** Book Review- Crimson Duet by Patricia Rosemoor

   

Mystery & Thrillers, Romance

Description

Someone killed Santa...twice!

In Crimson Holiday...
Passed out after the Westbrook Department Store Christmas party, window designer Shelby Corbin wakens only to trip over Santa, the store's co-owner and Shelby's boss. Terrified that she will be blamed for the murder, she panics. CEO Rand McNabb sees a dark-haired woman wearing a crimson dress fleeing the scene and thinks he knows her identity. His romantic attentions both thrill her and frighten Shelby. Is the sexy CEO really helping her search for the truth about that fatal night, or does Rand have a deadlier motive for courting her?

In Crimson Nightmare...
After the last Westbrook Department Store Christmas party, Pippa McNabb's cheating husband was murdered wearing a Santa suit. A new year, a new Christmas party, a new dead Santa – this time, after having a bad reaction to an appetizer Pippa gives him, he lurches from the store out onto the street only to be run down by eight tiny reindeer. Pippa is suspect, but so is naturalist Sky Thornton, who was driving the sleigh. Sky seems intent on helping Pippa, but he seems to know too much about her. Is he really trying to clear her name, or is he trying to frame her for the murder?  

AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

 Crimson Holiday starts out with a bang.  Or would it be more accurate to say a murder?  It's a well written mystery and romance as well.  Shelby spends a lot of her time in a panic.  But it's also pretty easy to see why.  That panic often causes her to make a few bad decisions though.   Still both Shelby and Rand are good main characters. 

There is a lot of twists and turns to the mystery but there is a HUGE double whammy towards the end.  H.E.A. though is a nice touch too.

Book 2- Crimson Nightmare- follows the sister Pippa who was in the first book as Rand's sister.   Another good mystery with plenty of possible suspects. I have to say that I liked Pippa but I wasn't so sure about Sky for a long time. He just had too many secrets of his own.  

Turns out this story also had excellent twists and turns until the real murderer was revealed.  Making for an excellent ending. 

Overall, I'd say this was a good 2 stories in one book. The first story I liked a bit more than the second. 

 

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And this is my honest opinions about it.”

** Book Review- 19 Yellow Moon Road (Sisterhood Book 33) by Fern Michaels

 

 General Fiction (Adult) , Mystery & Thrillers, Women's Fiction

Description

In a thrilling story of friendship, adventure, and vigilante justice from the legendary bestseller Fern Michaels, The Sisterhood reunites to investigate The Haven, a suspicious spiritual organization that's more dangerous cult than caring commune... 
 
 

The Sisterhood: a group of women from all walks of life bound by friendship and years of adventure. Armed with vast resources, top-notch expertise, and a loyal network of allies around the globe, the Sisterhood will not rest until every wrong is made right.
 
Maggie Spritzer’s nose for a story doesn’t just make her a top-notch newspaper editor, it also tells her when to go the extra mile for a friend. When she gets a strange message from her journalism pal, Gabby Richardson, Maggie knows her services are needed. Gabby has become involved with The Haven, a commune that promises to guide its members toward a more spiritually fulfilling life. But Gabby’s enthusiasm has turned to distrust ever since she was refused permission to leave the compound to visit her sick mother.
 
Maggie wants to learn more about The Haven, and the Sisterhood is eager to help. It turns out The Haven’s founders are the sons of a disgraced Chicago businessmen in prison for running a Ponzi scheme. They also have connections to a Miami billionaire with dubious sidelines. Soon, the Sisterhood gang embark on a search—and uncover a web of crime that runs deeper and higher than they ever imagined. And they’ll need all their special skills to bring it down…

AMAZON LINK 

4 Stars 

A good story but..  I really didn't enjoy the going back and forth time-wise early in the story.  It was done in a way that I am NOT a fan of.  But thank God, that part finally came to an end and I ended up with the story all in the current time.  I know that the past was necessary though for some of the foundation having to do with the twins and others. Things really took off though when it came to the current events.  

Gabby does have the main focus in the story of course being a friend of Maggie's.  And Maggie is loyal to a fault.   Rachel  is another woman who shows up as a person of interest later in the story.

The perfume, "Miss Dior", shows up at a few kind of eerie times.  It was mentioned that maybe it was a sign that they were on the right track.

This story as good as it was still felt a bit different than some of the other stories in the series.  Maybe just not as intense?  

The title totally fits this book and I like how that comes out towards the end.  And the ending was good as well.  Everything is taken care of with justice served a tamer "Sisterhood" style.  

