The Guilty Ones by Joy Ellis

Jackman’s sister-in-law Sarah disappears to London and throws herself into the river. What drove her to this? She was a woman with a seemingly happy home life and two beloved sons.

 

DI Jackman and DI Evans dig into Sarah’s life. And Jackman realises he knew almost nothing about his sister-in-law’s past.

 

Then, they discover a woman in a neighbouring village died in similar circumstances.

 

What is the connection to a convicted murderer whose family are convinced he is innocent? Who is really pulling the strings?

 

DI Jackman and DS Evans of the Fenland police face a battle against their most dangerous and deadly adversary. And in a case so close to home can Jackman keep his feelings under control?

 

Series: Jackman and Evans Mystery #4 | Publisher: Audible  | Narrator: Richard Armitage | Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins  | Genre: Contemporary Thriller/Mystery | Source: Publisher  | Rating: 3.5 Cups

 

I’ve been enjoying this series but, sadly, the last couple have been a bit hit or miss with me. Although I have to say, I enjoyed this one more than the last.

 

Here’s what’s going on. When Jackman’s sister-in-law commits suicide, Jackman and his partner DS Evans start to wonder if there’s more to the story. When a woman in a neighboring town dies the same way, Jackman and Evans are now convinced something else is at play. Now they’re searching for their most calculating murderer yet. With Jackman so close to the case, will he be able to conduct an accurate investigation.

 

While this one was leaps and bounds better than the last, it still wasn’t up to the level that the previous books in the series were at.

 

There was a lot going on in this one, especially with Jackman. He’s dealing with his sister-in-law’s death, figuring out how to help his parents handle the kids she left behind, helping his brother deal, and overseeing this investigation. He’s also recovering emotionally from the previous case. While he was able to manage, I don’t think he was able to handle everything properly.

 

I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. It was solid, heavy, and had several layers hidden inside. Once I thought I had it figured out, something else popped up and changed my thoughts. Another thing I liked about the mystery in this one was that it had tones of Agatha Christie’s Then There Were None.

 

I’m not going to give any spoilers…but I will say that I wasn’t too satisfied with the way this was handled at the end. I’m hoping the next book will rectify that.

 

As always, Richard Armitage gave a stellar narration.

 

Overall, this one wasn’t as good as it could have been but I do feel like it’s getting back on track of how the first few books were. Still a worthy read with some flaws.

Jackman & Evans Series (recommended listening order)

Their Lost Daughters

The Murderer's Son

The Fourth Friend

The Guilty Ones

The Stolen Boys

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows

You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!)

Or does she?

Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Brontë, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.

Series:  Lady Janies #2 | Publisher: HarperAudio| Narrator: Fiona Hardingham  | Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins | Genre: Historical Paranormal  | Source: Purchased | Rating: 1

Challenges Read For:  -  2019 Try Something New new-to-me series | FraterFest

 

I was searching Audible for something to use my monthly credit on and this popped up. I’m such a Jane Eyre fan—and I’m always looking for a new adaptation—that I knew I needed this book in my life. Turns out, I really didn’t.

 

Okay, before I get ranty, let me tell you, dear readers, about this book. Jane Eyre and Charlotte Brontë are at Lowood Institution when a supernatural investigator seeks out Jane (who just so happens to see ghosts). While Jane has the ability, she’s not interested in helping Alexander with his ghost hunt, all she wants to do is become a governess and she just so happens to have a job at Thornfield Hall tending to the young ward of Mr. Rochester. Yet things aren’t what they seem. As Jane attempts to figure out what’s going on things start to get interesting with Charlotte and Alexander.

 

Had this book not been a Jane Eyre retelling it would have been a decent read. Although it is a Jane Eyre retelling where Charlotte Brontë (the author of Jane Eyre) and her brother, Branwell are also characters so it was all a bit preposterous

 

There’s so much rambling, especially from Charlotte, about Jane Austen and how she wants to find her own Mr. Darcy that it was laughable. Had the authors actually conducted a bit of research (as was mentioned numerous times throughout the novel) then they would have found out that Charlotte couldn’t stand Jane Austen or her work.

