Murder at the Mansion by Janet Finsilver (A Kelly Jackson Mystery #2)

Description

Fortunes, fineries, and foul play . . .

It's whale-watching season in Redwood Cove, and B&B manager Kelly Jackson's battening down the hatches for the tourist rush at Redwood Heights—a Victorian-style estate owned by her boss. And due to recent jewelry thefts, her duties include keeping track of the many dust-covered artifacts spread throughout the property. But when Kelly finds Sylvia Porter's lifeless body, menial tasks don't seem so terrible. Enlisting the help of a ragtag group of brainy retirees, aka the “Silver Sentinels,” Kelly's on the hunt for clues hidden behind the mansion's glamorous façade. . .and for a killer who may want to make history of her next!

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Lyrical Underground (June 7, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616509325
• ISBN-13: 978-1616509323

My review: Murder at the Mansion by Janet Finsilver (A Kelly Jackson Mystery #2)

4 Stars

Good cozy mystery.  The setting makes me want to go and stay. Redwood Cove, CA.  It is by the redwoods and on the coast and the whales are migrating.

There is plenty of drama, murder, history and still be a clean interesting read.

Kelly Jackson has moved in.  While her bread and breakfast is getting ready to open,  she is helping out at another property her boss has.  Redwood Heights is having trouble with thefts of jewelry.  Kelly finds a body or two,

Kelly has help figuring out what is going on by a group of senior citizens called the Silver Sentinels.  They were in the first book too.

I like the characters.  Really want to see more of Kelly and Scott together.  There are a bunch of other characters from the town that we meet.  Plus a bunch of new ones that are the suspects. It is a small town with lots of visitors to keep the suspect field fresh.

This has a lot of interesting facts about the town, food, whales that make the story interesting.

I would read more books in this series in the future.

I was given this ebook to read by NetGalley and Kensington Books.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Murder at the Mansion.

Review: Must Love Wieners by Casey Griffin (A Rescue Dog Romance)

Description

LOVE—UNLEASHED. . .
First in a wickedly funny new series brimming with mystery and romance!
Piper Summers works like a dog juggling three jobs to put herself through veterinary school—driving taxis, delivering pizzas, and singing telegrams. Thankfully, Piper has her devoted dachshund Colin to help her keep things in line. That is, until she gets fired...and someone throws her a bone that is too good to resist.

Aiden Caldwell is an Armani ad come to life—a billionaire CEO who’s just adopted a dachshund from the rescue center where Piper volunteers. He’s hot on Piper’s tail to be his personal dog walker...but he may be after more than a walker for his wiener. The gorgeous, spirited Piper is everything he’s ever wanted from a woman—and more. But can Piper ever love, and trust, a man who has never learned to open his heart—or has she bitten off more than she can chew?

• Series: A Rescue Dog Romance (Book 1)
• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 2, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250084679
• ISBN-13: 978-1250084675

Review: Must Love Wieners by Casey Griffin  (A Rescue Dog Romance)

4 STARS

Good start to a new series.  Has humor, action, mystery suspense, romance,  cute dogs and characters that you want to see more of.  There is witty dialogue, too proud heroine, good looking rich CEO and a couple of love scenes.

Piper Summer does not want help.  Her life is falling apart but she is fine.  She has a few part time jobs while going to school.  She is almost a veterinarian.

Aiden Caldwell is a billionaire CEO.  He gets a singing telegram while at work.  Piper as written it herself.  She trips and lands in his lap.  He is a hard working.

After Piper loses a couple of her jobs, Aiden hires her to walk his new dog. They both have dachshund.

Someone is trying to destroy the dachshund rescue center that Piper volunteers at.  Aiden has just bought the land the building sits on.  There are lots of suspects.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I was given this ebook to read by NetGalley and St. Martins Press for free and in return I agreed to give a honest review.

Only You by Denise Grover Swank (Bachelor Brotherhood #1)

A Bachelor Brotherhood Novel

Never say never . . .

