The Deadly Decor Mystery Series by Ginny Aiken

Books 1 & 2: Design on a Crime and Decorating Schemes (Deadly Decor Mysteries)

Titles:

Design On A Crime
Decorating Schemes
Interior Motives

Author: Ginny Aiken
Where'd I get: Public library, Irvin's Books, Public Library
Published: All three in 2006
Genre: Inspirational Mystery
Rating: @@@@
Heat Index: Sweet

Preacher's daughter Haley Farrell is finally starting to live again and opening her own design business. Things get off to a rocky start when she finds her best friend and mentor's body and she's the prime suspect. Already dealing with a traumatic past, Haley is being tormented by a local contractor who is trying to bring his own reputation back to the light and deal with the suspicions of everyone. Unfortunately for Haley, the discovery of the first body sets a pattern for her life. Go for a job interview, find a body.

My thoughts: It's rare that I'll read an entire series back to back but these were quick fun reads. Filled with quirky characters and a spunky heroine, I was hard pressed to put them down for any reason. The mysteries are filled with twists and turns. I only wish there were more in the series.

Enemy Lover by Karin Harlow

Title: Enemy Lover
Author: Karin Harlow
Where'd I get it: Irvin's Books
Published: May 25, 2010
ISBN: 9781439109823
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Paranormal Romance
Rating: @@@@@++++++++++
Heat Index: Steaming

Synopsis: Angela Giacomelli is on her way to a hefty prison sentence. Betrayed by her fellow police officers, she is resigned to her fate, but en route to the prison, the bus is hijacked by covert government agents who are seeking Angela. They give her a new identity as Jax Cassidy and train her to take down special criminals. Her first case is to take out hitman Marcus Cross and his boss, Joseph Lazarus. What they don't know is that Cross and Lazarus are vampires.

Marcus is mesmerized by the feisty woman who continues to get in his way and heat his blood. What begins as a sparring match to find out who she works for turns into an all-consuming lust. As he begins to discover the truth about his creator and boss, Marcus only wants to protect Jax.

What I thought: Ms. Harlow hits all of the right beats with ENEMY LOVER. Jax and Marcus bring out the best of one another and their connection is tight. When they're together, magic and chemistry happens on the page and I couldn't help but fall in love with Marcus too. There's plenty of suspense, heat, passion and tears. Run, don't walk, to get your copy of ENEMY LOVER.

Covers that cross the line from erotic romance to porn

Is it any wonder romance novels, authors and readers get a bad name from other readers? I'm no prude by any stretch of the imagination, but the cover of Mistress Rules by Christine D'Abo, just released today at Ellora's Cave has definitely crossed that line. If the print copies were offered in brick & mortar stores, I'm sure there'd be all sorts of a hullabaloo when that one would hit the store. No book has made me blush like this since I was 14 or 15 and reading Virginia Henley for the first time. And if the cover is indicative of the story, Ms. Henley's work is more than likely tame in comparison.

Here's something worthy

Share the love of reading. Just click fan (or like) on Scholastic's Facebook's page, and they'll donate a book to a child in need.

Harlequin's NASCAR series

I'm really not certain that I like what they're doing with the series. I don't like the covers, that I'm certain of. They appear to be putting two stories in each book, which is fine if they're still full length. But I'm definitely not a short story fan so I'm going to have to see what they look like when they start coming out.

The Redemption of Jake Scully

Title: The Redemption of Jake Scully
Author: Elaine Barbieri
Where'd I get it: Irvin's Books
Published: June 2008
ISBN: 9780373827909
Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
Rating: @@@@@
Heat Index: Sweet

Synopsis: When Lacey was eight, her grandfather was murdered. Before he passed on, he told her to get to town and find Jake Scully, who would take care of her. Thanks to her faithful and beloved mule, Careful, the injured girl made it to Jake's doorstep where he took her in. Wanting to give her the best life possible, Jake sends her east to school, where she grows into a beautiful young lady.

Upon graduating, Lacey returns home to Weaver, Arizona and Jake. She wants to rebuild her life and become independent along with facing down the ghosts of her past. Little does she know the ghosts aren't exactly ghosts and are laying in wait for her.

This was a beautiful story of redemption and unconditional love. There is plenty of danger and misunderstandings along the way, but Lacey shares her good heart with everyone she meets. A beautiful story.



The Redemption of Jake Scully

How To Wash a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale

Title: How To Wash A Cat, Book one of the Cats and Curios Series
Author: Rebecca M Hale
Where'd I get it: Irvin's Books
Published: January 2010
ISBN: 9780425232040
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: @@@
Heat Index: N/A

Synopsis: When the heroine's Uncle passes away after a stroke, she inherits his antique shop in Jackson Square, San Francisco. He leaves her an envelope containing a tulip shape key. She and her cats, Rupert and Isabella, need to figure out a mystery dating back to the Gold Rush and which of their quirky new acquaintances are up to no good.

My thoughts: This was the strangest book I ever read. It was a page turner because I wanted to see what happened next, and I adored the cats. The prose was rather wordy and there were tons of adjectives adorning every sentence. And some that were just odd. Crunchy eyelashes? How are eyelashes crunchy? We never find out the heroine's name until the very last page, everyone she meets refers to her as Oscar's niece.

Oddly written but I'm willing to try book 2 before deciding if I would go further with this series.