Sunday, April 02, 2017

New Additions To The TBR Pile In March

Title: A Wedding In Italy by Tilly Tennant
Description: Sun, spaghetti and sparkling prosecco. When it comes to looking for love, there’s no place like Rome – but once Kate’s found her man, can she keep him?

Kate is living the dream with her gorgeous boyfriend Alessandro in his native city, but the reality is sometimes a little less romantic than she’d hoped. Every day in her new home is a fight against leaking pipes, her cantankerous landlord and her less-than-perfect grasp of the Italian lingo.

All around her there is talk of weddings, but when a secret from her past is thrust out into the open, Kate must fight to prove to Alessandro’s Mamma – and the rest of his formidable family – that she truly is Italian marriage material.

With the women in Alessandro’s life on a mission to break them apart, the cracks begin to show and Kate starts to question if Alessandro really is the man of her dreams. Can love and the city of romance conquer all, or is that just a fairy-tale?


Title: Blackbird Fly by Lise McClendon
Description: Behind the golden stone walls of a village in southwest France, American Merle Bennett finds solace from her grief while renovating her late husband's ancestral home. But things don't go as planned.

Soon any calm she feels in her French summer is overshadowed by secrets from the past. A crumbling house, a deranged squatter, unfriendly and violent villagers, a surprise in the garden house -- it makes a girl almost wish for the sleepy suburbs. But Merle can't go home until all is resolved, one way or another.


Title: Confessions Of A Reformed Tom Cat by Daisy Prescott
Description: I, Thomas Clifford Donnely, am a manwhore.

I’ve been told I’m irresistible to women. Like catnip for a different type of pussy-cat. I guess you could call me a Tom Cat.

This is the story about how I lost my wingman, broke all my own rules, and found myself falling in love.

Tom Donnelly isn't the marrying kind, or the dating kind. Even after losing his #1 wingman to love, he doesn't see the point in relationships. When his sister's best friend returns to Whidbey Island and propositions Donnelly for a one-night stand, he breaks one of his biggest rules—no fooling around with his sisters' friends. It's just sex, nothing more. That's what Tom does and does well.

What happens when "just sex" isn't enough?

Hailey King is more than a match for Tom's flirtations. She's known him most of her life and has heard the rumors about his "skills" for years. When her perfectly planned future falls apart, will the last man she should ever fall for turn out to be more than a one-night stand


Title: Dial P For Poison by Zara Keane
Description: Movies. Muffins. Murder.

Maggie Doyle moved to Ireland to escape her cheating ex and crumbling career in the San Francisco PD. When the most hated woman on Whisper Island is poisoned at her aunt’s Movie Theater Café, Maggie and her rock-hard muffins are hurled into the investigation.

With the help of her UFO-enthusiast friend, a nun, and a feral puppy, Maggie is determined to clear her aunt’s name. Can she catch the murderer before they strike again? Or will her terrible baking skills burn down the café first?


Title: Don’t Stop Me Now by Colleen Coleman
Description: A hilarious feel good read about finding your feet when life pulls the rug out from under you.

Poppy Bloom has a Life Plan: PhD in psychology, research job at her university, and a life of domestic bliss with handsome boyfriend Gregory.

But then she finishes her PhD with no job offer, no relationship, and nowhere to live. Being unemployed and living back at her mum’s house in her vampire-themed childhood bedroom was definitely not the plan.

Poppy is back to square one and miserable, so when she runs into childhood friend Leanne she jumps at the opportunity to catch up. The chance to run into Leanne’s gorgeous brother Tom is just a bonus…

Soon Poppy’s scored an internship at a radio station, a boyfriend, and a whole netball team of friends: things are on the up.

But life has a way of tripping you up when you least expect it, and Poppy soon has to decide where her priorities lie… With new friends, a new career and a new romance, can Poppy keep everyone happy, or is everything about to tumble down around her?


Title: Evie’s Year Of Taking Chances by Christie Barlow
Description: It’s Evie’s birthday and the start of a year she’ll never forget. An emotional story of love, friendship and grabbing life by the horns.

Evie’s job has always been her safe haven. As a librarian in the little town of Becton she loses herself in books - after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own.

Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie and she’s inspired to try and find her real mother.

Evie’s search leads her to meet handsome author Noah Jones. Charming and intelligent, Noah seems the perfect catch but what Evie doesn’t realise is that he is hiding something – a key to Evie’s past.

As Evie gets closer to Noah and discovering her mother, she must take a giant leap of faith. Can she embrace the new and make this her year of taking chances? And if she does, will she get her heart broken?


Title: How To Mend A Broken Heart by Anna Mansell
Description: Life is good for nurse Kat. That is until the man she intended to marry legs it, she’s unexpectedly promoted to a position with too much responsibility, and a patient arrives on her ward under strange circumstances.

Susan is a mystery. She refuses to speak or interact with anyone, she’s obsessed with a book of fairy tales, and the only name in her diary is that of Rhys – a plumber she barely knows.

Down-to-earth Rhys is trying to get his life back on track after the death of his beloved brother. His mum is his priority, and she needs him as much as he needs her. Or at least she did, until she starts disappearing, leaving him to find comfort in the form of his brother’s girlfriend.

Complicated is an understatement.

As the lives of these three lost strangers intertwine, will they find a way to lay ghosts past, present and future to rest? And when the chance comes to mend their broken hearts, will they be brave enough to take it?


Title: Lost And Found by Danielle Ryan
Description: Can true love prevail when the real and online worlds collide?

Melissa Riva works in Milan as a university researcher. After buying an iPad at auction, she finds it contains files belonging to its previous owner.

Fascinated by the beautiful photographs of romantic landscapes and views of the city, she starts her search for the previous owner. Locating him through Facebook, Melissa can't resist contacting him.

Melissa and Riccardo begin chatting online. Both of them becoming increasingly dependent on this strange relationship, though acutely aware that it's only likely to remain a virtual one.

But when real life bursts in on their digital world, they can't resist revealing their true feelings...


