Thursday, June 23, 2016

Final Fondue: A Five Ingredient Mystery #3-Maya Corrigan

Final Fondue (A Five-Ingredient Mystery #3) 

Val Deniston certainly has her plate full running a café, dabbling with recipes, and helping her grandfather prepare for the town's upcoming tri-centennial celebration, but she's grown fond of her new life in the Chesapeake Bay town of Bayport. . .

So when Val is asked to reclaim her old position as a cookbook publicist in New York City, she puts off her decision in order to help her grandfather perfect his chocolate fondue for the weekend festivity's dessert cook-off. But after the opening ceremonies, Val finds a houseguest strangled to death in her grandfather's backyard. She suspects a classic case of mistaken identity, especially when another guest nearly bids her life a fondue farewell. Now it's up to Val to keep the killer from making another stab at murder . . .

Includes 6 five-ingredient recipes!

Praise For By Cook Or By Crook!

"This is definitely a starter for fans of Diane Mott Davidson, Lou Jane Temple, and Virginia Rich." --Library Journal

"A totally enjoyable read. Definitely worth checking out!" --Night Owl Reviews

My Take:

I cannot say enough about how much I love this series. The location in perfect. The characters are all lovable and the story line is great. Plus you have recipes to die for. What is not to love? 

Something's Knot Kosher: A Quilting Mystery #4-Mary Marks

Something's Knot Kosher (A Quilting Mystery, #4) 

Funerals can be patchy affairs for Martha Rose and her close-knit circle of friends--especially in the case of a missing body. . .

When Birdie Watson's husband Russell is killed during a bank robbery, Martha just wants to support her grieving friend. But en route to the burial plot in Oregon, Martha makes a harrowing discovery about the casket's contents--instead of Russell, she finds an unidentified man. Now Martha and her quilting klatch can't rest in peace until they unspool the truth behind the macabre mix up. . .

Praise for Knot in My Backyard

"A pleasurable and satisfying addition to any quilting mystery fan's reading list. Recommend to those who cannot get enough of Terri Thayer, Elizabeth Craig, or Earlene Fowler." --Library Journal 
 

My Take:

I really want to say that I like this book. But, I found that it just wasn't for me. While the characters are fantastic, I found myself having a hard time getting into the plot. 


The HIghlander: Victorian Rebels #3-Kerrigan Bryne

The Highlander (Victorian Rebels, #3) 

Can the fiercest master of battle conquer a woman’s heart?

They call him the Demon Highlander. The fearsome Lieutenant Colonel Liam MacKenzie is known for his superhuman strength, towering presence, and fiery passion in the heat of battle. As Laird to the MacKenzie clan, the undefeated Marquess has vanquished his foes with all rage and wrath of his barbaric Highland ancestors. But when an English governess arrives to care for his children, the master of war finds himself up against his greatest opponent... in the game of love.

Defying all expectations, Miss Philomena is no plain-faced spinster but a ravishing beauty with voluptuous curves and haughty full lips that rattle the Laird to his core. Unintimidated by her master’s raw masculinity and savage ways, the headstrong lass manages to tame not only his wild children but the beast in his soul. With each passing day, Liam grows fonder of Miss Mena—and more suspicious. What secret is she hiding behind those emerald eyes? What darkness brought her to his keep? And how can he conquer this magnificent woman’s heart... without surrendering his own?

My Take:

You know those books you pick up and you cannot put them down until you've finished the whole thing? This is one of those books. Kerrigan Byrne has done it again with a fantastic book that had me hooked from the first line. A perfect historical romance. 

Fixin' To Die-Tonya Kappes

Fixin' To Die 

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Kenni Lowry likes to think the zero crime rate in Cottonwood, Kentucky is due to her being sheriff, but she quickly discovers the ghost of her grandfather, the town’s previous sheriff, has been scaring off any would-be criminals since she was elected. When the town’s most beloved doctor is found murdered on the very same day as a jewelry store robbery, and a mysterious symbol ties the crime scenes together, Kenni must satisfy her hankerin’ for justice by nabbing the culprits.

With the help of her Poppa, a lone deputy, and an annoyingly cute, too-big-for-his-britches State Reserve officer, Kenni must solve both cases and prove to the whole town, and herself, that she’s worth her salt before time runs out.

My Take:

This is yet another great book by Tonya Kappes. I love that the first book in her new series flows so well. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.  

