Monday, December 31, 2018

Campion at Christmas by Marjorie Allingham

Campion at Christmas: 4 Holiday StoriesNot all of the stories are about Campion and not all of the stories are mysteries. But all are set at Christmas and display the skill Allingham had in weaving a story, even a short one. A definite holiday classic to be re-read every year.

Three stars
This book came out November 29
ARC kindly provided by publisher and NetGalley

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Tempting Fate by Stacy Finz

Tempting Fate by Stacy FinzIn earlier Nugget books, Raylene Rosser was decidedly the villain. And in this book, she's the heroine. It's a long slog to get her there but Stacy Finn manages to do it well. Raylene is back in town for her brother's wedding and literally no one is happy. And she really deserves it. Not only was she kind of a bitch, she was an alcoholic, and  almost helped to put an innocent man in jail for murder.
Gabe Moretti is in town because he helped open up a security business with Raylene's half-brother, Logan. And when Logan asks Gabe to keep an eye on Raylene, Gabe takes that very seriously. Even though he's very attracted to Raylene, he tries to keep his distance. Though he will help her search for the gold that her ancestor supposedly buried.
There are definitely some rough spots in this story but it was, overall, lovely.

Three stars
This book came out December 11
ARC kindly provided by publisher and NetGalley

Thursday, December 13, 2018

The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson

The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri WilsonCharlotte Gorman doesn't understand her twin sister. An elementary school librarian, Charlotte doesn't often get dressed up as opposed to her sister who regularly competes in beauty pageants. Ginny is REALLY into beauty, even keeping a popular Instagram series about her competitions. She throws herself into her causes, just recently adopting a dog in order.
Charlotte always internally (sometimes externally) rolls her eyes when they talk about the competitions but when Ginny has a horribly allergic reaction that causes her face to swell, it's going to be up to Charlotte to step in and keep her sister in the competition.
This book created some great characters, both A and B. It was very light and just what I needed during a heavy time in my life. It was a little shallow as well but as to be expected.

Four stars
This book came out December 4
ARC kindly provided by publisher and NetGalley

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Decoy Date by Mira Lyn Kelly

The Decoy Date by Mira Lyn KellyGwen Davis has been in love with her best friend Ted since they were teenagers. But he doesn't even seem to notice that she's there.
Brody O'Donnel doesn't think that Ted is half the man that Gwen believes him to be. And he's sick of watching her woebegone face in his bar. He suggests a bet. The two of them pretend to be hot and heavy and see if Ted reacts how Brody predicts therefore showing Gwen that he's never been in love with her. After some arguing, Gwen agrees. But will being in a pretend relationship with Brody show her exactly how much she'd be missing in a real relationship with Ted?
The first half of the book was exactly as I expected from Ms. Kelly. The second half... was not as good as usual. It was still okay but she was trying to twist a trope and it didn't quite work for me. I'm not sure if there are any more books in the Wedding Date series but I will be on the look out for those and other books by Kelly.

Three stars
This book came out December 11
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and publisher

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Slay in Character by Lynn Cahoon

Slay in Character by Lynn CahoonAnother Cat Latimer book, another group of writers at her B&B writer's retreat. This time, it's historical romance writers and they're ready for a day out at the local tourist town set in the Old West. When they go, they meet the roommate of the current student writer at Cat's retreat. Like Jessica Ball, the student, her roommate works at the town as a saloon girl. But it's the roommate, rather than the wealthy and "connected" Jess who ends up murdered.
Was she killed because of something she did? Or because someone mistook her for Jess?
I think you will definitely want to have read previous books in the series because a few of the plot points build on previous books. I wish we had seen a bit more of the "series regulars" and the ending was somewhat fairly clued but I wish there had been a little bit more for background.

Three stars
This book came out November 27
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Saturday, December 1, 2018

The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis

The Coloring Crook by Krista DavisFlorrie Fox and the Color Me Read characters are dealing with another murder. This time, it's one of their own. Coloring club member Dolly Cavanaugh loves to attend garage sales and she has an eye for a bargain. At the latest sale, she snaps up a rare book infuriating the previous owner, the man who was directing the estate sale, and any number of people who read about her find when she posted it on various social media platforms.
When Dolly turns up dead, it appears to be a heart attack. But Florrie knows better. And she's going to make sure that her friend gets justice.
I wish we could have seen more of Dolly's life and even had more development of some of the other suspects. It felt like we glance off of all of them.

