A Death at Candlewick Castle (Jemima Jago Mystery #2) by Emma Jameson

I enjoyed this one, but for some reason it took me a little bit to get back into the story than the first one ("A Death at Seascape House"). The mystery part actually surprised me though I would have liked Emma to somehow expand a little bit more about the killer's character and motives. We got them but somehow it wasn't enough for me. I liked the progression of relationship between Jem and both her potential love interests - Hank and Rhys. There's definitely more to explore there in the next installment (to be out early 2022). Jem felt a lot more integrated into the community and living on the islands and we do get maybe how she could manage it, as well as progression of Pauley and Micki's characters and their development which was also great (will each also find a HEA? I hope so!). Though Jem is our sole POV, there are a lot of characters to be invested in. 

Going to a party with her two best friends Jem takes her new boat Bellatrix to one of the islands only to discover upon anchoring (another) dead body. She does a little bit of sleuthing (naturally) before she contacts Hack and even if she thought to leave it (as she doesn't know the victim) when someone she cares about gets arrested she cannot sit by and let that happen, though there is motive and maybe even enough evidence she simply doesn't believe it. There is a lot to uncover, new characters to be introduced (as probable suspects - naturally) and old ones to be revisited. As well as friendships to establish and develop. 

A Death at Seascape House (Jemima Jago Mystery #1) by Emma Jameson

Okay, truth being told I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did. For a mystery or even someone getting back into the place she grew up in and pretty much everyone hates (or at least doubts) it was actually funny and entertaining! I mean, there are dark moments - murder.. a sad past.. - but the whole vibe somehow felt sunny and fresh, like walking on the beach - what the Isles of Scilly have in spades. 

Jemima Jago grew up in St. Morwenna. Her life growing up wasn't ideal when you consider she was left there by her dad when he found himself a new family, but while she wasn't accepted by some, she had her loving grandma and her close group of friends - her besti Pauley Gwyn, her boyfriend Rhys Tremayne and his younger brother Cam. Until the day she didn't have any of them anymore. Leaving at the age of 14 she couldn't believe she'd ever have a reason to return. 

Now, almost 20 years later, she found the opportunity and though she isn't sure about seeing any of the town's people, there is one place she is interested in - Pauley Gwyn's ancient library. Working at the Royal Institute of Cornwall and the Courtney Library she is tasked with cataloging and authenticating the Gwyn's family library. As a librarian it's her dream come true!

Blue Christmas (Lord and Lady Hetheridge #6) by Emma Jameson

I really don't know why it takes me this long to sit myself with one of Emma's mystery novels. I struggle to find the "right time" but in the end, once I start I'm immersed in the story and the pages almost turn themselves. It's been awhile since I've read this series and though there are some things I had to scratch my head a bit to remember it was great revisiting Tony and Kate (as well as Paul!). 

The previous installment ending was quite devastating. Both Tony and Kate were injured which let to them leaving London for Tony's ancestral home in Devon - Briarshaw. Truth being told, Tony had enough. He is ready to get back to work (as a PI / Consultant to the Scotland Yard) but Kate is still struggling mentally. Tony tries to be as supportive as he can while also lightly directing Kate to seek help. That's how they find themselves spending a week in London. 

Naturally them arriving in London "just for a light vacation" means someone is going to get murdered and these two are going to be swept into the center of it all. They could have said no when Paul Bahr (Kate's partner) called with the news, and yet they didn't. As they say the curiosity got the cat(s). It helps that the whole murder scene almost looked like a prank. Yet Galen Barnaby was dead, there was no doubt about that. 

Waylaid (True North, #8) [Daphne & Rickie] by Sarina Bowen

OMG this book!!!! I feel like this could almost be categorized as Romantic Suspense. The elements to Richie's past put me on edge, and I just couldn't stand not knowing what happened. In a way I think that's why HE couldn't remember. I loved EVERYTHING about this book besides the fact it needed to end and I CLEARLY needed more. It somehow felt different than Sarina's books. I don't remember something as dark and suspenseful. I hope it's something she explores more and if I can suggest - PAUL! But I'm getting ahead of myself as this is Daphne and Richie's story. These two.. ~sigh~

Have you met the Shipleys? If the answer is no WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? or rather what have you been doing with your life since 2016? I'll be the first to admit me and Griffin had our issues way back then but I'm a Sarina's fan through and though so I'm long passed it. Also now we have the True North World with so many authors and sub-genres all taking place in the same area. I'm saying there's A LOT to read but don't be overly intimidated, the series is seriously AWESOME and I truly think it would be better getting to know the other members of the family before delving into this one (though it's not an absolute must). But if you can't commit to 7 books I'd say at least read the previous one "Heartland" of Dylan (Daphne's twin brother) where Rickie is introduced as well. 

