Book #Review ~ Bad Boys Don’t Make Good Boyfriends by Melanie A. Smith @MelASmithAuthor (Life Lessons, #2)

Bad Boys Don’t Make Good Boyfriends

Melanie A. Smith

(Life Lessons, #2)

Publication date: May 19th 2020

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Add Book on Goodreads / Purchase from Amazon

About the Book:

Even when you know better, sometimes it’s simply too tempting…

Hospital work isn’t for the faint of heart. Becca Dillon knows that firsthand, having worked as a medical assistant in the cardiac unit at Rutherford Hospital for longer than she cares to think about. What she does care to think about is having fun, gossip, and … guys. Her favorite of the three. And why stick to one, when you can sample them all?

That’s exactly her plan when a workplace crush on a mysterious bad-boy orderly unexpectedly takes a very steamy turn. But Vincent DeMarco turns out to be nothing like she expected, and before she knows it, she’s falling hard and fast. She wants him in ways she’s never wanted anyone before, but there’s something he’s keeping from her. Something that’s holding him back. And Becca is going to find out what.

Even though she knows that bad boys don’t make good boyfriends, he seems like he might be so much more. Will her quest unlock the truth behind who he really is? Or will it end their relationship for good? Either way, ready or not, Becca’s world is about to change.

My Review:

Becca is not the commitment type. She's happy to have fun, a fling, and a goodbye. All that changes the day she meets Vincent, a new orderly at the hospital at which Becca also works. He's distant, doesn't acknowledge her except on his terms, and leaves her wanting more. When they finally agree to try dating, Becca discovers he's harboring a secret; one that could very well could come between them.

Despite Vincent's standoffish personality, he and Becca are drawn to one another. I enjoyed their journey toward romance. Becca is a strong, independent character who hides her loneliness and insecurity behind bravado. I cheered for her when she dropped her guard and let Vincent into her heart. Vincent is a strong character with incidents and events in his past that he's trying to protect and keep quiet. Becca's discovery of one of Vincent's secrets brings both tragedy and joy - but it may signal the end of something between them before it even began.

This is my first experience with Melanie A. Smith and it won't be my last. As soon as I finished Bad Boys Don't Make Good Boyfriends, I went straight to Amazon and bought Never Date a Doctor, book 1, in the Life Lessons series. The author's writing style is conversational and easy to follow. The book is so engaging and beautifully written I suddenly found myself at the end of Becca and Vincent's story.

I'm excited to go back and read book 1 and to read book 3 upon its release.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating:

Book Review: Bears Behaving Badly (BeWere My Heart, Book #1) by MaryJanice Davidson ~ @MaryJaniceD @SourcebooksCasa

Book Details:

Print Length: 377 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: March 31, 2020
ASIN: B07YZSKCZC

Amazon

About the Book:

These social worker bear shifters give the term "mama bear" a whole new meaning! Bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson is back with this brand-new paranormal romance series featuring a foster care system for at-risk shifter babies and teens.

Werebear shifter Annette Garsea is a caseworker for the Interspecies Placement Agency. When a selectively mute and freakishly strong teen werewolf is put in her custody, Annette has to uncover the young girl's secrets if she's to have any hopes of helping her. And not even the growling of a scruffy private investigator can distract her from her mission...

Bear shifter David Auberon appreciates Annette's work with at-risk teen shifters, but he's not sure if her latest charge is so much a vulnerable teen as a predator who should be locked up. All that changes when he, Annette, and her motley band of juveniles find themselves dodging multiple murder attempts and uncovering a trafficking cartel that doesn't just threaten the kids, but risks discovery of the shifters by the wider world of homo sapiens.

My Review:

Annette Garsea is a werebear shifter employed as a caseworker in the shifter foster care system. After Annette finds herself caring for super strong teenage werewolf who has decided to remain mute. The only way to save the girl is to unravel her secrets, and Annette hopes to do that before those who harmed the teen figure out a way to pull her back to them. When a private investigator finds himself in Annette's corner she has to find a way to prevent him from interfering or distracting her.

