BOOK REVIEW: Dangling by a Thread (Mainely Needlepoint #4) by Lea Wait

Dangling by a Thread (Mainely Needlepoint #4)

by Lea Wait (Goodreads Author)

ebook, 304 pages

Published October 25th 2016 by Kensington

The Mainely Needlepointers are about to learn that no man is an island—especially when greedy developers want his land . . . 

Hermit Jesse Lockhart lives alone on King’s Island, three miles east of Haven Harbor, Maine, where he’s created a private sanctuary for the endangered Great Cormorants. But when a wealthy family wants to buy the island and Jesse’s cousin Simon petitions for power of attorney to force him to sell, Jesse is the one who becomes endangered.

Mainely Needlepointer Dave Perry, who befriended Jesse in the VA hospital, rallies the group to his defense. Angie Curtis and the ravelers stitch “Save the King’s Island Cormorants” pillows and sell T-shirts to pay for Jesse’s legal counsel. But tragically, on a visit to the island, Angie and Dave find Jesse dead. Now the search is on for a common thread that can tie the murdered man to his killer . . . 

***

4 STARS

Kenningson Press never fails to impress. The Mainely Needlepoint series is a stellar offering to the cozy community.

Angie Curtis has taken over Mainely Needlepoint from her newly hitched Grandmother and she finds herself beginning to wonder about what she might have to do to maintain this huge house for the winter. To keep herself from such ponderings she notices a new man in town and follows him. Some people call him the Solitary and she discovers he is a hermit who is living on a nearby island. He lives in the harsh elements in a rundown shack and does this so he can save the cormorants, a bird species that is prevalent on the island.

One of her Mainely Needlepointers, Dave Percy is soon discovered to be a good friend of the hermit whose name is Jessie Lockhart. Angie finds herself in quite a mystery when Jessie is found dead and her friend Dave is put in the hospital due to loss of blood by an injury from Jesse.

As she is known to do, Angie is now in the middle of quite a mystery and she feels compelled to solve it with the help of Grandma, Dave and her renewed friendship with Patrick, the son of a movie star that had moved to Haven Harbor in the previous book.

This was an awesome read. It went fast and the only thing I can say in a negative way was that it wrapped up way too soon. I think the author could have gotten two or three more chapters of conclusion in there to make it feel like the story was really finished.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this title

BOOK REVIEW: Killshadow Road (The Gates #5) by Paula Graves

Killshadow Road (The Gates #5)

by Paula Graves (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 288 pages

Published March 17th 2015 by Harlequin

Goodreads synopsis:

Nick Darcy thought he'd left his past behind…until McKenna Rigsby showed up wounded on his doorstep 

Nick Darcy has always needed rules. So when he's temporarily suspended from a job he's dedicated his life to, the unstructured days ahead make him desperate for a distraction. That's when a blast from the past resurfaces on his front steps, bleeding and spinning a wild tale of assassins on her trail. 

Their history is complicated. But Nick is still McKenna Rigsby's best chance when it comes to surviving. Her cover blown by a mole in the FBI, she needs a partner who can stay levelheaded in a firefight. She has no doubt they're headed for a showdown. And that this time, there won't be any rules left to break…

***

4 STARS

McKenna’s cover has been blown and not only are the bad guys after her but so are the good guys. She only has one place to turn when she needs help: Nick Darcy.

Nick found a place for them both to stay while they tried to figure out what was really going on. They knew thati they wanted their name cleared, they would have to discover the evidence on their own.

I read this over the Christmas holiday ad thus found the ending a bit convoluted. But that could be from the face that I wasn’t as focused when I was reading it.

Intrigue at its best.n Check this series out.

I paid for this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Two Souls Hollow (The Gates #6) by Paula Graves

Two Souls Hollow (The Gates #6)

by Paula Graves (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 288 pages

Published April 21st 2015 by Harlequin

Her best protection came from an unlikely bodyguard 

When secrets leak from The Gates, the hunt is on for a mole. All evidence points to Anson Daughtry, who knows their security inside and out. Only coworker Ginny Coltrane can help clear his name, but she's caught in the middle of a turf war between militants in the Smoky Mountains. More at ease behind a computer than with a gun, Anson makes for an unlikely bodyguard. But hunkering down in the Tennessee foothills, turns out Ginny's not exactly the "need to be protected" type. Still, with someone stalking their every move, Anson isn't about to let her out of his sight. Or, if he gets his way, out of his arms.

***

4 Stars

There is a mole in the company and Anson is put on leave since he is suspect number one. But he isn’t just going to sit around and hope someone would clear his name. He has his own ideas about who the mole is and he begins to tail Ginny who is responsible for payroll in the Gates. When some unsavory people try to take advantage of Ginny’s brother, Anson steps in to help and he soon finds himself in a quandry, if Ginny isn’ the mole, then who is?

This story really kept me guessing and I like stories like that. The more we learned about the characters the more insight was revealed into the mystery. Just nicely done. Another great series by Harlequin Intrigue.

I paid for this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Mountain Bodyguard by Cassie Miles

Mountain Bodyguard

by Cassie Miles

Paperback, 256 pages

Published June 21st 2016 by Harlequin

Goodreads synopsis:

HER ROCKY MOUNTAIN BODYGUARD 

Caring for six children was supposed to be the toughest part of Lexie DeMille's new job. Then their massive Aspen residence was attacked and it was clear someone had a very personal vendetta to settle. A job that required TST Security and its best bodyguard, Mason Steele. His focus should only have been on securing the remote mountain hideaway. But unraveling Lexie's secrets became critical to the case and to his own private agenda. Under a veneer of domesticity was a marine brat with more survival skills than your average nanny. Something about her had driven her assailant into a violent rage. And that same thing blurred the parameters of Mason's detail—and would test his every survival instinct.

***

4 Stars

Lexie wasn’t your normal nannie. Mason Steele could tell that from the moment she disabled six guys who were out to harm the children she was taking care of. Mason ends up being hired to guard Lexie and the kids while her employer was away from home. Whomever was after her wasn’t going to be deterred by a simple bodyguard and so Mason and Lexie knew they had their hands full protecting them all from a psychotic killer.

The story was good but it was slow in places when they were in the Aspen retreat. I enjoyed the concept and the characters the most. I would definitely like to read more from this author.

I paid for this with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Stranded (The Rescuers #2) by Alice Sharpe

Stranded (The Rescuers #2)

by Alice Sharpe

Paperback, 224 pages

Published June 17th 2014 by Harlequin (first published January 1st 2014)

Goodreads synopsis:

AFTER MONTHS STRANDED IN THE MOUNTAINS, A DETECTIVE RETURNS HOME TO A TARGET ON HIS BACK—AND HIS PREGNANT WIFE CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS… 

When Detective Alex Foster's plane goes down in the remote Bitterroot Mountains, everyone thinks he is dead. Including his wife, Jessica. But against all odds, he survives, returning months later to the joyous news that Jessica is pregnant. Yet their reunion reminds them both of their imperfections. Then Alex discovers his plane crash was no accident. Someone wanted him dead and is now targeting Jessica to get to him. She wants honesty; he wants to keep the frightening details to himself. Protecting Jessica and his unborn child is Alex's first priority—even if it means giving up his second chance at life to save theirs….

***

This story continued from Shattered (The Rescuers #1) by Alice Sharpe. Alex was flying in to meet his friends but he never made it. His plane was sabotaged causing him to crash into the mountains during the dead of winter. Somehow he was able to survive. His wife, Jessica was beside herself. She was newly pregnant and not certain if she would ever see her husband again.

When he returns, Alex has a new perspective on life due to all the time he had to think and ponder while he tried to survive the elements. It becomes pretty evident that whomever tampered with his plane was still out to do him in. He learned from his friend, Nate about the contingent of young men being brainwashed in the name of patriotism. And that theme followed into this book too.

It was a fun book and I liked to see what happened after Nate’s story in book one.

Harlequin Intrigues are my guilty pleasure and I am always a fan no matter the title.

I paid for this book with my own money.

DFN Books (Did Not Finish) - Spellbound & Indulgence in Death

Spellbound (Spellbound #1)

by Samantha Combs (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 292 pages

Published June 14th 2011 by Astraea Press (first published June 13th 2011)

Goodreads synopsis: 

Logan Daniels has always led a sheltered life in sleepy, predictable Lancaster, New Hampshire. But when beautiful Serena suddenly appears at school one day, his comfortable existence becomes anything but as he finds himself falling in love with her. There’s something special about Serena Starr. He realizes what it is when he sees her unleash her spells. Soon, a mysterious and foreboding presence settles over his placid home. 

Logan and Serena find themselves battling darkness and evil with an ominous mission: it wants Serena and will stop at nothing to have her. Tearing apart Logan’s town, threatening his friends, even causing harm to his family, the demon will spread its doom over every facet of Logan’s once placid life. Logan matures in ways he could never have imagined as he struggles to protect those he loves, including Serena. But he can't do it alone. 

Serena hails from a long line of able and powerful women who will aide in the battle and perhaps settle a score of their own. The strength of the coven and Serena's love will be behind him, but ultimately this is Logan’s fight to win. But, will he?

***

I did not rate this book because I rated it DFN (Did not finish). This book was too young, and seemed even younger than its target audience. The first few chapters really put me off this book because of the editing and flow of the text. It was awkward to read and I made it over halfway through the book before I gave up on it. 

I bought this via my iBook bookstore app on my iPod Touch. I definitely would not recommend this book to anyone unless they were tweens or early high school age.

Indulgence in Death (In Death #31)

by J.D. Robb (Goodreads Author)

Hardcover, 373 pages

Published November 2nd 2010 by G.P. Putnam's Sons (first published 2010)

Goodreads synopsis:

An indulgence for readers: the new Eve Dallas novel from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author. 

First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet.

Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life -- and death -- are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer.

As time runs out on another innocent victim's life, Eve's investigation will take her into the rarefied circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in -- and into the perverted heart of madness...

***

I did not rate this book because I rated it DFN (Did not finish). 

I am usually a big fan of Nora Roberts’s stories but this one left me wanting. I found it slow and it didn’t feel like there was any cohesiveness in the plot. I could not even figure out what the whole point of it all even was. They just jumped around so much. I did enjoy the beginning in Ireland and assume that it must have connected back to the end of the story considering the author went to the trouble of introducing us to Roarke’s family. I made it fairly far into the book, probably three fourths but it was a struggle to read and I was not having fun at all.

Needless to say I do not recommend this : “in Death” book. I hope other books are better than this one.

BOOK REVIEW: Shattered By Alice Sharpe

Shattered (The Rescuers #1)

by Alice Sharpe

Paperback, 288 pages

Published May 20th 2014 by Harlequin (first published January 1st 2014)

ALL HE'D WANTED WAS A REUNION WITH A FRIEND. WHAT HE GOT WAS A NATIONWIDE CONSPIRACY AND A JOB PROTECTING ONE GORGEOUS STRANGER. 

Deputy sheriff Nate Matthews doesn't know what to think when he arrives in Nevada and discovers his friend murdered. He is sure about the beautiful woman pointing a rifle at him. Sarah Donovan is a liar, she may have murdered her father…and she stirs something inside him he can't possibly explain. 

But before they can solve one murder, Nate and Sarah find themselves dodging bullets. Being on the run brings new emotions into focus. After a night of passion in a snowbound cabin, they start closing in on the truth—someone means to strike terror in America's heart….

4 Stars

Nate shows up to a meeting with two old friends but what he discovers is his friend dead in his own house and the man’s daughter hiding out in the house. A snow storm keeps them prisoner inside this house with a dead man. Sarah has her own agenda. She is there to find coins that she can give to her mom who has a bookie on her back but Sarah doesn’t want to tell Nate that. She just wants to get the money and run. But of course, it won’t be as simple as that.

Sarah and Nate uncover a conspiracy that could threaten national security but can they get the word out in time before someone else dies?

Get novel. I loved the beginning of this series. It was suspenseful and made me take a few red herring wonderings before I found the true path of the storyline. Definitely a great read. Check it out.

I paid for this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Scene of the Crime: Return to Mystic Lake(Scene of the Crime #8) BY CARLA CASSIDY

Scene of the Crime: Return to Mystic Lake(Scene of the Crime #8)

by Carla Cassidy (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 224 pages

Published April 15th 2014 by Harlequin (first published January 1st 2014)

TWO FBI AGENTS WERE ON A CASE THAT COULD COST THEM THEIR CAREERS—AND THEIR LIVES.

Only a life-and-death mission could make FBI special agent Jackson Revannaugh leave Louisiana for Kansas. But a husband and wife have gone missing in a case with disturbing similarities to an unsolved one, and Jackson's desperate for answers. And the trick is keeping his desire for his new partner from compromising the operation.

Marjorie Clinton knows Jackson's type only too well. But with passion—and the case—heating up, she soon has to trust the Southern charmer with her life. Because someone in this friendly lakeside town is a killer. Someone who's made Marjorie a target and could expose the secret Jackson hoped would stay buried forever.

4 Stars

If you have noticed a theme in my December book selections, you are quite the sharp one. December was Intrigue and Romantic Suspense month. I find that I am drawn to these types of titles. It is my guilty pleasure.

Jackson is from out of town Louisiana, to be exact. And the FBI pulls him off his current case to take the case in Kansas which is very similar to what he had been working on.  Jackson is casual and laid back, he had money and likes food and doesn’t rush to do his job to the detrement of his own health. Marjorie, however, is driven. She has put her entire life on hold to do this job with the FBI. She lets her mother take advantage of her financially while she lives in a tiny house with barely anything inside to make it feel lived in. Jackson and Marjorie are at odds from the very beginning.

The killer continues to evade them and puts them both in danger time and time again. They soon begin to wonder if this killer is even the one they are looking for. Someone has targeted them and it is personal.

This one definitely kept my attention and I sped through it. It is part of a series titled “Scene of the Crime”. Characters can crossover from one book to the next but each main character is different from the previous book in the series. DEFINITELY CHECK THIS SERIES OUT. WORTH THE READ.

I paid for this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Primal Instinct by Janie Crouch

Primal Instinct

by Janie Crouch (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 224 pages

Published March 18th 2014 by Harlequin (first published January 1st 2014)

A killer stalks the city streets, and one FBI agent is determined to bring him down in Janie Crouch's Primal Instinct. 

On the crowded streets of San Francisco, a serial killer watches and waits. Known only as "Simon Says," he lures his next victim while the FBI grasps for answers. Desperate, they turn to Adrienne Jeffries. Adrienne has an uncanny talent for getting inside the city's most dangerous minds. But first she'll have to get past FBI agent Conner Perigo. Skeptical of Adrienne's abilities, Conner begrudgingly enlists her help…unprepared for the powerful attraction that could jeopardize their focus. With little time, and everything to lose, they must work to find Simon's next victim—before he does.

4 Stars

Adrienne has a gift. She can see into the mind of a killer. But her visions come at a great price to her health. So when the FBI come a calling asking for her help, she finds that her talents don’t work when she needs them to.

I found the whole concept of this book intriguing and hope that they revisit these characters at a future time. I could see this type of thing becoming a series. I am definitely a fan of this one. This was book two in the Janie Crouch marathon I had in December. Definitely worth it. Check it out if  you loved shows like Unforgettable or The Profiler.

I paid for this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Miracles Now by Gabrielle Bernstein

Miracles Now: 108 Life-Changing Tools for Less Stress, More Flow, and Finding Your True Purpose

by Gabrielle Bernstein

Hardcover, 255 pages

Published April 8th 2014 by Hay House, Inc.

Goodreads synopsis: Miracles Now by New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein will help readers eliminate stress and find peace—even if they only have a minute to spare. Bernstein knows that most of us don’t have time for an hour of yoga or 30 minutes of meditation, so she has hand-picked 108 techniques to combat our most common problems—from addiction and anxiety to burnout and resentment. Inspired by some of the greatest spiritual teachings, Bernstein offers up spirit-based principles, meditations, and practical, do-them-in-the-moment tools to help readers bust through blocks to live with more ease. She breaks down each technique Spirit Junkie style—with meditations, assessment questions, and step-by-step guidance— while incorporating lessons from A Course in Miracles and Kundalini yoga.

   As readers benefit from the techniques they’ll be able to share them. Each practice has been boiled down to a 140-character description—or Miracle Message—which can be tweeted, pinned on Pinterest, posted on Facebook, or shared on Instagram. Each Miracle Message will end with the hashtag #MiraclesNow. Ebook readers can share right from their device.

   Readers familiar with Bernstein’s fun and innovative take on spirituality will scoop up her latest work. And those who are discovering her will appreciate her easy-access approach to spirituality and transformation.

