A Matter of Hive and Death

 In this blog post, I reviewed Nancy Coco’s (aka Nancy Parra) A Matter of Hive and Death, the 2nd installment in the Oregon Honeycomb Mystery cozy mystery series. This caper will captivate you and educate you about beekeeping at the same time. Wren Johnson owners her own small business, Let it Bee, and makes her own products from freshmade honey. As a fellow beekeeper, she went out to get some supplies from fellow beekeeper, Elias Brentwood. But she discovers a shocking mystery: his dead body and vandalized bee hives. This is when she calls her a fellow beekeeper friend, Klaus, for assistance. But the police have their eyes on him for a prime suspect, but Wren doesn’t believe he did it. As she works on making sales at her store, a former flame enters her life and stirs things up, while there’s a small brewing chemistry between her and Oceanview Detective, Jim Hampton. As she digs deeper into Elias’s life and beekeeping business, things get complicated for her and her Aunt Eloise at the shop. Caught in the middle, it’s up to Wren to figure out the truth from the lies before it’s too late for her, when she least expected who was the true culprit.

This compelling crafty cozy mystery has a good plot and educates readers about how saving the bees are essential to our ecosystem.  I cared for Wren, and how she has a sharp eye for details and solving mysteries. The scenic settings for Oceanview were windswept and compelling for Oregon’s picturesque location. The theme of the story is about greed and not mixing water with vinegar for evil scientific experiments.

I rated this interesting crafty cozy mystery, four of five stars, for no reason. If you love crafty cozies with a twist, non-stop action, and plenty of dramatic suspense, A Matter of Hive and Death is a must-read to read next year. This book is recommended for fans of Laura Childs, Holly Quinn, Sally Goldenbaum, and other cozy mysteries.

Curds of Prey

 In this blog post, I reviewed Korina Moss’s Curds of Prey, the 3rd installment in the Cheese Shop Mystery Romantic Cozy series, this enticing mystery is full of suspense, and a hint of romance.  For Willa Bauer, she owns a cheese shop in Yarrow Glen in Southern California. Her small business is successful selling cheese products. She’s confused on her feelings for her potential boyfriend, Roman Massey. She’s been uncertain and receiving mixed feelings about him. And when she learns about his past connection to the Harringtons, it gets complicated. When she’s invited to attend the wedding shower of Summer Harrington, things aren’t what they seem, when the potential groom winds up stabbed by a pitchfork in the stable. And Roman is the potential person of interest. To get him off the hook, she does a little sleuthing on her own to learn more about the Trumbull-Harrington families, and also on Summer’s sibling rivalry with her sister Chloe. One by one, more clues turn away from Roman and into another direction, when she winds up injured in a horseback riding accident. That’s when handsome Detective Heath comes to her aid and tiny sparks emit between them. Meanwhile, things turn up the heat for Willa when she becomes wary of a potential suspect or two of her own, before she gets caught off guard on whodunit and why. 

This  compelling romantic cozy mystery has a good balance of romance and mystery all wrapped up in one story. I cared for Willa. She’s a strong character to root for. She’s successful and has a keen eye on solving mysteries, though she ends up caught into a complex mystery. The scenic settings for Yarrow Glen were enchanted and mystique for the location in Southern California. The theme of the story is deception mixed with revenge can lead to danger. 

I rated this intriguing romantic cozy mystery, four of five stars, for no reason. If you love culinary cozies with a twist, non-stop action, and plenty of dramatic suspense, Curds of Prey is a must-read to read next year. This book is recommended for fans of Laura Childs, Janet Evanovich, Diane Mott Davidson, and Joanne Fluke.

The Engagement Embargo

 In this blog post, I reviewed Samantha Chase’s The Engagement Embargo, the first installment in the Meet Me at the Altar contemporary romance series. This daring romance will make your heart sigh and weep with joy. For Elliott Sullivan, he had four failed relationships that ended up in engagements. After his recent bride on his wedding day left him at the altar, Elliott was tired of the heartache and the dejected rejection, hoping and wishing for the one. That’s when his family had told him to go on an embargo for one year–no dating and no relationships to get him out of this funk. But when his sister’s Josie’s best friend Skylar Jennings came out to drop him food from the canceled reception she became a good listener and a great friend. For Skye, she had the hugest crush on Elliott for the longest time, and had been in love with him for oh so long. But when Josie asked her to help her out with Elliott, she did it as a friend, though they had treated her like family. At first, there was nothing wrong with a casual relationship between friends seeking advice. But after the first kiss led to their first romp, it became a game-changer and a secret romantic relationship. Skye had heard Elliott say he didn’t want the same things she did, when all they had was casual sex and nothing more.  Though Elliott had broken the embargo, he had also broken her heart in the same process. In a valiant move, he professed his love for her and claimed her as his own for their fairy tail ending that would sweep you off your feet. 

This  heartfelt contemporary romance was beautifully written, and oh so moving for a wonderful love story. I cared for both Skylar and Elliott, who had to follow their hearts to find each other and took more than a huge leap of faith. They were both meant to be together and forever. I adored the North Carolina settings and the picturesque scenic locations. The theme of this story is love might sneak up on you right before your eyes.

