Some Like it Hot Buttered (A Double Feature Mystery)

All Elliot Freed wanted to do was make people die laughing, But not literally. The dead guy in row S, seat 18, is no joke. Elliot Freed, recovering writer, socked all his savings and the alimony from his ex-wife into the Comedy Tonight movie theater, never suspecting it would become a crime scene. And Murder can't be good for ticket sales. Death by popcorn was the cause. Poisoned popcorn . To the chagrin of the local police, Elliot takes to his bike to start his own investigation. A growing attraction to a beautiful detective, the discovery of a DVD pirating operation, and one missing employee later, Elliot's still waiting for the punch line. But this one might knock his theater and Elliot out for good...

I like the idea of a mystery revolving around an old movie house, I like the perspective from a male protagonist and I liked the story line, up until the end. It started to lose my attention about three fourth's of the way through, mostly because of the side plot and trying to figure out which characters were likely capable of murder... when in fact it turns out the man actually killed himself. Yeah, really not happy with how that ended. Then there is the sub plot of the piracy operation that's going on and who was involved with that. I get that Anthony was an accomplice but to go as far as his professor being involved with the cop who loves the main character... now that's stretching it a bit. On the bright side, it was very funny with the witty humor and sarcasm. It also makes me want to do a bit dvd renting for some old movies(Young Frankenstein)that seem to be pretty funny. All in all I will give Jeffrey Cohen another shot and read his next book in this series, but this one is not my really favorite.

Books Can Be Deceiving (A Library Lovers Mystery)

What is the only word in the English language that ends in -mt? Answering tricky reference questions like this one is more than enough excitement for recently single librarian Lindsey Norris. That is, until someone in her cozy new hometown of Briar Creek, Connecticut commits murder, and the most pressing question is whodunit... Lindsay is just getting into her groove as the director of the Briar Creek Public Library when a vacationing New York editor brings a little buzz to the small town. It's the perfect chance for her friend Beth to sell the children's book she's written. Unfortunately, Beth's boyfriend, Rick, a famous author and local celebrity, tries to stop her. When Lindsay and Beth meet the editor, they uncover the real reason for Rick's bad attitude... They go confront Rick at his house on the storied and mysterious Thumb Islands, only to find him murdered. The local chief of police likes Beth for the murderer and isn't interested in looking elsewhere. Now Lindsey has to act fast before they throw the book at the wrong person...

I loved it! Great start to a new series! Jenn McKinlay always leads me into a suspenseful, nail biting frenzy with a awesome and satisfying ending! Lindsay and Beth make me feel like we've been friends forever, and the town of Briar Creek is amazing and picturesque! I love all the quirky "creeker's" and the story has me longing to be a "creeker" as well, because "once a creeker, always a creeker." Read it! You'll love it! And if you don't, well... we're just gonna have to put you to work with the lemon Ms. Cole! I am definitely looking forward to reading her next book in this series! You rock Jenn!

Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series)

Rehvenge is used to living in the shadows and dealing with the roughest nightwalkers around including the Black Dagger Brotherhood. His fearless reputation is why he's approached to kill the race's king, and his bad side is dying to rise to the occasion. As his secret identity as a sympath is threatened, he turns to the only light in his ever darkening world, a female vampire untouched by corruption and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

AMAZING! Second best favorite to the series! I loved seeing Rehvenge's softer side and seeing all he's been through in life. He hasn't had it easy and neither has his Ehlena, and that's why I also love them together. It was also great to see what sympath's are like and what life in the colony is like. Things are also heating up in crazy-I-can't-wait-to-see-what-happens-next kinda way, with the Lessening Society, the Brotherhood and the vampire race. What a cliff hanger too! Now I can't wait to read John Matthew's story next! J.R. Ward... you never cease to amaze me with your oh-so-talented writing!

Fingerlickin' Dead (A Memphis BBQ Mystery)

Welcome to Aunt Pat's barbeque restaurant family run and located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. Named in honor of Lulu Taylor's great aunt, the restaurant on Beale Street is famous for its ribs and spicy corn bread, but sometimes Southern comfort food can come with a side of murder...

When an anonymous food critic blasts several local restaurants-including Aunt Pat's with bad reviews, Lulu and her most loyal customers are burning mad, espeically when they discover Eppie Currian is the pen name of their friend Evelyn's cheating boyfriend. When "Eppie" gets his own fatal review, the list of suspects is long: two fuming ex-wives, an irate former restaurant owner, and even someone from Aunt Pat's own kitchen. Now, to catch the real killer, Lulu is going to have to put down her barbeque tongs before her loved ones get sentenced to a strict diet of prison food.

I was actually surprised at how much I liked this book. I have to admit, I was really apprehensive about reading it since I didn't really like the first book in the series. I felt this time around the gang at Aunt Pat's made me feel welcome and had more of a "family" feel to the mystery versus the cheesy and cliche feeling I got from the previous book. I liked the plot, I liked the characters, I even liked the side romance between Lulu's grandson Derrick and Peggy Sue's granddaughter Peaches. The only criticism I can offer is maybe a less predictable character as the murder? I am glad thought that I gave this series a second chance, it has made me feel much better about Riley Adam's books. I am also excited to read the next book in the series, and to see where the series will go with the new changes going on at Aunt Pat's.

Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series)

In this "frightening addictive" paranormal romance saga, there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now a dutiful twin must choose between two lives... Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As primal of the Choosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the tradtions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished. As his first mate, the Choosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love...

J.R Ward just simply amazes me! She captivated me with the struggle and power of Phury's book. I loved this book, because it shows a side of Phury you normally don't get to see in the other brotherhood books. His story is very unique and inquisitive. I am also happy with the progress of the series at this point, in this book you learn alot more about things that will ultimately make or break the brotherhood and the vampire race. Im so excited to read the next book about Rhevenge! J.R you are incredible!

Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series)

In Caldwell, New York, war rages between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now the cold heart of cunning predator will be warmed against its will.

Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous son of the Bloodletter possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in this father's war camp, he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon. Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her...

I enjoyed reading Lover Unbound, however not as much as the first four books I've read in the series. It had a good plot and lots of great surprises but I am left feeling that Vishous has been cheated out of love and having a real mate. It was interesting to me, to have been given a very unconventional ending but I am somewhat disappointed. I guess for me, I just don't see how Jane and Vishous work out as a real couple now that she is a "ghost". I loved being able to visualize the past of what all Vishous went through to become the warrior he was today and the cool little twist as to what happened to him in the beginning of the book. I'm glad I read it, and will, without a doubt keep reading the series, however I have a feeling that this will probably be my least favorite book that J.R. has written.

Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series)

In the shadow of the nigh in Cadwell, New York, there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. But now an ally of the Brotherhood is about to encounter his own dark desires...

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world- to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have Marissa, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers...

Fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back. But even her love may not be enough to save him...

Wooooah! Lets just say I didn't see that ending coming! What a great book! I've always thought Butch might be "special" and so much more than just a "pet". I love him an Marissa together, and glad to see Marissa grow out of the shy, fragile, little princep she was raised to be, I don't think I've ever been more proud of a character in a book as when she stood up to the council and took on the leahdyre. And let just say that Havers is no longer someone I respect. All in all J.R. keeps me amazed in this series, with each book I read I am completely mesmerized by the world of the black dagger brotherhood! Cant wait to read Vishous's story next!

My favorite quote in this book...(there were so many, it was hard to choose)

"Besides, you don't look a thing like him. I mean... hello? You're this
beefy Irish white boy. He's like... bus exhaust or some shit."