Review:Long Buried (Doctors of Darkness #6) by Ellery Kane

The past always rises.

In 1997, the seniors of Sweetbriar High School buried a time capsule at their graduation ceremony. That same night, one of their own—Homecoming Queen Blair Lennox—disappeared without a trace.

Twenty years later, Juniper Pickett returns to Sweetbriar on a mission, driving all night from San Francisco with a world of trouble in her rearview. There’s no going back. Not after what she’s done. Tomorrow, they’ll exhume the time capsule and expose her darkest secret.

When Juniper accidentally unearths the body of her missing classmate, she finds herself with a target on her back in a race to clear her name. Because it’s not true what they say about small towns…

There are strangers.

There are secrets.

And you can go home again. But they’ll never let you leave.

About the Series...Straight from the mind of a forensic psychologist comes an addictive new series of betrayal, lust, revenge, and murder. These doctors earned their degrees from the dark side. And once you start reading, you won't be able to stop. Other books in the Doctors of Darkness series include Daddy Darkest, The Hanging Tree, The First Cut, Shadows Among Us, and Lucky Girl. 

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What I thought about Long Buried 

Juniper Pickett is in a heap of trouble both at her current home in San Francisco and where she grew up in Sweetbriar. Her actions are suspicious and as a reader I was hooked somewhere around the start.  I wanted to know what would make her come back home and dig up the time capsule? Why was she running from San Francisco?  All of the pertinent questions get answered in the story, but it takes a while before all the pieces are in place and all of the perpetrators can be identified.

There is a very strong theme of bullying and the impact it has on both the bully and the victim. The story is told in two timelines, what is happening now, and what happened back in Juniper's high school days. There is some intense emotional material here and it's worth paying attention to any  content warnings. 

The mystery of the cheerleader who disappeared years ago is just waiting to be solved after Juniper cracks open the ground and finds the body. This story is like peeling an onion, with each new layer revealing more information about who the killer might be. What was interesting about this story for me is that Juniper is a equal suspect throughout the story, which had me guessing until the end.

What happened in San Francisco becomes an important part of the story when the young girl that Juniper had been counseling shows up in Sweetbriar. Talk about bad decisions! Juniper makes plenty here and its a good thing she has friend and neighbor Wyatt to help her. 

The romantic elements between Wyatt and Juniper  were nicely done, and the romance reader in me wanted a little more at the end! 

Overall, I liked this story. It kept me interested in continuing, it was easy to read, and the pace was okay, with slower spots.  I found myself liking Juniper, and that kept me reading.  

 

Review: Falling Into You (Colburn Brothers #3) by Jill Shalvis

 

 Some love stories don’t stay buried, no matter how far you run.

Hazel Pierce has three goals for coming back to Star Falls:
1. Help her estranged dad.
2. Keep things strictly temporary.
3. Absolutely, under no circumstances, fall for Tucker Colburn again.

That plan dies a dramatic, soggy death when a rogue wasp sting sends Hazel swerving off the road and into the river—only to be hauled out, half-drowned and furious, by the Star Falls Fire Department’s finest. Unfortunately, “finest” is ex–best friend, ex–one-night mistake, and the man she’s been avoiding for a decade.

Tucker’s always had a way of getting into her head. And now between a family that thrives on gossip and a town that’s way too small for all this chemistry, Hazel’s running out of ways to avoid the truth. As sparks turn into late-night confessions and slow, toe-curling kisses, Hazel has to decide if she’s done running—from her past, from this town, and from the only man who’s ever made her feel like home. And Tucker has to prove that this time, he’s not just her safe place to crash—he’s her always.

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What I thought about Falling Into You

Tucker Colburn and Hazel Pierce have history and a lot of chemistry in Falling Into You. Tucker has stayed home all these years, helping with the family business and pursuing his own career in fire fighting. Hazel, his neighbor and long time friend left town, but returns years later to find all the feelings between them are still sizzling.

I really liked that they started out as friends who helped each other during those rough teenage years. I had a friend like that and the relationship between Tucker and Hazel was very realistic to me. They do have a lot of the past to deal with as there are many hurt feelings and misconceptions that must be addressed.

While there were slow spots, I really did like this story. It was easy to keep engaged with wanting Tucker and Hazel to find their way back to each other, which is so important in a romance. And yeah, I wanted to shake Hazel a few times, but I understand why she did the things she did which is also important to me.

Overall, this is a terrific story and a terrific series from this author.  

 

Review: Hott, Hotter, Hottest (Hott Springs Eternal #5) by Serena Bell

 Real bodyguard. Fake boyfriend. Unexpected benefits. Trouble guaranteed.

Tucker: Autumn Sato is a happiness influencer. And I’m…well, let’s just say my brand is more big, gray storm cloud. If life were going according to plan, the closest I’d get to her would be scrolling past her posts as fast as my thumbs could fly.

But my sister needs help, so I agree to bodyguard Autumn at her sister’s wedding. One thing leads to another, and suddenly I’m pretending to be her new boyfriend in front of all her friends and family.