I rate this awesome contemporary romance,  five of five stars, for no reason. If you love endearing romances with a crush on a bestie’s brother’s trope, juicy romantic action, plenty of drama, and lots of suspenseful twists, The Engagement Embargo is the one for you. This is recommended for fans of Robyn Carr, Jill Shalvis, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Carly Phillips.

Cheddar Late than Dead

 In this blog post, I reviewed Linda Reilly’s Cheddar Late than Dead, the 3rd installment in the Grilled Cheese Cozy Mystery series. This caper takes a big bite out of crime. It all started for Carly Hale, who owns a grilled cheese eatery in Balsam Dell, Vermont, when she was invited to host a wedding shower party for Klarissa Taddeo, one of her former high school friends, at the last minute. Though it would’ve been a perfect opportunity for her to conjure up more business for her grilled cheese sandwiches, when exactly she witnessed a shocking crime unexpectedly. When Klar’s fiance Tony was found dead, talk about total chaos at the scene. And Dawn Chapin, another former classmate of Carly’s and wedding planner, is the main suspect. Carly didn’t believe she had the gall to do it and did some sleuthing herself. Later, she discovered that the newest town manager, Gretel Engstom, had been missing for the past week. Were these two crimes connected in anyway? While she continued to run her business, she dug deeper to get close to the truth, until she became an unexpected victim and trapped with the culprit in the bitter end.

This delightful culinary cozy mystery was decadent as brie cheese and rich with twists and turns like chocolate. I cared for Carly, who was stuck into a twisted murder mystery, and had the hankering for solving the crimes.  I also felt bad for Dawn and Klarissa, who had difficult mothers who controlled their lives. I adored Havarti, Carly’s dog. I loved the windswept small town of Balsam Dell in Vermont for the location. It had rich picturesque scenic settings that painted it so well. The theme of the story is that overzealous obsession will lead you nowhere when you’re sick with greed.

I rate this book, four of five stars, for no reason. If you love heart-stopping culinary cozies with plenty of non-stoppable action, lots of intense suspense, and incredible drama, Cheddar Late than Never is right up your alley with delicious recipes to make at home! This book is recommended for fans of Diane Mott Davidson, Joann Carl, Joanne Pence, and Laura Childs.

The Chocolate Garden

    In this blog post, I reviewed Ava Miles’s The Chocolate Garden, the 2nd installment in the Dare River contemporary romance series, this beautiful love story will sweep you off your feet and make you cry tears of joy mixed with sadness.  Tammy Lynn Hollins has a vision for her dreams. She’s newly divorced and a mother of two young kids. But with her mother berating her and her self-esteem, it makes her feel worthless. Her mother didn’t believe her when she told her about the abuse she succumbed to from her previous husband. And she didn’t think a woman like her would be successful as a visionary gardener. When John Parker McGuinness, her brother’s best friend, asks for her to make a chocolate garden for him, she had a perfect vision for it as he was her first client. This started a wonderful building relationship between them as they grew closer together. Things changed, when there was a break-in at her brother’s rental home they stayed at, and concerns about the leak about the monetary payoff for her divorce. To provide a safety net for Rory and Annabelle, they crafted a story about the chocolate garden and temporarily stayed at John Parker’s house when they fell in love. But things changed again, when her mother did an about-face who took her side when she faced her ex, and applauded her efforts on her newfound career as an independent business woman. Though they love each other profoundly, the talk about marriage has caused a rift between them, when she’s not ready to take that step. But maybe JP can maybe show her a new outlook of them as a couple to change things for themselves to have a brighter future.  

This beautiful tear-jerking and heartfelt contemporary romance will pull your heartstrings real taut and move you to pieces. I instantly cared for Tammy and her feelings for John Parker. She had been through a lot as a young Southern woman who wanted to make a name for herself and her family.  John Parker is a handsome and sweet piece of eye candy as well. I liked the same story of her sister, Amelia Ann, and her crushing feelings for Clayton, that builds into the third installment of the series. I loved the idyllic locations of Meade and Dare River County between Mississippi and Tennessee. The scenic settings were mesmerizing and picturesque. 

I rated this book, five out of five stars. If you love beautiful love stories that moves with your heart with non-stop romantic and dramatic action and suspense, The Chocolate Garden will melt your heart like chocolate. This book is recommended for fans of Jill Shalvis, Robyn Carr, Kristan HIggins, and Hallmark movies. 

The Lost

    In this blog post, I reviewed Jeffrey B. Burton’s the Lost, the third installment in the Mace Reid K-9 mystery thriller series, this spine-tingling thriller is twisted and full of suspense on every page. It all started for Mace and Kippy Gimm, when they received a phone call about a kidnapping. Kennneth Druckmann’s daughter Eleanor has gone missing. While Mace and Kippy search for the missing girl with Vira, they later learn that it’s more complicated than that with her father’s sole involvement in this sadistic plot from the beginning when they tracked him down, until his own untimely demise. Temporarily, Eleanor finds out that her former nanny Britt helped keep her safe from the bad guys, though Britt was already into the thick of things. As the search is on to find Britt and Elle, so were the bad guys who had other plans for them to take them to Russia and beyond. In a race against time, Mace, Kippy, and Vira were in hot pursuit of them, and later discovered a shocking twist in the end. 

