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Desperately Seeking Sixty-Nine: A Spicy Romantic Comedy About the Afterlife (The Green Room Chronicles Book 1) by J.D. Frettier – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Desperately Seeking Sixty-Nine (The Green Room Chronicles #1)Desperately Seeking Sixty-Nine by J.D. Frettier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Desperately Seeking Sixty-Nine: A Spicy Romantic Comedy About the Afterlife, is the first book in the Green Room Chronicles. It is also the first book I have read by this authors, J.D. Frettier. At first, I was really worried about the book, thinking it would be super kinky, due to the title. (Side note,it wasn’t the 69 I was thinking it meant!) I don’t mind a little spice, and this had the right amount. But most important, it was hilarious! This book made me laugh so much, and it was a super easy, quick read. The plot is funny, and the things that go on in the afterlife are very creative. I love the way it was written, and have already moved on to the 2nd book in the series. I highly recommend this book to anyone that needs a good entertaining story, that will make you laugh!

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Yearning Young (Burning Britely Book 2) – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Yearning Young (Burning Britely #2)Yearning Young by Deidre Huesmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yearning Young, by Deidre Huesmann is the continuation of Burning Britely. This book is told from Braeden’s perspective, and I thought it gave a much deeper understanding to his situation. He has been the popular rich kid his whole life, and has now found himself expelled from school just before turning 18. He is terrified to come out to his family, since his mom and dad are both already unstable and borderline abusive. He feels obligated to stay in a toxic home, to look after his younger siblings, but when his sister urges him to leave, he begins to start questioning everything. He is torn between choosing his own happiness, and his family, who he always thought was the most important thing. This is a brilliant coming of age story and I loved it. It touches on the struggles a teenager has to face, as well as the added stress for those that are homosexual, or bisexual. The feelings and questionings they feel and comparing themselves to others. I highly recommend this book, and hope there is a 3rd book in the series!

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Dig Two Graves: A Gripping Crime Thriller (Solomon Gray Book 1) by Keith Nixon – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Dig Two Graves (Detective Solomon Gray #1)Dig Two Graves by Keith Nixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dig Two Graves is the first book in the Gripping Crime Thriller (aka Solomon Gray) series by Keith Nixon. It was my first book I have read of his, but he won me over as a fan. I love crime thrillers and this book fit that without being too gruesome. It kept me engaged start to finish and I didn’t want to put it down. I didn’t expect things go the way they did, and the murderers were a shock. The last pages left me hooked for book 2. Solomon Gray has to have the saddest history of any book character I’ve read, but he still has that drive and desire to solve his son’s disappearance. He isn’t the strongest of characters for a main character, but the story itself was enough to keep me hooked and wanting to keep going. I will continue reading, because I want to know what happened to Sol’s son 10 years ago. Although, I’m left wondering about the title, since there were more than 2 murders in the story.

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Coming Home: The Sequel to Flowers in December by Jane Suen – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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COMING HOME (Flowers in December, #2)COMING HOME by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Coming Home by Jane Suen is the sequel to Flowers in December. While I have read a lot of books and generally love Suen’s work, this was not one of my favorites. I think mostly because it didn’t end the way I wanted it to. I kept expecting, and hoping for 2 things to happen, that didn’t. I can’t say what, as it is a spoiler, but just be warned, don’t get your hopes up for a sappy romantic ending. I love the part of the story regarding Alana and her mother, but Mary Ann’s story didn’t end as expected. But, anyone who has read any of the author’s books knows that’s normal. She always seems to put a twist in at the end which I sometimes love and sometimes want to scream, in a true page turner fashion.
The story follows Connor Norton, after he and his cat, Tom, return to his childhood home. In the previous book, his mother passed away, and he is still grieving. He has to make some decisions about the next steps for his life, and rekindles some friendships along the way. I recommend the book, but it must be read after Flowers in December. I highly recommend you check out Jane Suen’s other works as well. They are all quick easy reads.

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Trouble’s Wedding Caper by Jen Talty – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Trouble's Wedding CaperTrouble’s Wedding Caper by Jen Talty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trouble’s Wedding Caper is the 8th book in the Familiar Legacy book series by Jen Talty. It is the first I have read, so it can be read as a stand alone book. This book has a lot of drama, mystery, comedy and a dash of romance. It tells the story of Annabel, who returns to her small town home of Jupiter, Florida after getting her heart broken in NYC. While at her best friend’s wedding, she finds her boyfriend cheating on her, and gets drunk with her best friend’s brother, and her high school crush Ethan. Flash forward months later, and they are both back home in Jupiter and turns out Ethan’s fiance was cheating on him as well. Maybe the time is finally right for them to act on their feelings they have been hiding for years. With the help of Ethan’s sister, and Annabel’s best friend, they go on their first date.
On top of all of that, there is a lot of strange things happening, most involving Annabel and weddings. She buys a storage unit full of wedding gowns, rings, invitations and presents. With the help of Trouble, a cat, who is more like a detective, Annabel and Ethan try to solve the crime. This book was unlike any I’ve read before, but I loved it. It was so cleaver and not at all cheesy as I thought it would be. I will be reading others in the series to see what fun they have in store.

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The Light at Dawn by K.L. Montgomery – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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The Light at DawnThe Light at Dawn by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Light at Dawn is the first book I have read by K.L. Montgomery. I didn’t even know what it was about when I chose to read it. My friend said it was wonderful, so I trusted her and started reading. I am glad I did. It was a wonderful story. At first glance it’s a sad, tragic story, with both main characters loosing their children to school shootings. But then the twist of fate that brings them together, and all the cute romantic gestures from each of them is wonderful. It’s truly a story about fate and second chances. So many awwww moments, turned a sad theme into a beautiful story that I loved. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Montgomery.

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Beneath the Surface (A Gray Ghost Novel Book 3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Beneath the Surface (Gray Ghost #3)Beneath the Surface by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beneath the Surface, is book 3 in A Gray Ghost Novel by Amy McKinley, and it is just as good as the first 2 in the series. It has a perfect balance of romance, and suspense, with a mixture of mystery. I was a little confused at first, since I read book 2 months ago, but once I caught on to where this story picks up on the story line, I didn’t want to put it down. It takes place along the same timeline as Eye of the Storm, but that didn’t dawn on me until a good way into the story. The characters are wonderful, and I love that it has a strong lead female, and not someone to be swept off her feet. Hannah is tough and intense and I loved reading/watching the relationship between her and Jack. They both have quite the struggle between work and pleasure. I highly recommend this book, but you must read the others in the series first to understand what is going on.

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The Shape of Trust (a Stand By Me novel Book 5) by Brinda Berry – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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The Shape of Trust (Stand By Me, #5)The Shape of Trust by Brinda Berry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Shape of Trust is the 5th book in the Stand by Me Novel series by Brinda Berry, but it is the first of her books I have read. That being said, it can be read as a stand alone novel. I didn’t read the prior books, and I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is about a rich business owner, Webb, who suddenly discovers he has a daughter. Not only did he discover this when she was 5, but she was basically dropped off on his door step and he is left to figure things out. He know nothing about parenting, but quickly feels the parental bond and the need to protect her. An employee he has been crushing on, Lily, offers to help him. She quickly turns from bookstore employee to nanny and makes the transition seamlessly. She is great with kids, having taken care of her siblings, but also uses the opportunity to her advantage. Webb is forced to spend time with her, and she pushes their relationship to the next level. The characters have good chemistry, but the book is definitely more than just romance. It touches on feelings of love, trust, and friendship. I was hooked and will read more from this author moving forward.

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Killer Lawyer (Jake Wolfe Book 3) by Mark Nolan – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Killer LawyerKiller Lawyer by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Killer Lawyer is the third book in the Jake Wolfe series by Mark Nolan. While it could probably be read as a stand alone book, I recommend reading the first two books. Not only because they have overlapping characters, and you will have a better understanding of their dynamics, but because they are good! Jake is a complex character, he is a lawyer by day, and an assassin by night. He works with the US Marshals, and also alongside the SFPD. He also is a retired marine, and K9 handler, so he and his dog Cody chase down criminals. In this book, they are after a serial killer that is terrorizing the greater San Francisco area. Jake has a lot of connections that help him track the killer, including his best friend Terrell, who is part of SFPD and Jake used to be a photo journalist, so he has ties to the media as well. Overall its a very good book, with a good balance of psychology, law and suspense and drama. I love Mark Nolan’s stories, and this did not disappoint.

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Written in the Stars (Fallen Eagles MC Series Book 2) by T. Birmingham – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Written in the Stars (Fallen Eagles MC Book 2)Written in the Stars by T. Birmingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Written in the Stars is the 2nd book in the Fallen Eagles MC Series by T. Birmingham. It continues after A Terrible Beauty, and should not be read as a stand alone. This story focuses on Winter and Eagle (or Davis) and their growing relationship. I like that it has overlapping characters and history from the first book, but enough of its own content to make it equally enjoyable. The characters are wonderful and their relationships are strong. At first I thought it was weird that Winter and her sisters are named after seasons, but after this book, it makes sense. Their personalities align with their names too which I thought was cool.
This book is a perfect balance of romance and suspense and kept me engaged start to finish. There is the mystery of the murders, but also the developing relationship. The more I got to know the characters, the more I loved them. I would like to read more about the Markham sisters, if the series continues. I love the real life situations, as well as the emotions involved. The hurt, love, self doubt, courage, fear, strength that the characters experience and often struggle with. Very real life down to earth story. Highly recommend it.

 

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