The Moonshine Shack Murder (Southern Homebrew Mystery #1) by Diane Kelly

 

 

Blurb:

In this intoxicating new cozy mystery series, the future for modern-day moonshiner Hattie Hayes looks bright--until death darkens the doorstep of her Moonshine Shack.

The Hayes family has made moonshine in Chattanooga since the days of Prohibition, and Hattie is happy to continue the tradition, serving up fun, fruity flavors in mason jars for locals and tourists alike. All signs indicate her new 'shine shop will be a smashing success. What's more, mounted police officer Marlon Landers has taken a shine to Hattie. For the first time ever, the stars seemed to have aligned in both her work and romantic life. But when a body ends up on her store's doorstep alongside a broken jar of her Firefly Moonshine, it just might be lights out for her fledgling business.

The homicide detective can't seem to identify the person who killed the owner of a nearby bar. The only witness is Hattie's longhaired gray cat, and Smoky isn't talking. When the detective learns that the victim and Hattie had a heated exchange shortly before his murder, she becomes her prime suspect.

Lest Hattie end up behind bars like her bootlegging great-grandfather a century before, she must distill the evidence herself and serve the killer a swift shot of justice. 

 

My review:

The Moonshine Shack Murder is an adorably quirky cozy mystery with an irrepressible entrepreneur, a hot horse cop (of course), a curmudgeonly grandfather, various friends, a cat and a murder victim that was no great loss. I really enjoyed this story and got a kick out of Hattie’s pride in her bootlegging history.  I read this in one sitting. I guessed the killer but not the motive. I’d love to visit with Hattie and company again.

 

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Marked by War (Unruly Gods Book 1) by Milly Taiden and Kala Aster

 

 

Blurb:

Book 1

Please read in order.

Alyssa, one of the three Fates tasked with guarding the gates of Olympus, is spoiling for a good fight. She’s bored to tears. Nothing’s happened in forever. When three gods sneak onto Earth, she meets her match on the battlefield and wants nothing more than to kick his annoying butt. It’s hard enough fighting her hormones, but it’s impossible to keep her mind or hands off the gorgeous god.

Ares, God of War, visits Earth without permission and is caught by Alyssa, a Fate who can kick him to the curb. The God of War vanquished? Never. Seriously, not gonna happen. What he does want to happen is to get a taste of the sassy Fate. But he finds that in addition to his magic being rivaled, this Fate threatens to conquer his restless heart.

When a mysterious, powerful magic attacks, she’ll need all the help she can get to keep them all alive. Ares can’t let Alyssa get hurt. He’ll give everything he has to keep his little spitfire from diving into battle to her death. Even his life.

Reader’s Note: This story arc continues into book 2 and 3. The resolution will happen in the last book.

 

My review:

The first book in a trilogy where the timeline runs concurrently. This is a different kind of love story and a fun take on the Fates. This book features Ares the God of War and Alyssa one of the Fates who is all about action. Put one tough female up against a buff tough stud of a God and the fun commences. I giggled my way through this hot tale.

 

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Double the Heat Brewed by The Asylum: The Asylum Fight Club Shorts by Bianca Sommerland

 

Blurb:

Creating The Roughhouse Cafe is Matt Kincaid’s dream come true. Even when the local gang gets too close for comfort. Or when a ‘helpful’ popstar’s promo efforts have customers lining up around the block.

 Matt’s totally got this.

 Maybe.

 The Asylum subs come to the rescue, breaking a few rules  in the process. And there’s no keeping secrets from the Doms for long.

Kink and coffee apparently go together real well.

 Both best when served up hot.

 

My review:

Matt is the perfect service sub except when it comes to Jamie. In this story we learn more about Matt and both he and we learn why he has issues with Jamie and how the resolve them. This story also gives us more insight into Matt and Lawsons marriage and the give and take there. I love the guys of The Asylum and really enjoyed this installment.

 

Buy links:

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The Nightshade Guild: Sunny Mage Renee Hewett and Jessica Ripley

 

 

Blurb:

It’s been seven months, and while the mage council has managed to keep the princess safe, those who seek to control the Elven kingdom still pursue her every day.

Sunny Burson’s personality matches her name. She’s cheerful, optimistic, and always looking on the bright side of things. She’s also a powerful celestial magic mage with a mean right hook. As the seventh of 12 mages tasked with protecting Princess Ameria Dormaris, Sunny has had plenty of time to prepare her home in the Alaskan wilderness. What she hasn’t prepared for is the darkness that will settle in her home along with the princess. A darkness that she purposefully locked out when she renamed herself Sunny and locked out all memories of her traumatic past. But will she be able to protect the princess when the darkness takes over her dreams and starts to seep into her waking hours?