It’s a hot mess, made worse because I swore I’d never do this again. Never get close to someone I was guarding. Never fall for someone whose safety was in my hands. Never let distraction get in the way of my job.

Unfortunately, this entire week is nothing but distractions: trapped in a car with my smoking hot client, only one bed in our hotel room, only one tent on the wedding camping trip… all before the bachelorette prom. Meanwhile, someone seems to have it out for Autumn… or my family… or both.

As things heat up between us, I’m left with one question: Can I keep my heart—and the people I care about—safe?

A spicy, small-town, bodyguard, fake relationship, grumpy-sunshine romantic comedy with a hint of danger and a lot of heart.

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 What I thought about Hott, Hotter, Hottest

This cute series that is centered around brothers who have to comply with the rules from a last will and testament to avoid dire consequences wraps up with Tucker, the quiet security professional.  He's got lots on his mind as he berates himself for something in his past, but when he is roped into being a bodyguard for one of the wedding guests family, he reluctantly agrees. 

Autumn Sato is a happiness influencer with some questions of her own regarding her past happiness and her sister, who is about to get married.  She goes along with having a bodyguard at her side (and more!) throughout. There are some rather tense scenes as it does turn out she needs a bodyguard!

I liked this story.  It was lovely to read Tucker's story and how he moved on from the past. There are plenty of steamy scenes between Tucker and Autumn and they did spend some page time getting to know each other, even though the "L" word came out after a short period of time. 

Overall, I enjoyed this romance, although it took a little time to get involved and invested in the characters. This entire series is entertaining and worth your time.

4 stars. 

 

 

Review: Thornbird by E. Kennedy

 

The highly anticipated young adult thriller about a serial killer's daughter and her race to solve the crimes of her family's twisted past before it's too late—from E. Kennedy, aka New York Times bestselling romance author Elle Kennedy!

The world is hunting for answers—but what if the truth leads straight to you?

Ten years after her father—the infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn—was caught, Ryan Shipley is back in Starling, Tennessee, trying to lay low. No one can know who she really is. No one can know the truth about her past.

But as fresh eyes dig deeper into the case, old secrets refuse to stay buried. Cryptic texts, eerie coincidences, and a chilling note leave everyone wondering—does Ryan know more than she’s letting on? As the truth unravels, one thing becomes in a town full of secrets, Ryan might be the biggest mystery of them all.

Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Jeneva Rose—get ready for a thriller packed with twists you won’t see coming. 

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What I thought about Thornbird

When a favorite romance author writes a YA thriller, this reader just had to check it out! Ryan Shipley is pretending to be a regular high school student.  If her friends found out she was related to the most notable serial killer from the town, she might be in big trouble. The killer's victims have never been found, and the town is obsessed about it the crime, thanks to a true crime podcast and a reward for finding the bodies.  

Ryan ends up with her cousin and others looking for the victims under the promise of a reward. When she starts receiving threatening messages regarding her true identity, things get serious and she finds herself in danger. 

This being YA, there are boys too.  Ryan is pursued by two young men in her class, one the "good boy" and the other the class "bad boy".  There are plenty of the typical class members here, as one might expect. I liked the little love triangle that developed here.

Overall, while the beginning is a bit slow, things pick up and there is a satisfying conclusion that you won't see from a mile away. This was a story that could appeal to both the YA and adult readers. The writing is good, the characters are nicely developed and you'll be holding your breath in all the right places!

4.5 stars

 

Release Day Review: Big Stick Energy (New York Legends #2) by Sarina Bowen

 

Big Stick Energy

A hockey team captain and a bubbly staffer mix business with pleasure when they start fake dating through the wedding season in this hot sports romance perfect for fans of Mariana Zapata​ and Elle Kennedy. 

Darcy Kendrick is used to putting out fires. As an overworked admin to a hockey team, she’s seen it all. But nothing prepares her for accidentally DMing her very private, very NSFW fantasy to the subject of this fantasy: team captain Eric Tremaine. Nobody actually dies of embarrassment. Right?

But when a wedding invite puts them on a collision course with her chaotic family and his emotionally fraught past, Eric suggests a plan: they fake-date their way through the “Wedding Experience.” It’s mutually beneficial. Totally strategic. And definitely not real. Except between mini tacos, slow dances and lingering glances, Eric starts to wonder if the sharp-tongued assistant with a bottomless to-do list might be the one person who truly sees him. And for Darcy? The fire in her heart might be the only one she can’t put out.

It’s supposed to be fake. It’s supposed to be temporary. So why is it so hard to walk away?