Three stars
This book came out November 27
Followed by Murder Outside the Lines
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

Friday, November 30, 2018

Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh

Someone to Trust by Mary BaloghElizabeth, Lady Overfield had a horrible marriage. Her husband abused her to the point that her family actually not only took her in, they kept her. Something unheard of in their time. But she's relatively happy where she is. In her mid-thirties, she can't ask for much more.
Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, is twenty-six. And he decides to use the holiday house party to start looking for a wife. He's known Elizabeth from previous parties and has always been inspired by her quite confidence. She may not be a raging beauty but she is striking and has a pull. When circumstances make it so that they are sort of forced into marriage, he's not upset.
In most Balogh stories, I feel like there is so much character development, which we do see here, and so much romance building, which I missed.

Three stars
This book came out November 27
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

Thursday, November 29, 2018

The Duke That I Marry by Cathy Maxwell

Willa Reverly won the most points in a game with her friends when the Duke of Camberly proposed marriage. But she hasn't seen the man since and she's ready to call off the marriage so she sends him a note.
That note sends Matthew Addison into a panic. He needs her money. The ducal estate should be very much more profitable than it is but it is actually deep in debt. In meeting with Willa again, Matthew realizes that there might be more to his soon-to-be-bride than he had thought, even more than he had hoped for.
A little thin on the "loss of money" plot line but otherwise a good book.

Four stars
This book came out November 27
ARC kindly provided by Edelweiss; Opinions are my own

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Killalot by Cindy Brown

Ivy Meadows is in the audience for a Renaissance Faire with her boyfriend, her brother, and her brother's girlfriend. She's delighted to learn that her friend Riley is also there; he's participating in the jousting tournament against the man who used to be his mentor. But the time comes for the bout, Riley is not the opponent who walks onto the field and his mentor is the one who ends up dead.
An okay addition to the series but didn't capture me as much as earlier books. Still looking forward to the next one in the series.

Three stars
This book came out November 6
ARC kindly provided by Edelweiss; Opinion is my own

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
We're back with Holly White at her family's Christmas Tree Farm one year after the last book. She's settled into town nicely and is still dating the local law man. It's too bad her best friend Caroline's life isn't so settled. She went out with a jerk in order to make her parents happy then very publicly argued with the man. The day before he turned up dead outside Caroline's store.
Now Holly's trying to figure out who killed the man (it's a mystery, he had no shortage of enemies) before they can get to her.
At the beginning of the story, we learn that it's a year later. That makes sense for the series but the time jump was rough. There was a lot that went on in the year that wasn't explained. The end also went a bit off the rails for me. If you don't mind an unexpected burst of magical realism, you won't mind it though.

Three stars (barely)
This book came out November 23
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

Merrily Ever After: A Novella by Jenny Holiday

Merrily Ever After by Jenny HolidayElise and Jay are perfect for each other. He doesn't want kids and she can't have any. Except, despite all the odds, Elise is pregnant. And she's terrified about what that's going to mean for their relationship.
Jay doesn't know what's going on but he knows that something is up. His normally loving wife isn't responding the way she normally does. How will he react to the news?
I wish that this had been longer. Elise and Jay were presented as a couple at the beginning of the series so we don't know either's back story very well (maybe they were in a different series?) and that would have helped tremendously with this story. I'm still very much looking forward to finding out what is going on with their model friend, Gia.

Three stars
This novella comes out December 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; opinion is my own

Monday, November 26, 2018

The Lady Travelers Guide to Deception with an Unlikely Earl by Victoria Alexander

Sidney Honeywell has become known as the Queen of the Desert from her writings about traveling in Egypt. Too bad she's never been. But Harry Armstrong has and he's not impressed. He believes that she is just out to trick everyone in the ton. So he challenges her to a trip in a series of letter using his
newly minted title. However, he says that he's going to send his "nephew" Harry along. Also going, a reporter to make sure that everything is on the up and up as well as the founders of the Lady Travelers Society. And, dang, do those old ladies make the book fun. Yes, they're a little plot-moppet-ish but overall just a fun read and a wonderful addition to the series.

Four stars
This book came out November 20
Followed by The Lady Travelers Guide to Happily Ever After
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

The Laws of Brand Storytelling by Ekaterina Walter and Jessica Gioglio

The Laws of Brand Storytelling by Ekaterina WalterThis book walks you through how you can develop your own brand and then use that brand to make sure that your customers know who you are so they can be satisfied.
I requested this book from NetGalley because, even though I don't have a company, I feel like building my personal brand will help me in my day-to-day. And this book really delivered.

