chez_jae: (Archer book)
Blood on the Bayou (Annabelle Lee, #2)Blood on the Bayou by Stacey Jay

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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Finally finished reading my “spare” book last night. It was Blood on the Bayou by Stacey Jay, and it’s the second in the “Annabelle Lee” series of urban fantasy. I did read the first in the series, but it’s been forever ago. The main character is Annabelle, who works for an organization that attempts to contain a scourge of mutated fairies.

Thanks to an attack by fairies and the interference of a cabal of mysterious, invisible magic workers, Annabelle has learned that she, too, can now perform feats of magic. The newfound ability would be more helpful if she knew how to wield it, and if it didn’t come with strings attached. She’s also in the midst of trying to figure out her personal life. Annabelle knows her boyfriend, Cane, loves her, but she’s not sure she wants to drag him down with her extra baggage. Enter Hitch, her ex-boyfriend, who is convinced the FBI is running an illegal lab in the bayou—a lab he’s been tabbed to destroy if he doesn’t want his wife and unborn baby to die. Annabelle is running herself ragged trying to gather intel, avoid the Big Man, keep Cane and Hitch away from one another, and, oh yeah, juggle her attraction to Tucker, one of the Invisibles.

I didn’t remember much of the original book, although it came back to me as I read. I enjoy urban fantasy with snarky, sarcastic heroines, but this particular one did nothing for me. Not only is Annabelle a functioning alcoholic, but the author turned her into a complete Mary Sue. Cane loves her, Hitch says he never stopped loving her, and now Tucker has the hots for her, as well. It was really too much. I’m not saying it wasn’t realistic, but I, personally, did not like it. Narrative could have been smoother, and I was as confused as Annabelle when it came to who she could trust and who was only using her. Worst of all, she wasn’t very nice to her cat.

Favorite lines:
♦ Does an invisible man count as a man? If a penis you can’t see falls in the forest is it really a penis at all?
♦ Not the master of my own destiny, not even the master of my own cat.
♦ I don’t have time for bullshit. Even sweet-smelling bullshit.
♦ “Can you even take a shit without the Big Man leaning over the toilet telling you it’s coming out okay?”
♦ I’m already seeing my life flash before my eyes; I don’t need to see it flashing before anyone else’s.


I didn’t particularly like this book, and there wasn’t much resolution at the end. I'm giving it two stars. I would have given it three, but I'm knocking one off for Annabelle's shoddy treatment of her cat.
chez_jae: (Archer book)
A Murderous Macaron (Beachfront Bakery #2)A Murderous Macaron by Fiona Grace

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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I finished reading A Murderous Macaron by Fiona Grace last night. It’s the second book in her “Beachfront Bakery” series. The main character is Ali Sweet, who owns...a beachfront bakery!

Now that Ali’s bakery, Seaside Sweets, has established itself via her gourmet cupcakes, she’s ready to branch out. Ali intends to begin offering macarons. Her launch day is a huge success. That is, until Brandon Lennox, a vlogger who gets his views by being rude and pranking people, stops at her bakery. After trying and spitting out her macarons, Brandon drops dead. When it’s determined he was poisoned, everyone assumes Ali did him in. With her bakery now closed as a crime scene, Ali takes it upon herself to find out who really killed Brandon.

I did not enjoy this at all. Murder by poison is completely overdone in cozy mysteries. This isn’t the middle ages, for heaven’s sake! Also, the EMT isn’t going to make a determination as to what killed the victim and then alert the police; it would be up to a doctor to notify the police that the death is suspicious. Since Ali’s bakery was closed down the bulk of the story dealt with her amateur investigation. I thought she was too quick to jump to conclusions, alienating other characters. My favorite scene was when Ali went to talk to Fat Tony, the mobster who has taken a shine to her. The twins who own competing pizza places on either side of Seaside Sweets also provided some comic relief.

Favorite lines:
♦ She loved baking because it spread joy.
♦ “Quite a pickle we’ve found ourselves in, huh?”
♦ Sharing a pizza with the mob was the last thing Ali really wanted to be doing.


Disappointingly ho-hum. Two stars.
chez_jae: (Archer book)
Red Wolf (Wolf Moons, #1)Red Wolf by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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I had so little left in my work book to read that I brought it home to finish. The book was Red Wolf by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, and it’s the first in the “Wolf Moons” verse of Silhouette’s Nocturne line. The main characters were Tory McKidd and Adam Scott.

