Review - Ghost For Sale by Sandra Cox

TITLE:    Ghost For Sale
AUTHOR:   Sandra Cox
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 178 pages
PUBLISHED:   Lyrical Press, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS: Caitlin King can't believe that her shopaholic cousin actually bought two ghosts off of eBay. But she can't ignore the truth when she starts seeing sexy Liam O'Reilly, who's been dead for over a hundred years. He's a fascinating specter, and the more time Caitlin spends with him, the closer they become - sending them both spiraling into a star-crossed tailspin. No matter how desperately they long for each other, there's just no future with a guy who's already stopped breathing. 

In order to help Liam and his twin sister, Anna, leave their earthly limbo and cross over into the light, Caitlin must find the ghost of Anna's fiance. But a malevolent spirit is dead set against Anna moving on. Now Caitlin will have to unravel the mystery surround the twins' past lives in order to keep Liam's spirit safe - even if it means sacrificing her heart in the process. 

MY TAKE:    I had high hopes that this book would be a fun, quick read. The premise sounded entertaining. Unfortunately it just didn't live up to what I had thought it would.

The biggest issue I had would have to be the characters. I just could not get enthused about or warmed up to Caitlin. I just really didn't care for or about her. She's a spoiled little rich girl with way too many men in her life. She, along with the men and other characters were simply one dimensional. I didn't connect with a single one. 

I did score it a little higher than "just OK" because my curiosity was peaked by the mystery of why Liam and Anna were being held here. That part of the story is interesting.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Ghost for Sale can be found at

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Wedding Matilda by Heather Hiestand

TITLE:    Wedding Matilda (Redcakes Book 6)
AUTHOR:    Heather Hiestand
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 254 pages
PUBLISHED:   Lyrical Press, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS: Sugared violets, buttercream...but he craves her kisses most of all...  

Orphaned as a boy, Ewan Hales is proud to make his living as secretary to the manager at Redcake's Tea Shop. But the startling news that he's heir to the Earl of Fitzwalter changes everything. While tendering his resignation to lovely Matilda Redcake, however, Ewan is struck by her spirit, the luscious bow of her lips - and a realization, Matilda might not marry a working man - but will she wed a future nobleman?

Ewan's unruly hair and roguish kisses are tempting, but Matilda has far too many problems to consider romance. With sabotage at a cake factory threatening the family empire, she must focus her considerable willpower on keeping Redcakes from ruin - until she learns that her young son has been kidnapped. Together, she and Ewan must uncover the truth before they can savor the sweet freedom of love....

MY TAKE:   I was not familiar with the author or her delightful Redcake family before being sent this book for review. I usually don't like to come into the middle of a series, but this book is very much a stand alone read, and an enjoyable one at that. It is an easy read that flows from one scene to another and has definitely drawn me in to wanting to know more about this family and their adventures.

One of the things I noted in this book was that the story wasn't all pure romance. There was a lively thread of mystery and suspense running through it as well. I enjoyed trying to guess who the bad guys were and what would happen next. I also liked the fact that the sex scenes weren't overly or gratuitously done. It can be tiring if the main characters are always jumping into bed and there is no real story other than that. Ms. Hiestand's book is nothing like that. The scenes are natural feeling and fit well in the storyline. It makes for a believable progression with just the right amount of spark.

I highly recommend this book and am personally looking forward to starting in on the other books in this story. 
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

You can grab your copy of Wedding Matilda in print or ebook HERE.  Plus check out the rest of the series and get to know the Redcakes.

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Taken Away by Patricia Yager Delagrange

TITLE:    Taken Away
AUTHOR:    Patricia Yager Delagrange
INFO:    Paperback/Kindle, Fiction, 248 pages
PUBLISHED:   Blackhawk, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Author

FROM GOODREADS:  Jessee Bradford, a respected young veterinarian in Santa Barbara, California comes home to find his wife and daughter missing. He fears they have been kidnapped or worse. The FBI investigators believe his wife, the only daughter of a wealthy philanthropist who never approved of their marriage, simply abandoned Jessee and took their child with no intention of returning.  

After months of fruitless searching, Jessee relocates to his grandparents home in Iowa where he takes over his grandpa's veterinary practice. There he finds the family closeness he's been missing and falls in love with female equestrian Laura. When Jessee and Laura attend a gallery opening of an artist name She, the paintings remind him of his wife Serena's art work. Thus begins Jessee's search to find She while his future with Laura teeters precariously on the edge until the truth about She is discovered. 

MY TAKE:    I really enjoyed this book from new-to-me author Patricia Yager Delagrange. It was an enjoyable read that I had a hard time putting down once I delved into the story. The elements of mystery, suspense, romance and drama are all blended skillfully to create an interesting and gripping story. I liked being kept wondering until the end.

The author has mastered the art of character development and created very likable people that the reader can't help but relate to at times and empathize for at others. You find yourself worrying about the characters and what is happening to them and around them. I had many emotional moments while reading this story, both happy and sad . It went straight to the heart and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read it.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Get your copy for Kindle or paperback from Amazon today.