LINKS:

Goodreads:
https://geni.us/BSE_Goodreads

Amazon:
https://geni.us/BSE_Kindle

Apple:
https://geni.us/BSE_Apple

B&N:
https://geni.us/BSE_Nook

Kobo:
https://geni.us/BSE_Kobo

Google:
https://geni.us/BSE_Google

Audible:
https://geni.us/BSE_Audible

Libro.fm:
https://geni.us/BSE_LibroFM

All links: https://sarinabowen.com/big-stick-energy

What I thought about Big Stick Energy

Work crushes can be so dangerous! Darcy finds out just how dangerous when she sends her crush an email -- by accident! Who hasn't done that at some point! It's a great way to start out this romance.

This author knows how to write romance and does a great job of leveraging the fake dating of a wedding trip that both Darcy and her crush Eric attend. What I love about this setup is that it forces the couple to get to know each other and for them to talk first before attraction turns into something more.

I couldn't ask for anything more when it comes to a hockey romance. This is another book I'll add to the library of stories from this author since they are always good for a feel-good re-read!

5 stars 

 

 

Review: Last Man Standing : A Small Town Protector Romance (His to Protect #3) by Jill Sorenson

 

Vanessa Nava returns to her Texas hometown as a newly divorced single mom, determined to give her imaginative four-year-old daughter a magical summer. But the serene lakeside cabin she rented? Double-booked. The current occupant is the hottest, grumpiest handyman she’s ever met—claiming it’s under construction and strictly off-limits.

Paul McPherson, a Houston native recovering from a gunshot wound, has retreated to Lost Lake to hide and heal in peace. He won’t share his safe haven with anyone—especially not the sheriff’s daughter and her bubbly little girl. Vanessa is stunning, stubborn, and way too tempting for a man with secrets.

Vanessa paid upfront and refuses to leave. She sets up camp on his doorstep, transforming mishap into lake days filled with laughter, lemonade stands, and hot summer nights—sending Paul’s buried protective instincts into overdrive.

Texas heat ignites a scorching affair neither saw coming. But when danger closes in and Paul’s cover is blown, Vanessa must decide: walk away from the summer fling… or fight for a love that could last forever?

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What I though about Last Man Standing

In this romantic suspense, Vanessa returns home to find someone else living in the house she was supposed to be renting. What starts out as forced proximity turns to frenemies and then more. Vanessa's daughter is adorable and adds to the story with cute banter. The romance does develop quickly between Vanessa and Paul, but there are plenty of other emotions in this protector story.

Overall, this was a sweet romance with just the right amount of everything -- good banter, attraction and heat, action and suspense. 4 stars

 

Review: Lost in the Dark By Debra Webb

 

The brutal murder of her sister draws a woman back to her hometown and all its dark secrets in a gripping novel of suspense by USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb.

Dr. CJ Patterson returns to her Alabama hometown when her estranged sister, Shelley, is found murdered in the woods. For CJ it means diving headfirst into a painful life she left behind.

CJ reluctantly partners with Detective Kevin Braddock, and the complicated romantic history they share is far from over. They soon zero in on Shelley’s abusive ex-boyfriend and a local crime boss who controls the struggling mill village’s illicit enterprises. But anyone is suspect in a town with so many secrets. Even Shelley died with a few of her own.

As the investigation continues, so do the murders. One by one they’re leading CJ into a past she desperately fled from. CJ knows her hometown all too well. And that her search for the truth, and for a killer, will only get darker.

Revised This edition of Lost in the Dark, originally published as Everywhere She Turns, contains editorial revisions. 

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What I thought about Lost in the Dark

New Dr. CJ Patterson returns home to help find her sister's killer. She's certain she knows who it is and doesn't want that person to get off. 

There are a cornucopia of suspects in this story. Sometimes that makes it fun to figure out who the real killer is, but it gets easier as the story moves along. At least that was what I found her.  I figured out the killer somewhere along the way and then it just became of matter of why and when they would get apprehended. 

There's plenty of danger with this case, and romance too.  CJ has some past history by way of attraction with Braddock, the detective running the case. Their rocky relationship works well to tone down some of the realities of the murders. 

Overall, this was an interesting murder mystery, with lots of suspects and past history. There were some slow spots through the middle with some repetition, but overall the story kept me engaged throughout to want to know how things would wrap up.

Four stars.

Review: The Husband's Secret (Colby Agency: The Next Generation #5) by Debra Webb

 

Her ex's mysterious death is now theirs to solve.

When Brenda Devers sees her estranged - and recently deceased - husband, Scott, at the airport, she reels in shock. She'd buried him three weeks ago - hadn't she? Only now his business troubles have thrust Brenda and her young daughter into sudden do-or-die jeopardy. Luckily the single mom's new neighbor, Ben Clark, is smart, attractive and seemingly trustworthy when police and the FBI are not. A top Colby private investigator, Ben's been hired to protect Brenda. But as he helps her uncover the truth about Scott, the danger factor amps up - and her worst nightmare might be coming true.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the Colby Agency: The Next Generation series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

Book 1: A Colby Christmas Rescue
Book 2: Alibi for Murder
Book 3: Memory of Murder
Book 4: Witness to Murder
Book 5: The Husband's Secret
Book 6: The Bride's Betrayal
Book 7: The Missing Couple 

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What I thought about The Husband's Secret

The Colby Agency : The Next Generation is a formulaic series that can be entertaining and full of action.  In this case, Brenda Devers sees her husband at the airport with another woman, except she had buried him weeks before after he dies in a suspicious explosion.

