Thursday, November 8, 2018

Review: Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection Box Set Books 1-3 by Barbara Venkataraman

 Review: Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection Box Set Books 1-3 by Barbara Venkatarama

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28240764-jamie-quinn-mystery-collection?ac=1&from_search=true

Title: Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection Box Set Books 1-3
Author: Barbara Venkataraman
Series: Jamie Quinn Mystery # 1-3
Genre: Romantic Suspense
No. Of. Pages: 239 Pages
Review: 4 Stars

**I received a copy from the Author in Exchange for an honest review.**

Synopsis: 


Books 1-3 of the Jamie Quinn Mystery Series! Including:

"Death by Didgeridoo"-Winner of the Indie Book of the Day award. Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, still reeling from the death of her mother, is pulled into a game of deception, jealousy, and vengeance when her cousin, Adam, is wrongfully accused of murder. It's up to Jamie to find the real murderer before it's too late. It doesn't help that the victim is a former rock star with more enemies than friends, or that Adam confessed to a murder he didn't commit.

"The Case of the Killer Divorce"-Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, has returned to her family law practice after a hiatus due to the death of her mother. It's business as usual until a bitter divorce case turns into a murder investigation, and Jamie's client becomes the prime suspect. When she can't untangle truth from lies, Jamie enlists the help of Duke Broussard, her favorite private investigator, to try to clear her client's name. And she’s hoping that, in his spare time, he can help her find her long-lost father.

"Peril in the Park"-There's big trouble in the park system. Someone is making life difficult for Jamie Quinn's boyfriend, Kip Simons, the new director of Broward County parks. Was it the angry supervisor passed over for promotion? The disgruntled employee Kip recently fired? Or someone with a bigger ax to grind? If Jamie can't figure it out soon, she may be looking for a new boyfriend because there’s a dead guy in the park and Kip has gone missing! With the help of her favorite P.I., Duke Broussard, Jamie must race the clock to find Kip before it’s too late.

A preview of the next Jamie Quinn Mystery, "Engaged in Danger," can be found at the end of the book.
I can not for the life of me remember if I have read a cozy where the main character is a lawyer. So this is going to be probably a first for me. 

Thank you so much to Barbara for allowing me to read your books. I loved it.  

I am not going to go into detail about the story, however the book started with a sad note. Death of Jamie's Mother. 

She was grieving and when life threw a curve ball and she went with the flow. I loved that about her. She is caring and wants to help people as much as she could. 

But even for me I think one thing that made me come back was for Kip and Jamie. The mystery aspect of this was not as strong as I would have wanted it to be. The suspense and the humor with some down to earth relationships and over the top relationships made me want to come back every time.

This is a Collection of the first three books in the series which could be read as a standalone but I would suggest you get it all and read it all in order.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

ARC Review: Collision Point (Brute Force #1) by Lora Leigh


https://salsreadingnook.blogspot.com/2018/03/arc-review-collision-point-brute-force.html

Title: Collision Point
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Brute Force Book #1
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: February 27, 2018
No. Of. Pages: 336 Pages
Review: 3 Stars

**I received a copy from Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review.**

Synopsis: 
Riordan “Rory” Malone is a force to be reckoned with. A member of the Brute Force Protection Agency and an operative working with the Elite Ops, Rory is the fiercest of warriors and protectors. Honed from the strong Irish stock of their grandfather and sharpened to a razor’s edge, Malone men live for one single purpose: to protect the women who own them, body and soul. From the moment he saw Amara Resnova, he knew she could be that woman.

But Amara, daughter of an alleged notorious crime lord, is a force in her own right. When she betrays her father, she’s finds herself in the arms of a man who is dangerous for her body and soul.

Can Rory keep Amara safe while protecting his own heart? Can Amara trust Rory not to break hers even as the danger mounts, threatening to take them and their passion to a breaking point?
Riordan and Amara is a heady combination. 

They have a chemistry that is ever burning. Like with all of the Lora Leigh books I have read the romance does not disappoint. 

When I started reading the book, I because almost sure this was not the first book in the series or that their is a book before Collision Point that I had no Idea of. I was right and wrong. This book is probably a spin-off of the Elite Ops Series but as far as I do know this is the first book in the series. 