Four Stars
This book came out November 2
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy, #3.5)Catalina just wants her sister's wedding to go smoothly. So when her soon-to-be-brother-in-law's mother summons her, Catalina goes. It turns out a family heirloom has been stolen and the only person who could have taken it has to be a family member.
This means that Catalina will have to unleash the power that she's kept under wraps since she was a child. It is a power that she hates to use but she'll do anything for Nevada.
A nice novella and quick read.

Four stars
This novella came out November 6, 2018
Follows Wildfire
Followed by Sapphire Flames
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Friday, November 16, 2018

A Birder's Guide to Murder by J.R. Ripley

A Birder's Guide to Murder by J.R. RipleyWhen a vendor drops out of the American Birding Expo in Philadelphia, the organizer, Phoebe, asks Amy to step in. She doesn't think it's a good idea but it might be that she can spend some alone time with her boyfriend. Even if there are three other people going with them. Including a strangely reluctant Esther.
It starts off bad with their reserved rooms not being available and Amy insulting the VIP, but then it gets worse when said VIP is found dead by none other than Esther who immediately becomes a suspect in his murder.
I had only read one other book in this series and wasn't fully invested in Esther. With this book focusing so much on her, it made it a little less enjoyable for me.

Three stars
This book came out November 13
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Nobody's Sweetheart Now by Maggie Robinson

Nobody's Sweetheart Now by Maggie RobinsonWas Lady Adelaide "Addie" Compton upset when her husband crashed his newest car into a tree? Well, it would've been better had his companion not have been his current mistress, the last in a string of lovers. And it would have been even better if he had stayed dead instead of coming back as an all too real ghost. And in the middle of her first house party since his death. One where the wife of one of the guests has been murdered.
Also sort of awkward? The childhood friend who seems determined to court her, even though they've never leaned that way before. And her attraction to the detective sent from London.  Inspector Devenand Hunter is the first person in his family born in England and that does produce the requisite prejudices from many of the characters. It stinks to see them but it is true to the time.
Overall a nice historical but with the addition of a ghost. Not sure how the series will continue but will be interested to find out.

This book came out November 13
Three stars
Follows Who's Sorry Now
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Edelweiss; Opinion is my own

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Knocked-Up Cinderella by Julie Hammerle

Knocked-Up Cinderella by Julie HammerleThis book was exactly what I thought it would be: fast, fun, and fluffy. A little on the surface, especially in terms of seeing where this was more a romance than a really good friendship, but an incredibly enjoyable read.
As readers, we get to see the back-and-forth first person views of Dr. Erin Sharpe, elementary school principal, and Ian Donovan, globe-trotting venture capitalist. They are both 40 and neither is looking for a relationship. They are good at using condoms (loved the discussion about X-gens and condoms. I've had it with my friends) but something goes wrong and Erin ends up pregnant. They had The Talk before sex and, while both are sure they want to stay out of a relationship, they have ties that may be stronger than their wills.

Four stars
This book came out November 12
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; opinion is my own

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Drawn to Sex by Erika Moen, Matthew Nolan

Drawn to Sex by Erika MoenErika Moen is not only a wonderful artist, she and her husband are great, sex positive people. They test various sex toys and she publishes their reviews  as a coming on her website Oh Joy Sex Toy. This book covers all sorts of topics including gender fluidity, condoms, and sex toys.
IT took me a little to get through it but otherwise an entirely enjoyable book.

Four stars
This book came out November 2
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Monday, November 12, 2018

My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes

My One and Only Duke by Grace BurrowesJane Winston MacGowan is a widow, pregnant, and visiting prisons with her reverend father. She is only trying to make a man on death row feel a little better, she doesn't expect a marriage proposal. Nor does she expect to find out that he's a long-lost duke and about to be rescued from the noose.
Quinn Wentworth (hottie from previous Burrowes books) is beyonad surprised to find out that he's been released. As gentry, no less. But that just means that he can a) rescue the people he's made friends with while in prison, b) find out who put him in jail, and c) take his revenge.
While checking off his list items, Quinn becomes a little less of a hottie while lying and deceiving his wife and family. And his family is a little over the top but I think regular Burrowes readers won't be too disappointed.

