Monthly Archives: November 2021
Review: Shadow Web by Yasmine Galenorn
Shadow Web
Yasmine Galenorn
Moonshadow Bay Series, Book 5
It’s my first Thanksgiving back in Moonshadow Bay, and everything is hunky-dory until the Witches Guild assigns me a research project for the upcoming Winter Solstice Festival. Not only do I melt down my computer, but I download a demon who ends up stuck in my house.
But Tarvish the Funtime demon is the least of my worries when my grandmother asks my BFF and me to go undercover. A magical pyramid scheme has moved into town and it’s siphoning more than money off its recruits. Will we be able to take it down, or will the leader of the cult manage to silence us for good?
It’s Thanksgiving time in Moonshadow Bay and January Jackson, in what should be a wonderful vacation while hosting her first Thanksgiving upon returning home, she soon realizes what the hustle and bustle of the season is all about. When a research project comes from left field and leaves her without a computer, a strange demon manifests in her house and an undercover mission from her grandmother that has her on edge. With chaos rising and soon a house full of people, January has a lot to cross off that to-do list in Shadow Web.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shadow Web. January is really becoming one with herself. She is learning who she is and it’s very much starting to show. I felt a big sense of hearth and home throughout the story. She has finally I believe put her past life behind her and is really looking forward to things to come. She’s happy and it shows. January knows that family is not always blood and she sees that in the people around her. She’s willing to help get to the bottom of things and even puts her own self in danger to make things right. From Funtime Demons to putting her own self in danger January makes leaps and bounds with who she is and what she’s capable of doing. Yasmine Galenorn gives a true holiday feel with her unique style of paranormal with Shadow Web.
Review: Brazen by Jayne Rylon
Brazen
Jayne Rylon
Powertools: The Shields Series, Book 3
Sola doubted her instincts after her best friend and partner on the Shields security team, Aarav, acted for months like the attraction between them didn’t exist. One wild night on their boss’s private jet proves she was spot on even if she has no idea where their relationship will go from there.
When they’re sent to assassinate the head of a money laundering operation at a brand new casino, Sola looks into the eyes of their target and her gut screams he’s not the source of the evil they’re hunting. Risking everything, Sola steps in between the man she loves and the one they’ve been sent to kill.
Sola’s instant and undeniable attraction to their unintended captive forces them to investigate him further and decide—will they eliminate him, protect him, or entice him to join their intimate partnership?
Brazen is a bisexual multipartner romance in NYT and USA Today bestselling author Jayne Rylon’s fan-favorite Powertools Universe. Visit your favorite characters or meet new ones in this interconnected, why choose standalone in the Powertools: The Shields MMF ménage series.
Sola and Aarav are on a mission unlike any that they have been before. Their friendship is something they both treasure yet they both want more and taking that next step has been a difficult one for them both. The mission at hand has all the cards on the table and everyone is seeing clearly. Yet when the target gives you such strong feelings and doubt of what you’re doing sometimes you have to take A step back and look at things for what they are. Cash was the target, not someone that they should’ve cared about or get an instant reaction from. The game is dangerous, once all the facts are no the way it’s played just may be life-changing.
Jayne Rylon combined an emotional journey, a dangerous mission and a love story all in one. Sola and Aarav danced around their chemistry for far too long. They wholeheartedly embraced their passion. Just as they are discovering themselves together, they realized they need something more than they knew. Cash was in a messed situation and two people saw something more inside he didn’t even know he had or wanted or needed. Together Sola, Cash and Aarav worked hard to find that together their world is right as rain and apart it is no way near the same. Brazen is sexy and emotional. There is nothing like a visit in the Powertools world.
Review: Cold Brew Corpse by Tara Lush
Cold Brew Corpse
Tara Lush
A Coffee Lover’s Mystery Series, Book 2
Espresso bar owner Lana Lewis returns in Tara Lush’s second Coffee Lover’s mystery, a stimulating read that fans of Cleo Coyle and Laura Childs will savor to the last drop.
It’s a steamy September, and business is brisk at Perkatory, the hottest coffee shop in Devil’s Beach, FL. Much of the clientele pours in from Dante’s Inferno, the hot yoga studio next door. But the bright, sunny Gulf Coast days turn decidedly dark-roast when the body of the studio’s owner turns up in a nearby swamp.
