Please Don’t Feed the Mayor by Sue Pethick


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.

A lover of democracy and dog treats, Shep is rapidly earning the goodwill of Fossett’s citizens. Tourists are streaming in and everyone wants to glad-paw the new mayor. Suddenly Melanie and Shep are media darlings, with requests for interviews, game shows, and personal appearances through the roof. But there’s trouble in paradise. Determined to win back his former wife, Bryce MacDonald discovers a rival in tabloid reporter Chad Cameron, who’s in Fossett to dig up dirt on Melanie and Shep. He finds a willing co-conspirator in the malcontent who lost the election. Hounded by the press and desperate to head off a potential dog-napping, Melanie unwittingly puts herself in danger. Shep comes to the rescue, proving his mettle to save his faithful human at the risk of his own life . . . and new political career.

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!

Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Unexpected Risk by Desiree Holt


Unexpected Risk by Desiree Holt
The Phoenix Agency Book #7
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Romance, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Her so-called gift put her in perilous situations…

Janet Rodman barely controlled her psi ability as an empath to teach school and hang with a few friends. She never knew when a wave of unsuitable emotions from others would assault her. She had learned to build walls to live her life but evil could break them down. A job as a private tutor kept her safe from assault…or so she thought.

He wasn’t looking for a woman in his life…

Former Marine and top tier attorney J. T. Fitzpatrick A bitter divorce took care of that. But when his friends at The Phoenix Agency called on his help to rescue a woman in danger, how could he say no? He’s unprepared for the instant attraction to Janet rodman, but he’s not looking for a relationship and tis is supposed to be a strictly business deal.

The Darkman isn‘t about to let some woman interrupt his mission in life…

His plan is working perfectly, and the bodies are piling up. He can’t let Janet Rodman screw them up. But when she disappears, he pulls out all stops to find and eliminate her. Ad he’ll kill anyone who gets in the way. With the chemistry exploding between them, can the former Marine keep Janet safe and destroy the killer before he destroys them?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

Big Chance Cowboy by Teri Anne Stanley


Big Chance Cowboy by Teri Anne Stanley
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

At Big Chance Animal Rescue,
Even humans get a second chance

After a disastrous mistake disbanded his Army unit, Adam Collins has returned home to Big Chance, Texas. He just wants to sell the family ranch, set up his sister and grandfather with the funds, and then ride off into the sunset.

Lizzie Vanhook has landed back in her small western town, heartbroken and jobless. Adding to her troubles is the unruly stray who’s claimed her as his own. Lizzie knows she’s in over her head. Enter Adam-not only does he work with big dogs, he’s also tall, dark, handsome, and the one who got away…

Adam wants nothing to do with other people, much less dogs. But when his old flame asks him to help her train her scruffy dog, he can’t say no. As his reluctant heart opens up, the impossible seems possible: a second chance with the woman he’s always loved in a place where he, his friends, and the other strays who show up can heal and call home, Big Chance, Texas.

These big-hearted dogs (and their humans!) all need that last, great chance at finding home…and a forever sort of love.

Dogs, their masters and mistresses, and redemption.

I’m a sucker for dog books. Look through my previous reviews and you’ll see it. I like my dog books. I like the work of this author, too. Teri Anne Stanley has penned a story that kept me on the edge of my seat needing to know what would happen next. I liked the characters, even when they annoyed me, and I wanted to know more. My favorite character has to be D-Day.

The characters are flawed and it’s a good thing. I got emotionally involved with them right away. D-Day is a big, goofy dog that wants to belong. He ends up in Lizzie’s SUV and won’t leave. I know it’s a bit of a stretch for a stray to become a service dog so fast, but I liked how D-Day attached to Adam and helped him with his PTSD. Lizzie is a piece of work in that she’s headstrong, but I liked it. She knew what she wanted and why she wanted to stay around Big Chance. I wish she wouldn’t have worried about her past so much, but who hasn’t got things they wish they could change? You know? Then there’s Adam. I wasn’t a fan of the way he referred to D-Day as ‘it’, but he grew on me. I also wasn’t a fan of his constant insistence on leaving Big Chance. He knew a lot, but not everything. I also liked Loretta, the poor pit bull left for dead with her pups. I won’t get into the details, but if animal abuse is a trigger for you, Lortta’s part of the story and mentions in other places in the story will be triggers. Unfortunately, animals aren’t always treated like royalty and this book doesn’t glorify it, but it does show another way to handle the aftermath.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s got flawed characters, dogs and redemption, then this is the book for you. Grab a copy.

