Book Reviews | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

ONCE UPON A WINE by Beth Kendrick

October 3, 2016

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Food & wine – any contemporary romance set in these worlds immediately grabs my interest. This one is set in a vineyard with a twist, it’s in Delaware.

Cammie has always wanted to own her own bar. After graduate school, she feels ready and falls in love with a chef who wants his own restaurant. They join forces, Cammie invests her entire inheritance, then the chef dumps her and moves to another restaurant.

Broke and almost homeless, Cammie jumps at the chance to help out the aunt that raised her. Aunt Ginger has invested her retirement into the Delaware winery in Black Dog Bay, the beach town they summered in most of their lives. Her cousin Kat is there too, and the women are as close as sisters. But none of them has any wine making experience, so this could be a disaster.

Turns out Kat is on the run from her marriage. A former superstar skateboarder, an injury forced her into retirement and Kat can’t deal with her life at the moment. Her husband is as supportive as can be, even showing up with a beautiful dog for her, but she needs to work stuff out on her own.

Cammie has some history in Back Dog Bay; her first love owns a farm there. She left him for grad school in California but the attraction is definitely still there. The women work together to turn Aunt Ginger’s folly into something worthwhile, that dog becomes an internet sensation, and love, well, love wins out.

Strong women are always a plus, and these girls are all fighters, which I admire. This was a sweet, fun read, and I really enjoyed it.

10/16 Stacy Alesi AKA the BookBitch™

ONCE UPON A WINE by Beth Kendrick. NAL (July 26, 2016) ISBN: 978-0451474193. 336p.

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DUKE OF SIN by Elizabeth Hoyt

October 2, 2016

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A Maiden Lane Novel, Book 10

I’ve been enjoying this series so when I saw this book on Booklist’s “Top 10 Romance: 2016,” I realized I missed one. Luckily, I found it on the shelf in my library and took it home.

This series is set in the early 1800’s and is pretty dark. A common thread throughout the series (at least the ones I’ve read) is this group called the Lords of Chaos, titled men who have identifying dolphin tattoos and participate in savage orgies. These orgies feature young children of both sexes, ferocious dogs chasing said children, and murder is not uncommon. In fact, killing is part of the initiation.

Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, has inherited the leadership of the Lords of Chaos, but he hasn’t had his initiation yet, he’s too busy blackmailing several of his peers. Bridget Crumb is the daughter of Lady Cair and an unnamed footman, and her mother had sent her to a foster family who raised her to be a housekeeper. Lady Cair is one of the Duke’s blackmail victims, so Mrs. Crumb gains employment in his home in hopes of finding the incriminating evidence and protecting her mother.

This is an action packed romance, a bit darker than I usually care for in this type of genre. The Duke has had a truly appalling childhood, and one can’t help but wonder if the damage done is permanent. Luckily, he becomes enamored of Bridget, and she has a strong sense of right and wrong which she tries to teach him. Eventually they fall in love but not until there has been a duel, a kidnapping, a murder attempt, hot sex and more.

The first chapter of the next book in the series, The Duke of Pleasure, is included in the paperback and if that is any indication of what is to follow, it should be as action packed as this one – and something to look forward to.

10/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

DUKE OF SIN by Elizabeth Hoyt. Grand Central Publishing (May 31, 2016). ISBN: 978-1455539093. 368p.

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RECKLESS CREED by Alex Kava

September 29, 2016

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A Ryder Creed Novel, Book 3

Ryder Creed has an elite K-9 business of search and rescue dogs. Hannah runs the business end and Ryder is the trainer, and that includes training new dog handlers like Jason, an amputee veteran. One of Creed’s dogs finds the body of a young girl who had gone missing, but also finds some dead birds.

There is a new strain of bird flu, and unfortunately it is affecting more than just birds. Homeland Security is after a doctor who has gone rogue and seems to have disappeared into thin air. There are several suspicious deaths, so when an infected person turns herself in, along with a mysterious flash drive, that helps tie everything together.

Creed’s dogs are trained to detect certain cancers and other illnesses, so he is asked to train them to detect the deadly virus, but the government doesn’t seem overly concerned about putting the dogs at risk. There are a lot of moving parts to this fast paced story and Kava brings them altogether by the end. This third book in the Creed series is sure to please fans.

9/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

RECKLESS CREED by Alex Kava. G.P. Putnam’s Sons (September 27, 2016). ISBN 978-0399170782. 336p.

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SHOOT ‘EM UP by Janey Mack

September 28, 2016

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A Maisie McGrane Mystery, Book 3

Maisie McGrane is an undercover cop in Chicago – so deep undercover, her large, Irish family of cops and lawyers don’t even know. When there’s an assassination attempt on the mayor, the ATF and DEA want to use Maisie’s connections to infiltrate a dangerous gun and drug cartel in the city.