Three stars
This book came out November 6
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Santa Puppy by Lynn Cahoon

Santa Puppy by Lynn CahoonJill Gardner and her friends are helping out at the local animal shelter for the holidays. One dog in particular, Baby, catches her attention. Baby is an older dog, brought into the shelter when her homeless dog dad died of a heart attack. But Baby has a mystery surrounding her and Jilly wants to figure it out.
A very fast read, this is actually one of the better novellas in the series. Just a touch of magical realism that was a little iffy for my but overall a nice read.

Four stars
This novella came out November 6
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Want Me, Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Want Me, Cowboy by Maisey YatesAnother Grayson sibling is about to fall. Isaiah is ready to get married and decides the best way to do that will be to place an ad like his father did for his brother. After all, his brother found someone to love. He instructs his assistant Poppy to make it happen.
Poppy has been in love with Isaiah for years. Even while he was dating her foster sister. Even through all of her time being his assistant. Why won't he look t her? But then he does.
I didnt feel like we ever got to know either Poppy or Isaiah that well. Poppy definitely had issues leftover from being a foster kid but we didn't really get to see her work through them. And I wish we had seen a little more struggle. It all just seemed magically solved by Twu Luv.

This book came out November 6
Three stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; opinion is my own

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

The Unsinkable Walker Bean and the Knights of the Waxing Moon by Aaron Renier

The Unsinkable Walker Bean and the Knights of the Waxing Moon by Aaron RenierWalker Bean is back with his friends for more adventures. This time, he's looking for treasure and dealing with pirates. With a tough riddle to solve, can he figure out where the treasure is before the bad guys? And why does his friend Genoa seem so involved?
I have to admit that I thought this was a part of a different series when I requested it from NetGalley. But I thought I would read it anyway. It took some time to figure out what was going on as I hadn't read the book before this one. It was okay but took some time to wade through which I wasn't expecting from a comic. Would definitely be a lot of bang for your buck.

This book came out October 23
Four stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Calendar Girl by Georgia Beers

Calendar GirlKatie Cooper has moved back home to help her mother deal with Katie's father who has early (and fast) onset Alzheimer's. She really needs some more money to help with the mounting medical bills. When her friend tells her about an admin assistant job, she jumps at the chance.
Addison Fairchild doesn't actually want an assistant but her drive to work has created a health crisis that has made her family decide that she HAS to have some help. Even so, it doesn't mean she has to act gracefully. Until Katie calls her out on her manners. The two eventually find a tentative working relationship. And love.
I wish I had remembered that I don't like boss/employee romances before requesting this book from NetGalley. I'm pretty sure people that don't mind that trope will like this book more than I did.

Three stars
This book comes out November 13
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Monday, November 5, 2018

A Season to Celebrate by Fern Michaels; Kate Pearce; Donna Kauffman; Priscilla Oliveras

A Season to CelebrateChristmas Homecoming by Fern Michaels
Kevin Matthews is grateful to be back home in Texas after his time in the Air Force. He's trying to figure out his next move but his interest in the town's new surgeon, Kate Stafford, may make the decision easier.
This story was a little hard to follow in places  but I suspect that regular readers of the series would have no problem.

An Unexpected Gift by Kate Pearce
A nice story about an older couple. Bella is helping to plan her son's wedding and Billy is happy to help her get things done. And maybe they might find their own HEA.
I think having read other books in the series would have made this book more understandable but it was a very cute story.

Christmas in Blue Hollow Falls by  Donna Kauffman
Chef Hudson Walker has just finished working a wedding when he sees Moira Brogan being harassed in a bar. He steps in to help even though she's got it handled. They then start to spend a little more time together even though she's a planner to the nth degree while he tends to be a little more free form.
I was so looking forward to this story and... I just didn't feel it. After reading about Moira in the previous book, I was hoping for a little more of her story. But I did appreciate the story of her previous romantic fling not turning into an HEA.

Holiday Homerun by Priscilla Oliveras
Julia Fernandez is sick of hearing about baseball. She just wants to pursue her dreams of a being an event planner in Chicago rather than taking over the family business in Puerto Rico. So why is she getting so distracted by the VIP for her event, former pro baseball player Ben Thomas.
This was a little too sweet for me but I think regular readers will enjoy.