  

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And this is my honest opinions about it.”

***Book Review- Delta Force Daddy (Red, White and Built: Pumped Up 2) by Carol Ericson

 

 A wounded soldier battles for total recall.

But can he trust his elusive memories?

Amnesia has robbed Asher Knight of his memories of a fatal mission. Now he doesn't recognize Paige Sterling, the woman who claims to be his fiancée. Does the Delta Force lieutenant have PTSD-or something more sinister? On the run, he must rely on Paige to dodge unknown assassins and help him regain his memory…but is the secret she keeps from him even more shocking?

AMAZON LINK 

 5 STARS

What a great story this turned out to be. Starts out strong and just keeps going.  Unpredictable all the way.  

 Even though I think this was the first book in this series that I've read, it was easy to keep up. 

Asher and Paige hooked me in pretty easily when it came to the both of them. Strong characters even with their flaws.  And Paige had a bit more than I expected; what a surprise that was. 

Now of course, I want to read the next book,"Delta Force Die Hard (Red, White and Built: Pumped Up Book 3)".  It has me also wondering if this book will bring the answer to one question that wasn't answered yet in this book.  What happened to or is happening to Asher's commanding officer?  Major Rex Denver is still missing.  Can it be proved that he is NOT a traitor? Either while he's still alive or will it be posthumously.

I read this through the HOOPLA (Library app).

*** Book Review- The Countess (The Madison Sisters Book 1) by Lynsay Sands

   

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynsay Sands trades in highland kilts for lush ballrooms and high-waisted gowns in The Countess, the first in a brand new, sexy, laugh-out-loud funny Regency romance series. Fans of Julie Garwood, Jill Barnett, and Teresa Medeiros will adore The Countess, and sympathize with her hilarious attempts to cover up the untimely demise of her despicable husband, even as the late earl's twin brother sets her heart aflutter. The much-adored creator of the popular Argeneau vampire family paranormal romance novels, the incomparable Lynsay is equally adept at historical romance-as this wonderful Regency romp so emphatically demonstrates!

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS

 

I ended up really enjoying this story a lot !  At first, I wasn't sure I was going to but it didn't take long to get drawn into the dangerous comedy of errors.  And the developing romances.

The plot is actually pretty good with Richard being so much better than his twin, George.  But what a time he has proving who he really is and that he is a good guy.  And it's going to take a whole lot of convincing before Christina will believe it! Although she is shocked by how attracted she is to her "husband" Dicky.  That we find out later is a nickname that the real Richard HATED.

Daniel is former best friend comes to the conclusion much faster than anyone because of course he knew both of them.  And he knew George was an out and out selfish rotter.  Daniel is an interesting character who adds a lot to the story.  But so does Robert, who has been a lifelong friend of Christina and her sisters. 

Speaking of sisters, there is Suzette who is a independent, firecracker of a woman.  Then there is Lisa who is the optimistic, romantic of the group.

The next story is "The Heiress" and I'm interested in it because it has to do with the second sister, Suzette. 

Book 3 carries on into Lisa's story, "The Husband Hunt".  I'm going to read them both.  I just hope they are as good as this first one.

I read this story through the HOOPLA Library app.

* Book Review- Announcing Miss Theodosia (Once a Wallflower Book 3) by Maggi Andersen

   

 Historical Fiction, Romance

Description

Take an independent miss, a gentleman intent on changing her mind, a dangerous foe, and stir in a whirlwind romance.

Theodosia Tothill attends her first Season with the conviction that all men control their wives. Even her brother’s wife, who used to have opinions, is now intent on filling his nursery and talks of nothing but babies.

Inspired by her poet aunt, Thea intends to remain unmarried while pursuing her dream to write for newspapers. But her father, wary of her restlessness which has exhausted nannies, governesses and run her parents ragged over the years, is just as determined to see her safely married to a good man.

At her first ball, Thea puts her plan into action. While avoiding a gentleman intent on dancing with her, she escapes onto the terrace. Forced to retreat into the garden, she overhears a frightening conversation through the open window in the room above her. A man comes to the window and peers out.

Tackled from behind, she rolls into the shadows, to be held by a strong male body and a voice in her head which urges her to be quiet.

Thea embarks on a dangerous adventure with Lord Ashton Grainger, who she considers controlling and annoyingly inscrutable, but oh, so attractive. And her father, furious at discovering her intention to avoid suitors, becomes more determined to marry her off. He has chosen the man Thea and Ash overheard coldly planning another man’s death. Rather than reveal all to her father, who would send her back to the country, Thea avoids the gentleman intending to work with Grainger to uncover what lies behind the murderous plot. But annoyingly, Grainger refuses to indulge her.