David Auberon is a bear shifter employed as a private investigator who gets involved in the case surrounding the selectively mute werewolf. He thinks the teen is full of rage and should be locked up. When Annette, the teen, and another of Annette's charges become embroiled in trafficking and find themselves the targets of murder attempts, David realizes something huge is at play.

Annette and David are compelling characters, imperfect yet strong and very protective of the kids and each other. The sparks fly between them but neither character is confident enough to believe the other would be interested. That was really the only drawback to the story. I would have liked Annette and David to have had higher self-esteem. Both are caring, capable, and excel at what they do yet don't feel like they are good enough for the other. Annette, David, and the secondary characters are witty and humorous but serious as appropriate. The characters are quirky and likable. 

The story was engaging, exciting, and full of suspense. I was on the edge of my seat, as the tension grew and the danger intensified. The interactions between Annette, David, and the two teens brought a little bit of levity to the seriousness of story. The undercurrent of romance adds another element to the book and the chemistry between Annette and David was off the charts but didn't overshadow the foster care and trafficking elements of the book. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I was provided a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating:

Book Review: Violet (Colors of Crime, Book #3) by Sophie Lark ~ #Mafia #Romance

Book Details:

Print Length: 219 pages

Publication Date: December 18, 2019

ASIN: B081819P9G

Amazon

About the Book:

He Knows Her Secret…

Violet Black is a talented singer and songwriter, but she’s barely scratching a living in London, working at a seedy club run by the Russian mafia.

Standing onstage, Violet locks eyes with a massive, brutal-looking Bratva. Anton Vasilev is second-in-command to the biggest boss in Paris. He’s intelligent, ruthless, and completely fixated on Violet.

He wants something from her, but Violet doesn’t know what. Until he abducts her from her bed in the middle of the night.

The Bratva have a plan for Violet. They know a secret about her… Something she doesn’t even know herself...

“Violet” is a dark mafia romance, full of danger, forbidden love, and bloody retribution. It’s Book 3 of the Colors of Crime series — a standalone novel, complete with HEA and no cliff hangers. Intended for mature readers who love steamy sex scenes, and men who will do anything to protect their women.

My Review:

Violet Black is a poor but aspiring singer, songwriter, and performer in some of the seedier locations in London. One evening during a gathering of the Russian mafia heads at the club she works for, Violet finds herself in the crosshairs of an older gentleman and his second-in-command. Violet is enthralled by the second-in-command who is introduced as Anton. As quickly as their connection sparks to life, the group is gone from the club. Anton doesn't leave Violet's mind, however.

When Violet goes to sleep one evening in her apartment but awakens on a boat with Anton in the middle of a channel, she knows the feelings she had about Anton are true. He want something from her or knows something about her. An effort to escape Anton fails and Violet finds herself standing face-to-face with one of the Bratva's powerful leaders.  

Violet is a darker installment of the Colors of Crime series by Sophie Lark. The introduction to the Russian mafia was a nice twist for the series. This is definitely as stand-alone story in the series, though we do get a glimpse of Violet's brother and sister. The chemistry between Violet and Anton is off the charts, believable, and evident from the first time they locked eyes. The situation involving the abduction and reasons thereof, as presented in the story, was too easily accepted by Violet, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. 

I love the characters. They are written well and are realistic. The suspense and twists in the story keep me on the edge of my seat. Lyrically, the author is a star. Her use of descriptive language, metaphors, and vivid imagery take this book to the next level. Violet hit all of positives for story, character development, world building, passion, and suspense. I look forward to getting my hands on the next book. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ Murder on Pleasant Avenue (Gaslight Mystery #23) by Victoria Thompson ~ @BerkleyMystery

Book Details:

Print Length: 332 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B07VP1NZH8
Amazon

About the Book:

When Gino Donatelli is accused of a brutal murder, beloved sleuths Sarah and Frank Malloy have to catch a killer who is out to destroy their innocent friend's life in the latest installment of the national bestselling Gaslight mysteries.

