The A List by J.A. Jance

More than ten years after the abrupt end of her high-profile broadcasting career, Ali Reynolds has made a good life for herself in her hometown of Sedona, Arizona. She has a new house, a new husband, and a flourishing cybersecurity company called High Noon Enterprises, where her team of veritable technological wizards hunts down criminals one case at a time.

But the death of an old friend brings Ali back to the last story she ever reported: a feel-good human interest piece about a young man in need of a kidney to save his life, which quickly spiraled into a medical mismanagement scandal that landed a prestigious local doctor in prison for murder.

Years may have passed, but Dr. Edward Gilchrist has not forgotten those responsible for his downfall—certainly not Ali Reynolds, who exposed his dirty deeds to the world. Life without parole won’t stop him from getting his revenge. Tattooed on his arm are the initials of those who put him behind bars, and he won’t stop until every person on that Annihilation List is dead.

 

Series: Ali Reynolds #14 | Publisher: Gallery Books |  Release Date: April 2, 2019| Genre: | Source: Publisher | Rating: 3.5 Cups

 

This one was a bit different from what I was expecting. I went in thinking this was going to be a straight up mystery and it ended up being a suspense/thriller and I’m not mad about it.

 

When Ali Reynolds helped expose a fraudulent fertility doctor who impregnated clients with his own sperm, she never expected to end up on his hit list ten years later. With the help of his mother and another inmate, Dr. Edward Gilchrist is on a mission rid the world of those who brought him down. As his list gets shorter, Ali and her team of techies soon realize she’s next on the dirty Doctor’s Annihilation List.

 

I’m not going to delve too deep into this one as I don’t want to give too much away because it’s one of those books you need to start fresh going in.

 

There’s a lot going on in this one and, at times, it felt a little congested as there was so much backstory needed to move forward. Although I didn’t mind seeing as the events of the past was what put the present events into motion. Without the backstory, this one would have fallen flat.

 

This is my first time reading a full-length Ali Reynolds Mystery (I read a novella years ago but can’t recall much of it) and since it’s the fourteenth book in the series, I was a bit worried I would struggle with the characters. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. While I would like to know more about Ali and her circle, I still feel as though I was able to get a nice sense of who they are.

 

I found the suspense/thriller aspect of this one to be riveting as we see the events playing out on the page as they happen. We get to see the origin, the thoughts of the characters, and the way it’s carried out and I found that to be an interesting take.  

 

Overall, if you’re looking for a different take on a suspense/thriller then you’ll enjoy this one. There’s a lot of characters to keep up with but it’s well worth the read.

Edge of Evil

Web of Evil

Hand of Evil

Cruel Intent

Trial by Fire

Fatal Error

Left for Dead

Deadly Stakes

Moving Target

The Last Goodbye (novella)

Cold Betrayal

No Honor Among Thieves

Clawback

Random Acts

Man Overboard

Duel to the Death

The A List  

Blink by K.L. Slater

What if the person you love most in the world was in terrible danger … because of you?

 

Three years ago, Toni’s five-year-old daughter Evie disappeared after leaving school. The police have never been able to find her. There were no witnesses, no CCTV, no trace.

 

But Toni believes her daughter is alive. And as she begins to silently piece together her memories, the full story of the past begins to reveal itself, and a devastating truth.

 

Toni’s mind is trapped in a world of silence, her only chance to save herself is to manage the impossible. She must find a way to make herself heard. She must find her daughter.

 

Publisher: Grand Central | Genre: Psychological thriller/Suspense | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4 Cups

Challenges Read For:  2019 Try Something New--New-to-me Author

 

K.L Slater has been on my authors-to-read list for a few years so I jumped at the chance to review Blink when it was offered and I was not disappointed.

 

Here’s what’s happening in Blink: After losing her husband in an accident in Afghanistan, Toni decides the best thing for her and her five-year-old daughter would be to move closer to her mother. Her new living conditions aren’t ideal and Toni’s not exactly in the best state but she believes she’s doing the best she can to mother her daughter. While the people around Toni notice her daughter becoming more and more withdrawn, Toni fails to notice it until her daughter vanishes after school one day. Now three years later, Toni is convinced her daughter is still alive, the only thing left to do is convince law enforcement to help her find Evie before it’s too late.

 

This was such a brilliant psychological thriller/suspense novel. I picked this up late at night intending to read a chapter or two then head to bed. I ended up reading half the book before I realized it—it’s that addicting. I had to know what was going on with each of the characters and if Evie was ever found.