 

If you’re familiar with the original version of Jane Eyre, then you’ll know that the narrator often breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the reader. My Plain Jane uses that device as well although unlike Jane Eyre the asides in this one are rather juvenile and add nothing to the story, which became a bit annoying.

 

The way they handled Rochester and Bertha had me rolling my eyes. Given that most readers want to see the relationship develop between Jane and Rochester, this adaption was just insane.

 

Overall, the premise of this one was interesting but the authors ruined it when they decided to thrown in Jane Eyre and the Brontës. Had they made this an original story, it could have made for a decent YA read. Although the way this one came out, I really can’t find one thing to recommend about it.

Lady Janies Series

#1 My Lady Jane

#2 My Plain Jane

Destination Christmas…Christmas, Colorado Series Spotlight

If there was one fictional town I’d like to visit during Christmas it would have to be Christmas, Colorado. The residents are fun, if a little quirky, and there’s always a little mystery going on. And we can’t forget Nell, the resident matchmaker and busybody.

 

Just a heads up, when you’re out and about doing your shopping, make sure to check out the book rack/aisle as Snowbound at Christmas has been re-issued and is currently on the shelf! Not only is it the perfect book to gift, it’s the prefect book to gift to yourself. 

 

Here’s a quick review of the three Christmas-themed full-length books in the series. There’s also a novella, Miracle at Christmas (Christmas, Colorado #7.5), which I will be reviewing at a later date.

 

The Trouble with Christmas by Debbie Mason

Series: Christmas, Colorado #1

 

It will take a Christmas miracle to melt her heart.

 

Resort developer Madison Lane is about to lose the one thing she loves most in the world—her job. Dubbed "The Grinch Who Killed Christmas," Madison spoiled a deal that would turn quaint Christmas, Colorado, into a tourist's winter wonderland. Now the citizens want her fired but the company gives her one last chance, sending Madison to the small town to restore the holiday cheer.

 

For Sheriff Gage McBride, no hotshot executive from New York City is going to destroy the dreams of the people he loves. But one look at this beautiful woman and it's his heart that may be broken. In just a few days, Madison causes more trouble than he's had to deal with all year. He can't decide if she's naughty or nice, but one thing is for certain—Christmas will never be the same again...

 

Review: This was an amazing start to the series—although each book can be read as a standalone—not only does it give a nice introduction to this charming town, it introduces the fun and crazy residents of Christmas all while delivering a delightful romance between Madison and Gage.

 

Gage and Madison were great together and often found themselves in interesting situations seeing as Madison causes trouble wherever she goes and Gage is the sheriff. While there was an attraction between Gage and Madison, they took things slow and I enjoyed that. They’ve both been hurt before so they’re both a bit cautious figuring out where they stood and how to proceed.

 

Although there were a few kinks, this was a great Christmas romance that’sbeen turned into an adorable Hallmark movie.

 

 

It Happened at Christmas by Debbie Mason

Series: Christmas, Colorado #3

 

Love is the best Christmas gift of all.

 

Free-spirited activist Skylar Davis is out of money and out of options. After using up her trust fund trying to save the world, she hides out in Christmas, hoping the kindness of friends will help her forget the reckless actions of her past. All goes well . . . until she comes face-to-face with one of her mistakes: the town's gorgeous young mayor.

 

Ethan O'Connor likes his life drama-free and predictable now that he's about to make the move from small-town politics to the Colorado State Senate. Then Skye blows back into town, as impulsive and passionate as he remembers. If word ever got out about their night together-the night he's never been able to forget-the scandal could cripple his career. Yet as he starts his campaign, Ethan finds that, like the town of Christmas itself, he can't get Skye out of his head . . . or his heart.

 

Normally, I’m not a fan of character’s who are political or activists—and why they both were trying due to their personalities—I found that I enjoyed this book.