Three stars
This book came out October 30
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

The Big Book of Female Detectives by Otto Penzler, Editor

The Big Book of Female Detectives by Otto PenzlerWow. This is a LOT of female detective stories all in one place. Divided mainly by date published, this book includes not only selected short stories but brief biographies of the authors as well. Not all of the authors are women but all of the main characters are. I say main characters advisedly because the last section is labeled "Bad Girls" (which, "girls", really? You couldn't call it Femme Fatales? or Wicked Women?) and includes characters who may not exactly be on the side of angels.
I rarely wish books were shorter but this would have been better served to be in a few volumes. It got long slogging through the stories. And it would have been more interesting with slightly longer biographies. Or biographies of the characters. These were all too brief.

This book was published October 16
Three stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Everything's Trash, But It's Okay by Phoebe Robinson

Everything's Trash, But It's Okay by Phoebe RobinsonPhoebe Robinson is back with more of her observations about life. This time she covers feminism, toxic masculinity and other hard (and some not so hard topics with her trademark humor).
I have to admit, I suspect that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one because of where I am in my own life versus Ms. Robinson's writing. I think that most people will enjoy this book as much as the first.

This book came out October 16
Three stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley. Opinions are my own

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Snowed in for Christmas by Noelle Adams, Zoe York, Samantha Chase

Snowed in for Christmas by Noelle  AdamsStranded in the Snow (Holiday Acres, Book 2)  by Noelle Adams

Olivia Holiday's father cheated a man out of his share of some land. His relatives have hated hers ever since. So when she gets stranded with the man in a cottage during a snowstorm with Scott, the one who seems to dislike her the most.
An okay story, but there was a lot of shoehorning in of other characters and stories in this series which causes Scott and Olivia's romance to be not as believable.

A Christmas Rescue (Silver Bell Falls, Book 4) by Samantha Chase

Bailey Walsh is ready to quite her job. Her new boss is an absolute Scrooge and she's tired of it. But then a snowstorm and a litter of puppies let her see her boss in an entirely different light.
An okay story but Ms. Chase's longer works are more enjoyable.

Love on the Edge of Reason (Pine Harbour, Book 8) by Zoe York

Chloe Davis just found out she's pregnant. And when she told the father, Tom Minelli, he reacted.. less than well. But he's recovered. And getting trapped in a remote cabin during a winter storm give him time to convince her of just that.
Again, okay but would have been better in a longer book.

Three stars
This book came out October 23
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Exclusive / A Touch of Heaven by Samantha Chase

Exclusive
Exclusive / A Touch of Heaven by Samantha ChaseJonathan Wade is famous for his mysteries and famous for not allowing himself to be interviewed. So it's a shock that Taylor Scott is invited up to do an in-dept interview with man. When she gets up to his house, she's surprised to see her old classmate Mike Green. And she's surprised at their connection...
The story of two classmates reconnecting because one is an author and the other is a reporter has been done and been done better. Mike was a jerk and I could not connect with him.

Two Stars

A Touch of Heaven
Regan is upset that her mother is selling their family home. Especially when her mother wins a remodel at their local hardware store with a father/son TV duo.
Sawyer Bennet is getting a little tired of being on TV. He'd like to go back to just being  contractor. Maybe with the perfect woman he can make that a reality.

An okay story. Might have been nicer as a fleshed out story.

Three stars.

This book comes out November 6
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Not Quite Over You by Susan Mallery

Not Quite Over You (Happily Inc., #4)When they were eighteen, Silver Tesdale and Drew Levato had had a flaming affair. Then she broke up with him and sent him to college. Right after that, she discovered she was pregnant. Both decided they were too young and gave the baby up for adoption.
Twelve years later, Silver is trying to get a loan from the bank that Drew works in. But his aunt takes a special delight in turning her down. Then Drew swoops in and buys the Airstreams she had her eye on. He wants to get back into her life and figures that becoming a business partner is the way to go. Silver agrees, but only to be business partners. Drew is willing to start with that. And he's also ready to do the work that he needs in order to prove that he's grown. Of course, he'll also have to find out about the secret Silver has kept for so many years...
There was maybe a little too much drama in this book but it was, overall, a fast, fun, and fluffy read.

