Funeral director Desiree Turner deals with death by natural causes all the time. Death by unnatural causes? Not so much. Yet, she and her boyfriend Nate have heard some not-so-dear things about the recently departed. A suspicious remark by the late Frank Fiore’s daughters sparks some concern. And when Violet Daugherty faints behind the wheel of her car, Desiree suspects she’s got a front seat to murder.

Desiree can’t help but look into Violet’s untimely end, but soon after, rumors begin to spread that she’s accusing her clients of murder, which quickly spurs a mass cancellation and Desiree is on the verge of going out of business. What began as an effort to do due diligence for her client turns into a wild goose chase for Violet’s murderer. Desiree must find her proof before everything she works for is lost. But that’s easier said than done, because while everyone else in town is looking to take their business elsewhere, the killer sets sights directly upon Desiree.

Source: NetGalley          My Rating: 4/5 stars

Death is certainly a tragedy, but it’s also good news for Desiree Turner and her family’s funeral home business.  What isn’t good for business?  Asking your clients if the death of their loved one really was from natural causes.  What’s even worse for business?  Asking the medical examiner to dig deeper into another death and poking around into what looks to be an open and shut car wreck. 

Relying on her reporter’s instinct, a wonky finding by the medical examiner, and a request from a client’s distant relative is how Desiree finds herself involved in the death of Violet Daughtry.  To understand Violet’s death, Desiree first must understand her life and who may have wanted her dead.  As it turns out, about the only “person” on earth who legitimately liked Violet Daughtry was her dog Orion.  With the discovery of Violet’s stash of surveillance photos, Desiree begins to understand why no one liked Violet.  With keen observation skills and absolutely no sense of boundaries and/or personal space, Violet made it her mission to confront people with their misdeeds and blackmail them.  Yeah, there’s a whole host of people who had reason to see Violet dead.  Or, did they?

Running parallel to the Violet investigation is Desiree’s strong sense that her father is still alive and well somewhere in the world.  As she digs deeper into Violet’s death, Desiree also finds more inexplicable clues related to her father which seemingly support her theory.  Unfortunately, Desiree’s efforts aren’t appreciated by everyone, OK, many, and her sister and uncle beg her stop investigating before she drives the family business right into the ground.  Though Desiree initially agrees to their request, circumstances arise which pull her right back into the investigation and, literally in the line of fire.  If Desiree doesn’t put all the pieces together, and soon, she’s going to lose her family, the family business, and likely, her life.

The Bottom Line:  I don’t normally like reporter characters, but there is something about Desiree Turner that just makes me happy.  Desiree isn’t all about getting the story at any cost, but about finding the truth even if it doesn’t result in an article for the local paper.  Desiree has a dogged determination that serves her well and pisses off a lot of other people.  In this installment of the series, Desiree’s determination threatens not only her life, but her family’s livelihood.  What’s more, her latest investigation uncovers a secret that will alter the course of her life for a very long time to come.  I think what I enjoyed most about this book were the parallel plot lines, Violet’s death and the fallout from that event and the search for Desiree’s dad.  The two are nicely woven together to create a cohesive and far more interesting read.  The characters feel a bit more solid in this installment and are beginning to show some growth, both of which are necessary to an ongoing series.  While I can’t this is my favorite cozy mystery series, I can say it’s a good series that is getting stronger, and I won’t be giving up on it anytime soon!

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He’s a brilliant businessman, but there’s one thing she can teach him: how to enjoy the moment.  Poppy’s tried a lot of things. Yoga instruction. Pizza making. So far, none of them have seemed like her thing. Still, she doesn’t have to know where her life is headed to live it with enthusiasm.  Ever since his wife’s death, Ryan’s thrown himself into his work. Launching a successful new app will secure his children’s future…even if it means he can’t spend much time with them now.  As a short-term nanny for Ryan’s children, Poppy brings some much-needed fun and laughter. She’s never been one to commit, so why is she feeling so attached to these children…and even more, to their dad? Could it be she’s found her place at last?

Source: NetGalley          My Rating: 3½/5 stars

Here I am with, yet another book based on a Hallmark movie!  While I was completely smitten with the first two book I read, I wasn’t quite as in love with this one, but still enjoyed the read. Here’s the skinny:

Poppy is what one might call a free-spirit!  She’s not particularly good at any one thing, she hasn’t ever found a calling, and she’s not getting any younger.  Even Poppy realizes it’s time for her to find a “real” job, a career she can not only enjoy for the long-term, but commit to for the long-term.  Yeah, Poppy may also have some commitment issues which have thus far hindered the achievement of her life goals.

On the other hand, there’s Ryan, an admitted workaholic who is only trying to secure his children’s future in the wake of their mother’s death.  Though his business is a success, his current project would overwhelmingly secure the future for himself and his children.  Trouble is, that security comes at a cost and the cost is all the time he must give to work and take from his kids.  Oh, Ryan’s kids, Zach and Zoe know their dad loves them, but they would be so much happier if he were able to spend more time with them.  Instead, the kids have been saddled with one nanny after another, and Poppy is just the latest in a long line of quitters who can’t handle two spirited youngsters. 