The beginning felt disjointed, since it felt like I was missing a major piece of the back story. I was thrust into the middle of the story and it was not a happy feeling. Unlike my previous foray into Lora Leigh which I almost always read in one go. This time it took a couple tries to get into the book and when it did, the story made more sense. 

Riordan is a soldier and a protector who fell in love with the woman who he was supposed to be protecting. When Amara comes back or heals after the kidnapping she has lost a year of her life of which Riordan is the main memory. 

The escalation of the suspense of who kidnapped Amara and why was the main plot which is very cleverly spun. Each and every memory was a blanket of suspense that was lifted and a peek towards what was. 

 Her memory loss was a huge contention between Riordan and Amara. But something that made Riordan stick to his guts. He was not willing to let go of Amara, not without a fight. 

Riordan was easy to understand unlike Amara. Even now, I am not wholly sure If I do understand her. 

Collision Point is for readers who like their suspense and a bit of action along with their Romance.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

I hate this..


I am currently working in the private sector. Mom and Dad wants Job Security. And in their mind, in this I agree as well, that a lot of the private sector jobs does not have Job Security. So until I find a Government job I am stuck in this.

Now My elder sister wants me to take a loan for me to finish my Associate Degree. A Degree that I can pay now to. But they want me to take the loan because apparently I am going to be spending all of it on dad. And I can't handle the course fees. No matter how many times I tell them that the lowest college course fee I can get does not even come up to 1/3 rd of the current salary. I do not have to pay rent or bills. Or anything. I try to give money to my parents so that they can take care of themselves or the day to day costs they have. Other than that I do not have anything to accrued bills. 

AND still I have to take the loan! That does not make sense. Not at all. 

Loan for a course that I can definitely pay does not make sense.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

ARC Review: The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby

ARC Review: The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby
https://salsreadingnook.blogspot.com/2018/03/arc-review-summer-of-new-beginnings-by.html

Title: The Summer of New Beginnings
Author: Bette Lee Crosby
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Series: A Magnolia Grove Novel
Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
No. Of. Pages:
Release Date:
Review: 5 Stars

Synopsis: 

Aspiring journalist Meghan Briggs has always been the responsible one in the family. So when her father passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind his at-risk business, she steps up to save his legacy—even if that means putting her own dreams on hold.

Tracy couldn’t be more different from her sister. She’s always been the rebellious type, without much direction in life. But in the wake of her latest romantic disaster, she finds herself moving back home as a single mother.

As Tracy experiences the difficulties of new motherhood, Meghan faces her own struggle: trying not to fall for the stray puppy she rescued. This is no time for attachments—not to the adorable “Sox,” whose owner is bound to turn up any day, and certainly not to the handsome new vet in town. But as the summer unfolds, she discovers that, like Sox, she may need rescuing, too.

As both sisters navigate unexpected challenges and exciting new relationships, they’ll find that putting the past to rest can make way for beautiful new beginnings.
 Healing. The Book is about healing of three women. One a mother and her two daughters. Each in different stages in life. Each of them becomes a helping hand for the other. 

The book started with the death of George, Husband and Father. From there, the story shows them coping and bringing themselves together and up. The story is realistic, especially with the addition of Meghan and Tracy. 

Meghan and Tracy are sisters and as different as light and day. While, Meghan stayed to take care of her father's business, Tracy found love!! I loved reading how Meghan ended up, I do not know if Tracy's ending will be in the next book or if this is the end. The great thing is she did find a love interest by the end, however I am not sure of how they ended up or if they did end up. 

The Summer of New beginnings is a sweet soft romance with rows of heartbreak and pain etched in it that makes this wonderful for anyone looking for something soft but meaningful and can be read within one sitting, if possible.


Saturday, March 10, 2018

Review: Claim My Baby by Taryn Quinn

Review: Claim My Baby by Taryn Quinn


Title: Claim My Baby
Author: Taryn Quinn
Series: Dirty Dilfs, Book 2
Publisher: Rainbow Rage Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance
No. Of. Pages: 362 Pages
Release Date: 28 February 2018
Review: 4.5 Stars

Synopsis:
You’re going to be a daddy.

