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Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters by Lida Sideris (Book Review)

 
Watch out Southern California! There’s a new entertainment attorney in town and she’s got game. Only problem is, it’s not the one she should be playing. Corrie Locke belongs behind a desk, not behind a Glock. She should be taking VIP calls, not nosing around a questionable suicide. Instead, she’s hot on the trail of a murderer.

Luckily, she’s the daughter of a late, great private eye and she’s inherited his love of sleuthing…and illegal weaponry. It doesn’t help matters that her gene for caution is a recessive one. Corrie finds herself in the center of a murder case, unearthing suspects in shocking places. With a cold-blooded killer on the loose, Corrie will have to up her game, or die trying.

 

 


I veered out of the parking lot and bounced onto the cavity-ridden dirt road. The mystery car appeared out of nowhere from beneath the tall pines, eclipsed by the darkness. Now it raced away somewhere ahead.
“Why didn’t we hear it start?” I asked James.
“It’s a hybrid.”
“We’re in a car chase with a Prius?” A car chase with a Porsche or Ferrari was respectable, but with a battery operated car? All bragging rights vanished.
I shifted into warp speed and surged downhill. Seconds later, we faced the hybrid’s rear bumper. The spot for the license plate sat empty.
“He’s not getting away,” I said.
The hybrid turned and launched up a hill, kicking up pebbles and a dusty haze. It fish-tailed and I nearly nipped it in the rear. I executed a sharp left and ran over something large. And lumpy.
“Stop,” James said.
I skidded to a halt, a cloud of dirt trapped in my headlights. The Prius escaped through an open gate and onto La Paz. My eyes cut to the rearview mirror. My tail-lights illuminated the road behind us in an eerie red glow. As I surveyed the scene, not a trace of saliva remained in my mouth.
 

 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
 
Have you ever read/watched a crime show and figured out the “who” and “why” of the plot halfway through? Heck, even ten minutes into the mystery and you’re suddenly bored out of your mind because there’s no real mystery at all? Well, have no fear, Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters will keep you on your toes until the bitter end. 
 
Besides the murder/suicide case, Corrie and Michael are on a mission to retrieve a missing cat and solve the mystery of the alien abduction. Well, there weren’t really any green men but Fo didn’t know that (at first). 
 
Doesn’t this book sound delightfully crazy? Oh it is thanks to the numerous whackadoodles gracing the pages.
 
However, as much fun as I had reading this whirlwind of nuttiness, a couple things made this story’s score a 3.5
 
1.) There were a multitude of cast members introduced to us at once. In fact, I kept a list of who everyone was and a brief description of each until I really got to know them. 
2.) At certain points of the book, I wondered if there was a mini story (a .5 novella) written before this one. I actually checked because when Clayton appeared, when she thought of her father’s death (before the big unveil of what happened to him), I felt as if I missed something. So, I checked and I noticed there wasn’t anything before Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters. 
3.) Corrie was noticeable jealous of the attention women gave Michael but seemed to want James as well. She also “spoke” too much about the attractiveness of her male co-workers. 
 
So my question is…. Does she really have feelings for Michael? Want James? Both? Or is she just noticing and wondering what it would be like with any attractive male? 
 
My gut is telling me a love triangle is in the works and I can’t wait to read it. Plus, I can’t wait to watch her sleuthing ways in action again. I have no doubt book 2 will be just as entertaining.
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤ 1/2
 
 
 
 
 

Like her heroine, Lida Sideris worked as an entertainment attorney for a film studio. Unlike her heroine, she was not blackmailed into investigating the suspicious death of a co-worker. Lida resides in the northern tip of Southern California with her family, their rescue shepherds, and a flock of uppity chickens. She was the recipient of the Helen McCloy/Mystery Writers of America scholarship for her first novel, Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters. To learn more, please visit www.LidaSideris.com.
 

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Falling in Deeper by Shayla Black (Book Review)

 
Series: A Wicked Lovers Novel (Book 11) 
Paperback: 336 pages 
Publisher: Berkley (July 5, 2016)


 

A tragic past threatens to destroy a passionate future in this dangerously sexy new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Wicked for You.

After a violent tragedy nearly destroyed her, Lily Taylor ran away, changed her name, and started over. When her deadly nemesis resurfaces to eliminate his loose end, she turns to the last man she should trust—a stranger with a history of violence and an intoxicating sexuality she can’t refuse…

Though strong-armed into locating Lily to help put away a drug lord, ex-con Stone Sutter isn’t anyone’s snitch. When he finds the terrified beauty, he vows to keep her safe—but he isn’t sure he has the strength to shield her from his own desires.

As an unquenchable fire sparks between them, Lily’s tormentor stalks ever closer, and she must overcome her darkest fear to survive. Can she trust the bond she and Stone have formed as they’re falling in deeper?

 
 
 
 
Shayla has again captured my interest and my heart with one of her creations. In “Falling in Deeper”, Shayla had constructed a backstory so traumatizing I felt the pain and anguish right down to my very bones. (No spoilers) 
 
But more importantly, I could also see the strength Lily possessed and I’m sure you will too.
 
Any number of the things Lily experienced would’ve broken most people, and yes, she was emotionally detached for a long while. However, deep down, her spirit wasn’t obliterated. We saw her come alive when Stone entered her life. We saw him come to life as well.

Death, heartache, lies, betrayal are all par for the course in this contemporary romance tale. 

 
Of course, no Shayla Black story would be complete with the epic forgiveness scene because we all adore a HEA. 
 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
 
 

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Something Old, Something New by Darcie Boleyn (Book Review)

A heartwarming, giggle-inducing romance from Darcie Boleyn, just in time for the wedding season!

Will you marry me…again?

When Annie Thomas agrees to give her ex away at his wedding to his boyfriend, she thinks she’ll be fine. With her three children at her side, she can handle anything. Then she finds out her gorgeous first ex-husband Evan Llewellyn is flying in from his glamorous life in New York to attend as well!

An unexpected pregnancy ended their relationship and as she stumbles through the ups and downs of life as a working single mum – helping everyone else find a happy ending along the way – Annie refuses to believe their old and incredibly hot spark can still exist.

It’s only when she and Evan are forced to face up to the past together that they’ll discover if they can have their own happily-ever-after too!

 
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Are you a divorcee? Divorcee with kids? How about, do you know anyone who is divorced with or without a child? If you answered yes to any of these questions (which I’m sure you did), then you can identify with Annie’s life. She is a divorcee, twice removed, and raising three children while working. She’s constantly asking herself, “Am I failing?” 
 
Any caregiver can relate to this thought. We always wonder if we are doing enough, providing enough, giving enough of ourselves via time/attention. The scene where Annie was soaking in the tub and her son came in needing to poo, the very thing has happened to me — more than once. I’m sure it’s happened to you as well. 
 
The next part might not touch home for most people. Her second ex-husband, Dex, is a gay man. Their marriage didn’t work, for obvious reasons, but they’ll always be best friends. Basically, they had the perfect divorce. She even walked him down the aisle when he remarried — this time to a man. 🙂
 
The gay wedding was spectacular. The cake was a work of art: fairytale castle upon two tiers of jelly beans, flowers, ivy, and likenesses of the three children plus Annie. This sugary concoction was almost too pretty to eat. 
 
FYI: The speeches at the wedding will explain the jelly beans in case you’re puzzled about the cake decorations.
 
Moving on…..
 
The love between Dex and Trevor, their wedding, didn’t take the cake (no pun intended) as the most romantic moment of Something Old, Something New. The prize definitely goes out to Annie. What she does to show Evan the depth and the trueness of her feelings for him was one helluva grand, romantic gesture. If they didn’t live happily ever after — AGAIN — then these two are hopeless. 
 
Well, these two are definitely hopeless……. HOPELESSLY IN LOVE. 
 
Oh BTW, Darcie, you’ll be please to know you had the Bob the Builder tune stuck in my head all night long. Thanks for that. 🙂
 
 
Heart Rating System 
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
 

Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.


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Between the Two of You by Melissa Lynn (Book Review)

As a trained accountant in Quebec, Amy Lefevre will be the first to admit that her life is not quite adding up. After all, how can anyone in her twenties already be in such a serious rut? When she decides to shake things up and create a new life in Winnipeg, Amy’s world suddenly takes a turn for the fabulous. His name is Jason, and he happens to be a card-carrying movie star.

Between The Two of You is the romantic comedy that follows Amy as she cultivates a serious crush on the dashing Jason Lane, only to soon find out that she has some fierce competition. Can Amy win Jason’s affection? And, above all, is it really what she wants?

Along the way, Amy finds plenty of support from old friends and new; a little side romance; and even a star-studded job prospect with Jason’s agent, David. Can they help her meet her bottom line—a brand new exciting life? Find out in this hilarious, endearing story of one woman’s quest of taking chances, which serves up plenty of heart-racing moments and as many hearty laughs.

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
It’s not often I enjoy the supporting characters instead of the main stars; however, that was what happened for me in Between the Two of You. 
 
Jason Lane (actor) was extremely shallow and self-absorbed for over 90% of the story. 
 
David Cole (agent) acted like a jealous idiot for the same percentage of time. He was jealous of his friend for multiple reasons. What a sad, sad man and I don’t mean it in the way where I feel any compassion for him. 
 
