2/15/16

Mystery Series I'm Dying To Start

So, the name of my blog is Mysterious Romance Reviews.  The blog got it's name because I love to read romances and mysteries.  I've noticed that I've seriously neglected the mystery part of this blog.  So, in order to rectify that, I'm starting a new series focused on the mystery series that I'm interested in reading and hopefully reviewing here. 

The first series that I'm really interested in is the Consignment Shop Mystery series by Duffy Brown.  In order the series is:

ICED CHIFFON (#1)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  October 2012

There’s always something to gossip about in Savannah, Georgia, and Reagan Summerside always seems to be in the middle of it. She’s busy enough running her consignment shop, The Prissy Fox, with her vivacious Auntie KiKi, but now the gossip—and the sales—are about to pick up after a gruesome discovery…
 Reagan’s messy divorce has left her with nothing but a run-down Victorian and a bunch of designer clothes. Strapped for cash, Reagan makes use of the two things she has left, turning the first floor of her home into a consignment shop and filling it with the remnants of her rich-wife wardrobe.
Thanks to his cunning lawyer Walker Boone, her ex got everything else, including the Lexus—not to mention a young blond cupcake. When Reagan finds the cupcake dead in the Lexus, she’s determined to beat Boone to finding the murderer. As it turns out, the gossip fiends flooding Reagan’s shop will give her a lot more than just their unwanted clothes—they have information more precious than a vintage Louis Vuitton…

KILLER IN CRINOLINES (#2)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  May 2013

It’s August in Savannah, Georgia—hardly the season for a traditional Southern wedding with hoopskirts and crinolines. One could die from the heat—or from a cake knife in the back...
Reagan Summerside should be devoting all her energy to her consignment shop the Prissy Fox. But when her dear friend Chantilly Parker is arrested for murder, Reagan vows to clear her name. The victim is Simon Ambrose, who’s found lying in his own wedding cake with a knife in his back.

Chantilly has motive (Simon broke her heart to marry wealthy Waynetta Waverly) and opportunity (crashing the wedding in her UPS delivery truck). And she has cake on her face, and the stolen bridesmaid dress the killer wore is in her truck. But Chantilly would never wear crinoline to kill a man!

With the help of her flamboyant auntie, KiKi, and vexing but attractive attorney Walker Boone, Reagan is determined to save her friend—before she’s forced to turn in her brown uniform for an orange jumpsuit…

PEARLS AND POISON (#3)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  March 2014

It’s election time in Savannah, Georgia, and Judge Guillotine Gloria—aka Reagan Summerside’s mom—is neck and neck in the polls with Kip “Scummy” Seymour.  But the already dirty campaign is about to get downright filthy—with one candidate getting buried six feet under…

With her strong opinions and knack for getting into trouble, Reagan is not an ideal volunteer for her mother’s alderman campaign. Plus, she’d rather be running her consignment shop, the Prissy Fox, and eating doughnuts with her dog, Bruce Willis. But when her mother’s opponent, Kip, is found poisoned and her mother is pegged as a suspect, Reagan nominates herself as lead murder investigator.

Reagan is intent on finding Kip’s killer and clearing her mother’s good name, but she soon finds herself on the bad side of Kip’s enemies-turned-suspects. This time, no amount of costumes and makeup can keep her inconspicuous and out of danger. Because the closer Reagan gets to the truth, the hotter things get…

DEAD MAN WALKER (#3.5)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  E-book Novella  |  February 2015

It’s springtime in Savannah, the azaleas and magnolias are in bloom, and Reagan Summerside’s consignment shop, the Prissy Fox, is bustling with customers out to enjoy the beautiful weather. On a day like today, what could go wrong?

As a mortician beautician and housekeeper, Mercedes is no stranger to corpses or messy bathrooms. But the last thing she expects to find in a client’s bathtub is a dead body! Now she’s a murder suspect and it seems like her life is going down the drain. She turns to local lawyer Walker Boone to get her out of hot water.

But Walker has his own surprising connections to the dead man in the tub, and now he needs Reagan’s help to clear his own name—and keep him alive…

DEMISE IN DENIM (#4)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  April 2015

It’s springtime in Savannah, Georgia, in the newest Consignment Shop Mystery from the national bestselling author of Pearls and Poison. The azaleas and magnolias are in bloom—and Walker Boone is on the run. . .