Monday, June 20, 2016

Unpredictable Love by Featured Author Jean Jochim



UNPREDICTABLE LOVE



  
Would unpredictable love break Jory Walker’s heart?




Uh oh. Amber signed her sister’s name on a pen pal letter to a Marine. As usual, Jory Walker was stuck fixing her sister’s little white lie.  



When letters poured in from SSGT Trent Stevens in Afghanistan, Jory had no choice but to correspond. Sure he’d be drooling over Amber’s bikini photo, thinking it was Jory. Since they’d never meet, what harm could it do if she sent him a few letters?



Would her charade boomerang replacing happiness with pain? What started off as an innocent ruse, morphed into a monstrous web of deceit. Maybe unpredictable love was destined to break her heart. 





Links/BUY

AMAZON

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DM4EOUW





BARNES & NOBLE




GOOGLEPLAY




ITUNES/APPLE




KOBO




SMASHWORDS




AMAZON PAPERBACK




AMAZON CANADA




AMAZON U.K.




AMAZON AUSTRALIA




Links/AUTHOR



Website – http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com




Amazon author page: Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Jean-C.-Joachim/e/B001ITRQKY/





EXCERPTS



Jory Walker plucked three letters from the mailbox in front of the house. Two bills and one envelope addressed to her that looked like it had been through a war. It had, according to what was scratched in the upper corner.



SSGT. T. Stevens



Anger bubbled up inside her. She made a beeline for the house, only to collide with her sister.

“Amber! What the hell?” She waved the envelope in the young woman’s face.

“I just sent him one letter.”

“This is the fourth you’ve gotten from him. When are you going to write back?”

“It was a mistake…”

“You can say that again. Especially the part where you signed my name!”

“Laura was so convincing. I thought she meant one time. Only one letter.”

“She asked people to sign up to write to guys in the military. Not to write only one letter and include a lewd photo.”

“It wasn’t lewd, whatever that means. Just me in a bikini. I’m not good at writing. Much better at pictures.” Her beautiful, blonde sister, with a Miss America figure, grinned.

“And the reason you signed my name?”

“I always liked yours better. Besides, if he wanted another letter, I knew you’d write it for me. So, it might as well have your name on it.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit smile. I’m on to you. And the answer is ‘no.’” Jory shoved the envelope from T. Stevens into Amber’s hand.

“Please? Pleeeaassseee, Jory. You’re the writer. Not me.”

“That’s right. You’re the pretty sister, and I’m the smart one.”

Amber nodded. “I don’t mean it like that. You’re so much better than me.”

“Than I.”

“See?”

“No.”



****************************** 



With patience, she’d fitted them together to form the image of a man she could almost touch.

Sometimes, she’d reread three or four before turning out the light. She’d tacked his picture on the wall next to her bed. He was the last thing she saw before falling asleep and the first thing in the morning. Jory had planned to wind down the correspondence, but every day she eagerly awaited mail delivery, and a new peek into the mystery man who had inched his way into her heart.

Admitting she had feelings for SSGT Trent Stevens wouldn’t happen. Jory wasn’t some foolish schoolgirl with a crush on a handsome Marine. She was a grown woman, who had been shouldering the responsibilities of an adult since she was seventeen. Her head wouldn’t be turned by a few letters and some fancy words. She was above that. Or so she thought.





***************************

Amber leaned against the doorjamb. “Uh, it’s after six, and I don’t see any dinner on the stove.”

Jory’s lips compressed into a frown. She rose from her desk, fueled by anger. “You’ve got a lotta nerve. I’m up here beating my brains out, writing four Goddamn letters to Trent Stevens. Letters you should be writing! And you’re asking about dinner? Here’s the deal. You want me to write, fine. But you’ve gotta cook.”

“Me?” Amber pointed at her own, ample chest.

Jory nodded.

“Really? I can’t cook.”

“Then learn, damn it. It’s about time you did anyway.”

“And if I don’t?” A sassy look crossed her sister’s face, and she rested one hand on her hip.

“I’ll write to Staff Sergeant Trent Stevens and tell him you’re a fraud. Then, I’ll report you to Laura Dailey. They’ll drum you outta town.”

“You wouldn’t do that.” Amber frowned, but Jory saw uncertainty in her eyes.

The older one narrowed her eyes. “Try me.”

Amber chewed her lip. “Okay, okay. But not every night.”

“Three nights a week.”

“Three?” Amber’s voice shot up two octaves.

“That’s right. Like it or lump it.”