Title: Meet Me At Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell
Description: Love is in the air in St Carys, but you'd never know it - the people of this seaside town are very good at keeping secrets...

The man Clemency loves belongs to someone else. She has to hide her true feelings - but when she ropes in an unsuspecting friend to help, wires start to get crossed.

For the first time in Ronan's life his charm has failed him in winning over the woman he wants. Loving her from afar appears to be his only option.

Belle seems to have the perfect boyfriend, but something isn't quite right. And now a long-buried secret is slowly rising to the surface.

The truth has a funny way of revealing itself, and when it does St Carys will be a very different place indeed...


Title: Mystery At Maplemead Castle by Kitty French
Description: Welcome to Chapelwick, a leafy English town in the hills of Shropshire, where chocolate pecan cookies come with a helping of sabotage.

Maplemead Castle is crawling with ghosts, and the new owners need them gone. When Melody Bittersweet and the Girls’ Ghostbusting Agency arrive on scene, they quickly identify the troublemakers swinging from the chandeliers… literally.

A century ago, stunning trapeze artist Britannia Lovell plunged to her death, and has done every night since. But did she really just fall, or was there something more to her demise?

Forced to work with Leo Dark, her scoundrel ex, and infuriating, irresistible reporter Fletcher Gunn, Melody’s investigative powers are under strain (i.e. lost in a pink mist of lust and confusion). She needs her team on top form, but best friend Marina’s cake pipeline goes AWOL, assistant Artie’s distracted by a giant sausage roll, and the pug is scared witless by a lion.

Somewhere, hidden in the castle, is a heart-breaking secret, but what will it take to find it? And is there a chance it could set Britannia free, or is she doomed to repeat her last fateful act forever?


Title: New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan
Description: Meet Molly…

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel…

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…


Title: The Last Challenge by Sharon Karaa
Description: I thought I was normal, I really did, aside from the fact I had a penchant for naming the many facets of my personality. I was unlucky, I'll grant you, but other than that, just your average twenty-five year old virgin. Then my long dead ancestor turned up with a four-hundred year appetite, a passion for G-strings, and a scorching hot, male witch in tow. Throw in an unadulterated bitch of a familiar, three spirits baying for my blood, a six inch tall Geordie man, and my best friend Selina, and before you could say "bubble, bubble" I was strapped onto the front of the roller coaster of my life, heading straight to Hell in a hand basket. And the brakes were shot to pieces...

Lauren is a witch from the North East of England, where being normal is not the norm so no problem there! Her problem is the three evil spirits trying to end her life and in the process, a four hundred year old curse placed on them by her ancestor. Mayhem ensues with the arrival of the ghost of her ancestor (who is eating her out of house and home!) and then her familiar, a bitch from Hell who loves football and beer. The last straw is the sexy male witch her ancestor has dragged along for the ride who blows hot and cold and drives her insane!


Title: The Witches Of Enchanted Bay by Amelia Morgan
Description: Welcome to Enchanted Bay, a picture-perfect small town on the coast of Northern California.

Meg Walton comes from a long line of witches. It's a secret her family has been keeping for generations. The Waltons have been living a quiet existence, running the local donut shop in town. All that changes when a murder occurs.

Enter Connor Smith, Meg's former crush, who left for San Francisco ten years before, and who has now returned to town as the new detective with the Enchanted Bay police department. If Meg's feelings were mixed enough over having Connor back in town, the detective wrongfully suspects one of Meg's good friends for murder.

To prove her friend's innocence, Meg has to find the real killer herself--with the help of a few good spells.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

REVIEW: The Extraordinary Life Of Lara Craft (Not Croft) by Lola Salt

Title: The Extraordinary Life of Lara Craft (Not Croft)
Author: Lola Salt
Publisher: Alula Press
Publication Date: January, 2013
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy the Book: Amazon

Description: From bestselling authors Becky Wicks (Before He Was Famous, Before He Was Gone) and Sarah Alderson (Hunting Lila, Fated, Come Back to Me) comes a new romance with a difference...

After losing her job and her boyfriend on the same day, Lara's beginning to wonder if her life can possibly get any worse. Then along comes Jamie, a childhood friend, offering her a job delivering mysterious packages to random destinations around the world. Suddenly, things are looking up.

Lara packs her bags and sets off on an epic adventure, meeting billionaire Arabic Princes in Dubai, rugged cowboys in Australia, a sparkling wannabe vampire in LA, a love guru with sex on the brain in Bali and Angelina Jolie's bodyguards in a hostage situation that can only be resolved with some very special eggs. But though trouble always seems to find Lara, it seems love is rather more elusive.

Pack your bags. The adventure's about to begin!

My Thoughts: I loved this book, snorted out loud and laughed myself silly all the way through it. Lara was an interesting character who manages to land on her feet after losing her job and her boyfriend on the same day. She reconnects with a childhood friend on a blind date and, through him, lands a job as a courier hand-delivering packages all over the world. The places she travels to are exotic and exciting. The people she meets are interesting, strange, bizarre and entertaining. With each delivery, Lara finds herself experiencing new sights, sounds and adventures, some a lot of fun, some downright scary and some completely insane.

I really loved Lara and her approach to this new life. She demonstrates a spirit of adventure and an open mind, which, in her situation, is a necessity and something I greatly admire. Lara was easy to relate to and connect with. I loved that she is receptive to change and not afraid to experience new things. Along the way, she realizes who she is and the importance of home, friends and family.

The secondary characters all bring their own entertainment and charm to the story, though I liked some more than others. I thought the ending was a tad rushed, but all the loose ends got tied up nicely, so it didn’t take away any of my enjoyment. I highly recommend this book for the entertaining and hysterically funny adventures Lara goes on and the interesting people who cross her path.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Extraordinary Life Of Lara Craft (Not Croft) from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

REVIEW: The Collector by Nora Roberts

Title: The Collector
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: April, 2014
Genre: Romantic Suspense / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble

Description: From #1 New York Times-bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a novel of a woman who needs nothing, a man who sees everything, and the web of deceit, greed, and danger that brings them together—and could tear them apart . . .

