Killer Insight by Victoria Laurie

Killer Insight by Victoria Laurie

My Rating: 9 *'s

Description: A wedding goes awry --- and Abby tunes in to her own reception...

A wedding retreat in Colorado finds Abby Cooper tending a broken heart and taking a mental break, but psychic intuition isn't the sort of thing you can leave at home...

DIED TO MATCH

When her relationship with FBI agent Dutch Rivers skids to a halt, Abby Cooper is fully aware that a wedding isn't the best post-breakup scenario. But when a friend from the Mile High City finds herself short one bridesmaid, it doesn't take a professional psychic to see the opportunity for a much-needed getaway.

High altitudes can be healing, and Abby reunites with friends --- especially her childhood crush Duffy McGinnis, now town sheriff ... not to mention tall, dark, and yummy. But Abby needs more than a shoulder to cry on. One bridesmaid after another is mysteriously flying the coop, and Abby's intuition tells her their final destinations aren't pretty.

With the wedding party falling apart and her gift of sight never quite so foggy, Abby has to save the date --- and herself from becoming the next taffeta-clad target...

My Thoughts: I think this one is my favorite so far of the series. Many new characters from Abby's childhood make an appearance and I enjoyed seeing the chemistry between Abby and Duffy. The killer's identity wasn't obvious to me as much as the other books or established early on. I enjoyed how the author weaves multiple plots around Abby to keep things interesting and shrouded in mystery. Overall, I really enjoy this series and recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy mystery with interesting characters and stories.

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

My Rating: 10 *'s

Description: While recovering from an ill-timed makeup mishap, Lula is a witness to celebrity chef, Stanley Chipotle, losing his head - literally. Now Lula and Stephanie are on the hunt to identify the killers before Lula is next on the chopping block.

Meantime, Ranger's recruited Stephanie's help for a top secret mission. Someone on the inside at Rangeman is leaking client information, determined to bring the company down. No one is above suspicion, not even Ranger's right hand man, Tank.

Can Stephanie hunt down a killer, a traitor, five skips and keep Grandma out of the sauce?

It's the sexiest, scariest, most fun Plum yet. So good you'll want seconds.

My Thoughts: The wackiness and hilarity abound when Stephanie finds herself on the outs with Morelli, back working close, very close, with Ranger and saving Lula from being murdered by the same goons who killed Stanley Chipotle.

One of the main things I love about this series is that no matter how bizarre and off the wall each story is, I thoroughly enjoy each one. I savor every moment, wondering how many cars Stephanie will go through, how many times Grandma will pull out her .44 and shoot something or someone, how many times Ranger says "Babe" the way only Ranger can, how many times Bob the Dog takes a dump on someone's lawn, or how many times Morelli calls Stephanie "Cupcake."

If I were a petty person, I could hate Stephanie. A lot. Here's a woman who appears to have it all ... a fun job that she pretty much sets her own hours and which brings levels of excitement left to the imagination; not one, but TWO gorgeous and successful men lusting after her, all the home cooked meals she can eat but doesn't have to cook. She manages to land on her feet regardless of who is trying to kill her or who she is trying to bring in and having yet another one of Ranger's cars get blown up doesn't seem to deter her either. Yeah, I could hate her, but I can't. I admire her strength, her spunk and feisty attitude.

A Vision Of Murder by Victoria Laurie

A Vision Of Murder by Victoria Laurie

My Rating: 9 *'s

Description: If these walls could talk...

Professional psychic Abby Cooper is planning to fix up an old house and make a killing in the real estate market --- until she encounters a killing of another kind...

THIS OLD HAUNTED HOUSE...

When Abby gets roped into investing in a fixer-upper, she has no idea she'll go from real estate mogul to real-life ghostbuster. After the deal is closed, phantom inhabitants of the house replay a violent night from long ago that ended in the murder of a beautiful blonde. The only way to evict the house's spectral tenants --- and save Abby's handyman from flying drills --- is to uncover the dead woman's identity and solve her murder.

Aided by her boyfriend, sexy FBI agent Dutch Rivers, Abby discovers the key to the puzzle is a hidden treasure lost since World War II. Unfortunately, Abby's not the only one intent on finding it. As she gets closer to the truth, a madman shadows her every move. Now a race is on to find the treasure and solve the mystery --- and only the winner will survive....

My Thoughts: I'm really enjoying this series and especially like the premise of a psychic and her FBI agent boyfriend. I find Abby to be a very likable character though in this book, she uses a lot of bad judgment and little common sense and finds herself in several risky and dangerous situations while she is engaged in discovering the source of the spooky incidents that have been occurring at the investment property that Abby bought into with her sister, Cat and handyman, Dave.

Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon

My Rating: 10 *'s

Description: A stunning and suspenseful new landscape emerges in the thrilling Dark-Hunter world—a world where nothing will ever be the same again. . .

Fang Kattalakis isn't just a wolf. He is the brother of two of the most powerful members of the Omegrion: the ruling council that enforces the laws of the Were-Hunters. And when war erupts among the lycanthropes, sides must be chosen. Enemies are forced into shaky alliances. And when the woman Fang loves is accused of betraying her people, her only hope is that Fang believes in her. Yet in order to save her, Fang must break the law of his people and the faith of his brothers. That breech could very well spell the end of both their races and change their world forever.