Between running Perkatory and training Stanley, her golden Shih Tzu puppy, reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis is too busy to go sleuthing. But when the editor of the local paper asks her to write about the murder, Lana’s dreams of getting back into journalism start to percolate.
Lana discovers that the yogi has a nefarious past and her share of mug shots, so grinding her way through the suspect list is a large task. She learns that the victim was fatally beaned by an SUV before she was dumped in the swamp. But was the killer one of her students? An envious yoga teacher? Or a local photographer who seems to know too much?
But no one tells Lana Lewis what to do. Hunting the caf-fiend who killed the yogi puts Lana and Chief Noah’s relationship–and Lana’s life–in very hot coffee.
It’s a steamy September, and business is brisk at Perkatory, the hottest coffee shop in Devil’s Beach, FL. Much of the clientele pours in from Dante’s Inferno, the hot yoga studio next door. But the bright, sunny Gulf Coast days turn decidedly dark-roast when the body of the studio’s owner turns up in a nearby swamp.
Between running Perkatory and training Stanley, her golden Shih Tzu puppy, reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis is too busy to go sleuthing. But when the editor of the local paper asks her to write about the murder, Lana’s dreams of getting back into journalism start to percolate.
Lana discovers that the yogi has a nefarious past and her share of mug shots, so grinding her way through the suspect list is a large task. She learns that the victim was fatally beaned by an SUV before she was dumped in the swamp. But was the killer one of her students? An envious yoga teacher? Or a local photographer who seems to know too much?
But no one tells Lana Lewis what to do. Hunting the caf-fiend who killed the yogi puts Lana and Chief Noah’s relationship–and Lana’s life–in very hot coffee.
Enemy Heir by Carrie Ann Ryan and Nana Malone
Enemy Heir
Carrie Ann Ryan
Nana Malone
Tattered Royals Series, Book 2
I know men like him.
Powerful. Arrogant. Trouble. The world is his playground.
The playboy prince, the tabloid favorite, and the bane of my existence.
And unfortunately, he’s the only one who might be able to help me uncover the truth.
We’re all but shackled together as he works to help me find my stalker before another attack
I don’t want to trust him. I don’t want to want him.
But letting Breck Waterford in might be the only thing to save us both.
I’ve never met a woman like her.
My secrets are mine to keep, but she has a habit of finding the truth.
Sparrow Bridges can’t discover who I am under the crown.
She’s everything I told myself I couldn’t have.
I push her away every chance I can…only every time I look at her, I fall harder.
When danger comes, I can’t stand the idea of losing her before I have a chance to claim her.
She doesn’t need a savior. But anyone who threatens Sparrow will soon find they don’t want me as an enemy.
Feisty, intense and emotional, Enemy Heir puts enemies to lovers to the test.
Playboy Prince and Heir to throne Breck is arrogant, very much full of himself and the man is like a drink of cold water on a super hot day. He has a reputation and in a few ways is quite proud of it. Breck only shows half of who he is to the world. Yet when a feisty, independent and beautiful security guard starts to get under his skin, Breck soon learns even a prince can’t stop a strong willed woman.
Security guard Sparrow is the textbook definition of a butt kicking woman. She will not allow an arrogant Royale to keep her from doing her job. She has a vulnerability but yet knows her own fault. She wears her skin as armor to protect herself from getting too attached to anyone. Somehow a cocky and full of himself prince that she can’t stand has made himself very prominent in her thoughts.
Carrie Ann Ryan and Nana Malone make you want to get tangled up with a Royal. Enemy Heir is full of the unexpected. Breck and Sparrow are great together. Their back and forth, push and pull these two out each other through only enforces the attraction and chemistry that they feel with one another. Sparrow lives a dangerous life with her job and the closer that she becomes to Breck, more he wants her yet the more he tries to pull away. Alphas and their alpha tendencies. They have a crazy road that leads to their happily ever after and I loved watching them find their path.
Review: An Eggnog to Die For by Amy Pershing
An Eggnog to Die For
Amy Pershing
Cape Cod Foodie Mystery Series, Book 2
Paperback, 320 pages
Published November 9th 2021 by Berkley Books
Christmas has come to Fair Harbor, but when the town’s Santa is murdered, it will be up to Sam Barnes to find a killer in this newest installment of the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries.
It’s Santa Claus, she says tonelessly. Santa Claus is dead.