Amber made a face and huffed down the stairs. Jory broke into a smile as soon as her sister was out of sight. That’ll teach her. Besides, she needs to learn to cook and pull her weight around here.

***************



Every week, she deposited four letters with Nan and retrieved four from the mailbox. She marveled at how he managed to find the time to write. Sometimes, his were only a few lines. Even the shortest note said she was on his mind. He treated her as if she was special, a new experience for Jory. Her lengthy responses surprised even her, as she had never been talkative.

After a month, she felt comfortable enough to write about her parents and the traumatic events of their death.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Tall Tail: Mrs. Murphy #25-Rita Mae Brown

Tall Tail (Mrs. Murphy, #25) 

In this fast-paced mystery by Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown, Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen and her animal friends seek to solve a whodunit rooted in eighteenth-century Virginia—uncovering a shocking secret that refuses to stay buried.

My Take:

I have been meaning to read this series for a long time. I really wish that I had started at the beginning. While the book is very well written, I think that I need to start from the very first book to appreciate the story. I will try that and start again.

The Madness of Mercury: Zodiac Mystery #1-Connie Di Marco

The Madness of Mercury (Zodiac Mystery #1) 

San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti's life is turned upside down when she becomes the target of the city's newest cult leader, Reverend Roy of the Prophet's Tabernacle. Driven out of her apartment in the midst of a disastrous Mercury retrograde period, she takes shelter with a client who's caring for two elderly aunts. One aunt appears stricken with dementia and the other has fallen under the spell of the Reverend Roy. To add to the confusion, a young man claiming to be a long lost nephew arrives. The longer he stays, the more dangerous things become. Is the young man truly a member of the family? Can astrology confirm that? Julia's not sure, but one thing she does know is that Mercury wasn't merely the messenger of the gods—he was a trickster and a liar as well.

My Take:

I love reading the first book in a new series. I especially love when the first book is this good. Julia is a perfect main character and the story flows very quickly from beginning to end. I can't wait to see what the stars have in store next.  

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Daises For Innocence: Enchanted Garden Mystery #1-Bailey Cattrell

Daisies For Innocence (Enchanted Garden Mystery #1) 

From Bailey Cattrell—who writes the New York Times bestselling Magical Bakery Mysteries as Bailey Cates—comes the first Enchanted Garden Mystery featuring custom perfume maker Elliana Allbright...

The Enchanted Garden behind Elliana Allbright’s perfume shop draws people of all ages with its fragrant flowers and lush greenery. But when the magical serenity is interrupted, it’s up to Ellie to sniff out a killer.

Ellie’s life has blossomed in Poppyville, California, since she opened Scents & Nonsense, a custom-made-perfume store. Her skills with aromas and botanical essences—some from her very own garden—seem almost…supernatural. Her perfumes can evoke emotions,  bring about change, or simply make people happy. Customers are flocking to the store to buy her wares or just to sit in her beautiful garden, sip tea and enjoy homemade cookies.

But she smells trouble when she learns that her part-time assistant Josie is dating her ex. And before she can tell the young woman to beware of his charms, she finds Josie dead in the Enchanted Garden. Now the prime suspect in Josie’s murder, Ellie must search for the real culprit in Josie’s past—because it’ll take a miracle to nip this problem in the bud....

My Take:

From having read books from this authors other series I knew just what to expect from her writing. I was not disappointed. This is a great start to a new series. Ellie's already complicated life gets even more complicated when she finds one of her employees dead behind her shop. Mayhem ensues in this perfect mystery. I cannot wait to see what happens next.  
 
 
About the Book
Second in Dawn Ryder’s sizzling new Rock Band series.

HE KEPT IT CASUAL
Superstar guitarist Ramsey’s reputation as a bad-boy rocker is exceeded only by his dedication to his music. He’s worked hard for the success of his hit metal band Toxsin, and he intends to enjoy it—completely. When a jilted groupie gets back at him for a one-night stand with an intimate—and completely inappropriate—tattoo, he needs it fixed, and fast. Sparks fly between Ramsey and his new tattoo artist, and Ramsey finds himself hoping for more than new ink.

UNTIL SHE MADE HIM WANT MORE
When a high-profile tattoo job lands Jewel an invite on Toxsin’s latest tour, she can’t say no. It’ll be great exposure, after all. What she’s really worried about is ruining the gig by hooking up with the first guy to completely rock her world. She knows she should resist—Ramsey’s not the kind to stick around for a morning after. But the way he makes her feel—as an artist and a woman—could be worth any risk.