When professional house-sitter Lila Emerson witnesses a murder/suicide from her current apartment-sitting job, life as she knows it takes a dramatic turn. Suddenly, the woman with no permanent ties finds herself almost wishing for one. . . .

Artist Ashton Archer knows his brother isn’t capable of violence—against himself or others. He recruits Lila, the only eyewitness, to help him uncover what happened. Ash longs to paint her as intensely as he hungers to touch her. But their investigation draws them into a rarified circle where priceless antiques are bought, sold, gambled away, and stolen, where what you possess is who you are, and where what you desire becomes a deadly obsession. . . .

My Thoughts: I enjoyed the story though it dragged for me in the last quarter of the book. I became impatient for it to get wrapped up with bringing the villains to justice, though I did enjoy the spunk and feisty attitude Lila demonstrates when faced with a choice to fight back or surrender. I normally enjoy this author’s writing and though this book is not completely horrible, if you are looking for more suspense and action, I recommend The Witness.


Saturday, March 11, 2017

REVIEW: All's Fair In Love And Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Title: All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes
Author: Betsy St. Amant
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: August, 2014
Genre: Inspirational Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: She's written a recipe for her future, but does it include love?

Katherine 'Kat' Varland is a small town girl, born and raised---and every day, her dreams of owning her own bakery get further away. She has no money, and the cupcake shop she bakes for, Sweetie Pies, seems to get smaller and smaller. Kat might be the sweetheart of Bayou Bend, Louisiana, but she longs to make a name for herself where she can flourish as Kat---not as the girl baking someone else's recipes.

As head coach for the Bayou Bend championship high school football team, Lucas Brannen is used to winning---everything except his best friend's heart. He finally gathers the courage to make a gesture and show Kat his feelings by signing her up for the popular reality TV show Cupcake Combat. But his plan backfires after he realizes the cash prize for the winner also includes a one-year baking contract at one of New York City's most famous pastry houses.

The situation grows sticky when Kat enlists Lucas's help as her baking assistant for the show. Lucas is torn between helping Kat live her dream and selfishly wanting to keep her in town. His plan has always been a dozen acres of land and a farmhouse in Bayou Bend---but Kat is blinded by the stars in her eyes.

Will Lucas and Kat risk their chance at love in order to achieve their individual dreams? Or will they find that sometimes the most delicious happily-ever-afters begin and end in the same place?

My Thoughts: Kat Varland and Lucas Brannen are best friends and have secretly been in love with each other for a long time. Kat works in her Aunt’s bakery, but longs to branch out on her own. Lucas is the high-school football coach who wants to plant roots in Bayou Bend with Kat at his side. Lucas signs Kat up for a televised cupcake competition as a gesture of his feelings for her, not realizing that an opportunity for Kat to realize her dream may mean the destruction of his.

Unlike most romance novels where the protagonists meet, get to know one another and then fall in love, Kat and Lucas have known each other for most of their lives and are already in love with each other, but have not shared their feelings with the other. On many levels, I found this to be very frustrating because the lack of communication creates the “big misunderstanding” plot that I completely loathe. Fortunately, the author uses this plot device to build on the frustration Kat and Lucas are feeling, drawing their uncertainties and insecurities into the light, which really worked for me. I enjoy meeting characters that I can bond with and feel a deep connection to. Kat and Lucas come across as regular people trying to live good Christian lives while pursuing their dreams. They are both stubborn, trying to control the direction of their lives instead of putting it in God’s hands from the beginning.

I thought Lucas signing Kat up for the cupcake competition was a little controlling at first, but enjoyed seeing his frustration when his plan didn’t play out the way he anticipated. It was a sweet gesture and he is full of sweet gestures throughout the entire story, but struggles with his feelings and his reluctance to tell Kat how he feels.

Kat is very insecure about her ability to make her dream of running a cupcake business a reality. She feels trapped in her tiny hometown and without any support from her family feels isolated. Lucas is her best friend and the only person who believes in her. She is reluctant to tell Lucas how she really feels about him because she is afraid he will reject her and she will lose her best friend. Though she is initially angry and terrified of competing on the reality TV show, I enjoyed seeing Kat transform into someone who begins to believe in herself and her abilities.

My Final Verdict: An enjoyable story of two people struggling to maintain control of their lives and their struggle to make their dreams a reality. I recommend All’s Fair In Love And Cupcakes for fans of the chick-lit, contemporary romance and inspirational romance genres as well as anyone who enjoys a sweet story that will make you smile and cheer on these characters to their happy ending.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Wednesday, March 08, 2017

REVIEW: Secrets Of A Shoe Addict by Beth Harbison

Title: Secrets Of A Shoe Addict (Shoe Addict #2)
Author: Beth Harbison
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: June, 2008
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Every woman has a secret. The question is: How far will she go to make sure it stays secret?

Abbey Walsh never wanted anyone to find out about her shady past. After all, she’s the wife of a minister now, living an exemplary life. That is, until someone shows up from her past with blackmail in mind . . .

Tiffany Vanderslice Dreyer never dreamed that she’d find herself up to her new designer sunglasses in credit card debt from one mad moment of a shopping spree. She’s an upstanding wife and mother with the perfect marriage . . . right?

Loreen Murphy hadn’t meant to hire a male prostitute in Las Vegas. It was all just a big, stupid, and expensive misunderstanding. . . .

Abbey, Tiffany, and Loreen are each in need of thousands of dollars and fast. Tiffany’s sister, Sandra, has the perfect idea. It’s fast, it’s easy, it’s legal, and it’s the secret that kept her shoe addiction alive. It’s the perfect plan. . . .

My Thoughts: Though technically a sequel, this story introduces us to three friends who each get into financial trouble while in Vegas. To resolve their financial crises, they become phone sex operators. I thought the book was enjoyable and contained many laugh out loud moments. There wasn’t much connection to shoe addiction, but the story was entertaining.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

New Additions To The TBR Pile In February

Title: Adventures Of A Vegan Vamp by Cate Lawley
Description: Dead? Someday, sure. But undead and vegan? That's not how this girl envisioned her future.