Digging Up the Dirt by Miranda James


Digging Up the Dirt by Miranda James
Publisher: Berkley Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

An’gel and Dickce Ducote, busy with plans for the Athena Garden Club’s spring tour of grand old homes, are having trouble getting the other club members to help. The rest of the group is all a-flutter now that dashing and still-eligible Hadley Partridge is back to restore his family mansion. But the idle chatter soon turns deadly serious when a body turns up on the Partridge estate after a storm…

The remains might belong to Hadley’s long-lost sister-in-law, Callie, who everyone thought ran off with Hadley years ago. And if it’s not Callie, who could it be? As the Ducotes begin uncovering secrets, they discover that more than one person in Athena would kill to be Mrs. Partridge. Now An’gel and Dickce will need to get their hands dirty if they hope to reveal a killer’s deep-buried motives before someone else’s name is mud…

A body, bones, plus a dog and cat? This has got to be good.

I picked up this book because I was in the mood for a mystery with animals as at least side players. This book didn’t disappoint. I loved how the characters are devoted to their cat and dog. Plus, the cat was named Endora. How can you not like that? The writing flowed well and while I had to put the book down a couple times (I had to sleep!), it was easy enough to pick back up and I wanted to know what would happen next. I did get emotionally involved with the characters. I had to know what would happen and whodunit.

The mystery was tougher to figure out than I had expected, but that’s good. I tend to read mysteries to be entertained, so I’m not looking for the clues throughout. Others might unravel this story easier and that’s okay. It’s a complicated story, but moves fast and worth the read.

If you want a mystery that’s fun, then this is the book for you.

Dog On It by Spencer Quinn


Dog On It by Spencer Quinn
A Chet and Bernie Mystery, Book 1
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, and Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator, are quick to take a new case involving a frantic mother searching for her teenage daughter. This well-behaved and gifted student may or may not have been kidnapped, but she has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters. With Chet’s highly trained nose leading the way, their hunt for clues takes them into the desert to biker bars and other exotic locales—until the bad guys try to turn the tables and the resourceful duo lands in the paws of peril. Spencer Quinn’s irresistible mystery kicks off a delightful new series that will have readers panting for more.

A girl who may or may not be kidnapped, a dog and his human.

I picked up this book because I thought the idea of a mystery from the perspective of the dog might be fun. In that respect, it was. The dog’s point of view is certainly different than that of the human and I liked how the author wove that into the story.

I have to say, though, that this isn’t an easy book to read. The dog goes through some heavy stuff. He’s abused (not by his owner) and injured (again, not by his owner), but it’s hard to read. I don’t want a mystery where the animal is abused. If you don’t, then this might not be the one for you. It’s certainly difficult in spots.

That said, the mystery was intriguing and kept me paying attention to the end.

If you’re interested in a mystery that’s a little different and off the beaten path, then give this one a try.

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, Narrator Marin Ireland


Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, Narrator Marin Ireland
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Family Fang, a moving and uproarious novel about a woman who finds meaning in her life when she begins caring for two children with a remarkable ability.

Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help.

Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: the twins spontaneously combust when they get agitated, flames igniting from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but it’s the truth.

Thinking of her dead-end life at home, the life that has consistently disappointed her, Lillian figures she has nothing to lose. Over the course of one humid, demanding summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other—and stay cool—while also staying out of the way of Madison’s buttoned-up politician husband. Surprised by her own ingenuity yet unused to the intense feelings of protectiveness she feels for them, Lillian ultimately begins to accept that she needs these strange children as much as they need her—urgently and fiercely. Couldn’t this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for?

