Death Bakes a Pecan Pie by Livia J. Washburn

Death Bakes a Pecan Pie is my first adventure into a cozy mystery book, and it provided a cute and entertaining weekend read. It kinda gave me a feeling of nostalgia, drawing memories of the types of mystery shows I'd watch on tv with my parents growing up. And just like with those shows, I was kept guessing who-done-it and ended up just laying back to enjoy the ride.

Poor Phyllis isn't too impressed to find herself caught up again in a murder investigation, but with circumstances being what they are, she can't help but keep digging a little bit deeper and deeper. And she does all that while still making sure she's getting an amazing pie made for the Harvest Festival's best pie contest. Priorities, after all!! haha! With some laughter and awesome food and crafty twists, Death Bakes a Pecan Pie provides a pleasurable read. And even dishes out a little nugget of wisdom that really stood out to me right now: Life's always gonna have some surprises waitin' for us, some good, some bad, and we just have to do the best we can with 'em."

A Christmas Visitor by Sarah J. McNeal

What a cute Christmas story! Matilda and Sterling were sweethearts, but Sterling decided before he could marry her, he needed to make something of himself. Sadly, miscommunication left Matilda behind feeling lost and abandoned while Sterling strove and struggled to become worthy of her. Years past before Sterling returned, finding things weren’t quite as he expected.

Matilda used her stubbornness and strength to survive everything life had thrown at her after Sterling left, and your heart hurts for the depth of her dashed hopes and dreams. You also find yourself cheering for her as she works through her pride and reaches out to grab hold of her happy.

Good thing Sterling also had a stubborn streak to keep up with Matilda and kept proving to her over and over his love for her - and it’s a good thing his heart was in the right place! I loved how he refused to give up and gifted Matilda with something she desperately needed.

This second chance love story offers a sweet and short Christmas time heart-warming happily ever after.

Wallflowers: One Heart Remains by C.P. Smith

For as much as readers may love all sorts of books and have a shelf overflowing with favorites, there's something unmatched when you find 'that' book that you connect with on such a deep and special level. And in my lucky case, not even just a book, but an entire series has captured my heart.

Nate and Poppy's story picks up right where Wallflowers: Two of a Kind leaves off (you really need to read this whole series together to get the maximum enjoyment). And just like the cliffy ending of book 2, this one starts with a bang and doesn't let up. These Wallflowers just attract trouble and yet find that inner strength to keep going, no matter what's thrown at them -- and Poppy lives up to the Wallflower strength.

Nate's protectiveness of Poppy made him all the more amazing of a hero. And Poppy's strong but yet vulnerable heart made you want to hug her so tight!

Another thing I love about this series and book is that it's not just about a happily-ever-after for a couple, but it showcases the power and value of friendships - and not just between women, but even between men (guys need friendships too, and Devin and Nate's bro-mance is a thing of beauty) - and family. And family isn't always blood created. One other thing is that even though there's quite the crazy drama in their lives during the story, these women - Poppy/Sienna/Cali - are more like you and me - real women who have pasts and scars, who desire a man who loves them for who they are and through any stormy journeys, and who are just real.

I felt all the emotions -- from giggling to the point of belly-aches, to ducking from the angry alpha male vibes flowing off the page, from the tearful ache filled moments of hopelessness to the rejoicing in wins from little to huge. Bernice's presence also made an impact, offering a desperately needed safe haven for her girls.

I loved... absolutely melted over every moment living with Poppy and Nate, and then because where you have one Wallflower, you have them all: Sienna and Bo, Cali and Devin. My heart overflowed with goodness when I reached the last page. And I'm so, so glad that we don't have to say goodbye yet!!

CP Smith, with every tale she pens, provides not only hilarious entertainment and a heart-warming happily-ever-after story, but shares deeply touching nuggets of wisdom. If you're wanting a story to fall in love with and something to tug at your heartstrings, grab the Wallflowers series. You will not be disappointed.

The Crow and the Coyote by Kristy McCaffrey

Sweetly charming, Jack and Hannah's happily ever after is sure to please!

In the middle of a manhunt, Jack comes across Hannah and finds himself caught up in her own troubles. As they dance around the other while working together, their connection sparked and burned bright.

I loved watching their interactions and seeing Jack and Hannah fall for each other. So many times I caught my breath with the trouble they found themselves in and again when the sweet flowed off the page.

With just the right amount of mystic and adventure, this novella packs a punch, delivering a charming love story.

The Crow and the Bear by Kristy McCaffrey

Mmmm mmmm!! Feel good fuzzies accompany the creepy in Callum and Jennie's story.

I loved how Callum just arrived on the scene in Jennie's time of distress and quickly proved to be the man to protect and care for her. I giggled with the way she quickly wound him around her finger and he humored her quirks. Jennie has a unique presence and heart within her, with how in-turn to the world around her as she was. This softness made her especially charming.

With some surprising twists and lots of unnerving second guesses, The Crow and the Bear is sure to do the trick for a short, easy, sweet and fun Halloween story!

A Murder of Crows by Kristy McCaffrey

With a little bit of magic and a little bit of eerie, Kit and Eliza's story enchants!

I loved getting to meet Kit and Eliza and see their determination and personalities separately, because once they set eyes on each other... you can just feel the intensity and connection between them. They compliment each other so well, but you don't even understand how deeply that runs right away.

I loved how strong Kit was, not just physically, but mentally, and how gentle he treated Eliza. He didn't let anyone or anything get in his way once he knew what he wanted.

Eliza... oh! I'd love to have some of her spirit and mettle and heart! Either that, or I want to be her best friend and be along for the ride with her!

If you're looking for an enjoyable novella that gives you a taste of otherworldly magic along with a thrilling romantic story, this is a book to try!

And if you want a little background music to set the scene, check this out:

Innocent Bystander by CA Asbrey

CA Asbrey is on a roll! Continuing in the tradition of the first two books, Innocent Bystander, the third installment in her The Innocents Mysteries series, hooks you from page one and doesn’t let up for a minute. This series has quickly cemented its place permanently on my favorite shelf and the characters own a piece of my heart!

Picking up shortly after Innocent as Sin left off, we’re immediately caught up into family drama and secrets, which orchestrates Abi entering into Nat and Jake’s world. This time though, the rules have changed, and no one is left unaffected. As before, I loved how the dynamics between the three play off the other and watching their relationships grow and bloom. We see a new side to Abi that’s endearing and are reminded that behind the charming smiles lies a formidable outlaw duo. They each play up the strengths of the others and together make an unbelievable team.

Many times I found myself giggling at the antics of the trio. Then I would turn the page and start feeling anxious, or excited, or cautious, or growly, or just flat out freaking out! There might even have been a moment where I sided with Jake on what was (or wouldn’t be…) for supper that night.

I have no idea how it happened, but while there was so much going on, each thread of the story weaved together beautifully and it never felt overwhelming or disorienting. Each piece built upon another, creating an intricate pattern. You can’t help but be amazed at how each thread was necessary to take the story to its fullest potential.

I have been absolutely delighted to find myself lost in this series and adore not only the engrossing story line, but the entertaining mystery and fascinating science (and I’m tickled I managed to retain something from high school science classes and could understand and piece together some of the science as it was being taught). If a historical western based mystery thriller with just the sweetest touch of a love story sounds even the slightest bit interesting to you, you want to invest in The Innocents books.

Want some good news? There’s more coming….


Blurb:

Pinkerton Agent, Abigail MacKay is worried sick. Her wilful sister, Madeleine, has run off to marry a man whose rich wives mysteriously die. No doctor can establish a cause of death, but Abigail is sure they were murdered. The only person who can help her is the charismatic criminal she left in jail at their last meeting.

Nat Quinn isn’t happy either. He thought he had a special relationship with Abigail, despite them being on opposite sides of the law. He was the last man to see Madeleine before she disappeared, but he now knows the woman he loves has lied about her marriage.

Nat’s faithful lieutenant, Jake, is equally frustrated. He’s given the job of keeping the beautiful Madeleine out of the way. She doesn’t realize her protector is actually her kidnapper, and not her rescuer. Normally, he’d love to spend time alone with a beautiful woman, but Madeleine brings her own set of unique challenges. Can he resist her charms?

Throw in a set of ruthless journalists who’ll do anything to get the story, Nat’s merciless arch-enemy circling, and we have a mystery which stretches the scientific skills of our best enemies to the very limit.

Twila's Tempest by Natasza Waters

You do not wanna miss it!!

This isn't your Gilligan's Island boat ride! Drake and Twila will take you on a much more intense and speedy ride to their HEA.

Twila is so relatable - you feel her pain over the loss of her parents, the care she has for others to try to heal from that loss, the connection she has to a particular family, and the fear to live because of the uncertainty. But yet, at the same time, she can't deny the draw she has to Drake, even as she fights against it.

Drake is a hero we all want. He's imperfect which makes him even more awesome. He's a man's man, he loves his parents, and he knows what he wants and goes after it. But he's also not an over-the-top jerk either - there's just the right amount of bossy mixed with confidence mixed with respect and heat. And boy, can Drake heat things up - and not always in the good way!

Then there's she-who-shall-not-be-named. Oye. I loved to *hate* her even as much as I did feel a bit bad for her. But hate and discust quickly took over after that brief moment. Ugh. Kudos for making me feel such emotion with a "villain" -- even some worse villains in stories didn't draw such a reaction from me! But if she was any different, the story just wouldn't be right.

Loved watching Twila and Drake fall for each other and breathing the intense connection they felt for each other. This is definitely a book I'm going to love re-reading often and will be on my favs shelf!

Here's the trailer for it.... Goosebumps!!

Committed to Chase by Natasza Waters

Jesse and Charlie - what a great couple this short story spotlights!! Committed to Chase quickly showcases their attraction towards each other making their relationship believable from the first page. Charlie's sweet, stubborn, quiet (humble) spirit, and Jesse's determination, strength (both physical and mental), and protectively caring nature are embedded into your heart so you just don't want to let them go. But knowing you must, their hea is totally satisfying.

This was one of the ultimate swoon moments for me:

"Because someone I care about very much was under attack."

How can you really argue with that answer to your, "Why did you do that?" question?

Hopefully this little taste of Natasza Waters's work gives you the thirst for more, because this author can deliver on all the feels!!

Too Grand for Words by Natasza Waters

I first met Natasza Waters' characters through her Warriors Challenge series. In one of the books, Stephen and Moira play a part. I decided I wanted to get to know this lovely couple more.

Too Grand for Words is the sweet story of how Moira learns to trust and love and Stephen learns patience and forgiveness. There were so many awesomely fun and hot scenes (sushi anyone?), along with several twists and excitement I wasn't expecting. Definitely enjoyed my time in Vegas and CA with Stephen and his woman.

Montana Freedom by Natasza Waters

What's better than a ex Delta Force turned cowboy with a protective streak a mile wide with a dash of instant love? Not much! But that's exactly what you get by experiencing Sam and Cory's love story. This is a sweet easy read that provides all the intrigue, the suspense, the thrill, and the swoons in one pretty package. While I wish the final conflict/drama didn't have to play out exactly how it did, I loved how everything wrapped up and Sam and Cory got the hea they both so desperately needed and earned.