Romance isn't an option for Holly Greenwood. With her wedding planner career on the line she needs to stay focused, and that means pleasing her demanding boss, not getting distracted by her mind-alteringly hot neighbor . . . 

Ex-Marine Kevin Vandemeer craves normalcy. Instead, he has a broken-down old house in need of a match and some gasoline, a meddling family, and the uncanny ability to attract the world's craziest women. At least that last one he can fix: he and his buddies have made a pact to swear off women, and this includes his sweetly sexy new neighbor. 

After one hot night that looks a whole lot like a disaster in the light of day, Kevin and Holly are about to learn that true love doesn't play by the rules . . 

• Publisher: Forever (June 14, 2016)
• Publication Date: June 14, 2016
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group

My review: Only You by Denise Grover Swank (Bachelor Brotherhood #1)

4 stars

Only you is a romantic comedy. I liked getting to know the characters and look  forward to seeing more of them in the future.

There are a few love scenes in the story. I admit to skipping over them.

Ex-Marine Kevin Vandemeer comes home to a new house his sister bought for him that is a real fixer upper.  He has a job working for his friend in construction.  He has some crazy dates in the past and wants to stay single for awhile. It does not last long.

Holly Greenwood is single and a wedding planner.  Holly lives with her cousin.  Hates her boss.  She is sweet and a hard worker.  Holly gets asked to plan a big wedding in three weeks.  The bride is a terror and their is going to be a magazine shoot of the wedding.  It could make it possible to start her own business.

Holly and Kevin are now new neighbors.  They can't stop thinking about each other, but are not in a place to start a new romance in there lives.

I liked most of the humor. I could see some of it coming and others were a surprise.  Lots of weddings in the settings of this book

I was  given this ebook to read by NetGalley and Forever Grand Central publishing.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Only You.

The Marshal's Justice by Delores Fossen (Appaloosa Pass Ranch #4)

Description

A Texas lawman will move heaven and earth to keep his former lover and their infant daughter safe 

A shoot-out on the banks of Appaloosa Creek is the last place marshal Chase Crockett expects to find his ex-lover. Former criminal informant April Landis is supposed to be in WITSEC awaiting the birth of their child. But the desperate woman caught in the cross fire isn't pregnant.

Telling Chase he was a father—two months early—wasn't an option with murderous thugs targeting April and their infant daughter. Despite the violence that divides them, her only prayer is to trust the Texas lawman sworn to protect his family. Until desire ambushes them again, leaving April and Chase at the mercy of a past with no promise of a future.

File Size: 2764 KB

Print Length: 224 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue (May 1, 2016)

My review: The Marshal's Justice by Delores Fossen (Appaloosa Pass Ranch #4) 

4 STARS

There is plenty of drama, mystery, suspense, action.  The plot starts right out in a action, suspense and violent scene. It hardly slows down from the beginning.

This is the fourth book of the Appaloosa Pass Ranch series. While I have not read all four books, I was able to pick up the story fine.  I would have liked to have read all four books.

Marshal Chase Crockett goes to meet a informant who is in trouble and runs into a gunfight and sees another witness who was his former lover.  His baby has been kidnapped.

April Landis is supposed to be in WITSEC and nine months pregnant.  Her cover was blown and their baby taken.  They want April's brother Quentin who is also in the program and money.  

April and Quentin are going to testify against a cop killer Tony Crossman.  He is in jail waiting his trial. He is the chief suspect but not the only one.  April can;t even trust her brother.  As some good suspects that you are not sure who is pulling the strings till the end.

I like Delores Fossen's stories and look forward to reading more from her.