When Reagan Summerside turned the first floor of her old Victorian home into a consignment shop, she never imagined she’d be harboring a fugitive in her attic. But after a dead man is found in a bathtub and local lawyer Walker Boone is accused of doing the dirty deed, she suddenly has a new houseguest.

Having the lawyer who took her to the cleaners in her divorce settlement—and who has been getting under her skin ever since—in close proximity is enough to drive Reagan to distraction. For the sake of her sanity—and Walker’s freedom—they need to put their heads together to find out who is trying to get the lawyer out of the picture . . .

I'm also interested in Duffy Brown's Cycle Path Mysteries...

GEARED FOR THE GRAVE (#1)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  December 2015

Mackinac Island is a peaceful summer resort town where everyone coasts through the streets on bicycles. But after someone sends a prominent local on her final ride, it’s up to one resourceful visitor to get things running again…

Hoping to shift her chances of a promotion in her favor, Evie Bloomfield heads to Mackinac Island to assist her boss’s father. Rudy Randolph has broken his leg and operating his bike shop, Rudy’s Rides, is too much to handle by himself. But Evie’s good turn only leads to more trouble…

After Evie’s arrival, wealthy resident Bunny Harrington dies in what looks like a freak bike accident. Upon closer inspection, Bunny’s brakes were tampered with, and now the prime suspect in her murder is also Bunny’s number one enemy: Rudy. So if Evie hopes to stay on her boss’s good side, she’ll need to steer Rudy clear of jail. Now she must quickly solve this mystery so she can put the brakes on the real killer’s plan…

BREAKING FOR BODIES (#2)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  April 2016

Evie Bloomfield puts the pedal to the metal—in the latest Cycle Path mystery from the national bestselling author of Geared for the Grave.

Moving from Los Angeles to small, picturesque Mackinac Island to work in a bike shop might seem crazy, but Evie knows it’s the best decision she’s ever made. That’s not to say she’s gotten rid of all her stress; after all, the upcoming Lilac Festival has everyone in town riding in circles.

But things really go downhill when a ferry full of tourists—including Evie’s friend Fiona’s former boss, the editor of a sleazy rag in LA—arrives on the island. No one knows why Peephole Perry came all the way to Mackinac, but things aren’t looking good for Fiona when Peep is found dead. Now Evie has to gear up and get a grip on the truth if she wants to clear her friend’s name...

And finally Kelly Lane's Olive Grove Mysteries looks like a cute series!

ONE FOOT IN THE GROVE (#1)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  January 2016

In the sweet Southern town of Abundance, Georgia, home of the Knox family’s olive farm, gossip isn’t the only thing that can kill you...
 
After leaving a man at the altar for the second time in her life, Eva Knox decides to head home to her family’s plantation to regroup and soak in some Southern charm. But hiding from her woes is a slipperier proposition than Eva imagined. For one thing, most people in town still haven’t forgiven her for leaving local boy Buck Tanner at the altar and hightailing it up north eighteen years ago. For another, a death on her family’s farm soon makes her the lead suspect in a murder case—and the sheriff investigating is none other than Eva’s old flame Buck.

With the police putting the squeeze on her, it’s up to Eva and her sisters, Pep and Daphne, to figure out who could have possibly left a dead body in their olive grove. And they’ll have to catch the greasy killer quickly—because it looks like Eva has been picked as the murderer’s next victim...

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What are some of the mystery series you are currently reading or want to read?  Let me know in the comments!  

XOXO,

Teresa

Book Review: Lady Bridget's Diary (Keeping Up With The Cavendishes #1) by Maya Rodale

Available February 23, 2016
Lord Darcy is the quintessential Englishman:  wealthy, titled, impossibly proper, and horrified that a pack of Americans has inherited one of England's most respected dukedoms.  But his manners, his infamous self-restraint, and his better judgement fly out the window when he finds himself with the maddening American girl next door.

Lady Bridget Cavendish has grand--but thwarted--plans to become a Perfect Lady and take the haute ton by storm.  In her diary, Bridget records her disastrous attempts to assimilate into London high society, her adoration of the handsome rogue next door, her disdain for the Dreadful Lord Darcy, and some truly scandalous secrets that could ruin them all.

It was loathing at first sight for Lady Bridget and Lord Darcy.  But their paths keep crossing...and somehow involve kissing.  When Lady Bridget's diary goes missing, both Darcy and Bridget must decide what matters most of all--a sterling reputation or a perfectly imperfect love.

* * * * *

I am a sucker for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and BRIDGET JONES' DIARY (sweet Lord when is that third movie opening?  I'm not acknowledging the existence of the third book.)  Needless to say, when Avon sent me a galley for LADY BRIDGET'S DIARY, I was probably a little more excited than I should've been!  I may have looked at my dog and told her she was on her own as far as walks were concerned.

You know those authors you hear really good stuff about and always mean to read, but never quite get the chance?  Yeah, Maya Rodale has always been an author I meant to try, but never quite got around to (*hangs head in shame*).  I seriously have most of her books sitting on my to-be-read pile.  Needless to say, that pile will be going down a bit after I finish Ms. Rodale's backlist.

I loved LADY BRIDGET'S DIARY!  Lady Bridget jumps off the page and into your heart.  Sorry for the cliche, but I just adored Bridget from the moment I met her.  Well, to be totally honest, I love all of the Cavendishes, but back to Bridget.  I identified with her struggle to try to fit in, to please people.  I'm guilty of being a people pleaser.  And much like Bridget, I'm learning that who I am is okay.  Not to get too far ahead, but one of the things I loved most about this Lord Darcy was his unwillingness to let Bridget compromise who she was to fit in.  That is a very important message throughout this book.

Ms. Rodale's Lord Darcy is a wonderfully written hero.  He's buttoned up, stiff, very proper with a lot going on under the surface.  When Darcy and Bridget meet, it's easy to be a bit put-off by Darcy.  He's very snobby without knowing Bridget or her family and once he meets her (their meet-cute is seriously cute) he's utterly charmed by her whether he wants to be or not.   The characters are thrown together constantly in very believable situations and it is a pleasure to watch them grow, fight their love, and finally admit their love.  Bridget and Darcy are surrounded by a fabulous supporting cast and are placed in a well-formed world.

Ms. Rodale did a fabulous job with LADY BRIDGET'S DIARY!  I cannot wait for the next book in the Cavendish series, CHASING LADY AMELIA.

XOXO,

Teresa

**Avon Romance provided me with a galley/arc.**

Rating:  4 out of 4 stars.  Excellent series starter; Recommended for readers who enjoy historical romance, comedic reads, and of course, lovers of Jane Austen's works.  

Book Facts:
LADY BRIDGET'S DIARY (Keeping Up With The Cavendishes #1) by Maya Rodale
Avon Books  |  March 2016
ISBN:  978-0-06-238673-1
Buy It:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Books A Million
Connect with Maya on  Twitter  |  Facebook

Next up in the Keeping Up With The Cavendishes series...

CHASING LADY AMELIA  (Cavendishes #2)
July 2016

Terribly Improper
Lady Amelia is fed up with being a proper lady and wishes to explore London, so one night she escapes…and finds herself in the company of one Alistair Finlay-Jones. He’s been ordered by his uncle to wed one of the American girls. How lucky then, that one of them stumbles right into his arms!


Totally Scandalous
Alistair and Amelia have one perfect day to explore London, from Astley’s Amphitheater to Vauxhall Gardens. Inevitably they end up falling in love and making love. If anyone finds out, she will be ruined, but he will win everything he’s ever wanted.


Very Romantic
When Amelia finds out Alistair has been ordered to marry her, he must woo her and win back the angry American girl. But with the threat of scandals, plural, looming…will he ever catch up to the woman he loves?

Book Review: The Best Medicine (Strictly Business #1) by Elizabeth Hayley

Lauren Hastings is finally ready to enter the real world.  At twenty-six, she's about to get her master's in psychology, and she's well on her way to beginning the career of her dreams--until she suffers public humiliation and has to endure something she thought she'd never have to deal with again:  a part-time job.

A gig at Trinity Hospital isn't exactly Lauren's definition of a good time, but Dr. Scott Jacobs quickly changes her mind.  He's straight-up gorgeous, and he always gets what he wants.  And that includes Lauren.  It's an ideal arrangement for both of them.  No strings.  Just fun--at least at first.

But feelings quickly begin to run deeper than either Lauren or Scott is willing to admit, causing issues neither of them wants to confront.  After all, who wants to risk the perfect relationship on something as terrifying, as messy and as unpredictable as love?


* * * * *

I had been eyeballing THE BEST MEDICINE on the bookshelves at Target since it was published back in June 2015.  The cover is scrumptious, the blurb tempting, but I didn't know if I wanted to commit to a new-to-me author.  So I was browsing Amazon.com and getting sucked into the recommended books list and this title kept coming up along with it's sequel, JUST SAY YES.  The plot for JUST SAY YES is what convinced me to say yes to both of the books in this series.  I got sucked into THE BEST MEDICINE about five minutes after I opened the Amazon box, and didn't put the book down until the next day.

I loved how layered both Lauren and Scott are throughout this novel.  Elizabeth Hayley did a fantastic job setting the scene and developing lead and supporting characters that the reader truly cares about and for.  Lauren struggles with feeling like she disappointed her late brother and Scott struggles with living up to family ideals and a very sad falling out between his mother and his brother, Tim.   The chemistry between Lauren and Scott is immediate and hot.  

I am so glad I finally ordered this book!  Elizabeth Hayley did a great job setting this series up and I can't wait to return to this world and read Tim and Quinn's story (JUST SAY YES) and Cass and Alex's story (THE WEDDING AGREEMENT).

XOXO,

Teresa

Rating:  4 out of 4 Stars!  Excellent debut, reccommended for readers who enjoy a little heat with their story.

Book Facts:
THE BEST MEDICINE (Strictly Business #1) by Elizabeth Hayley
Signet Eclipse  |  June 2015
ISBN:  978-0-451-47552-7
Buy it:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Books A Million
Connect with Elizabeth on Twitter  |  Facebook

Up Next in the Strictly Business Series...

Available now
JUST SAY YES (Strictly Business #2)
December 2015 

Magazine columnist Quinn Sawyer has always attracted sweet, innocent, and safe men. And something tells her it’s because she’s just as harmless. So when she starts craving a guy with an edge, she realizes she may have to get one for herself.

When her boss asks for a unique pitch, Quinn’s quest to live outside her comfort zone prompts her to suggest an idea that will cause her to break her good-girl rules. And who better than Tim Jacobs to help her push her boundaries? For a while now, Quinn’s had a hot crush on the tattooed executive chef with a checkered past. If anybody can bring out her inner rebel, he can.

It’s no surprise that as Tim and Quinn cross each task off the list she’s made for herself, the sparks between them grow more and more intense. Soon there’s no denying the attraction they each feel. But Tim’s troubled past reveals an even tougher edge than Quinn expected—which means for her, falling in love might just be the greatest rebellion of all.

Available May 3, 2016
THE WEDDING ARRANGEMENT (Strictly Business #3)
May 2016

Alex Walker doesn’t need a woman in his life. In fact, he doesn’t have time for one. Between his career in the FBI and the demands of being good father, romance is an unwanted distraction.

Likewise, Cassidy Mullen is fine on her own. The independent career woman has never had a husband in her plans—forget about kids. But when her friend Alex gets into a bind with his ex over their daughter, Cass finds herself suddenly playing the part of Alex’s stable, child-loving fiancĂ©e—and liking it a lot more than she’d care to admit.

Soon Alex and Cass can’t deny the real passion growing between them. But as fake affection turns into real love, Cass and Alex will have to make a choice: say “I Do” to their feelings or give up on happily-ever-after for good…
 

2/8/16

Can't Wait For: Julia Quinn's Because Of Miss Bridgerton (April 2016)

Available 03/29/2016

Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places...

This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday.

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should...

Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying, and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor...

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without...

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The Bridgertons are back!  That is reason enough to want this book to come out immediately.  Julia Quinn is one of my all-time favorite authors, so honestly she could announce she was re-writing the phone book and I'd be all over it.  Happy Spring!