 

If there were ever two people to be described as chalk and cheese, it’s Ethan and Skye. Ethan’s a straight-laced guy quickly rising in the world of politics while Skye’s a free-spirited activist that’s determined to save the world. After spending a secret night together, the consequences could destroy Ethan’s career.

 

While I liked Ethan and Skye together, Skye wasn’t one of my favorite characters but I did enjoy the book.    

 

 

Snowbound at Christmas by Debbie Mason

Series: Christmas, Colorado #5

Surviving the holidays will take a Christmas miracle...

 

Ex-cop Cat O'Connor is bored working for her sister, Chloe, as a personal assistant on the set of her soap opera. Until Chloe gets an opportunity to audition for the role of a lifetime and asks her identical twin to substitute for her on the soap with no one the wiser. It's a perfect switch—until Cat attracts the attention of the mysterious Mr. Tall, Dark, and Way-too-handsome leading man.

 

Grayson Alexander never thought being snowbound in the charming town of Christmas, Colorado, for the holiday would get so hot. But between working with sexy, tough Cat on set and keeping his real reason for being there under wraps, he's definitely feeling the heat. And if there's one thing they'll learn as they bring out the mistletoe, it's that in this town, true love is always in season...

 

Review: I had fun with this one. When someone is out to kill Chloe, her twin sister Cat—who happens to be a former detective—is determined to get to the bottom of things. Swapping roles, Cat now finds herself getting up close and personal with the leading man. Although there’s more to Grayson, the hot British actor than meets the eye.

 

This is one of my favorites in the series. A hot Brit with a secret? Yes, please! The romance between Cat and Grayson was a little slow to start but I liked that as two didn’t really trust each other. It was nice watching them figure out who the other was and if they could be trusted.

 

You’ll definitely want to pick this up for a fun and charming read.

Peace, Blood, and Understanding by Molly Harper by Molly Harper

Ever since Jane Jameson took over running the Vampire Council for Half-Moon Hollow, things have been a little unorthodox, and that doesn’t sit well with the head office. Who would have thought vampires were so into bureaucracy and tradition?

Enter a vamp from corporate who’s determined to unseat Jane and get the council back on track - which means no more of this Kentucky neighborliness and mixing with humans, werewolves, witches, or anything else.

But Jane’s not interested in going back to the bad old days when the council was mired in corruption and tended to "accidentally" eat people now and again, but she might be in over her head this time. Good thing there’s a pretty new face in town who just might be the perfect distraction and help save Jane’s career.

Series: Half-Moon Hollow #15 | Publisher: Audible Studios | Narrator: Amanda Ronconi | Length: 6 hrs, 50 mins. | Genre: Paranormal Romance | Source: Purchased | Rating: 4.5 Cups

Challenges Read For:  - Literary Pickers  - Tea Tray/Cart

 

Cue happy little Snoopy dance! It’s been a minute since there’s been a new Half-Moon Hollow book, so when I found out Peace, Blood, and Understanding was coming out, I couldn’t contain my excitement.

 

While I like all of Molly Harper’s work, there’s just something about her Jane Jameson/Half-Moon Hollow series that will always be my favorite. When I pick up a new book from this series, it’s just like meeting up with old friends.

 

Here’s what’s going on: Meadow, a vampire on probation, has been doing everything in her power to live a tranquil life. Running her a tea store and working for the Council in their archive department has kept her focused and busy but when a run in with jackass threatens her calm, she’s determined to keep herself far from the attractive, yet arrogant vampire. When Erik Weston, auditor for the Council, shows up in Meadow’s teashop, he doesn’t want to be attracted to the annoying but attractive vampire he ran into when he first came to town. The only thing he has time for is facts and figures—not falling for Meadow.

 

While Meadow seems to reciprocate the feelings, she’s hesitant to start something when Erik is investigating Jane’s leadership and determined to bring Dick down.

 

Did I mention I love this series? This was a bit different from the previous books. While it focused on the romance between two new characters, it also focused heavily on Dick and Jane and the problems they were facing with the council business. I did like that this one had extra layers to it.