I was given The Marshal's Justice to read for free from NetGalley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review;

Lone Star Nights by Delores Fossen (The McCord Brothers)

Description

No strings attached is pretty much Lucky McCord's calling card in Spring Hill, Texas, but when family is on the line, this cowboy's honor and heart are about to get lassoed, tied and branded 

Every family needs its black sheep, and Austin "Lucky" McCord is happy to oblige. The bad-boy bull rider lives fast and loose, until his business partner leaves him an unexpected bequest. Suddenly Lucky is sharing custody of two children with Cassie Weatherall, one of the few homegrown women he hasn't bedded. And not from lack of trying…

Cassie fled her messy past to become a celebrity therapist in LA. So why does it feel so right to come back and share parenting duties—and chrome-melting kisses—with a man she's striven to avoid? Loving Lucky always seemed like a sure bet for heartache. But for this perfectly imperfect family, Cassie might just gamble with everything she's got.

• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (June 1, 2016)
• Publication Date: May 31, 2016
• Sold by: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.

My review: Lone Star Nights by Delores Fossen (The McCord Brothers) 

3 STARS

Lone Star Nights is steamy.  Lots of sex scenes, topic of sex. 

I liked the characters especially little Mia steals the book. She is 4 and has a big sister who looks way older than the thirteen she is.  The two kids are alone in the world.

Lucky real name is Austin McCord.  He feels like the black sheep of the family.  He is a bull rider.  He is also a rodeo promoter whose partner just died.  Left him to look after two children along with her granddaughter. Lucky has a way with women.

 Cassie Weatherall, lives in LA.  Her grandmother just died.  She has been left the custody of two children along with Lucky. she suffer from panic attacks.

I wanted to like this book more.  It has some fun scenes, cute, romantic but just not my taste overall.

I was given this ebook to read for free from NetGalley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Lone Star Nights.

Her Rancher Bodyguard by Brenda Minton (Martin's Crossing #5)

Her Texas Protector 

Bodyguard Boone Wilder isn't keen on his latest mission: watching over a pretty politician's daughter. Boone is from quiet Texas Hill Country, and Kayla is a showy city gal. But once safely settled at the Wilder Ranch, Boone watches Kayla enjoy cooking with his family, caring for his relatives and bottle-feeding calves. There's more to her than he ever knew. Still, the former soldier's wounds are way too deep to let Kayla close. But when he discovers that someone wants to hurt Kayla, Boone must risk his heart to protect what he cares about most.

• Print Length: 224 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired (June 1, 2016)
• Publication Date: June 1, 2016

My review: Her Rancher Bodyguard by Brenda Minton  (Martin's Crossing #5)

4 STARS

This is good by itself but a lot better if you have read the series in order.  Which I did not do. But I am going to go buy the one book of the series that I have skipped reading somehow.

This has characters that have flaws and are working to be better.  Lots of talk about prayer, forgiveness in a meaningful way.  I really like the Wilder family and hope to see a lot more of them.

Boone Wilder is single.  He is a bodyguard and a rancher.  He is the oldest of his family.  He is a very hard worker.

Kayla's father is running for office.  He has hired Boone to protect her and keep her out of trouble. Supposed to be a easy job.

Kayla has been wild in the past because she was angry.  She had no one to turn to.  Now she is trying to get her life in order, Someone is trying to blackmail her.  She has relatives in Martin's crossing.

This is charming, has plenty of drama, ranch life and keeps you entertained reading it.  It is also a clean read.  

I was given this ebook to read for free in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley and Harlequin.

Discovering You by Brenda Novak (Whiskey Creek #10)

Description

Can she ever trust another "bad boy"? 

India Sommers once had the perfect family—until an ex-boyfriend broke in and shot her husband. Not only did that cost her the man she loved, a respected heart surgeon and the father of her child, but she also feels responsible. Charlie died because of the people she hung out with before she had the strength to change her life.

Just after moving to Whiskey Creek with her little girl, Cassia, to start over, she's learned that her ex-boyfriend's trial ended in a hung jury. He's getting out of jail; he could try to find her again. And that's not all that scares her. She's extremely attracted to her next-door neighbor, but Rod Amos is the handsome "bad boy" type that's given her so much trouble in the past. If she got involved with him, her in-laws would sue for custody of Cassia.

