Special review: True Detectives from April 2009

In Jonathan Kellerman's True Detectives,  a spinoff from the Alex Delaware mystery series, this story focused on two brothers who weren't cut from the same cloth--Moses Reed, a LAPD detective, and Aaron Fox, a former cop turned PI--and both shared a troubled family history in the line of law enforcement. But the two of them come together to work on a most disturbing cold case of Caitlin Frostig, who disappeared years ago. With the help of Milo and Alex, Moses and Aaron would crack open this case of this straight-A student's life with two men in her life and would go into the darkest crevices of the sultry glamorous Hollywood culture with many shadowy secrets and an array of sinister characters. Before someone else became a lost soul, they would get down to the root of this problem and solve this case.

This was something different from the Alex Delaware series, since they took a back seat to this mystery. I loved the California connection as well, when it focused on Aaron and Moses for a change. I did feel bad for them and for Caitlin's family, when they didn't get any solid answers back then. I loved how they worked with Alex and Milo to crack this case and get it solved, one way or another.  I cared about the characters and how they worked together to come to the same conclusion. Great drama with a twist, nice suspense, and fantastic action to turn that cold case to warm.

Check this out right away!

Bloodline

In the 16th edition of the Wings in the Night series, Maggie Shayne gave us an intertwining storyline of three people involved into this story. In the first half of Bloodline, we were introduced to Serena Monroe, a young mother who's baby daughter were taken away from her. In alternating POVs, we go to 21-year-old daughter Lilith, who had been raised on a Farm with other bloodliners who had the rare antigen Belladonna in their blood. That's where she met Ethan, another vampire with the rare antigen. For Serena, she searched for her daughter and wanted her safe. For Ethan who was in love with Lilith, he looked for his brother and dealt with his betrayal. And for Lilith, she found Serena, trusted Ethan, and wanted to break free from captivity. An enjoyable read!

This was an interesting paranormal romance with a twist. In a way, I did feel bad for both Lilith and Serena, who were separated for a lifetime. For Serena, I admired her fight for her daughter and joined the brethren that protected rare vampire breeds. I did became worried for Lilith, who was in over her head with the rare gene in her blood, and for her feelings for Ethan.  I liked Ethan as well and didn't like his brother. I also loved the Farm and the other scenery in the storyline.

Ready to fight against evil? Join forces with a copy today!

Special review: When Strangers Marry from July 2008

In this earlier timeless classic historical romance from Lisa Kleypas, When Strangers Marry, the first book in the Villerand series, we were taken back in time to 18th century Louisiana. We were introduced to Maximillien "Max" Villerand and Lysette Kersaint. Lysette escaped an escaped marriage to Etienne, when she went into the Bayou and met Max, a widower with two teen sons. He promised he would protect her from her fiance. She didn't care about her ruined reputation as long as she didn't marry Etienne. But Max was accused of murdering his wife, while society looked down on him. Lysette helped him get accepted into society, when sparks fly between these two strangers. The looming mystery of who killed Max's wife and Etienne's revenge is a strong theme for the plot of this classic historical romance with palpable heat for Lysette and Max.

This was the first book that got me hooked in Lisa Kleypas and historical romances in general. I loved the New Orleans setting with the swamp, too. I really did feel something for both of Max, who had felt society's criticism for something he didn't do. I also understood Lysette's predicament as well, when arranged marriages was the latest fashion back in the day. There was undeniable chemistry between them. On the first page, you will get sucked into their world and feel involved as well. I felt a real connection between them and their plights.

Get ready to take a trip back into time! Try this book this weekend!

Delicious and Suspicious

In the culinary cozy debut of Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams, the first book in the Memphis BBQ culinary series, we were introduced to a new kind of culinary cozy with delicious recipes to do at home. Aunt Pat's restaurant was owned and ran by the Taylor family. When a talent scout for the Cooking Channel arrived in Memphis, everyone embraced themselves for a sterling review from Rebecca Adrian. In actuality, everyone had a reason to despise her, when she turned down some few requests. When she turned up dead, everyone remained a suspect, including Lulu's family members. When a regular of hers ended up murdered in her own home, Lulu knew it might've been a connection to the previous murder. It was up to her to do interference and snoop around to find out what was the motive and who wanted her dead, when she dealt with Hog Heaven's Lurleen Ashton, who couldn't get her grubby hands from her son Seb. When she zeroed in the truth of the culprit, she might become the next victim on her list.

