Sweet Home Highland Christmas really stood out for me because of the hero. Captain Gregory Pennington isn't your typical soldier or spare to inherit a title. He's an engineer! This really excited me, and I think the authors did a great job showing his intellect, curiosity, and problem-solving skills all along the journey as he escorted Freya and her five-year-old niece, Ella.

Ella really steals the show. I love when a child can be such a central part of a romance, and I don't see that very often in the historical genre. If there are just tons of these out there that I haven't heard of yet, feel free to drop the title in the comments so I can check them out. Ella is also very intelligent, and when she meets Pennington, she promptly decides that he would be a much better husband for her aunt than the cousin Freya has been dreading to marry.

While this isn't a love at first sight story, it is a case of falling in love quickly. As the small party journeys through the Scottish countryside in the winter, I was able to get to know these characters through an ice-skating break, bedtime stories, and midnight confessions. The story takes place during the Christmas season, but it really wasn't mentioned too much until the very end, which I found a tad rushed, like the authors were running into a word or page count limit, but overall a very satisfying story.

X-Ops is a favorite of mine, and coyote shifter Trevor Maxwell is a great example of why. He's sarcastic, witty, and loyal to his team above all else. Even when he knows that his teammate has been sent to spy on him. Alina was hit and miss for me. I understood her trust issues, but I didn't understand why they weren't universal. She wouldn't trust her teammate because she trusted someone else that said he was bad. But why did she trust that someone else?

Aside from my hesitation over who Alina chose to trust, she was a really fun character. There are several undercover scenes that were just perfect. The dialog and interactions between Trevor and Alina were hot! And the way they build up the tension.....I wasn't sure if they were going to implode before they got together or not.

There's also a cute dog that the neighbor watches who has an amazing habit of busting in at inopportune times to help lighten the mood. However, it wasn't all fun and laughs. There are some pretty serious things happening in the world of X-Ops. Just when you think the bad guys have been dealt a death blow - they seem to jump right back up with some new back pocket plan and ally. Tons of suspense and I was on the edge of my seat for many reasons throughout Her Dark Half.

*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*

The Trouble with Mirrors ties up a lot of loose ends in Alix London's life - many of which revolve around her "Uncle" Tiny. When a treasured mirror that Tiny had gifted her is stolen, it opens a door to an old international art scandal. Leave it to Alex to find herself right in the middle of it all.

Using her "Art Whisperer" intuition and her extensive knowledge of everything art related (which was a bit over the top because you can't be an expert in all of it - there's just too much.) This was far more exciting and thrilling than the past books in the series. There's mafia, Italian police, FBI, and all of Alix's crew back home. Each group with their own objectives and ways to accomplish them.

In the end, we have a tad bit rushed reveal and another case solved by Alix and her friends. This book stood out more as a group effort to solve the case, involving all of Alix's friends and family. This appears to be the last book in the Alix London series so far, but I'd definitely read more if they are written.

*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*

Lover Reborn is the story of two second-chances. Tohrment may have returned to the Brotherhood physically, but mentally and emotionally he is lost, consumed with the pain of losing his shellan and child. His obsession with remembering them is actually a very bad thing. While he should never forget them, the angel Lassiter reveals that Tor's actions have actually doomed his lost family.

I wasn't a really big fan of this story. When Tor is told he needs to move on and love again, he does everything but. And it's pretty obvious, but no one seems to call him out on it. He treats No'one like garbage, and because of her past, she feels like she deserves it. Sound familiar? It's a very toxic start to a relationship.

Ward manages to salvage their relationship, so don't think this isn't going to have a somewhat happy ending, but the whole thing left a sour taste in my mouth. The saving grace? Tor's dead family and the real turning moment of the book. I'm glad to see Tor on the road to becoming a whole person again, and before the loss of his shellan, he was one of my favorite brothers. Hopefully, I'll get to see more of that person now that we have all this out of the way.

When vintage clothing store owner Cookie Chanel (I have to admit that name is perfect for her) finds herself haunted by a ghost named Charlotte. She discovers the only way to get rid of the ghost is to solve a murder. This isn't just any ghost. It's a ghost with a keen eye for vintage fashion and a sarcastic side.

Charlotte is determined to find out who killed her, and since Cookie is the only person who can see her, then Cookie is the one she'll follow until her murder is solved. I really loved the southern genteel side that so casually mixed with a dash of sarcasm and a little "who is more fashionable" competition. And there are plenty of vintage fashion and shopping tips for anyone who loves the look.