India has to keep her distance from Rod—but the more she gets to know him, the more difficult that becomes.

• Series: Whiskey Creek (Book 10)
• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Mira (May 24, 2016)

My review: Discovering You by Brenda Novak  (Whiskey Creek #10)

3 1/2 STARS

I like the plot. It is good to see more of the Amos family. There are a lot of new characters introduced, Some I loved, felt sorry for and those I hated just like I was supposed to. There is a lot of drama, romance, violence and few sex scenes.

India Sommers  moves into Whiskey Creek with her little girl Cassia.  India lost her husband to murder by her old boyfriend.  She is scared because he got a hung jury. She moved into the house next door to the Amos family.

Rod Amos works for the family auto repair.  He starts off with a fight.  He sure realizes how lucky he was to have his big brother in his life.  Rod wants to help India.  Rod takes big risks to help India.

I wish this book had less love scenes and more of the interaction between the characters.    I like Van and hope to here he is better.

I now want to see more of Mack and Grady Amos.

I was given this ebook to read from NetGalley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Discovering you.

APB: Baby by Julie Miller (The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue #1)

USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Miller's new series launches with a lawman and social worker who team up to safeguard a baby 

After a near-fatal shootout at his sister's wedding, third-generation lawman Niall Watson comes home to a baby in distress. The abandoned newborn in his neighbor's apartment sends the Kansas City PD criminologist into rescue mode once again. 

Social worker Lucy McKane will do whatever it takes to protect the infant boy entrusted to her care. The tall, sexy ME next door may be clueless about her feelings for him, but Niall's the only one who can keep them safe. As a vengeful killer targets them, desire draws Lucy and Niall dangerously closer. Together, can they find justice and safeguard their newly created family?

• Series: The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue (Book 1)
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (May 24, 2016)

My review: APB: Baby by Julie Miller (The Precinct: Bachelors in Blue #1)

4 STARS

I like the Watson family. They are close and help each other.  It starts off at Niall's sister wedding and a shooting.

It grabs you from the first.  Keeps you guessing.

Niall Watson is a ME.  He is smart, single, caring and logical.  He finds a crying baby and steps into take care of him. 

Lucy McKane is a social worker.  She has no support system. Someone broke into her apartment and left a baby inside alone.  She believes it is her foster daughter child.

Niall feels responsible for Tommy and Lucy.  He wants to find out who left the baby and why.  He is also worried about who shot up his sister's wedding.  They shot his grandfather.

Lots of mystery, danger, cute baby and action.  As they race to solve the mystery and find out who is following Lucy.

I want to read the rest of the books about the Watson family.

There is one love scene, some violence and lots of cute baby.

I was given this ebook to read from NetGalley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of APB: Baby.

Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham (Krewe of Hunters #18)

Description

www.TheOriginalHeatherGraham.com

Between the evil and the deep blue sea… 

A historic cruise ship, a haunted ship, the Celtic American Line's Destiny, sets sail from the Port of New Orleans—with a killer on board. He's known as the Archangel Killer because of the way he displays his victims in churches. And how he places a different saint's medallion on each body. No one knows exactly who he is or why he's doing this.

Jackson Crow—head of the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, a special unit of paranormal investigators—is assigned to the case, along with local agent Jude McCoy. Then Alexi Cromwell, who works in the ship's piano bar, is drawn into the situation when a victim's ghost appears to her—and to Jude. She and Jude share an attraction, and not just because of their mutual talent.

There are many suspects, but one by one they're ruled out… Or are they? In the end, Jude and Alexi have to rely on each other to catch the killer and escape his evil plans for Alexi.

• Series: Krewe of Hunters
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira (May 24, 2016)

My review: Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham (Krewe of Hunters #18)

5 STARS

Wow it kept me guessing till the end on who the killer was.  The ending was so sweet it brought me to tears.  Was not expecting that. This might be book #18 but it was still fresh and a nail biter.  There was only one Krewe and it was Jackson Crow himself.