Those were the last words I ever expected to hear.

As one of the fabled Hamilton twins, I enjoy my life just as it is. Why wouldn’t I? Check out my stats.

Co-owner of Hamilton Realty, a multimillion dollar business.

Doting uncle to my niece, Laurie, and my soon-to-be nephew.

All-around sexy, single guy who doesn’t do strings—ever.

Then I went to Vegas with my sister-in-law’s best friend, Sage.

Choices were made. Alcoholic beverages were consumed. Virginities were taken.

Hers, not mine.

Then Sage announced I’d knocked her up. And oh yeah, she doesn’t expect me to take an active role, because she knows I can’t handle anything except my d*ck.

Say what?

She’s so wrong, and I’m going to prove it to her. I’m going to claim my baby—and Sage.

Author’s note: This book is about the process of becoming a DILF. Oliver doesn’t start out as a single father, but by the end of the book? Hoo boy.

Author’s Note part deux: Claim My Baby is a standalone rom com with a romantic HEA ending and no cliffhanger.

Sage and Oliver is the kind of couple who you would see fighting a lot. And Love fighting with each other as much. I have only seen handful of couples like that. Their fighting each other shows their love, If you look close enough. 

The beginning, I thought for sure they hated each other. 

Wow!

The book is the second in the series and It never hindered or made it difficult to finish the book.The first book in the series is about the Hamilton Twin Seth, whereas the second book is about the Oliver the other Hamilton twin. So, in essence, the stories do entwine each other but very beautifully. 

Claim My Baby, the title is a in a way misinterpreting for me. Because I went into it thinking Oliver did not want the baby but later realized he does. The question for the future readers is Do they fall in Love with each other? When Oliver finds about the baby is it a position or a negative reaction? 

The climax, is what actually defines the title. Not the story from start to finish. And the climax is sweet and will make you yearn for something like that.

Friday, March 9, 2018

Not enough!

According to my Dad, I should have a lighter skin.. oh, he did not say it outright. Not always, at least.

For the last couple of months he have been after me trying to buy me skin creams. The only part I liked about was he knows my under eye darkness can be lighten. Out of all, I have the darkest shade of skin in my family.

My mom she has been trying for years to get my skin to lighten. She has not succeeded. My dad won't either.

The last couple of months, I found that I too much to make everyone happy and that ends of at least the rest of my family members angry and me with enough stress to give me headaches for months. Every one has different needs and likes and it seems no one here wants to accept that.

I am in my twenties and have ppl ask me why I do not make my own decisions. After all it is my life.. I want to make my family happy. I like the satisfaction I get when I know that they are happy because of me.

I want a stress less life. I know there is always going to be stress. But I want a work that would make my family happy and me smiling at the end of the day.. regardless of the difficulty of work.

Bloglovin' Page Claim

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I have almost forgot about bloglovin'....

Today, it seems it is about trying to claim my Bloglovin page. I hope I am doing this right.

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Review: Claws for Alarm by T.C. LoTempio

Review: Claws for Alarm by T.C. LoTempio





Title: Claws for Alarm
Author: T.C. LoTempio
Series: Nick & Nora Mysteries Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Cozy Mystery
No. Of. Pages: 275 Pages
Release Date: November 3rd, 2015
Review: 4 Stars

Synopsis: 

"Sandwich shop owner Nora Charles continues her quest to find her cat Nick's previous owner. But her investigation is put on hold when her sister, Lacey, is arrested for murder. The victim, an esteemed art collector and Lacey's bullying professor, was stabbed in the heart. Apparently, all over a lousy grade. Luckily Nora still has a few sleuthing tricks up her sleeve. And Nick, whose previous owner was a Private Investigator, knows a thing or two about crime as well (he's a dab paw at spelling out clues with scrabble letters)."
'At the word model, Nick's eyes flew open. He got up, turned and marched, his tail straight up, back to his post in front of the refrigerator where he squatted, his back to us. ' 
- Claws For Alarm by T.C. LoTempio

Nora And Nick, My First time reading their book and probably not the last time. 