A victim is found, brutally murdered and the police are certain they've caught the killer. Their only suspect: Gino Donatelli.

Frank and Sarah know Gino is innocent but the police have a one-track mind. Once Frank struck it rich and left their ranks taking Gino with him, there has been a simmering resentment in the department. And now, someone has pulled out all the stops to make it look like Gino is the only one who could have committed the crime.

With the clock ticking and evidence mounting against their friend, Sarah and Frank will try to unravel a treacherous plot before Gino is sent up the river for good.

My Review:

Even though there are 23 books in this series, Murder on Pleasant Avenue is only the second one I've had the chance to read. I don't usually start a series from anywhere but the beginning because I don't like to miss out on world building and character development. I can say, however, that not having read the majority of the previous books didn't detract from the story. There were things referenced that were unfamiliar to me but in no way caused me to be confused or lack understanding of the current goings-on in the book.

I enjoyed the story and found the mystery behind the kidnapping of women and children, and the accusations made against Gino, to be interesting and full of twists and turns. I enjoyed  trying to figure out who the real culprit was as I read along, since it's clear Gino wasn't the murderer. The path taken to solve the murder is filled with interesting characters, hidden agendas, lies, deceit, and sadness. I was constantly on edge as Frank and Sarah Malloy investigated the Murder on Pleasant Avenue.

I fully plan to go back and start this series from the beginning. I enjoyed Murder on Pleasant Avenue and look forward to properly meeting Sarah, Frank, and the rest of the cast.

I was given a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book Review: Custom Baked Murder (Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, Book #5) by Liz Mugavero @Lizmugavero ~ #CozyMystery

Book Details:

Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication Date: October 1, 2017
ASIN: B01N2ZOENK

Amazon

About the Book:

In the New England town of Frog's Ledge, the Holiday Light Festival is a Christmas tradition. Killing Santa is not. To bring joy back to the season, organic pet patisserie owner Kristan "Stan" Connor will have to find another Santa before it's too late . . .

To the townspeople's delight, the annual lighting of the tree is a spectacular success. Unfortunately, Santa pulled up in his sleigh, DOA. At first Stan is sure it's Seamus, her boyfriend's uncle, inside the red suit. But the victim turns out to be an employee from the town's Christmas tree farm. Rumor has it the deceased was a mean drunk with a soft spot for feral cats. Stan has no idea why he was dressed as St. Nick--or why he's dead.

Meanwhile, Seamus, a jolly Irishman who comes to America every December to visit his pub-owner nephew, is nowhere to be found. Could he just be off on a Boston bar crawl? Or is something more sinister under the tree? Seamus was supposed to be dressing up and posing for pet pictures with Santa at the shop, but the dogs and cats might have to find another lap to curl up in if Stan doesn't solve two mysteries soon. Or murder might be the only thing under the mistletoe this holiday . . .

My Review:

It's Christmastime in Frog Ledge. The entire town is assembling for the lighting of the Christmas tree. Right before the event, Santa is found dead in his sleigh. The Santa in the sleigh isn't Seamus, Jake's uncle from Ireland, much to Stan's relief, but there are many questions about the man inside the costume. Now, Stan has to figure out who wanted Santa dead, and whether the murdered knew who was inside the costume or were they actually after Seamus, especially since Seamus is missing.

The twists and turns in Purring Around the Christmas Tree really kept me guessing, while trying to figure out what happened, who was responsible, and the motive. There are several people that fit the bill of murder suspect. Every time a suspect is identified, the author has written the case so well that you can't help but believe you've figured out who was behind the murder. She then pulls the rug out from under the reader who's left moving on to the next suspect. The perfect murder mystery, whether it's a cozy novel or not, is the author's ability to not give away any clues to the actual person involved. I find that Liz Mugavero does just that in all of the books in this series.

