. But why is the Keeper of the Library so reluctant to speak about Sophie’s mother? And why is Sophie the only person who can read the strange spells in the oldest books on display, written in a forgotten language nobody else understands?

The mysteries of the library only deepen when Sophie stumbles upon an elaborately carved door. The pattern exactly matches the pendant her mother left behind years ago, engraved with a delicate leaf. As the door swings open at her touch, Sophie gasps at the incredible sight: an enormous tree, impossibly growing higher than the library itself, its gently falling golden leaves somehow resembling the pages of a book. Amidst their rustling, Sophie hears a familiar whisper…

‘There you are, my Sophie. I knew you’d come back for me.’

An absolutely spellbinding read about long-hidden family secrets and the magic that lurks between the pages of every ancient book. Perfect for fans of The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Night Circus and The Binding. 

A wonderful read, steeped in mystery and magic.
This fantasy adventure involving a secret and magical library had me completely glued to the audiobook. The narration is excellent. The characters all have secrecy and mystery surrounding them and it's only as the story unfolds that we learn of the significance of those characters who belong to the library.
Sophie was interesting. A sad and tragic character, she just needed something to pull her out of her shell and let her inner strength show. Will, her childhood love, is dark, mysterious and protective.
I liked that magic is alluded to rather than in your face. People aren't casting spells like they belong in Hogwarts. The magic is more whimsical and subtle. Nothing really magical occurs in the first 30% of the book but we know that something happened to her mother and it wasn't something ordinary. I liked discovering the secrets of the library along with Sophie as she slowly pieced together her past, her abilities and her future.

The Bookbinder's Daughter  is out now.

A Plot Most Perilous (A Cassie Gwynne Mystery Book 2) by Genevieve Essig (2022)

 

Join Cassie Gwynne—bookworm, cat lover and super sleuth—as she gets herself entangled in a brand-new murder mystery!

America 1883: Cassie Gwynne feels like she’s finally found where she belongs, settling into her new life in Florida with her aunt and her mischievous kitten Esy. When a traveling theater group arrives in town Cassie can’t resist signing up for the chorus. But the production goes awry from the start and soon death takes center stage...

With costumes going missing and strange voices heard coming from the dressing room, the cast are convinced they are cursed. And when the lead actor, William Gage, has a fatal accident, Cassie is certain someone is deliberately targeting the play. Off-stage Mr. Gage was known as a notorious flirt, so could a jilted lover be out for revenge?

Determined that the show must go on, Cassie launches her own investigation into the peculiar events. She quickly discovers an expensive, embroidered handkerchief stashed away on the lighting platform. This part of the theater is supposed to be out of bounds, so could the cagey chorus girl or the uppity understudy have something to hide?

When she returns at night to look around, Cassie is almost flattened as the wooden scenery crashes to the stage. Is this just the latest in a long line of catastrophes or is somebody out to stop Cassie learning the truth?

Can Cassie solve the mystery and make it to opening night or will it be curtains for her too?

Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn, C.J. Archer and Verity Bright! This is a totally charming cozy mystery full of murder, intrigue, and a cast of characters you’ll adore.

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I loved this. The characters are well established having been introduced to them in book 1. The plot is very quick-paced. I loved the comedy that actors in the travelling troupe provided. They were an eccentric, flamboyant and superstitious lot, just what you would imagine a group of actors to be.
The mystery had me stumped and guessing right up to the last moment. There is an unexpected twist at the end and I'm looking forward to reading more in relation to it in the next book.
Cassie has yet to delve into the puzzle surrounding her father's death. It is all very mysterious and it has really piqued my interest. I want to find out what happened but at the same time I don't want the author to reveal too much too soon as I want the series to continue for a lot more books.

#APlotMostPerilous is out now Amazon

The Un-Arranged Marriage by Laura Brown (2022)

 

Description

Their mothers are the worst matchmakers…

Mark Goldman has never gotten along with Shaina Fogel. Ever. Even when they were in diapers, their bestie mothers wanted them to grow up and get married. Not happening. Mark prefers his quiet, reserved life. But a family wedding is about to change everything Mark thought he knew about his archnemesis.

A week of wedding events with Mark Goldman? Shaina would rather have a week of root canals. Maybe the guy is hot, but for their entire lives, he’s never once acknowledged the fact that she’s hard of hearing. So it comes as a massive surprise when she discovers that Mr. High-and-Mighty and Annoyingly Sexy simply didn’t know. And now she needs his help.

When it’s revealed that the weeklong wedding events are actually a weeklong competition—for a dream vacation—Mark and Shaina do the unthinkable: work together. And the second the animosity begins to fade, something even more electric takes its place. Only now it’s not just an attraction between enemies. And nothing could be worse than the fact that their mothers might have had it right…

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I loved this so much and read it in one day. the story flowed seamlessly with characters I came to really care about. Shaina and Mark are quite adorable and I loved how much they irritated each other in the beginning. Their squabbles and inner musings were quite funny. It wasn't until we learn about Shaina's deafness and Mark's demisexuality do we realise that the source of their animosity is their lack of communication and understanding of each other. Once Mark realises that Shaina can't hear him he makes a huge effort to try harder and they eventually become friends and allies. The challenges they work on together are a lot of fun to read. I did find the mothers on both sides to be a bit annoying with their matchmaking. 

The sexual tension and chemistry between Mark and Shaina is palpable all the way through the story. You can really feel how attracted they are to each other. I normally skip past intimate scenes in novels but the writing here was so good and the scenes were short and added meaning to the story. I was rooting for the couple all the way but by the last quarter of the book I was itching for the two to finally talk openly with each other and admit their true feelings. Once they did everything fell into place and the story ended with a lovely heartwarming feeling.

A lovely quick read.

The Un-arranged Marriage is out now. Amazon