I loved the backdrop setting of Memphis Tennessee. I loved everyone of Lulu's family, except for her son Seb. He was a bit annoying. I couldn't stand Rebecca's snide attitude, either. I loved the ambiance of a family-run restaurant to deliver scrumptious and delicious BBQ food. The culinary recipes are always a plus in any culinary cozy. Great suspense and intrigue with a homey setting to boot.

Want to go for a second helping? Dig in with this culinary cozy today!

Cara O'Shea's Return

In Mackenzie Crowne's Cara O'Shea's Return, she introduced us to Cara O'Shea, a petite red-haired artist who returned home for her sister's wedding. From there, she ran into a lifelong crush on Michael "Finn" Finnegan, a former NFL player, when she both bid for the same building and were in the same wedding. From there, there's a love-hate relationship between Cara, who needed Finn to help him transform that building into her artist and home. Cara also dealt with her father, who she never forgiven for breaking her heart, while Mike dealt with a divorce of his own, and his own feelings about her. Jealousy and tensions were high, when the sparks flew between them. In the end, they fell in love and needed each other.

I really enjoyed this light-hearted contemporary romance. I loved the setting of a sleepy New England Massachusetts town. I really liked Cara and her family in this story. I really loved how Michael helped out in the community and also helped Cara out. There was so much chemistry there. I loved Meggy as well. I also liked how Cara forgave her father and reached out with friendship to her step-mother. That was really moving. This made me smile and tear up deep down inside.

Ready to fall in love? Grab a copy today!

Poison Pen

In Sheila Lowe's Forensic Handwriting mystery series debut, Poison Pen, she introduced us to Claudia Rose, a forensic handwriting expert, who'd gotten embroiled into a complicated murder case. It started with Lindsay Alexander, a former close friend of hers, who died suddenly and looked suspicious. From there, she teamed up with her friend Kelly and sexy detective, Joel Jovancic, when her close friend Ivan was beaten up to death and later died. The closer she dug into Lindsay's life and secrets, the more precarious her life ended up in, when she was an interesting array of suspects who wanted to see her friend dead. This was a delightful read.

I liked the California backdrop in this cozy series. I enjoyed Claudia Rose and became intrigued into her handwriting analysis career. Kelly was okay. But I didn't care for much for Lindsay and her half-brother either. He gave me the creeps and Lindsay via flashbacks gave me the creeps. I loved the chemistry between her and Joel. I did feel bad that Ivan died, when he tried to help her. For a quick read and a lightning fast pace, this was an enjoyable cozy to love on a cold day.

Ready to catch a killer? Snatch a copy now!

Special Review: When the Bough Breaks from July 2008

In Jonathan Kellerman's stellar Alex Delaware mystery series debut, When the Bough Breaks, we were introduced to Alex Delaware, a burned out psychologist. For his first case as a police consultant, it became the toughest one of them yet. When Dr. Morton Handler was killed in his own home, Alex learned what kind of psychologist he was--the devious and sick kind--when he paid for his sins. With no leads, they  had one potential witness, a seven-year-old girl named Melody Quinn. It was up for Alex to unlock the mystery behind the murder in her mind. As more sinister dark shadows took shape in her mind, Alex discovered it touched on the similar incident in his past. Later on, they discovered how this shocking connection was only the beginning and linked to a 40-year-old conspiracy and the growing evil behind it. For Alex, he needed to expose it before it claimed poor Melody Quinn.

This was a fantastic Alex Delaware mystery series debut. I loved Alex's role as a police consultant for the police as a psychologist. From the start, we do get to care about him as a whole and learn more about his personal life. I did feel for poor Melody Quinn, when someone wanted to harm her. That was insane to me. I loved the California backdrop of Los Angeles. I thought Milo Sturgis was an excellent hands-on detective to work with Alex. Great suspense, terrific writing, and a compeling storyline.

Why not give this one a go? Check it out today!