This compelling mystery thriller will keep you at the edge of your seat with full-throttle suspense on every page. I cared about Mace and his delightful K-9 dog pack with Vira leading the way. He cares about his job and his dogs, especially Sue who was injured from a previous case, and has strong feelings for his partner, Kippy. A possible good love match in the end. The scenic settings from Lake Michigan to Lake Geneva and in Detroit were picturesque for the location. 

I rated this book, four out of five stars, because I love K-9 stories featuring lovable dogs of all breeds to look for missing people or buried remains. If you love heart-pounding mystery thrillers with non-stop suspense and high-octane dramatic action, you’ll love the Lost and other books in the series. This book is recommended for fans of Margaret Mizushima, Nora Roberts’s “the Search”, David Rosenfelt, and Alex Kava.

High Spirits

  In this blog post, I reviewed Carol J Perry’s High Spirits, the second installment in the Haunted Haven paranormal series. This mystery will give you chills and plenty of intrigue. For Maureen Doherty, the newest owner of Haven House Inn, it’s around Christmas time. She needed a way to rack in the dough to bring people into her hotel and the Paramount Theater in Haven, Southern Florida. So she cooked up an idea with Ted Carr, the hotel’s bartender and chef, to serve dinner and Christmas movies. While they make a profit, Doreen dealt with the mystery of who killed Buddy Putnam 50 years ago, whose ghost had haunted the theater, and then the murder on who killed Decklin Monroe, the film projector. Were both crimes connected somehow? It’s up to Maureen, and some friendly ghosts, and her hotel staff, to put together this chilling mystery, piece by piece, before it might be too late in the end. 

This intriguing Christmas paranormal cozy is bone-cold as winter snow and will keep you guessing. I cared for Maureen, who had a lot on her hands with the hotel’s restoration, a budding romance, and being swept into another mystery in her new hometown. I do think that Ted could be good for her. I loved Haven, Florida as the perfect seaside town for the location, and the Christmas season for the theme with visual scenic settings. 

I rated this book, three out of five stars, because it left me wondering more about this cozy mystery. If you love chilling paranormal cozies with non-stop dramatic action, plenty of suspense, and goose-pimpling twists and turns, you would love High Spirits. This book is recommended for fans of Charlaine Harris’s and Emily Brightwell’s paranormal cozies to name a few, and those who love Christmas-themed mysteries.

The Winter Killer

 In this blog post, I reviewed Alex Pine’s The Winter Killer, the third installment in the DCI James Walker crime thriller series, this cold crime story is bone-cold chilling and will give you goosebumps. It’s winter and almost midnight on New Year’s Eve. when it would’ve been the perfect wedding for Libby Elliott and Greg Murphy in the Fells. But during the reception, Libby’s sister Rachel is missing. When they search for her body, DCI Walker leads his team to look for Rachel and discover her deceased in the frozen lake. Then it was up to him and DS Jessica Abbott to investigate the wedding party and to dig into her life. While they sifted through the truth through the lies like fine gold, they needed a motive and the true culprit on who wanted her dead and why.  The closer they dig to the truth, the surprising confession will leave you breathless in the end with a shocking whodunit moment.

This compelling crime thriller is a nail-biter and will leave you at the edge of your seat. I’m fond of James Walker, who’s a new father to baby Bella, and who might be up for promotion. But he worked hard to solve this complex crime by getting the job done. I like the winter season for the Fells and Cumbria, England, which were the perfect scenic settings for the dual locations. The theme of the story is revenge is a powerful motion in the heat of the moment.

I rated this astonishing crime thriller, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love heart-stopping crime thrillers that have plenty of twisted turns, non-stop suspenseful dramatic action, and a gripping mystery to solve, the Winter Killer is on the must-have to be read list. This book is recommended for fans of love crime thriller authors like PD James, Deborah Crombie, and Heather Gudenkauf.

Her Alaskan Return

    In this blog post, I reviewed Belle Calhoune’s Her Alaskan Return, the first installment in this inspirational contemporary romance series. This debut is light-hearted and uplifted by second chances, following your heart, and trusting your faith in God. For Autumn Hines, she returned to her hometown of Serenity Peak, Alaska, after a bitter divorce and a move from New York City.  She hasn’t returned to Alaska in over a decade. But during a storm on her way home, she ran into her ex-boyfriend Judah Campbell, her former true love, and kept a secret from the truth on why they’ve broken up in the first place. Besides being divorced, she was also pregnant with her first child from her previous marriage. Their bittersweet reunion wasn’t off to a good start. For Judah, a widower, who continued to mourn the loss of his wife and son Zane, he blamed everyone for their untimely deaths. But he didn’t expect to see Autumn pregnant, and back home to Serenity Peak after all these years. As they started to help each other in the right direction, her journalism career and his passion for fishing, in spite of false allegations against him, they slowly rebuilt truth and faith in each other. As friends, things started to heat up between them with an ice-melting kiss and befuddled feelings. They slowly began to ignite that spark for a second chance for a future. But one thing stood in their way: Autumn’s reason why she broke up with him in the future. Would they believe in each other and let God lead the way to a road for newfound happiness?

