Monday, December 31, 2018

SLAY BELLS by T.C. Wescott



Title:  SLAY BELLS

Series:  Christmas Village Mystery #1

Author:  T.C. Wescott

Publisher:  Better Mousetrap Books

Publish Date:   11.23.2018

Category /Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Recommended for:  16+ due to murder theme

Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect

Received from:  T.C. Wescott (as an ARC gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Slay Bells

Date completed: 12.26.2018



Description from the publisher:

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the village, the night settled in over swirling-smoke chimneys; the air was alive with pine and holly, with sugar and cinnamon and cider, by golly!

Along snowy lanes and through shadows it crept, past windows behind which each villager slept, where sleeping dogs lie and cats rest a’purring—

Tonight, in Christmas Village, a killer is stirring.

Welcome to Christmas Village, a magical hamlet where even in December the roses hold their luster and bees buzz among the bluebells. You’re just in time for the week-long Christmas Festival, and nowhere is Christmas celebrated with such unrestrained merriment as the village which bears its name. Mayor Cobblestone and Sheriff Fell will be somewhere nearby, doing all they can to make sure you’re safe during your stay.

Provided you haven’t booked a room at Plum Cottage.

Nestled betwixt an opulent garden with meandering footpaths and an ancient grove of plum trees, Rose Willoughby’s boarding house is plum-full with lodgers. There are no vacancies, but just wait. Soon there will be one…and another…and another.

Presently lodging at the cottage are: the juggler, the acrobat, the magician, the psychic, the strongman, the manager, and the pretty assistant. In town as festival entertainment they’ve each brought their own bag of tricks. And a closetful of skeletons.

When the entertainers begin dying in inexplicable ways, some villagers believe a beast from old village lore is the culprit. The sheriff knows better, but he’s just as helpless to catch the invisible killer as are the town folk with their eyes to the sky in search of a flying creature. But our mysterious murderer hasn’t counted on yet another lodger coming to the cottage: Maribel Claus.

Short as a stump, round as a wheel, sweet as a candy cane, and a sharp as a whip, Maribel loves a good puzzle. But has she finally met her match at Plum Cottage?

Can you figure out whodunit before Maribel does? If you’re up to the challenge, here’s your first clue—the key to unlocking the secret of the murderer’s identity lies in figuring out how the murders were committed. Good luck!

If you’re looking for a fun, baffling read that’s cozier and more mysterious than the usual fare, replete with diagrams of the murder scenes and a one-of-a-kind BOOK GROUP CHALLENGE, then Slay Bells is the perfect gift to buy yourself this Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



SLAY BELLS is the first book in the Christmas Village Mystery series.  It is yet to be seen if they will need to be read in the order of release, though this one stands on its own with no cliffhanger.



The story is a wonderful cozy mystery with a Christmas theme.  Christmas Village is a peculiar little town that embraces everything to do with the Yule season and will use any excuse for a fair or town celebration.



My favorite character is Rose’s best friend Maribel Claus.  Her husband is very busy and will not be available until after Christmas Eve is over.  He is working with his helpers in the workshop.  Hmmm, I wonder what he could be working on that is so important?  It never is said!



I love the humor, the characters, the well-plotted mystery, and the setting.  I must admit that I did figure out the who long before the end, but the how had me stumped until just a chapter or two before the reveal.  I like that.  The clues were provided, and it could be figured out.  I didn’t feel cheated as so often in other books some clue is held back that you can’t possibly know the answer until the final page.



I look forward to returning to Christmas Village!



Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.



Christmas Village Mystery series:

  1. Slay Bells

Also from T.C. Wescott:

Running Store Mystery Series:

  1. Running from Scissors
  2. Running from Arrows

 















Sunday, December 30, 2018

JINX AND TONIC by Gina LaManna


Title:  JINX AND TONIC

Series:  Magic and Mixology #3

Author:  Gina LaManna

Narrator:  Wendy Tremont King

Length:  8 hours and 49 mins

Publish Date:   11.11.2016

Publisher:  LaManna Books / Tantor Audio

Category /Genre:  Cozy Mystery, Paranormal

Recommended for:  PG13

Listenability:  OK or NSFW

Received from:  Audible.com purchase

Goodreads link: Jinx and Tonic

Date completed: 12.18.2017



Description from the publisher:

Let the Trials begin...