Waking up thin is one thing. But waking up gaunt, hangry,and undead makes for a very bad day. That's only the beginning. Mallory's killer better hide, because she's just discovered blood, meat, and dairy don't agree with her--and a future with no cheese is grim indeed. She's out to find her killer...and maybe a vegan cheese that doesn't melt her nose hairs.

Find out how Mallory quashes a killer hunger while hunting a vicious vampire!


Title: Echoes In Death by J.D. Robb
Description: This chilling new suspense novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author J.D. Robb is the perfect entry point into the compelling In Death police procedural series featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas.

As NY Lt. Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband Roarke are driving home, a young woman—dazed, naked, and bloody—suddenly stumbles out in front of their car. Roarke slams on the brakes and Eve springs into action.

Daphne Strazza is rushed to the ER, but it’s too late for her husband Dr. Anthony Strazza. A brilliant orthopedic surgeon, he now lies dead amid the wreckage of his obsessively organized town house, his three safes opened and emptied. Daphne would be a valuable witness, but in her terror and shock the only description of the perp she can offer is repeatedly calling him “the devil”...

While it emerges that Dr. Strazza was cold, controlling, and widely disliked, this is one case where the evidence doesn’t point to the spouse. So Eve and her team must get started on the legwork, interviewing everyone from dinner-party guests to professional colleagues to caterers, in a desperate race to answer some crucial questions:

What does the devil look like? And where will he show up next?


Title: Ghostly Paws by Leighann Dobbs
Description: Middle age can be murder ...

At least that’s how it seems to former crime journalist, Wilhelmina Chance, whose near-fatal accident has given her a strange side effect ... she sees ghosts.

After a messy divorce sends her fleeing back to her hometown of Mystic Notch, nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Willa finds herself haunted by the tenacious ghost of the town librarian who insists Willa solve her murder.

Luckily, she has lots of help, including a quirky cast of small-town characters, the cat she’s inherited from her grandmother, and her best friend, Pepper, who claims her herbal teas can work magic.

But just when Willa thinks she’s discovered who the killer is, she finds out that things are not what they seem in Mystic Notch, and the case takes a strange turn that has Willa adding even some of her long-time friends to her suspect list.

Can Willa find the real killer in time to keep the magical balance in Mystic Notch on the side of good, or will evil prevail?


Title: Just The Three Of Us by Lori Schafer
Description: Meet Kathy, a thirty-seven-year-old drifter who’s constantly on the move: to new towns, new jobs, and new relationships. Imagine her surprise when she’s befriended by lifelong friends Sam and Ted, attractive young men who, though ten years her junior, are far more settled than she thinks she’ll ever be. Cheer them on as their three-way friendship succumbs to passion, then passion to romance, and romance to… well, surely it couldn’t be love. Could it?

With a Heat Level of 4+, dialogue that will make you laugh out loud, and a plot to tickle your most sentimental of spots, Just the Three of Us promises an entertaining read for fans of romance looking for a unique take on love and sexuality.


Title: Self Helpless by Rachel Hall
Description: Jenny Peterson is a single, self-help junkie looking for her soul mate. But despite being an expert in self-improvement, her life still seems to be stuck in a rut. Her designer clothing rental business, even with its well-heeled Orange County clientele, is mysteriously losing money. And although it goes against every fiber in her moral makeup, the one guy she pines for happens to be her best friend’s husband. But are her fortunes about to change? A super-cute mystery guy has just recommended a new book, and from the moment she opens the pages of A Better Life, her world is turned upside down in ways that not even Dr Phil could have predicted.


Title: The Rosewood Whistle by Pat McDermott
Description: Surrounded by Ireland’s music and myths, a widowed American writer meets a tour guide leery of love…

On her own at the end of a long and difficult marriage, Gemma Pentrandolfo still hears the critical voice of her husband taunting her from his grave. To foster her independence, she schedules a summer vacation in County Mayo intending to write her first book, and she’s counting on Ireland for inspiration. An idea presents itself when she tours Achill Island with a silver-tongued tour guide whose good looks prompt her to write more than her high-minded novel: she transcribes her years of longing in a steamy fantasy no one is meant to see.

Years have passed since an accident claimed the self-absorbed wife who scorned Ben Connigan and his music. Since then, the former tin whistle ace has avoided marriage, though he never lacked for female companionship before he traded his high-tech career for the slow-paced life of a hometown tour guide. Ben has accepted the end of his run of discreet affairs, until he takes Gemma touring. Her passion for Ireland impresses him. Her love of Irish music soon compels him to dust off his whistles. Knowing she’ll leave at the end of the summer, he sees no harm in keeping her company—until he dares to dream of spending the rest of his life with her.

But he knows it can’t be, not while the ghosts of their partners still haunt them. Not unless the music and myths of Ireland can help them find their way…


Title: Unfinished Business by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Description: In UNFINISHED BUSINESS AN ANGELA PANTHER NOVEL, #1 AMAZON bestselling author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson introduces her now trademark blend of witty dialog and hilarious banter in the first book of her hilarious and heartwarming paranormal chick lit, cozy mystery, Angela Panther series.

When Angela Panther's mother Fran Richter wakes her up in the middle of the night ranting about stolen Hershey Bars, Angela thinks her mother's got a screw loose. And then it hits her. Her mother is dead. Just a few hours before, Angela watched as the funeral home staff nearly dropped her mother's body off the gurney while sliding her into the hearse. So maybe she's the one that's nuttier than a fruitcake?

But Fran keeps popping in and with a volcano full of drama already brewing at home—crazy or not—Angela's grateful for her mother's presence.

It's the other ghosts Angela can do without.

Seems Fran's return opened a portal between Angela and the other side and ghosts are hitting up the reluctant psychic medium for help. From the naked British guy juggling balls in the coffee shop parking lot to the woman desperately trying to save her sick child, Angela must find a way to balance her own life with the unfinished business of the dead.


Title: Witch by Tim O’Rourke
Description: Twenty-year-old Sydney Hart has always made mistakes and when she meets Michael Grayson, she soon comes to wonder if she hasn’t made the biggest mistake of her life. That one moment of passion between them causes Sydney’s world to spiral rapidly out of control.