Three and a half stars
This book came out October 27
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley
Opinions are my own
Followed by Meant to be Yours

Friday, October 26, 2018

A Brand New Ending by Jennifer Probst

A Brand New Ending (Stay, #2)Kyle Kimpton is coming home after becoming a successful screenwriter in Hollywood. But not everyone in his home town is ready to welcome him with open arms. In fact, there at least one person who is decidedly UNhappy to see him. His former flame Ophelia. Not just his former flame but the woman who had gone to Hollywood with him to make it big. The same woman who left him without a word. And now she's refusing to let him stay at her B&B. But that's where Kyle needs to be, it's the place he can face his past.
Ophelia remembers a different past than Kyle. In her memory, she fought as hard as she could to make him understand her. She tried so many times to make him listen. But he left her. And now he's back, trying to act as though everything has changed. But has it?
I wish there had been a little longer ending but overall a very nice story.

Four stars
This book came out October 23
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Suddenly Mine by Samantha Chase

In previous books in the series, Christian Montgomery made an appearance as a workaholic heading toward disaster in pursuit of winning his father's approval. And his health does become a problem in this book but luckily, his mother and aunt have just hired a nurse for the company and she is there to
make sure he's okay.
Christian is somewhat disappointed that Sophie is his employee. He's been admiring her determination to surf for weeks and now she's loathe to have a relationship with him because he his her boss.
Except that he's not really her boss, she's a contractor and reports to someone else. And he's willing to make it work.
Didn't love the ending but most of the story was pretty good. Looking forward to hearing Carter's story, how opening up an everyday restaurant in Montauk is going to shake up his life.

Three stars
This book comes out January 29
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley
Followed by A Dash of Christmas

Naughty But Nice by Donna Kauffman

Naughty but Nice by Donna KauffmanMelody doesn't want her small town to change. That's why she's so so against Griffin coming to town. He's a developer who wants to help the town grow and he's surprised that some people might be opposed to that process. However, Griffin is determined to win the cupcake baker over.
In this series, this wasn't my least favorite but it was not a great story. Very shallow and not enough time to see why the two fell in love.

Two stars
This comes out October 30
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

The Ghost It Was by Richard Hull

The Ghost It WasJames Warrenton is one of those unpleasant old patriarchs who so often get murdered in books from the Golden Age of detective fiction. He's old, wealthy, a little deaf, and enjoys toying with those in his purview. They include his niece (and housekeeper), his four nephews, his sister, his servants, and the local priest. The happenings in this book are spurred by an article in The New Light, a smallish newspaper, about Mr. Warrenton buying a house that is supposed to be haunted. As Warrenton himself is interested in spiritualism, this might not seem like such an odd thing. But it does bring to town the only relative who has never asked for money, Gregory Spring-Benson, one of the nephews. Gregory is finding himself behind on his bills and would like to get a job as a newspaperman. Perhaps finding out the rest of the story behind his uncle's estate will at least get him some freelance money.
The bulk of the book was enjoyable but the ending was... meh. It felt a little flat though it was fairly clued.

Three stars
This book came out October 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Monday, October 22, 2018

Phoebe and Her Unicorn in Unicorn Theater by Dana Simpson

Unicorn Theater by Dana SimpsonPhoebe goes to drama camp while Marigold visits her sister. The two don't really get to spend a lot of time together because Marigold is so busy trying to repair the relationship with her sister.
This book seems shorter than the others in the Heavenly Nostrils series. There was really only one story line which was good but, again, short.

Three stars
This book comes out October 23
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps

This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy PhilippsI've been really into celebrity biographies lately and Busy Philipps seems like a pretty awesome person in general so I requested this book from NetGalley and did not regret it. Yes, there are some writing quirks that took me out of reading occasionally and I didn't love everything about Ms. Philipps but it is an honest look at her life detailing even the parts where she herself was not the greatest person and times when she thought she could have stepped up but didn't but also times when she did step up and it helped. Readings stories like this make you really realize exactly how human actors are (well, most of them) with their own foibles and good points.

Four stars
This book comes out today
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Monday, October 15, 2018

Lionheart by Thea Harrison

Lionheart by Thea HarrisonDr. Katheryn Shaw is one of the most well-known surgeons on Earth. Her skill is virtually unmatched. But there are other surgeons so she's confused as to why the warriors of Lyonesse are so insistent that she has to be the one to save their lord, Oberon. He had been poisoned 15 years ago (in Lyonesse time, it was two hundred years ago on Earth because of the time slippage) by a needle that is slowly, magically working it's way toward Oberon's heart. And even though he's physically alive, the magic in the needle has killed all of his emotions. Even though he sleeps, his power rages around his countryside making it impossible for anyone to live there because it is so cold.
This was a fast-paced novel with action on every page. It made the romance a bit shallow but the reading was quick and interesting. I definitely would read the other two books in the series first but, if you have read the other two, you should like this one.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out today
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley
Follows Spellbinder 

