Please Don’t Feed the Mayor by Sue Pethick

September 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Please Don’t Feed the Mayor by Sue Pethick
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When the lumber mill closes, laying off most everyone in Fossett, Oregon, Melanie MacDonald plans to revitalize her beloved but beleaguered homestead by running her border collie Shep in Fossett’s mayoral race . . .

Shep wins by a landslide.

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A dog that’s the mayor? And it’s not just a publicity stunt? No way!

I picked up this book because of the dog on the cover. I did. Then I read the blurb and was hooked. A dog that’s the mayor? No way this can be possible. Now I have to admit, when I read Shep, I kept thinking of the dogs in Babe. It’s not a far stretch, really. The writing is interesting and the storyline, while a little implausible, is fun. It really is. Most places don’t have a dog for the mayor. That said, there is a reason and it ends up being cute.

I liked the characters of Bryce and Shep. Melanie left a little to be desired. Bryce never stopped loving Melanie, but his job takes him away from her. I was never sure why he and Melanie split, but I did root for them to get back together. I liked them when they worked together. Shep’s the dog and how can you not like a dog?

One issue I had with this book was the author’s tendency to write a character having a reaction, then on the next line speaking. For the first half of the book, I wasn’t sure who was talking. It required a bit of rereading.

Still, this is a cute book, a fast read and worth looking at. Shep is a fun pup and the mystery storyline adds a bit of flair. Check it out!

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Other, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Be Careful What You Wish For: a Short Story by A. C. Hutchinson

September 7, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Be Careful What You Wish For: a Short Story by A. C. Hutchinson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Meet David Patzpowski, a happy-go-lucky kind of guy who seems to get everything he wants, everything his heart desires. Success, love, marriage – they’ve all come at no cost. But David is about to find out that the things he takes for granted aren’t all what they seem.

Do you often feel tired?That’s a typical sub-health state.The intense work pace of life can cause fatigue of your physical and mental.Fatigue is a physiological warning to suggest people purchase viagra to take a break.The fatigue cause by the short time over activities,can be resumed quickly after a rest.But a long time working and too much nightlife is not for your rest,the accumulation of fatigue is dangerous.it will injure your health. When diagnosing the brain, the medication goes along the premises viagra prescription of trial and error. Speaking cialis no prescription frankkrauseautomotive.com of wildlife and indulging, South Beach comes alive each night after the sun goes down. A viagra canada cheap large percentage of dogs, cats, and probably most other animals suffer, at least to some degree, from seasonal allergies- just like humans. This is a quirky short story, which ends in irony. A man, David, is minding his own business, eating in a diner when a stranger approaches him. What could he want? There is a good little shot of suspense right away.

The man starts questioning David, causing him to think about his life. Does David think he had a good life? It turns out that yes, things have gone well for him over the years. The suspense picks up because the stranger seems to know a lot about him.

Is David’s continual good luck merely a coincidence, or is there more to it? Could there actually be a price to pay for this? Are the people in his life such as his wife happy? This story may cause some readers to do a little introspection.

David makes a wish. And oh no, he should have wished for something else! Readers will get sucked into the unfolding of the conversation and be surprised by the end.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

A Damsel in Shiny Armor by Barbara Russell

September 2, 2020 By Leave a Comment


A Damsel in Shiny Armor by Barbara Russell
New Camelot #2
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Chamomile

The Morrigans are rising.
In simple words it can be understood as reasons that get someone stressedin his professional or personal life. viagra store in india It is a pollution-less form of cooking or warming the food before levitra prices consumption. Buy Kamagra has been also a real concern among the ED patients. canadian viagra cute-n-tiny.com price of cialis If you fail to get recommendations from your relatives or friends, then you can do some research online.
After fighting dragons, wild Vikings, and clockwork monsters, Nathair is facing the biggest challenge of his life: proposing to Bryhannon. Apparently, flowers and a three-month salary worth ring aren’t enough because she doesn’t seem thrilled by the proposal.