After the brutal murder of her brother, Tory quit her lucrative job to exact vengeance. She’s a werewolf, like her brother, and so is the vicious felon who killed him. Chavez and his gang of werewolves have claimed a park in Miami as their base of operations, and when Officer Adam Scott chases a criminal into the park, he encounters a flame-haired beauty that he can’t get out of his mind. Tory is equally drawn to Adam, and she realizes that she and the human male have Imprinted. She is desperate to avoid the man, but his investigation into her brother’s death leads him straight to her door...and into her arms. Now Tory and Adam aren’t just fighting for justice, they’re fighting for one another.

Ugh. Imprinting (or whatever you want to call it) may seem all fierce and sexy, but when you really think about it, it’s extremely cringe inducing. Imagine having no choice in the matter. In these paranormal romances, of course, the characters are always attractive and noble, etc. Would this have been sexy had Tory Imprinted on Chavez? Blech. What if one of them was already married? With children? Aside from that, our main characters spent very little time together. Most of the narrative was taken up with Tory’s search for justice, Adam’s investigation, and their mutual pining and ‘I am drawn to this person even though I should avoid him/her’. They had two (maybe three?) very brief encounters before Adam arrived at Tory’s house, after which they fell on one another in a fit of lust. Cue more pining and avoiding until the inevitable showdown/climax. That’s another thing I disliked—there was precious little resolution to the story. At least Tory wasn’t assaulted, which seems to be a staple of Nocturne books. I appreciated that she could take care of herself. However, this was not an enjoyable read at all. The character I liked best was Adam’s new partner, Dana Delmonico. There was a short, bonus story at the end of this one featuring Dana, but I didn’t bother reading it. And “short” isn’t entirely accurate, as the bonus content was easily 20-25% of the entire book.

Favorite line: Yes, folks, I actually am out of my freaking mind.

This was not in the least bit romantic, and there was no humor in it, either. It was dramatic, but not my cup of tea. Two stars.
chez_jae: (Books)
A Witch in Time (Cat's Paw Cove #1)A Witch in Time by Catherine Kean

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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Finished reading A Witch in Time by Catherine Kean and Wynter Daniels last night. It’s the first book in the “Cat’s Paw Cove” series of...paranormal romance, I guess. The main characters are Luna Halpern (witch, baker, cat rescuer) and Colin Wilshire (17th century inventor).

While sailing to a new life in Barbados with his pregnant bride, the ship Colin is aboard encounters a fierce storm and sinks. He wakes up in an odd place with a strange, blue-haired beauty standing over him. Luna discovers one of the historic reenactors on the beach, soaking wet and injured. At first she believes he’s stubbornly staying in character, but Luna soon realizes that Colin has traveled through time to Cat’s Paw Cove. He’s not the first stray she’s rescued, but she finds herself oddly reluctant to see him leave, even if it’s for the best. Colin is confused and amazed by the time and place he’s found himself. He feels a responsibility to return to his wife, but he realizes he is fast falling for the spirited witch who rescued him.

The premise of the story was interesting, but the book was far too short to do it justice. Colin adjusted remarkably well and quickly to the 21st century. One would imagine his circumstances alone should have broken his brain. Characterizations were marginal at best. This is the first in a series, but I felt I’d been dropped into Cat’s Paw Cove, too. There wasn’t much plot; it was more a series of scenes or events. Very little made sense. And, of course, our main characters fell in love in a matter of days, which is so cringe.

Favorite line: “It could have been worse, but I wish it had been better.”

I wanted to like this, but it left me very meh. Two stars.
chez_jae: (Archer book)
Purrfect Healing (Tropes Are Us)Purrfect Healing by Tiana Renatus

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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I finished reading Purrfect Healing on Monday night. It’s the first “Tropes Are Us” book by author Tiana Renata. It’s a male/male paranormal romance featuring Alpha Ryder and Omega Samson, both lion shifters.

Author Ryder Zemar has longed to find a mate of his own, and when he begins picking up tantalizing scents of the man he knows is his, Ryder’s writing gets an inspirational boost. Now he just needs to track down his Omega, and his life will be perfect.

Rejected by his family for being an Omega, Samson doesn’t believe in fated mates. He works in construction and indulges in one-night stands. However, when he has the opportunity to spend a night with his favorite author, Samson can’t resist. He pulls a runner afterward, not knowing why he feels compelled to seek Ryder out again.