Jude McCoy was a local FBI Agent in New Orleans and was partnered with Jackson for a serial murder.  They chased the suspect right onto a cruise ship. Not any just cruise ship but a old one that was used as a hospital ship in WW11.  It was known as a ghost ship to some.

Alexi Cromwell works in the piano bar.  She plays the piano.  Alexi also sees and talks to ghosts.

The ghosts are fun and arrange of characters that play a big part in the story.  I really enjoyed them.  Another big part of the story is the weather.

There is lots of drama, action, murder and romance.  There were a couple of love scenes.  

I look forward to reading more books from Heather Graham in the future.

I was given this ebook to read from NetGalley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Haunted Destiny.

Review: Roping Ray McCullen by Rita Herron (Heroes of Horseshoe Creek #3)

Description

A MAN WITHOUT A FAMILY IS NO MAN AT ALL 

As soon as he was old enough, Ray McCullen left Horseshoe Creek and never looked back. It took his father's funeral to return, though his anger hadn't quite subsided. That's where he met Scarlet Lovett, who seemed to know more about his family's secrets than he did. Secrets ready to explode. Suddenly, Ray was at the center of a dangerous inheritance battle, with Scarlet caught in the middle. She'd only known kindness from the McCullens, but had enough pluck to stand her ground. And if Ray was to truly belong back home, he sure had to live up to the family name.

• Print Length: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue (May 1, 2016)
• Publication Date: May 1, 2016

My review :  Roping Ray McCullen by Rita Herron (Heroes of Horseshoe Creek #3)

4 STARS

Lot of mystery.  You know some of who the bad guys are but you don't know which crimes they committed and who the others you can't trust.

Characters from previous books and plenty of new characters too.  Ray is the third son.  He has come home because his father is dying.  He has not got along with his father because he knows some of his secrets.  His father dies before he can tell him everything.  Ray is a P.I.

Scarlet Lovett, shows up on the ranch two weeks after the funeral with a letter from Joe McCullen.  Telling that Joe thought of her as a daughter.  She was raised by Barbra and Joe's other son Bobby and they all were in the will.

Someone is trying to kill Scarlet. and stop her from receiving what Joe left her.  Scarlet is a social worker and helps at the group home that she lived in till Joe took her out of it and arranged for her to live with Barbra.

There is a lot of drama, some danger, romance.  There is one love scene. It leaves you wanting to come back to find out more secrets that Joe had.

I was given Roping Ray McCullen to read for free in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley and Harlequin.

Seaside Secrets by Dana Mentink (Pacific Coast Private Eyes #2)

Description

IN THE LINE OF FIRE

Navy chaplain Angela Gallagher wants to put the past behind her, but she's still haunted by the wartime death of her assistant. So when his brother claims he's in danger and pleads for her to use her family's private detective company's resources to help him stay alive, she can't turn him down. But someone will stop at nothing—even murder—to keep her from revealing their secrets. She'll have to depend on a military colleague to keep her head above water. Dr. Dan Blackwell was in the field with her when her assistant died, and he's determined to keep her safe. Can they sift through the web of lies to find the truth without losing their lives?

• Print Length: 224 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (May 1, 2016)
• Publication Date: May 1, 2016

Pacific Coast Private Eyes: Sisters fighting crime

My review: Seaside Secrets by Dana Mentink  (Pacific Coast Private Eyes #2)

4 STARS

Good suspense! Lots of mystery was not sure for a while who to trust.  I did figure out what they were doing.  Good clean read.  There is a lot of action and danger while they try and decide what is going on.

Angela Gallagher is a Navy Chaplain who does not know if she can still be one.  She is dealing with a lot of survivor guilt and PSTD. She wants to help Tank and believes him.

 Her family is taking over the detective business after her fathers death.

Dr. Dan Blackwell also served together with Angela and was there when her assistant died.  He remembers each patient that died on him and there were a lot while he served.  He wants to help Angela and he is ready for romance while she is not.

