The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series)

Long live the King…

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle--with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything--and everyone--at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response--or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over?

Ohhh how I have waited sooo long for this book to come out! I seriously breezed right through it because like all Black Dagger Brotherhood series books, it's so damn good you just can't put it down! I am now sad though because it's over and it was over much too soon! I think I read all 500+ pages in about 3 days. Seriously though, its amazing and I can't stress that enough. J.R. Ward has outdone herself yet again! I also now canno't wait for Lassiters book come out and the Moor brothers iAm and Trez! This book gives a lot of back story about Wrath and it also gives a lot more page time to both Lassiter and the Shaddows. It does sort of leave a bit longing for more and wanting to know how its all going to work out in the end but, it is still very satisfying!

Here's just a few of my favorite quotes... if you don't want to know any details do NOT read any further! But you know you want to... just saying! LOL

“After shoving his former clothes inside, Xcor found himself bowing at the waist. "Your assistance has been much appreciated." Antoine raised his palm like he was getting ready to do a clap on the shoulder again. But once more, he caught himself and smiled instead. "Knock her dead, my man." "Oh, no." Xcor shook his head. "That shan't be necessary. This one I like. ” — J.R. Ward 

 “The angel popped his already mile high collar. "She said she wanted the holiest thing in the house to do it." "She got holey, all right," somebody muttered. "Is that Butche's Bible?" V asked. The angel flashed the goods. "Yup, and his BoC, he called it? I also got a sermon I did myself." "Saints preserve us," came from the opposite side of the crowd. "Wait, Wait, Wait." V waved his hand rolled around. "I'm the son of a deity and she picked you? ” — J.R. Ward

 “You love it right?" Lassiter asked, holding his Bible high. "I mean, you told me to go on the internet. I did. I even printed out my diploma or whatever the hell it's called." Opening the cover of the King James version, he took out a piece of paper and waved it around. "See? Nice and legal-like" Beth leaned in "Wow". "I know right? Just like Harvard" "Impressive" "I'm totally framing that shit, wha-what. ” — J.R. Ward

Murder and Marinara (An Italian Kitchen Mystery)

When Victoria takes a break from penning her popular mystery series and moves back to the Jersey Shore, she imagines sun, sand and scents of fresh basil and simmering marinara sauce at the family resturant, the Casa Lido. but her nonna's recipes aren't the only things getting stirred up in this Italian kitchen. 

Their small town is up in arms over plans to film a new reality TV show, and when Victoria serves the show's pushy producer his last meal, the Casa Lido staff finds itself embroiled in a murder investigation. Victoria wants to find the real killer, but there are as many suspects as tomatoes in her nonna's garden. Now she'll have to heat up her sleuthing skills quickly... before someone else gets a plateful of murder. 

"When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie... that's aaaa muuuuurdah!"

Who doesn't love a big, crazy Italian family and all the murder, er... food that comes with it?!? And that's just what you get from Victoria Rienzi and her crazy but fun family. The Rienzi's own the Casa Lido, a classic Ristorante Italiano on the boardwalk of the famous Jersey Shore. Victoria decided to take a break from the big city life in NYC and head back to the shore for the summer to learn more than her fair share of cooking, family business and a bit of crime! Right before the big weekend that has everyone flocking to the Shore's beaches, a famous producer for a reality tv show takes THE big bite right in the family restaurant! It's now up to Victoria to clear her families name in murder before the Casa Lido's has to close it's doors for good.

This great and spicy Italian mystery had my hand in that familiar old Italian hand gesture while reading, and singing along to "Papa Loves Mambo" and some classic Frank while I putz around in the kitchen recreating some "Rienzi Family" classic recipes from none other than the Casa Lido itself. This fabulous mystery does not read like a typical first in a series but more like an old friend from Napoli, with all of Victoria's crazy Italian family and friends along for the ride! I thoroughly enjoyed the bits of Jersey Shore tributes and classic boardwalk'esq style
thrown in to set a wonderful scene and mood, I also enjoyed the subtle tributes to that famous "familia italiano" lingo with flipping through pages reading words like; Cafone!, Bene, Cara, Brava and Puttanna! This book had me racing to the end to figure out who really murdered that big Cafone producer, faster than a angry Italian grandma. I loved this book and I think that this is one saucy little mystery that you will not want to miss out on!