Suffering from nightmares, Sydney soon realises her life and the people closest to her aren’t who or what she believed them to be. Fearing she has been cursed, Sydney attempts to unravel the dark secrets that surround her, and is desperate to discover why a dying man called her ‘Witch’.

A racy, paranormal romance with a chilling twist.

Monday, February 27, 2017

REVIEW: Guilt By Degrees by Marcia Clark

Title: Guilt By Degrees (Rachel Knight #2)
Author: Marcia Clark
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Publication Date: January, 2012
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight--someone who's Rachel's equal in brains, but with more malicious intentions. It began when a near-impossible case fell into Rachel's lap, the suspect-less homicide of a homeless man. In the face of courthouse backbiting and a gauzy web of clues, Rachel is determined to deliver justice. She's got back-up: tough-as-nails Detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey stir things up, they're shocked to uncover a connection with the vicious murder of an LAPD cop a year earlier. Something tells Rachel someone knows the truth, someone who'd kill to keep it secret.

Harrowing, smart, and riotously entertaining, GUILT BY DEGREES is a thrilling ride through the world of LA courts with the unforgettable Rachel Knight.

My Thoughts: Guilt By Degrees is the second book in the Rachel Knight series by former L.A. district attorney Marcia Clark. I found this book just as enjoyable as the first book. This story reunites tenacious D.A. Rachel Knight with Detective Bailey Keller on a case that spins a web of deceit and intrigue, revealing dark and sinister layers as they proceed in the investigation.

While awaiting her turn in court, Rachel witnesses a fellow prosecutor drop the ball on his case of a murdered homeless man so badly that she feels compelled to refile it, which is just the tip of the iceberg. When Rachel discovers a connection to the murder of a police officer, the investigation quickly escalates into an intense and frightening ride into the seedy side of L.A. as Rachel and Bailey try to draw out the killer.

This book was a fast read and I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between Rachel and Bailey. Ms. Clark does a fantastic job with the character development, building the personalities of all of the characters on a personal level, which gives the reader a real sense of knowing the characters and feeling empathy for them. I especially liked that Rachel finally shares some of her past history with Bailey, Toni and Drew and I am excited to see what happens next between Rachel and Graden.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend Guilt By Degrees, but make sure you read the series in order. This series offers action, suspense, mystery, romance and humor. I look forward to joining Rachel and Bailey on their next adventure.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Guilt By Degrees from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Sunday, February 12, 2017

REVIEW: Etiquette And Espionage by Gail Carriger

Title: Etiquette and Espionage (Finishing School, #1)
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Hachette, Little, Brown & Company
Publication Date: February, 2013
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Steampunk
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

My Thoughts: Sophronia Temminnick is not your average, run of the mill, fourteen-year-old girl. She has no interest in fashion or boys and could care less about balls, performing the perfect curtsy or dancing. She would much rather dismantle items and climb down dumbwaiters and give her mother as much gray hair as she possibly can. At her wit’s end, Sophronia’s mother sends her off to Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality, in the hopes that someone will be able to turn her erstwhile tomboy of a youngest daughter into a lady. Neither Sophronia or her mother realize that this finishing school will teach Sophronia to be a lady, but will also teach her espionage, weapons and how to effectively poison just about anyone.

Etiquette and Espionage is the first book in the Finishing School series and introduces several unique and interesting characters. I really liked Sophronia and felt a lot of empathy for her. She has a quick wit and a strong mind and doesn’t hesitate to stretch the rules, or outright break them, to serve the greater good. Sophronia’s friends, Dimity, Vieve and Soap, were also interesting characters that hopefully will make appearances throughout the series. I also enjoyed the paranormal aspect of this story with characters Professor Braithwope, a vampire and Captain Niall, a werewolf who wears a top hat, even in wolf form. I especially liked Sophronia’s mechanical sausage dog, Bumbersnoot, who consumes coal and emits steam.

My Final Verdict: I enjoyed Etiquette and Espionage for the interesting storyline and tongue in cheek humor with the historical setting and steampunk surroundings. I am curious to see how Sophronia and her friends evolve into ladies and spies.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Etiquette and Espionage from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Wednesday, February 01, 2017

New Additions To The TBR Pile In January

Title: Collecting Isobelle by L.L. Muir
Description: Being buried alive taught her nothing...

Believing that true love can never be hers, Isobelle plunges herself into danger, yet again, for the sake of desperate lovers. But this time, the man who condemns her is much more powerful than any priest, and it is not her death he seeks, but something she considers much worse.

He knows when someone is lying--unless it is himself...

Gaspar is content to hide behind the mask of God’s Dragon until a fiery Scotswoman bursts into his life. He believes his thick scales can protect him while he bends her to his will, but he is sorely mistaken.

And he’s not the only one determined to collect Isobelle...


Title: Dirty Little Secret by Willow Sanders
Description: Who is the girl with the red-soled shoe? A Cinderella she certainly isn't!

A self-proclaimed nerd, twenty four year old Hillary Sloan isn’t the helpless damsel in anyone’s fairy tale. An Ivy League graduate who is hoping to get noticed as she works her way up the corporate ladder, she’s desperate to keep her alcohol fueled night of bad decisions under wraps.

But, what about the DJ?

Bert “DJ XTC” Morder was on the air at his overnight radio job when an old friend called him and asked to use the bathroom. He had a thing for high-heeled shoes, especially those fancy ones with the red soles Hillary was wearing. A little flirting, a kiss or ten and suddenly the pair found themselves smack dab in the middle of a scandal of epic proportions.

How long can their dirty little secret stay under wraps? Hillary and Bert would have loved to keep their tawdry little romp strictly between friends, but there’s the unfortunate incident of the studio’s live stream they have to contend with. Now, all of Chicago is wondering exactly who the girl in the red-soled shoes had been. What other secrets are they hiding, and what will happen when Hillary’s dirty little secret gets exposed?