Meanwhile she’s recovering from some serious wounds, which she tends to forget about. But when her brother is shot, she loses sight of her mission and puts herself in more danger, not to mention her family may end up accidentally blowing her cover.

Her boyfriend is out of the country, and agent Lee Sharpe is trying to move in, complicating things further. This fast moving story has some comedic moments sprinkled throughout, but it is much darker comedy than the oft-compared Janet Evanovich.

This third entry into the series offers little in the way of back-story, making it almost impossible to figure out who’s who, what’s going on, and why we should care, without having read the first two.

9/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

SHOOT ‘EM UP by Janey Mack. Kensington (September 27, 2016). ISBN 978-1617736940. 352p.

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DEVIL SENT THE RAIN by Lisa Turner

September 27, 2016

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Detective Billy Able series, Book 3

Memphis police detective Billy Able lands a murder case with his new partner, the ambitious Frankie Malone. The victim, Caroline Lee, found dead wearing her wedding gown in her car in a cow pasture, is Billy’s old high school girlfriend. It’s been years since they’ve been in touch, so it seems there’s no conflict.

The Lee family is Memphis royalty; the mother runs the family law firm where Caroline worked, and they own other businesses in town. The person who found her body, a recently released felon, is a suspect, but there are others, most notably her ex-fiancé. Lee broke off her engagement to the arrogant Indian doctor, who feels humiliated and has been stalking her.

The Lee family has skeletons in the closet, and the investigation deepens into the family history, which causes Billy to examine his own. Frankie proves to be a good partner, as much a workaholic as Billy, and together they chase down every possible lead until the surprising conclusion.

A good Southern police procedural and should appeal to Caroline Haine or Margaret Maron readers.
Copyright ©2016 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association.

9/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

DEVIL SENT THE RAIN by Lisa Turner. William Morrow Paperbacks (September 27, 2016). ISBN 978-0062136213. 352p.

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THE PERKS OF LOVING A SCOUNDREL by Jennifer McQuiston

September 26, 2016

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Seduction Diaries, Book 3

This has become one of my favorite series. The heroines are all smart, nerdy girls who don’t particularly want to get married and have no use for society, and this one is no different.

Mary Channing’s sister was the heroine of the first book in the series, but these do not need to be read in order, they all stand alone just fine.

Mary is a bookworm, a girl after my own heart. Losing her brother and father to violence has made her into a bit of a recluse, staying in her room or her garden and reading, and refusing a “season” in London. But when her sister’s husband has to leave on business for a while, Mary agrees to stay with Clare during the last trimester of her confinement. Don’t you just love that word? In this case it’s apropos, it’s a difficult pregnancy and the doctor is expecting the baby to come early.

Her first morning there, Mary goes out early to check out the garden, only to be shocked to find a man urinating on the rose bushes. That man is Geoffrey Westmore, future Viscount, neighbor, and our scoundrel.

Clare forces Mary to attend a fundraising event at her doctor’s hospital, and Mary reluctantly agrees as Charles Dickens will be there. But she is overwhelmed by the crowd and seeks refuge in the hospital library. Westmore sees her leave and follows, sure she looks familiar, but he can’t place her. He ends up compromising her and ruining her reputation, but while they are in the library, they overhear an assassination plot, which Mary is much more concerned about.

I love that Mary is extremely knowledgeable about so many different things, all from her reading. She is also a real romantic, basing all understanding of men and women and relationships on novels. She eventually finds out that life is not quite the same as it appears in books, but nonetheless gets her happy ending.

I loved it.

9/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE PERKS OF LOVING A SCOUNDREL by Jennifer McQuiston. Avon (September 27, 2016). ISBN 978-0062335142. 400p.

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2 Comments | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Historical | Permalink
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REPUTATIONS by Juan Gabriel Vasquez

September 25, 2016

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A short, but extremely interesting book about a man who has spent four decades of his professional life as a great political cartoonist in Columbia.

Vasquez has made a reputation as someone able to influence politicians, make or break careers, change the opinions of judges and certainly become a person to be both feared and admired by his countrymen. The opening of the book shows the man, Javier Mallarino, at the height of his powers and a force to be reckoned with when he is visited by a young woman out of his past who forces him to reevaluate his past and question his own self worth.

Vasquez writes in an almost stream of conscious style masterfully bringing the reader into the thought processes of Mallarino. The almost forgotten events of his life are brought up and gone over by Javier Mallarino and bring up a story that will come up again and again.

A different type of tale but one that will cause reverberations in the mind of any reader.

9/16 Paul Lane

REPUTATIONS by Juan Gabriel Vasquez. Riverhead Books (September 20, 2016). ISBN 978-1594633478. 208p.

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THE RESTAURANT CRITIC’S WIFE by Elizabeth LaBan

September 24, 2016

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I had read a review of this book probably last year, and forgot about it until I saw it sitting on a book cart at my library. I do have a thing for foodie fiction, and this sounded promising so I took it home.