 

Erik and Meadow were definitely a chalk and cheese pair; he’s straight laced and facts/figures oriented and she’s what Dick lovingly refers to as ‘Hippy-Dippy’. They’re not the type of couple that works on paper—they’re not even in the same filing cabinet—but that’s what made them such a fun and interesting couple to watch.

 

Jane and Dick had their hands full with the audit and with someone trying to sabotage the council. I had a feeling who was behind it but I second guessed myself a time or two.

 

Like the other books in the series, we get to see what’s going on with the other residents of Half-Moon Hollow and I enjoyed that.

 

As always, Amanda Ronconi nailed this narration.

 

While this is an already established series, this one does read as a standalone.

 

Overall, another great addition to the series. Even though there were a few different threads going on, each were fleshed out and fully developed.

I know some of you have been wondering about the reading order of the Jane Jameson and Half-Moon Hollow books so I thought I would help you out with this reading guide.

 

The Jane Jameson Series (also referred to as the ‘Nice Girls’ series) started it all. It contains four books and this is a complete series. These books work best if you read them in order.

 

1-Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs

2-Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men

3-Nice Girls Don’t Live Forever

4-Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors

 

Then we have the spinoff series, Half-Moon Hollow. These can be read without reading the Jane Jameson/Nice Girls series—although characters from the Jane Jameson series and Jane herself often pop up. Most of these can be read out of order.

 

0.5 Fangs for the Memories (novella) This one actually happens in the middle of Nice Girls Don’t Dead Men—Jane Jameson #2.

1- The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires

1.5-Driving Mr. Dead (novella)

2-A Witches Handbook of Kisses and Curses

2.5-Undead Sublet (short story found in the Undead In My Bed anthology)

2.6-I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas (novella) This needs to be read before  The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire

3-The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire

4-The Single Undead Moms Club

5-Where the Wild Things Bite

5.5-Big Vamp of Campus (novella) This needs to be read before The Accidental Sire

6-The Accidental Sire

7-Peace, Blood, and Understanding

Flirting with the Frenemy by Pippa Grant

He's a hot single dad. A military man with abs of steel. My brother's best friend. My biggest enemy. And now my fake date to my best friend's wedding. Disasterville, here we come....

Mission: Survive my best friend's wedding, where I must play nice with my ex and his perfect new girlfriend.

Strategy: Bring the hottest fake boyfriend on the planet.

Target: Grady Rock. Master baker. Dimples. Muscles. The unicorn of fake boyfriends.

Complication: Wyatt Morgan. My brother's best friend. My sworn enemy. Military man. Sexy as hell single dad. The man I let into my panties for one night of hot hate sex after my ex dumped me.

And the man who just scared off that perfect fake boyfriend.

By pretending to be my real boyfriend.

I can roll with this though. What’s the harm in Flirting with the Frenemy if it helps me get the job done?

Complete my mission and move on.

Or so I thought.

Until Wyatt kisses me again and I start feeling things I shouldn't.

The thing about weddings...nothing ever goes as planned.

Series: Bro Code #1 | Publisher: Pippa Grant | Narrators: Erin Mallon, Joe Arden  | Length: 6 hrs, 22 minutes | Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy  | Source: Gifted | Rating: 3.5 Cups

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

I went on a thriller/mystery/horror binge, as one does in October, but I needed something fun and light to clear my mind and that’s just what this one was.

Here’s what’s going on: When Ellie and Wyatt decide to put their feuding on hold to ease each other’s woes it doesn’t go as expected. Now six-months later, they’re accidentally back in each other’s lives and somehow Wyatt’s been mistaken for her boyfriend. As Ellie spends more time with Wyatt and his adorable son, she feels the wall she put up to guard against Wyatt starting to crack. Although when they’re together, Ellie knows the universe is trying to keep them apart.

 

Okay, so I’m not going to lie, it was the Pirate Festival that made me pick up this one. I’m such a sucker for anything pirate related and it added such a fun element to this book.