This was rather jumbled. World building was frustratingly scant, merely touching on a dystopian event that led to shifters outing themselves. Alphas and Omegas are rare, as most shifters present as Betas, but no real explanation was given as to why. Characterizations were not great. The main characters came across as dramatic, mopey teens most of the time. I did like that Ryder, the Alpha, was a second son, not the oldest, and that Samson, an Omega, was strong and powerful.

Favorite lines:
♦ “It’s love we need and love sometimes requires us to fight.”
♦ “Love simply is. It always has been and it always will be.”
♦ “If you’re good, I’ll buy you a lollipop after we’re finished.”


Eh...two stars.
chez_jae: (Books)
Hunter's Salvation (The Hunters, #11)Hunter's Salvation by Shiloh Walker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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Today I finally finished reading my “spare” book, Hunter’s Salvation by Shiloh Walker. It’s the 11th in her “Hunters” series. The story was a hybrid of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Main characters are Jessica Warren, an investigative reporter with some psychic abilities, and Vax, a Hunter and a witch with some serious psychic mojo.

When Jess got too close to a story involving missing women, her sister was abducted and murdered. Bent now on revenge, Jess goes to the club she suspects is the locus of the activity. There, she’s thwarted in her effort to get close to the inner circle by a man who saves her and warns her to stay away, but there’s no way in hell she’s going to let this go. Vax has given up on being a Hunter, but when a call comes he responds, not realizing that the woman he just saved will become so important to him so quickly. He tries to keep Jess out of the fray, but she is determined to avenge her sister. It will take the two of them working together, along with some help from other Hunters, to take out the monsters who’ve been preying on young women.

Oof. This was well written and compelling, but I didn’t like it. I prefer urban fantasy with some humor, and this was nothing but grim and gritty. I could have done without the instant love, too. More like instant lust, which, fine, but don’t try to put a romantic spin on it. Vax spent most of the book being an arrogant he-man asshole, and Jess was too stupid to live, in my opinion. Once she learned there were real monsters behind the crimes, she needed to step back and let the professional(s) handle it. Characterizations were good but not top-notch. The plot zipped in some places and plodded in others. Worst of all, the final showdown didn’t live up to the build-up.

Favorite line: Chasing after the man who had killed Randi was a lot less unsettling than being surrounded by witches, werewolves and vampires. Oh my.

It took forever to read this because it didn’t hold my interest. I can see where it would appeal to others, however. But, I’m not scoring it any higher than average.
chez_jae: (Archer book)
Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece (A Haunted Craft Fair Mystery #1)Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece by Rose Pressey

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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I got through Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece by Rose Pressey earlier this evening. It’s the first book in her “Haunted Craft Fair” cozy mystery series. The main character is artist Celeste Cabot.

Celeste is excited to take her vintage Shasta travel trailer to a local arts and crafts fair to display and sell her paintings. She’s doing well until a customer returns one of her paintings, insisting it’s haunted. Another vendor at the fair notices hidden images in all of Celeste’s paintings—images she doesn’t recall creating. Adding to the weirdness is when Celeste is visited by the ghost of the woman in the allegedly haunted painting. Worst of all, however, is when Celeste finds the snarky manager of the craft fair, murdered outside of his own trailer. Determined to find out what’s going on, she begins snooping for clues in hopes of finding a killer before the end of the fair.

The story was cute and lite for the most part. The paranormal element was fun, and I liked Celeste’s chihuahua, Van Gogh. I love cozy mysteries with female amateur sleuths, but I want them to have a reason to investigate. In a typical first-of-series, it’s because the main character finds herself at the top of the suspect list and is desperate to clear her name (Note to authors: this trope has been done and overdone to the point of being boring). However, Celeste had no good reason to investigate. Worse, she was clumsy and ham-handed about it and ended up alienating most of the other vendors with her snooping and spying. Characters were a bit flat, the writing was somewhat stilted, and the narrative was rife with plot holes and editing errors. SPOILERS )

This is purely subjective on my part, but I didn’t like that Celeste had two potential romantic interests vying for her attention. Pressey has used that same device in at least one other series of hers. Finally, most of the narrative was consumed with Celeste and her awkward investigation. If you’re there to sell paintings, why waste so much time acting like Nancy Drew? I prefer it when a story depicts more balance with the main character’s investigation, occupation, and relaxation.

