In Pepperrmint Peril

Title: In Peppermint Peril (A Tea and Read Mystery Bk 1)
Author: Joy Avon
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Available:  November 13
Source:  Netgalley
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: This Christmas, Callie Aspen returns to her childhood hideout Heart's Harbor, Maine where her great aunt runs Book Tea, a vintage tearoom where every sweet treat contains a bookish clue. Upon arrival in the fairy-tale snowy town, Callie is drawn into the preparations for a special tea party at Haywood Hall, the rambling house of Heart's Harbor's oldest resident, rich but lonely widow Dorothea Finster, who invited her estranged relatives, old friends and the elite of the town to make a mysterious announcement about her will.

Believing they can touch a part of her fortune, everybody is determined to come, despite not liking each other or even their hostess. And Callie's old friend Sheila complicates things by using the tea party to announce her daughter's engagement, even though her daughter isn't sure she's in love with the young lawyer her mother thinks so perfect for her.

Catering to people who each have their own agenda isn't easy for the Book Tea crew, especially once the valuable engagement ring goes missing and a dead body turns up in the conservatory. Can Callie and her great aunt use their love of clues to dig into the crimes and show their unhappy hostess and squabbling guests the true Christmas spirit?

Review:
There's something magical about a small town and especially a small at Christmas time.  This debut book is no exception.  It's a definite feel good cozy with lots of mystery and mayhem and perhaps even a little romance.  I love a good cozy and I think this series is going to have a lot to offer in the little town of Heart's Harbor, Maine  The mystery was good,  the characters were written in such a way that we know a little about them, yet there is so much more to be discovered in future books.  If you are looking for a good Christmas who dun it book, pick this up!

Title: Worth the Risk
Author: Zara Cox
Publisher: Harlequin Dare
Available: Nov 1st
Rating: 4 stars (goodreads)
Spice:  HOT
Source:  Netgalley

Synopsis:

With a multibillion-dollar deal on the line, billionaire playboy Gideon Mortimer can’t afford another tabloid scandal. He’s committed to a chastity contract, but being on the same yacht as Leonie Branson—temptation personified—is pure, unadulterated torture. Relinquishing control of their thrilling sexual chemistry to tenacious Leonie feels tantalizingly worth the risk—to his reputation and his well-protected heart.

Review:

Who doesn't want to be rich and have it all?  But is it worth the risk?  A hot story with steaming hot sexual content with a big boat and lots of money.  Not being able to touch and find their way into each others....well...each other... threw a fun aspect in the story.  The big story is finding your way to forgiveness from a difficult past and putting it where it belongs so one can focus on the future.  Always a good trope for me!  Great story and great writing made this book fly by and I do suggest it if you are looking for a little steam this time of year!

Thank you to Net Galley and publisher for the read!

Title:  Such Dark Things
Author: Courtney Evan Tate
Publisher: Mira Books
Available: Current
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3.5

Synopsis:
A modern day Fatal Attraction meets The Girl on the Train, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling new adult author Courtney Cole, now writing dark psychological suspense under the name Courtney Tate Evans.

From the outside, Dr. Corinne Cabot is living the American dream: a successful ER physician, she is married to a hardworking and handsome psychologist. Together they own a charming house in the Chicago suburbs. But Cabot has a dark personal past and her memory has holes she tries to fill in. Her sleep is ravaged by recurring nightmares of that night when, as a teenager, she found her father standing next to the bodies of two people he had shot dead. It is what she can't remember about that night that utterly haunts her. Her father is still alive in jail for that terrible crime. At times now, despite her success, she fears she is truly unable to determine what is real and what is not. Then she starts to suspect that something is amiss with her husband and realizes that nothing--and no one--in her life is as it appears.

Review:
This was page turning, and had some dark and deep scenes. It kept me in the book which so many books don't seem to do. I did read this in one day so I think that says something! The story has many triggers...so if you have issues I'd probably not pick this up.
The aha moment wasn't as over the top as I would have expected. I wish there could have been more of the before story told...I'm feeling like I'm missing a part of the story.
Above all...a darn good dark thriller!

Review in thanks to Netgalley and publisher!

Title: Inked
Author: Anne Marsh
Imprint: Dare by Harlequin
Genre: Erotic Romance
Available: Immediately
Source: Netgalley
Format:  E-book
Rating:  4 stars



Synopsis: 
Bankers and bad boys don’t mix
So why is she getting under his skin?

Harper, a buttoned-up banker, is a tattoo virgin before Vik draws her first ink. And once the bad-boy biker lays his hands on the beautiful canvas of her body, he’s addicted! Harper says the two of them could never mix outside of the bedroom—but she’s finding that she wants the feeling of Vik’s touch to last forever.

“Dare is Harlequin’s hottest line yet. Every book should come with a free fan. I dare you to try them!” —Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author

Author:

After ten years of graduate school and too many degrees, Anne Marsh escaped to become a technical writer. When not planted firmly in front of the laptop translating Engineer into English, Anne enjoys gardening, running (even if it’s just to the 7-11 for slurpees), and reading books curled up with her kids. The best part of writing romance, however, is finally being able to answer the question: “So… what do you do with a PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures?”

She lives in Northern California with her husband, two kids and four cats. You can visit her online at www.anne-marsh.com.

Review:

Bad biker boys and bankers, can anything be as hot? This was book 2 in this series, but for reading it as a standalone you wouldn't miss much. The scenes were steamy, the story was all right. I really enjoyed this story and it kept me occupied nicely on a plane trip through some rough weather! If you are looking for steam and heat and well...SEX, take a look at this book or series. The only problem I had with the book was the ending. The ending seemed a bit forced as if we just wanted to get to a HEA, I would have loved to see a bit more of the 12 days of Christmas....so many ideas that could have happened! But for this new line for Harlequin, I don't think you'd be too disappointed in the delivery of some hot steaming magic! Received as part of netgalley for honest review.

Title: Claim Me, Cowboy
Author: Maisey Yates
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint:  Desire
Available: Now
Pages: 218
Source: Netgalley
Rating 3.5

Synopsis:
Wanted: fake fiancée for a wealthy rancher

Benefits: all your dreams come true

#1 Rule: don’t fall in love

The woman on his doorstep is brash, independent and holding a baby! His father won’t approve, which makes her perfect for Joshua Grayson’s scheme. He’ll pretend he’s marrying unsuitable Danielle Kelly to keep his father from meddling. He won’t be tempted to touch her, to claim her…or to fall in love. 

Review:
Cute cowboy love story!  Very short and feelgood.  While it is part of a series, I didn't realize it when I requested this book but I didn't feel like I needed the other books to know what was going on.  I will go back and read, because Ms. Yates has a way of making the words fly. 

**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

Title: A Week to be Wild
Author: JC Harroway
Genre: Erotic Romance
Available:  Immediately
Source:  Netgalley
Publisher:  Harlequin
Format:  E-book
Rating:  3 stars

Synopsis:
Libby Noble is done with men who live on the edge, but sexy British billionaire Alex coaxes her out of her comfort zone—professionally and very personally! She’ll agree to play his game…but only by her rules!

Review:Well, hot and wild in a week, this book did deliver that. It was short but filled with lots of steam if that is what you are looking for. This is a new print for the Harlequin line and will be sure to find a suitable market ready to devour all the books in the line. As of now, it seems that all books are only in e-book format. I did find the insta-love a little too far fetched, but we have all seen that guy that sets our heart a thumping! There is a lot to be said for an author that can make 'safe' sex erotic! Definitely looking for more books by JC!

received book in exchange for review via Netgalley