With white-hot wit and a big, tender heart, Kevin Wilson has written his best book yet—a most unusual story of parental love.

Ever since she took the fall for her friend back in high school, Lillian’s life has gone nowhere. Stuck living with her mother and working dead-end jobs, she’s in a rut she can’t find her way out of. Worse yet, the friend she’d protected has gone on to a life of luxury as the wife of a particularly important politician. When Madison contacts her out of the blue, Lillian thinks it’s a joke. She’s prepared for failure again, but she’s not prepared for what she actually gets.

Our narrator, Lillian, is a potty-mouthed take-no-prisoners sort of gal and I loved her tough, ‘bring it on’ attitude. Even though she wasn’t excited about this job, she embraced it and promised to do her best to see it through. Watching her come to not just like the twins, but love being with them, was amazing. Probably the best characters in the book though were the twins. They knew they were weird, they knew that they’d not had a good life, but they kept on moving forward every chance they got. The way the author handled the twins’ spontaneous combustion was great, too. He made it seem like all kids burst into flames the second they got agitated and I stopped thinking it was weird after the first couple times. I think that the way Lillian downplayed the spectacle helped a lot in that regard.

The version I picked up was the audiobook and the narrator nailed it. She has this smooth, soothing voice that lulls you into a comfortable place. She tricks you into thinking that there really is nothing to see here, despite the fact she’s talking about two ten-year-olds currently burning – literally – with rage. The deadpan and mellow way that the narrator delivered such crazy scenarios really made the experience for me.

Everything about this book drew me in. From the crazy cover with a cartoon child in flames to the idea of kids that spontaneously combusted, it was right up my alley. I’d gone in expecting a humorous look at parenting and left with what was not just one of the funniest books I’d read all year, but one of the most heartwarming as well. Lillian’s transformation from ‘I’m just here because I’m getting paid’ to honestly, earnestly wanting to help these kids, made my motherly heart ache in the best way possible.

Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Heroes in Love by David C Dawson


Heroes in Love by David C. Dawson
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Alstroemeria

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

NOT EVERY HERO WEARS A UNIFORM

Can love last a lifetime? Billy Walsh and Daniel Richards never intended to be matchmakers. After all, they’re only at the start of their own love story. When Billy uncovers a failed love affair, he learns it lasted more than fifty years until it fell apart. He and Daniel see their own fledgling relationship through the lens of the now estranged couple, and they vow to reunite the elderly lovers. But as they set about their task, the pressure of modern life threatens to tear them apart.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

Narco-Submarine Cartel’s Silent Service by Charles R Darner, Jr.


Narco-Submarine Cartel’s Silent Service by Charles R Darner, Jr.
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Jarratt Summer is busily working and planning for his upcoming wedding to Sarah. An unexpected phone call propels him into the world of narcotics smuggling. Jarrett is asked to find a specific type of boat for a new and different type of smuggling operation into the US. Unknown to Jarratt, not only does the Tamaulipas Cartel have grand plans, but the cartel’s new smuggling partner has plans of their own for the US population. Weaponized narcotics are being transported into the US. An outbreak is sure to be deadly, but it is a race against time to locate and stop these tainted narcotics from reaching the US.

Recently, I just wasn’t feeling the desire to read. Narco-Submarine, Cartel’s Silent Service was just the book I needed to get back into the groove. It only took the first few pages for the plot to grip my attention. Once I started reading this well-written book, I was unable to put it down.

This novel was an across-the-board entertaining read. The plot consisted of a steady pace that took this reader on an adventure that left me riveted to my seat until the end. There were two specific scenes where I expected a dramatic plot twist yet there wasn’t one. That in itself was a startling turn of events and it made the story unpredictable. At one point I was expecting the worst case scenario and my stress was high. You have no idea of the vast wave of relief I felt when it didn’t occur. Since reviews are a matter of opinion, someone else might be disappointed with that writing style but I wasn’t. I experienced plenty of anxiety provoking plot lines throughout the story to make up for it.

