Bubba Done It A Dreamwalker Myster by Maggie Toussaint

Publisher: Gale Cengage Learning

May 2015

ISBN: 9781432830670

Pages: 308

Contemporary, Mystery

Sinclair County, Georgia

Baxley Powell is a consultant for the police where her dreamwalking talent for talking to the dead helps solve murders.  It also makes her pet-sitting and landscaping businesses take a back seat.

While Baxley is riding with the sheriff a stabbing call comes in via a 911 call.  When they arrive at the scene they find the knife is still in the victim’s chest.  The victim is the bank president and with his last breath he whispers “Bubba done it.”

Sinclair County, Georgia, unfortunately is full of Bubbas, four of them.  Each one also has ties to the victim. Baxley dreamwalks only to find that the dead banker is forbidden to talk to her.  Now Baxley must search among the living. The top suspects are a crack-head evangelist, a politically-connected investor, a down-on-his-luck fisherman and even worse Baxley’s brother-in-law who was also the high school sweetheart of the dead man’s ex-wife.

Baxley finds more connections between each suspect and the victim as she digs for answers. With Baxley’s brother-in-law keeping company with the victim’s ex he also manages to raise suspicions about his involvement.

Baxley need to find the killer because if she doesn’t her brother-in-law could go to jail which would let the real killer to get away with it.

This is a fun mystery that keeps taking turns that will have readers guessing just who is behind the murder and why they did it.  While readers could read this as a standalone it would be greatly enhanced if they read the first book before this one.  Just as readers think they have it figured out another clue comes to light that will have them wondering if they are on the right track or not.  The story doesn’t let up until the very end.  This is series that will have mystery readers wanting to read the books and eagerly awaiting the next one.  The characters are well written and add a lot to the story.  This is one series definitely worth checking out.

Received a review copy

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Ship of Dreams

Ship of Dreams by Rebecca Helfin

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

February 2015

ISBN: 978-1-61935-706-8

Pages: 254

Contemporary Romance

Laura Armstrong is an advertising diva that is after the Imperial Cruise Lines account.  It would be the biggest account of her career. It would also be the next step in her Life Plan of becoming the most powerful woman in advertising. As a bonus winning the account would prove her father wrong.

Nathan Maxwell is a sexy southern gentleman that is after the same account. Though his reasons are completely different.  If he gets the sizeable account he will be able to save his family’s farm from foreclosure. The farm is also the only stable home his sister has ever known.

Nathan and Laura are both doing a clandestine reconnaissance mission and end up on the same ship in the middle of the Mediterranean.  Mt. Vesuvius isn’t the only thing that could erupt while they are there.

Nathan will either sink her ship of dreams before it leaves port or will show that the way to love will be the way to smooth sailing.

This is the second book in the series and while it can easily be read as a standalone readers will get a lot more enjoyment reading the books in order.  This is proving to be a fun series that will tug at readers heartstrings and have them wanting the next book now.  The characters are complex and interesting and make for a book that pulls the reader in until the very last page.  It will also have readers hoping everything works for Nathan and Laura and that they get their happily ever after. It also has nice cameos from some memorable characters from the first book. 

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Sinner's Grove

Sinner’s Grove by A.B. Michaels

Publisher: Red Trumpet Publishing

September 2014

ISBN: 978-0991508938

Pages: 460

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

California

Jenna Bergstrom is a San Francisco artist that made a startling discovery when she was fourteen that caused an estrangement with her family. Her loneliness was later sharpened by a tragedy. Now her grandfather, who is ailing, needs her help and expertise to re-open an artists’ retreat that was once famous and that is owned by her family that is located on the Northern California coast. There is just one problem.  She will have to face the ex-love of her life, architect Brit Maguire.

Brit once spent a magical time with the girl of his dreams, seven years ago, only to see her completely disappear from his life. Now he is working on the biggest project of his career and she is back helping. Brit can’t afford the distraction Jenna is proving to be no matter how deep his feelings still run.  The renovation at Sinner’s Grove is going terribly wrong.  Enemies bent on destroying Jenna’s grandfather’s dream are closing in as Jenna and Brit struggle against the passion they feel for each other.

With the danger increasing Jenna discovers what true love and true family is really all about. Though she may have discovered it too late.

This a great romantic suspense that keeps the reader turning the pages just so they can find out what is happening at Sinner’s Grove and who is behind it all.  The story is almost like two stories in one as history and the present are perfectly blended to make for a wonderful story that readers will find hard to put down. The characters are flawed and relatable and make for an intriguing book. The story comes alive for readers with every word that they read.  It will also pull at the readers emotions and pull them in until the very last page.  This is the first book in a series that if the other books end up as good as this one will make for an unforgettable series that readers will want to re-read over and over.

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Veiled

Veiled Rapture’s Edge Episode 2 by Caris Roane

Publisher: Twin Bridges Creations LLC

March 2015

Pages: 175

Contemporary, Paranormal Romance

Duncan is being tortured by his past, which is getting in the way of his being able loving his woman.