Nora was an Investigative Reporter who left her career for the Sandwich Shop that was owned by mother. I do believe the beginning was difficult to get into, though by the end it was satisfactory. I do think there could have been more information on Nora's past would have painted a great picture of Nora. 

I loved reading Nick and Nora's interaction's. From funny to serious. Makes me smile right when the it is becoming serious. Nick is not an ordinary cat, interactive with her owner ( Nora) and loves solving mysteries hates modeling collars.

The Mystery of the Murder of Professor Thaddeus C. Pitt, was very well written and kept me engaged with the 'Who did it?'. At the end, there were unexpected turns that I do appreciate. 

Nora, from the start sounded like a very sure and knowledgeable person at solving the mystery. It was an amateur slueth, but I think with the combination of her Investigative Reporter skills and her work in the first book should have at least earned her a better reaction with the investigators. But that was not the case, It annoyed me a bit to see that.

There is a chemistry between Nora and the Investigator of the case that I would absolutely look forward to reading more of.... 

Claws for Alarm is the second in the series of Nick & Nora Mysteries and is better read as one as well. It is great readers who Love tuxedo cats who love to get in everywhere he is not allowed to and shows that locked cupboards is nothing to him.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Review: Carved In Bone ( Body Farm Book 1) by Jefferson Bass

Review: Carved In Bone ( Body Farm Book 1) by Jefferson Bass

 
Title: Carved In Bone
Author: Jefferson Bass
Series: Body Farm Book 1
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Suspense
Publisher: William Morrow
No. Of. Pages: 352 Pages
Release Date: 24 January 2006
My Review: 5 Stars

 I own a copy of this book. 

SYNOPSIS: 

On the campus of the University of Tennessee lies a patch of ground unlike any in the world. The "Body Farm" is a place where human corpses are left to the elements, and every manner of decay is fully explored -- for the sake of science and the cause of justice. The scientist who created the Body Farm has broken cold cases and revolutionized forensics, and now, in this heart-stopping novel, he spins an astonishing tale inspired by his own experiences.

A woman's corpse lies hidden in a cave in the mountains of East Tennessee. Undiscovered for thirty years, her body has been transformed by the cave's chemistry into a near-perfect mummy -- one that discloses an explosive secret to renowned anthropologist Bill Brockton. Dr. Brockton has spent his career surrounded by death and decay at the Body Farm, but even he is baffled by this case unfolding in a unique environment where nothing is quite what it seems.

The surreal setting is Cooke County, a remote mountain community that's clannish, insular, and distrustful of outsiders. The heartbreaking discovery of the young woman's corpse reopens old wounds and rekindles feuds dating back decades. The county's powerful and uncooperative sheriff and his inept deputy threaten to derail Brockton's investigation altogether. So do Brockton's other nemeses: his lingering guilt over the death of his wife, and the fury of a medical examiner whom Brockton dares to oppose in court.

Carved in Bone is a richly atmospheric, superbly suspenseful, and magnificently rendered trip into the world of forensic science, the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, and the dark passageways of the human psyche. Full of vivid characters and startling twists and turns, this thrilling novel heralds the debut of a major new voice in crime fiction -- and an unforgettable work from the hand of a scientific legend.
 

My first Jefferson Bass Book and Read.

It was descriptive and enlightening. It was technical and a welcome Mystery for me. There were multiple plots. It never was boring or too much. Kept me coming back again and again. I do not read a lot of books with a male being the main POV.

I won't say much regarding the what happened in the book. But it was a wonderful mixture of forensic science and suspense mystery as well as crime. Dr. Bill Brockton is a widower and the peek into his life and work was engrossing. Him trying to cope with his wife's death after years was heartbreaking. His passion to find the truth was and is something that kept him getting into some pickle.

I recommend the book only to readers of Mystery who love the technical aspects of books like these since it can or may tend to be too much for some of the readers.

