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Slay Ride
Slay Ride
Diane Vallere | 2019 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Why Is Kyle Missing Trends?
In the couple of weeks before Christmas, Samantha Kidd has taken a temporary job as a social media influencer. Her friend Kyle Trent helped her get the job and is acting as her mentor. But when he misses a planned morning photo shoot, Samantha begins to worry. As she starts to get contradictory information about her friend, she knows something is wrong. Can she figure out what really happened?

This holiday entry, billed as a novella, is shorter than a typical novel in the series, but fans will hardly notice. There are still plenty of twists and turns that lead Samantha and us to the logical climax. Okay, so it was a bit rushed, but everything is explained. The characters, new and returning, are great, and we see more growth in Samantha. Along with that, we get some shenanigans from Samantha and plenty of humor. If you haven’t found this light, fun series yet, you’ll definitely enjoy it. And if you are a fan who hasn’t read this entry yet, you are in for a treat.
  
Cozy Up to Trouble
Cozy Up to Trouble
Colin Conway | 2021 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Trouble in a High Rise
Beau Smith’s latest identity is Skeeter Dursky, and he’s landed at a senior apartment building on Lake Michigan in Chicago. He’s been on the job for three days when someone from a previous location where the Witness Protection Program placed him walks in. Then someone dies, and the police lock down the building. Can Skeeter figure out what happened before his cover is completely blown again?

This book focuses more on the crime at hand than bringing Skeeter’s past too much into the story. However, it felt very light. The characters, even Skeeter, were thin, with the focus being on the plot. There is enough going on to keep us from seeing the solution until Skeeter brings it to light. I do enjoy the humor, including the gentle digs at cozies. The books are short enough that I still find myself enjoying them, but the tradeoff is that there isn’t time to develop anything fully. If you are interested and can find these on sale, then snap them up.
  
B(
Buffed (Destinations book 2)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
74 of 230
Kindle
Buffed ( Destinations book 2)
By S.H. Timmins
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Dante Valdez was the ultimate Bad Boy. Men feared him and women wanted him. A series of events tests his careful control and a forbidden woman tempts his most dominant desires. An undercover assignment threatens to expose more than just what lies beneath his clothes. His perfectly orderly world is thrown into chaos, hilarity ensues, and his friends are there to add in the hijinx. Join him as he shares his story of humiliation, humor, and hope.

While I really enjoyed this book which is Dante’s and lissa’s story it didn’t entertain as much as book 1. There were some funny bits especially the first scene at the strip club with Marco I did really chuckle it didn’t quite live up to Alex and his bent dick 🙈😂.
Saying this I really thought this story was sweet and Dante can take me on a date like that anytime!
I’m looking forward to seeing what Logan can bring to the series next.
  
Nightmare on Elf Street
Nightmare on Elf Street
Laura Levine | 2013 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder of (a Mall) Santa
Freelance writer Jaine Austen has taken a job as the elf at a mall to a pretty despicable Santa. When he is killed with a Christmas ornament to the heart, there are no shortage of suspects, but Jaine dives in to make sure the case is solved before her annual trip to visit her parents.

The series always features wacky humor, and this story is no exception. Even though the story is only 100 pages, we manage to get a couple of sub-plots and some twists as well. The characters are developed enough to pull us in while making us laugh as well.

This is a novella length story, so it will be faster than a full novel. As long as you know this, you’ll be fine.

Also note that this was originally released in the romance anthology Secret Santa. You’ll want to make sure you haven’t read it before purchasing it again. Although, if you haven’t read it, you’ll be thrilled to add this fun, festive mystery to your to be read pile.
  
Fondant Fumble
Fondant Fumble
Jenn McKinlay | 2024 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder Stings a Bakery Opening
Two players for the Arizona Scorpions NFL team have opened the newest franchise of Mel’s bakery across town. While she is enjoying teaching them about what it takes to run the business, others don’t seem so happy about it. In fact, the team’s owner makes a scene at the bakery’s opening. The next morning, he’s found dead in the new bakery. Can Mel find the killer?

I love the characters in this series, and it was great to check on them again. The new characters are just as charming. The mystery could have used a few other suspects and another couple of twists. What we have is good, but it could have been stronger. On the other hand, I thought I knew where a subplot was going early on, but I was delighted to be surprised. It became one of my favorite parts of the book. The humor is great as always, and we get more cupcake recipes as well. Fans of this series will gobble it up as quickly as I did.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Hidden in Smoke in Books

May 1, 2025 (Updated May 1, 2025)  
Hidden in Smoke
Hidden in Smoke
Lee Goldberg | 2025 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Searching the Smoke for the Truth
West Hollywood has been rocked by a series of arsons in one night. The arsonist hit multiple apartment buildings by setting fire to a car in a car port. Just as Sharpe and Waler are beginning to piece some key clues together, a major fire impacts the city. Will this new fire distract them? Or will they be able to solve it as well?

There is a strong secondary plot as well that includes some major spoilers for the first book in the series. I didn’t like that storyline because it slowed things down with flashbacks and introduced some politics that hit wrong, especially after events in the last couple of months. On the other hand, I enjoyed the main storyline and all the great twists along the way. The characters are good but flat, and the male teenage humor doesn’t help them. There are some other laughs and great banter. I also enjoyed some scenes that were set close to me. Fans will enjoy this book, but I do wish it were stronger.