The time has finally arrived! The Trials are in full swing and celebratory parties fill The Isle as Candidates go head-to-head to prove themselves worthy of the coveted Ranger title. Drinks, dances, and masquerade balls set the stage for a glamorous series of events until suddenly, it all changes.

The most dangerous criminal on the island escapes from prison. Tragedy strikes. The Isle is thrown into chaos due to old, forbidden black magic, and only one person can help.

As the island’s Mixologist, Lily is expected to step in and save the day. When she’s forced to keep secrets from X while deciphering decades old clues, however, she’s pushed to the edges of her sanity.

With the help of her family, The Core, and her new boyfriend, X, Lily must stop The Puppeteer from taking over the island before it’s too late.

Because if she doesn’t succeed, nobody will.

Welcome back, Islanders.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



This is the third book in the Magic and Mixology series.  They do need to be read in the order of release.



I love this series a little more with every hour that I listen.  Though Lily (and her relationship with Ranger X) is the center, there is so much more, and that “more” is what makes it fabulous.  Each character, scene, and spell is woven into a tale that transported me from grey skies to an enchanting, bewitching, magical island… and I never wanted to leave.



I love the way that the characters have grown in their roles, especially Lily.  Her family is amazing, supportive, and loving, especially her badass grandmother, Hettie.



If someone were to ask me to recommend one series to start listening to on Audible, this is the one that I would suggest.



The Magic and Mixology series:

1.      Hex on the Beach

2.      Witchy Sour

3.      Jinx and Tonic

4.      Long Isle Iced Tea

5.      Amuletto Kiss

Also from Gina LaManna:

·         Girl Tripping

·         The Sweetest Things (with J.A. Hildreth)

Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries:

0.   Scooped

1.      Sprinkled

2.      Sparkled

3.      Salted

4.      Sauced

5.      S’mored

6.      Spooked

7.      Seasoned

8.      Spiced

9.      Suckered

10.  Sugared

11.  Sprouted

12.  Shaved

The Little Things Mysteries:

1.      One Little Wish

2.      Two Little Lies

Lola Pink Mysteries:

1.      Shades of Pink

2.      Shades of Stars

MAGIC, Inc. Mysteries:

1.      The Undercover Witch

Misty Newman Mysteries:

1.      Teased to Death

Mysteries from the Sixth Borough:

1.      Wicked Never Sleeps

2.      Wicked Long Nights

3.      Wicked State of Mind

4.      Wicked Moon Rising


















Saturday, December 29, 2018

MISADVENTURES WITH THE BOSS by Kendall Ryan



Title:  MISADVENTURES WITH THE BOSS

Series:  Misadventures #12

Author:  Kendall Ryan

Publish Date:  04.24.2018

Publisher:  Waterhouse Press

Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect

Received from:  Amazon purchase


Date completed: 12.29.2018



Description from the publisher:

At age twenty-nine, Piper Daniels is having the longest dry spell of her life. When she agrees to be set up on a blind date, she never expects it to end with the hottest sex of her life.

But when she discovers that her very well-endowed secret lover is also her new boss, heartless womanizer and cutthroat CEO Jackson Dane, she chalks it up to a one-time mistake and puts up her best professional front. But Jackson isn’t used to rejection, and if Piper thinks it’s going to be easy to move on from their tryst, she’s underestimated his determination.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



The Misadventures are standalone romances that can be read in any order.



MISADVENTURES WITH THE BOSS is an excellent addition to the series.  It has quick-witted banter, blush-blooming sexcapades, and an inspiring HEA.



