I Think I Love You

Title: I Think I Love You
Author: Stephanie Bond
Kindle edition, 369 pages
Published October 2011

So there's some bad blood and bruised egos among the Metcalf sisters. At least they're reuniting. A cause to celebrate? Not for Justine, Regina, and Mica. Their parents are splitting up and the family business is going on the auction block--just a little reminder of how much they really have in common...
Take the local bad boy who proposed to Justine, seduced Regina, and ran off with Mica. Add the unsolved murder they witnessed when they were young girls, and their vow to keep it a secret. Toss in their knack for being drawn to shady men, and there's only one thing left for them to do--put the bonds of family loyalty to the test.
But it takes courage to outsmart a murderer, know-how to avenge the cad who betrayed them, and patience to bring their parent back together. Three talents. Three sisters. And who knows? Maybe even three new chances to fall in love when Justine, Regina, and Mica discover how much they're willing to risk--and forgive--in the name of sisterhood.

I very much liked the setting and characters of the story. I was able to relate with the sisters, since I also have two other sisters who sometimes can't bear to see one another and yes, oftentimes, want to grab each other's throats.

But despite the animosity  we sometimes feel for each other, we can't deny the fact that we are of the same blood and that we really love one another and would do anything to protect our family. Much like Justine, Mica and Regina. A quick recap of the three main characters: Justine, the eldest in the brood, an office girl who goes after married men. In short, a bitch. LOL. Next is Regina, the level headed sister who tried her best to stop her parents' divorce. And lastly, Mica, the hair model who was living in with her boyfriend, who was formerly engaged to Justine. Dysfunctional, huh? You bet, they were a bunch of crazy girls. But, it was Regina's attempts to unravel the mystery of a murder in the past and finding a key that might be connected to them kept me entertained. There was a believable plot, good mystery and surprisingly a dab of romance in the end.

This is a very good quick read and perfect to those who love to guess "who done it" mysteries. As usual Stephanie Bond delivered a satisfying read ;-)

She Belongs To Me

Title: She Belongs To Me
Author: Carmen DeSousa
Kindle Edition, 452 pages
Published December 23rd 2011

When wealthy construction company owner and Charlotte detective, Jordan Monroe, meets Jaynee for the first time he is awestruck and determines to make her his wife. Jaynee, however, has a history she cannot easily overcome and is fearful to submit to love. Jordan succeeds in making her his wife, but five years into their marriage he realizes she is keeping secrets. Before he can decipher her duplicity, he discovers her unconscious in their home from a gunshot wound only hours after giving her an ultimatum concerning their relationship.
With Jaynee’s life hanging in the balance, the mystery of her past drives Jordan to investigate. But what appears to be an attempted suicide turns out to be something far darker. Is someone from her past stalking her? Or worse, is someone close to Jordan trying to kill them both? As Jordan edges closer to the truth, it may be deadlier than he could ever have imagined.

The story begins with a gunshot. Jordan knew he heard a gun was fired, and when he didn't see his wife beside him on their bed, he knew something was wrong. Soon, we saw Jaynee lying with a bullet on her head. Who could have done this?

Flashback to the past: Detective Jordan Monroe believed he got struck by a "thunderbolt" when she met CJ at a restaurant. On the other hand, Caycee Jaynee or CJ told her grandmother that she might have found the man she would marry.

Five years into their marriage, one night, Jaynee was shot. Jordan was at a loss, grasping at straws, thinking who could have done such horrible act. He thought someone from Jaynee's past was catching up on her. Or maybe someone just wanted her dead. Or maybe it had something to do with business? Whatever it was, Jordan would do anything and everything to solve the mystery and be with his wife again.

I definitely liked the characters in this romantic suspense story. Jordan's wealth amazed me. Jaynee's past got me teary-eyed. Sure, she's got lots of secrets. But she was strong and determined. Their love story kept me up until 3am, just so I could prove that my guesses were correct. Yes, guesses, because three bad guys kept bugging me. Lucky me, I got my second guess right, but I didn't really stopped reading until I got to the very last page.
I also loved the pacing of the book. The story shifts back and forth between the past and the present, so the reader has an idea of what could have caused the tragedy.

I admire Carmen DeSousa's writing. She told the story in exquisite detail. She kept readers from guessing and at the same time, she knew how to keep them from coming back for more. This is one captivating tale a bookworm shouldn't miss. She Belongs To Me belongs to anyone who would do anything for the one they love.

Another highly recommended book with 5 * rating!

Red Is An Attitude

Title: Red Is An Attitude
Author: Kathy Lynn Hall
Kindle Edition
Published April 2012

Lydia “Red” Talbot continues her adventures with Mac, her late husband who has now been re-incarnated as a Great Dane puppy; Joe, the hot handyman and her new paramour; and the residents of her inherited trailer park and the Gold Country city of Nuggetville. She and Joe take a pet-friendly cruise to Mexico, bringing along Mac. A new mystery springs up onboard and Red becomes embroiled in solving it, but trouble follows her back to Nuggetville. Mac isn’t a ghost any longer, so a new spirit arrives to help Red through the most dangerous of her escapades.

As expected, Red had saved the day! Lydia “Red” Talbot was taken to a surprise cruise, courtesy of her chef-handyman-lover. There she met various characters, like Miss Barbie, who was after Sugar Daddy Henry’s money, who was also taken by surprise by her wife, Agatha. There are also new couples on board, Trevor and Elaine particularly, who was kind of a little aloof at the start, but turned into a helluva woman in the end.

During her adventure, Joe and Mac were always by her side. Mac, the Great Dane dog, was the reincarnation of Red’s dead husband. When trouble was brewing inside the ship, (a pitcher almost went down on her head, and she was almost thrown overboard), a new spirit appeared and warned Red. The Misfortunes, apparently followed her to Nuggetville, where her trailer park, The Springs was located. It seemed like wherever Red is, trouble is not far behind. Another attempt on her life may just be the reason for her to leave The Springs… Or is it?

I LOVED this sequel to Red Mojo Mama. It was hilarious, exciting and still full of mystery. It definitely made me think the whole night, who could be after Lydia again. The answer came as a surprise when I discovered who the real culprit was.

Another 5 ***** review for Miss Kathy Lynn Hall. Looking forward to reading more of Red soon! Please, write a third book already

Red Mojo Mama

Title: RED MOJO MAMA

Author: Kathy Lynn Hall

Kindle edition

March 2011

RED MOJO MAMA Synopsis from Goodreads:

 Lydia “Red” Talbot has lost her mojo after three years of mourning for her husband, but not for long. She’s inherited a valuable mobile home park in the Gold Country of California, filled with a cast of eccentric characters. Her plans to sell it and take a world cruise are threatened by a hot handyman, a sizzling story in the rapidly growing town of Nuggetville and the appearance of her husband’s ghost, who has decided to hang around awhile as he searches for his next life.
Boredom sets in as she waits for her fortune to materialize, so she takes a part-time job as a reporter. Fancying herself the community newspaper equivalent of Christiane Amanpour, Lydia uncovers some shady doings by the City Council and a slick land developer. Citizens are bullied and her life is threatened, as she struggles to both expose the crooks and stay emotionally independent of the community of crazies she has been left by her beloved Aunt Esther.
Red is a spunky, smart-alecky thirty-something with more heart than she’d like others to see. She’s absolutely fearless and too honest for her own good sometimes. She’s also torn between love for her dead husband, Mac, and the new man in her life, Joe - handyman and chef.

I definitely love Red :) Oooh.. I suddenly miss my red hair!

Lydia "Red" Talbot got spunk... she's sassy, fierce, dedicated and intuitive. I have learned to love her mobile home as time progressed, especially after I got to meet Joe the Chef.

Red may have mourned three long years after her husband's death, but boy, what a reprieve it was when Joe came along. Sure, Mac (the dead hubby) made his appearances (as a ghost), but Red soon moved on.

Having Joe on her side, she discovered what life has to offer in The Spring, where she inherited a mobile home from her aunt. The place crawled with interesting characters and places you would love to hang out on.

I applaud Ms. Kathy Lynn Hall for a superb book. I am always pleased after reading a well-written story. Sure, I knew beforehand that someone from the higher ranks in the City Council had something to do with her aunt's death, but still, the mystery kept me hooked. I will definitely read the next in the Red Talbot series.

My rating for Red Mojo Mama: 4 stars! ;-)

Deadwood Mysteries

Title: Nearly Departed in Deadwood
(Deadwood Mysteries #1)
Author: Ann Charles

  

Deadwood Mysteries  

from my new favorite author - Ann Charles

After reading the first few chapters of Nearly Departed in Deadwood, I knew I was hooked. I was immediately drawn to Violet Parker who is a funky, fierce and lovable character. All throughout the series (Nearly Departed in Deadwood #1, Optical Delusions in Deadwood # 2, Dead Case in Deadwood # 3)

A single mom with two adorable kids, Violet Parker is a determined woman who would do anything to keep her job on real estate, even if she has to face her ass of an office-mate every single day. Fortunately, there's a string of men who would gladly buy or sell their houses through her: Old Man Harvey, Doc Nyce, Jeff Wymonds, Wolfgang Hessler, Detective Cooper  and an Abraham Lincoln look-alike.. Of course, there are also those creepy villainous characters, such as her despicable co-worker Ray Underhill. Top it up with ghost-hunters, chicken feeders, haunted houses,  weird home-owners, adorable  naughty kids, peeping-tom neighbor, and gorgeous BFF who also have the hots for her boyfriend, you've got three hilariously awesome Deadwood mysteries you'd surely love to uncover. Like the case of missing girls, the haunted house which has a long history of murders, and a funeral parlor that moves crates which may  be containing chopped body parts... uh-oh!!!

Ann Charles is indeed an exceptional talent. Her stories make me want to go to the nearest bookstore and grab all her other works (I have yet to try the Jackrabbit Junction mysteries). She's now part of the list of my favorite authors of 2012. Yay!

I can't really wait for the 4th book. Now that her Calamity Jane boss was found dead and her BFF Natalie already knew about Violet & Doc's steamy secret relationship, what would happen next to Violet's career & family? Well, I guess I have to find out SOON.