Sleight of Hand (The Kings: Wild Cards #3) [Joker & Gio] by Charlie Cochet

This book is the perfect comfort read. It's sweet and endearing, with a bit of action and sass (mostly from a certain dog..). Joker and Gio have been circling around each other for a WHILE now so getting to see them finally find their HEA was fun. They know each other in a way and they sure know OF each other especially once Gio finally returns to Florida from his endless travels. Being Laz's older brother means he spends a lot of time with the Kings so it's impossible to really avoid each other, well, there's only one doing the avoiding - Joker - with Gio doing his best to lure him in.

Giovanni "Gio" Galanos knows what he wants. He wants Joker (or Sacha as he insists on calling him). There is simply something about him that appeals to Gio in a deeper level. His desire towards him has a few layers. There's the confident Gio seeing exactly the kind of guy he carves and the more vulnerable Gio looking for safe and comfort he believe he can only find in Sacha's arms. He might put up a front of the rich and capable guy, but underneath it, there is someone who is still struggling with what happened to him a year ago in a far away continent. 

Sacha “Joker” Wilder doesn't know how to keep away from Gio. Whenever he is around he just feels like he should be putting a distance though truthfully his feelings get VERY confusing when he starts to spend more time with the guy. It also doesn't help that Gio is Chip's favorite human. Chip being Joker's Belgian Malinios or not so silent partner at Four Kings Security. 

Subtle Blood (The Will Darling Adventures, #3) by K.J. Charles

Beautiful, heartfelt and action packed. Really what more can you ask. I can't believe this is our goodbye from Will and Kim. I'm going to miss them! In this one we get more - a lot more - of Kim, his family and upbringing which definitely sheds light on the person he grew up to be. This whole book was seeing a different side of Kim. I was kind of surprised to see that in this book Kim is the one who is sure of his feelings towards Will, while Will needed to think and re-think the whole thing. He enjoys the time they spend together he dislikes when they are apart, but can there be a future for them? That's an answer he is unable to answer. 

Kim has been helping Will out in his 2nd hand book shop now that he is unemployed. But it doesn't change the fact Will is just a commoner and Kim comes from a whole different class. Will feels the effort Kim is making but it's still, at times, unnerving and it gets much more complicated as the book progresses. Their daily routine takes a turn when Kim's older brother (and heir to the family's title) is suspected of murder and Kim (together with Will naturally) decide to investigate the incident. Chingford (Kim's obnoxious brother) couldn't look guilties and he has reasons wanting Paul Fairfax dead.

You Had One Job by Cari Z. & L.A. Witt

Such a  WONDERFUL read! Sometimes you need a time-out of life to relax. You'd think a suspense novel with the mob clashing one against the other would do the opposite hehe It was THE BEST escape from life into a world I would NOT want to be a part of, though what Nikita and Lorenzo found in each other WAS beautiful and heartfelt which is exactly the kind of novels I love the most. 

Nikita Ravenov has been working for the Bratva for the past ten years. This is not what he aspired to be growing up but he got mixed up with them when he was young and getting out simply isn't an option especially since he literally has NO ONE. No one to help him, no one to share his daily agony in the horrible world he was thrown into. His only coping mechanism is using drugs. My heart broke for him for most of the book, maybe even more after Lorenzo and him started to have a connection and he saw that with the right person beside him - loneliness and isolation can be replaced by compassion, trust and partnership.

Lorenzo Ferrari has a very specific and hopefully short mission dealing with the Bratva, his own people - La Cosa Nostra - might not always like him that much (being openly gay might is part of the reason) but they know he is good at his job and also - he is family. His first night on the job he takes his best friends' son out to a few gay bars. He is surprised he is watched but when he confronts the guy things get kinda out of hand. So when he sees "Nick" the next day on his meeting with the Bratva and later that day catches him thrown out of a car beaten badly it's even more of a WTF. 

Raising the Ante (The Kings: Wild Cards #2) [Frank & Joshua] by Charlie Cochet

I would have given this book a 5 stars rating but I'm still a bit salty we only got a novella of Frank and Joshua. I've been waiting for their story for SO LONG I feel deprived seeing them get their HEA so fast. Well, in a way these two were circling each other for a few years now so it's no wonder they didn't need more than a little spark to ignited a beautiful (and sexy) relationship. 