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Review: The Evil Inside ( Krewe of Hunters, #4) by Heather Graham

Review: The Evil Inside ( Krewe of Hunters, #4) by Heather Graham



Title: The Evil Inside 
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters Book 4
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Mystery, Suspense
Publisher: Mira
No of. Pages: 368 Pages
Release Date: August 30th, 2011
My Review: 3 Stars

SYNOPSIS:
For as long as it has stood overlooking New England s jagged coastline the Lexington House has been a witness to madness and murder But in recent years the inexplicable malice that once tormented so many has lain as silent as its victims Until now Original Some deaths live on forever For as long as it has stood overlooking New England s jagged coastline Lexington House has been the witness to madness and murder But in recent years the inexplicable malice that once tormented so many has lain as silent as its victims Until now A member of the nation s foremost paranormal forensic team Jenna Duffy has made a career out of investigating the inexplicable Yet nothing could prepare her for the string of slayings once again plaguing Lexington House or for the chief suspect a boy barely old enough to drive much less kill With the young man s life on the line Jenna must team up with attorney Samuel Hall to pinpoint who or what is taking the lives of those who get too close to the past But everything they learn brings them closer to the forces of evil stalking this tortured ground 

"Death by olive oil. Like hell-it was murder by olive oil. "

I bought the book from BetterWorldBooks.com. I own a copy of the book. 

This is my first try Into Krewe of Hunters Series. 

One of the first reasons I bought the book is that it was classified as Horror somewhere (not Goodreads!).

Jenna Duffy goes back home when a call comes from her uncle. Malachi, a 17 year old boy is accused of murdering his family when he is found on the road soaked in their family's blood. 

Sam was the one that finds him on the road soaked in blood and ends up defending him. Sam and Jenna's relationship was rocky from the start and it developed there on out, I think I would have liked to have seen more of the development from them being not friends to more than just friends. 

Sam did not really believe in the paranormal and ghosts but when Jenna comes into his life he had to rethink everything. He was at first not at all sure of her abilities, to the point that he was almost rude. But when he saw her work. The doubt starts creeping in. I loved seeing him go from a total skeptic to a full believer. 

The story is set in Salem City and The Witch trials was never far. It was refreshing to read about the Witch trials from the mouth of the characters but became more of a hindrance later on with it being repeated every now and then in the first half of the book. 

The mystery of who killed Malachi's family was unraveled slowly. By the time the climax came I already suspected and I was right. Loved how the mystery came about and how it ended. 

"The Evil Inside" could be read as a standalone if needed, but the book starts out where the 3rd book finished. So, If you want to understand the series a lot better, I would recommend reading from the first book. 



Review: Deadly Match ( Bad Boy Inc. #3) by Eve Langlais

 Review: Deadly Match ( Bad Boy Inc. #3) by Eve Langlais



Title: Deadly Match 
Author: Eve Langlais
Series: Bad Boy Inc. Book 3
Genre: Erotic Romance, Action, Suspense
Publisher: Eve Langlais
No. Of. Pages: 202 Pages
Release Date: 28th February 2018
My Review: 4 Stars
 
"Reaper, My Charming Reaper."

His name on her lips. His real name. It threw him over the edge......

I do love this author's books.

Eve Langlais, for me has been my go to for erotic romance for a long time now. I was not disappointed. And this series is in my opinion about Assassins finding their 'forever love'. The theme, though I have read books with the same theme as this, Bad Boy Inc Series brings a new story and plot every time with each book.

A mission gone wrong forces Reaper to retire. An Assassin. To retire. And do real estate. A first for me. 

The mission also causes Reaper to find a partner or girlfriend and for that he uses a matchmaking service. Except sparks fly when he meets the owner of the matchmaking service amid the flying bullets. 

Annique Darlington is the owner of the service. She is running from someone. She would have this time if it weren't for Reaper. Annique and Reaper's chemistry is Hot, Hot, Hot! However, they have I will take care of you, I need to run method for most of the book that is a bit annoying. Though the author did a good job putting me their shoes and bringing connecting me with the characters. 

The highlight of the book was the climax. And what a Climax! The only this I got to say is it was worth the back and forth of the characters. Totally Worth It. 