Favorite lines:
♦ She was a few strokes short of a finished portrait.
♦ “He’s as useful as a pogo stick in quicksand.”


I wanted to like this story, but too many errors and inconsistencies ruined my enjoyment. Two stars.

Trope Test )
chez_jae: (Books)
Hazel Raises the Stakes (The Coffee Coven's Capers, #1.5)Hazel Raises the Stakes by M.Z. Andrews

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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I completed the ebook Hazel Raises the Stakes last night. It’s the second in author MZ Andrews’ “Coffee Coven” series.

Gwynnie is excited to be invited to Las Vegas to accept an award honoring her for her hard work. She knows she can’t take her elderly mother, Hazel, with her, because Hazel has a habit of going off on her own. Therefore, Gwynnie parks Hazel with their crazy friend, Loni. Hazel is outraged to be left behind. The World Championship of Poker is taking place in Vegas at the same time, and Gwynnie knows how much Hazel loves to play poker. No sooner does Loni take her eyes off of her than Hazel pulls a runner. By the time Loni catches up to her, Hazel is at the airport. She convinces Loni to go to Vegas with her, where the two of them get in more trouble than any two women should. So long as Gwynnie doesn’t catch them, however, it’s all good.

Well now. The story didn’t really seem to have a point. There was no mystery, no romance, and not much of a plot. It basically consisted of an old woman acting like a tantrum-throwing toddler because she wasn’t getting her way. Was this meant to be funny? It just made me want to smack the dentures out of Hazel’s mouth. Hazel is so selfish that she can’t allow her daughter a moment to shine, because it’s all about her and what she wants.

Favorite line: “I’ve got twenty-eight cats running around this place and I can account for each and every one of them by the end of the day.”

This was 10% amusing, 90% annoying. Two stars, and one of them is for Loni’s house full of cats.
chez_jae: (Books)
Muffin Mystery: Whisked Away to Danger (Sweet Secrets Series)Muffin Mystery: Whisked Away to Danger by Blake Rivers

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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Last night I read an ebook novella Muffin Mystery: Whisked Away to Danger by Blake Rivers. It appeared to be the first book in a short series, but I felt like I'd started in the middle. I see the author has several mini-series out, and perhaps this one follows others...? Some clarity on series order would be helpful. The main character in this one is Sophia Lawrence, who owns and operates a bakery.

Sophia loves her small town, but when she learns that town bigwig Calvin Starks is trying to buy the property that the historic lighthouse stands on, she is upset. Furthering her unease, her cat Mocha finds a cryptic note that indicates the town of Coral Cove has a dark history--one that Calvin may be trying to exploit in his bid for power. Along with her BFF, Rosemary (the town gossip) and Jonas (a local police detective), Sophia will try to thwart Calvin's plans before he brings about the downfall of the entire town.

Alrighty then. This was like reading an episode of Scooby Doo, from the ridiculous clues to the land-grabbing villain to the secret passageways accessible by pressing on a certain rock or panel. Don't get me wrong, I love Scooby Doo, but I know what I'm getting with him and the gang. I did not sign up for it when reading this book. I have questions:Spoilers! )

There was a lot of unnecessary repetition in this, and the ending of some chapters seemed so final that I was surprised to discover more chapters followed. Honestly, the entire story was just silly.

Favorite line: He had a reputation for being as charming as a damp sock.

Ye olde 'Breath' line: I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and opened the closet door.

Characters were flat, the plot was inane, and precious little made any sense. I did like the cat. Two stars.
chez_jae: (Archer book)
Grey Witch and Halloween Magic (Grey Witch #2.5)Grey Witch and Halloween Magic by Cece Rose

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


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I finished an ebook novella last night. It was Grey Witch and Halloween Magic by Cece Rose. This is billed as "Grey Witch" 2.5, but it seems to be the prequel to the series. I guess. Main character is Kayla, an actual witch.

On Halloween, Kayla and her BFF Lizzy ditch the boring coven ritual to attend a party at the home of a light fae. There they meet Darren, a sexy shifter, and Paul, his human friend. When Lizzy gets bored, she insists that Kayla come explore the fantastic house with her, even if it means going to areas that are off-limits to party-goers. It all seems like a lark until a family heirloom goes missing and guests are being questioned and even searched. All Kayla can do is hope that Lizzy, who's known to be a bit of a kleptomaniac, didn't have anything to do with the theft.