As this one is rather short I won't say much about it.. Frank Ramirez is having issues in his exclusive club "Sapphire Sand" and it more than the accidental glitter bomb exploding (I laughed SO HARD on that one!) there is also someone trying to hurt him personally so he needs two things - First is sort out the Christmas party and second have the "Four Kings Security" find the threat and deal with it. So with Ace - and Colton - being involved it's no wonder they feel like playing match makers. 

Loverboy (The Company #2) [Gunnar & Posy] by Sarina Bowen

This book was a real treat! With my schedule these days I don't have time or energy to read and I REALLY miss reading as I used to. Getting to read this incredible book was exactly what I needed. Loved the connection and interaction between Gunner and Posy. It was fun and light hearted and though their "falling apart" 15 years ago wasn't very pretty they mended their relationship beautifully. Gunner was exactly the confidence boost Posy needs right now, and for Gunner this is a real opportunity to consider what he wants in life. He isn't a kid anymore and he might have his reasons to avoiding New York but it's time to look the past square in the eyes. 

Gunner Scott grew up in New York but he didn't have the luxuries he currently has. It's easy for him to remember the struggles and the hard work he needed to put into everything he wanted. That's why he worked so hard as a bartender on "Paxton" hoping to get another promotion but it was stolen from him by the the boss' daughter. That was 15 years ago. Now he own a security company together with his best friend Max Bayer and he lacks for nothing. When Max asks him to help on a job as a barista for the same woman who stole his promotion he isn't thrilled.. But seeing Posy again brings back memories and most of them are of happy and fun times. Makes him wish he can rekindle what they used to have back then even if just until the job here is done. 

Dark Around the Edges (Cambion #1-6) by Cari Z.

This book was unavailable for a while now but it was suddenly "revived" so while I was a bit worried it's going to be more on the erotica side (which I haven't been interested in reading lately) I was happily surprised this was a sweet romantic read with a lot of intriguing suspense and action. Our MCs worked great together even though they seem like total opposites (and in a way they are..) but it also what made their relationship so special. 

Devon Harper and Rio Pagani both work for Safeguard Systems. It's a security company though they also deal with discarding demons and the cult they create around them. This time Devon is after Porter Grey a very powerful demon summoner whom the company have been hunting for years. He's finally in the US and it's time to get him. When his plans don't exactly go according to plan and his cover or rather his identity as half human-half incubus is revealed he is rescued by his favorite Safeguard's employee - Rio. Once together - they stay together and do their best to track and capture Porter who seem to be one step ahead of them. 

The Sugared Game (The Will Darling Adventures #2) by K.J. Charles

Though it took me more than I would like I REALLY enjoyed this one. I can't wait to get the third and final installment but I would also be very sad to say goodbye to Will and Kim as well as Phoebe and Maisie. I hope we'll get some sort of happy ending for the ladies as well.

After the way things ended in the last installment you'd think Kim Secretan - Lord Arthur - would pay Will Darling a visit in his bookstore but he is being "Kimmish" as Phoebe puts it. He only reappears when he realizes Will has found himself - yet again - tangled with the Zodiac radial group. Will isn't impressed, he is rather angry with him but he agrees to help as truth being told, after serving in the war - being a bookstore is quite boring... 

It all started with an invitation for drinks in a club Maisie received which resulted in Maisie getting potential clients who adore her dress and design on his first visit and on the second a full out brawl. In between is when Kim informs Will about the shady business this club is handling - besides music and drinks.. They try to take down the club owners and through it get to "Capricorn" - the leader of Zodiac but the result leaves the two - once again - separated. 

 

Hitman vs Hitman by Cari Z. & L.A. Witt

I don't even know how much time it took me to read this book as I started and stopped a few times before I committed myself into it. Something about Ricardo and August/Augustus didn't "work" for me. They spent most of the book quarreling with one another disagreeing about anything and everything. The attraction was always there - I got that and I actually really appreciated that it took them time to act upon it. The book was very suspenseful but the real action started I think round 70% in and didn't stop right until the end which is when I got REALLY invested in the story. 

If you look at the almost satirical website "Rate Your Hit" you'd find the best hitman out there is Ricardo Torralba and right under him is August Morrison. This might look like the kind of website to have a good laugh about but it's actually genuine. But when Ricardo and August find themselves on the same job to off billionaire Lance Baldwin they feel like something is wrong. So very wrong. 

They run without finishing the job only to realize that since they didn't off each other whomever put them on the job is more than willing to finish it on his own. That means that though they're not exactly team players they need to work together and learn to trust one another and FAST.

