Book 42, 2014

Last night, I read the rest of The Chocolate Cat Caper by JoAnna Carl. It's the first book in her "Chocoholic Mystery" series, although I understand the main character actually debuted in a short story that was part of an anthology.

After a recent divorce, former Texas beauty queen Lee McKinney returns to the Michigan resort town where she used to spend her summers. She takes a job keeping the books for her aunt's chocolate business. When Clementine Ripley, an attorney most of the locals have reason to hate, places a large order for chocolates, Lee delivers them to the woman's estate. While Lee is there, the hostess dies after eating a poisoned chocolate.

With her aunt on the list of suspects, Lee starts doing some investigating of her own. Along the way, she meets up with her teenage crush, who just happens to be Clementine's ex-husband.

This was a cute story. Lee was a likable heroine, and the author gave her an endearing foible--when Lee gets flustered, she says the wrong word. The book was charming, although I wasn't completely absorbed in it.

Three stars:

★★★

Book 43, 2014

At work today, I finished reading Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter. It's in the Nocturne series, and it's the first book in the "Royal House of Shadows" verse, which was written by four different authors.

Jane Parker has been dreaming of a seductive vampire, calling to her for help. When she receives a mysterious book in the mail, Jane is drawn into Nicolai's world, which is in an alternate universe. Nicolai is a prince who has had his memories taken from him before he was sold as a sex slave. Jane helps rescue him from the depraved princess who has been holding him captive.

The story was dark and exotic, violent and sexy. Not an ounce of fluff in this one! Personally, I found it a bit too intense. I know I have at least one other "Royal House of Shadows" book on my shelf, although I'm not rushing to read it next. The story was well-told and gripping, which earns it four stars:

★★★★