When a fellow contestant at the artichoke festival is found dead with the vegetable stuffed in his mouth, Sally Solari, restaurant owner/amateur sleutWhen a fellow contestant at the artichoke festival is found dead with the vegetable stuffed in his mouth, Sally Solari, restaurant owner/amateur sleuth is off and running. Her questions uncover a multitude of suspects who might have wished the artichoke farmer ill will, for a variety of reasons.
I am new to this series, but I never felt out of place. The characters immediately felt like people the reader could care about. The tiny story arcs gave a level of nuance to the mystery and left me wanting to come back and read more to see where things are going.
Sally’s investigation technique is a breath of fresh air, out of the box thinking coupled with tried and true cliches. At any rate, she got the case solved. I wasn’t surprised when the person I thought did it turned out to have actually done it, but I couldn’t have proven it right up until the moment Sally made the discovery for herself. There were so many questions needing answering, great suspects, and tiny currents of drama that kept the story moving at a steady clip.
I simply love the recipes and delectable dishes offered in the book. Artichokes are an unsung veggie that needs more attention. All in all, this was a pleasant quick read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily...more
**“Shh. I couldn’t sleep.” Not exactly the truth. He could, but he’d rather sleep with Matty. “Do I look like a glass of warm milk?” Matty grumbled, so ad**“Shh. I couldn’t sleep.” Not exactly the truth. He could, but he’d rather sleep with Matty. “Do I look like a glass of warm milk?” Matty grumbled, so adorable that Bryce had to kiss him again. And again. ** ____
The truth is, I almost didn't make it out of the first chapter of this book. Bryce's fall hit hard and fast and in all honestly, I began to think that he was too immature, maybe too unlikeable, to be worth reading about. I stuck it out though because damn did he get rolled hard by life. He deserved someone to give him a chance.
Ultimately this story is about Bryce's redemption, but it is also a story about healing and finding peace in a place you may never think to look. That is something that even Matty, though he seems to have it all figured out, really needs in his life. This book makes the best of the opposites attract trope leading to a truly wonderful love story that is about more than just the protagonists. (Not to mention adding to my TBR by using cameos of characters from other books- sneaky author).
The best part of this book, and really any book, are the characters and the relationships between them. I would read a dozen books just for the dynamic between Bryce and Earl. Hal, George, and Shea offered sweet strength to Bryce. Tanya, Matty's friends, and the boys at Lucky's make me want to return to Serenity and spend lots of time. They are good people with so many stories waiting to be told and I want to read them all.
It was hard to pick a single quote from my favorites because there were things that needed to be said. This quote from the point in their relationship where being together was starting to become more important than keeping up appearances just spoke to me of the all love and happiness that was still just a touch out of reach for them but becoming very reachable indeed.
For the readers this book is intended for, I am certain that i**spoiler alert** *Spoiler Alert *Spoiler Alert *Spoiler Alert *Spoiler Alert *Spoiler Alert
For the readers this book is intended for, I am certain that it is loads of fun. The story has good bones and the fairy godmother trope is a cute premise. That he needs an author to make his project work is a given. But this story is so obvious that it wouldn't even make it as a fairy tale.
In the first few pages of the Penny gets hit with everything under the sun.
Computer is broke - she can't write. Car is broke - she can't get anywhere safely. She is broke - roommates are creepy and she lives in a hole. Her mother is loud, controlling and manipulative. ...and this all before she is late for work and loses her job. Twice. Yes. She loses the same job twice in the time it takes to write this sentence. Then some random woman offers her a job that miraculously cures all her ills, which is not freaky at all.
Rowen is so socially awkward he shouldn't be allowed to live on his own, speak to humans, or move freely about in public. No exaggeration. He doesn't socialize, he doesn't eat, and he doesn't know how people behave, but he knows he is hot and enjoys sex. Just sex, no cuddly human stuff.
Before Penny even starts her job with him, he proves himself to be nosy, controlling, and condescending. None of his friends (friends for lack of a better term because it isn't really all that clear what they are to each other except they will probably be the male love interests in the next books of the series) or her friends (who will probably be the female love interests) think his behavior is wrong.
Her friends actively encourage her to go live with the freak because as part of his job, he provided her with a computer and a luxury car to drive, and a place to live for the next few months. Did I mention the men went to her apartment without her knowledge or consent, packed up all her things, moved them to his house, and unpacked them into her new room that not even she has seen yet? Then he uses the phone he gave her to stalk her (yes he is proud of his device's GPS capability) to the bar where she met up with her friends, decides she has socialized for enough time, an hour, and then carts her back to his place to begin her job on a Friday night.
On her first night there they kiss, saved only from stupid sex (because of course, somehow she is naked and he is horny), only by a nightmare the young niece has. (nevermind that he was supposed to working all night on his failing project, but still had time to stalk Penny and settle her into his dungeon; I mean his cliche OCD clean, weather-controlled smarthouse)
Sorry, that is where I stop (30%). The niece, the assistant, and the house manager are terrific characters and it is possible that this so very socially unacceptable implausible story can save itself, like I said it has good bones, but my teeth hurt from grinding, so I won't be finding out myself.
If you enjoy this author or this trope, give the book a try. I am certain there is an audience for it....more
When the story opens up neither of the main characters is really all that happy with how their lives are currently going. Summer, a passionate self-taWhen the story opens up neither of the main characters is really all that happy with how their lives are currently going. Summer, a passionate self-taught musician, had a youtube channel showcasing her cello playing, but a moment of stage fright caused by insecurities has her choosing a different path in life than the one she had hoped for. Luke is one of the best receivers in the league. His enthusiasm and love for football are legendary. His personal life is carefully manicured to not get too serious and to show only what he wants the world to see. That vision is tested when his dog runs into Summer at the assisted living facility where their grandparents live.