Bryhannon loves Nathair; however, she has a devastating power to control, Reapers to face, and more importantly she has to find the courage to tell him she’s one of the deadly, feared Morrigans.

I haven’t read the first book, but if it’s anything near as enjoyable as this one, I need to soon! Having not read the first, and this being a sequel, the odds were against me liking it so much, so I’m thrilled to say that it’s a hit!

I loved reading Bryhannon and Nathair’s story, and get the feeling, at least in part, that these can serve as stand-alones as they each seem to feature a different couple as the main characters, which served me just fine! I loved getting to meet some of the other characters too, and look forward to reading more of their stories as I read the others in the series!

I really enjoyed this one, and am glad to recommend it to readers of fantasy with romantic and Arthurian elements. I recommend reading the whole series, as they seem to be intended that way, but if one strikes your interest, then they can also be read as a stand alone, or out-of-order if you prefer. Recommended.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Crouching Vegan, Hidden Werewolf by Sean Michael

August 31, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Crouching Vegan, Hidden Werewolf by Sean Michael
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, LGBTQ
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

New to town, werewolf Dark can’t believe there’s a restaurant called The Vegan Werewolf. Even harder to swallow is the fact that the place smells amazing. The food, however, is easy to get down – it’s some of the best he’s ever had and that’s saying a lot as it’s, unbelievably, vegan. What’s also not hard to swallow is Erik, the sweet Chef of the restaurant, and Dark picks him up after the place closes.

Erik’s got a secret, though, one he keeps hidden deep down inside and Dark threatens to bring all the things Erik has buried to the surface.
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Can Dark convince Erik that there’s more to life than being a vegan? And that, just maybe, wolves do mate for life?

Dark has only just wandered into town and is testing out all the new sights, scents and scenes. Following his nose, he ends up in front of a small restaurant with the most amazing smells emanating from it. He’s floored by the name – The Vegan Werewolf – but despite his deep skepticism he enters anyway. Anything smelling that good can’t be too bad – even if he knows he hates vegan food. Dark will soon find it’s more than the food here that his mouth waters for.

I absolutely, positively adored this super short story. I was quite skeptical myself – such a short story (not even 50 pages) and one with a werewolf and a chef didn’t sound like one of the best stories I’d read in months. I was utterly wrong – this story is likely one of my top 5 reads so far this year, and I’ve never been happier to be so delightfully surprised. I adored Dark’s character – he’s a werewolf and knows himself, warts and all. This doesn’t, however, stop him from trying something new or being open to possibilities. Despite the fact he knows he hates Vegan food, the smells he encounters – and his hungry stomach – press his hand to trying something completely outside his comfort food. And I loved how he could poke fun at himself as much as everything else – “What’s navarattan when it’s at home?”. I laughed like a loon at half the witty banter and adored the fact that Dark – and the author – clearly enjoyed this little story as a lighter piece and just rolled with it all.

Erik was a lovely contrast to this, slender, Vegan and denying his wolfish side. My only regret (and the reason I needed to deduct that half star) was because I really, really wish the author had been given enough space/word count to delve at least a little into why Erik felt the need to control his own restaurant and deny himself his wolf-half and go Vegan. Erik explains to Dark that he couldn’t handle killing other animals and eating meat despite his wolf, but Dark seemed to think there was something deeper in Erik’s past pressing this and that tiny plot point was left dangling and I don’t feel it was resolved fully. Everything else about this story was amazing – the sex glorious and passionate and instinctive, Erik and Dark both enjoying each other and unable to resist even before they came to know each other fully.

Readers looking for a blisteringly hot, super short and fun read with werewolves, delicious food, amazing scents and some laugh-out-loud funny moments should find this story and wonderful as I did. Highly Recommended.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Hello Dolly by Reina M. Williams

August 28, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Hello Dolly by Reina M. Williams
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

The fall chill is breezing into Loving…

Luke Levi is finally settled. His new business is shaping up, he’s part of a community that values him, and leaves him to his private life. Except his neighbor, whose latest matchmaking scheme pushes Luke into the arms of the new woman in town. He falls hard and fast for the cheerful charmer, until his painful past makes him question whether it’s time to move on again.