 

My review:

Sunny Mage is a sweet addition to the series. Unlike the others in this series Princess Ameria doesn’t get to play matchmaker as Sunny is already in a long term relationship. We have the fun of watching the Princess grow and play even though she is wise beyond her age. Sunny has a dark past which comes back to haunt her while she is in charge of Princess America’s care. Like the other guild mage’s before her Sunny falls for the precious child and everything she does to protect her is worth it. This is a wonderful feel good lesson in life and second chances.

 

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Breaking Badger (Honey Badger Chronicles #4) by Shelly Laurenston

 

 

Blurb:

It’s instinct that drives Finn Malone to rescue a bunch of hard battling honey badgers. The Siberian tiger shifter just can’t bear to see his fellow shifters harmed. But no way can Finn have a houseful of honey badgers when he also has two brothers with no patience. Things just go from bad to worse when the badgers rudely ejected from his home turn out to be the only ones who can help him solve a family tragedy. He’s just not sure he can even get back into the badgers’ good graces. Since badgers lack graces of any kind . . .

Mads knows her teammates aren’t about to forgive the cats that were so rude to them, but moody Finn isn’t so bad. And he’s cute! The badger part of her understands Finn’s burning need to avenge his father’s death—after all, vengeance is her favorite pastime. So Mads sets about helping Finn settle his family’s score, which has its perks, since she gets to avoid her own family drama. Besides, fighting side by side with Finn is her kind of fun—especially when she can get in a hot and heavy snuggle with her very own growling, eye-rolling, and utterly irresistible kitty-cat . . .

 

My review:

In Breaking Badger we get to become better acquainted with Max’s girl gang specifically Mads. This is a manic ride involving her teammates, Max’s sisters and the Black Malones. This fast-paced thrill ride takes us all over the world and has a body count reminiscent of a Deadpool movie. I laughed my tail off throughout.

 

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Cruising on Ice (Palmer City Voltage #1) by Kerry Evelyn

 

 

Blurb:

The Palmer City Voltage series is a spinoff of Love on the Ice

 

It’s true that hockey players break hearts.

Sometimes, it’s their own.

Taylor Ranford’s three immediate goals did not include five days of pure torture. There was nothing in her plans about finding herself in the same cabin on a cruise with her longtime crush! The last thing she wants is for the only guy she’s ever had feelings for to treat her like she was his little sister when she wanted so much more from him.

Kingston Brewer’s lateral move to the Palmer City Voltage was a blow to his career—and his ego. With no immediate plans for the next season, he jumps at the opportunity to go on a last-minute cruise with the bouncy-ponytailed cheerleading coach who has always held a soft spot in his heart. After all, Taylor had been there when he needed her and he’d always be there for her. But it doesn’t take long for him to realize his feelings for Taylor go beyond friendship and professional admiration.

When the call he’s been waiting for from his agent comes through, Kingston realizes his shot with Taylor may be now or never. He has dreams, but so does Taylor. Her dream helped him when he was at one of the lowest points in his life and his career. Now, he has to make one of the most difficult choices in his personal and professional life. Does he have the right to ask her to compromise her dreams for his, or will the curse of being a hockey player come true and he is destined to break both of their hearts?

 

My review:

This is a sweet friends to lover sports romance. These two characters are so perfect for each other you just want to scream at them to get their heads out of their tushies and talk to each other. When they finally get together it is almost a relief. I spent the whole book cheering them on and enjoyed every moment.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

Ethan (The K9 Files #1) by Dale Mayer

 

 

Blurb:

When one door closes… second chances open another…

Ethan was lost after a major accident abruptly shifted him from a military life to a civilian one, from working with dogs to odd jobs … In that time, he’d spent months healing from his physical injuries. When he connects with Badger and the rest of his Titanium Corp. group of former SEALs, Badger offers Ethan an opportunity he can’t refuse. A chance to do the work he used to do … with a twist.

Cinnamon works from home as a project manager plus is heavily involved in global dog rescues—dogs of all kinds. When Ethan walks into the next door’s vet’s office with an injured shepherd in his arms, she sees another lost soul—just like the canine ones she helps.

Ethan knows he’s about to take a dangerous step, but he’s on the job, and no one—on the job or not—hurts animals while he’s around. This poor shepherd has taken enough abuse, and Ethan fears she is only the tip of a nightmare he’s determined to uncover. But he knows she’s going to lead him in the right direction.

He has his sights set on saving one dog in particular, Sentry: K9 File 01.

 

My review:

Ethan is the first in a spin-off series featuring a military vet finding his way after being medically discharged and finding his way to heal through the act of helping abused dogs heal and of course finding a woman to break down the wall around his heart. I enjoyed the interaction between Ethan and Cinn.

This is a story to warm your heart and give you hope.

 

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