There’s a realness to the character’s that drew me in, which was good seeing as I wasn’t really a fan of some of the characters. The more I read, the more I disliked Toni. She paraded around as though she were mother of the year, as though her actions weren’t affecting Evie, when in fact everyone around could see the impact Toni’s decisions had on her. I found it hard to be sympathetic toward Toni when her actions were the catalyst leading to Evie’s disappearance.  

 

The plot bounces back and forth from past to present and is told through several different POVs, each adding their own bits of mystery to the plot. Multiple POVs can jumble up the flow and make it feel clunky, Blink wasn’t like that. Each character had a pivotal story to tell that added to the overall story rather than breaking it apart. If it would have been told from just a dual POV, I feel like it would have made the book feel flat.

 

I know that multiple POVs often put some people off due to getting confused about who’s speaking, but I highly recommend giving this one a go because each chapter is labeled with the POV you’re getting and there’s no swapping in the middle of a chapter.

 

The mystery regarding who took Evie and how she was abducted was an interesting one. While I had a feeling who and why early on, I found myself questioning my decision every so often as wasn’t sure if I was right until the end.

 

My only complaint about this one was how abrupt the ending was. While it tied up everything, I wanted to know a bit more about what happened next. It also would have been nice to see how and if Toni changed.

 

Overall, I enjoyed this one. There were a few things that I would have liked to have changed, but I still feel this was a worthy read.

Are you a fan of Psychological thrillers?

Do you like British Crime Drama?

Most Valuable Playboy by Lauren Blakely (Mini Review)

Hands down, my favorite thing in the world is to score. Touchdowns.

Don't let the fact that I'm the leading pick in the Most Valuable Playboy charity auction fool you. These days, I'm only a player on the field. I've kept my pants zipped all season long — and it has been long — because nothing's more important than leading my team to victory every week. Except maybe escaping from the team owner's recently-widowed and handsy-as-hell sister who's dead set on winning more than a date with me.

Enter Violet and a well-placed Hail Mary.

She's my best friend's sister with a smile as sweet as cherry pie and a mind that runs quicker than the 40-yard-dash. After Violet saves the day with the highest bid, I don't even give her a two-minute warning before I kiss her in front of the whole crowd and then announce that she's my girlfriend. Which would be fine except my agent tells me we've got to keep up the act while...

Series: Ballers and Babes #1 | Publisher: Lauren Blakely Books | Narrator: Zachary Webber | Length: 6 hours, 22 minutes | Genre: Contemporary Romance  | Source: Audible Romance Package | Rating: 3.5 Cups

Challenges Read For:  Literary Pickers  - Sports Pad/Protective Gear

 

A fake mates story with your best friend’s little sister?  Yes, please!

 

Violet bids on Cooper to save him from the boss’s sister, they decide a fake relationship will help their careers, then suddenly they realize their feelings run deeper than just fake mates

 

While the story was cute, the characters fun, and the chemistry hot, this one was just an okay read. It was a little heavy on the football references—I do like my sport romances to include the lingo but, occasionally, it can become overkill.

 

Zachary Webber does a great job with the narration.

 

I picked this one up after a few really intense reads and it was a nice book to relax/refocus with. Does it have staying power? No, I listened to this late January and month later I was constantly consulting my notes just to remember enough about the book to write this review. Is it worth a read? Yes, especially on those days you’d like a light, fun romance that doesn’t require a lot of focus.

Overall, this one was a light listen—not very memorable— but I enjoyed it at the time. The characters were fun and flirty and I do love the fake mates trope.

Ballers and Babes Series

Most Valuable Playboy

Most Likely to Score

Murders and Metaphors by Amanda Flower

January means ice wine season in the Niagara Falls region, but the festivities leave Charming Books owner Violet Waverly cold, still reeling from a past heartbreak. A past heartbreak who will be present at the annual midnight grape-harvest festival, and no magic in the world or incantation powerful enough could get Violet to attend. But Grandma Daisy, an omniscient force all on her own, informs Violet that she’s already arranged for the mystical Charming Books to host celebrity sommelier Belinda Perkins’s book signing at the party. Little do either Waverly women know, the ice wine festival will turn colder still when Violet finds Belinda in the middle of the frozen vineyard—with a grape harvest knife protruding from her chest.

Belinda grew up in Cascade Springs, but she left town years ago after a huge falling-out with her three sisters. One of those sisters, Violet’s high school friend Lacey Dupont, attends the book signing in the hope of making amends with her sister, but Belinda and Lacey end up disrupting the signing with a very public shouting match and Lacey quickly becomes the prime suspect in the sommelier’s murder.  