This emotionally heartfelt inspirational contemporary romance will make you believe in second chances to find love.  I instantly cared about Autumn and the baby she carried as a single mother. I also had compassion for Judah, who had lost so much in a blink of an eye, and wanted to regain his footing on the ground. I love the serendipitous location of Serenity Peak, Alaska, and its enchanted scenic settings for a small town. The theme of the story is to trust your feelings and give love a chance.

This compassionate, inspirational contemporary romance is a tear-jerker and heart-warming. I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love an inspirational contemporary romance that makes you a believer in second chances with non-stop action, plenty of romantic drama, and lots of fiery sparks, check out Her Alaskan Return. This book is recommended for Hallmark Channel fans, and for fans of Colleen Coble and Kim Vogel Sawyer.

At Home on Marigold Lane

   In this blog post, I reviewed Debbie Mason’s At Home on Marigold Lane, the fifth installment in the Highland Falls contemporary romance series, this beautiful romance novel captures a second-chance romance with the best friend’s brother trope perfectly in this lovely love story. It would make your heart sigh and weep with tears of joy. It all started for Brianna MacLeod, who had escaped a violent husband and tumultuous marriage, and had also struggled with the pain from a terrible fall she had almost died from, a year ago. She couldn’t sleep at night and didn’t feel good about herself. But when she ran into her ex-fiance from a decade ago, Dr. Caleb Scott, at the grocery store, it brought up painful memories of their broken engagement. If it wasn’t for Cal and his wife Raine, they helped save her life. But this old flame didn’t die hard for Cal, when he was stuck in a marriage of convenience with Raine, and dealing with his moody step-daughter Izzy.  While he helped Bri deal with her medical issues, he couldn’t help wondering what ifs with her, and have a second chance. But they needed to put it on hold until they received the funding for a new trauma center–things couldn’t be harder than it looked and seemed in that small town. While they tried to keep their burning feelings under wraps, it became harder to do until someone found out and exposed them. Caught between a rock and hard place, Bri couldn’t deal with the heartache until she needed time for herself to sought things out and tell Cal how she felt about their happy ending.

This tear-jerking contemporary romance will put your heart on an emotional roller coaster ride and pull your heart strings. I instantly cared about Bri and how she would deal with her pain and how she could be more dependent on herself. I also how she re-bonded with Em, Cal’s sister, to make amends and be best friends again.  I also adored Cal, who had a full plate on his hand, while he kept his emotions in check. He wanted to do the right thing for the trauma center and Izzy, when he needed to put Bri first and foremost to get the happy ending they deserved. The picturesque autumn landscape of Highland Falls was lovely for the scenic settings along the Blue Mountains Region. The theme of the story is fight for love and those who believe in you. 

This beautiful contemporary romance is amazingly wonderful. I rated this book, five out of five stars for no reason. If you love a contemporary romance that has the best friend’s brother trope, plenty of romantic action, and lots of drama to make your heart weep, add At Home on Marigold Lane to your TBR list.. This book is recommended for Hallmark Channel fans, and for fans of Kristan Higgins, Kristen Hannah, and Kate Meader along with many others.

Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas

    In this blog post, I reviewed Sarah Robinson’s Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas, the first installment in the Heart Lake contemporary romance series, this debut is so moving and heartfelt, it tugs your heartstrings. Magnolia “Nola” Bennett returns home to Heart Lake, Michigan, to take care of her late grandmother’s Gigi’s estate, during the Christmas season. She has plans to sell her home, known as the Castle, before she returns to Chicago. But not everyone’s happy to see her, especially her childhood crush on her best friend’s brother Tanner Dean. He irritated the hell out of her in the past. Tanner wasn’t thrilled to see Nola return home and hear about her plans. He worked so hard in his father’s company, ever since his father hurt his back. When they face each other, they learn about each other more and have fun hanging out with each other during the festivities. Little did they know, they realized they were meant to be each other and have a future together before it might be too late.

This Christmas-themed heartfelt contemporary romance is a tear-jerker and so deeply profound and moving. I instantly cared about Nola and how she would put her consulting talents to good use. I also adored Zander and Becca and Rosie, who are always a hoot. And I also cared for Tanner’s hopes and dreams to build a future for himself.  The picturesque winter-time landscape of Heart Lake was lovely for the scenic settings and the Midwest location. The theme of the story is home is where the heart is, to follow your hopes and dreams.