Oka-ay. I'm not entirely sure what I read. I know it was a prequel and a novella to boot, but the story had precious little plot and didn't seem to have much of a point, either. It was basically a tale of two party girls going to a party. Characters were flat and there was no resolution. Also, call me old and cynical, but going out drinking just for the sake of going out drinking didn't impress me at all. And, SPOILER ALERT, if my BFF did me as dirty as Lizzy did to Kayla, I'd bury her deep and then bury the shovel.

Favorite lines:
♦ "A witch dressed up as a witch for Halloween, it's sacrilegious."
♦ "Halloween is for hard drinking, not hard thinking."


I am going to presume things get better as the series goes on, but this doesn't deserve more than two stars.
chez_jae: (Archer book)
Harvest and Haunt ((An Autumn Cozy Paranormal Mystery) Book 1)Harvest and Haunt ( by Eva Belle

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Last night I finished Harvest and Haunt, which is the first book in Eva Belle's "Autumn cozy paranormal" mystery series. The main character is Nova Powers, who owns an antique shop, enjoys coffee and sweets, and conducts paranormal investigations with the MPS team.

As October begins, the days and nights grow cooler, Nova begins wearing her own hand knitted sweaters, and paranormal activity seems to ramp up around the town of Cape Mystic. There's a murder or two to investigate, along with a haunted lighthouse and a haunted school. When several people in town find witch bottles on their property, Nova isn't sure if it's a prank or a warning. She may soon find out, however, when a witch bottle appears on her own doorstep.

The story was okay, but it was all over the place. There was absolutely no continuity. It read like three short novellas instead of one cohesive book. Worst of all, it ended on a cliffhanger. Second worst of all is that the cover depicted here is not the beautiful cover of the ebook I downloaded onto my Kindle. I don't know why that version wasn't available on GoodReads, but I'm salty about it. Characterizations were fair to middling. I liked that Nova is a mature woman, although we have no idea if she's divorced, widowed, or has never been married. No mention was made of any children. Editing needed work. A lot of work. This sentence in particular stood out: "Thank you," Ann murdered as she poured the coffee. WTF, Ann? LOL! I'm 99% sure the author meant murmured, which should have been caught in editing. Another thing that irritated me was the author's overuse of Nova's name. When the woman is by herself, we don't need to keep reading that Nova did this then Nova did that. It would have been smoother to read that Nova did this then she did that. Also, any time her cat was mentioned, it was "her cat Clove". Once the cat has been introduced by name, the fact that she's a cat shouldn't be mentioned over and over. Narrative was very choppy and lacked any smooth transitions.

Favorite line: It seemed that hate and vengeance went hand-in-hand.

This book was perfect for the season and featured lovely descriptions that really set the mood. It would have benefitted greatly with competent editing. I wish I could give it 2.5 stars, but since I can't it's getting 2. I can't condone awarding this even an average score.
chez_jae: (Books)
ADVENTURES OF A PSYCHIC MEDIUM WEDDING PLANNER: Book 1: Connecting with Ghosts & Sexy Blake RhodesADVENTURES OF A PSYCHIC MEDIUM WEDDING PLANNER: Book 1: Connecting with Ghosts & Sexy Blake Rhodes by Lori Francis Butcher

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I completed an ebook last night--Connecting with Ghosts & Sexy Blake Rhodes by Lori Francis Butcher. It's the first in the "Adventures of a Psychic Medium Wedding Planner" series. The main character is Staci Drake, who works with her family's event business and has also just learned she's a medium.

On her 29th birthday, Staci is visited by the spirit of her departed Aunt Mamie, who tells her she can choose to train as a medium or keep on keepin' on with her life as is. Staci is up for a change, but first she must pass the test as well as complete two challenges. She's thrown into the deep end of mediumship on her first day when she witnesses two masked figures sabotage a bicycle race, resulting in casualties. Fortunately her brother, Charlie, is there to assist her as they help spirits cross over. However, Staci is now in the crosshairs of an evil spirit who has been pulling the strings on a series of mass casualty events. Staci will need to harness her new abilities quickly to not only pass her challenges, but also to survive.

Oof. The idea behind this was interesting, but the story itself left a lot to be desired. There was precious little world building (it was mostly info dump), and characters were not portrayed very well. The narrative lacked cohesion and continuity and seemed more of a series of 'this happened, that happened' than a smoothly flowing plot. Other issues that bothered me SPOILERS )

Favorite line: A little retail therapy always helps.

