The Wolf's Shadow (The Lycanthropy Files Book 1) by Cecilia Dominic

 

The Wolf's Shadow by Cecilia Dominic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Joanie Fisher has just watched her life's work go up in flames, along with her relationship. One of those, she shouldn't have been involved in while the other is even questionable! Not long after the devastating losses, she learns that she's inherited her grandfather's estate...which means she's suffered yet another loss. Does death just follow this girl?!?!

Joanie soon finds out there is more to this manor than she ever expected. Lots of strange things start happening. And the people? Are they people? The clues left in the manor bring even more questions as she tries to figure out why she's inherited this work of art.

I found this book to be entertaining. It kept my attention as I was trying to figure out the situation in my mind as I was reading. I loved the details given about the manor. I'd love to see something like that in person! There was a lot of romantic entanglement that I thought got in the way of parts of the story but wasn't a complete distraction for me. I also didn't realize that a certain element included in this story wasn't inspired by a recent event, as this book was written a few years ago. That was probably my most favorite part of this book but in trying to keep from any spoilers, you'll have to read the book to find out what I'm talking about.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

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First Do No Evil (Blood Secrets #1) by Carey Baldwin

 

First Do No Evil by Carey Baldwin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hang on to your syringes!!! Wow, this book is one that is really hard to put down! It's a common fact that doctors take an oath to do no harm. This book focuses on the story of Dr. Skyler Novak and her brother Dr. Garth Novak. You'll love one and hate the other! There is also a hunky detective, Danny Benson, who plays a very large part as well. I don't want to give out any spoilers so I'm trying to carefully word my thoughts here. This story will stay with me awhile!

There is a vaccine that has been developed for the BRCA gene in breast cancer. "Bella" is poised to save women everywhere from having to go through the pains of having breast cancer. When three women are dead within 3 months of receiving Bella, more problems arise in Dr. Novak's life. Not that life has had a rosy beginning....

Danny is a single dad trying to do his best to raise his teenage daughter through her black lipstick stage. He's also a very respected cop. Danny is committed to finding out who the serial killer is in their midst. To what lengths will he go?

This one literally had me on the edge of my seat! I love the writing style and the story lines of each character. I look forward to more books by this author!

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A Promise Engraved (Doors to the Past #8) by Liz Tolsma

 

A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set at the Alamo, this dual timeline book features Josie, John, Kayleigh, and Brandon. Josie and John live during the 1800's and the time of the battle of the Alamo, while Kayleigh and Brandon live in the present age. I'll be the first to admit, I get confused when reading a book or watching a tv show/movie that switches back and forth, but this one did not confuse me! It was clearly defined in terms of which time frame was being discussed so I was able to keep up fairly easily.

This book was so hard to put down the couple of times I needed to!! It seems like each transition from Josie and John's story to Kayleigh and Brandon's left a bit of a cliffhanger that made you want to keep reading!

I was very intrigued by the information that I learned about the battle of the Alamo that I wasn't aware of (or didn't remember from history class) as well as the cat eye ring that is a focal point of this story. I love how the author intertwined the stories and revealed the connection in the end. A few times this book had me on the edge of my seat and it was as if I couldn't read it fast enough!

A very enjoyable read by a new-to-me author! I'm looking forward to reading more of her titles! I will also be looking into other titles in this series! I was not aware that this was a part of a series until I was finished with it. 

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Hush, My Darling (Benoit and Dayne Mystery Book 2) by Winter Austin

 

Hush, My Darling by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you enjoy watching the ABC show "Big Sky", you'll love this book! Once some of the details about the killer came to light, I always saw him as Ronald from this hit show! It made the reading of the book even creepier for me, but I did find this book to be more entertaining than the show!

I have not read the first book in this series so I'll be going back to do that to fill in some holes but knowing what I know now, it might ruin some of that first book for me. This book can be read as a standalone because there are many details filled in to catch the reader up to date but there are a few things I'd like to know that were not addressed in this book.

Lila Dayne is a damaged detective after experiencing the wrath of the I-80 killer. The one thing that the killer didn't anticipate was Lila living to talk about it. When a body shows up in the town where she's the deputy detective, she sees all the hallmarks of her tormentor. Then the nightmares intensify and sleep isn't to be had.

Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit is still a fairly newly elected sheriff who has not previous LEO experience. She has her hands full with the massive flooding that is occurring and now a murder victim....and then another. She needs Lila to stay on track but can she do that considering what she's been through? Ellie is already short staffed and feeling the pressures of being the sheriff while her opponent is lurking in the background always trying to add in his two cents on how she could do her job better. Will they ever find out who this serial killer is?

This book is one that will keep you on the edge of your seat! I highly recommend this one!