This enchanted contemporary romance is wonderful to read and experience all the feels. I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love a contemporary romance that has the best friend’s brother trope, plenty of dramatic action, and lots of romance to make your heart sigh, grab a copy of Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas. This book is recommended for Hallmark Channel fans, and for fans of Robyn Carr, Debbie Mason, Jill Shalvis, and many others.

All the Dark Places

    In this blog post, I reviewed Terri Parlato’s All the Dark Places, this domestic thriller is twisted and full of suspense to keep you on the edge of the seat, guessing and gasping, straight to the end. It all started for Molly Bradley when they celebrated her husband’s Jay’s 40th birthday, which later came to a tragic end as she discovered his dead body in the garage. Fresh on the scene, Detective Rita Myers from the Boston PD were on the case, and headed to the suburb of Graybridge. But that wasn’t the worst of it, when they discover a necklace that belonged to a missing person, and the connection to their family home. Then someone knew her dark deep secrets from her former life and name by calling her and writing letters, having her tinkering on the edge. For Rita Myers, she’s on the hunt to find out the truth and learn hidden secrets of Molly’s closest circle of friends. As Molly faces her demons dead-on, Rita gets closer to the truth before it would be too late for her to encounter the darkness. 

This bone-numbing domestic thriller will leave you hooked on every turned page. I cared for Molly, when we’ve gotten to know about her past, and how she would face the future alone.  She had been through quite enough and deserved a break. I also liked Rita, who was tough-as-nails attitude, and harbored old feelings for her old flame, FBI Joe Thorne. The dual locations of Mountclair and Graybridge Massachusettes were cryptic and deeply enchanted for the scenic settings. The dual  themes of the story are to face the fears and keep deep rooted secrets buried to the ground.

This compelling domestic suspense is full of surprises and red herrings, straight to the end.  I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love a domestic thriller that makes you second-guess your spouse or friends with non-stop dramatic suspense, goose-bumping action, and lots of gasping twists, All the Dark Places deserve a place on your TBR read. This book is  recommended for domestic suspense thrillers from Cara Reinard, Shari LaPena, and thrillers like One of Us is Lying.

Written in Bone

    In this blog post, I reviewed Simon Beckett’s Written in Bone, the 2nd installment in the Dr. David Hunter forensic mystery thriller series, this novel will leave you breathless and give you bone-chilling goosebumps. It all started for David Hunter, who finished one case and longed to be with his girlfriend Jenny. He’s also a widower, who also lost his daughter, due to his dangerous job, he just wants things to be right. When he received a call from his boss to go to Runa, a small town in the West Islands in Scotland, to look at a burnt corpse that was found in the cottage. When he died, he teamed up with an ex-detective, a young officer, and the lieutenant, they worked together to put together the pieces of this puzzle. But nothing’s all what it seemed when David worked to identify the woman without a SOC team, due to the storm. He’d gotten to know all the residents and viewed them as possible suspects, when a killer lurked in the midst, sabotaging the investigation, and throwing a monkey wrench to keep his tracks hidden and identity unknown. When it came close to home to one of their own, it became more than personal for them. It was up to David to find out who’s the true culprit before it was too late with a stone cold climax.

This compelling forensic mystery thriller is twisted and will keep you at the edge of your seat for every turned page. I cared for David on how he would handle this most complex and twisted murder case. The location of Runa, Scotland, was picturesque for a village island town with mesmerizing scenic settings. The theme of the story is revenge and dirty little secrets don’t mix well together with greed. 

This enthralling forensic thriller will keep you up all night with the light on.  I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love a terrific plotline with non-stop dramatic action, plenty of twists and turns that’s filled with suspense, and red herrings to keep you guessing, Written in Bone should be added to your to-be-read list. This book is  recommended for fans of Tess Gerritsen, Iris Johansen’s Eve Dallas series, Kathy Reichs, and Patricia Cornwell.

Must Love Weiners

    In  Casey Griffin’s Must Love Weiners, the first installment in the Rescue Dog contemporary romance series, this delightful debut is perfect for all dog lovers alike. It has a sprinkle of humor and intrigue, all wrapped up in one book. For Piper Summers, she worked hard for her money to get through vet school and to pay the rent. She worked three jobs as a telegram girl, taxi driver, and a pizza delivery girl, and tried to keep her beloved Doxie, Colin, a secret from her landlord.  But when she delivered a telegram to a prestigious investment company, she had  given a more than wide impression on CEO, Aiden Caldwell. Down in her luck and lost two jobs, he offered her a job walking his Doxie Sophie while he worked. Of course, she would take the job, since Colin’s in love with Sophie as close friends with her. While they walked the dogs and got closer together, she came across some unwanted threats that did more damage than good to the rescue center, and then her home.  After a kiss, she wanted to be his partner rather than his girlfriend. But with fledging doubts about his secrets about the shelter, she didn’t know about trusting him, until she discovered the real culprit who had been hounding her revealed itself.