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And they may be in the cold unless the Montana Matchmakers help them keep the warmth of love!

Luke had helped his elderly neighbor in a number of her matchmaking schemes but he had no interest in being set up himself. As long as he was comfortable and working well he was satisfied with his life. Dolly had come to town to spend some time with her elderly aunt and start up her own business – needing to get a handle on her life. Neither Dolly nor Luke were looking for romance, but the two elderly matchmakers in their lives are determined to see them together and happily settled.

With loads of old-school charm, I found this to be a really sweet and lovely romance story. Both Dolly and Luke have histories and hurts, their own private reasons for not wanting to jump into a romance with both feet. Yet the persistent and gentle prodding of Dolly’s Aunt and Luke’s neighbor has them each slowly edging towards a delicate trust and slow blossoming of a sweet and delightful romance. Readers who enjoy a small-town style of story and a slower pace should find this an exceptional story.

I loved how the author really delved into both Dolly and Luke’s characters. They are both multi-layered, realistic and interesting people and I loved having the time and space in the story to get to know them both. There are the usual problems with small towns (small minded people, gossip and the general nastiness inherent in humans) but I was pleased the author made this realistic and not too over the top, and also it was clearly a device used to show Luke and Dolly how they could find solidarity together and overcome these regular, ordinary problems together. The plot was mostly character-centric – Luke resolving some of his past issues, Dolly trying to forge her own future and the both of them trying to work out how they fit together and how they could both better themselves individually and as a couple, together.

Sweet but romantic with plenty of character-based plot and twists I found this a wonderful full length story and a great read. With loads of plot, a strong cast of secondary characters and a delightful small town feel this is an excellent story and one I really enjoyed.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Million Dollar Baby by Janice Maynard

August 27, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Million Dollar Baby by Janice Maynard
Texas Cattleman’s Club: Bachelor Auction Book 3
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

After one night with an anonymous cowboy…

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Going home with a stranger isn’t sheltered heiress Brooke Goodman’s MO. Neither is falling back into bed with the same sinfully sexy man…or asking him to marry her so she can inherit millions. But now she’s pregnant, and Austin wants to wed for real! Should she trust a man who can promise her his name but not forever?

One night can be all it takes for romance.

Janice Maynard is on my auto-buy list for a reason. Her work is always spot-on. The romance is sharp, but fun, the characters intriguing and I know I’ll have a good time while reading. This book was no slouch. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up past bedtime to finish it. I got emotionally involved with the characters, too. That’s a sign of a good book if it ropes me in long after the last page.

Brooke could be written in a snobby manner, but Ms. Maynard gives the heiress a much more human quality. I liked her right away. She has dreams and doesn’t want to be sheltered. I gave her props for wanting to break free. I could also understand her struggles with her family. Kudos to the author for making me feel for her and want to conk the parents on the head. Then there’s Austin. Oh, boy! A cowboy who wants to make good, even if he’s not sure how. I liked that he was broken in his own manner. I rooted for these two to get together and make things work.

If you’re looking for a book that’s sweet, saucy and will stick with you long after the end, then this is one to check out.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Stephen by Sean Michael

August 27, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Stephen by Sean Michael
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Bad boy ISO someone to make me behave. Punishments welcome. Strict Daddy Dom necessary. Will consider a pair.

When Champ reads the ad on the internet, the dragon shifter is immediately intrigued and contacts the boy who wrote it. When a quick phone conversation leads to the boy sharing his address, Champ heads over, unhappy that a boy would not only leave his phone number on the internet, but then just give out his address. When he knocks on the door, he’s ready to show this boy exactly what kind of punishments he can mete out.
Stephen would like to be a boy, but he’s been burned, and badly, in the past, so he’s not in the lifestyle anymore. All that changes when he answers the door and meets Champ. It doesn’t matter that Champ was expecting to meet Stephen’s roommate Marc, the big Daddy falls for Stephen immediately and insists that while there was an initial mix-up, Stephen is the one he’s actually there for
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Patience, kink, and confidence may not be enough for this Daddy to win his boy over, but add in the magic of love and dragons and it’s a whole other story.