Her new next door neighbor, Ben Clark, appears just when Brenda needs help and  his true purpose is revealed a few chapters later.  I did enjoy the interactions and budding relationship between Ben and Brenda, even though it's quick for them to fall for each other in the midst of solving the mystery of Brenda's husband and her missing daughter. 

 Overall, a predictable and entertaining mystery thriller set in the world of The Colby Agency. 

  

 

Review: The Magical Game: The Spirit and History of Baseball's Superstitions, Rituals, and Curses by Addy Baird

 

This is the story of baseball’s rich magical history and the centuries-old culture of superstition in the sport. It is a love letter to the jinxes, curses, rituals and myths of baseball’s past and present ― and to the innate mysticism of the game.

For more than 150 years, a magical culture has been central to the game of At the turn of the 20th century, a battle between two lucky mascots defined early World Series matchups. Soon after, two generational curses spawned decades of heartbreaking losses for the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox. Today, players like Bryce Harper perform at-bat rituals, fans refuse to wash the jerseys of their favorite players, and baseball people everywhere refuse to utter the words “no-hitter” before there’s been a hit.

In The Magical Game, journalist and converted baseball fan Addy Baird turns her reporter’s eye to her favorite sport, investigating the roots of these magical practices and telling the story of baseball’s long history of superstition, rituals, curses, jinxes, hoodoos, and hexes. Spanning three centuries of baseball history and three dozen more of magical history, Baird takes readers through fascinating, forgotten tidbits in the sport, untangles the game’s legends, and considers baseball’s uncertain future. In the face of recent MLB rule changes and the rise of advanced statistics, Baird looks at the many decades of concern about baseball’s declining popularity and the evolution of the sport, as well as why and how a culture of magic has remained strong at the core of the game for so many years.

Funny, poetic, and deeply researched, The Magical Game will make readers fall in love with baseball all over again.

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What I thought about The Magical Game

Baseball is THE sport in my household, so I was intrigued to read this title.  I was hoping for some new information and there were tiny nuggets in this book. But for the most part, there isn't a lot of new information on this topic -- if you've followed sports at all, superstitions and rituals are just part of the game.  

The book was well-researched and offered background on the topics in general. The author gets personal with her stories of baseball superstitions and her direct interaction with them, and that was interesting.  

Overall, this is a good book to read if you want to learn more about sports, especially baseball and the superstitions that drive the players. 
  

 

Review: 5 stars for Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee

INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

To open her cannabis dispensary, a chronically ill woman must defeat the surly doctor next door in this hilarious and steamy romantic comedy.   

Nomi Wyeth, former valedictorian and current pothead, has her heart set on opening her own boutique cannabis dispensary in charming downtown Sparrow Nook, New Jersey. Cannabis changed Nomi’s life, giving her relief from Crohn’s disease when nothing else could, and it’s her dream to help others find the same peace and comfort she has. 

But Nomi’s plans are rudely interrupted when Dr. Julian D’Angelo, former salutatorian and current asshole, returns to Sparrow Nook with a chip on his shoulder, a probation to serve at the medical practice next door, and a lifelong vendetta against weed.   

When an unfortunate shaving accident lands Nomi onto Julian’s exam table, Julian is appalled to discover that his high school nemesis is still inconveniently gorgeous, still hates his guts, and worst of all, that she’s planning on opening an amoral weed bordello next to his clinic. War is the only answer and definitely not an excuse to keep running into witty, free-spirited Nomi.   

As they battle each other all over Sparrow Nook, from “pot luck” fundraisers to public debates at City Council meetings, their fraught pasts and feelings for each other become harder and harder to ignore. It’s tough to say what will change first—their minds or their hearts—but one thing’s for sure: they’re not going down without a fight.

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What I thought about Pot Shot

Entrepreneur Nomi Wyeth has done all the work she needs to open her own medical marijuana dispensary. She's ready to get the best location in the small town of Sparrow Nook for her store, until her childhood crush, now doctor, decides to do everything to stop the dispensary from opening.  Sounds tense, doesn't it?  Pot Shot takes the concept to a whole different level, with banter that will make you laugh and a romantic setup that will have you rooting for Nomi and Dr. Julian.

This worked so well as a romance. The feelings between these two are palpable from the start.  Julian has a big character arc to accomplish, as he needs to learn how to work with people. His journey, while comical at times, was nicely done.

I really liked this story. It kept my interest from start to finish, and it's an easy read that you can tackle in a day or two. I especially liked how it handled the education of Dr. Julian in the medicinal properties of marijuana. I just liked everything about this story.  

If you are looking for a cute, humorous take on romance that will leave you smiling, Pot Shot might be for you.   