For a little town there was a lot going on in it.

I would read more by Dana Mentink in the future.

I was given Seaside Secrets to read by NetGalley and Harleqyin to read for free in return for a honest review.

Deadly Obsession by Elle James (Devil's Shroud #5)

Description

In New York Times bestselling author Elle James's latest, one woman finds she's unsafe in her own home—and in her heart… 

Real estate whiz Jillian Taylor thinks heroes and haunted houses are bogus. But when a series of strange events leaves her in danger, Stealth Ops Specialist Chance McCall is quick to the scene. Jillian can't resist the chemistry brewing between her and the sexy agent. But as she and Chance deconstruct her nightmares, someone becomes more desperate to keep those secrets from surfacing.

Chance knows there's more going on at the derelict Victorian manor than just ghosts—just as he knows there's something about the blonde beauty he can't resist. If only he could help decipher the meaning of Jillian's tortured dreams…and keep her safe in his arms forever.

• File Size: 2078 KB
• Print Length: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense (May 1, 2016)

My review: Deadly Obsession by Elle James (Devil's Shroud #5)

Good suspense!  I did guess who the bad guy was and why early.  I liked the characters too.  This is the 5th book in the Devil's Shroud but the first I have read.  It did a good job of telling the story that I did not feel left out.

I do wish it showed a seen with Julie's father at the end.  I also don't like all the sex scenes, but that is my taste.

Jillian Taylor sells homes.  She is single.  She just bought a old house in the woods by it's self that she is hoping to move into soon.  She is also planning the wedding of a friend.

Stealth Ops Specialist Chance McCall has come for his friends wedding. He has PSTD. He rescues Jillian from her basement and then around her when other accidents happens.  He decides to protect her while he is in town.

Why does someone want to harm Jillian.  Is the reason in her old house?

I was given this ebook to read for free by NetGalley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Deadly Obsession.

  

Twins for the Bull Rider by April Arrington (Men of Raintree Ranch)

Description

In July 2016, the HARLEQUIN® AMERICAN ROMANCE® series will become the HARLEQUIN® WESTERN ROMANCE series. Same great stories, new name! 



A SPECIAL COWBOY

Cissy Henley is stranded in rural Georgia with her two orphaned nephews, no money and no job. When they're rescued by a white knight in a Stetson, Cissy knows their stay at Dominic Slade's family ranch is temporary…even if her growing feelings for the wandering cowboy aren't.

Raintree Ranch was supposed to be a pit stop before Dominic hit the road again. Instead, Cissy and her pint-size twin boys are tempting the champion bull rider to reconnect with his roots and his family. But can he give up the life he knows to be the loving husband and father Cissy deserves?

• Series: Men of Raintree Ranch (Book 1594)
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (May 10, 2016)

My review:   Twins for the Bull Rider by April Arrington (Men of Raintree Ranch) 

4 Stars

This is a sweet romance.  I fell in love with the twins.   Lot of drama, lot of choices the characters have to decide. One love scene.

Cissy Henley is raising her nephews after her sisters death.  She is stubborn, does not want help or charity. She only has 17 dollars, a old car and they got kicked out of their apartment.  She loves the kids. The twins father wants to put the kids up for adoption to strangers.

Dominic Slade is a champion bull rider.  He likes Cissy and the twins when he meets them at a cafe. When he sees her broke down on the side of the road he takes them to his family ranch,

Raintree Ranch is a dude ranch,  Cissy asks for a job and a place to stay while she gets back on her feet.  She is willing to muck the stable.  The twins are in heaven on a ranch.

One thing I noticed was rodeo riders were not racing to hit the different rodeos in July.  Instead they spent if on the ranch.

I want to read the rest of the series Men of Raintree Ranch and see what happens next.

I was given this ebook to read from NetGalley and Harlequin.  In return I agreed to give a honest review of Twins For the Bull Rider.