I didn't see any other reviews for this book, and I hate to be a Debbie Downer right out of the gate, but this doesn't deserve more than two stars. It wasn't awful, but it was far from being good. It was lite and uncomplicated for the most part, so if that appeals to you, give it a read.
chez_jae: (Books)
Sugar Cookies and Scandal (A Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery, #4)Sugar Cookies and Scandal by Sue Hollowell

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I sat down last night to begin reading Sugar Cookies and Scandal by Sue Hollowell, and I finished it in one go. It's not that it was engrossing so much as it was short. However, it was chaptered, and I'm counting it. This is the 4th installment in the author's "Belle Harbor" cozy mystery series, starring up and coming baker, Tilly.

Tilly accompanies her shop-neighbor, Florence, to the vet's office when Florence's cat is about to give birth. There, they learn the vet's assistant, Nicole, was murdered. As Tilly encounters people who knew Nicole, she tries to figure out who may have killed the woman. In the meantime, Tilly's Uncle Jack has taken on an estate sale, and the woman he's helping, Linda, is a novice baker. Tilly hires her on as an assistant with one eye on a potential budding romance between Linda and Jack. There's one other mystery puzzling Tilly: why aren't her neighbor's hens laying eggs any more?

This was less of a mystery and more of an update on Tilly's life. She didn't investigate so much as speculate, but that was kind of refreshing. I also appreciated that Tilly didn't find the murder victim. Characterizations were mediocre, and the plot was not terribly cohesive.

Favorite line: "What am I going to do with five cats?" Amateur

Rather banal overall--two stars
chez_jae: (Archer book)
Eight Lives (Match Made in Hell, #1)Eight Lives by Autumn Breeze

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Finished off an ebook last night. It was Eight Lives by Autumn Breeze (Seriously?!) and Ashley Chamblee. Story is told in alternating points of view of the main characters, Anselm the vampire, and Edmund the...catboy, I guess.

One hundred years ago, a dark witch cursed Edmund to an immortal life as a cat. He was found on the streets by the vampire, Anselm, and the two have lived together ever since. When Edmund suddenly transforms back into a human (with cat ears and tail), they realize the witch who cursed him must have died. Edmund isn't sure he wants to be human again, not if it means he will age and die, leaving Anselm behind. For his part, Anselm worries about what the future holds for Edmund. Together, they embark on a search for another dark witch who can cast the curse again, and Edmund must decide if he wants to return to being an immortal cat and companion or a mortal man and lover.

Not sure what to think of this. There really wasn't much of a plot. It's hard to assign it a genre, too. There was no mystery, although the authors could have made one of it in regards to what happened to the witch who cursed Edmund. Since they'd been together for a century, there was no meet-cute to kick off a romance. Frankly, it read like catboy fanfiction. I've read and enjoyed catboy fanfiction before, but I knew what I was getting at the onset. This was just sort of meandering and pointless. Characterizations were rather flat, and I was somewhat nonplussed by how tiny Edmund was. He often sat on Anselm's lap or was carried around by him, which...meh.

Favorite line: Maybe she hadn't believed me when I told her my immortal, cursed cat was broken.

Lackluster--two stars
chez_jae: (Books)
Partners in Lime (Seaside Café Mysteries, #6)Partners in Lime by Bree Baker

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I powered through the rest of my "spare" book last night, eschewing my regular book to finish it. Not because it was great, but because I just wanted it to be over. The book was Partners in Lime by Bree Baker, and it's the 6th in her "Seaside Cafe" mystery series. This is the first in the series I've read, and only after I'd started it did I realize I actually have the first book loaded on my Kindle. I r stoopid. Narrative is in first-person pov of the main character, Everly Swan.

Things are going well for Everly. Her iced tea shop is doing well, she's dating Detective Grady Hays, and the mayor is working to get some surfing events to the local town of Charm to boost tourism. When one of the surfers is killed, seemingly with a theater prop that Everly's friend, Matt, was using, Everly takes it upon herself to prove Matt's innocence. Her amateur investigation vexes Grady, but Everly will not be dissuaded. She knows she's getting close to the truth when her own life is threatened.

Um...I did not connect with Everly at all. I didn't even like her. Grady literally begged her to back off (apparently she's been threatened and harmed before in her sleuthing), but she refused. She actually told him that she intended to continue because she enjoys sleuthing. I'd put her in the top three most obnoxious heroine/amateur sleuths that I have personally read about. Her investigation was over the top ridiculous. I'm not sure how I'd feel about Everly if I'd begun reading this series in order. Maybe I'd like her more. I don't know.