Going, Going, Ganache (A Cupcake Bakery Mystery)

After a cupcake-flinging fiasco at a photo shoot for a local magazine, Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura agree to make amends by hosting a weeklong corperate boot camp at Fairy Tale Cupcakes. The idea is the brainchild of Ian Hannigan, new owner of Southwest Style, a lifestyle magazine that chronicals the lives of Scottsdale's rich and famous. He's assigned his staff to a team-building week of making cupcakes for charity. 

It's clear that the staff would rather be doing just about anything other than frosting baked goods. But when the magazine's features director is found murdered outside the bakery Mel and Angie have a new team building exercise find the killer before their business goes AWOL.

Going, Going, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! Once again I am thrilled by another fabulous addition of the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series! Jenn McKinlay (as always) keeps me guessing, and re-guessing until the end and even then I am blown away by the real killer! Great story, great plot, great twist and of course great group of characters that really seem to come alive in her books!

My one and only small, tiny, itsy-bitsy grievance is really not one that is a fault of the book or author it's just my own bias opinion, that Mel is crazy to be seconding guessing her feelings for a certain distinguished and handsome DA that just so happens to be her best friends brother! She has been in love with Joe DeLaura since she was twelve years old and he loves and adores her with all his heart... although I can see where a new smart, witty and attractive detective can wedge just enough charm in between her and her (what I believe to be) true love.

As always, I am left at the mercy of waiting for the next edition in this series, not only to see what mischief and mayhem Angie and Mel get up to next but, also to see who will REALLY gets to butter-cream Mel's heart over for good.

Brownies and Broomsticks (A Magical Bakery Mystery)

 Katie Lightfoot's tired of loafing around as the assitant manger of an Ohio bakery. So when her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben open a bakery in Savannah's quaint downtown district and ask Katie to join them, she enthusiastically agrees. 

While working at the Honeybee Bakery, named after Lucy's cat, Katie notices that her aunt is adding mysterious herbs to her recipes. Turns out, these herbal enhancements aren't just tasty Aunt Lucy is a witch and her recipes are actually spells! 

When a curmudgeonly customer is murdered outside the Honeybee Bakery, Uncle Ben becomes the prime suspect. With the help of a handsome journalist, a charming firefighter, and a few spells, Katie and Aunt Lucy will need to stir up some toil and trouble to clear Ben's name and find the real killer... 

After a bad break up Katie Lightfoot moves to Savannah Georgia to be near her sweet Aunt & Uncle to start a bakery and start a new life, but scones and muffins aren't the only thing Katie is whipping up in her bakery, magic and mystery unfold after a local "wicked witch" is murdered and it's up to Katie to get to the bottom of who killed her...

This is such a cute and charming cozy! I enjoyed this mystery quite a bit, It's the first in the "Magical Bakery Mystery" series. It has a great plot, a great group of characters that come together just "magically"! I also love the bit of romance that is thrown in for good fun, it's always nice to read about a love interest, but this one actually has TWO! There is also a cuter than cute pup that has a character all of his own as well! This was a really fun and easy read and I can't wait to read more when I continue this great series!

Do or Diner (A Comfort Food Mystery)

When Trixie Matowski agrees to take over her aunt's diner, she pictures lakeside views and delicious comfort food in the small town where she spent summers as a child. but the sweet scene turns sour when someone puts murder on the menu... 

