Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper, Narrated by Amanda Ronconi

A review of both the audio and kindle version...

Better Homes and Hauntings is a standalone novel by one of my favorite author/narrator teams; Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi. I often wonder if they share the same brain waves because, without fail, Ms. Ronconi performs the story exactly the way I imagine Ms. Harper meant it to be performed.

Blurb…

When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”

But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.

But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

My thoughts…

I really am a huge fan of Molly Harper’s stories, with the Jane Jamison series being my favorite. Reading the stories is a great experience but nothing beats listening and reading along at the same time as Amanda Ronconi brings it all to life.

Though it took a little while for Better Homes and Hauntings to grab me, I enjoyed the whole book. Because this is a standalone, there was a lot of time spent on character introduction and plot set-up which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering there are actually 2 romances taking place – 3 if you count the dearly departed couple who are the foundation and driving force behind this story.

The bottom line…

If you’re interested in trying her work without investing in a series, Better Homes and Hauntings is a great place to start. It’s an entertaining story with awesome characters and lots of witty dialog. It’s romantic, steamy, funny, and spooky, and I really wish Ms. Harper would write more ‘ghostly’ tales.

Rules of the Game (Stardust, Texas #2) by Lori Wilde

Rules of the Game is the second book in Lori Wilde's Stardust, Texas series. Honestly, she is one of the most talented authors when it comes to her small town contemporary romance stories, no doubt about it. I adore everything she's written, but this one... there was something extra special about Jake and Jodi!

Blurb...

A jilted bride meets a superstar baseball player in this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde...

Just uttering the word "wedding" makes Jodi Carlyle break out into a cold sweat. So a year after she'd been dumped at the altar, and two days after turning the big 3-0, she decides to break some rules—by dressing to the nines, hiring a limo,and crashing a swanky wedding...

...Where she catches the eye of the Dallas Gunslingers' new star hitter Jake Coronnado. He's hot. He's sexy. He sticks by her side all evening. He's the perfect fling. After a wild weekend, where they do everything and then some, Jodi thinks she'll never have to see him again...hey, she's even told him her name is Gwendolyn! But she thinks wrong.

Because guess who's the best man at Jodi's sister's wedding? And guess who's still as seductive as ever? And guess who's determined to turn their one-night fling into happily-ever-after?

My thoughts...

I could go on and on about Jake and Jodi, and the quirky population of Stardust. They make me laugh, make me cry, they make me sigh...suffice it to say that Rules of the Game is another winner. As I said above, I adore Lori Wilde's stories, and can't wait to head back to Stardust, Texas one day soon!

An ARC was provided by Avon Books, and to show my appreciation I'm giving them an honest review!

Twisted (LOST #2) by Cynthia Eden

Twisted is the second book in Cynthia Eden’s thrilling romantic suspense series, LOST . Like the first installment, Broken, Twisted is an exciting murder mystery with plenty of suspects who all have motives, and that kept me guessing almost to the end!

Blurb…

Dean Bannon comes to New Orleans for one reason only: to track down a missing sixteen-year-old girl. That's before he meets the drop-dead gorgeous con artist who makes him want to lose his legendary control.

With her past, Emma Castille doesn't claim to be psychic. She just notices things other people don't. Like the fear in a runaway's eyes—or the pain in an ex-FBI agent's heart. Her chemistry with Dean is blistering, but Emma follows her passion . . . not someone else's orders.

Then a madman breaks into Emma's home and leaves a twisted message: You're next. Now Dean refuses to let her out of his sight until he pries every last secret from her full, sexy lips. And suddenly Emma's aching to give him everything he wants.

My thoughts…

Cynthia Eden fans have been raving about this series, and I get why! The LOST team of men and women are the kinds of heroes and heroines I love – flawed, but perfectly so. They all have a past, have all lost someone dear to them, so they understand the need to help families find their loved ones. This brings a level of emotion to the stories that has my heart aching, not only for the victims, but for those trying to save them.

Like the first book, there's an element of insta-lust to this story. It didn't bother me quite as much this time around, probably because Emma didn't have the level of baggage to carry around that Eve did. In fact, Emma is a strong heroine and she and Dean are a perfect match! I love that they found each other!

The bottom line…

If you’re a fan of edgy romantic suspense and want lots of steam in your stories, then look no further than the team atLOST. The books are fast paced, exciting, gritty, and definitely sexy!

My thanks to Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this story. In appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.

Broken (LOST #1) by Cynthia Eden

Broken is the first book in Cynthia Eden's romantic suspense series, LOST. It's a thrilling serial-killer murder mystery with so many twists and turns and probable suspects, we can't possibly know, until the very end, who the true killer is. I love stories that keep me guessing like this!

Blurb...

Ex-SEAL and LOST founder Gabe Spencer is accustomed to the unusual in his job. But when knockout Eve Gray steps into his office, he's rattled. For the mysterious woman is a dead ringer for the heiress thought to be the latest prey of the serial killer who goes by the name Lady Killer.

When Eve awoke in an Atlanta hospital, her past was a blank slate. Then she recognized her own face in the newspaper and vowed to learn the truth. Determined to confront the nightmares hidden in her mind, she never expects to find a partner in Gabe.

As Gabe and Eve work together, their explosive attraction becomes irresistible. Gabe knows that his desire for Eve is growing too strong, bordering on a dangerous obsession, but nothing pulls him away from her. And when another Eve lookalike disappears, Gabe vows to protect Eve at all costs. While Eve may have forgotten the killer in her past, it's clear he hasn't forgotten her.

My thoughts...

I'm a huge fan of romantic suspense and have read a lot of great stories by some of the genre's best authors but, until now, none by Cynthia Eden - and make no mistake, Broken proves she's one of the best! This story sent chills up and down my spine and even though I didn't want to put it down, I had to put it down because it was getting so intense I knew I'd be up all night checking and re-checking the locks on my doors and windows if I didn't!

Lust at first sight works well in paranormal romance (bonding scents compelling an attraction) and erotica (because erotica is all about sexual attraction), but Broken is neither of those and its intricate, amazing plot didn't mesh with the insta-lust between Gabe and Eve. Sure, Eve's trauma induced amnesia could explain her lack of apprehension over being attracted to Gabe, a complete stranger, but even with that in mind I couldn't get on board with the sexual intensity they felt for each other. Too much, too soon and that cost this story a full star in my rating. Had the attraction/romance moved at a more believable pace, or had this not been meant to be a romance, it would've easily been a 5 star read!

The bottom line...

I've already got the next book in the series, Twisted, locked, loaded, and ready to roll... and that should speak volumes about how much I enjoyed Broken!

An ARC was provided by Avon Books. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.

Witches Be Burned (Magic & Mayhem #2) by Stacey Kennedy

Witches be Burned is the second book is Stacey Kennedy’s Magic & Mayhem series. Even though I didn’t read the first book, Werewolves Be Damned, I had no problem following the plot and was sucked in right from the start!

Blurb…

In Stacey Kennedy’s steamy paranormal romance novel, a rookie guardian sworn to combat the undead risks life and love in a world of violence, witchcraft, and seduction.

Nexi Jones has lost her family, she’s been stripped of her guardian duties, and she’s still learning the ins and outs of white magic. At least she has Kyden, the smoldering hot elite guardian who’s been there for her every step of the way. But just as Nexi completes her training, tragedy strikes the Otherworld when a fellow guardian is murdered by a group of rogue vampires. Ready or not, she and Kyden trek into the Earthworld to hunt down a killer—and Nexi alone will be put to the ultimate test.

Although Kyden knows that Nexi must fight her own battles, his guardian instincts are raging as he struggles to keep her close. The ruthlessness of these vampires is like nothing he’s ever seen. And at their helm is the Black Witch Astoria, a demon with one burning desire: to shed Nexi’s blood in the name of vengeance. What troubles Kyden even more, though, is the warlock who covets Nexi’s heart. Let the devil do his worst . . . all Kyden can do is love and protect Nexi until his last breath.

My thoughts…

Anyone who knows me knows that the Fantasy genre isn’t one of my favorites, but these books are more than just Fantasy. Yes, there’s magic. Yes, there are witches. But there are also vampires, werewolves, guardians, territories, councils… and all of these combined make this an amazing Paranormal Romance series.

Witches Be Burned picks up 4 months after Werewolves Be Damned ends, and we’re given a prologue which tells about the important things that transpired in WBD, and I'm glad for that because this is a complex world. 

With the different beings fighting for peace, there’s never a dull moment, and the ‘Good vs. Evil’ power-struggle kept me on the edge of my seat. To say the universe Ms. Kennedy has created is exciting and unique would be putting it mildly. The Magic and Mayhem world is filled with page turning intrigue. There’s also a fantastic supporting cast of characters, and a hero and heroine who are made for each other. Nexi is a strong leading lady and Kyden is an alpha male who loves her enough to let her be who she’s meant to be - though he often reminds her that he’s still the boss - and she loves him enough to let him go on believing it. And their sexual chemistry? Yeah, it burns hot and wild! See? A perfect match! 

The bottom line… 

To the point… If you’re like me and not a huge fantasy fan, you really ought to give this series a go. I’m so excited to have read this story, and am looking forward to finding out what’s to come for Nexi and Kyden! 

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept,  for providing me with a copy of this book. In appreciation I’m giving them an honest review!