The characters in this story are classic Tracy Solheim; lovely layers, shadows, and highlights. Summer is a bit intense. She wears her heart on her sleeve and says what she thinks. Luke is more reserved and as he suddenly isn’t sure what is it he wants, he tends to keep things close to the vest leading to some interesting misunderstandings among his acquaintances. The banter, dialogue, tension, and overall chemistry lent themselves to good storytelling. The characters challenge one another to be who they truly are. Both need to learn they are good enough. She pushes him to be introspective and to reach for what he truly wants and he pushes her to put herself forward and accept what she finds. The real MCs of the story are of course Millie and Monty, slobbering, graceless, four-legged con artists who know exactly what the score is and from whom their next snack is coming.
I do love the second chances theme that runs throughout the story and several of the characters’ arcs. I have not read the first book in the series, This one reads well as a stand-alone, but I am curious enough to want to go back and read it since the characters are still so prevalent in this second book and I would love to read their story first hand. I am also looking forward to the next installments.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Trapped in love is the next book in the MacGregor Brothers Brewing Company series. While it is a sexy, steamy, and sometimes sweet romance with all thTrapped in love is the next book in the MacGregor Brothers Brewing Company series. While it is a sexy, steamy, and sometimes sweet romance with all the feels in all the right places, once again I am left feeling that the strength of Danica Flynn’s writing isn’t the romance but rather the character development as the story progresses. In the beginning, neither MC is worth writing home about.
Felix is overwhelmed by his circumstances and just a bit myopic. He has strong feelings for Gemma, but his obligation to his younger sister leaves him feeling as if he should push Gemma away so he doesn’t hurt her when his sister invariably will have to come first. Having taken on the responsibility at such a young age, he hasn’t yet realized that as an adult, he can love them both.
Gemma is flighty and dramatic and a bit of a bitch. She is afraid to go after what she wants because of her insecurities, which are many. She pushes back against the people who care for her out of the need to face the world on her terms at any cost. Felix presses ALL of her buttons in just the right ways, triggering both sides of the intense feelings coin, leading often as not to stupid sex or all out war.
A well-meaning manipulation sends both of them on the same mountain cabin vacation and the inevitable happens (because sexy steamy romance story). While the sex is great, the things they learn about each other and themselves are what make the book worth reading. This is the coming together of two dynamic creatives who complement each other well... if and/or when they remove their heads from their nether regions.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Detective fiction began with a locked door scenario and the concept still provides the basis for awesome armchair sleuthing. When I read a mystery I aDetective fiction began with a locked door scenario and the concept still provides the basis for awesome armchair sleuthing. When I read a mystery I almost always know who the bad guy is long before the literary sleuth comes close. I love a good story so I read to the end to find out why. When I haven’t got a clue as to who or why or in this case, how, That is a book I will share with one and all. “Hey, I never saw it coming!!!”
Just the title of this book, Death and the Conjuror, was enough to make me want to review it. It inspires images of old fashioned mysteries; of Agatha Christie’s golden age detectives; a classic mystery with a full cast of characters all with something to indict them. I hoped the story would live up to the title, of course, it did. With its classic “It was a dark and stormy night” narration, this story is not just one locked door murder but several crimes all perpetrated in a seemingly impossible manner. It starts with the murder of a prominent doctor found obviously murdered, in a room locked from the inside with no weapon to be found, and only a small time frame in which it could have occurred. Scotland Yard Inspector Flint turns to an old friend, retired magician, Joseph Spector for help. We can assume he is ready to take his place among the great literary detectives based on his name alone, he also proves to be cool, and logical with a touch of drama. He and Flint hunt for the solution to the puzzles through many classic twists and turns until the magic façade is dropped for Spector’s logical explanations. Yeah, I never saw it coming.
I am so hoping this is the beginning of a long and prolific series involving these characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5. I received an advance review copy for free from Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
What started out as a contemporary romance series centered on the game of hockey has evolved into so much more. The highly anticipated first book in tWhat started out as a contemporary romance series centered on the game of hockey has evolved into so much more. The highly anticipated first book in the new romance series by Kat Obie is here and boy does it go in a new direction. Built on the solid foundation of her Loving The Sound world, Loving the Pack is the follow up to the supernatural spin off, Loving The Wild.
Jayden is a wolf shifter. It is a secret he shares with his father, former Wild player Dez Smith (His story leads off the Wild series). Jayden has spent the last few years learning to control his speed and strength enough to play professional hockey. The extra power that comes with being a shifter is all well and good, but a five mile slap shot might raise a few eyebrows on the all human NHL teams. He has been given the chance to come to Wild rookie training camp and to maybe try for a spot on the team.
Kennedi, an otter shifter, is grumpy coach Phillipe Delaney’s youngest daughter, independent and sassy, with an overprotective dad. A world class athlete on her own, she has a firm sense of where her life is going.
Dez and Delaney were close as players and while their kids grew up playing together, things are a bit different now that they are adults. Warned to keep things non romantic, the couple pushes the boundaries as they become certain they are true mates, the ultimate in relationship goals in the shifter world. Still, no one has any idea what will happen if two different types of shifters mate. That is a twist that makes this well loved story take on a whole new life.
I dearly love the dynamic between the two main characters as they are drawn to one another and look forward to seeing how they evolve into the greater story as the series progresses. There are no huge surprises in their romance which is sweet with just the right amount of heat, but the big question marks about the future are never far from the story.
I also enjoyed seeing more of the inner workings of Wolf pack. There are obvious undercurrents that open up so much potential going forward. Though I get the feeling that the author is just kind of making up the rules to her supernatural universe as she goes (Yes, I do recognize the irony in that statement), I do believe that she is on to something wholly original in what is sometimes an over saturated romance niche. Yeah, I am looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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