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Review: The Case of the Deadly Doppelganger by Lucy Banks

Review: The Case of the Deadly Doppelganger by Lucy Banks



Title: The Case of the Deadly Doppelganger
Author: Lucy Banks
Series: Dr Ribero's Agency of the Supernatural Book 2
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy, Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Amberjack Publishing
No. of Pages: 328 Pages
Release Date: February 06th, 2018
My Review: 4.5 Stars
 
 
** I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, Thank you very much to Bookouture for the book**
 
Synopsis: 

Only a few months have passed since the day Kester Lanner forced an angry ghost through the spirit door, but business prospects for Dr. Ribero's supernatural agency haven't improved. Things are looking grim when the agency lands a contract which they must share with a rival agency headed by Dr Ribero's sworn enemy, Larry Higgins. Desperate for the job, the team accepts and begins to investigate the seaside town of Lyme Regis, where elderly victims are dying.

The same mysterious clue links the horrendous deaths: the victims all see a double of themselves before dying. The teams wonder if they are dealing with a rogue doppelganger, one that isn't content just predicting deaths, but carrying them out as well. The victims' connection to an ancient grave site leads to speculation that they may have disturbed a spirit more powerful than the two agencies can handle.

One thing is certain, the won't stop unless Kester and the others can overcome their rivalry and stop this deadly spirit.
 
 Not the usual Cozy that I read but One of the Best that I have found and will probably keep following until the end of the series. 

The characters are different as in a weird different but they work. The book contains a bunch of characters  that I never thought would be seen together but in this they not only are but they work really well. The characters and the plot play well with each other in the sense that both of them was the highlight of the book for me. 

This is the second book of the series and I do have to point out that I have not read the first one. But the curiosity of the plot weighted heavily and I read it and finished and am glad I did. Though, it would have been great to have read from the start it was not overly dependent on the first book. The author did try to make sure that the first time readers of this was not left out in the cold. 

One of the things I loved was the budding romance between Anya and Kester. As well as the animosity between the two agency. 
 
The Case of the Deadly Doppelganger was a mystery that drew me in while the characters ensnared me in their web until the end. 
 
 

Review: The Daughter by Lucy Dawson

  Review: The Daughter by Lucy Dawson



Title: The Daughter
Author: Lucy Dawson
Series: --
Genre: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Bookouture
No. of Pages: 291 Pages
Release Date: January 24th, 2018
My Review: 4 Stars
 
** I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, Thank you very much to Bookouture for the book**
 
Synopsis: 
 
You lost your daughter. You will never forgive yourself. And now someone's determined to make you pay…
Seventeen years ago, something happened to Jess’s daughter Beth. The memory of it still makes her blood run cold. Jess has tried everything to make peace with that day, and the part she played in what happened. It was only a brief moment of desire… but she’ll pay for it with a lifetime of guilt.

To distance herself from the mistakes of the past, Jess has moved away and started over with her family. But when terrifying things begin happening in her new home, seemingly connected to what happened to Beth, Jess knows that her past has finally caught up with her. Somebody feels Jess hasn’t paid enough, and is determined to make her suffer for the secrets she’s kept all these years. 

 Full of suspense. It is an edge of the seat read for me. Jess is a Mother who has lost her daughter to an accident. An accident that will or can open up her past to her present. The book is initially written in two parts; I loved that aspect of it. 

I went into this knowing that there was someone who was harassing Jess years after her daughter's accident and death. And I wanted to know who was doing it and what was the connection to the daughter's death. I got the answer. I am very much so happy. 

The book is very well rounded, though I am not much for drawn out suspense which at times felt like too much for me in this book. That being said the plot as a whole is not a new topic but I was reasonably surprised with the climax and the ending as well as happy. I do think the author tried and succeeded (In my case) to connect and emote the feelings out to me. 

For me the first part gave me the information and the backstory while second part showed me the consequence. 

A psychological thriller that will keep you asking yourself 'Who is doing it?'

