contemporary

Racing the Light (Elvis Cole and Joe Pike #19) by Robert Crais

This is another fun and exciting Elvis Cole mystery/thriller. This time, Elvis is hired by a mother desperate to find her son Josh, a controversial podcaster. She thinks he’s in mortal danger, and although she’s quirky and has a flock of professional bodyguards following her around, Elvis takes the case. And the cash. As Elvis starts to look into the son’s life, he once again attracts danger and enlists the help of his buddy Joe Pike to watch his back.

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November 8, 2022 0

A Murder at Balmoral by Chris McGeorge

This is a good locked-door mystery set in an alternative universe England where King Edward VIII did not abdicate and marry an American divorcee. In this story, his lineage sits on the throne. As the story begins, King Eric has required his immediate family attend Christmas as Balmarol and he’s sent all of the staff away, except his chef Jonathon and his head security officer. During an after dinner speech, King Eric begins to speak, begins choking, and falls to the ground. Moments later, he’s dead. Each member of the family has motive and opportunity, is keeping secrets, and they’ve elected the chef to investigate the murder.

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October 30, 2022 0

The Quiet Girl by Nichole Heydenburg

Violet Hale moves with her family to North Carolina from Michigan. She had friends and a boyfriend in MI, but in NC, isn’t able to easily makes friends and draws the attention, and ire, of the school’s queen bee on her first day. Every day after that, Violet is bullied by her and the popular kids. One day a cute boy, Jess, defends her after Violet is bullied, and he and his friend Kayla befriend her. Violet is grateful to finally make friends, but the more she gets to know them, the more sinister their friendship becomes.

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October 18, 2022 0

Jackal by Erin E. Adams

Wow. This book was a crazy ride. I started reading and couldn’t stop until I finished it. I thought this was a mystery/thriller, but it’s so much more. There is a horror element to the book that I didn’t know was there going in, but thinking back, it makes sense because I was so tense reading it. There were so many times were I had no idea what was going to happen next and the story had plenty of twisty turns and false leads. The writing was so well done that it kept me second guessing throughout the book. The story deals with tough issues including racial prejudice, domestic violence, and class and wealth inequity. The book requires the reader to suspend disbelief toward the end, otherwise it won’t make a lot of sense. I struggled with this until I realized there were other elements besides a mystery.

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October 4, 2022 1

Love Liana, Sincerely Kade by Allie Doherty

This is a cute and sexy contemporary romance set in NYC. Liana is a single romantic-advice blogger that is pressured by fans to add sex advice to her blog. Uncomfortable with the topic, she seeks advice from a cocky man that emailed her for advice about love. Enter Kade, the cocky guy who drinks too much whiskey and only has one-night stands. He wrote Liana asking her if love really exists. They develop an unlikely friendship, with Liana helping him figure out love, and Kade giving her advice about her sex blog. What they didn’t expect was the chemistry they can’t deny.

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September 29, 2022 0

Red Flags by J.N. Welsh

3.5 stars

This is a cute and steamy contemporary sports romance set in Ireland. Charlotte owns a shoe design company based in NYC. Charlotte has a one night stand with Irish soccer star Eoghan who was rehabbing in America after an injury. Charlotte then gets approached by an Irish soccer club to design a custom shoe for its star athlete. What are the chances that the star is Eoghan? This is a romance book, so of course it’s Eoghan!

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September 28, 2022 0

Kissing Games (Kinloch #3) by Evie Alexander

This was a cute and sexy contemporary romance set in the Scottish Highlands. Charlie left the army for his married girlfriend, who eventually dumped him for her husband. He’s estranged from his family, floundering at his new job and decides to head to the Highlands to help his best friend protect Kinloch castle from a crazy film crew. The last thing he needs or wants is a romantic entanglement.

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September 25, 2022 0

Tricked (Tricked #1) by R.M.T. Jay

This is a cute contemporary romance that is a quick and easy read. Strangers Jo and Matthew have an unexpected encounter in a bar that ends up in his hotel room. When they wake up they find themselves apparently “married”. Called to Rome for an emergency, but eager to sort out their mess ASAP, Matt asks Jo to come with him. Doing the unthinkable, she agrees. Jo and Matthew are total opposites. Jo is crushed when she finds out the bills have piled up and her family has to sell their beloved ranch –Tessa. Matthew is a ruthless CEO with a brilliant mind, and he’s none other than the heir to the Devaro family’s mega fortune and business empire. Jo agrees to stay in Rome to help his family’s public disaster in exchange for help to save her family ranch. But can she survive Matthew’s family and ex-girlfriend?

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September 22, 2022 0

Not Rowing to Lie (Castoria U #2) by Rosie Birch

This was a fun and cute college romance. It’s a quick and easy book that I read in a few hours. I haven’t read any college romance books before and am surprised I liked it as much as I did. Renee is on the rowing team and Jesse Tremblay is a star hockey player with NHL dreams. He only has one-night stands and his policy regarding women is one and done. During a murder mystery party, Renee and Jesse meet while hiding out in the kitchen and make a connection. Feeling daring, Renee sheds her “good girl” persona for a few hours and takes Jesse up on his offer of a one-night stand.

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September 5, 2022 0