Pirogue Wipeout (The Big Uneasy, #7) by Pauline Baird Jones – Review

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, mystery, Pauline Baird Jones, romance, series

Review of Pirogue Wipeout

The Big Uneasy mystery/romance series is about the Baker family and how they all find their happily ever afters – all while solving the crime of the day. 

In this story, a passenger from Gemma Bailey’s charter boat ends up dead.  Along with two, maybe three others.  Dan Baker is the CGIS agent working the case.  Dan doesn’t want Gemma to be guilty, but she is one big mystery.  Gemma isn’t guilty, but she doesn’t mind being questioned by Dan.  The developing romance between Gemma and Dan is about the only thing in this story that we all know will be a sure thing. 

Everyone is looking for answers – about the murders, about a plane full of missing people, about a possible loup-garou (werewolf), about Gemma’s mysterious past.  “Who was Gemma Bailey?”  This is the questions that everyone wants answered in Pirogue Wipe Out.  Including, at times, Gemma Bailey.

Everything else is about secrets.  There are secrets all around in this story.  Starting with the secret Dan is keeping from his family.  There is a secret about Gemma’s parents.  Add in all the secrets associated with any murder and a wise guy showing up, you just know that there is a whole box full of antsy secrets, impatient to be revealed.  This is one twisty murder mystery.  You never know what bombshell is going to be dropped.  Never knowing is what makes it so fun!

Dan and Gemma are great in the hero and heroine roles.  At age 45 and 35, they are both old enough to be cool and young enough to be hopeful.  Gemma has become one of my favorite Big Uneasy heroines.  Her mysterious past is intriguing, and I even feel like she has more story to tell.  Maybe, Gemma will show up in a future Big Uneasy story. 

Pirogue Wipe Out is part of a great series, but can be enjoyed as a stand alone.  Thanks to the author for providing a copy of her book.  My review is my honest opinion.

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About Pirogue Wipeout by Pauline Baird Jones

No-nonsense Coast Guard agent, Dan Baker finds himself going where he doesn’t want to go (the swamp) and feeling what he never thought he’d feel (in love or in like). He really hopes the mysterious Gemma isn’t the murderer because he doesn’t want or need her in his life.

Gemma Bailey’s “get away from it all” summer on the charter boat Reel Escape, is not turning out like she’d hoped. There is a dubious lawyer, a sinister mob figure, and some murders. Was it the Rougarou? It is a pity the way too attractive Dan Baker thinks she’s the murderer.

Can they untwist the tangled ties, clear Gemma and the Rougarou, and ride off into the sunset on Dan’s Triumph?

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The Graveside Bar and Grill (Charley Davidson, #13.7) by Darynda Jones – Review

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, Darynda Jones, humor, mystery, romance, series

Review of The Graveside Bar and Grill

The Graveside Bar and Grill is a quick read with all the danger, romance and humor we expect from a Charley Davidson story.  It can be enjoyed as a standalone, but if you have read the series, you will appreciate it even more. It revolves around Donovan and Sia, with support roles going to Charley, Reyes and their daughter Elwyn, formally known as Beep, but now also known as Teacup.  Teacup is sweet.  Donovan is sweeter.  Sia is not quite human, trying to survive in the human dimension.  Prior to events of this story, Donovan and Sia have an un-discussed thing for each other.

Donovan St. James is one of my favorite characters from the original Charley Davidson series.  As I recall, Donovan had a thing for Charley, and maybe she did for him. While it didn’t work out, Donovan continued to play a strong supportive character.  It is so great to see him find love!  Plus, this story includes Artemis who was originally Donovan’s dog.  Until she died and became Charley’s favorite spirit dog. So happy to see Artemis again!

This story is part of the many stories includes in the 1,001 Dark Nights collection of tales by a multitude of authors telling sexy, romantic stories.

The Graveside Bar and Grill is the first Charley Davidson story I have read since the original #13 series ender.  This is actually the third novella in the series, so I have some catching up to do.  Soon!

I received a copy of this book from Social Butterfly PR, 1,001 Dark Nights and Darynda Jones.  My review is my honest opinion.

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About The Graveside Bar and Grill by Darynda Jones

When Donovan St. James’ precocious charge asks him—no questions asked—to tail the doctor who keeps their ragtag team patched up, he wants to refuse. Not because the saucy teen is getting too big for her britches, ordering him around like a mob boss, but because the woman stirs feelings in him he would rather not explore. However, when evil threatens the doc’s life, he realizes he has no choice. Sia saved his life once. He will try to return the favor. He just prays he can do it without losing his heart.

Running from the supernatural entity that has destroyed entire worlds to have her, Sia thought she’d found a haven on Earth with a motley team of warriors protecting the girl destined to save humanity. But when Sia’s found, she realizes something on this plane is more scrumptious than her: that very teen. So, she runs—and Donovan St. James follows. Nothing is more alluring than a scruffy biker with a lacerating gaze. And she vows to tell him that… if they survive.

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The Secret of Bow Lane (A Below Stairs Mystery, #6) by Jennifer Ashley – Review

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, historical, Jennifer Ashley, mystery, romance, series, Victorian England

Review

This is the book Kat Holloway fans have been waiting for.  I’ll tell you why, but first….

In The Secret of Bow Lane, the mystery is about Joe Bristow, the man Kat thought she was once married to until she found out he was already married to someone else.  The death of her ‘husband’ left Kat in poverty, but it is also what led her to become the best cook in all of London.  While he died many years ago, his actual wife contends that he left a fortune somewhere and she needs help finding it. Bow Lane is Kat’s old neighborhood and there is more than one intriguing secret to uncover there.

Joe’s ability to pretend he was something he was not, reminds her a little too much of her friend Daniel McAdam, who is a master of the many disguises he uses in his investigative work.  So, when Daniel tells Kat how he feels about her, she pulls back.  There is nothing to be done, except find out more about the real Daniel.

In her life, there are two men that Kat has gotten close to.  Joe and Daniel.  Throughout the story, the details of both of their lives are slowly brought to light, revealing all the sordid details of one and the worthy details of the other.  So, you see, Kat Holloway fans, this book is for you.

The mystery the Kat must solve in this tale is just as fascinating and twisty as it always is.  Also, all of Kat’s helpers are there to make sure they uncover every necessary clue while still allowing Kat to see to her cooking duties and her daughter.  And Daniel is ever present to give his support, friendship, and a kiss now and then.  I recommend you enjoy this historical mystery with a nice cup of hot tea and a biscuit.

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

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About The Secret of Bow Lane by Jennifer Ashley

A stranger who appears on Kat’s doorstep turns out to be one Charlotte Bristow, legal wife of Joe Bristow, the man Kat once believed herself married to—who she thought died at sea twelve years ago. Kat is jolted by Charlotte’s claims that not only was Joe murdered, but he had amassed a small fortune before he died. Charlotte makes the cook an offer she cannot refuse—if Kat can discover the identity of Joe’s murderer, Charlotte will give her a share of the fortune Joe left behind.

With the help of Daniel McAdam, her attractive and charismatic confidante, Kat plunges into her own past to investigate. When it becomes apparent that the case of Joe’s death goes far deeper than simple, opportunistic theft, Kat and Daniel’s relationship is put to the test, and Kat herself comes under scrutiny as her connection to Joe is uncovered. She must race to catch the real killer before she loses her job and possibly her life.

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