4 Stars

It took me awhile to wade through the 108 tools in this book. The end of each chapter gave you a sentence  you could tweet with the hashtag #miraclesnow.  I found it to be a mishmash of many concepts that have been out there for years but not necessarily all put into one place. 

I enjoyed reading her take on all these tools and how she implemented them into her own life.

If you enjoy self help or law of attraction or Course in Miracles stuff,  you should definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

BOOK REVIEW: Deadly Contact BY LAURA LACOMBE

Deadly Contact

by Lara Lacombe (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 288 pages

Published November 5th 2013 by Harlequin (first published January 1st 2013)

Goodreads synopsis: It's a race against time -- and a fatal outbreak -- in this thriller of a debut! — In one passionate night Special Agent James Reynolds and scientist Kelly Jarvis went from friends to lovers. Then Kelly walked away with only an apology. Now James is charged with solving a bio-terrorist attack -- and Dr. Jarvis works at the suspected lab. — Is Kelly an accomplice or a victim? Just what are her secrets that drove her from James's bed? Soon one thing becomes clear: The ghosts of her past have nothing on the terrorists targeting her and Washington, D.C. Another threat bathes the city in red alert, and now there are lives at stake, in addition to hearts.... 

4 Stars

Kelly has some old emotional wounds and when she gets to delve into a relationship with James, she balks. She gets out before she gets invested in him. Now James is back in her world. The lab she works at is suspected of handing over a virus to a bio-terrorist and now Kelly is a suspect. 

I enjoyed the back and forth between the characters and sometimes just wanted to knock one of them over the head and tell them to get over it and  move on.

But this was a great romantic suspense and definitely worth your money.

I paid for this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Countermeasures (Omega Sector #2) BY JANIE CROUCH

Countermeasures (Omega Sector #2)

by Janie Crouch (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 224 pages

Published January 20th 2015 by Harlequin

THE CLOCK WAS TICKING, THE ENEMY WAS WATCHING… 

At first it looked like a glorified babysitting job: safeguard a scientist while she created a countermeasure to neutralize a dangerous weapon that had fallen into the wrong hands. But when Dr. Megan Fuller's life was threatened, undercover agent Sawyer Branson knew the enemy was closing in. Sticking by Megan 24/7 wasn't something he took lightly, even if Megan didn't seem to appreciate his constant presence. For a man used to getting any woman he wanted, Megan was a challenge he was coming to enjoy. Because beneath her boxy lab coat and pinned-back hair lay a brilliant and beautiful warrior. And before long, Sawyer's determination to save the world was matched only by the sudden need to make Megan his.

4 Stars

I enjoyed this romantic suspense novel. I particularly liked the chemistry between Megan and Sawyer. They were aggravated with each other most of the time and each had such a hard head

Megan’s company had created a weapon that some bad dudes wanted access to. It was actually created to be a weapon but it could be used that way. She was a bit gun shy working with the government since the FBI guy who had been assigned to work with her in the beginning ended up stealing this weapon from under the nose of the government. Megan’s company had been working on a countermeasure to combat the effects of it but stopped working on it when the government took the original copy and then lost it. Now the government is back and wants Megan to continue working on this countermeasure. But first they have to recreate it. They luckily had a prototype available with which to work. Sawyer is there to protect Megan and the countermeasure but someone wants it before they had it back over to the government. The suspense was great and it made me want to search out other Janie Crouch books.

I paid for this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: A Whole Latte Murder by Caroline Fardig

A Whole Latte Murder (A Java Jive Mystery #3)

by Caroline Fardig (Goodreads Author)

ebook, 272 pages

Published November 8th 2016 by Alibi

Goodreads synopsis:

Coffeehouse manager and reluctant sleuth Juliet Langley returns in a gripping novel from the bestselling author of Death Before Decaf and Mug Shot. Just as things are perking up in Nashville, a serial killer sends tensions foaming over.

Juliet's personal and professional lives have recently received an extra jolt of energy. Her romance with the hunky detective Ryder Hamilton continues to simmer, and business at Java Jive has never been better. But her good mood quickly turns as stale as day-old espresso when she finds out that Ryder has been promoted to his precinct's homicide division. With him risking his life to catch the worst kind of criminals, Juliet's growing sense of unease ignites when a local college student goes missing.