Review: Scarlett Undone by Tasha Gold

A riveting book club novel of secrets, redemption, and unexpected connection. Perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Kristin Hannah, and Jojo Moyes.

Her father died in prison. She’s hidden her identity for most of her life. Until now.

Scarlett vowed she’d never step foot in Brackson prison again. Yet here she is, back in her hometown, dragging disgruntled dogs into the hell her father once called home.

The Pups in Prison rehabilitation program is her uncle’s passion, but his recent heart attack means he’s laid up and she’s filling in. She’s surrounded by inked necks and barbed wire…and awful memories she can’t shake. She knows she’s the reason her marriage is falling apart. She’s been running from that knowledge like she runs from the surname that links her to her father’s crimes.

She didn’t expect to find solace in an unexpected prisoner.

Emery is intense yet kind. Strangely intuitive. She shouldn’t look forward to their dog-training sessions, even if this alluring inmate shines a light on parts of herself she thought she hated.

But when she discovers why he was incarcerated and violence hits too close to home, Scarlett’s forced to face that forgiveness is more than spoken words and that coming undone is the first step to stitching yourself back together.

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What I thought about Scarlett Undone 

 Scarlett Undone is a story that can connect with others. What do you do when you reach the end of your rope? When all of the past traumas build to the point of breaking? How do you go on?

Scarlett's father is a criminal, her mother is absent, and her marriage is in jeopardy, At thirty years old, Scarlett doesn't want to deal with any of it. So she runs away to an uncle she hasn't seen in years and puts herself right in the clutches of an environment she is trying to forget. That doesn't work of course. 

This story is very much about this quest for self and at the same time, community.  Even though Scarlett's traumas are significant, this story is more about how she goes about recovering her life from her past to position herself for the future.  If you think that is deep, it is. There''s a lot to unpack and discuss in this story and that is why it is promoted as a book club book. This is the kind of book you want to read with a friend so you can discuss.  

Overall, this was a solid story from this author.  

 

Review: The Drowning Season by Debra Webb

To find two missing women, a detective must dive into the secrets of her past in a blood-freezing novel of suspense by USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb.

Detective Adeline Cooper swore she’d never return to Mississippi, where her corrupt family rules through fear and her career was upended by betrayal. But then she receives a photograph of a local woman who has gone missing, along with a cryptic, chilling Pretty, pretty princess. See her smile…see her die.

Soon after Adeline arrives in her hometown, a second woman is kidnapped, and there are disturbing connections between the two victims and the detective. Both women bear an eerie resemblance to Adeline and share her fear of water. A new message makes the kidnapper’s game terrifyingly You’re next.

When past and present collide at the river’s edge, Adeline will finally understand why she’s been dreaming of drowning her whole life.

Revised Previously published as Anywhere She Runs, this edition of The Drowning Season includes editorial revisions. 

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What I thought about The Drowning Season

Two women are missing and a third receives a threat, forcing Adeline to return home to Mississippi after being run out of town in disgrace.  When she receives evidence in the crime and becomes part of the current investigation, she faces old enemies and secrets that are deeply hidden.

I liked this mystery.  Adeline is one tough cop and she doesn't put up with much from the people who ran her out of town, including an old boyfriend that betrayed her. She's at risk from the kidnapper too.

Things move along quickly and the book is easy to read. There are some romantic elements which helped to put a focus on something other than the case. Adeline is a strong woman and is interesting to see what she gets into and how she gets out of it, too.  I did not find the story predictable and didn't anticipate the resolution at all, which made for an exciting reading experience.

5 stars for A Curse of Beasts and Magic by Jeaniene Frost

 

New York Times bestselling author of The Night Huntress series Jeaniene Frost returns with a brand-new series! It’s Beauty and the Beast meets The Witcher in this dark fantastical retelling, except Beauty IS the Beast, and he’s the Warden keeping mythical beings in check in our world and beyond.

Raine Stone was the sole survivor of a horrific creature while camping. Her account of the attack was attributed to shock, but Raine knows all too well that her story is true because now she carries that same Beast inside her!

She’s been restraining its violent urges by letting it 'feed' on the pain and chaos she’s exposed to as an ER nurse, and by playing vigilante against would-be muggers at night. But when Raine uses the Beast’s energy to heal a frail elderly gentleman from a seemingly random attack, she opens herself to a new world of danger—literally.

Remington “Remy” Byrne knows that the wall between a realm of deadly mythic creatures and our own world is very thin; he’s the Warden who guards the gateways between them. He also rules the supernatural creatures living in secret among us. Raine’s Beast makes her an intruder on Remy’s territory, but the elderly gentleman she saved is Remy’s grandfather, and her Beast contains power that could tip the scales in a sinister plot against Remy’s rule—if Raine allies with him.

Will they be friends or foes…or will the dangerous attraction between them turn into something else? And can our world be saved by their explosive alliance?

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What I thought about A Curse of Beasts and Magic

The author crafts a sexy duo in Raine and Remy along with a fantastical world of creatures in A Curse of Beasts and Magic. There are terrific descriptions of the magical world and Raine and Remy maintain their humanity even though they are far from human.