To say Poppy’s first day with Zach and Zoe went badly would be something of any understatement.  Though her initial inclination is to quit, Poppy soon realizes Zach and Zoe need her as much as she needs them.  With a new-found determination and little begging from Ryan, Poppy sets out to make her temporary assignment the best it can possibly be . . . for the kids, of course.  Once Poppy dives in and commits to her plan, she sees wonderful changes in the kids.  What’s more, with just a bit of conversation and some light cajoling, Poppy also helps Ryan to see exactly what it is he has been missing.  In just a hot minute, Poppy, Ryan, and the kids begin to see what life could be like if they were a proper family. 

The Bottom Line:  While I have generally fallen stupidly in love with this series of books, I found this one just a bit harder to love.  I think my biggest issue with this read is the super high-speed nature of Poppy and Ryan’s relationship.  Because of the plot and how it plays out, this isn’t an insta-love situation, but a relationship that develops.  For me, it just went a bit too fast which made it far too unrealistic for me.  With that being said, there were parts of this book I truly liked including, Zach and Zoe, Ryan’s reactions and responses to his kids, and the epilogue.  I am true believer in not giving up when there’s a bookish speed bump, so I am very much looking forward to my next Hallmark read.

Marissa Roy never thought she would do it. Until she finds herself overwhelmed by debt, college costs—and a vengeful ex-boyfriend determined to ruin her financially. But once she meets multi-millionaire Vince Taylor, the thought of sleeping with her hot benefactor is a major turn-on. Except Vince has one condition to their dating contract: he wants her by his side, but not in his bed. Finding sex was easy, he said, finding someone he could trust was not. Still, his hungry gaze tells Marissa otherwise . . .   She’s the perfect escort—a natural beauty with the kind of savvy discretion that will keep his personal life out of the tabloids. Only Vince doesn’t expect his body to pulse every time Marissa steps into the room, every time she stands close. Too close.  He doesn’t expect to find himself pulling her into his arms, night after night after night. Suddenly he can’t get enough of her intoxicating body. And once he’s broken that rule, it’s only a matter of time until he violates his vow to never, ever fall in love . . .

Source: NetGalley          My Rating: 4/5 stars

I have such a soft spot for Christine D’Abo and feel like she is really one of my go-to authors when I’m craving a bit of naughty with a real plot and real characters enveloping that naughty.  Once again, I was rewarded with Sugar Sweet, the first book in d’Abo’s new Sugar series. 

Marissa Roy never saw her life becoming the hot mess that it has become.  Thanks to a kind and trusting heart, Marissa has found herself in a level of debt that is both overwhelming and not hers!  As it happens, the bank and the various other lenders don’t care that Marissa was a co-signer and not the original recipient of the money.  Between trying to get through school, the mailed notices, and the phone calls, Marissa is desperate to find a solution to her life.

Then, Marissa finds a website . . . .

As it turns out, men like Vince Taylor (or his skeevy dad) have a ton of money and no significant other because they work all the time (or are totally skeevy!).  For many of these men (except Vince’s skeevy dad), companionship in return for funds and/or gifts is a perfect business arrangement.  Though Vince doesn’t think he needs this type of arrangement, meeting Marissa changes his perspective and his plans.  Marissa doesn’t want to be a part of this type of arrangement at all, but her situation is desperate, and she is clear about that from the very beginning.  Vince is also very clear about their arrangement, he will expect Marissa to be available for a variety of social/work events, she will be expected to intelligently converse with colleagues and their spouses, and there will be no physical component to their arrangement. 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA . . . . . . . .

Yeah, it takes both Marissa and Vince a hot minute to figure out there is an inevitable and undeniable attraction between them.  Their physical relationship is a matter of when, not if, and with each passing encounter, when gets ever closer.  What increases the attraction is the behavior Marissa and Vince exhibit towards one another.  Vince, though he wasn’t seeking a connection, feels strongly about Marissa and wants to not only help her, but protect her as well.  Marissa quickly discovers the skeevy and deceitful nature of Vince’s father, and steps up to run interference so Vince can further his business endeavors.  It is clear to all who meet the new “couple,” they are a strong partnership and work well together. 

Unfortunately, not all good partnerships are meant to last long-term, and due to circumstances beyond her control, Marissa’s life implodes even further.  Her crappy apartment floods, her ex comes back into her life and threatens both she and Vince, and Vince’s father is practicing dirty deeds behind the scenes that only Marissa has worked out.  Though they knew their arrangement was meant to be temporary, both Marissa and Vince had both been pondering the what if of long-term.  That is, before all awful showed up and some very hard decisions had to be made.

The Bottom Line:  I truly don’t feel like Christine d’Abo has ever let me down with her books.  I always know I am going to get solid characters, a good plot, and some seriously good naughty bits that enhance the read rather than overtake it.  I love naughty bits as much as the next girl, but I need them to be a logical part of a read and not just gratuitous sex.  That’s what I always get with these books.  One of the best aspects of this read for me is the twist of the Sugar Daddy website.  I like this as it’s a bit unconventional, completely interesting, and like nothing else I’m reading these days.  Using a fictional (I’m assuming) site like this allows for a whole host of characters and stories that can carry this series into multiple reads.  Onward and upward . . . .

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