Book 6 is a wonderful addition to the Pawitively Organic Mystery series. Purring Around the Christmas Tree is fast paced and totally engages the reader. The plot is solid and very unique. I love the organic pet food angle and the animal rescue plugs, giving this series a nice change of pace. I'm a huge fan of cozy mysteries, especially if there are animals involved in some positive way. The Pawsitively Organic Mysteries by Liz Mugavero are wonderful and definitely a favorite of mine.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating:

Book Review: Harsh Line (Cataclysm, Book 1) by Ann Gimpel ~ #UF @AnnGimpel

Book Details:

Print Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Ann Gimpel Books, LLC
Publication Date: April 13, 2020
ASIN: B083LFLPW6

About the Book:

My very existence is under attack. I’ve kept a low profile, told myself the craziness sweeping the world would pass me by. Yeah, it was wishful thinking, actually an outright lie, but it’s kept me sane.

I’ve been hiding out forever in one guise or another. Currently, I run a nightclub. Ascent is an “ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies” haven. For everybody. I’m a Vampire. Far be it from me to judge.

My closest ally is a shapeshifting dire wolf. I adopted him when he was a scrawny puppy, but I’m getting ahead of my tale.

The fragile détente between supernaturals and humans has crashed and burned. I can’t avoid the truth any longer. Lucky for me, mortals don’t know exactly what I am. When I moved to Seattle, some vampiric sixth sense urged me to play my cards close to my vest, but I’m done burying my secrets.

And my power.

It’s past time for supernaturals to get over their stupid infighting. Meh. So what if Witches hate Druids? Or Fae never deal with Sorcerers? We have to pull together, or we’ll have no chance at all.

Not that it’s likely, but if any mortals see the light and sign up for our side, we’d damn well better welcome them.

I’m Ariana Hawke. No more skulking in the shadows for me.

My Review:

Harsh Line is the first book in Ann Gimpel's Cataclysm series. Ariana Hawke is an ancient vampire who has managed to blend into a human world that would like nothing more than to see all supernatural creatures be eradicated. She runs Ascent, a nightclub that caters to everyone and employs the very creatures the humans who patronize the club want put to their eternal deaths. Ariana's sidekick is Conan, a mysterious dire wolf she rescued as a pup and nurtured, contrary to a vampire's nature. Ariana and Conan unlikely companions who have ever other's backs - Always! But they both harbor secrets; secrets that may cause their ultimate demise.

Harsh Line is a wonderful book that has author, Ann Gimpel, creating vampires on the side of good,when her vampires are generally on the opposing side. I loved Ariana and Conan's characters. An unlikely pair, their bond is strong and the trust they have for one another runs deep. Her ability to run a club that employs other supernatural creatures that tend avoid vampires at all cost prove her leadership ability. Ariana is not a typical vampire, a fact a newly arrived vampire, Nickolas, discovers after meeting her.

All of the characters are strong and multi-dimensional. Ariana's character is strong but we learn a lot about her past and what makes her tick. We don't get a lot out of Conan's past at the beginning, however, as the book progresses, he character unwillingly opens up and we find out more about him. The world building creates a sense of belonging at Ascend. I felt like I was in the story, hearing the words, visualizing the scenes, feeling the emotions.

I look forward to the next book.

I requested and was provided a copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ A Case for the Yarn Maker (Ainsley McGregor, Book 2) by Candace Havens ~ #CozyMystery ~ @CandaceHavens

A Case for the Yarn Maker 

Ainsley McGregor, Book 2 

by Candace Havens 

Genre: Cozy Mystery

About the Book:

Spin a yarn…at your own risk.

Everyone at Bless Your Art in Sweet River, Texas, is excited about the Yarn Goddess (yes, that’s her real name) coming to town. Ainsley McGregor has set up a special event at the local community center, but when old Mrs. Whedon doesn’t see eye-to-eye with the Goddess about using quality yarn, a fight breaks out. Who knew the octogenarian had ninja moves like that?