Warrior Duncan has failed on all fronts the last several weeks after professing his intention of trying to make his relationship with Rachel work. He isn’t sure how to explain the serpent that seems to live in his gut that poisons him against her. Duncan’s visions have returned full force.  The black ops team is heading back to Third Earth’s darkening grid and Duncan needs to confront his demons or he will lose everything that is important to him.

Rachel wants her vampire mate, her breh, but the issues that tore them apart in the past are still causing problems.

Rachel will not give up on Duncan though.  She needs him more than ever even if he has remained aloof because of his tortured past. The breh-hedden keeps her focused solely on Duncan, the man she loves, and her desire for him has reached outrageous levels. The question becomes if he will be able to let go of the past and embrace life with her.

This is proving to be a series that is very engrossing.  Everything on Second Earth is changing and for some they are going to have to figure out how to maneuver Third Earth if those on Second Earth are going to have to have a chance to survive.  The action is fast and keeps the story moving at a fast pace.  This book also throws several twists and turns that readers won’t see coming.  It will also have reader wanting to know what will happen next and to all the different characters.  The world building is amazing and gets better with each book.  This is a paranormal book that lovers of paranormal romances needs to check out. 

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Secrets

Secrets The Battling McGuire Boys by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Harlequin

March 2015

ISBN: 978-0-373-69819-6

Pages: 218

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Austin, Texas

As a Navy SEAL Brodie McGuire had his orders: get the hostage out alive.  Once he got Jennifer Wesley to safety the terror and need they felt ignited into passion.  Brodie is haunted by the memories of the night Jennifer and he spent together after the mission was over. He never expected to see the Louisiana society girl again.  Now she has show up at McGuire Securities.

It has been six years since Jennifer’s life was saved by Brodie. She finds that she needs his protection again.  The problem is that Brodie doesn’t know who she really is.  Their attraction flares while they are on his family’s Texas ranch and it takes them over the edge.  Suddenly Jennifer’s violent past is exploding into the present.  She has to find a way to earn Brodie’s trust or else her deadly secrets will get them both killed.

This story picks up a few months after the first one ended.  The action from the first book keeps pace in this book and never stops. This story has so many twists and turns that the reader won’t know if they are coming or going. While some of the answers are found for the central mystery that weaves the stories together there are still a lot of questions.  The book has a very satisfying ending with no cliffhangers other than the central mystery. This story will also have readers wishing they didn’t have to wait months for the next book to come out.  It will have readers wanting several characters getting their own books so that readers can see how things work out for each and every one of them.  This is a book that readers will read in one sitting.

Receive a review copy

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

No Mercy

No Mercy Lawmen Book 2 by Cheyenne McCray

Publisher: Pink Zebra Publishing

January 2015

ISBN: 1507592841

Pages: 252

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Bisbee, Arizona

Belle ran away over twenty years ago when she was just a teenager. She ran from everything just to escape her abusive stepfather. Left behind was a circle of friends that were like family and the boy she loved, all of whom she had known since her childhood.

Now she is back years later after the death of one of her close friends.  It also brings her face to face to the boy she left behind. Only now he is a man and no longer a boy.

Dylan never got over Belle leaving years ago.  Nate, one of their Circle of Seven friends, dies which draws Belle and Dylan together again.  Dylan soon realizes he now has a second chance to make Belle his.

Belle had a second reason for leaving Dylan, a reason that just might destroy any chance at a future with him.  It is a secret that hangs over her as she falls in love with Dylan all over again.

Now a dangerous drug cartel is targeting the Circle of Seven friends.  Dylan is going to need to use his contacts and his federal law enforcement training to stay one step ahead of the danger.  Nate left behind clues and Dylan needs to solve the puzzle before they all end up dead.

This is the second book in a series that is proving to be very addictive.  While each book can be read as a standalone readers will find reading them a lot more enjoyable when they are read in order.  This one picks up a little while after the first one left off.  This proves to be a story that will have readers wondering just how this is going to turn out for everyone.  It will also have them wanting to read the next book in the series right away.  This is proving to be series that readers will want to read and get addicted to. 

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH
 

Confessions

Confessions The Battling McGuire Boys by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Harlequin

February 2015

ISBN: 978-0-373-69812-7

Pages: 218

Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

Austin, Texas

Scarlett Stone is being framed for murder and she is desperate to prove it.  Now she must entrust her life and reputation to the man that once broke her heart. Grant McGuire is now a detective but he was once a army ranger that hasn’t been the same since his military action. Though his demeanor is cold behind it he still burns for Scarlett.

Grant takes her case knowing it is an easy decision that is also dangerous. Together they must find the real killer all the while racing against the clock. A killer that now wants them both dead. Their reignited passion proves to be even more dangerous. Grant wants a second chance with Scarlett and will do anything to get it.  Scarlett is determined to keep a secret she never wanted Grant to know.

This story starts off fast and the action never stops until the end. This is a book readers will not put down for anything.  The plot and characters are amazing and complex enough to make this story seem a lot longer than it really is.  The twists and turns in the book come at the reader fast and furious and will have readers guessing until the very end as to who the killer really is and why they are doing what they are doing.  This starts a new series off is such a way that the reader will want all the books now.  The central plot that weaves the books together makes for an even better story than what is in this story alone.  Readers will want to read this series again and again.

Receive a review copy

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH