Book Review: A Mechanic's Worst Nightmare

 

Title - A Mechanic's Worst Nightmare 

Author - S B Biddinger 

Series - Wes and Oz Mystery #2

Genre - Cozy Mystery Detective 

Published - 

Format - Paperback

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Synopsis 

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and Wes and Oz, his four legged buddy, were going to one of Wes’s favorite car shows at the Old Penitentiary. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky that was until Wes turned the key and fired up his ‘58 Thunderbird nicknamed “The Bird”. As the engine roared to life a large black cloud of smoke spewed out the exhaust. Unfortunately, Willy, Wes’s favorite mechanic, who knew every nut and bolt on the Bird, was away on vacation. It was Wes’s friend Jeff who recommended he take it to his mechanic, Muffin. It had been a couple of days since Wes had heard from Muffin so he decided to take Oz and pay a visit and check on their progress. He thought it was strange as the bay doors were wide open, music was blaring out from the shop but there was no one in sight. Wes spotted the Bird in the middle bay with its hood up and decided to venture out into the garage and look to see work was being done. Suddenly Oz started barking at the old Studebaker parked in the last bay. Wes was familiar with that bark and the hairs on the back of his neck immediately stood up on end. “Holy crap, what have we gotten ourselves into again?” he remarked to Oz. Detective Miller, an old college buddy, had Muffin in his sights as his number one suspect. But Jeff was sure his mechanic, Muffin, was innocent of the crime. He begged Wes to investigate and exonerate her. He even resorted to Wes’s weakness offering to pay him with a years supply of Betty’s amazing apple fritters. How could he refuse such an offer? With the support from Marti, the love of his life, Wes uncovers a tangled web of deceit, twisted romance and suspicious criminal activities. With Oz as body guard what could go wrong?

Opening line 

It was almost midnight and the way my stomach was acting up I should known better than to eat Mad Mary's Cafe Diablo Chili from Hell. 

Review

Wes is a private investigator who works on fraud cases for the state and insurance case he doesn't solve murders....except when his friend was murdered. He prefers his fraud cases with people watching instead of risking his life. When his regular mechanic is out of town he's forced to take Jeff's suggestion and take The Bird to his friend Muffin's shop.

 What should have been routine turns out wrong when Wes finds the body of one of the mechanics murdered in a classic car. Next thing he knows his friend is begging him to clear Muffins name and Marti isn't going to be happy about this one after almost being a casualty in the last murder case he solved. At least he won't be alone as he's always got Oz to watch his bad as he dives deep into solving the case. 

I love Wes he's quickly becoming one of my favorite characters but he's just so easy to connect with you can't help loving him. The cast of regular characters dance in and out between the pages as we get to learn more about them. I love the relationship between Marti and Wes it's adorable especially the way she wakes up in the mornings always makes me laugh. 

I totally thought I had this one figured out but he did it again totally didn't see it coming. I loved the twists and turns that kept me guessing till the very end and the final twist was the best. A Mechanics Worst Nightmare is another fantastic installment in Wes and Oz's adventures. I wish I had a dog as well trained as Oz I'm a little jealous. Totally recommend checking the series out. 

Book Review: Death of Trailer Queen

Title - Death of a Trailer Queen 

Author - S B Biddinger 

Series - Wes and Oz Mystery #1 

Genre - Cozy Mystery Detective 

Published - September 24 2018

Format - Paperback

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Synopsis 

It was a warm summer Saturday when Wes and his buddy Oz, a smooth coat collie, got ready for a day at the park. They were looking forward to checking out the vintage made American classic cars at the show and visiting with their friends. Little did he know by the end of the day his world would be turned upside down. His friend would have been murdered. Wes was a private investigator for the state and various insurance companies uncovering workman’s comp fraud. Over the years he had used keen observation skills, a camera from afar and a lot of patience to catch those perpetrators. However, he had never investigated a murder but this was his friend and he knew he had to find the killer. The more he uncovered the more danger he was in knowing that anyone on his list could be or was the killer. A trail of twisted clues would lead him through a world of deceit, drugs and broken hearts but with Oz at his side and the help from his friends he was able to…..

Opening line 

The night air was thick with humidity for this time of year causing my clothes to stick to my body. 