Favorite line: "When in doubt, spike the dessert."

Characterizations were good, the plot was interesting, and I enjoyed the setting. Nothing spectacular leaped out at me, and I may have given this an average score (as an average cozy mystery), but my dislike of the main character has me knocking one star off. Two, it is.

Trope Test )
chez_jae: (Archer book)
Birthday Cake and Burglary (A Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery, #3)Birthday Cake and Burglary by Sue Hollowell

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I finished Birthday Cake and Burglary last night. It's the third book by Sue Hollowell in her "Belle Harbor" mystery series, featuring novice baker Tilley Griffin.

Tilley and her Uncle Jack are busy getting Jack's antique shop ready for Belle Harbor's annual Arts Walk. While taking a break and enjoying a ride on the Ferris wheel, Tilley sees someone fall from the cliffs near the lighthouse. She learns it was another local shop keeper who died. Although Poppy's death is ruled an accident, Tilley feels it was murder. Will her sleuthing lead to a solution or to her own demise?

First of all, I take umbrage with the title. The story had absolutely nothing to do with burglary. I get that the author likes alliteration (so do I!), but make it make sense, please. Second was Tilley's (in)action right after witnessing Poppy's fall. Had you witnessed such an event would you:

A) Call 911 immediately
B) Wait until you disembarked from the Ferris wheel to call 911
C) Call your BFF first
D) Call your BFF first to go check it out with you and then (and only then) call 911 when you saw someone dead at the bottom of the cliff

If you chose D, congratulations! You suck, right along with Tilley. Honest to Pete, why in the world did she not call it in right away? Maybe Poppy could have been saved if EMS got to her sooner. We'll never know, because instead of summoning help as quickly as possible, Tilley and Fiona hiked up to the lighthouse for a look-see. That colored my impression of the entire rest of the story.

Favorite line: I was choosing myself for probably the first time in my life.

This was an average read, and I would have awarded it an average score, but the egregious stupidity Tilley displayed in not calling 911 instantly has me knocking the score down to a two.
chez_jae: (Archer book)
A Subtle Breeze (Southern Spirits, #1)A Subtle Breeze by Bailey Bradford

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



About half an hour ago I finished reading A Subtle Breeze by Bailey Bradford. It's the first in her "Southern Spirits" series of male/male romance, featuring a paranormal element. The main characters are Ezekiel "Zeke" Matthers and Brendon Shanahan.

Coming out in a small Texas town was difficult for Zeke, and when a violent assault happened, he retreated into himself. Now he stays on his ranch and makes a longer trek to a larger town for any needed supplies. Brendon's cousin Gloria is BFFs with Enessa Matthers. The two girls conspire to introduce Zeke and Brendon. The men's chemistry is off the charts from the get-go, but Zeke is afraid for Brendon's safety if he sticks around. His worry is not for nothing, because the old homophobia rears its ugly head once more. This time, however, Brendon is willing to stand at Zeke's side and fight for what they have. They are strengthened in their resolve by the presence of Zeke's mama, in spirit form, who offers comfort and warning in equal measure.

I enjoy male/male romance, and I love all things paranormal; therefore, this book should have been my perfect cuppa tea. Instead, I was very meh about the entire story. The plot, what there was of it, was simply framework for the sex. Don't get me wrong; the sex scenes were hot and steamy, but they dominated the story. Gloria and Enessa connived to get Zeke and Brendon together for dinner at Zeke's home then they abruptly dipped out, leaving the guys alone. Within minutes they were going at it like bunnies, and I nearly lost my eyebrows somewhere in my hairline. Okaaaay...They also were in love the next day. Cue my eyebrows disappearing again. The sheer frequency of the sexual activity also perplexed me. I mean, shouldn't there be some recovery time involved? Zeke and Brendon aren't teenagers, ffs. Speaking of Brendon, my first loss of eyebrows happened when I read his full name. Is Bailey a hockey fan? Because Brendan Shanahan is an NHL Hall-of-Famer. Any half-iced hockey fan would recognize the name. It made things a tad awkward for me to read, because I kept picturing the Brendan Shanahan I am familiar with.

Favorite line: "Someone ought to bury her and slap an invisible 'x' over the spot, then burn the damn treasure map."