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Review: Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton

 Review: Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton



Title: Survival of the Fritters
Author: Ginger Bolton
Series: Deputy Donut Mystery Book 1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
No. of Pages: 256 Pages 
Release Date: January 30th, 2018
My Review: 4 Stars
** I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, Thank you very much to Kensington for the book**

Synopsis: 

Emily Westhill runs the best donut shop in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, alongside her retired police chief father-in-law and her tabby Deputy Donut. But after murder claims a favorite customer, Emily can’t rely on a sidekick to solve the crime—or stay alive.

If Emily has learned anything from her past as a 911 operator, it’s to stay calm during stressful situations. But that’s a tall order when one of her regulars, Georgia Treetor, goes missing. Georgia never skips morning cappuccinos with her knitting circle. Her pals fear the worst—especially Lois, a close friend who recently moved to town. As evening creeps in, Emily and the ladies search for Georgia at home. And they find her—murdered among a scattering of stale donuts . . .

Disturbingly, Georgia’s demise coincides with the five-year anniversary of her son’s murder, a case Emily’s late detective husband failed to solve before his own sudden death. With Lois hiding secrets and an innocent man’s life at stake, Emily’s forced to revisit painful memories on her quest for answers. Though someone’s alibi is full of holes, only a sprinkling of clues have been left behind. And if Emily can’t trace them back to a killer in time, her donut shop will end up permanently closed for business.
 The cover was what attracted me towards it. The Kitten on it looking at the donut's made me want to know more about it. A couple minutes reading about it told me it had a kitten named Deputy Donut and a Donut shop named after her. AND I was totally sold on the book. After reading it, I am totally in kitty heaven.

Donut's has been something that I never really liked much. After reading it I think it is probably because we do not have donut's like the ones that is mentioned in this book.. Deputy Donut shop made me want to try those delicious sounding donut's. 

Survival of the Fritters tests the bonds of friendship, mends it and shows you that friendship is all about. 

This is a cozy unlike the other's in the sense that usually the mystery is wrapped up with hilarious and crazy characters which did not really get included in this book. But that being said I did not completely miss it. 

Like real life people there are things you like about them and things you do not like about them. I do feel the same with Emily. She trusts her friends. Is not willing to give up on them. If there is something they need help with she will help them even if she did not like to or want to do it. After all, those are her friends. In that the author did a great job with portraying all the characters. 

The plot was well crafted. A murder of a son and then the mother years apart but the same date. Kept me guessing and coming back. 

The climax was intense. But the ending gave me hope that fate is not cruel. Second Chances do happen.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Review: The Russian: A Bad Boy Romance By Renee Rose

Review: The Russian: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance By Renee Rose

 

Title: The Russian: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance
Author: Renee Rose
Series: --
Genre: Romance, Erotic, BDSM, Dark
Publisher: Burning Desires
No. of Pages: 70 Pages 
Release Date: December 18th , 2017
My Review: 3.5 Stars

SYNOPSIS:
 MY PRISONER. MY OBSESSION. MY SUNSHINE.

I can't stay away from her.
I don't care if I get whacked by the mob. Or fired from the FBI.
There's no way I'm letting her get hurt.
Hell, if any of them touch her, I'll blow my cover in a second.
She's my solnishko.
Her brother's a scumbag. He owes the don money.
The don sends me to collect my pound of flesh, but I want more than a pound.
I want her.

A Dark Mafia Romance. With an element of BDSM in it. 

Yuri and Lucy, both are very different and opposite until you zoom in on the attraction they have towards each other. Both of them come from a different backgrounds. What brought both of them together was a bad decision by Lucy's brother. 

This is Erotic Romance, however one thing worth mentioning is Lucy is Yuri's Prisoner. There are scenes that may not be completely consensual. 

For Lucy being kidnapped and held by Yuri brought about desires and wants that she did not even know she had. This book introduced her to BDSM. If it was a series it continue on to her finding out what else she likes. 

That being said. It is a dark romance which could be read by readers who wants to know more about BDSM. But the consent may rankle some readers. Though Miss Rose wrote that piece in such a way that it was balanced out for me by the intimate and consensual scene that came up. 

For me this was a great short story to just unwind in with a cup of tea because apparently I can't make edible coffee. And I love coffee. 

**Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing the copy in exchange for review.**