It’s all fun and games until George Clooney, Ainsley’s Great Dane, finds Ms. Yarn’s dead body in a booth at Bless Your Art. Now the prime suspect is Mrs. Whedon, and while she’s not the easiest woman to get along with, there’s no way she’s the killer. At least, Ainsley doesn’t think so. As this yarn unravels, Ainsley and her quirky friends learn some interesting things about the case and the Goddess’s checkered past. But there’s a killer on the loose, and George may be the only thing protecting Ainsley from certain death. 

Add to Goodreads

Amazon

My Review:

A Case for the Yarn Maker is the second book in the Ainsley McGregor series by Candace Havens.  Ainsley finds herself opening up Bless Your Art to a very famous knitting and yarn expert, Yarn Goddess. Hoping to bring more customers to the shop and widen her exposure, Ainsley wonders if bringing in Yarn Goddess was a good idea. A diva to the highest degree, everything has to be perfect and exactly so for Yarn Goddess. When she comes up against Mrs. Whedon after her book signing, but just before the demonstrations at the Community Center, Ainsley braces for an explosion of epic proportions. What she doesn't expect is for George Clooney to find Yarn Goddess dead inside Bless Your Art after she's a no-show at the Community Center. 

Mrs. Whedon is implicated in the death of Yarn Goddess. Having been involved in a public confrontation with the deceased swayed the police in that direction. Ainsley knows Mrs. Whedon is innocent and something more sinister is afoot. In order to protect and exonerate Mrs. Whedon, Ainsley starts asking around and delving into the Yarn Goddess's family and empire. It would seem those closest to Yarn Goddess have the highest amounts of motive and opportunity. Now, Ainsley just has to convince her brother and stay a couple steps ahead of the murderer.

The mystery was set up and executed well. I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it an why. I will admit that I had a good idea who the murderer was in A Case for the Yarn Maker. Thinking I knew who did it, and ultimately being correct, did not detract from this mystery in any way. In fact, it amplified the suspense and nail-biting action of certain scenes, decisions, and the ultimate showdown.

 Ainsley is a wonderful character with business know-how and impeccable customer service skills. Her brother, Greg, is the local sheriff, and he tries to keep her from interfering with the case but with  his sights only set on Ainsley's friend, she knows she can't sit on the sidelines. Jake is a firefighter, friend of Greg's, and Ainsley's closest neighbor. Together, the three of them along with Ainsley's friends, make up a great cast of characters.

This books was an enjoyable, fast read that keep me engaged. I loved the setting: an artisan market, the characters were wonderful, realistic, and relatable. The world building allowed me to visualize the scenes and I felt like I was there with the characters as they lead their normal, everyday lives. I love the little hints of romance threaded through the book. There were a few hints in book 1 but the volume increased in book 2. I like the direction the author is taking Ainsley, as a business owner, small-town citizen, and in her love life. I couldn't put the book down.

I was provided a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ A Case for the Winemaker (Ainsley McGregor, Book 1) by Candace Havens ~ #CozyMystery ~ @CandaceHavens

A Case for the Winemaker 

Ainsley McGregor Book 1 

by Candace Havens 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

About the Book:

The closer she gets to the truth, the more she finds herself drowning in trouble.

It’s an exciting time in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town's talking. Maybe, a little too much. Former English professor Ainsley McGregor has gambled everything on her new business: Bless Your Art, an artisan market where local artists sell their wares and teach classes.

The bright, white space is filled to the brim with colorful art, yarn, jewelry, pet treats, antiques and even a few medieval weapons. Oh, and there are wine tastings. Everything's better with wine. Ainsley is surprised by how well things are going–right up until the moment her Great Dane finds a dead body. With her friend accused of the murder, it’s up to Ainsley to find the real killer.