Remy has lots of secrets for Raine to learn, and he has his own reasons for keeping her, including the fact there is plenty of attraction between them. She's a strong character after living with her "beast".

Romantic, steamy, action packed with great characters. I need more! 

Review: The Shippers by Katherine Center

She wants him to help her woo someone else.
Genius. Foolproof. Can't go wrong.

After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. Armed with pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly divorced wedding guest). Determined to woo him for closure, she ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, as her wingman. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but showed up anyway. Cooper: who moved to London without a word four years ago. Cooper: who broke her heart.

Shipboard antics abound in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance, as JoJo and Cooper team up, fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, get jealous, answer long-held questions, and finally, at last, discover truths about each other that will change everything. 

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What I thought about The Shippers 

JoJo Burton is looking for true love and hasn't found it. When planning her sister's wedding, they come up with a plan to hook JoJo up with childhood crush Finn, the guy who kissed her first. The wedding takes place on a cruise and also along for the ride is JoJo's best friend Cooper.

But things don't work out like they planned and JoJo has to learn the true value of her friendship with Cooper before she knows what love is all about.

There aren't any surprises here. Romance readers will catch on to this plot early on. It takes JoJo an entire book of cute banter to figure out what love is all about.

It's a cute story. Very predictable and low conflict. 4 stars

Review: Liar's Creek (Clay Hawkins #1) by Matt Goldman

From New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Award-winner Matt Goldman comes Liar's Creek, which asks how far we'll go to protect the people we love.

The small town of Riverwood, Minnesota is true to its name, brimming with beautiful scenes of nature. Its rural landscape is threaded with scenic trout streams, which carve their way through limestone bluffs. But beneath its picturesque facade, danger runs rampant.

Clay Hawkins isn’t a stranger to the secrets of his hometown. After twenty years away, Clay has recently returned home from abroad with his twelve-year-old son Braedon, and his relationship with his father Judd, the recently replaced sheriff, is as strained as ever.

Trouble immediately brews for Clay when his beloved uncle, Teddy, disappears. Together, the three generations of Hawkinses must overturn every stone in Riverwood and confront deep familial wounds to find the one person who brings them together. As danger looms, Clay worries that it might be too late to save Teddy—and that the rest of the family might be next.

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What I thought about Liar's Creek

International soccer star Clay Hawkins returns to his hometown of Riverwood, Minnesota and finds himself working with his father and others to solve the disappearance of his uncle. 

He's a fish out of water in his own hometown. The small town vibes are strong here as there are no secrets in little towns like Riverwood.  But there are lies, and he'll have to wade through them to solve his uncle's disappearance. 

Clay was an interesting character and I enjoyed getting to know him. By the end of the book, I was chomping for the next Clay Hawkins book!  The setting was also new to me as I have not been to Minnesota, and that made it interesting for sure.  

Clay has a difficult relationship with his father, and some of this story is devoted to navigating around past hurts and old times.  There was some slowness in the beginning and some predictability, but I hung in there and became hooked as the mystery is unraveled.  This was not a super suspenseful story and it seemed very character driven rather than plot driven. But that was okay by me.  I enjoyed this story and I'm ready for more.

Review: A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong

A Deadly Inheritance

After discovering she’s an heiress to a billion-dollar corporation, seventeen-year-old Liliana finds herself at a new boarding school where she must navigate secret societies and a deadly competition. 

In the wake of her mother’s death, Liliana Chamberlain’s estranged (and very wealthy) grandparents swoop in. Or their lawyer does. Her grandparents aren’t ready to meet her, but they want her to have the life her mother walked away from, starting with Westwood Academy, the elite boarding school her mother attended. It should be a Cinderella dream come true, but Lili has serious misgivings. Yet she doesn’t have a choice, being under eighteen and dead broke.

Westwood Academy is a school of secrets as well as intriguing classmates, including Hollywood golden boy Theo Dubois and the mysterious Maddox Moreno. As she gets to know them all, Lili realizes there’s more to the school than elite-level networking. Something deadly.

For the new girl at school, investigating the deaths of past students — including Maddox’s own sister — is a very dangerous game. Do those deaths have something to do with why her mother fled Westdale at the cost of her inheritance?

When a fun night out turns bloody, Theo is the prime suspect, and Liliana must race against time to connect the past with the present and discover the truth behind her inheritance.

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What I thought about A Deadly Inheritance

Liliana Chamberlain gets more than she bargained for when she finds out she is an heiress and must learn about a whole new lifestyle. She is shipped off to Westwood Academy, the best of the best, to be prepared for some high powered career. Except there are some odd things going on at the academy and Liliana is determined to get to the root of it all, no matter what.

At the academy, Liliana becomes friends with Theo and Maddox, the only people she trusts. These two guys are terrific and I loved the how their relationship with Liliana developed! That was probably my favorite part of this story.

