Review: The Quick and the Undead by Kimberly Raye

Published November 26th 2014
 by Bell Bridge Books

The Quick and the Undead had a new concept for me - vampire cowboys. I like historical cowboy romances and I like vampires. What more could I ask for?

The Tombstone Ten are running a Wild West experience in Tombstone, Texas. They had all been turned into vampires by the same person about 200 years in the past. They did some robbing of the rich or "deserving" and shared with those who needed it. Raye doesn't make a big deal out of this.

What Kimberly Raye does make a big deal out of is Boone's romance with Riley. Boone is the Sheriff of this town. Riley is a travel blogger visiting the resort in order to write about it. She's had some bad experiences in the past with her ex-husband who was abusive. So in spite of their chemistry it's a little surprising when they hook up. Riley is witness to a brutal attack on one of the employees. Boone decides that she needs protecting and spirits her away to a private cave.

My objection is how quickly lust becomes instalove. You have a previously abused woman falling for another alpha male who is keeping her in a cave "for her own good." It smacks of Stockholm syndrome. And the book ends in a cliffhanger. I would give the second book in this series a chance.

It is a romance and the sex scenes are very steamy. They could almost qualify the book as erotica.

I gave the book 3 stars because I liked it, but I didn't love it. There were some places I had trouble suspending my disbelief. But, if you like steamy paranormal romance and don't mind the instalove, then this book might be for  you.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Too Hot Four Hula by Jill Marie Landis

Published June 30, 2014
by Bell Bridge Books

Too Hot Four Hula by Jill Marie Landis is really a funny mystery with a touch of romance. And if you are familiar with Hawaii and Hawaiian culture or just like learning more about it, the book also provides for that in subtle ways. Bits of culture and words are sprinkled throughout and explained within context giving the book even more of a Hawaiian feel.

My synopsis:

Em's Uncle Louie, owner of the Tiki Goddess bar and master mixologist, has entered the Cocktail Shake Off Competition in Honolulu on Oahu. Em and the Hula Maidens have accompanied him from Kauai. Louie's "Booze Bible" was stolen. And to make things worse, Em's ex-husband was killed shortly after she met with him. Who has the drink bible? Em's alibi stinks for the murder. Will Roland, her lovely cop and part-time fire dancer from Kauai, be able to keep her out of jail? Will the Hula Maidens provide more help than hindrance as they take it upon themselves to solve the mysteries? Throw in a monkey and even more chaos ensues.

This is the fourth book in the Tiki Goddess Mystery series. Jill Marie Landis continues to write winners in this series. The characters that are most active are fleshed out. Both their virtues and their faults are visible and yet they are lovable. For example, the Hula Maidens wouldn't be the same without Kiki Godwin, who craves attention, to lead them and Pat, who is former military, but has no sense of rhythm, to keep them in line. The Hula Maidens also provide comic relief at times when the mystery is getting too heavy.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a great addition to the series. All the characters act true to themselves. The book has mystery, humor, and a dash of romance - a wonderful combination. I would recommend it to people that like to read about the Hawaiian Islands and people who enjoy humorous cozies.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

Teaser Tuesday: Too Hot Four Hula by Jill Marie Landis

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of  Should Be Reading.

Anyone can participate. just do the following.

Rules:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t  give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

Published June 30, 2014
by Bell Bridge Books

This week's teaser comes from the fourth book in the Tiki Goddess mystery series by Jill Marie Landis, Too Hot Four Hula.

The teaser from about 29% through on the Kindle:

Nat: "Do you think you're safe?"

Em: "From pretty much everyone but the monkey."

The synopsis:

Em's Uncle Louie, owner of the Tiki Goddess bar and master mixologist, has entered a tropical drink mixing contest on the island of Oahu. Em and the Hula Maidens have accompanied him. Louie's "Booze bible" was stolen. And to make things worse, Em's ex-husband was killed shortly after she met with him. Who has the drink bible? Em's alibi stinks for the murder. Will Roland, her lovely cop from Kauai, be able to keep her out of jail? Will the Hula Maidens provide more help than hindrance?

It's really a funny mystery with just a touch of romance. I'm enjoying the humor and the writing.

What's your teaser this week? Give us a link or a taste in the comments below. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Review: Three to Get Lei'd by Jill Marie Landis

Aloha! This book has a perfect blend of mystery, romance, humor, and an introduction to the culture of the North Shore of Kauai. If a book could be described as ono, then this one would be. It is a delicious cozy mystery.

The book starts with a reality crew having invaded the Tiki Goddess bar. Em Johnson is at wit's end. Then, one of the crew is killed in the kitchen with Chef Kimo's best sashimi knife and the fun begins. Enter Roland Sharpe, fire dancing detective, who begs the Hula Maidens to stay out of the investigations this time. But, there is fat chance of that since Kimo is married to one of them.

Two more murders, one pinned on Kiki, Kimo's wife. The Hula Maidens stick together, which means that between Em's amateur sleuthing and the Hula Maidens' activities, they are driving Roland round the bend.

Can the Hula Maidens solve the mysteries before Kiki and Kimo end up in jail or there is a 4th murder?

Three to Get Lei'd (A Tiki Goddess Mystery #3) by Jill Marie Landis was released  by Bell Bridge Books May 24, 2013. You can read more about the Tiki Goddess Mysteries at The Tiki Goddess.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Review: Return to Fender by Virginia Brown

Return to Fender is book 4 in the Blue Suede Memphis Mystery series by Virginia Brown. This series stars Harley Jean Davidson as a sleuth that mostly accidentally solves cases. It's not that she doesn't have a good head on her shoulders, it's that there seem to be a number of people who would like to separate it from her shoulders. Or maybe bury her alive. Or drop her off the side of the Peabody hotel.

Jordan Cleveland likes to dress up as Diana Ross in his spare time. Unfortunately, someone is trying to kill him and not limiting it to his spare time. He begs Harley to help him. Harley figures she will be safe, after all she's not the one they're after. (Can you say famous last words?)

Her friends and family and cop boyfriend are all appalled that she could possibly involve herself in a situation like this after some of her past experiences. Despite their cautions, and in some cases begging, she continues to involve herself with Jordan. And the danger begins.

The story is good. It's a whodunit/ who's-doing-it.  And I couldn't guess who it was right up 'til the end. It's also a humorous mystery. Would make good vacation reading.

I loved the characters. I especially liked her parents. The author did a great job of giving enough backstory when introducing the characters that you didn't feel you needed to read all the other books in the series to understand the one in your hand,

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Friday Reads: Return to Fender by Virginia Brown

This is what I am reading this Friday. Return to Fender is book 4 of the Blue Suede mystery series written by Virginia Brown. It came out in May 2013 published by Bell Bridge books.

Someone is trying to kill Jordan Cleveland. Tootsie, Jordan's friend and fellow drag queen, asks his friend Harley to look into it. Harley can't resist. It can't be that dangerous for her. After all someone is out to get Jordan not her.

"But, after Jordan is sideswiped by a car and ends up in the hospital, trouble starts to turn Harley's way. The next thing she knows, she's dangling off the side of the city's famous Peabody Hotel while an anonymous thug tells her to mind her own business... or else.

Things can only get worse." (from the back of the book)

For more information before my review appears check out the publisher's site, link above, or Goodreads.com.