Title: Divorcees.Biz by Eileen Thornton
Description: Despite their different personalities, Connie, Sadie, Jenny, and Lucy have been friends for years.

Frustrated that they may never find ‘Mr. Right’, these four, thirty-something, divorced women decide to set up an online dating agency with a difference: it’s for divorcees only. But will this be the answer to their problems? Or the beginning of a whole lot more?

And with so many delicious men to choose from, who will be the first to find their ‘Mr. Right’.


Title: Marry Me For Money by Mia Kayla
Description: Leaving her small town behind, Bethany Casse moves to Chicago in search of a new life. Working at a top financial bank brings her into contact with two men who are as different as night and day.

Kent Plack, heir to Plack Industries, has no interest in being with a woman for longer than one night. A spoiled and lazy man-whore, he is completely content with his playboy lifestyle, and Beth is surprised when they form an unlikely friendship.

Brian Benson, a finance banker, is gorgeous and respectful. A man plucked from Beth’s dreams, he is definite husband material. Unfortunately, Beth has a hard rule against dating coworkers, but Brian is determined to change her mind.

When a deadbeat mother and money problems follow her to Chicago, Beth is offered a solution that could fix everything. Marrying for money seems simple enough, but when lines become blurred, Beth faces difficult choices, making her realize that the easy way out just made her life even harder than before.


Title: Not Without Juliet by L.L. Muir
Description: She will let nothing stop her...

Juliet Bell has a hit man, the FBI, a long-lost sister, and a handful of handsome Highlanders hunting her through time. But she's not going back until she gets what's hers. And her hunters won't go back either--not without Juliet.

He's had a change of heart...

Quinn's timing stinks. He's about to die a martyr, which would have been fine with him a year before, but 15th century Scotland has revived his survival instincts and he's decided he wants to live after all. His only hope? Making one of his foes believe Quinn can control the future.

An enemy they never saw coming...

Juliet and Quinn are thrown together, whether by the hands of Fate or a pair of clever witches, and they find love lends a much nobler purpose to their impossible quests. But they'll have to maneuver around a centuries-old curse and a villain with a higher purpose of his own--or everything they want will be out of their hands forever.


Title: Rosie’s Little Café On The Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet
Description: A summer of taking chances!

Rosie Hewitt’s dream of opening a little French café on the Riviera is finally coming true. She’s giving up on love and instead chasing her own perfect recipe for happiness…

Only, she never expected the oh-so-sexy, award-winning chef, Sebastian Groc, to set up his restaurant next door – or for his freshly-baked croissants to smell quite so delicious.

But with just a few days until she opens her doors and all her sugar-coated dreams crumbling around her, Rosie isn’t prepared to give up without a fight!



Title: The Beachside Sweet Shop by Karen Clarke
Description: Chocolate fudge, butterscotch and raspberry bonbons… treat yourself to some sugary treats, a big slice of friendship and a sprinkling of romance at The Beachside Sweet Shop.

When Marnie Appleton inherited a sweet shop from her grandfather she was determined to do his legacy proud. The shop has been a much-loved feature of the little seaside town of Shipley for years, but now Marnie needs to bring it up to date, and she’s recruited gorgeous new assistant Josh to help.

Marnie gets busy redecorating the shop and choosing delicious new sweets to stock, but things are never that simple: new neighbor Isobel, a fame-hungry blogger, is on a crusade against sugar, and she’ll go to any lengths to secure bad publicity for Marnie’s shop.

Marnie fights back with homemade sugar-free treats, but with her best friend Beth heavily pregnant, her grandmother Celia recovering from an operation, and her very recently ex-boyfriend Alex returning to Shipley with a new love, Marnie has a lot on her plate.

And then there’s Josh, with whom Marnie is struggling to keep her relationship strictly professional…Will both the sweet shop and love flourish?


Title: The Difference Between You & Me by Celia Hayes
Description: Can stepping out of your comfort zone lead you to ultimate happiness?

Trudy Watts has everything she's ever dreamed of: a job that she loves, a successful boyfriend and an ultra-modern apartment in one of the most fashionable parts of London. With a long-awaited promotion due to come her way and her wedding just around the corner, Trudy's life is just perfect...

That is until catastrophe strikes and her life is turned upside down. She's transferred to Turriff, a remote Scottish town to manage a small, struggling bank branch.

Her arrival is traumatic and she wishes she was anywhere but here... Until she sees him – Ethan, the charming pub landlord, who seems to enjoy nothing more than to tease her. And it's right there, in that pub, that her life will suddenly change...


Title: The One by John Marrs
Description: How far would you go to find THE ONE?

One simple mouth swab is all it takes.

One tiny DNA test to find your perfect partner - the one you're genetically made for.

A decade after scientists discover everyone has a gene they share with just one person, millions have taken the test, desperate to find true love.

Now, five more people take the test. But even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking - and deadlier - than others...

A psychological thriller with a difference, this is a truly unique novel which is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

REVIEW: Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Title: Unbreakable (The Legion #1)
Author: Kami Garcia
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Publication Date: October, 2013
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Young Adult
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble

Description: Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia.

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

My Thoughts: If I had to summarize my thoughts and feelings for Unbreakable by new to me author, Kami Garcia, into only one word, that word would be WOW! This story immediately grabbed me by the neck and ankles, dragged me in and wouldn’t let go. Upon finishing this story, the primary questions filling my mind are:

1. Where has this author been?
2. Why have I never read anything by this amazing author before now?
3. Why do I not have the second book in this series already residing on my Kindle?

I loved Kennedy and immediately felt a connection to this character. She’s a strong character and she has an old soul, despite her teenage chronology. Kennedy has to learn very quickly how to stand on her own two feet and survive in a world filled with evil demons and vengeance spirits determined to kill her. This story introduces four other equally amazing characters; twins Jared and Lukas, Alara and Priest. These characters make up The Legion, a secret society committed to protecting the world from a demon, who is hell-bent on killing them all. Members of their families were all murdered on the same night as Kennedy’s mother and when the demon tries to murder Kennedy in her sleep, she meets Jared and Lukas when they break into her home and save her life. Now all five are in a race against time to find the weapon they believe will destroy the demon once and for all, if they can survive that long.