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Virgin of the Wind Rose by Glen Craney

TITLE:    The Virgin of The Wind Rose: A Christopher Columbus Mystery-Thriller
AUTHOR:    Glen Craney
INFO:    Paperback, Kindle, Fiction, 406 pages
PUBLISHED:  2014
SOURCE:   Received from Author for review

FROM GOODREADS:  While investigating the murder of an American missionary in Ethiopia, rookie State Department lawyer Jaqueline Quartermane becomes obsessed with a magical word square found in an underground church guarding the tomb of the biblical Adam. 

Drawn into a web of esoteric intrigue, she and a roguish antiquities thief named Elymas must race an elusive and taunting mastermind to find the one relic needed to resurrect Solomon's Temple. A trail of cabalistic clues leads them to the catacombs of Rome, the crypt below Chartres Cathedral, a Masonic shaft in Nova Scotia, a Portuguese shipwreck off Sumatra, and the caverns under the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 

Intertwined with this modern mystery-thriller, a parallel duel is waged:

The year is 1452. One of the most secretive societies in history, Portugal's Order of Christ, is led by a reclusive visionary, Prince Henry the Navigator. He and his medieval version of NASA merged with the CIA scheme to foil their archenemies, the Inquistor Torquemada and Queen Isabella of Castille, who plan to bring back Christ for the Last Judgement by ridding the world of Jews, heretics and unbelievers. 

Separated by half a millennium, two conspiracies to usher in the Tribulations by the Book of Revelation dovetail in this fast-paced thriller to expose the world's most explosive secret: The true identity of Christopher Columbus and the explorer's connection to those now trying to spark the End of Days.

MY TAKE:   The fact that this book was compared favorably by other readers to the writings of Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code) is what initially drew me to it. When the author asked if I'd be interested in reading it for myself, I jumped at the chance to see what the hype was about. I'm very glad I did. The best part is that while it is traipsing through history as the "Code" did, this story is a world unto itself. It doesn't need to be compared to another work, it is definitely its own entity.

Glen Craney has done a fantastic job of weaving the present with the past, the fact with the fiction and the good with the evil. I felt like I was on a wild ride (picture Disneyland's Indiana Jones) that I didn't want to get off of. It was very easy for me to get lost in this world of intrigue and wonder and forget everything that was going on around me. I stayed up all night to finish this great read and was left wanting more. That is always something I look for. More, more, more! (The great news is that there IS more from this talented man - see below)

I am an avid reader of historical fiction and intrigue, always on the look-out for my next obsession. This page-turner delivered as I became engrossed in finding out the next clue, the next tidbit of information. Many times I will figure stories out early on, but this book keeps you guessing. Mr. Craney is a master of holding back and building the suspense. Though this is a fast-paced romp through history and time, you are still holding your breath as you near the end. Even with the satisfying solution/resolution, I'm hoping for a sequel....

Overall I found this to be a very satisfying read and I highly recommend it.  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

You can find your own of 

The Virgin of the Wind Rose 

at Amazon 

right now! 

And here are a few more exciting offerings from Glen Craney that I will be looking forward to soon:

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Sneak Peek Teaser: The Virgin of the Wind Rose - A Christopher Columbus Mystery/Thriller

The Virgin of the Wind Rose -  A Christopher Columbus Mystery/Thriller by Glen Craney

I thought I'd give you a quick sneak peek into the book I'm immersing myself in right now. I must say, I'm really enjoying it and look forward to writing a review on it.

If you don't want to wait for my review, you can grab your own copy on Amazon.com HERE.

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The English Breakfast Murder by Laura Childs

A Tea Shop Mystery



TITLE:    Title  The English Breakfast Murder
AUTHOR:    Laura Childs
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 265 pages
PUBLISHED:   Berkley Prime Time, 2003
SOURCE:   Purchased myself

FROM AMAZON:    It is a truly exhilarating experience for Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning-helping Charleston's Sea Turtle Protection League shepherd hundreds of tiny green loggerheads safely into the sea. But just as she's about to celebrate all her hard work, she spots a dead body bobbing in the waves. Now it's up to Theo to get to the bottom of the murder before the culprit's greed stirs him to kill again.


MY TAKE:     Cozy mysteries have become a go-to genre for me when I want something light and fun.  I like to try to solve the puzzle before the end and I enjoy tackling the twists and turns the authors throw at the reader.  This book fit that requirement well.

Laura Childs has created a fun series with her Tea Shop Mysteries.  The characters are well written and fun to get to know.  Theodosia's story this time has a lot of interesting facets to it with the task of saving sea turtles, solving a murder, skirting a little romance and promoting her tea shop all combined into one tale.  There was a lot of camaraderie and action packed into this fairly quick read.  The author did a good job with the red herrings as I didn't figure it out until almost the end!

This is a really fun series with an enjoyable heroine who makes you want to hang out at her tea shop and go on fantastic adventures with her and her wacky cast of characters.

  

    

  

    

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.