Food writer Sam Barnes wants a lot of things: a quiet Christmas at home with her dog and the town’s handsome harbormaster, to never be in a viral video again, and to stop finding dead bodies. Unfortunately for Sam, her parents are coming to visit, she’s often around cameras for work, and she just found the town Santa dead in the storage room of the cocktail bar she was profiling.
Although she was only interviewing the owners of the Ginger Jar in hopes of getting the recipe for their Coquito Eggnog cocktail for the friends and family Christmas Eve dinner she’s hosting, Sam quickly finds herself taking on the role of investigator once again. She needs to find out who slayed this Santa–but with holiday stress already building, will Sam be able to pull off a perfect feast and nab a killer?
4 Stars
Foodie Sam Barnes has quite the to do list this holiday season. However finding a dead Santa was not one of the things to be scratched off. An Eggnog to Die For is a laugh out loud and twisty cozy mystery.
With videos to make and articles to write, her parents visiting, wondering what going with that man of hers and a big dinner to prepare Sam Barnes doesn’t have time to investigate a murder but somehow she manages to fit it in her schedule. Between writing articles, taking part in holiday festivities, making decorations for her Christmas tree, entering the three things, and being a chauffeur for her parents she found a way to get herself tangled up in helping to solve this mystery. With more suspects than clues Sam manages to ask the right questions to get her thought process rolling. With a few crazy ideas and some good deductive reasoning Sam narrows down the suspect list even though sometimes she allows her feelings to get in the way. She’s a smart woman, sometimes unconventional but yet extremely funny.
I very much enjoyed this foodie mystery. An Eggnog to Die for is a good mystery with a touch of romance and a lot of humor. Amy Pershing caught my attention with this entertaining holiday read.
Review: Beating the Wrap by Julie Ann Lindsey
Beating the Wrap
Julie Ann Lindsey
Bonnie & Clyde Mystery Series, Book 3
Bonnie Balfour adores the changing seasons, fabulous fall activities and holiday hoopla, but will a corpse on the porch squash her holiday plans?
Thanksgiving is right around the corner in historic Bliss, Georgia, and Bonnie is trimming display tables at Bless Her Heart, especially for the occasion. A Gift of Gratitude display, beside the front door of her second chance dress shop, encourages shoppers to leave messages of good tidings for neighbors and friends. Unfortunately, someone has left a cornucopia of complaints instead.
And they’re all about Bonnie!
When the scrooge turns out to be a neighbor, fed up with Clyde’s habitual petty theft and trespassing, Bonnie’s claws come out in defense of her kitty. The heated exchange leaves a bad taste in Bonnie’s mouth, but the man turns up dead before she can dish out a proper apology.
Determined to see justice served, Bonnie and Clyde dig into the case with gusto, only to land in hot water with the handsome Sheriff Wright. A series of anonymous attacks soon have the town wondering if Bonnie can find the killer before it’s time to cut the turkey. Or if she’ll be the next one on his carving board.
3.5 Stars
What a wonderful and cute story!
It’s fall in Bliss, GA and Bonnie is all ready to deck out her storefront window in an autumn gratitude theme. What should’ve been a fun and festive activity at her second-hand dress shop has someone filling her dish with complaints instead of compliments. Bonnie soon finds out that the one complaining it’s none other than another store owner who is fed up with Clyde basically being Clyde. It’s petty served by a cat truly saved? Bonnie and the complaining man share a very heated discussion. With no less than half the town watching of course. Later when said man is found dead Bonnie becomes a top suspect on the list. Now it’s up to her and her furry companion to figure out what really happened.
Bless her heart, Bonnie is a hoot and a half. She is full of personality and determination. She is an extremely well written character who did a lot of growing in just one book. I love the antics and how she even has her grandma alongside. It’s almost like she’s a natural sleuth. I love how she defended her cat Clyde. Yes he is guilty of the charges yet he is a cat and everyone knows you don’t own a cat a cat and you and they do exactly what they want. The mystery was well plotted with some very good twist interns along the way. The story is definitely character based and I have to say I love how they all play their part. Bliss Georgia is a quaint cozy little town with some very funny characters.
Beating the Wrap was a funny, twisting and entertaining cozy mystery.
Review: Holiday Ever After by Jill Shalvis
Holiday Ever After
Jill Shalvis
Three fan-favorite Jill Shalvis novellas are together for the first time in this holiday anthology!