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett

Murder at Archly Manor by Sara RosettOlive's new stepmother has pushed her rather forcibly out of her father's house. Unfortunately, Olive has no skills. Her father spent her college money on some scheme. And, unfortunately, his schemes never come out. She's rather desperate when her cousin asks her for help. It seems her other cousin, Violet, is engaged to a man who is wholly ineligible. Or at least he seems so at first glance. Olive agrees to look into the man's past for a slight fee.
Invited to a party at Alfred's godfather's house, Olive finds herself among the fast set. And it gets even faster when Alfred is thrown off a balcony. Violet immediately becomes the most likely suspect. Especially since she was one of the only people upstairs at the time of the murder.
I really liked this story and look forward to the next in the series.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 1`5
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Ask Me No Questions by Shelley Noble

Ask Me No Questions by Shelley NobleIf you like the 1920's historicals that are popping up, you'll like this one from a slightly earlier period. Lady Dunbridge is only 26 but she's already a dowager. When her father gives her two untenable options, she decides to make her own, third option and heads across the Atlantic to stay with her friend Bev. Too bad Bev's husband is murdered at the pickup and die in the lap of his mistress. What the heck is going on? It seems that the man had a lot of shady dealings so there are a lot of people who become suspects.
It's a nice start to some world building and I think further books will be even better.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 16
Followed by Tell Me No Lies
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Friday, October 12, 2018

JELL-O Girls by Allie Rowbottom

Jell-O Girls by Allie RowbottomI heard about this book on a couple of different book podcasts and was delighted to see that it was still available as an ARC on NetGalley. I immediately started reading it and then... about a month passed. This book just didn't capture me like I thought it would. A history of the family behind Jello, one that is cursed? Cool. But, tbh, even with the Jello hook, this book just didn't capture my imagination. I did slog through it but it took a long time.

Two stars
This book came out July 24
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Father Christmas and Me by Matt Haig

Father Christmas and Me by Matt HaigI think I would have liked this book more had I known that it was part of a series. I felt like I was dumped into the middle of the story of Amelia, a human in Elfhelm. She is trying to navigate a world in which she really doesn't feel like she belongs. And there are definitely elves who would rather see her gone. Then, the Easter Bunny gets involved....

Three stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Snoopy: Boogie Down! by Charles M. Schulz

Snoopy by Charles M. SchulzI did not know there were so many strips where the cat next door took swipes at Snoopy's dog house. There are also touches of baseball, Lucy and Schroeder, and all of the favorite Peanuts characters. A lovely series of strips.

Four stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

The Hollow of Fear by Sherry ThomasThomas knocks another Charlotte Holmes story out of the park. I didn't love every beat but it was an entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Charlotte and Mrs. Watson are at Lord Ingram's country estate. Well, the town just outside it. Charlotte is there hoping to be taken up on her proposition.
Unfortunately, a nearby house part has relocated to Lord Ingram's with two of society's most notorious gossips. And they, along with Charlotte's sister Livia are the ones to discovery Lady Ingram dead in the ice house. Though Treadles is one of the people investigating the case, his boss seems hellbent on making sure Ingram is hanged for the crime.
Another good addition to the series. I wish we had seen a little more of Charlotte's quirks but overall a pleasant read.

Four stars
This book came out September 2
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Gift of Bones by Carolyn Haines

A Gift of Bones by Carolyn HainesCece Dee Falcon is one of Sarah Booth's dearest friends. So, when her cousin is kidnapped, Sarah's willing to do anything, even hide her involvement from Coleman. Their relationship is pretty strong right now and she doesn't want to mess it up... but it's Cece. And her pregnant cousin.
I really enjoyed that Christmas was woven into the story but not super in your face. A nice addition to the series.

Three stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Monday, October 8, 2018

Touch the Sky by Kari Cole

Touch the Sky by Kari ColeVaughn defies the rules of weres. He the offspring of a wolf shifter and an eagle shifter, a rare double-were. Even his own pack doesn't completely accept him.
Hannah's on the run from some very bad dudes. She's only in Montana to talk to her cousin Jessie about how to control the psychometric talent that is suddenly causing her to have seizures despite the blocks she's had in place since her childhood. But there's some bad dudes experimenting on the weres and they're bringing the fight to Vaughn's back yard.
I really liked this book. Even though it was the second in the series, I didn't feel like I missed any of the world building.