Violet is sure Lacey is innocent, and to keep her friend out of prison, Violet asks for guidance from her magical bookshop. The shop’s ethereal essence points her to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, but what have the four March sisters to do with the four Perkins sisters? If she can’t figure it out, Violet, herself, may turn as cold as ice. Violet, Grandma Daisy, Emerson the tuxedo cat, and resident crow Faulkner are back on the case.

 

Series: Magical Bookshop Mysteries #3 | Publisher:  Crooked Lane Books | Release Date: 2/12/2019  | Genre: Cozy Mystery | Source: Publisher  | Rating: 4 Cups

Challenges Read For:  -  Cruisin' Thru The Cozies - Paranormal Cozy - 2019 Try Something New- New-to-Me Author

 

I picked this up for review on a whim and I have to say I was so delighted that I did. How could I resist a cozy mystery with a quirky, magical bookshop that helps solve the mysteries? It was definitely a different take on a paranormal cozy, which I found refreshing.

 

Here’s what’s going on. When hometown girl and sommelier Belinda Perkins is murdered at her book signing, Violet and Grandma Daisy are determined to prove that Belinda’s sister and Violet’s best friend, Lacey, is innocent. Violet has a feeling she knows who the murderer is but when her bookshop’s essence keeps dropping clues in the lap in the form of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Violet starts wondering if there’s something more going on with the Perkins sisters. Will Violet and Grandma Daisy be able to figure out who the murderer is now that Violet seems to be a target?

 

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one and I did struggle a bit at the start with the magical tree bit as I was worried this one would feel a bit childish but I finally found my groove with this book and I’m so glad I did. I really ended up enjoying the magic of the shop and the way the shop’s essence helps solve the crime.

 

Violet and Grandma Daisy were fun characters to get to know. Both and a bit quirky and completely determined to do what they set out to do and that often leads them into trouble. Violet having recently returned, they’re both still sorting out their relationship and Violet’s trying to come to terms with what it means to be the caretaker of the magical tree. She’s struggling a bit as she figured out how to balance that responsibility with her personal life.

 

The mystery was brilliant and I liked how the book paralleled things in Little Women with things going on with Belinda’s mystery. I had an inkling who the murderer was and I was right but I still enjoyed watching how it unfolded.

 

So, there’s a bit of a love triangle that seems to be happening between Violet, Nathan Morton—the mayor and son of a wealthy family, and David Rainwater—the local police chief. As of now, Violet seems to be giving David a chance but there’s still something—not so much a romance but a lingering connection—to Nathan.

 

There’s a major chunk of Violet’s story I missed having not read the first two books and, while I wished I had her entire backstory, I had no trouble following along with this one.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and look forward reading the previous books in the series.

Magical Bookshop Mystery Series
Crime and Poetry

Pros and Cons

Murders and Metaphors

WoW #72: Day of the Dragon by Katie MacAlister

Release Date: March 5, 2019

Publisher: Forever

Series: Dragon Hunter’s #2

Why it’s my WoW: I loved Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter (the first book in the series) and I’ve been itching to get my hands on the next book since finishing the arc of the first. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this fun dragon-filled world that MacAlister has created.

With dragons like him, who needs enemies?

Real scholars know that supernatural beings don't exist. But the moment I meet Archer Andras of the Storm Dragons, all my academic training goes out the window. Thanks to Mr. Tall, Dark, And Infuriating, I'm learning that I really should worry about those things that go bump in the night. . . and that dragons like Archer are 100 percent pure trouble.  

Now I'm caught in the middle of a war. On one side is Archer. On the other is his twin brother. And I am the key to translating an ancient text that could bring balance-or deadly ruin-to our world. But none of that is as dangerous as the seriously sexy sparks between Archer and me. He's too tempting to be real. Too gorgeous to trust. And when it comes to dragons, there's no smoke without deadly fire.

Includes the novel WOLF'S MATE by Celia Kyle: When Abby Carter is threatened by an anti-shifter organization, werewolf shifter Declan Reed will have to convince her that there's no safer place in the world than in the arms of a big bad werewolf.

What are you waiting on?

The House Mate by Kendall Ryan

What's sexier than a bad boy? A bad ass man who's got his shit together.

Max Alexander is nearing 35. He's built a successful company, and he's conquered the professional world, but he's never been lucky in love. Focusing so much time on his business and raising his daughter, adulting has come at the expense of his personal life.  

His social skills are shit, his patience is shot, and at times, his temper runs hot.  

The last thing he has time for is the recently single, too gorgeous for her own good young woman he hires to take care of his little girl. She's a distraction he doesn't need, and besides, there's no way she'd be interested. But you know what they say about assumptions?  