 

Ellie and Wyatt have a history that goes beyond their feuding. Because of certain events, Ellie believes that they’ll bring doom down upon them if they actually give a relationship a chance. That got a little old and annoying. While I liked Wyatt and the way he cares for his son, it drove me a bit mad the way he constantly tried to pacify Ellie.

 

I enjoyed that this was dual narration. While I enjoyed Joe Arden from the start, Erin Mallon took a minute or two to get used to as she seemed a bit whiney at times.

Overall, This book was a little out there in everything that happened but it worked. It wasn’t one of the best that I’ve read but it was a fun listen. While this was the book I needed at the time,  I’m not sure if I’ll be picking up the other books in the series.  

#HoHoHoRAT Book Bingo Challenge

Hello Lovelies,

 

I’m so excited to be an elf for the Seventh Annual #HoHoHoRAT. If you don’t know what the HoHoHoRAT is let me introduce you to this Wintery readathon hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.

 

#HoHoHoRAT will beginning at 12:01 am Friday, November 8th and end Sunday November 17th at 11:59 pm in your time zone. The goal is to read/listen to as many Winter and/or Holiday themed books as you can in any genre.

  

When sharing your progress on Twitter or Instagram, don’t forget to use the #HoHoHoRAT hashtag.

 

Now…on to #HoHoHoRAT Book Bingo Challenge

 

It’s time to scour your shelves, e-readers, and audiobook collections for titles that coordinate with the bingo prompts.  Any type of bingo counts: horizontal, diagonal, vertical, or postage stamp. Or go wild and fill the entire card! The choice is yours.

 

 

Baby’s It’s Cold Outside—Snowed in/Snowstorm

Last Christmas— a Holiday/Winter read that's been in your TBR pile for a year or more

Step into Christmas—A book with Christmas in the title

Winter Wonderland—A book with a Snowy Cover

Free Space— Book of your Choice

Merry Christmas Baby—Christmas/Holiday Romance

Audle Lang Syne—New Year Read (New Year’s Eve is featured somewhere in the book or title or a Winter-themed read released in January)

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree—A book with Mistletoe in the title

The Bells of St. Paul—book set in Britain (England, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Scotland)


To enter, you must be signed up for the HoHoHo Readathon. Please leave your answers to the bingo prompts in either the comment section below or post a link to your own post in the comment section below.

Baby’s It’s Cold Outside—Snowed in/Snowstorm

Last Christmas— a Holiday/Winter read that's been in your TBR pile for a year or more

Step into Christmas—A book with Christmas in the title

Winter Wonderland—A book with a Snowy Cover

Free Space— Book of your Choice

Merry Christmas Baby—Christmas/Holiday Romance

Audle Lang Syne—New Year Read (New Year’s Eve is featured somewhere in the book or title or a Winter-themed read released in January)

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree—A book with Mistletoe in the title

The Bells of St. Paul—book set in Britain (England, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Scotland)

I thought that I’d make this challenge a bit more cozy and make each prompt a song title! Below you will find YouTube links to each song!

 

Baby It’s Cold Outside

Last Christmas

Audle Lang Syne

Merry Christmas Baby

Winter Wonderland

Step into Christmas

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

The Bells of St. Paul

Terms and conditions: One lucky winner will be selected at random by Rafflecopter to win a $10 Amazon gift card. The giveaway is open international and runs from October 10, 2019 to October 16, 2019. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Must be 13 or older to enter or have your parents/guardians permission. More information can be found in my Terms and Conditions.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shifter Made by Jennifer Ashley

Alanna, sister to a Fae prince, is sent on a thankless mission--to return to medieval Ireland and coerce a Shifter to craft an incredible sword. Niall O’Connell, master sword maker of the old Kingdom of Ciarrai, hates Fae, resenting the time when Shifters were little better than Fae slaves. But Alanna's heartbreaking story and her beauty are difficult to resist. Together, she and Niall forge a sword that changes Shifter history, at the same time forging an unbreakable bond between their hearts.