Amy (leading lady) came across just as shallow as Jason. She liked Jason and Clive because they had a pretty face. 
 
Her whole attitude towards Clive and Jason confused me. Let me explain one thing I didn’t comprehend. Maybe you will. 
 
Amy perceived Clive too young for her, a ‘baby’, because he was 22 to her 27. However, Jason and David were both 39. Shouldn’t they have a problem with the 12 year gap? When David turned 40, still no mention of the 10 plus years separating them. So basically, she can’t date a younger man but a man can date a younger woman? 
 
Why? I don’t get it. 
 
Since the story kept fluctuating between the three men (in one way or another) and her, a center of their attention, I kept focusing on her weird ass logic with what was ok and what was not. 
 
For that reason, I scored this book a two. 
 
Again I must say, without the supporting cast of Olivia, Karen, Nathan and even Matt, Between the Two of You would’ve score a 1. 
 
 
Heart Rating System 
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
 

 
MELISSA LYNN is a first-time novelist, with her book Between The Two of You. She holds a degree in Business Administration, as well as a diploma in French literature. Born and raised in Canada, the author now lives in Mexico City, where she is currently working on her next novel.

 

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High Contrast: Evolution Ink by Tess Bowery (Book Review)

 The deepest scars aren’t the ones that show.

Jacob Shain is your average member of Generation Screwed. He has a boring internship, no cash flow, and a tiny NYC apartment he has to share with Ethan, his much-cooler, tattoo-artist twin brother. Not to mention his love life is DOA. At least, until his brother’s shop hires on a new piercer, and Jacob’s humdrum life takes a turn for the weird.

Cody Turner is gorgeous, funny and kind—everything Jacob wants in a boyfriend. Except for the way he refuses to talk about his past, or where he lives, or anything about his personal life.

When Ethan is arrested while on a mission of mercy, the reason Cody is so tight lipped comes to light. And while Jacob and Cody fight to understand the depth of their feelings for one another, the police dogs catch their scent. So does the local mob.

Now Jacob has to make the hardest choice of his life: stay safe like a good boy, or dive headfirst into a world he barely understands…and hope Cody is there to break his fall.

Warning: Contains a good boy who wants to be bad, a bad boy who longs to be good, bodies that are canvases for living art and high-speed chases with police dogs.

 

 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

Are you a fan of gay romantic comedies? If you answered yes, then you MUST buy High Contrast. This book was jam-packed full of humor — some instances happening at the oddest of times. 
 
Case in point: Cody deciding to give Jacob a grammar lesson during foreplay. When a man is asking to “lick” anything, don’t point out his grammar error. Can I? May I? Seriously, I laughed at the hilarity of the teaching moment. 
 
Example 2: I’ve heard of getting cock-blocked, but to have an actual “cock”roach ruin what was turning into a “moment” had me grinning. Oh, I should mention these two fellas actually achieved said “almost moment” while dumpster diving. Gross but true. 
 
Now you might be wondering why these two fellas were in the disgusting wasteland. Well, it all centers around marijuana (for sick patients), cops, Russian mob, and the past meeting your present. 
 
What, you thought this was going to be a book with nothing but two guys getting their horizontal groove on? Nope, the steamy shagfest didn’t start until chapter 7. Let me tell you, folks, when these two finally succumbed to their desires……. Holy smokes!!!
 
Trust me, you won’t want to miss a single minute of the lovin. 
 
You also won’t want to skip over the no holds barred action when worlds collide. It’s almost as good when Drew Sullivan (workplace bully) gets put in his place. 
 
Man, I could go on and on about this story but I’ll stop. Well, I must say one more thing……. 
 
I think marijuana should be readily available to the sick! 
 
Legalize it in all states!! 
 
Heart Rating System
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤
 

 

 

Tess Bowery lives near the ocean, which sounds lovely, except when it snows. An historian by training and a theater person by passion, she’s parleyed her Masters degree in English history into something that would give her former professors something of a surprise.

Her love for the Regency era began as they always do, with Jane Austen, and took a sharp left turn into LBGT biographies and microhistory. Now she indulges in both of her passions, telling the stories of her community in the time periods that fire the human imagination. Her first foray into contemporary M/M fiction, High Contrast, releases in 2016.

Along with writing, Tess splits her time between teaching, backstage work, LBGT activism and her family. She spends far too much money on comic books, loves superheroes and ghost stories, and still can’t figure out how to use Twitter properly.

Get updates and book information at http://www.tessbowery.com, or hang out with Tess at http://tessbowery.tumblr.com, or @tessbowery on Twitter.

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