Suddenly every Nashville resident is on high alert, especially Juliet's neighbor Chelsea. Juliet does her best to calm the girl's nerves, but her worst fears are confirmed when she finds Chelsea dead. Even though she tries her best to stay out of it, Juliet's involvement puts a strain on Ryder's first homicide case. The situation soon becomes even more personal for Juliet and her best friend Pete Bennett when one of their employees disappears during her shift. As a killer lurks in the shadows, Juliet, Pete, and Ryder seek out a double shot of justice.

***

4 Stars

When I started reading this book I was not a fan of the main character. She seemed a bit harsh. I had not read the previous two books so I did not have a good backstory for everyone. I wish they could have toned down her attitude in the beginning but as the book developed, she became more tolerable and I was enjoying the book.

Juliet lives in a building near a bunch of college students. When she tries to return a scarf to her young neighbor, she ends up finding this gal’s dead body. Her being there makes her boyfriend a bit nervous since he was just promoted to homicide. When Ryder pulls back on his communication, Juliet ends up speaking more and more to a different detective who is a bit more open minded.

This book started out a bit bumpy for me but it turned out to be a great read. Definitelyl check this one out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author.

BOOK REVIEW: Sleuthing for a Living by Jennifer L. Hart

Sleuthing for a Living

by Jennifer L. Hart (Goodreads Author)

ebook

Published June 21st 2016 by Smashwords Edition

From the #1 cozy mystery bestselling author of The Southern Pasta Shop Mysteries comes a new series that proves blood can be thicker than water...

Goodreads synopsis

As a young single parent, Mackenzie Elizabeth Taylor has struggled to provide for her teenage daughter. She finally catches a break when she inherits half of an apartment building in Boston from her uncle Al...along with his P.I. business. So what if she doesn’t know the first thing about investigation or if their hot-but-crabby downstairs tenant is a police detective who’s looking for any excuse to handcuff her? Her daughter, Mac the computer whiz, has her back. And these two girls don’t know the meaning of the word quit—not even when their first case takes an unexpected turn.

   The man Mackenzie's been hired to follow in a custody case seems to have upset more than just her client when she spies another person tailing him—a mysterious man Mackenzie would bet is up to no good. But when her mark suddenly winds up dead, and her first and only client is accused of his murder, Mackenzie vows to find the truth. Only one problem: she doesn’t know where to start…or when to draw the line. Who is the mysterious man she spotted tailing the victim? Is he the killer? Is she in over her head, or will she uncover the secrets someone killed to keep hidden? Mackenzie and Mackenzie are on the case, and the world of private investigation will never be the same.

***

4 Stars

I am perplexed by this story. In some ways I was annoyed by it. And in some ways I really enjoyed it.

The whole character set and dynamics reminded me of the Gilmore Girls which I think is odd. But there are no original stories, they say, so I guess I can overlook it. Then the naming of the main character and her daughter being the same really threw me in the beginning. I couldn’t figure out who was speaking for a bit until I realized this fact.

Once I got past all this, I started to enjoy the book and really did like it. Not too happy about the awkward ending  but I guess they need to keep it fresh in order to continue the series.

So… awkward beginning, confusing beginning but in the end, it all worked out well.

I paid for this book with my own money.

Note: I thought I would relate the unusual circumstance of this publisher when I asked if I would be allowed to read ARCs. I was told that they really wanted people who would give five stars every time. Now, I only give five stars when I find something that is outstanding. I just don’t give it away like it is candy. 5 star ratings have to mean something, at least to me. They told me that they would like me to read the book and if I found something wrong that would make me rate it lower to let them know and then they would change it and then that would allow me to give it a 5 star rating. Uh. I don’t think so. At the time of my reading if it is a 3 star quality in my eyes, I’m giving it a 3. I think it is a little underhanded to want me to rate it 5 stars just in case they change anything to make it better before publishing. And anyway, shouldn’t the publishing company be responsible for making the book as great as it can be when they are doing galleys and whatnot? Making the ARC reader responsible for making their book better is sort of like when the big auto makers send all their stuff to Mexico and try to make the product cheaper by using not as experienced workers.  Okay, rant over but it annoyed me. And so obviously, I chose not to be an ARC reader there.