Review

Wes is a private investigator who works on fraud cases for the state and insurance cases. He owns a classic T-Bird and attends the shows with his dog Oz and beautiful wife Marti. When suddenly his friend and fellow car club members is murdered he finds himself tasked to find who killed Ed. Wes doesn't investigate murders but after he stumbled feet first into this one he takes up the case to find his friends murder. 

I am not a murder mystery fan at all this one has been sitting on my shelf for ages and I hate to admit I still didn't get to it by the time the third book is out. Right off the bat I found Wes easy to connect with his reminds me a lot of my dad and I just loved him. Death of the Trailer Queen is the first installment in the series giving us a chance to get to know Wes even Marti his beautiful wife who works for the airline. We also are introduced to the reoccurring characters in the series which are all great.  

I honestly feel like I have to blame Wes for making me have a apple fritter addiction he enjoys them so much that I had to find a donut shop that makes amazing ones even though I know Betty's are better. I may have eaten pizza a couple of times due to the club meeting at the pizza join owned by a new members. 

I loved Death of a Trailer Queen it is a fast paced action packed steam detective story it kept me guessing till the very end. I was sure I had it all figured out, so sure that I would have bet money I had it figured out and boom blindsided and totally didn't see it coming. The story is beautifully written it was a hard to put down book and I ended up staying up late to finish it. Highly recommend you won't be disappointed with all the twists and turns. 

Book Review: London Prep

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Title - London Prep

Author - Jillian Dodd 

Series - London Prep #1

Genre - Romance YA High School

Pages - 314

Published - March 19th 2020

Format - Kindle 

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London Prep—where the boys are as cute as their accents.

When my parents told me that I’d be spending three weeks at a London prep school on a student exchange my junior year, I was furious. I love New York. My school. My friends. And I didn’t want to leave. But after some not-so-subtle insistence about experiencing a new culture, gaining worldly knowledge, and the fact that it was only three weeks, I knew I wasn’t getting out of it.

So, I decided that if I had to go, I might as well have some fun.

Which was how I met Harry at a pub. His blue eyes, adorable accent, and charm instantly won me over—right after his lips did.

And I started to think that London might not be so bad.

But then I met Noah.

He’s tall, dark, intense, and spends way too much time in the shower. I know this because I have to live with him. And did I mention that he hates me?

first day at school is more eventful than I anticipated. A boy named Mohammad takes me under his wing, declares himself my guide to the “hostile and hormonal battlefield that is Kensington School,” and lays three facts on me:

He, Harry, and Noah are best mates.

I’m the new girl and bound to cause drama.

And I’ve already got his boys all twisted up.

I’m in way over my head, and it’s only my first day!

Opening line

"Book me a car to the airport because I don't want to ride with either of you." As the worlds leave my lips, I watch my parents eyes turn into saucers. 

Good. They deserved that. 

Snagged this picture from the Amazon page from the publisher

Review

Mallory's parents have decided that three weeks in London would be good for her even though she doesn't want to go. Upon arriving in London Mallory finds a warm welcome from her host mom who's happy to have her with them. She's sent off to school to get set up before the next day and on the way home hits a pub a little cider and ends up meeting a boy. 

Returning home she finally get's to meet the boy she will be living with for the next three weeks Noah who is less than thrilled to have her. At school the next day they find out that Noah happens to be best mates with Harry and Mohammad who all warm right up to her. However, Harry's ex is less than thrilled by his attention in Mallory. Things seem to be working out great as Mallory has fit right in with the trio but it doesn't last. 

I like Mallory she's an easy to connect with character you can't help liking her right from the start. I don't care much for Harry to be honest but I love Noah and Mohammad. I think Harry needs to grow on me maybe in the next book, but for the moment I just don't love him like the rest. I thought the concept was great three weeks in a new country a perfect chance to learn and explore. A quick read that I finished in a few reading sessions.

I picked this one up when it first came out because I've enjoyed other books by the author so I had to check it out but never seemed to get around to it yet. I love the authors story telling she always does a wonderful job. This one isn't one of my favorites and I wanted to love it but I didn't but maybe that's because I just love Noah for Mallory so much more than Harry. Still a great book but I may have to cheat and wait till the last book is released before reading the rest. 

