The Next Grave (Columbia River #6) by Kendra Elliot

 

 

Blurb:

Following a murder and a woman’s sudden disappearance, investigations into old crimes and new collide in an alarming novel of suspense by a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author.

Detective Evan Bolton is gutted by his latest investigation. His friend and mentor, retired detective Rod McLeod, has been murdered, his body left in the trunk of a junkyard car. When McLeod’s daughter and grandson abruptly vanish, Evan knows it’s not a coincidence. Search and rescue canine specialist Rowan Wolff agrees as she and her dog, Thor, track the missing family.

The two cases converge in a puzzling twist. Evan discovers that McLeod has been reinvestigating old crimes—solved but not forgotten. Evan takes them on, one by one, and a disturbing suspicion forms that someone in law enforcement has something to hide and would do anything to keep those secrets buried.

But Evan and Rowan’s time is slipping away. They have to find the killer now. Before someone else disappears. Before someone else dies.

 

My review:

A gut-wrenching investigation into the murder of his now retired mentor has Detective Evan Bolton working overtime. We follow along as he has to put personal feelings aside to work the case. Clues are few and confusing. I couldn’t put this one down.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

B&N

 

Hearing Little Hadley (Littles of Rawhide Ranch Book 6) by Piper Strickland

 

 

Blurb:

Love doesn’t need words to scream out loud.

Hadley has spent her entire life trying to live up to others’ expectations.

And every single time has ended in utter failure. From her parents to her friends to her relationships, she’s never quite been…enough.

So when her best friend and sometimes caregiver Finn surprises her with a trip to Rawhide Ranch for the holidays, she’s sure this time will be no different.

After all, what Little wants a friend who can’t even talk to them?

But the more time Hadley spends with the other Ranch Littles, the more she realizes that there’s one person in her life who has never made her feel like not enough, or too much.

And that maybe Rawhide has enough magic to make all her Christmas wishes come true. Even the ones she’s too scared to ask for…

 

My review:

OH MY HEART! What a delightful story. Hadley is on the spectrum. Finn has been helping her deal with lifes stresses and been totally friend zoned.

A two week vacation at Rawhide Ranch over the holidays brings their relationship to another level.

Christmastime magic at its sweetest.

Though this is part of a series it can be read standalone.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

 

 

Sleigh Bells and Dragon Spells by Milly Taiden

 

 

Blurb:

Winter Magic, Dragon Kisses and Mistletoe Wishes!

Briar Rhee’s hoping Whispering Pines will be the perfect place to spread her witchy wings and embrace the winter season. What she doesn’t expect is to collide with six and half feet of brooding, muscular dragon shifter who sets her heart on fire. This hunky, grumpy dragon gives new meaning to grinch.

Falkor Griffin likes his solitude just fine, thank you very much. But when a curvy, enchanting witch starts bringing warmth and laughter into his life, his inner dragon roars: Mine! Too bad his mother’s evil legacy threatens to freeze any chance at happiness.

As a magical blizzard threatens their town, Briar and Falkor must work together to save Whispering Pines. Between battling dark spirits, dodging snowstorms, and trying to keep their hands off each other, they’ve got their work cut out for them. Good thing the town’s matchmaking witches and their shifter mates are ready to help with plenty of magical mischief!

Get ready for a sizzling winter romance where seasonal magic meets shifter heat, and true love is the greatest spell of all! Welcome to Whispering Pines, where even the grumpiest dragon can find his happily ever after!

 

My review:

Christmas is the most magical time of the year even for the beings of magic in Whispering Pines. This is the time of year where love rules and past hurts are left behind.

In this story we get to see the denizens of Whispering Pines gather to fight against hate and evil to save their town and Christmas and if grumpy dragon Falkor Griffin can find it in his heart to love than you will just have to surrender to the happiness that brings.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

 

Cage (Dark Ops Daddies Book 1) by Kate Oliver

 

 

Blurb:

Troubled and lost.

They were once teenage boys with no hope for the future. Now they live a life of danger, doing things no one else in the world can do. All it took was a twist of fate to change their lives forever.

Ember
My father says I'm in danger and that he's sending me away. Once again.
With him. Cage Black.
Stubborn, bossy, hot, and he knows my secret without me even telling him.
For the first time in my entire life, I feel like I matter.
I feel like I've found what I've always needed.
It's only temporary.
But I don't want it to be.

Cage
I'm not a bodyguard.
Yet, somehow, I got sucked into protecting her.
From the second I lay eyes on her, I know I'm in trouble.
She's everything. Sweet, obedient, adorable.
I'll keep her safe.
I might even end up keeping her for myself.

 

My review:

Cage started out broken but has put himself together like Kintsugi (the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or platinum) he is flawed but beautiful.