The book moved a little slow for me and there were just too many wrong leads. Even though the case was solved in the end, it seemed like I had forgotten how it all started by the time we got there. Now, I was listening to the story in audiobook form, so perhaps the physical copy would have "read" faster.

There were some very funny scenes that I really enjoyed, and they made the slow pace a little easier to listen to. This is much more of a sit back and relax kind of read than what I'm used to even from cozy mysteries.

The Sullivans are a really fun family, and when I saw that book four about the librarian and book lover of the family, I couldn't resist. Sophie Sullivan is a "good girl" and is often overlooked as a person no one needs to worry about because she will always do the right thing. But that has gotten her nowhere with the one man she's had a crush on for years. She decides to liven up her life and live on the edge a little, taking a page out of her twin sister's naughty ways. I'm sure Sophie would have for me to say this, but it was adorable. I loved seeing her take risks and come out of her shell. She turned into a bold woman that wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted in life.

On the other half of this romantic equation, we have Jake. Jake was all-but-adopted by the Sullivans and grew up thinking of Sophie as the sister he needed to protect. When Sophie turns the tables on him and starts her pursuit, he really doesn't have a clue how to handle it. Watching the good girl fluster the bad boy with her naughty ways was refreshing, and I really enjoyed it.

The downside to this book, and to the series so far, is that some of the intimate scenes just feel like the writing was forced and don't always flow with the story. I sort of want to just take them out and enjoy reading about the bond Sophie and Jake are building because that is what makes this a good story.

Private was an interesting audio experience. I can now say that I have tried - and don't like - audiobooks with music. It's one thing to have a few seconds between chapters when no one is talking, but music with the talking is just too hard to listen to.



The story of Private is an exciting and very busy one though. Private investigator Jack Morgan takes on three different very high profile cases throughout the book, which I think was a little much (unless they all intersected, which they don't). I feel like the case of the dead teenagers and the murder of his friend's wife should have been separate stories as they were both very complicated and I hated bouncing away from either one of them. It made the book a little confusing with all the information and clues being found and discussed.



I also really didn't like Jack. He has some legitimate issues of PTSD that he's not actually dealing with. But he also treats the women in his life like crap with a fear of commitment and need for "freedom" that I just wasn't buying into. The worst part was that these women were very intelligent and still fell for it. Unfortunately, I don't see myself continuing this series with a lead character that I just don't like.

Under Lock & Key was a book club pick (thank you book club). Penelope's witchy family isn't very traditional, and we can tell right from the start that she isn't either. When she returns from selling potions in her houseboat, she stumbles right back into her crazy family life, but this time there's also a murder involved.

When she decides to help the police solve the crime, she begins a crazy journey with her Granny, a talking goat, and her best friend. Their story is hilarious, and I loved all the unique characters with such fun personalities and quirks. The mystery wasn't a doozy by any means, but the author was careful not to give it all away too soon. This book is perfect for escaping reality for an evening.

Holy cow. L.K. Shaw takes her Secrets series to a new level in Secrets of Betrayal. When Phebe is rescued from sex traffickers, it isn't the beginning of everything being OK. It's the beginning of an incredibly difficult journey back to something that might eventually resemble normal. She's withdrawn and doesn't really think much of life anymore. Even though she is free, she keeps herself locked away in her mind, in a house, in a garden.

Donovan wants to see Phebe shine again, to see her come out of her withdrawal and rejoin the living. He doesn't expect her to work her way into her heart and soul. As the two of them connect and begin to heal we see something really special happening. A relationship. This book is so character-driven it gave me tingles. I really became a part of their lives and wanted to anything to help them figure out that they needed to be together.

This book does contain some dark parts, but I hope you don't let that stop you from reading this amazing series.

The Designer shows a side of the Paris fashion world that isn't often seen - a side of Paris after the liberation that isn't often seen. American Copper Reilly remains in Paris after separating from her husband and finds herself collecting a rather odd group of friends, beginning with an obscure fashion designer named Christian Dior.

We may all know the name of Christian Dior now, but when the story begins he's just another designer at a fashion house. Copper and Christian's stories of finding their way run somewhat parallel as they both give independence a try with varying degrees of success. Copper's life is filled with eccentric people, and she soon learns that everyone has a secret.

While this book isn't a wild and crazy adventure or a romance for the ages, it drew me in and held me there. I wanted to walk alongside with Copper as she explored the city around her, made friends, learned life lessons, and experienced real love.