Buy the Book
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1SPQDhB
Books A Million: http://bit.ly/21kdxkf
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1VXPpVv

 
 
Dawn Ryder is the erotic romance pen name of a bestselling author of historical romances. She has been publishing her stories for over eight years to a growing and appreciative audience. She is commercially published in mass market and trade paper, and digi-first published with trade paper releases. She is hugely committed to her career as an author, as well as to other authors and to her readership. She resides in Southern California.


Connect with Dawn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/853496.Dawn_Ryder
 
 
 
 
Exclusive Excerpt from ROCK STEADY
Actually, she felt like a mega-fool for bringing him inside her apartment. She was practically going into heat with so much raw brawn so close to her fingertips. Getting him out of reach was a priority, or she might end up hating herself when she did something impulsive.
She got the feeling Ramsey knew exactly how to take advantage of “impulsive” moments.
“This will do the job.” The paper wrapping crinkled, seeming excessively loud, because every nerve ending she had was on high alert.
Ramsey turned toward her, the case settling onto the worn floorboards. He popped open the top button of his pants, and she fought off the urge to run a hand across her chin in case she was drooling.
Boy, was he worthy of it.
But she wasn’t going there.
Nope.
As in…No! All you have is your pride, girl.
It was a sad little truth. Jewel covered the new ink carefully.
Ramsey chuckled softly.
Warmly.
So very…male.
“Don’t be intimidated.”
She looked up, the cloth tape she’d planned to secure the gauze with still dangling from her fingers.
He cupped her chin and lowered his head until their lips were a single inch apart.
“Don’t be intimidated, babe.” He was stroking her jawline, sending ripples of delight down her body. “Touch me.”
She shook her head, recoiling as a warning bell went off somewhere in the part of her brain still functioning on a rational level. “I am going to cover this and…”
Her fingers were trembling.
Hell, she was rapidly turning into a quivering mass of overstimulated receptors.
But she got the gaze tapped in place and pushed the button back through its hole.
And realized she’d been holding her breath the entire time.
She stepped away from him and drew in a deep breath. As she blew it out, she heard the unmistakable sound of him chuckling.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…” She discovered herself laughing along with him. “Like you don’t know what you do to the opposite sex.”
His eyes narrowed, his expression becoming insanely sensual. Her mouth went dry as she stared, transfixed by the glitter in his eyes. She wasn’t sure when he moved, only that he was suddenly folding her into his embrace.
“Glad to know I’m not the only one turned-on.” His voice was a husky promise, just a whisper against her temple that shouldn’t have had the power to send a shiver down her spine in the bright light of day.
“Whoa.” She flattened her hands on his chest, but pulled away when it felt like she’d grabbed a pair of live jumper cables. “We’re not doing this.”
He cupped her nape, the grip ripping through the fragile hold she had on logic. As in shredded. There was something primal about the way he handled her, taking control and tilting her head up so she got locked into his mesmerizing stare. But he held back, just enough to make her have to commit to the moment. If he’d kissed her, she could have labeled him an overbearing jerk. A spoiled celebrity. Instead, she was caught between temptation and the screaming warning from her common sense.
“We’re not doing it…yet,” he rasped.
Disappointment drew its claw across her as he spoke. There was a flash of iron-willed control in his dark eyes that frustrated her as much as it titillated.
“You’re not nearly excited enough, Jewel.”
Hell…
“What I’m not, is onto jumping clients,” she informed him with what was left of her rational mind.
She tried to shift away, but he moved his hand into her hair, threaded his fingers through the delicate threads before he massaged her scalp. The motion set off a crazy twist of awareness that went coiling through her until it set fire to her clit. Her hips jerked toward his, giving her a blunt, first-hand knowledge of just how hard his cock was.
“Better,” he said. “But still not enough.”
“I mean it, Ramsey. Back off.” She hated how desperate she sounded, but there was little help for it. She was transforming into putty, just a hair’s breath away from losing all grip on what she should do, in favor of what she craved.
All those dark cravings no one really wanted to admit they had. For the first time, she feared him, because Ramsey wasn’t afraid of those dark tidings. Oh, hell no. He danced into the center of the storm and let it consume him.
“Really—” She pushed away from him, taking a moment to touch his chest, getting a glimpse of what she was forbidding herself to experience.
Being practical sucked.
He let her go, but she didn’t think for a second he was in agreement with her. No, there was something in his eyes that warned her this was just beginning.