Trixie is in need of a fresh start away from her cheating ex-husband, but she may be biting off more than she can chew when she moves to upstate New York to run her family's famed Silver Bullet Diner. Not only is she caught off guard by the small town's resident heartthrob, Deputy Ty Brisco, but her first health inspection turns into a nightmare... when the inspector keels over into his blue plate special. Someone made a deadly addition to an old family recipe, and Trixie is determined to find out whodunit. But between serving up orders and sniffing out clues, she'd better watch her back-or her next meal might be her last... 


What a cute and quirky "first in a series"! From the first few chapters I could tell I would fall "hooked line and sinker" for this this comfort food mystery that takes place in Sandy Harbor, New York. It reminds me of another of my favorite series (A Fortune Teller Mystery by; Kari Lee Townsend). It has a lot of humor and witty characters which I love in my mysteries. All in all it had a well thought out story with lots of detail, a very good plot, interesting characters, and a whole lot of "who dunnit?". I had my list of suspects but, was pleasantly surprised when I came out "double crossed!" I am truly happy with this little read and am looking forward to April when the author; Christine Wenger comes out with her second addition to this wonderful new series!

On What Grounds (A Coffeehouse Mystery)

 Clare Cosi used to manage the historic Village Blend coffeehouse... until she opted for quieter pastures and a more suburban life. But after ten years and a little friendly cajolingw from the owner (a fresh pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain was all it took), she's back to the grind, serving coffee, and solving crime-one cup at a time... 

With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above The Village Blend, her cat Java by her side, and plenty of coffeehouse redecorating ideas, Clare is thrilled to return to work. Until she discovers the assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. Police arrive on the scene to investigate. But when they find no sign of forced entry or foul play, they deem it an accident. Case closed. But Clare is not convinced. And after the police leave, there are a few things she just can't get out of her mind... Why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn't an accident, is Clare in danger? And... are all detectives this handsome?

Just my tongue & cheek review...

I just could NOT get into this book. It started off VERY slow and with a lot of mindless "Java Talk". I tried to get past all the coffee blather but I had a very hard time getting to the bottom of the cup... so to speak :P The plot and "mystery" itself wasn't all that enticing either, the mystery killer and co-conspirators were very predictable and weak. If your into coffee and don't mind dealing with all the "mocha snobbery" this book has to offer than you might just like it. Personally I wasn't impressed however, since this IS a first in a series... I'm willing to give the next book in this series a shot. Hopefully it will be a bit better, if not I might have to "ground this one out" for good :P

The Cakes of Wrath (A Piece of Cake Mystery)

Rita Lucero, owner of New Orleans cake shop Zydeco Cakes, can't seem to stop saying "yes". Even though things at the bakery care busy, Rita finds herself accepting a seat on the local small buisness alliance, a group full of colorful characters like Chopper Shop owner Moose Hazen and his wife, Destiny, whose personal life is messier than a cake someone left out in the rain. 

On the street following a heated alliance meeting, Moose pulls Rita out of the path of a speeding van. Shaken and bruised, Rita notices the next day that her prescribed pain killers are missing. When she discovers Destiny's body in the couple's shop, the stolen pill bottle in her lifeless hand only adds another layer to her mysterious death. But getting the frosty NOPD detective to stop focusing on Rita and look for Destiny's real killer will be anything but a cakewalk... 

I loved it! As usual Jacklyn Brady keeps me guessing until the end of this delightful and surprising mystery! I love the bit of twist that she tied in at the end of the book, it has me wondering how everything will work out... I hope we will find out in her next installment of this fabulous series! This whole series is pretty amazing, I love all the zany characters and all their "Sweet Southern Style" and flare! In "The Cakes of Wrath" we get to read about more of the neighborhood that Zydeco Bakery resides in and a bit more of the staff's personal life. We also get to see a bit more of that sexy-smokin-hot Cajun bartender that frequently gives Rita all those sizzling vibes, while the famous detective Sullivan takes a bit of a back seat in this novel. It's definitely an interesting read and I am excited to discover where this series is headed!