One Snowy Night
It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to her family. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, her long-time crush, and his big, goofy, lovable dog. A long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past…and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.
Holiday Wishes
When Sean O’Riley shows up for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, the last person he expects to see is Lotti Hartford, the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago. As the weekend continues, Sean realizes he wants to leave his hook-up life behind, but can he convince Lotti to open her heart to him again?
Mistletoe in Paradise
Years after their secret fling ended, Hannah isn’t eager to see James during their families’ annual joint holiday-themed yacht adventure. But when they’re the only people who show up, James and Hannah are stuck together on the high seas for days. As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize the best things in life can’t be planned, and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around.
4 Stars
Jill Shalvis always create a story that makes you feel at home, feel good in your heart and very satisfied when you’re finished reading. This collection of short stories it’s just that. Three chances at love, three short stories to get you in the mood for the holidays and a lot of what I love about Jill Shalvis.
One Snowy Night
Max and Rory have been friends since high school. Max has alway been front and center in Rory’s book. Crushing on the man for years but never able to tell him. Max blames Rory for missing out on something he wanted. They both have “issues” with each other yet Max is Rory’s ride home for the holidays. When a snowstorm traps them together longer than planned, it’s kind of put up or shut up time. This force proximity story has these two hashing out their past and realizing I just maybe there’s something more in the future.
Holiday Wishes- Is it a second chance for Sean and Lotti? They were each other’s first and Sean broke Lotti’s heart. Many years later do the fires still burn as they once did? As a snowstorm extends the stay at Sean‘s brother‘s bachelor party weekend at Lotti’s family’s B&B. Now it’s time to hash out the past and settle it or many just get it burning again!
Mistletoe in Paradise-
Christmas on a yacht in the Caribbean, yes please sign this girl up. Hannah and James shared a secret lover affair many years ago. The two have a long history with a little bit of tragedy and heartache added in. For the first time in years they are kind of forced together on the family boat. I really enjoyed how they were able to come together, talk out their issues and even found something more. This was my favorite of the three stories. A bit anxiety but a very good story.
Jill Shalvis will warm your heart for the holidays with Holiday Ever After.
Review: Getaway with Murder by Diane Kelly
Getaway With Murder
Diane Kelly
Mountain Lodge Mystery Series, Book 1
As if hitting the half-century mark wasn’t enough, Misty Murphy celebrated her landmark birthday by amicably ending her marriage and investing her settlement in a dilapidated mountain lodge at the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the old inn teetering on both a bluff and bankruptcy, she must have lost her ever-loving mind.
Luckily, handyman Rocky Crowder has a knack for rehabbing virtual ruins and for doing it on a dime, and to Misty’s delight, the lodge is fully booked on opening night, every room filled with flexible folks who’d slipped into spandex and ascended the peak for a yoga retreat with plans to namastay for a full week. Misty and her guests are feeling zen—at least until the yoga instructor is found dead.
With a killer on the loose and the lodge’s reputation hanging in the balance, Misty must put her detective-skills to the test. Only one thing is as clear as a sunny mountain morning—she must solve the crime before the lodge ends up, once again, on the brink.
Diane Kelly gives readers a thrilling beginning to her new Mountain Lodge Mystery Series with Getaway With Murder.
Getaway With Murder was a fantastic read. This was a different type of cozy and it was welcome and refreshing. Missy has lived a good life, yet herself and her now ex husband have grown out of love and decided that they could go their separate ways and maintain the friendship that they have built over the years. Missy is starting over in a place she enjoys and loves. Purchasing a mountain resort, packing up herself and Yetti, her lovable feline companion, to embark on their new lives. Sounds easy right? Well not so much. After a night of bad storms, an encounter with a nose in the contractor, and a few local locals that genuinely care, Missy takes a deep breath and takes her leap.
Getaway With Murder is a fantastic beginning to why I feel is going to be an amazing series. Missy is independent, strong and resourceful. She knows what she wants and will do what she can to make it happen. I enjoyed that Missy. She’s a great character and I know I will be eagerly waiting to see what comes next. The mystery side of this tale was definitely a twisty one. Well written and plotted, Diane Kelly had me guessing throughout the story. Entertaining and funny, with a good mystery and just a splash of romance. Getaway With Murder will transport reads to a beautiful mountain town, with great characters and an even better story.
Coffee Books Life 