Ember is a bit broken too. She is stronger than she knows and with the support of Cage and his family can grow into the woman she is meant to be.

This story will tug at your heart and make you smile when you are through. I really enjoyed this and look forward to getting better acquainted with Cage’s family.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

It Happened at Christmas by Sandra Sookoo

  

Blurb:

A widow needing attachment. An earl searching for hope. A young girl wanting a family. A handful of days to change everything…

Lady Lydia Kingston has pretended for years; it was easier that way. As headmistress and owner of a finishing school in London, people trusted her because they thought she was a proper woman of the ton, except all of that was a lie, but when her sordid past collides with the present she’s worked to build, scandal follows and sends her to Scotland despite the imminent holiday season. No longer does she believe in that magic.

Jackson Ramsay, the Earl of Greystone, has no patience for what the season demands. London lost its polish and draw, neither is he in the mood for revelry or festivities and he certainly doesn’t want a woman to complicate everything. Spending the holidays with his daughter brings difficult memories, and not wanting her to be exposed to the emptiness that is the beau monde, he takes her on a holiday to his estate near the Scottish Highlands. The joy of Christmastide has long been forgotten.

Misfortune throws the earl and Lydia together, but the forced proximity of a shared road trip sparks a strong attraction between them, and a yearning for more. In the Lake District, a fierce snowstorm strands them; necessity has the three essentially playing house until the roads clear. Desire consumes the couple, but her secrets and his might just destroy the love they both desperately need and deserve before unexpected traditions can be born.

… showing that magic and miracles can happen on Christmas if they only believe

 

My review:

It Happened at Christmas is a spicy Regency romance that has each character hiding from their own painful pasts and decisions. A snowstorm and some unfortunate events throw an Earl, a finishing school Headmistress and the Earl’s teenage daughter together through the Christmas holidays and they each find a part of themselves thought lost or damaged beyond repair. Although this is steamy it is also heartwarming.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

B&N

More Than Meets the Eye (Tiger's Eye Mystery #12) by Alyssa Day

 

 

Blurb:

A small-town mystery with laughter, kissing, mayhem, and magic

When private investigator and tiger shapeshifter Jack Shepherd has to make the biggest decision of his life, everybody in Dead End, the quirkiest town in Florida, wants to offer their advice.

But when Jack's girlfriend, pawnshop owner Tess Callahan, discovers a dead body in her garage, all decisions are on hold until Jack and Tess, with the help of their friends and family, can solve the mystery.

And did we mention the werewolves?

Because nothing will stop justice in Dead End, and sometimes it takes a Tiger's Eye to see the truth.

 

My review:

What would a Dead End proposal be without a dead body, a possessed mirror, an enchanted disco ball and a town full of unhelpful busybodies? Don’t know and I guess we’ll never know.  Jack has finally decided to propose to Tess (YAY!) but before he can pop the question he needs to find out why there is a dead wolf shifter in Tess’ garage.

More Than Meets the Eye is a fantastic addition to the series. It is a total gigglefest.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

B&N

 

One in a Billionaire: A Matchmaker Romance by C.K. O'Connor

 

 

Blurb:

Lincoln Caruthers, a seasoned participant in the Billionaire Experience, is tired of the same old lavish lifestyle—until app creator Ana challenges him to live in a small town with minimal money for two weeks.

Dr. Andreana Howard is more than ready to lend a hand when her college roommate Ana calls for a favor, but she’s unprepared for the handsome billionaire who mistakenly assumes she’s a call girl upon his arrival. Stuck together for two weeks with an infuriatingly charming stranger, Andy decides to teach Lincoln a lesson—by making him work at her bustling veterinary clinic.

As they tackle unruly animals, navigate the challenges of a town grappling with gentrification, and face the aftermath of a hurricane, both begin to unearth the depths of their true selves. With Andy learning that she doesn’t have to shoulder her burdens alone, and Lincoln realizing that real life is far more enriching than his previous escapades, their time together becomes a whirlwind of unpredictability.

When the two weeks come to an end, they must confront the undeniable spark that has ignited between them. Will they choose to return to their separate worlds, or will they seize the once-in-a-billion chance to create a future together?

 

My review:

This delightful romp has us watching as spoiled billionaire Lincoln Caruthers gets an eyeful of how the other side lives. Veterinarian Dr. Andreana Howard, Andy to her friends gets to show Lincoln what he misses from his ivory tower. These two have insta-lust but can it turn into something more?

I laughed so hard at the mishaps and mistakes that these two (mostly Lincolin) go through. A fantastic addition to the series.

Though this is part of a multi author series each book can be read standalone.

 

Buy links:

Amazon