Like all of the Misadventures, this was fun, quick, and steamy.  The characters are likeable and the story – an office romance – is relatable, just taken to the level of fantasy sexiness.



This was the first book that I have read from Kendall Ryan, but I was pleased to discover that she has signed on for at least one more Misadventure.  I am looking forward to reading from this talented artist again!



Misadventures series:

1.      Misadventures of a Virgin (Meredith Wild)

2.      Misadventures of a City Girl (Meredith Wild and Chelle Bliss)

3.      Misadventures of the First Daughter (Meredith Wild and Mia Michelle)

4.      Misadventures of a Backup Bride  (Shayla Black)

5.      Misadventures on the Night Shift (Lauren Rowe)

6.      Misadventures of a Good Wife (Meredith Wild and Helen Hardt)

7.      Misadventures with a Super Hero (Angel Payne)

8.      Misadventures of a Valedictorian (M.F. Wild and Mia Michelle)

9.      Misadventures of a College Girl (Lauren Rowe)

10.  Misadventures with My Roommate (Elizabeth Hayley)

11.  Misadventures of a Rookie (Toni Aleo)

12.  Misadventures with the Boss (Kendall Ryan)

13.  Misadventures with a Rock Star (Helen Hardt)

14.  Misadventures with a Master (Meredith Wild)

15.  Misadventures of a Speed Demon (Chelle Bliss)

16.  Misadventures with a Manny (Toni Aleo)

17.  Misadventures with a Professor (Sierra Simone)

18.  Misadventures on the Rebound (Lauren Rowe)

19.  Misadventures with a Country Boy (Elizabeth Hayley)

20.  Misadventures with a Curvy Girl (Sierra Simone) – releases 02.19.19

21.  Misadventures with a Book Boyfriend (Victoria Blue) – releases 03.05.19

22.  Misadventures with My Ex (Shayla Black) – releases 03.26.19

23.  Misadventures with My Bodyguard (Kendall Ryan) – releases 04.09.19

24.  Misadventures in a Threesome (Elizabeth Hayley) – releases 04.19

25.  Misadventures of a Time Traveler (Angel Payne)



Also from Kendall Ryan:

·         All the Way (coming in 2019)

·         Baby Daddy

·         The Bed Mate (Roommates #3.5, 1001 Dark Nights #71)

·         Bossy Brit

·         Boyfriend for Hire

·         Bro Code

·         Dear Jane

·         Dirty Little Promise

·         Fashion Addict

·         Finding Alexei

·         The Fix up

·         Flirting with Forever

·         Hitched (released in three volumes)

·         The Hookup Handbook

·         The Impact of You

·         Love Machine

·         Mister Tonight

·         Mr. Big

·         Playing for Keeps (coming in 2019)

·         Resisting Her

·         Seven Nights of Sin (coming in 2019)

·         Sexy Stranger

·         The Two-Week Arrangement (coming in 2019)

·         Wednesday

·         xo, Zach

Alphas Undone Series:

1.      Bait & Switch

2.      Slow & Steady

3.      Restless & Edgy

Filthy Beautiful Lies Series:

1.      Filthy Beautiful Lies

2.      Filthy Beautiful Love

3.      Filthy Beautiful Lust

4.      Filthy Beautiful Forever

Forbidden Desires Series:

1.      Dirty Little Tease

2.      Dirty Little Secret

3.      Torrid Little Affair

4.      Tempting Little Tease

Hard to Love Series:

1.      Hard to Love

2.      Reckless Love

Lessons with the Dom Series:

1.      The Gentleman Mentor

2.      Sinfully Mine

Love by Design Series:

1.      Working It

2.      Craving Him

3.      All or Nothing

Roommates Series:

1.      The Room Mate

2.      The Play Mate

3.      The House Mate

4.      The Soul Mate

Screwed Series:

1.      Screwed

1.5  Monster Prick

Unravel Me Series:

1.      Unravel Me

2.      Make Me Yours

When I Break Series:

1.      When I Break

2.      When I Surrender

3.      When We Fall