Series: Shifter's Unbound #0.5 | Publisher: JA / AG Publishing

 Genre: Paranormal  | Source:  Purchased | Rating: 4.5 Cups

Challenges Read For:  - Literary Pickers : | FraterfestRAT

 

I’ve had this one sitting on my Kindle since 2015 so I thought FraterFestRat would be the perfect excuse to dive into it.

 

Here’s what’s going on: When a Fae comes seeking out Niall, he’s determined to get rid of her before she can cause harm to his kind. Although when he discovers that Alanna’s brother, the Fae Prince, has had his cubs kidnapped so Niall will do his bidding and forge a special sword, Niall’s reluctant yet willing to do so to get back his cubs. As Niall and Alanna work side-by-side forging the sword, they find themselves growing closer. Will their bond endure or will the sword be used against Niall and his kind?

 

The Shifter’s Unbound Series is one of my favorite shifter/paranormal series and it was nice to go back to the beginning to see the origin of the Sword of the Guardian.

 

Yes, this one was short and a bit insta-love/lust but it worked. I often find that I don’t mind the whole insta-love/lust thing if it’s a paranormal romance. I would have liked to have seen a bit more after everything was said and done yet I still enjoyed this one.

 

Overall, it was a quick read but one that I enjoyed. If you’ve only read the full length books in the Shifter’s Unbound Series, I highly recommend picking this one up and checking out the other novellas.

Shifters Unbound Series

Shifter Made #0.5 novella 

Pride Mates #1

Primal Bonds #2

Bodyguard #2.5 novella

Wild Cat #3 

Hard Mated #3.5 novella

Mate Claimed #4 

Perfect Mate  #4.5 novella

Lone Wolf  #4.6 novella

Tiger Magic #5 

Feral Heat  #5.5  novella

Wild Wolf  #6

Bear Attraction #6.5 novella

Mate Bond #7 

Lion Eyes #7.25 novella

Bad Wolf #7.5 novella

Wild Things #7.75 novella

White Tiger #8

Guardian's Mate #9 

Red Wolf  #10

Midnight Wolf  #11

Tiger Striped #11.5 novella

Mail Order Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Jackson Reid is a man fully in control of his world, and his ranch. But when a past one-night stand shows up without warning and leaves him holding a baby, his whole life is turned upside down. He’s in over his head, and he has one solution: a nanny. But when he picks Savannah Sturm up from the airport, he finds that she’s so much more than the “plain and tall” woman she described herself as…

With one glance, Savannah’s new boss makes her feel more than her cheating ex ever did. Jackson insists he can’t do relationships, especially now that his priority is baby Lily. But his “no strings, just sex” offer is irresistible. And as raw desire gives way to something far deeper, maybe it’s Jackson’s turn to learn how right being wrong can feel…

Series: Gold Valley #1.5  | Publisher: HQN |  Genre: Contemporary Romance  | Source: Publisher  | Rating: 3.5 Cups

Challenges Read For:  - Bad Boys of Romance - Blogger Shame -

I’ve been reading a lot of horror and mystery/thriller books as of late and I needed something light as a refresher. I know I’m going to have a good time when I pick up something by Maisey Yates and this one was no exception.

 

Here’s what’s going on. Jackson’s been content with a series of one-night stands until it finally catches up with him. Now he’s a single father of a bouncing baby girl. Knowing he needs help, he hires a nanny. Savannah’s looking for a new start far away from her ex-husband and the town that adores him so becoming a nanny is the perfect escape. Although she never thought that Jackson would make her feel things she never felt before and Jackson never imagined he’d be able to fall for just one woman.

 

So, I’ve had this one for a bit. Apparently, I received it for then forgot about it. Sadly, that happens from time to time. I found it when I was cleaning up my Kindle and it was the perfect time to read it.

 

I really liked Jackson and Savannah. They both had problems they needed to overcome: thanks to her husband, Savannah believes she’s ‘frigid’ in the bedroom and Jackson has abandonment issues, which has caused him to be afraid of settling down.

 

Overall, this one was enjoyable but there could have been more to it. I would have liked to see more about their relationship and more interaction with baby. I don’t think it was as fleshed out as it could have been.