While a little slow for my taste, I thought the characters were interesting and the story, although at times out there, was interesting enough to keep me reading to the end. I enjoy a YA every now and then, and this one satisfied my craving.

Cover Reveal: Bad Girls Make Good Liars by Sarina Bowen

 

BAD GIRLS MAKE GOOD LIARS

Ivy Quinlan knows how to find people. But this time, she might be the one who’s truly lost.

Ten years ago, private investigator Ivy Quinlan slammed the door on her Boston life and started a new, untraceable one in Maine. Or so she thought. For years, she’s made a living slipping into other people’s lives—catching liars, exposing secrets, and getting out clean. (Or mostly clean. She tries.)

Until Frazier Morello—the guy she never got over or forgave—shatters her peace with a problem that makes no sense: a missing influencer who looks exactly like Ivy.

Not similar, identical. Same voice. Same laugh. Same everything.

Kelsey Chillingham vanished three days ago, and the internet is obsessed. The only lead the police have is Ivy, and they’re not going to let her go without a fight. Which leaves Ivy–who’s spent her life not knowing where she came from–at the center of a story she never asked to be a part of.

Now Ivy is chasing a case that’s dangerously personal, tangled up with the one man who still has the power to wreck her, and getting closer to a truth that refuses to stay buried. With time running out for Kelsey, Ivy must rush headfirst into her past no matter the cost.

Ivy has spent years running from her past, and now it’s on her doorstep—wearing her face.

RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 2, 2027

Available Preorder Links:

 

Amazon:
https://geni.us/BadGirls-Amazon

 

Kobo:
https://geni.us/BadGirls-Kobo

 

Nook:
https://geni.us/BadGirls-Nook

Audible:
https://geni.us/BadGirls-Audible

Release Week Review: The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

  

“Jessica R. Patch weaves a dark, twisty tapestry that’s both unsettling and unexpectedly hopeful. Masterful.” –New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s old carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

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What I thought about The Girl Upstairs

Something is creepy from the start in this psychological suspense tale, complete with the rumors of a haunted house, stories of murder, human bones on the property and a family that just seems "off", and I don't mean just a little! I spent the day reading this because I couldn't put it down. 

Gwen McDaniel is the narrator. She's a former detective who has lost purpose in her life, along with her job. There are hints from the start that she's had some sort of trauma. Her marriage rest on tenuous ground. I just had to keep reading very early on to find out what was going on with this family and their new home. 

I've been reading this author for a while and each book is better than the last. While branded a Christian fiction writer, this aspect of the story is handled with sensitivity rather than righteousness and when juxtaposed with the dark elements of the story, the inclusion seems understandable. And I like that not everything is spelled out specifically and calls for the reader to complete the picture. 

I really enjoyed this story. It grabbed my attention right away and kept it until the end. The characters are not flat. They are multi-layered and interesting. The story is intriguing with the feel of a haunted house to maintain the suspense of the setting. And the clues. The twists and turns made for a good mystery to unravel. This one checked all my boxes. 5 stars.

 

Review: The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer

 

She can hop into any novel, she just can’t stay there. Come along with the book witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading from the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game.

Rainy March is a proud third-generation book witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps into and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes. 

Book witches live by a strict Real people belong in the real word; fictional characters belong in works of fiction…. Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don’t even think about it.

Which is why Rainy has been forbidden from seeing the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series. If she’s ever caught with him again, she’ll be expelled from her book coven—and forced to give up the magical gifts that are as much a part of her as her own name.

But when her beloved grandfather disappears and a priceless book is stolen, there’s only one person she trusts to help her solve the case: the Duke. Their quest takes them through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, The Great Gatsby, and other classics that will reveal hidden enemies and long-buried family secrets. 

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What I thought about The Book Witch

What if you could just jump into your favorite story and interact with your favorite characters? Book witch Rainy March can, and she is called to help in the fictional world. There are rules of course, but rules are made for breaking!

This story is super creative and a bit mind bending as I've come to expect from this author. The attention to detail and realism of it all is just fabulous. The writing moves along nicely and the twists and reveals keep coming.   It touched about my early reading experiences, which were wonderful. It made me remember books like the Nancy Drew series, which were required reading in my early days.  I really enjoyed this story. Very clever and lots of fun.

 

Review: The Ten Year Lie (Dark and Dangerous #1) by Debra Webb

A wrongfully convicted man and the key witness against him join forces to figure out who framed him for murder in a riveting novel of small-town secrets by USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb.

Every person in Pine Bluff, Alabama, stood behind Emily Wallace when she testified against Clint Austin. After all, Emily knows what she saw that terrible Clint, covered in blood, holding the body of her best friend Heather.

But Clint has always maintained his innocence, and now, after a successful appeal, he has come home to prove it.

The whole town is furious about his return, and Emily becomes obsessed with sending Clint back to prison—until her father reveals a devastating secret that casts doubt on the whole trial. What if she was wrong?