This  charming contemporary romance is enchanted and tickled some places in the funny bone. I cared about Piper and how she would do a lot to make ends meet and wanted to make it on her own. Colin and Sophie were a foot, Aidan was a nice piece of eye-candy.  The location of San Francisco was wonderful with gripping scenic settings to set the mood and the theme for her story. The theme of the story is it’s never too late to ask for help and rely on others to lend you a hand.

This delightful contemporary romance is intriguing and compelling.  I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love heart-warming contemporary romance novels on rescue dogs and cats with non-stop dramatic action, plenty of suspense, and exciting romance, Must Love Weiners is right up your alley. This book is recommended for those who love rescue dog stories from Alana Martin, Jill Shalvis, Jenn McKinlay, and Kelly Moran.

The Giver

    In  this blog post, I reviewed Lois Lowry’s The Giver, the first installment in the Giver YA dystopian series, this timeless classic is compelling and a fascinating read. For Jonas, he’s just a 12-year-old boy who lived in a community where you have to obey orders in school, in society, and also at home. Some words you can’t speak of or feel. It wasn’t allowed. At the Ceremony, he waited for his turn to be given a societal role and duty like a chosen career. At the end, he was shocked he was passed over for some reason. Later, he learned that he was given the most coveted role of being the Receiver in training in the Giver. And there, he began his training with the Giver, an old man who shared with him memories of the past to feel love, experience colors, and learn pain. During this apprenticeship, he learned more about the role and the Giver himself. But when it became enough when the newchild Gabe was to be Released along with a weak twin, he asked the Giver about Release and how to change society’s rules. They planned how he could break away to escape to Elsewhere. Throughout it all, he would risk it all to make change and to find freedom in a whole new world.

This  gripping YA dystopian is tailor-made for all ages for this coming-to-ages story. I cared for Jonas and the dangerous role that had befallen upon him. He had to endure it all and keep it as a secret between him and the Giver, who was weak and old. The futuristic location is mesmerizing and enchanted like anything you read in an ordinary and strict world. The theme of the story is that it takes one person to change the world, one step at a time, to learn about feelings that we all experience as memories from the past. 

This amazing YA dystopian novel is intriguing and compelling.  I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love YA dystopian novels that focus on a new version for the future, and is filled with non-stop dramatic action, plenty of suspense, and exciting page-turning tension, the Giver is a must-read for you. This book is recommended for those who love dystopian novels like the Handmaid’s Tale and other futuristic novels that scintillate the mind.

Mint Chocolate Murder

    In  this blog post, I reviewed Meri Allen’s Mint Chocolate Murder, the 2nd installment in the Ice Cream Shop cozy mystery series, this delicious new tale will keep you suspense with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the end. For Riley Rhodes, a former CIA librarian, and proprietor of Udderly Delightful Ice Cream Shop, she’s been invited to a festival by Maud Monaco at the legendary Scottish Moy Mull Castle in Penniman, Rhode Island to serve her delicious ice cream. At first everything went okay, until she witnessed an argument between famed photographer Adam Blasco and one of her team members. When he was supposed to attend his art show at the gala, he didn’t show up, and his protegee Vye had to step in for him. Later, his body was discovered in a hidden dudgeon in the castle. Now it was up to Riley to sleuth around Adam’s past and the secrets of the castle’s historical background.Before she knew it, her life wound up endangered when she’s literally toe to toe with the real culprit in a real cliffhanger ending.

This captivating cozy novel is as compelling and delightful as the ice cream recipes. I cared for Riley, since she looked out for her best friend Caroline, and her co-workers at the ice cream shop. She had a nose for sleuthing and for digging into the nitty gritty truth. I really liked the picturesque small town of Penniman, Rhode Island for the location and its majestic scenic settings. The theme of the story is be careful and watch your step, since your past might sneak up on you.

This intriguing cozy mystery is enchanted and fascinating to read.  I rated this book, three out of five stars for no reason. If you love culinary cozy mysteries with dramatic action, plenty of, heart-stopping suspense, and lots of twisted turns, Mint Chocolate Murder is a delicious story for you to enjoy. This book is recommended for those who love culinary cozy mystery authors like Joanne Fluke, JoAnne Carl, Jessica Beck, and Hallmark movies.

Trouble in the Brasses

 In  this blog post, I reviewed Charlotte MacLeod’s (aka Alisa Craig) Trouble in the Brasses, the 4th installment in the Madoc Rhys mystery series, this Canadian caper has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. It all started for Inspector Madoc Rhys when he was requested by his father, Tad, to see him conduct the Wagstaffe Symphony play their concert. But some things went awfully wrong, when one of the lead trombonists had gotten sick and then later died on the site. Though undercover, he had to blend in with the other musicians to find out what happened to Wilhem Ochs and who wanted him dead. When he made his presence known with his title, he investigated all the players and discovered Ochs’s background along with learning about his sordid past. When there was an attempted strangulation on another musician, things turned dicey as they were stranded on Lodestone Flat with a busted airplane to make things get awfully wrong and later awry.  The more he later learned the truth, another brutal death had befallen them. Now before they were rescued, he would later learn whodunit and why in this locked-door mystery before it would be too late.