Lila and Sam have recently moved to Philadelphia, and Lila is having a hard time fitting in. She had an interesting and exciting career in crisis management for a world wide hotel chain. She never really expected to marry, much less have kids. Yet here she is, pregnant with her second and a toddler on her hands.

Sam is the restaurant critic and this has long been his career goal, and the reason for the move to Philly. But he is taking his job a little too seriously. He doesn’t want Lila to go back to work after the baby is born because her job kept her in the news quite often. He doesn’t want her to have any friends or be friendly with the neighbors, not because he’s a control freak exactly, but rather he feels the need to keep a very low profile to do his job effectively. He’s afraid someone may own a restaurant or work in one and reveal his identity. And his worst fears come to pass.

This is a story about young motherhood, friendship, marriage, and the struggle that many women face between staying home with their kids and going back to work for a myriad of reasons. I am long past that time of life, but I remember it well. It was a slow read for me and I was tempted to put it down and forget about it a few times, but I stuck with it and I’m glad I did. I always like a happy ending.

9/16 Stacy Alesi AKA the BookBitch™

THE RESTAURANT CRITIC’S WIFE by Elizabeth LaBan. Lake Union Publishing (January 5, 2016). ISBN 978-1477817766. 313p.

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SWEET TOMORROWS by Debbie Macomber

September 22, 2016

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A Rose Harbor Novel, Book 5

I’ve read several of Macomber’s books by now and I’m still confused about the relationship between her different series. Sweet Tomorrows is the conclusion to the Rose Harbor series, which is set in the same town as the Cedar Cove series and possibly the Blossom Street series? There are some characters that overlap or maybe I’m just confusing it all with her Hallmark TV series, “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove.”

No matter, they are all the same in style, tone, writing, and characters, as they should be – it’s what her readers expect, and Macomber doesn’t disappoint.

The owner of the Rose Harbor Inn, Jo Marie, is suffering as the man she loves, Mark, declared his love then took off to finish a secret mission in Iraq. Jo Marie was widowed when her husband was killed while in the service, and she is bound and determined not to repeat that. Before he left, Mark told her to get on with her life and she does, meeting a very nice man who quickly falls in love with her. And then Mark returns, seriously wounded and hanging at death’s door.

Emily is a young lady who has suffered two broken engagements. She’s basically run away to Cedar Cove, and arranges to board on a week to week basis at the inn until she finds a house to buy. She stumbles across a house under renovation a few blocks from the inn, but Nick, the owner, at first ignores her then chases her off his property. Nick has some severe psychological issues and he and Emily seem to be able to help one another, but she has serious trust issues.

The book alternates chapters between Jo Marie, Mark, Emily and Nick, so we learn about each of them in their own voices. These are very likeable characters, although Nick’s voice sounded a bit too high school at times for a grown man.

I’m always surprised that these characters are as young as they are, they read much older to me, which probably harkens to their behavior, especially the complete lack of sex between consenting twenty-thirty something year olds. Despite that minor annoyance, I enjoyed this book and it was a quick read. Sometimes it’s just pleasurable to read about really nice people, as Macomber’s characters tend to be. Sweet Tomorrows is another charmer from the Debbie Macomber collection.

9/16 Stacy Alesi AKA the BookBitch™

SWEET TOMORROWS by Debbie Macomber. Ballantine Books; 2nd edition (August 2, 2016). ISBN 978-8900720341. 352p.

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THE BOOKSHOP ON THE CORNER by Jenny Colgan

September 20, 2016

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Nina Redmond is a woman after my own heart – she lives and breathes books. She is a librarian in Birmingham, England, which is undergoing severe budget issues. The library is taken over by a private company and Nina finds herself out of a job.

Her dream has been to have her own little bookshop, but she doesn’t really have the means to do that. Then she gets an idea to buy an old van and turn it into a mobile bookbus.

The van is in a small town in the Highlands of Scotland, and she gets her stock from libraries that are closing, and travels all around the area, as there is a complete dearth of libraries or bookstores. Soon Nina finds herself in business in the small farming community. But not as easily as it sounds – her first time out driving the van she stalls out on the railroad tracks and just freezes. Luckily, the driver is able to stop the train and she quickly becomes attracted to Malek, a Lithuanian working the train.

Nina needs a place to live and the small town has few options, but one is a converted barn on a beautiful farm. Her landlord/farmer is in the middle of a divorce and a bit cranky, so Nina just ignores him. But before long, she is no longer able to do that.

This is one of those quirky, charming books that I could not put down. I loved Nina and the Scottish setting; the men in kilts were an added bonus. If you love books and romance, this is the book for you. It certainly was for me.

9/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE BOOKSHOP ON THE CORNER by Jenny Colgan. William Morrow Paperbacks (September 20, 2016). ISBN 978-0062467256. 368p.

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4 Comments | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction | Permalink
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