This story gets high marks for intensity. The author does a brilliant job of illustrating the intensity to give the reader a very real sense of what the characters are feeling and experiencing. There is a very suspenseful scene in a well and another with an electric chair that had me on the edge of my seat feeling my blood pressure rising. This story also gets high marks for the character development. All of the characters demonstrate unique and interesting personalities that drew me to them. I also enjoyed the spark of romance…I mean really; you got to have some romance amongst all the death, destruction, murder and mayhem, right? The struggle for me is who I want to see Kennedy with more, Jared or Lukas. I need the next book, like yesterday, so I can find out what happens next!

My Final Verdict: If you have never read anything in the young adult or urban fantasy genre, Unbreakable is an excellent choice to begin with. Be prepared for a major cliff-hanger at the end, however. I highly recommend this story and encourage you to have the second book on hand so you can get right on it and find out what happens next!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Unbreakable from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Saturday, January 21, 2017

REVIEW: Hopelessly Devoted To You by Jill Steeples

Title: Hopelessly Devoted To You
Author: Jill Steeples
Publisher: Carina UK
Publication Date: August, 2014
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Meet Ruby’s fiancé, Finn. He’s gorgeous, thoughtful, successful and adoring – pretty much everything anyone could ever want in a man. In fact, he’s perfect. The catch? He’s just not perfect for her. But when Ruby finally plucks up the courage to come clean, Finn’s so furious that he misses his footing as he runs down the stairs – and suddenly, it’s not just his heart that’s broken!

When Finn wakes up, he can’t remember a thing. Not that Ruby dumped him – not even that they were ever engaged! It’s on the tip of Ruby’s tongue to come clean, but somehow, it never seems to be the right time... And as the weeks pass, she sees a new side to Finn. Arrogant and a shameless flirt, he’s irresistibly bad, and the chemistry between them is explosive!

It’s not that Ruby’s lying… she’s just withholding the truth. And seeing as things are going so well, perhaps there’s no need for Finn to have his memory jogged… The trouble is, there’s every chance that Finn might remember for himself!

My Thoughts: Hopelessly Devoted To You by new to me author Jill Steeples is a cute and entertaining story about a woman named Ruby who is at a cross-roads in her life. She and her long-term boyfriend, Finn, are due to get married in a few months and Ruby has come to the realization that she doesn’t love him the way a woman marrying a man should. She decides to tell Finn the truth and as one can expect, he does not take the news well. As he is leaving Ruby’s flat, he mis-steps and plunges down the stairs. After several weeks in a coma, Finn awakens but does not remember anything; especially that Ruby and he broke up or were even getting married in the first place. That’s not all that’s changed. Finn now speaks with an Australian accent and his personality has undergone a change as well. He is like a whole new man and one that Ruby finds herself drawn to in and out of the bedroom. Ruby fully intends to tell Finn the truth but the timing never seems right and she is constantly worried that his memory will come back suddenly before she has had the chance to tell him what happened that night and that she was wrong and that she is hopelessly, head-over-heels, in love with him.

I believe honesty is the best policy in any relationship and without it, the relationship cannot survive. I felt bad for Ruby for the predicament she finds herself in though, for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why she let it go on so long. The writer does a wonderful job conveying the fear and anxiety Ruby feels after Finn’s accident, I felt like I was on pins and needles with her. Will Finn’s memory come back? If so, how will he react to what happened? Does their relationship stand a chance of weathering this storm? I was plagued with my own anxiety while reading this. I had a little difficulty warming up to the new Finn that emerged when he woke up. He was more arrogant than before and seemed more moody and insensitive towards his parents, which rubbed me the wrong way. My first thought was that Ruby made the right decision and should just tell him right then that the wedding was off and be done with it. Like Ruby, the more time spent it Finn’s company, the more interesting he seemed. He demonstrated more life and passion for things he hadn’t before. He didn’t seem to be so consumed with work and showed no interest in rushing back to the law firm, where he had made partner. He lost his “neat-freak” tendencies and brought a scraggly, dirty mutt home, much to Ruby’s shock and dismay. The more of the new Finn I saw, the more intrigued I was and couldn’t put the book down because I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next, though it may not be happy. I really like this author’s voice and the life she breathes into the characters and their lives. Her writing style is fun and flirty and tugs on the feminine heart-strings. This book will provide many hours of entertainment and delight.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book if you enjoy chick-lit or women’s fiction or enjoy fun stories that deliver many unexpected twists. I don’t know how this author and her writing slipped by me, but I will be on the hunt for more by Ms. Steeples. If you are a book hoarder, like me, and you have any of her titles buried in your to be read pile or on your Kindle, dig those babies out and get them read!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Hopelessly Devoted To You from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Saturday, January 14, 2017

REVIEW: Virgin by Radhika Sanghani

Title: Virgin
Author: Radhika Sanghani
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: August, 2014
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Okay, I admit it…I didn’t do it.

Yet.

This is normal, right? I mean, just because everyone I know has talked like they’ve already done it doesn’t mean that they’re telling the truth…right?

It’s not like I’m asking for that much. I don’t need the perfect guy. I don’t need candlelight or roses. Honestly, I don’t even need a real bed.

The guys I know complain that girls are always looking for Mr. Right—do I have to wear a sign that says I’m only looking for Mr. Right Now?

Sooooo…anyone out there want sex? Anyone? Hello? Just for fun?

I am not going to die a virgin. One way or another I am going to make this happen.

Hey, what have I got to lose? Besides the obvious.

My Thoughts: Hysterically funny, Virgin, by new to me author Radhika Sanghani, delivers a story that introduces us to Ellie, a twenty-one year old virgin who is desperate to remedy that situation. Her journey along the way dealing with issues like waxing pubes, oral sex without biting, STD’s, and the proper kissing techniques are just some of the side-stitch producing belly laughs I got to experience while reading. We can all relate to Ellie, whether we are still virgins or not. We have all been where she is, at some point in our lives. What she and the rest of us have learned afterward is that virginity should be viewed as a gift, not a curse.