This intriguing mystery novel is captivating and full of suspense. I cared for Madoc because though he visited his parents in Wagstaffe, he had a job to do and did it well to discover the culprit when things might’ve gotten tense. I liked the dual locations of Wagstaffe and Lodestone Flat, Canada. It had good visualization for the scenic settings. The theme of the story is looks might be deceiving when murder is afoot. 

This fascinating mystery is compelling to keep you reading to the end in a quick read.  I rated this book, three out of five stars for no reason.  If you love fast-paced mystery capers with  plenty of dramatic action, heart-stopping suspense, and shocking gasps, Trouble in the Brasses  is a great read.. This book is recommended for those who love locked-room mystery capers set in Canada or in the USA, and those who love police procedurals and cozy mysteries.

The Secrets of the Nile

   In  this blog post, I reviewed Tasha Alexander’s The Secrets of the Nile, the 16th installment in the Lady Emily historical suspense series, this captivating tale would keep you at the edge of your seat.  For Lady Emily and her husband, Colin Hargreaves, they’re in Egypt and traveling along the River Nile. At the bequest of Lord Deeley, they were invited to his party with her mother-in-law and step-daughter Kat, when they met the other guests. When they ventured along the cavern where ancient Egyptian canopic jars and vases were discovered, we’re flashed back to the story of Meryt, a young Egyptian married woman, who’s a sculpture, and the mystery of who tormented her. In the 1900s, back at the party, when Lord Deeley mysteriously dies from cyanide poisoning, it’s up to Emily and Colin to figure out who’d done it and why in this locked-room mystery by interviewing all the guests and finding out Deeley’s sordid hidden past. In the end, the shocking truth would come out, once and for all.

This compelling historical suspense novel  is captivating and gripping on each page. I cared for Emily and how close she was getting to the truth without being in harm’s way. She cares for her twin sons and for her step-daughter Kat. I also cared for Meryt in her own historical story.  The location of Luxor, Egypt in the 1900s was perfect to tell this tale.  The theme of the story is revenge is best served cold to right the wrongs in the past.

This historical suspense is thrilling and intriguing. I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason.  If you love heart-stopping suspense novels with dramatic action, plenty of heart-stopping suspense, and twisted turns, the Secrets of the Nile is for you. This book is recommended for those who love historical fiction and suspense novels, fans of Rebecca Cantrell, Ken Follett, and those who love Egyptology.

Heart on a Leash

    In  this blog post, I reviewed Alana Martin’s Heart on A Leash, the first installment in the Hearts of Alaska contemporary romance series. This delightful debut is perfect for dog and cat lovers alike, who would love this captivating and amazing storyline. When Taylor Lipin lost her marketing job in Los Angeles, her sister Lydia called her to ask for help with the family inn. The timing could’ve been more perfect to escape to her hometown of Helen, Alaska, and get closer to her sister. But when she ran into Dr. Josh Krane and his three lovable huskies on the streets, they didn’t know that their families have been feuding for years, like a contemporary version of the Hatfields and the McCoys. And though they started to fall for each other and tried to keep their relationship a secret, pranks, bad reviews, and vandalism had happened at both properties. Word had gotten out and complicated things for them. When Taylor went to LA for a job interview, she had thought it would smooth things over, things escalated and gotten worse. Instead of rebelling, she decides to fight for Josh, for love, and to stay in her hometown for good in peace. 

This sweet contemporary romance is endearing and heart-warming. I cared for Taylor and Josh. Both wanted to find each other in spite of their feuding families. They wanted to be their own person in a small town.  I adored Jay, Bella, and Pepper–those huskies were adorably cute.  The location of Helen, Alaska, was magnificent and picturesque during the winter season. The theme of the story is fight for what you love and believe in to go against the odds.

This lovely contemporary romance is fascinating and lovely to read.. I rated this book, five out of five stars for no reason.  If you love compelling  contemporary romances that feature cats and dogs with heart-stopping action, plenty of romantic drama, and lots of suspense, you’ll love Heart on a Leash. . This book is recommended for contemporary romance novels like Jill Shalvis, Casey Griffin, and Hallmark movies.

The Lying Club

    In this blog post, I reviewed Annie Ward’s The Lying Club. This compelling thriller will scintillate you and keep you enthralled on every page. It all started for Natalie Bellman, who worked as an administrative assistant in a prestigious private school called Falcon Academy near Denver Colorado, when she discovered a bloody dead body on the ground, and later interviewed by the local police.  There, she fell for the charms of the much-loved athletic Nicholas Maguire, who had her under his twisted spell of deceitful lies. For Brooke Elliman and Asha Wilson, these two soccer mom would do anything for their sophomoric daughters to get into the college of their dreams. But at what price, when they were all spellbound by Nicholas’s deceit, when he attempted to ruin their lives and tear them apart? They weren’t the only ones who had a bone to pick with them. Together, they joined forces and swapped stories about how they hated Nicholas Maguire by lying to the police and bonded as newfound friends in a secret conspirationship. 