Four stars
This book came out September 24
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas by Maisey Yates

A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas by Maisey YatesMcKenna Tate isn't looking for a handout. She's looking for her family. That's the only reason she's in Gold Valley. Her mother died when she was young, McKenna grew up in foster homes. She's recently found her birth certificate and it seems that she might have some blood relatives in the Valley.
Grant Dodge is known for one thing. He married his high school sweetheart even knowing that she was going to die. He loved; he lost and on one lets him forget it. Except that McKenna doesn't know who he is. The look in her eyes is different. It may be a fling... but it may be something more.
This one was not my favorite Yates book and the short story with this one (Chloe's and Tanner, step siblings decided to take their family relationship to the next level) was about two and a half stars for me.
I am ready for Beatrix and Dane to get together but I have to admit I am a little nervous about it as well. Will be interesting to see how it happens.

Three stars
This book came out September 25
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Sunday, September 30, 2018

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Nick Offerman; Megan Mullally

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan MullallyDisclosure: I love both Mullaly and Offerman. They are both so amazing on TV and in real life. And they seem so in love. There are great stories about their childhoods, their meeting , their acting. This is set up to be an oral history and reads, in the main, like a transcription. I think that this will be much better as an audiobook and I plan on listening when the book comes out..

Three stars
This book comes out October 2
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge by Laura Levine

Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge by Laura LevineJaine Austen is spending her Christmas housesitting with her friend Lance. Prozac, though supposed to be boarded, had gotten herself kicked out. Luckily, the next door neighbor, Missy, offers up her home. Her husband Scotty, the titular Scrooge, is less impressed. He says that Jane can work off the boarding payments by helping him edit his screenplay.
It seems that Scotty played Tiny Tim in an early Christmas movie and has been riding the residuals pretty much ever since. He's a wealthy man but his mansion is empty, he has a renter (who appears to be in love with Missy), his wife is on a tight allowance, and his ex-wife comes over regularly to try and pry her alimony checks out of his fingers.
The title of the story reveals the conflict of this story; Scotty ends up dead. Turns out, in addition to being tightfisted, he was mean-spirited as well; complaining about his neighbors decorations via megaphone and blackmailing at least one person.
A nice addition to the series but nothing standout.

Three stars
This book came out on September 25
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells by Donna Kauffman

Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells by Donna KauffmanHolly hates the yuletide season more than ever since she inherited her mother’s Christmas novelty store, but her childhood pal Sean’s determined to warm her up - to Christmas and to him. When they uncover a diary concealing secrets involving both their families, this could be the Christmas that changes their lives forever...
Reprinted from a previous anthology, I remembered this story about halfway through. It is much better having read the first in the series and I'm wondering why the publisher didn't just release all three novellas in one book.

Three stars
This novella came out September 25
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Haunted Hayride with Murder by Auralee Wallace

Haunted Hayride with Murder by Auralee WallaceAutumn is a great time of year for Erica Bloom. At least it is this year. Otter Lake Security (OLS) has a job with a family that Erica used to babysit for, her... friendship... with Sheriff Grady Forrester is going well, and, well, Halloween is just a good time all around.
Too bad local legend, the Apple Witch, rumored to haunt the apple orchard Erica and Freddie are supposed to be guarding, seems to be rearing her ugly head. When OLS is rousting some local teens, a boot is discovered. One with a bony foot still inside. And it seems to belong to a former Romeo who was supposedly out filming a reality show about ghosts.

Four stars
This book came out September 25
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Friday, September 28, 2018

Putting Down Roots in Kinsey Falls by Gayle Leeson

Putting Down Roots in Kinsey Falls by Gayle LeesonJoanne Farraday's adoptive parents were older when they decided to grow their family. Now her mother is gone and her father has descended into Alzheimer's. She knows that her birth mother is also dead so Joanne goes to her mother's home town to see if she might have any other living family. But she's setting off alarm bells. The reading group, the Silver Sleuths, have decided that, with all the questions she's asking, she must be up to no good.
This was a surprisingly short story (around 100 pages) and that made it harder for the characters to really develop but there was a nice story arc and some set ups for further books in the series.

Three stars
This book came out September 25
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley