Tag Archives: Series

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A Ghost for Christmas

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While the pacing was somewhat slow at times, it still proved to be quite entertaining, and the mystery gripped my attention. I was pleasantly surprised by the plot twist—I was completely wrong about the identity of the killer, and I always appreciate when a story can mislead me so effectively. This is my first experience with this author, and I’m curious to see how their writing evolves in future installments.

The characters initially felt a bit vague and underdeveloped, but I have faith that as the series progresses, they will become more fleshed out and relatable. The setting is established as a quaint little wine town in California, which adds a charming backdrop to the unfolding drama.

The protagonist, Mele Keahi, arrives in town to visit her aunt, seeking solace after enduring the emotional turmoil of a recent breakup. She looks forward to reconnecting with her favorite relative and enjoying the peace and quiet that she so desperately needs. However, her plans take a shocking turn when she discovers a dead body on her aunt’s front walkway upon her arrival. This gruesome find sets the stage for a riveting mystery.

In addition to the unsettling murder, Mele must grapple with the unexpected return of her handsome childhood ghost and the pros½pect of a new romantic interest arriving on the scene. The central question looms: can she assist in unraveling the mystery of the killer’s identity before she becomes the next target?

The introduction of a large ensemble of characters sometimes made it challenging to keep track of everyone, but it ultimately contributed to the rich tapestry of the story. I wished for a bit more build-up before the body was discovered; revealing it earlier diminished the tension that could have been cultivated. Nevertheless, the entertainment value and compelling mystery kept me engaged until the final page and sparked my interest in exploring more books in this series.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟½

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Suited

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Suited by Gina Watson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I do love the St. Martin clan, they are a family of good-looking but very flawed individuals who are all looking for the redemption of one kind or another. We finally get to one of the twins and it’s the brother who seemed to have the most issues with their father. This is Cash’s story, Cashel Gray St. Martin, who has been called a disgrace to the St. Martin name by the people of the town. Each new character adds something different and unique to the story.

Cash ran away from his family eight years ago because his father cut him off and demanded he becomes what he wanted him to be. Not the gambling, drug-addled, alcohol-dependent college student he seemed to be. When Cash ran however he left not only his family but the girl he claimed to love, Isabella Petrovich, who had been alone before him but who at least gained his family in his absence.

Cash went away and made a name for himself as a professional gambler, author, and TV star but is it enough to gain the love of a father who shunned him. Cash also has bridges to mend with the woman that he claimed to love and then abandoned without a word. How can he make it up to her after hurting her so deeply?

These are basically short stories that give you a look at a member of the family as they attempt to get past a block in their life. The stories are somewhat erotic but I think it still works for the stories. Enjoy these short intimate stories that give a look behind the lives of the characters.



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Hers to Choose

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Hers to Choose by Patricia A. Knight

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I remember reading the first book in this series and feeling great satisfaction when I finished it. I have that same good and satisfied feeling now after finishing this one. I really like these characters and I cannot really say why other than they feel very real to me. Granted the situations are a bit stretched but that is the way of anything even remotely mired in science fiction, and though these may be love stories they are still science fiction. I am completely taken with the world they inhabit, especially since the planet they live on is sentient and is involved in the lives of those who live on her. This is a good escapist fare that lets you sink into the story and just enjoy it as it takes you to places you might not have ever dreamed about.

Lady Sophillia Glorianna DeLorion spent years as a slave aboard a Haarb ship. The experience left her feeling unfit for a normal relationship. When she returned and had a hard time adjusting her brother sent her to live with the desert people hoping the isolation would help to bring back the sister he remembered.

Eric DeStroia is the Commander of the Queen’s Royal Guard and is being sent to bring Sophi home. He has also been chosen to become her husband by her brother Doral, who is a part of the Tetriarch which rules their planet. Eric has seen how arranged marriages can kill the soul and was not looking to be paired, but the thought of taking care of some broken dove appeals to him. But what he gets is a Falcon who has found her voice and power.

The story is told from various points of view to better move things along. The only real problem I had is that Eric’s eyes are established as one color then abruptly said to be another then back again. But as a whole, I would recommend this to everyone.

Isolated, far from the interstellar trade lanes, hundreds of light years from any civilized planet, Verdantia marooned the Earth colonists on her surface—then she spoke to them.



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