Series: Roommates, Book 3 | Publisher: Kendall Ryan | Narrators: Ava Erickson, Sebastian York | Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Giveaway | Ratings:  3.5 Lit Pickers- French Doors/Sliding Glass Doors

 

I want to say I’ve read something by Kendall Ryan years ago, but I can’t recall what that was or if I liked it. I really need to make a review master list for the blog so I can check because, apparently, my brain just doesn’t have the capacity to store the vast amount of books I’ve read.

 

Here’s what’s going on. When Max’s ex shows up with a one-year-old little girl that’s she’s claiming is his daughter, he knows he has to step up and give her the best life possible—even though she’s turning his world upside down. His first step is hiring a nanny although he never thought he’d end up falling for said nanny. After her life blew up around her, Addison needs a change and acting as nanny to an adorable one-year-old is the perfect opportunity to figure out what she wants. The only problem is, she’s attracted to her charges dad and it’s apparent he feels the same. The only thing left to do is figure out how to balance their relationship with their work.

 

It was really nice to see a guy that finally has his crap together. He’s ready, and willing, to step up and be the father that Dylan needs and he’s willing to put his own happiness second. Addison’s been through the wringer. She’s trying to figure out who she is and what her self-worth is since her relationship with her ex crumbled around her. While they’re both insanely attracted to each other, they know that Dylan comes first and they’re determined to make sure she’s happy and cared for.

 

There was a bit of added drama in the form of Tiffany, Max’s secretary, and it worked and felt believable. Although there were several occasions I wanted Max to open his eyes and see what she was up to.

 

While this one had attraction, chemistry, and fun, I feel like this was just one of those romances that just shows the day-to-day things that happens in life so it wasn’t a grand romance but it was nice and light.   

 

Overall, this one wasn’t bad, it wasn’t one of my favorites and didn’t really stand out to me but it was an okay listen. I feel like this trope has been done so many times before so I feel like this one needed its own special something to make standout from the crowd and, sadly, this one just didn’t have it.

Roomates Series

The Room Mate

The Play Mate

The House Mate

The Birthday Girl by Sue Fortin

Dear Carys, Zoe and Andrea

Come and join me for my fortieth birthday adventure weekend, full of mysteries and surprises the like of which you can’t imagine.  

When Joanne’s friends reluctantly accept an invitation to her birthday party, it quickly becomes clear that there is more to this weekend than they are expecting.

One of them is hiding a secret.

And Joanne is planning to reveal it…

A weekend away in a cottage in the woods sounds like fun – until no one can hear your cries for help.

 

Publisher: Harper Impulse | Genre: Psychological Thriller/ Mystery  | Source: Publisher (?)| Rating: 4 Cups

Challenges Read For:  - 2019 Try Something New New-to-me Author

 

This arrived sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas and I ended up putting it in my maybe pile, as I hadn’t requested it. It came in a padded mailer from the UK with the customs form over the sender’s address, so I’m guessing it came from the publisher—there was nothing inside to say where it came from. I ended up forgetting about it until I was searching for something a bit different to read a few weeks ago.

 

I’m so glad I gave this book a try. It drew me in from the start and I ended up reading the majority of the book in one sitting. As this is one of those books where any little spoiler will ruin it, I’m not going to delve too deep into a review.

 

Here’s what’s going on. After a bit of a falling out, Joanne guilts her three friends into spending a weekend in a remote cabin for her birthday and she promises it will be filled mysteries and surprises they won’t forget. Carys, Zoe, and Andrea quickly discover that Joanne’s ‘games’ have a bit of bite to them and she’ll stop at nothing to expose their darkest secrets. Although before they realize it, Joanne’s lost control of her little ‘game’ and they discover there is a killer in their midst. Is it one them or an outsider? Will they last until help arrives?

 

All four women are harboring significant secrets that will potentially ruin them if they were to be exposed. Carys, Zoe, and Andrea believe that no one knows what they’re hiding but Joanne has figured them out and she determined that they pay for what she considers their ‘wrongdoings’. Joanne’s decided that she’s going to play judge, jury, and exposer during this weekend but didn’t expect that someone else also knows these secrets and is planning to use them for their own benefit.

 

While the four of them were friends, it was obvious from the start they didn’t trust each other. They were leery from the start so when things started to kick up, it was easy for them to turn on each other. Then the added stress of them being in the middle of nowhere only compounded things.

 

I thought I had the entire book figured out in the first few chapters and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Once I thought I had it nailed down, a twist popped up that had me changing my entire thought process. I enjoyed that I couldn’t figure this one out right out of the gate and I was guessing until the last few chapters.