This book is actually Charles R Darner, Jr.’s second book. The main characters are the same in both books, however, each can be read as a standalone. I was pleased with the addition of the new cast members. The author provided just enough character development to keep the story going without me getting lost or confused.

My husband often says to get my head out of my books, that they aren’t real. I know they are make-believe but sometimes I have to wonder, how real could it be? How many times has fiction turned into fact? I have a new perspective when I see a Coast Guard helicopter fly over the beach.

I enjoyed reading Narco-Submarine, Cartel’s Silent Service and look forward to the next installment in this series. I’m interested in finding out how Sarah and Jarratt met. I recommend this book to other readers that like action/adventure. It sure kept me turning the pages.

Howling Bloody Murder by Sue Owens Wright


Howling Bloody Murder by Sue Owens Wright
Publisher: World Wide Library
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Murder comes to beautiful Lake Tahoe with a serial killer dubbed the Tahoe Terror. Journalist Elsinore “Beanie” MacBean and her basset hound, Cruiser, unofficially assist the local law, looking for similarities among the victims—all powerful, well-connected businessmen. Police suspect the trail leads back to militant tribal councils and their fury against land developers, but whispers of the supernatural add an eerie twist to the case.

As Beanie—and Cruiser—spend a rather chilly Thanksgiving holiday with daughter Nona and her new and unlikable boyfriend, Beanie links the murders to a large corporation trying to a build a casino resort on Cave Rock. Soon, it’s a downhill race of life and death with a killer who has everything to lose if Beanie exposes the truth….

A dog, a dog mom and a murder… Oh my!

I picked this book up because I love the idea of a basset hound mystery. The picture drew me right in. Cruiser, the basset, is a riot. He’s silly, roly-poly and everything a basset should be. The author wrote him in such a way I wanted to snuggle up on the floor with the big, silly pup.

There were other parts of the book that weren’t so snuggly. I’m all for a good mystery, but this one even I figured out whodunit before halfway. I didn’t figure out HOW, but who. The writing was a mix of drawing me in and easy to walk away from. Confusing, right? There were moments when I wanted to know more. I mean, the dog was a trip. Everyone who has ever had a dog knows the joys of tripping over them, the fun of having to give treats and the yum yum cabinet. In that respect, the author did a great job of portraying the dog and the life of the dog mom.

But then there were the parts of the book that were harder to get through. The mystery had some places to improve. In some places the pacing was a little slow and in others, it was a tad transparent. I wasn’t a fan of how the dog mom referred to the dog as being hefty often and the incident where the dog was accused of biting someone, but didn’t, bothered me. There are incidents when dogs do bite and it’s not great, but this was so quickly glossed over, it took away from the story to me. The heroine also seemed a little too perfect for me. She’s still grieving over her dead husband, but already has a boyfriend of sorts and gets to go to all these scenes of murder, but she’s only a reporter. I don’t know. It seemed a little too easy.

But the story itself is cute and the dog is the best. I loved Cruiser. If you’re interested in a dog mystery, then this might be the story for you.

June Book of the Month Poll ~ Binding Circumstance by Kelley Griffin


Binding Circumstance by Kelley Griffin
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense/Mystery
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Alstroemeria

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

To save the life of the man she loves, she’ll have to risk her own.

Costume designer, Leslie Carroll has mastered the art of flying under the radar. She’s had to, or risk being found by the psychopath who almost killed her.

When she literally falls into Hollywood heartthrob Charlie Erickson’s dressing room on her first day of employment, their mutual attraction is instant and undeniable. Despite his star status, Charlie is a sweet southern boy at heart, and for the first time in a long time, Leslie begins to think she has a chance at happiness.

When her harrowing past catches up to her and targets Charlie, will she run to save herself, or face her monster to save the man who is her future?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!