I am really torn over the rating here. I've read and enjoyed other books by this author, but this doesn't deserve more than a two. I'd love to give it 2 1/2, but since I can't...sorry. Two stars.
chez_jae: (Books)
A Deadly Restoration (Julia Blake Murder Mystery, #2)A Deadly Restoration by Gillian Larkin

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I began an ebook novella last night and read it in under an hour. Hmm. Eh, it had chapters so I'm counting it. The book was A Deadly Restoration by Gillian Larkin, and it's the second in her "Julia Blake" cozy mystery series. The main character is Julia, who cleans houses for a living.

After Julia's elderly next-door neighbor sells her home, the new owner begins a massive renovation. The noise is maddening, as are the arguments that Leo, the owner, seems to get into on a regular basis. It's no surprise, therefore, when Julia goes next door to investigate a wide open door and discovers Leo dead. Soon DI Clarke is on the case, but so is Julia. It's a complete accident when she stumbles on the clue that leads to the identity of the killer.

Not only was this rather short, but it lacked any meaningful substance. The clue that broke the case was found in such serendipitous circumstances that it seemed to negate any investigating at all. Characterizations were okaaaaay, but Julia came across more as a nosy busybody than a competent, concerned neighbor. Eh.

Favorite line: There's something so sad about cutting healthy trees down.

I can't justify scoring this any higher than two.
chez_jae: (Books)
Muffins and Misdeeds (A Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery, #2)Muffins and Misdeeds by Sue Hollowell

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I finished Muffins and Misdeeds by Sue Hollowell last night. It's the second in the "Belle Harbor" series of cozy mysteries, featuring wannabe-baker Tilly.

Tilly is getting used to the slower pace of life in Belle Harbor. Now that she's selling some of her baked goods at the local coffee shop, she's hoping that her fledgling baking business will take off. When a local distillery owner is murdered and suspicion falls on Tilly's new friend, Fiona, the two of them conspire to help the investigation along and clear Fiona's good name.

Well now. This one was as trite as the first, although at least we got to see our main character actually engaged in some amateur investigation. Characters were not portrayed especially well, and the mystery/investigation portion of the plot fell flat. It does not seem that writing mysteries is the author's forte. In addition, Ms Hollowell seems to have no concept of time. A vodka tasting event took about three minutes, and a kayaking date, perhaps 5-10 minutes. It's not that difficult to add a sentence or two that would indicate a stretch of time had passed to make scenes more plausible.

Favorite line: I didn't need to be caught in a middle-school drama.

"Breath" line: Once we had the cover of some trees I released a breath I didn't realize I had held.

Reads like it was written by a middle-school student. Two stars.
chez_jae: (Books)
Tall Men and Strangers (An Abi Button Cozy Mystery Romance #1)Tall Men and Strangers by Lizzie Lewis

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I completed an ebook last night: Tall Men and Strangers by Lizzie Lewis. It's the first in the "Abi Button" series of cozy mysteries. Story is in first person, via the main character, Abigail "Abi" Button.

Abi isn't actively looking for romance until it comes knocking at her door. When she steps outside of her home to see what is going on at an elderly neighbor's house, she meets the woman's nephew, Jack. He introduces her to his aunt, Ivy, and she and Abi build an instant rapport. When Ivy tells Abi that she believes someone is coming into her house at night, Abi insists it's just the old house settling, or perhaps noisy neighbors. Ivy isn't convinced, however, and she gives Abi a small silver key and tells her to keep it a secret. In the meantime, Jack and Abi begin dating, and he even takes her to his church, where she encounters Danny, whom she shared a kiss with in school. When Ivy passes away, Abi learns what the key is for, which unleashes drama she hadn't counted on and leaving her wondering if Ivy truly died of natural causes.

Well now. The story was okay. Some things had me raising my eyebrows, such as how quickly Abi fancied herself falling in love with Jack, yet still being attracted to Danny. Also, after church was introduced, the story became rather preachy. I don't mind that a character is religious, but I do mind when that begins to color everything in the book. Characterizations weren't all that great. Abi came across as a bit of a dithering ditz, and I was dismayed to see how often she skived off work (she co-owns a coffee shop, so it's not like she was going to be fired, but still).

Favorite line: Presumably burglars no longer wear striped jumpers and carry a bag marked swag.

This probably would have earned an average score from me, but the sudden religion peddling drops it to a two.

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