Book Review: Rejected by Jaymin Eve

   Title - Rejected 

Author - Jaymin Eve
Pages - 378
Published - December 8th 2020
Series - Shadow Beast #1
Genre - Urban Fantasy Shifter 
Format - Kindle 

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#1 in the entire Kindle Store.

A new paranormal romance from Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller Jaymin Eve.

My father made a terrible mistake. One I’m left paying for.

As a wolf shifter growing up in a strong pack, I should be living my best life. But after my father tried to kill our leader, I’m labelled an outcast, traitor, less than dirt.

When I can't take pack life any longer, I run, but apparently they don't like losing their punching bag. Torin, the leader’s son, drags me back before my first shift... a shift that will reveal my true mate. I never could have predicted who mine would be, but the moment my wolf looks upon him, I’m filled with hope for a brighter future.

Afterall, no one ever rejects their true mate, right?

Wrong. Very wrong.

When the wolves attack, my soul screams for vengeance, and somehow I touch the shadow world. Somehow I bring him to our lands.

The Shadow Beast. Our shifter god. The devil himself.

Turns out being rejected by my mate was only the beginning.

Opening line

From the ashes, the phoenix will rise. 

I reread that line from my college assignment. 

Review

I picked Rejected to read purely based on the cover didn't even read the synopsis before starting. Mera's father made a mistake that destroyed her family and life in the pack she lost more than just a father that day. Now she's bulled by her peers in the pack, treated as the lowest in the pack and struggling to survive. What keeps her going is that one day she will have control of her wolf and be able to run away from the pack with her best friend. 

After her first shift she finds that her mate is none other than one of her tormentors who rejects her. As she and her wolf are rejected she does something she shouldn't be able to do touches the shadow world catching the attention of Shadow Beast the creator of shifters. He sweeps her off into his world with a mission to figure out how to touch the shadow world and catch the creatures she released touching the shadow world. 

I loved Mera right from the start she is easy to connect with you can't help loving her. She's a little broken but now that she's escaped her abusive pack she has a chance to find herself and learn more about who she is. I'm so on the fence about Shadow I want to love him but I'm not sure I trust him yet. I guess we will see how it goes in the next book. I also like Angel's part in the story and can't wait to learn more about her story. 

I've read several books by Jaymin Eve so I have high expectations for her books and Rejected doesn't disappoint. I love the authors writing style it's easy to get lost in and lose all track of time as Mera's story is hard to put down ended up finishing it in just a few hours. I loved the story it's a cliffhanger so I plan to wait till the third book before reading the 2nd one. I'm terrible with book hangovers. Highly recommend you won't be disappointed. Another amazing series by the author.  

Book Review: Wolf Girl by Leia Stone

  Title - Wolf Girl 
Author - Leia Stone
Series - Wolf Girl #1 

Genre - New Adult Paranormal

Format - Kindle 
Pages - 300

Published - December 27th 2020
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When my parents were banished from Wolf City before I was born, I thought there was no way I would ever live in a pack again. Cuffed, with my shifter magic bound, I was forced to go to school with witches in order to keep my true nature from coming out.

Then I met him.

Sawyer Hudson.

The Alpha's son was visiting Delphi Witches' College and spotted me. He took one look at me, and an hour later, I was being pulled out of school, taken into Wolf City and leaving my parents and everything I knew behind.

It's the Alpha's son's selection year, the year he must pick a mate, and every female aged 18-22 must be in attendance.

I've landed myself in the middle of Werewolf Bachelor, and just when I think I've got a handle on things, Sawyer releases my cuffs, unbinds my magic, and sees what I really am.

The problem is, I don't know what this creature is that I transform into. It's not an ordinary werewolf, that's for damn sure.

Opening line

Mondays. 

I hated Mondays. They were like your period, they just snuck up on you out of nowhere and ruined your week. 

Review

I've had my eye on Wolf Girl since I saw the cover reveal ages ago. I've been eagerly waiting for what felt like forever for it to come out. Demi's parents have been banished from Wolf City so all she knows is life living with her parents her wolf cuffed. She's never known the thrill of being able to shift like other shifters her own age. Demi's life is pretty awful until she has a chance encounter with the blue eyed Sawyer who happened to be visiting. Little did she know that this chance meeting would change her life forever. 