Champagne knows as soon as he sees the ad online – a Boy ISO (in search of) a Strict Daddy – that something just clicked and was very, very right. He answers immediately, rushing to the home address planning on blistering the ass of a very reckless young man, only to come face to face with Stephen. While it was Stephen’s flatmate who had put the advertisement so unwisely online, Its him and only he who Champ has eyes for. But Stephen has a rocky past and isn’t in the lifestyle anymore, but Champ simply isn’t willing to take no for an answer and possibly lose the only man who can complete him.

This is a lovely, sexy and smoking hot full length story. I really enjoyed Stephen’s character in particular, the brief hints have from his past experience really helped me feel connected to him and a strong empathy for him being reluctant and burned. While Champ gets under Stephen’s skin (and into his pants!) fairly quickly I did like how they didn’t just jump immediately into the sack – as that wouldn’t have felt very realistic with Stephen’s reluctance and history.

I have to admit I haven’t read any of this author’s dragon books before this one (I’m not a massive paranormal fan and dragon’s don’t do a lot for me usually), but I actually enjoyed the slightly different aspect to the paranormal that this author gave the story. Things like Champ could hear the “singing” in Stephen’s head once they started connecting and bonding, or like how Champ could see the dreams Stephen had while sleeping – slightly unusual (for me, at least) but definitely paranormal elements to the story that I found interesting and kinda cool. There were also further hints throughout the story of Champ and his two best friends’ dragon “hoarde” and various magical elements that I felt added an interesting depth to the story.

Stephen’s flatmate, Marcus, and Champ’s two best friends also make a threesome in a sort of sub-plot that I felt helped round out the story well and made the book more than just about Stephen and Champ and their relationship and sexy escapades. I particularly liked how at a few points Champ felt the need to touch base with his two bff’s and just check that he was on the right path. This made him feel more human and relatable to me and I thought it was lovely to see this very slightly vulnerable side to him.

With plenty of hot sex, a few hints of BDSM elements and some complicated and excellent secondary characters this was a lovely long read and a multi-faceted story that I really enjoyed.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Secrets of a Playboy by Janice Maynard

August 26, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Secrets of a Playboy by Janice Maynard
The Men of Stone River Book 3
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Has this bad-boy bachelor met his match?

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To catch the spy in his family business, Zachary Stone needs a first-rate security specialist. But the new hire is none other than Frances Wickersham, the girl who challenged a younger Zach at every turn. She’s always pushed him. This time around, the long-legged beauty is challenging his playboy ways. Now that they are all grown-up, can they ignore their undeniable chemistry?

Challenges, challenges. Ah, such is love.

I’m a sucker for a good romance with a set of enemies to lovers or friends to lovers. This one fit the bill. First, it’s written by Janice Maynard, so I know it’s solid. The story plugs along at a good clip and the characters are fun. Second, there’s the writing. It’s crisp. Third, the romance is wonderful.

I wouldn’t classify this story so much as an enemies to lovers story as much as a friends to lovers version. Zach never really hated Frannie and neither really went out of their way to make the other miserable. They were so competitive, which was refreshing. They were equals and I liked it. Plus, they have great chemistry. They worked well in and out of the bedroom–which is important.

If you’re looking for a fun romance that’s great for a chilly night, then this might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Accidentally in Love with the Biker by Teri Anne Stanley

August 26, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Accidentally in Love with the Biker by Teri Anne Stanley
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Their love is a long shot…

Aspiring writer Kellie Dalton needs a man, and fast. When she’s rear-ended by a sexy-as-sin biker on the way to a Vegas romance readers convention, she sees her chance. If he’ll pose as her fake boyfriend long enough to impress a bestselling author, Kellie has a shot at saving the bookstore for underprivileged kids she runs back home.

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Quinn knows a girl like Kellie deserves someone with a secure future to help with her store, not a guy struggling to turn a profit on his chopper shop. But if his motorcycle designs win the big Vegas competition, he’ll have enough prize money to fund his dreams…and hers.