When another person with a connection to Heather turns up dead, Clint and Emily embark on a desperate search to find the truth. Because ten years ago, they were both betrayed by someone they know. So who, in a town full of liars, is getting away with murder?

Revised Previously published as Traceless, this edition of The Ten Year Lie includes editorial revisions.

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What I thought about The Ten Year Lie

Clint Austin goes to jail for ten years for a crime he didn't commit. When he is released due to issues with the evidence against him, he returns to Pine Bluff to look for who set him up.

Emily Wallace also returns home to make sure Clint never forgets he's a killer. The people in Pine Bluff hate him and want him gone.

But there are real holes in the evidence and the stories from all involved. Can Emily and Clint work together to solve the case? After all, Emily did have a little thing for Clint before he killed her friend!

I liked this story and became really involved once Emily and Clint deal with their relationship. The romantic elements were solid and entertaining, and the mystery of who killed Heather unravels with a few surprises. My only complaint was that the first half was a bit slow and it took some time for this to become a page-turner for me. 4 stars. 

Review: My Kind of Guy (Hockey Guys #4) by Sarina Bowen

 

He’s a backup goalie with a broken game. The only thing he needs more than a win is the hot, grumpy bartender who pours his weekly beer.

Becker James is having a spectacularly bad season. Once a top draft pick, he’s now riding the bench in the minors, one failed save away from being cut. The highlight of his week? A lonely hour on a barstool at Sportsballs, Denver’s queerest watering hole—and Forest, the bartender with flannel sleeves, a gruff voice, and a beard that stars in Beck’s dreams.

Opportunity strikes when Forest’s LGBTQ hockey team—the Stickhandlers—loses their goalie last-minute. Beck makes Forest an offer: he’ll help them beat the most hated team in the beer league, but he wants something in return—one night together.

Cue the record scratch, because Seth Forrester doesn’t do hookups. After his last one went horribly wrong, he swore off men for good. He’s definitely not falling for the awkward hottie who just stammered through an indecent proposal.

But Beck is prepared to press his case, no matter how awkward it gets. And one beer league game turns into something messier, sweeter, and so much harder to walk away from…

Links

Digital copies at:

Amazon
https://geni.us/MKOG-Kindle

Apple Books
https://geni.us/MKOG-Apple

Kobo
https://geni.us/MKOG-Kobo

Nook
https://geni.us/MKOG-Nook

Google Play
https://geni.us/MKOG-Google

Audible: Coming soon!

Books page
https://sarinabowen.com/my-kind-of-guy

Series links page
https://sarinabowen.com/hockey-guys-links

ADD TO GOODREADS:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245204597-my-kind-of-guy

What I though about My Kind of Guy

Hockey goalie Becker has a huge crush on Forest, the bartender of the bar where he likes to hang out. When the opportunity to fill in as goalie in the bar-league, Becker grabs at the chance to finally be with Forest. 

Only Forest has some serious baggage from a prior incident and he's hesitant to get involved with anyone, with good reason. But that's not going to stop these two from inching toward being a couple, because they are just too darn good together!

This author excels at two things that I like in a sports romance -- an attraction that gradually builds to a deeper connection, with exciting sports segments that uplift the story. There are some great moments for Becker in My Kind of Guy, both on and off the ice. Becker and Forest were just perfect together.

If you are looking for an M/M romance that will leave you smiling, you might just like My Kind of Guy. 

Review: The Boy in the Wall (A Chicago K-9 Thriller, 3) by Jeffrey B. Burton

 

The discovery of a missing boy’s body uncovers cruel schemes in this twisty, fast-paced K-9 thriller series set in the Windy City of Chicago.

What if the past won’t let you go?

It was supposed to be a fun dog demo day for the students at Henry Horner Elementary School in Chicago—but when Cory Pratt’s cadaver dogs sniff out the body of a missing teenage boy wedged into the wall of the cafeteria, his family’s life is shattered.

It seems like tragedy follows the Shortridges. With the eldest son having taken his life a few years earlier, Patrick being found mutilated and murdered devastates the whole clan further. Now everyone is fearing for seven-year-old sister Charlotte.

When a kidnapping attempt on the young girl fails, Cory and his detective sister Crystal are sure someone is targeting the Shortridges. But who is behind these savage attacks and why would someone want to kill off such a seemingly unassuming family? 

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What I thought about The Boy in the Wall

Cory and Crystal Pratt take on a new mystery when cadaver dogs Alice and Rex find a body at the local school where Cory is giving a demonstration of what his dogs can do. First off, I love the dogs in this book. Alice and Rex are just wonderful in so many ways, and they warm this dog-lover's heart!

The story takes some twists and turns as they discover that identity of the boy and the tragic past of his family. I'll just say that it takes revenge to a whole new level.

Cory and his sister are always a good duo in their respective fields and Cory's private life makes an appearance when he realizes his feelings for a school colleague. I did like this part of the story.

Overall, this is an entertaining mystery, with some good twists. There's also a great canine duo helping out!