Stacking the Deck (The Kings: Wild Cards #1) [Jack & Fitz] by Charlie Cochet

While I'm usually a huge fan of Charlie's writing, this one didn't grab me. I liked both MCs but there was just too much cheese (as a lover of cheese myself). I have a very eventful and stressful few weeks and though books are my usual go-to destresser I needed something to HAPPEN. These two WERE adorable together but everything went SO WELL for them (until the action started about 60% in). Once THAT started this book was impossible to put down and I enjoyed it SO MUCH, exactly like I expect to with Charlie's books.

While this is the first book in the "Wild Cards" series, and I guess it COULD be read as a stand alone I don't recommend you do. This is an unmistakable continuation of the "Four Kinds Security" series. Jacopo Lorenzo Constantino or as everyone calls him - Jack (as well as Joker) were a part of the original Marine team together with King, Ace, Lucky and Red and if you haven't met them and experienced their shenanigans I think it's either going to put you off or confuse the HELL out of you. They are all happily coupled now. My recommendation - Start from the beginning! If you're into romance - the sweet and endearing kind - and also enjoy action this is the right choice for you. 

So back to the book at hand, Jack and Fitz have been dancing around each other for two years now. They met in Red and Laz's book ("Be Still My Heart") as Laz is Fitz best friend but though they haven't really been in touch, the Kings have been trying to push these guys together for all this time. Though it's mostly done by sneaky Laz making sure both were up-to-date with what's going on in each guys' life. 

Slippery Creatures (The Will Darling Adventures #1) by K.J. Charles

I REALLY enjoyed this one. I LOVED our two MCs Will and Kim and though they have a LONG way to go to establish a real relationship between them, I can't wait to see it truly evolving in the net two installments as this one left us with two guys who might WANT to have something together but it's still quite complicated considering everything that has happened. 

Will Darling has returned from war only to realize that there is no job to be found even for a heroe and all his medals have no value but the metal they are made of at a pawn shop (which isn't much..). He was lucky when contacting his only living relative - his uncle - he found himself not long after the new owner of "Darling’s Used & Antiquarian" his uncle's bookstore. Though he loves books he is a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of them and the state of disarray the store is in. He doesn't even know where to start and has no motivation to begin.

But some organization or sorting out is needed when he finds himself smack in the middle of a curious case. There are two companies who are VERY interested in an item his uncle was handed by his friend Professor Edward Draven. Will doesn't know what it is or what it would contain but both parties are pushing all his buttons in order to get their hands on it and so he needs to do his own investigation to find what his uncle was hiding and who he should give it to (or maybe neither).

Gilded Cage (Lilywhite Boys #2) [James & Susan] by K.J Charles

WHAT a way to end this series. This book was PERFECT! and I truly hope it means KJ will be writing more heterosexual romance novels because Susan, or rather our not so little Sukey is a woman I can TOTALLY appreciate and look up to (sadly these kind of relatable heroines are not so easy to find these days). I really enjoyed the interaction between Susan and James (aka Templeton). He has so much respect and love for her and though we mostly see  him "do as he's told" (doesn't have a choice really) it's obvious the impact he has and had over her since the time they were both teenagers. He gave Sukey something she never had or realized she even wanted.

This book truly brings closure to the series including "Sins of the Cities" with a bit more of Greta (Lady Moreton) and Justin Lazarus but also glimpses into the lives of most of the couples we've met and came to love in these wonderful books. A lot of little hints thrown in there make much more sense when you know everything that happened in all the books so I REALLY recommend you read all of the start to finish. You won't be disappointed!

When Sukey (now Susan) Lazarus and James Vane met they were 15 and 16. Sukey was spending her days at his aunt's house being home schooled and since James' father had enough of him and his careless behavior he lets him spend his days there as well. They hit it off from the start becoming best friends and later on lovers but their love story came to an abrupt end resulting in James being sent to Australia only to return 15 years later with a different name when they are on the opposite side of the law with him being a jewel thief and Susan an enquiry agent working for her adopted father Justin and his friend Mark.

Any Old Diamonds (Lilywhite Boys #1) [Jerry & Alec] by K.J Charles

This one was SUCH a ride. LOVED IT TO PIECES! It was complex and intriguing with both MCs go through quite the journey on their own as well as together. I thought I had things figured out but I was WRONG. I had so much respect for both Alec and Jerry. They tried their best to keep pretenses, to do the job they signed to do, but with the emotions between them it became harder to do their job without considering the cost for both of them and how it's going to wreck everything they've build together in the past few months they staged becoming friends (and lovers) and realized it was never actually fake.