Ash has his own concerns. He dances with debutantes at balls merely to humor his grandfather, the Earl of Highworth, who is keen to see him wed before he dies. After the family suffered a terrible tragedy, his grandfather has become a virtual recluse. With the belief the earl has years left on the earth before he needs to marry, Ash intends to continue his bachelor existence. Until he receives disturbing news which forces him to make a snap decision that will affect both his and Thea’s lives. He comes to realize it was something he wanted all along. But does Thea think the same?

When the murderous foe widens his net to include an innocent child and Thea in his sights, Ash must take matters into his own hands. 

AMAZON LINK 

 3.5 stars

 When Ash and Thea first meet it's in an amusing way.  Both Ash and Thea were both lovely main characters.  And the description of the world around them was well done.  The whole story was well written.  It has a main villain which adds dangers to the story.
The story does have a good ending and does have a H.E.A. and Epilogue.
Although I liked the story, it wasn't one that really grabbed me.  I wish it had.

 
" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And this is my honest opinions about it.”

**Book Review- Settling an Old Score (Longview Ridge Ranch Book 3) by Delores Fossen

  

From USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen, comes the next instalment of the Longview Ridge Ranch series featuring no-nonsense cowboy brothers in law enforcement.

A past tragedy destroyed their love. A vulnerable newborn brings them back together.

Within moments of discovering a baby on his doorstep, Texas Ranger Eli Slater finds himself being held at gunpoint by his ex, Ashlyn Darrow. She claims she was tipped off that the still-gorgeous cowboy kidnapped her newly adopted daughter because of the bad blood that defines their past. They quickly realize Eli’s been set up and now Eli is determined to protect Ashlyn and her daughter. But regaining her trust will be as easy as ignoring the attraction even a lifetime apart can’t erase…AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

Great story with plenty of hold-your-breath moments.   And that starts right off the bat in the opening minutes of the first chapter.  It turns out that there are plenty of people to choose from that are fighting against Eli and Ashlyn. Finding out the who and the motives along with intense action keeps this story hopping.

I usually like a little bit more romance in a story but there is some.  Also plenty of regrets on both of the main characters part.  But it didn't overwhelm the story which I liked.  There is also some tenderness while they were busy dodging bullets.

Overall a pretty good story that kept me involved to the very end.

 I read this book through the Hoopla app. 

Amazon didn't allow me to leave a review.  Made me scratch my head.   They just WEREN'T allowing any more review.

**Book Review- Shadow Storm (A Shadow Riders Novel Book 6) by Christine Feehan

    

A long-simmering feud between two families comes to a head in this gripping novel in Christine Feehan's New York Times bestselling Shadow Riders series.
 
As the youngest member of the Ferraro family, Emmanuelle has watched each of her brothers find happiness in love while her own heart was shattered by a lover’s betrayal. For two years she’s stayed as far away from Valentino Saldi as possible—until she learns that he’s been shot during a hostile takeover of his family’s territory.
 
Emme’s first instinct is to call her brother Stefano for help, and soon the entire Ferraro clan arrives to bring Val back from the brink of death and protect the Saldis from further attack. With one choice Emme has re-exposed herself to Val’s intoxicating pull and dragged her family into the Saldis’ private war.
  A deadly storm is brewing, and only time will tell who survives… 

AMAZON LINK 

 

This one was a bit tough to figure out in the beginning because this was the first time I was reading this series.  The thing about Shadow Riders threw me at first but didn't really take too long to get the hang of it. 

I found this story hard to rate because of the different elements. I found this story hard to rate because of the different elements. Some I liked others not so much.

This book was well written but yes it does have violence in it of course. There is also romance but also a LOT of detailed sex.   Although well written after a while I just started skimming through that part.

The world building was excellent as was the information on both the  Ferraro and Saldis families. Emme had a HUGE family. Someone else who played a big part was Val's cousin and trusted friend, Dario.  One of Emme's closest friends was, Elie and he has a story that needs to be told.  We did get a quick peek into his life though. 

  On another note if I had realized there was human-trafficking in the story I might not have picked it to read. Yes, I know it's happening but still...

 There are plenty of twists and turns to the story.  It does come to an interesting end. 

Who will be next in the stories, Elie or Dario? I'm  guessing it's Elie and the woman he rejected and regretted ever since.

 I read this book through Libby, the Library program.