The war is on and time is running out...

My Thoughts: Yeah, Dark-Hunters, gotta love 'em! But lovin me some Wolves even more! Woof... Vane has been my favorite throughout the entire series (sorry Ash), but Fang is right up there in the number 2 spot with Fury right behind him. With Bad Moon Rising, Sherrilyn Kenyon takes us back to the past where we get a bird's eye view of Vane's pack and his brother, Fang. Who knew when I read Vane's story that a true gem existed beneath the surface of Fang's persona?

Throw into the mix the Peltier Bears and you are in for one fast paced and intense ride. As always, it was great to reunite with the regulars and bittersweet to see some others. Very curious about some of the new characters, such as Thorn. Definitely a story there and I still am hopeful that we will get to know Savitar better and see his story.

Charmed & Dangerous by Candace Havens

Charmed & Dangerous by Candace Havens

My Rating: 9 *'s

Description: Being a witch can really put a jinx on your love life....

Monday, 11 P.M.
Sweet Texas
Spells: 2
Dead guys: 0
Cute guys I want to sleep with: 1

I know my purpose: To rid the world of evil, one bad guy at a time.

When I turned twenty I took the oath to protect, and for the last five years I've kept that promise. Currently, I've got a gig as a kind of one-witch secret service to the British Prime Minister --- using a combination of potions, spells, explosions, mind-reading, and general butt-kicking skills. I've saved him from so many assassins we've quit counting. Umm, did I mention explosions? Yeah, well, we all have our talents, and mine's combustion.

After that recent incident when those stupid warlocks tried to sacrifice me, I decided I'm going to write everything down. That way if some creep knocks me off, someone will know what happened. But hoefully this diary won't be all about maiming and killing. I'd like to write some sexy bits, too. Especially about Dr. Sam, who's smart, funny, adorable, everything I'd want in a man --- except he's a warlock. Sorry, that's a big no-no in Bronwyn's book of dating material. I might as well face it: Witches don't do so well in the boyfriend department. Somehow, men find me a tad intimidating. I can't imagine why...

My Thoughts: The description of this book doesn't give justice to how entertaining this story turned out to be. This is the first book in a series about a high witch who has taken an oath to use her powers to protect the innocent and rid the world of evil. But that doesn't even scratch the surface. Bronwyn has a feisty spirit who finds herself literally in the middle between two men who both want her, one is a Warlock who she knows she shouldn't have feelings for but does and the other is an Arab Sheik who she is hired to protect and doesn't believe in mixing business with pleasure. As if that weren't enough, she is trying to figure out who is trying to kill her and they definitely aren't messing around.

Included in the story is a cast of supporting characters that are written so realistically that I found myself drawn into the story and able to relate to these people.

If you are looking for a paranormal romance series that delivers spunky and feisty characters, witty dialogue, great magical battles and romance, then look no further!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

My Rating: 9 *'s

Description: Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will eagerly devour Eclipse, the much anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob --- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

My Thought: So far, Eclipse is my favorite of the Twilight series. I did think Bella was a bit indecisive, which I found annoying at times. Looking forward to where the series will take me next.

My Life Uncovered by Lynn Isenberg

My Life Uncovered by Lynn Isenberg

My Rating: 8 *'s

Description: UNRAVELED, REVEALED... BARED

PROD.: My Life Uncovered

SCENE:
Laura Taylor thought she had a done deal with a Hollywood producer. Turns out the only deal her agent closed was his own disappearing act. (Rumor has it he's in rehab somewhere in North Dakota.) But a chance encounter with a "guy who knows a guy" opens up a world of opportunities for Laura and gives her a chance to break into films -- adult films. (Someone actually writes those things?) Hey, a job's a job, and no one has to know about it. She'll write under a pseudonym. And it'll only be this one time....

Pretty soon, Laura's new career takes off and she finds herself leading a double life: pitching her legitimate screenplay in one part of town while playing the belle of the ball in another. Sure, she's always wanted the awards, the success, the attention, but it isn't exactly something she can write home about, and for once she's trying NOT to get noticed. After all, if her worlds collide, her future in Hollywood could get an X rating.

MY LIFE UNCOVERED is a Hollywood insider's deliciously witty account of the real-life, heartbreaking, dream-inspiring world of filmmaking.

My Thoughts: Definitely not what I was expecting and I was surprised in a good way. Here is a character that brings together the adult entertainment industry with self discovery, while trying to find success and acceptance as a screenwriter among the Hollywood sharks. I found it very interesting that our heroine protagonist finds that success and acceptance first and foremost in the adult entertainment world. I enjoyed watching Laura balance both sides of her life and the reactions of those around her when they discovered the genre of the films she is writing.

Along the way, Laura discovers a lot about herself and the relationships she has with her colleagues, family, friends and lovers, both past and present. I found the story to be realistic and was able to empathize with Laura as she tried to acclimate herself to the kind of writing and filmmaking she least expected to take on, much less excel at.