Our whole novel is told from the POV of Lord Alexander Pyne-ffoulkes, though he calls himself simply Alec Pyne considering his estranged relationship with his father the Duke of Ilvar and horrible stepmother. Mostly he managed on his own, he is an illustrator and quite good at what he does so though he lives in a small attic he is able to pay his bills. But his brother and younger sister are having a hard time and he can't stand by and see their lives being wrecked when he has an idea to make things right for them. His idea might sound strange at a first thought and yet it makes perfect sense - stealing a priceless diamond parure his father intends to gift his wife for their 20 years anniversary. It's spiteful and it reeks of vengeance but it will also actually HELP his siblings even though it could never give back the one thing they all lost - their youngest sister Cara who died because they couldn't help her any better with the little means they have.

The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (Lilywhite Boys #0.5) [Christiana & Stan] by K.J Charles

This was SUCH a sweet novella. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't what I've got hehe Christiana and Stan are an ENDEARING couple. So gentle and sweet. I could imagine them walking the streets holding hands having a quiet conversation like nothing around them really matters. They had each other and they were happy the way they are.

Yet that's not how we start.. Miss Christiana found herself in a REALLY bad situation being "owned" by Kammy Grizzard who took her debt and made it his own, or rather, made her HIS own expecting her to pay up through working for him - "entertaining" rich men and stealing from them. It's not something she could EVER imagine herself doing no matter the cost and now that Kammy's men are in her dressing room she feels it's all over.. She is more than surprised when two men appear on the doorstep telling Kammy they are paying her debt for her and after Kammy has left, tell her she is basically off the hook and have her life back and she can take it as a birthday present of whatever.. The only thing they suggest is saying her thanks (and nothing more!) to their friend Stan.

The Price of Meat by K.J. Charles

This was.. well.. disturbing would be mild.. I have no words for the horrors in this story but besides these we have a GREAT suspense story with a very light sprinkle of romance one obvious, the other less so yet it was still there and it ended unlike a fairy tale but maybe hopeful if you are a romantic at heart.

The story starts with Johanna Oakley trying to free her friend and lover Arabella Wilmot from Mr Fogg's Asylum. On her way out she hears about a shop people come into and never return. Trying to do the right thing as well as maybe have the slightest leverage she goes to Colonel Elias Jeffrey for help. He doesn't offer anything comforting so she decides to offer HIM help and see where it gets her in releasing her lover.

Cuddly Behavior (Bad Behavior #6) by Cari Z. & L.A. Witt

I'll start by saying I'm NOT a fan of cats. AT ALL. Though I did thought at a certain point I'll have a Maine Coon (probably at least partly the breed of Mark's cat). What I AM a fan of? Andreas and Darren. ~sigh~ After everything these two have gone through together seeing them in such a domestic relationship was simply heart warming. When the big decisions in life is where to order takeout from or if to fall asleep on the couch with the cat on you or keep on working on your paperwork. I couldn't have asked for more from these two so adding the cat into the mix (even with my general dislike of the spices) was still cute and fun.

While reading this novella without reading the previous installment of Mark and Ryan IS possible I think it's a silly idea considering who GREAT it was. So I'm asking you here - don't make short cuts! But generally speaking all you probably need to know is after Mark is injured on the job he could have Harley (his cat) in the house with him while recovering considering her disregard to him having stitches all over his stomach. Darren who have been feeding her while Mark was in the hospital suggested he and Andreas take her for a week or two till Mark gets better.

The Henchmen of Zenda by K.J. Charles

Okay.. this was quite complicated. I'll try my best to explain, or I'll leave it to you to find your way in this tale. This novel is a sort of retelling of a novel called "The Prisoner of Zenda" written by Anthony Hope. I haven't read the novel and I don't think there is any reason now to try it out but I did enjoy this one even if I got a mild head ache with the amount of scheming from ALL sides.

Our MC and sole POV is Jasper Detchard. The man Michael Elphberg, the Duke of Strelsau have appointed as his head Henchman in his life quest of taking the throne of Ruritania from his brother the rightful heir. While Rudolf V Elphberg isn't exactly the best man for the job, Michael isn't exactly a saint.. He is a ruthless man who cares for nothing but achieving his goals whilst keeping the appearances of someone who doesn't exactly like his brother but accepts his rule.

Jasper isn't interested in Michael or Ruritania, he is interested in helping a close friend - Toni - who has saved his life in the past. Jasper might not be a romantic at heart, but he knows how to be loyal to the few people he keeps close. Toni, or rather, Antoinette de Mauban is Michael's mistress and while she fell in love with him at the beginning of their relationship now that she actually knows him she would soon see him dead.. Yet she does need to extract information he's been hiding from her before he can pass from this world.. Jasper doesn't really know how he can help, but no matter what his allegiance to her FAR exceeds his to Michael.