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The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers

 

The Last Cabin Girl by Tom Swyers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Josie is a soon to be divorced mother of two pretty sweet kids. Eddie is her soon-to-be ex-husband who is a narcissitic psychopath of a medical doctor turned drug dealer. Josie lives in a cabin that she bought from her parents....or are they?? She loves her little cabin and will do everything she can to protect herself and the kids from Eddie. He's terrified of the cabin after all so as long as they are there, they're safe.
Word starts to make rounds of a horrible virus infecting the people of China. It's making it's way to New York and Josie starts to panic. It's not the first time she's panicked over something though. She saw a pink body floating in the river when she was 12 and has never been able to get over it. She saw another one just a few weeks ago but she's not calling the authorities just yet. Did she really see it or did she just think she did?
Travis starts coming into the diner where Josie works and offers to pay her a large sum of money to show him around town. She can really use the money, especially if the diner is to close with a pandemic looming. Things start to warm up between her and Travis and then she learns how much she can lean on him. Can he help her to get Eddie out of her life?

This book is full of twists and turns and really kept me engaged. I read this book in a relatively short period of time because it sucked me in and wouldn't let go! This is my first read by Tom Swyers but I've already started looking into other titles! Be prepared to gasp....I did a few times. That's rare for me too!! I do hope there is more to this story as I'd like to hear more about Jack and Tracy. I think there is definitely a story there for them that could be expounded on! Please read this one and let me know what YOU think!! Also, recommend more books like this one for me! I appreciate that it's a psychothriller without all the bad language that you often read!

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The Sound of Murder (Musical Murder Mystery Series) by K.L. Montgomery

 

The Sound of Murder by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ruby just doesn't seem to have much luck. As a plus-sized girl, she's always looked over for leading roles and it seems like people die around her. What's a girl to do?

This book is full of action and adventure, with lots of great musical throwbacks. I'm a theater junkie myself and have been in roles but always felt a little like Ruby. When Diane is murdered during this tour, Ruby puts on her sleuthing hat and decides to get to the bottom of who took her out. Along the way, Ruby befriends Nova who is just as eager to help her out.

I love how Ruby put her clues to a song!! I sang it every time as I read it! I also love how the author chose a very realistic character in Ruby. She's not the leading lady or the most beautiful, fit girl. However, Ruby is a very fantastic character and one that is easy to fall in love with!

I look forward to more books in this series. I understand that there is a prequel to this book but I didn't feel lost in any details. Many of the previous book's information was shared to give a reader enough background without ruining that previous story.

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Shamrock & Clover: Fields Apart by C.A. King

 

Shamrock & Clover: Fields Apart by C.A. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For a super short book, this one sure packs it all in!! I laughed, I cried, I smiled, and I wanted to smack someone all in the 30 minutes or so it took me to read this lil gem!

Shamrock, aka Patrick, is the town's playboy. He loves to go out drinking with his buddies but soon realizes that he's tired of the single life. He is ready to final settle down with "the one" instead of a one night stand.

Clover, who's one of the unluckiest people ever, is having a hard time. Her job's not great, grandma's not well, and life isn't treating her kindly.

What's the odds that these two meet up looking for a change?

It's a super cute rom-com that can be read in a short span of time. This is my first read by this author but I'll be looking for more of her books.

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Reunion in the Outback (Welcome to Bunya Junction Book 4) by Nicole Flockton

 

Reunion in the Outback by Nicole Flockton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's a reunion of siblings when Yolanda (also known as Yolo and Lana) arrives on her brother Scott's doorstep with her young daughter, Jayne. We've met Scott, Sindy, and Jonas in previous books and we get to interact with them more with Lana's story.

She's yearned for another child for years but Michael, Yolanda's husband, can't bear to see her again the way she was earlier in the year when she miscarried. Upset, Yolanda gathers up Jayne and they return to Yolo's home in Bunya Junction. She avoids all the questions from the family, just letting them know she needs some time away. After all, Michael will be busy at the restaurant, which is where he practically lives these days anyway.

Michael can't figure out what he did to have the love of his live leave with his daughter. That's issue #1. Then the phone rings added an additional layer to already mounting pile of disasters. He loves the fact that Charles gave him this opportunity to be the head chef of Charlie's but he also realizes the time he spends there might be impacting his marriage.

Not being able to withstand the separation any further, Michael leaves Sydney and heads to Bunya Junction. After all, with his new news, he's got the time to work on his relationship now. Will it be too late? With so many secrets flying around, is there any hope left?

This book concludes the Bunya Junction series. I'm a little sad to see it end!! I've enjoyed getting to know the Carruthers family and all their dysfunctions! Each of these books may be read as a standalone but I enjoyed reading them all fairly close together. I highly recommend this series to those who enjoy a good family full of perfectly dysfunctional issues to help us all feel a little more normal. :)

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