This intriguing thriller will keep you at the edge of your seat. I cared for Asha, who was suspicious of her husband having an affair, and having her third child. I also cared for Natalie, who was duped by a cold-hearted snake, and Brooke Elliman, who wanted to do right for her ex-husband and her daughter.  I also liked how diverse it was, when Asha was an Indian-American character. I also liked how it talked about teen athleticism  and dealing with a bit of addiction abuse. The location of Falcon Valley, Colorado was perfect and cold for this chilling thriller with epic scenic settings. The theme of the story is looks could be deceiving when you should trust your gut. 

This captivating thriller is twisted and top-notch to keep you hooked from the first page. I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason.  If you love compelling dark thrillers with heart-stopping twists and turns and plenty of dramatic suspense, grab a copy of the Lying Club today. his book is recommended for thriller fans who love Liane Moriarty’s One of Us is Lying and Jamie Lynn Hendrick’s It Could be Anyone.

The Village of Happy Ever Afters

    In this blog post, I reviewed Alison Sherlock’s The Village of Happy Ever Afters, the 4th installment in the Riverside Lane romcom series. This endearing contemporary romance is heart-warming and a tear-jerking. Molly Hopkins works for her community hub and wished she had what her friends had: finding their soul mate and happily ever after. But she hasn't found the right one yet. When her best friend Amber encouraged her to make a wedding cake for her wedding, she wasn’t too sure and confident she could do it, though everybody loved her cake. That’s when she dreamed of having her own tea garden. She also wanted her mother to find happiness again since she lost her job. But when she encouraged her mother to garden at the community garden, she had gotten her happiness and her groove back. When Logan Armstrong arrived in Cranbridge, he wasn’t looking for romance since he had been burned by a failed marriage that made sensational news in London. All he wanted to do was to be alone and work on his furniture pieces, including honoring his grandfather’s dream to restore the watermill like in the olden days. But when he met Molly, they complimented each other to go for their dreams and to be confident to make it right in a small town village like Cranbridge. With a couple of hilarious bumps along the way, they’ve found out they were made for each other and became successful in their dreams with help from a couple of friends. 

This heart-warming romcom was moving and inspirational, when it dealt a tiny bit with mental health. I cared for Molly and her mother Rachel, on how they dealt with some harrowing hardships and rough patches in their lives.  I also adored Logan, who was lost and later found happiness where he was needed and belonged. Keith the Dog was a hoot too. The location of Cranbridge was mesmerizing and wonderful for the scenic settings. The dual  themes of the story are it’s never too late to ask for help, and nature heals all wounds. 

This sweet romcom is the perfect book to cheer you up if you’re blue.  I rated this book, four out of five stars, because for no reason.  If you love heart-stopping and heart-warming romcoms with plenty of romantic and dramatic action,  and a bundle of feel-good-nature laughs, check out The Village of Happy Ever Afters. This book is recommended for fans of delightful romcom movies and Hallmark Channel movies, and Lilac Mills’ The Tanglewood Tea Shoppe and Holly Martin’s Sunrise Over Sapphire Bay.

You Have a Match

    In this blog post, I reviewed Emma Lord’s You Have a Match. This YA romcom is warm-hearted and a tear-jerker with a couple of good laughs. For Abby Day, it all started when she did a DNA project with her two best friends, Connie and Leo. And then it snowballed from there when she discovered a shocking secret: she had a sister somewhere named Savannah and connected to her to have a hook-up. While she withheld this nugget of truth from Leo, who had no luck discovering his ancestral secrets, she met Savvy, who looked like her, and has a huge Instagram following for health and fitness. Though she’s been having a hard time at school with her grades, she hid the truth from her parents and decided not to go to summer school, though she loved taking photos of nature around her. Though she had a huge crush on her best friend Leo, she didn’t know if he felt the same way about her, and followed him to Camp Reynolds. While she was there, she’d gotten closer to know more about Savvy and the hidden truth on how their parents knew about each other. She had made new friends, had made a few laughs, and done well in her classes there while she avoided getting into trouble. But when her parents discovered their little secret, it was up to Savvy and herself to find out what caused the rift between them. Before she left camp, would she discover how Leo had truly felt about her too?

This delightful YA romcom was compelling and heartfelt about friendship, love, and family. I cared for Abby and Savvy, two different split peas in the pod, while Abby had felt her true talent in photography and become her own person. . I loved the diversity of Savvy being gay and Leo being Filipino. The location of Camp Reynolds in the SeaTac area from the cabins to the Make Out Rock and beyond. It was picturesque and magnificent for the scenic settings. The theme of the story is being true to yourself, and family comes from different places.

This funny YA romcom is perfect for everyone to read. I rated this book, five out of five stars, because it was terrific hands-down. . If you love heart-stopping and heart-warming YA romcoms with plenty of romantic action, lots of suspenseful drama, and a bundle of goose-pimpling laughs, You Have a Match is right up your alley. This book is recommended for fans of delightful romcom movies for YA and Adult, Hallmark Channel, and Auriane Desombre’s I Think I Love You.