A long shot that’s destined to fail…unless it doesn’t.

I love the work of Teri Anne Stanley. This is my second book by this author and I’m actively on the hunt for more. The writing is crisp, the characters fun and the plot engrossing. I couldn’t put it down.

Kellie isn’t a complete prude, but I love how she grows through the story. She’s an every woman. Really. She likes her naughty romance, but isn’t convinced she’ll have one. She wants to write, but has doubts. Who doesn’t have some self-doubts? She’s relatable and I loved her. Then there’s Quinn. He went along with things rather well. Almost too well. He didn’t fit what I expected for a biker, but it was good. If you want to read about bikers, but aren’t ready for a MC type story, then this is a good introduction. He’s more than meets the eye and it’s good. Plus, the chemistry is fantastic.

If you’re looking for a fun romance with naughty things, a convention gone somewhat out of control and a great time, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

August 25, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
(Chester Cricket and His Friends #1)
Publisher: Square Fish
Genre: Historical, Fiction, Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

One night, the sounds of New York City–the rumbling of subway trains, thrumming of automobile tires, hooting of horns, howling of brakes, and the babbling of voices–is interrupted by a sound that even Tucker Mouse, a jaded inhabitant of Times Square, has never heard before. Mario, the son of Mama and Papa Bellini, proprietors of the subway-station newsstand, had only heard the sound once. What was this new, strangely musical chirping? None other than the mellifluous leg-rubbing of the somewhat disoriented Chester Cricket from Connecticut. Attracted by the irresistible smell of liverwurst, Chester had foolishly jumped into the picnic basket of some unsuspecting New Yorkers on a junket to the country. Despite the insect’s worst intentions, he ends up in a pile of dirt in Times Square.

Mario is elated to find Chester. He begs his parents to let him keep the shiny insect in the newsstand, assuring his bug-fearing mother that crickets are harmless, maybe even good luck. What ensues is an altogether captivating spin on the city mouse/country mouse story, as Chester adjusts to the bustle of the big city. Despite the cricket’s comfortable matchbox bed (with Kleenex sheets); the fancy, seven-tiered pagoda cricket cage from Sai Fong’s novelty shop; tasty mulberry leaves; the jolly company of Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat; and even his new-found fame as “the most famous musician in New York City,” Chester begins to miss his peaceful life in the Connecticut countryside.

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Chester had no idea his life was about to change the day he hopped into a picnic basket. When he wakes up in a subway station in New York City, he’s understandably confused and frightened. Things could have easily gone back for a small cricket in such a big city. Fortunately, the first inhabitant of New York that Chester meets is a young boy named Mario. The meeting will change both their lives forever.

Chester is a wonderful character. He’s kind and honorable. When he makes some mistakes that could cost the Bellini family dearly, Chester doesn’t run away. He stays and faces the consequences. With the help of his friends, Tucker and Harry, he finds a way to make it up to them by utilizing a rather incredible ability! I won’t spoil the story by revealing what Chester’s special talent is, but I will say that Chester’s talent soon attracts throngs of people to the newsstand! As much as Chester enjoys life in the city helping the Bellinis, he realizes he has to be true to himself and makes a very tough decision

Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat are great friends for Chester. Tucker can be selfish and greedy at times, but he has a good heart and, with a small nudge from Harry, Tucker always does the right thing. I loved watching them help Chester acclimate to city life. Their little dinner parties are especially entertaining!

I will say the portrayal of Sai Fong, a Chinese man who helps Mario learn about caring for Chester, is a bit problematic in that his dialogue and actions are stereotypical despite his otherwise positive character traits. Mario’s Italian mother also comes across in a stereotypical way at times as well. However, I think this book is worth reading, and these characters could prompt a discussion about stereotypes with children.

I had so much fun reading this tale with my children! The ending is bittersweet and satisfying while still leaving the door open for the next story. While I recommend this novel for ages 8-12, it can easily be read to children a bit younger. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series!

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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