 

My only problem with this one was that the dialogue, at times, felt a bit like lines from a soap opera. It was brief and random when it happened so I wasn’t being constantly bombarded with it but it threw me off a time of two.

 

If your like British thrillers, mysteries, or crime dramas you’ll want to pick up this book.

 

Overall, this one was a great read. I enjoyed the process of figuring out what was happening and who was pulling the strings. It kept me turning the pages until the very end. I look forward to reading more from this author. Also, this would make a killer movie.

 

Have you read Sue Fortin?

Are you a fan of Psychological Thrillers?

Confessions of a Makeup Magpie: Beauty Rituals Blending Trio (EcoTools) Review

Thanks to my Magpie tendencies I’ve been hoarding makeup and beauty supplies like a dragon amassing it’s hoard (I do love pretty things), so I thought every now and then I’d shared my thoughts on what I’ve been trying out. The good, the bad, the why-did-I-buy- that will all be included. Things could get interesting so stick around and see what I keep and what I toss.

  

Ulta was offering the Beauty Rituals Blending Trio from EcoTools as one of their Platinum Perks and I couldn’t resist this offer so in the cart they went. EcoTools is one of my favorite brush/sponge companies so I was expecting great things. Things happened, they sure did. Sadly, they were not great.

Just as a FYI: This set is an Ulta exclusive. As a Platinum Perk, I was able purchase this before it was available on-line and it stores. I believe it’s available on-line now and will be in stores February 2, 2019.

Here’s why I picked them up.

1-They were $6.99 and shipped free (I needed to pick up a few lip balms, so this was the perfect opportunity to do so without having to pay shipping)

2-I’m a huge fan of EcoTools’ brushes. (I love their fan brushes; they are dense and apply highlighter like a charm)

3-I needed a few flat sponges for my cream blushes and highlighters

4-They’re latex-free (I’ve been having a bit of a reaction to latex in my beauty sponges as of late).

5-They’re vegan and Eco-friendly

 

The set comes with three blenders:

1-Base Blender (emerald)—for foundation

2-Cover Blender—(amethyst) Concealer and such

3-Glow Blender—(rose quartz) Cream Highlighters and such

The wedge tips can be used to apply baking powders

 

Like all beauty sponges, you wet them then remove excess water before use.

 

My first impression—Right out of the package, these were super soft (they weren’t as bouncy as the mini perfecting blenders that I have from them but they were still soft). They plumped up nicely when I wet them and I was easily able to remove the excess water.

 

Application—I started with the Base Blender (the emerald one) and I wasn’t liking the way it was applying my foundation, which was Milani’s Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation, so I remembered watching a video saying that the Glow Blender (the rose quartz one) applied foundation much smoother, so I picked that one up.

I do have to say that it applied my foundation effortlessly. It wasn’t being soaked up in the sponge and it wasn’t leaving that weird sponge texture on my face like the emerald on did.

 

Then I noticed a problem. I had tiny pieces of sponge all over my entire face. I mean, all over my face. The sponge had started crumbling from the center. Being late, as is my fashion, I didn’t have time to redo my foundation, so I did my best to brush off the crumbles. (I ended up picking random bits of sponge off my face all day long, so that was fun).

 

I continued on and used the Base Blender (the emerald one) to apply my cream blush and it allowed me to get a sheer wash of color, which is what I wanted since the blusher I was trying out was what could only be described as DayGlo pink (thanks, Ipsy lol). I did notice that it sucked up a lot of product, so I’m not sure how it would do with a lighter blusher. The Cover Blender worked okay for my cream highlighter. Parts were a bit patchy but I don’t feel like this one sucked up as much product as the other sponge did.

 

These weren’t the easiest to clean—obviously, I didn’t clean the one that’s falling apart—but I couldn’t really get these to look clean and even with my sponge cleaner the emerald one still has a bit of blush in it that’s refusing to come out.

 

Overall, I’m not a big fan of these. One crumbled with the first use and the others were just okay. If I use the blusher again, I’ll use the emerald sponge again, but I don’t think I’ll use the amethyst sponge for my highlighter. I might use it if I ever decide to bake under my eyes because it’s pointy and will probably pick up a nice amount of powder.

 

They were $6.99, so they weren’t the most expensive sponges out there but they’re not the best ones that I’ve had from this company and I feel that they could have been made a bit better. I’ve never had a sponge—even a cheap Equate beauty sponge—to crumble while using it for the first time. I’ve actually never had a sponge to crumble.

 

I just don’t feel that the quality is there with these sponges and I would honestly recommend picking another option.  

  

I would like to say that Ulta did give me a refund for these—even though I tossed the packaging—so kudos to them for having amazing customer service.