Whisked away to Wolf City as all females must be present as the future alpha picks his mate. She get's her first real taste of how the werewolves really live. She has her cuffs removed and will now have the chance to shift like everyone else. Only she's not like the other wolves she's different but being different isn't always a good thing. As the mating process continues she finds herself falling for Sawyer as he dates all 50 girls and then narrows it down to 20 girls. Will she survive her very own werewolf bachelor? What about the secrets that are lurking just below the surface? Or the fact that someone is hunting her? 

I devoured Wolf Girl in a few short hours it was impossible to put down. I couldn't wait to learn more about Demi and see her relationship unfold with Sawyer. I admit I'm a huge bachelor & bachelorette fan so the appeal right off the bat was there. I love Demi so much she's quickly become one of my favorite characters of all time. I love her personality, she's so easy to relate with plus I love the author has given her a real Instagram account. That made me smile as I had to follow. I love the relationship's that Demi has with Sage her new best friend in Wolf City, and the chemistry with Sawyer I found it sweet.

The author is a wonderful story teller she's created a beautiful captivating story that left me dying to get my hands on the next one. This isn't my first book by the author so I had some high exceptions and she exceed them by leaps and bounds with Wolf Girl. Add in the creative instagram accounts for Demi and Sawyer I think she nailed this one. Highly recommend if you love shifter romance with a story that keeps the readers on the edge of our seat. I admit we have a cliffhanger that still has me reeling but at least the wait for book 2 isn't to far away. This may be my new favorite series, and already can see a re-read in my future. 

Book Review: Blood Moon by JJ King

 Title - Blood Moon 
Author - JJ King 
Series - Alpha Wolf Academy #3 

Genre - Young Adult Paranormal

Format - Kindle 
Pages - 256

Published - June 18th 2020
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A troubled relationship, a political attack, a backstabbing traitor, and a whole shitload of trouble. 

Elena Jensen is done being the victim. She's stronger now and ready to begin training her most valuable asset, her natural born Alpha powers. Life would actually be looking up, if it weren't for the price on her head and her soulmate's inability to move past the moment she'd shared with Connor during the plane crash. 

When she begins training with someone uniquely qualified to help with her new powers, Elena starts to think that maybe she has a chance against her psychotic uncle and that maybe she could one day reclaim what is rightfully hers. 

Elena's hopes and plans come crashing down when The Sisterhood is attacked on multiple fronts, leaving her new allies reeling and vengeful against those who would harm them. Caught up in the rush of political upheaval, Elena never sees the hand that betrays her or the blow that threatens her life. 

 

You'll never know how much strength you have until you're given the choice to fight or die. 

Fans of Vampire Academy and Legacies will want to sink their teeth into Alpha Wolf Academy! 

Opening line

Sweet dripped into my eyes, stinging them, blurring them, but I ignored it and kept my focus locked on the man standing across from me. 

Review

Blood Moon is the third installment of the Alpha Wolf Academy that tells the story of Elena Jensen. She's come along way from the girl who started the new year at Alpha Wolf Academy all alone. Now she's found her mate, has new best friends, a sisterhood, new family, and started learning about her abilities. She's survived multiple attacks from her crazy uncle who is determined to eliminate the competition. 

Elena has been training and working on controlling her alpha abilities, with the help of her sisters in the sisterhood. Her relationship is growing with Bash her soulmate, and her friends are finding new loves. However, the danger to the sisterhood and her uncle is out there still hunting her and it's only time before he catches her. 

I love Elena she's smart, stubborn, fiercely loyal, and a fighter. She's one of the characters you can't help liking right from the start. Blood Moon is the third installment of the series and the more we get to know her the more I find myself liking her as well as the people around her. Bash is a perfect partner to her they complement each other well and have this sizzling chemistry. I liked Rory as well right from the start she was the perfect ally for Elena. 

This is the first series I've read by JJ King but I've become a quick fan as I've gobbled up the first three books, and can't wait to dive into the fourth book. I love her writing style it flows smoothly it was easy to get lost in Elena's story and lose all track of time. I've found the Alpha Wolf Academy series captivating with a great series of characters and a story that just flows and keeps us guessing. I can't wait till the next installment and see how Elena's future unfolds now. Highly recommend if you enjoy shifter academy novels to check this one out. The author has put her own unique spin on the shifter world.