I found the characters easy to relate to and the story very funny as well as poignant. I did feel a little sad for Ellie after she learns some painful truths about herself and her chosen partner and the mistakes she makes along the way. But, once again, we have all been where she is, it’s all part of the growing up process in life. What I really liked about Ellie is that she doesn’t let fear or heartbreak stop her from chasing her dreams and I couldn’t help but cheer for her. I loved her friend, Emma, who turns out to be a strong ally for Ellie and her quest. Ellie’s best friend, Lara, took a while to appeal to me. I won’t tell you why because you need to read the book to find out. I thought Jack was an OK character, if not a little typical typecast as the potential partner for Ellie’s journey.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a fantastic story that had me laughing out loud no matter where I happened to be reading. I recommend this story to everyone, whether or not you are sexually active is irrelevant. This story is not about getting laid. It’s about a woman’s journey to find the acceptance she feels she is missing in her life, only to learn she has to accept herself first. I look forward to reading more by this talented author.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Virgin from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Monday, January 09, 2017

REVIEW: Guilt By Association by Marcia Clark

Title: Guilt By Association (Rachel Knight, #1)
Author: Marcia Clark
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Publication Date: April, 2011
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble

Description: Los Angeles D.A. Rachel Knight is a tenacious, wise-cracking, and fiercely intelligent prosecutor in the city's most elite division. When her colleague, Jake, is found dead at a grisly crime scene, Rachel is shaken to the core. She must take over his toughest case: the assault of a young woman from a prominent family.

But she can't stop herself from digging deeper into Jake's death, a decision that exposes a world of power and violence and will have her risking her reputation--and her life--to find the truth.

With her tremendous expertise in the nuances of L.A. courts and crime, and with a vibrant ensemble cast of characters, Marcia Clark combines intimate detail, riotous humor, and visceral action in a debut thriller that marks the launch of a major new figure on the crime-writing scene.

My Thoughts: I was not sure what to expect when I started reading Guilt By Association. My memories of Marcia Clark extended solely as the prosecutor on the O.J. Simpson murder trial. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the writing, the vibrant characters and the intriguing story. I liked Rachel and Bailey immediately. Their friendship and working partnership is intermixed with snark, sarcasm and humor as they work to solve the mysterious death of their friend and colleague, Jake.

Ms. Clark does a brilliant job of weaving an intricate plot that held my interest while making the events relevant to the plot and not overly obvious so the end still held an element of surprise. The characters are easy to relate to and brought to life so realistically, the reader gets a sense of being around them and interacting with them.

My Final Verdict: Guilt By Association is my first Marcia Clark novel but it won’t be my last. I am looking forward to reading more by this talented author and getting to know Rachel and her friends better. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys thrillers and mysteries without taking the drama too seriously while enjoying some humor mixed in.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Guilt By Association from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Sunday, January 01, 2017

Honorable Mentions of 2016

For the books that didn't make the top reads list for the year, I want to give an honorable mention to the titles I read in 2016 that didn't make the cut for the best but were still good reads and recommended:

The Love List by Eve Devon
Difficult Husbands by Mary de Laszlo
A Christmas In Disguise by Katie Fforde

Annual Reading Review - 2016

Another year has come and gone and the best part of the reading year is upon me as I get to look back and evaluate what I read and how my stats measured up. Though I gave up on fewer books in 2016, 2 compared to 10 in 2015, I was unable to come close to meeting my goal. I began the year with a goal of 60 books, but it was lowered to 30. I read 23 books, which is a 77% completion rate.

Goal for 2017: 50 books.

There were not any noteworthy changes to my reading in 2016 except for the sheer lack of productivity. Review requests continue to dominate my reading pile and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future as I work towards getting caught up.

Overall, 2016 saw Chick-Lit and Mystery / Suspense / Thriller and Young Adult drop by over half. However, Erotica doubled, Paranormal Romance dropped by half and Historical Romance remained the same. New for 2016 was the addition of a memoir. I was fortunate to include 3 Christmas themed Chick Lit books for the holiday season. There was a complete absence of Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Urban Fantasy and General Fiction. Here's how 2016 stacked up:

Chick-Lit: 13
Erotica: 2
Historical Romance: 2
Memoir / Biography: 1
Mystery / Suspense / Thriller: 3
Paranormal Romance: 1
Young Adult: 1

A big shout out to the authors who were new to me and the authors that made multiple appearances in my reading year:

New To Me Authors In 2016
Kat Bastion
Betsy J. Bennett
Abby Clements
Vonnie Davis
Mary De Laszlo
Eve Devon
Katie Fforde
Kate Flora
Ellen Hawley
Charlotte V. Howard
Ashlyn Macnamara
Alexandra Petri
Nick Spalding
Samantha Tonge

Authors Read Multiple Times In 2016
Ashlyn Macnamara


My selection for the best reads of 2016 in the order they were read are:
Bella’s Christmas Bake Off by Sue Watson
Santa Takes A Wife by Betsy J. Bennett
Obsession In Death by J.D. Robb
No Weddings by Kat Bastion
Worst Case by James Patterson
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
A Highlander’s Obsession by Vonnie Davis
What A Lady Craves by Ashlyn Macnamara
Fat Chance by Nick Spalding
What A Lady Demands by Ashlyn Macnamara
All Shook Up by Chelsey Krause
Twitter Girl by Nic Tatano
The Black Door by Charlotte V. Howard
One Night In New Delhi by Kemberlee Shortland
Love Is A Four-Legged Word by Michele Gorman
Mistletoe Mansion by Samantha Tonge

Here's hoping 2017 will be a more productive year!

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I am not a professional reviewer, but I love to read and share my opinions on my reading with others who are interested. I work full time but my ideal perfect day would be to curl up with a good book. The majority of the books I review here are from my private collection and my reviews are provided purely for entertainment purposes. I receive no compensation whatsoever for sharing my thoughts and review on any book. If you would like me to review your book, please email me at sharalsbooks@yahoo.com Happy Reading! :o)