As the suspect list grows longer, Ainsley has her work cut out for her. The task is made more difficult by the fact her brother, the sheriff, doesn’t seem to want her help. If she doesn’t wrap up the case soon, she might be the next wine, um, one to die. 

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Amazon 

My Review:

A Case for the Winemaker is the first book in the Ainsley McGregor series by Candace Havens. Ainsley McGregor opened up a cooperative store called Bless Your Art where she rents spaces to local artisans. This concept is what drew me to the book. Back in the early 2000s, my mom and I were serious crafters and we rented a medium sized space in what the owners named "The Antique and Craft Mall." We would have been lucky to have worked with anyone as nice and friendly as Ainsley. We rarely saw the owners of the business and it didn't seem as though they were as serious about making the craft mall work. Their lack of enthusiasm is probably why I received a frantic phone call from their front desk person one morning telling me they were closing and I had to get in a get our stuff by the end of the day. Bummer. It was fun having an outlet for our products. Hopefully nothing like this happens to the fictional shop created by the author.

When Ainsley's dog, George Clooney, finds a body outside near the shop, one of Ainsley's friends in implicated in the death. Having been seen publicly arguing with the deceased tends to sway the detectives in that direction. Ainsley knows her friend is innocent and something more sinister is afoot.  The mystery was set up and executed well and I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it an why.

Ainsley is a wonderful character with business know-how and impeccable customer service skills. Her brother, Greg, is the local sheriff, and he tries to keep her from interfering with the case but with  his sights only set on Ainsley's friend, she knows she can't sit on the sidelines. Jake is a firefighter, friend of Greg's, and Ainsley's closest neighbor. Together, the three of them along with Ainsley's friends, make up a great cast of characters.

This books was an enjoyable, fast read that keep me engaged. I loved the setting: an artisan market, the characters were wonderful, realistic, and relatable. The world building allowed me to visualize the scenes and I felt like I was there with the characters as they lead their normal, everyday lives. I couldn't put the book down.

I was provided a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ Circle in the Sand (Oceanic Dreams, Book #3) by Tracy Krimmer ~ #RomCom #Romance @tkrimms

Book Details:

Print Length: 125 pages

Publication Date: June 17, 2019

Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC

Amazon

About the Book:

Follow the rules. Be reliable. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve.

Living by these words didn’t put librarian Isla Hunter any closer to the life she imagined at thirty. With her birthday in only a few days, she can’t wait to sail away on a week in the sun with her friends Asher and Charlotte. It may be just what she needs.

When an attractive woman takes a liking to Asher, Isla’s heart feels threatened in an unfamiliar way. She’s used to Asher flipping through women like a playbook without a second thought, but this time it’s different. As she tries to sort out her emotions, she struggles with Asher’s connection with this woman. Is it time for Isla to finally break the rules or will that only lead her in hot water? 

My Review:

Circle in the Sand is the third book in the Oceanic Dreams series featuring romantic comedy novellas from a wide variety of authors. With a cruise ship setting, our romantic couples have a perfect atmosphere to find love.

Isla Hunter's 30th birthday is coming up and what better way to celebrate than to take a cruise with her besties, Asher and Charlotte. When it's time to get packing for the trip, Charlotte bows out, leaving just Isla and Asher on a ship for a week. Isla knows that Asher is a ladies' man but when he's approached on the ship by yet another attractive woman, Isla can't handle it. Only - she doesn't know why. Isla's jealousy of Helena takes a front seat in parts of the story and leads Isla into actions her rule-following life would never have allowed for before. 

I enjoyed how the author developed the characters, the story, and the romance. I enjoyed the friends-to-lovers trope with this book. The author did a great job bring the reader onto a cruise ship. I've been on a couple cruises and it was fun to reminisce about my times onboard and the fun I had (not in the romcom style of this series, though). I was able to visualize the story, the characters, and the ship. 

If you are looking for a quick and fun read, Circle in the Sand is just the novella for you!

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

This review will also be post on other outlets.

My Rating: