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The Crazy Cat Ladies
The Crazy Cat Lady boxed set lets 9 new purr-fectly wild romance stories out of the bag. There’s something to scratch the itch for every reader; comedy to suspense, sweet to deliciously scorching. We hope you enjoy these paw-some tails from New York Times, USA Today, & other authors.
The Vet & the Geek (Gone Geek #2) Sidney Bristol, NYT & USA
When veterinarian Raul is reunited with his lost cat he gets more than he bargained for in Miranda, the sassy woman who wipes the floor with his subpar gaming skills. But Miranda doesn’t know if Raul is flirting with her, or if he’s the stalker she’s lived in fear of for years. Is he the crazy cat guy of her dreams, or does he want her—dead or alive?
Mr. November by Melanie Ting
Marty Devonshire is the feared tough guy of the Vancouver Vice hockey team, yet he’s afraid to make a move on petite Elaine Salang. It will be up to the entire team—& Knightley the cat—to convince Marty to take a chance on love.
Cat Scratch Fever, L.C. Alleyne
Inspector Rafael Montigue detects the scent of a potential mate during a delegate meeting. Kristin Wallin is working undercover to bring down the Brazilian Minister’s drug ring. When terrorists attack, Rafe exposes his panther shifter identity in order to protect Kristin, but she surprises him with secrets of her own that make him look like an innocent kitty cat.
Decker & Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance, Elle Rush
Jaded P.I. Decker Harkness must track down a missing prototype if he wants a shot at a corporate security contract. Sexy cat shelter manager Joy McCall has her own investigation running - she needs to figure out who broke into Kitten Caboodle and made off with her foster kittens. They'll have to work together to get the happy ending they both deserve.
Cats in the Cradle, Jerri Drennen
Being accused of murder by the red-haired beauty, Beatrice Dailey, a woman known to be the crazy cat lady in the neighborhood, somehow kick-starts Sam Littman's floundering career. Soon he finds himself writing her as the main character in his novel—but as fact & fiction start to blur, Sam & Beatrice tumble headfirst into something most unexpected.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2), Lori Whyte
When a neighbor's cat deposits a severed finger on Rachel Connor's doorstep, the last thing she expects is that it'll bring Grady Randall back into her life. He shattered her heart when they were teenagers, but she finds herself turning to him when a menacing stranger shows up at her door. Can their reunion & reignited attraction survive the night or will the murderer strike again?
Sanctuary, Sukie Chapin
When Indiana finds her life is in shambles & her exotic cat sanctuary on the verge of bankruptcy, her only hope rests in the capable hands of a tall, dark, & bearded stranger. Jake’s on the hunt for the only good thing left in his life his lost lion Loki, but he never expected his search to lead him to beautiful, anguished Indy & her dilapidated refuge. As their attraction grows fiercer than the lions they love, Indy & Jake must decide if they can overcome old wounds & fears to find sanctuary in each other’s arms.
Mr. Hot Stuff, Abby Cheshire
After eight awful & all too memorable blind dates in a row, all Lily wants is to stay home with a good book & her five cats. But when her latest rescue cat Captain Kitt goes klepto & steals a set of keys that belong to the hunky fireman in the neighborhood - Lily may be closer to a perfect match than she ever imagined.
The Vet & the Geek (Gone Geek #2) Sidney Bristol, NYT & USA
When veterinarian Raul is reunited with his lost cat he gets more than he bargained for in Miranda, the sassy woman who wipes the floor with his subpar gaming skills. But Miranda doesn’t know if Raul is flirting with her, or if he’s the stalker she’s lived in fear of for years. Is he the crazy cat guy of her dreams, or does he want her—dead or alive?
Mr. November by Melanie Ting
Marty Devonshire is the feared tough guy of the Vancouver Vice hockey team, yet he’s afraid to make a move on petite Elaine Salang. It will be up to the entire team—& Knightley the cat—to convince Marty to take a chance on love.
Cat Scratch Fever, L.C. Alleyne
Inspector Rafael Montigue detects the scent of a potential mate during a delegate meeting. Kristin Wallin is working undercover to bring down the Brazilian Minister’s drug ring. When terrorists attack, Rafe exposes his panther shifter identity in order to protect Kristin, but she surprises him with secrets of her own that make him look like an innocent kitty cat.
Decker & Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance, Elle Rush
Jaded P.I. Decker Harkness must track down a missing prototype if he wants a shot at a corporate security contract. Sexy cat shelter manager Joy McCall has her own investigation running - she needs to figure out who broke into Kitten Caboodle and made off with her foster kittens. They'll have to work together to get the happy ending they both deserve.
Cats in the Cradle, Jerri Drennen
Being accused of murder by the red-haired beauty, Beatrice Dailey, a woman known to be the crazy cat lady in the neighborhood, somehow kick-starts Sam Littman's floundering career. Soon he finds himself writing her as the main character in his novel—but as fact & fiction start to blur, Sam & Beatrice tumble headfirst into something most unexpected.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2), Lori Whyte
When a neighbor's cat deposits a severed finger on Rachel Connor's doorstep, the last thing she expects is that it'll bring Grady Randall back into her life. He shattered her heart when they were teenagers, but she finds herself turning to him when a menacing stranger shows up at her door. Can their reunion & reignited attraction survive the night or will the murderer strike again?
Sanctuary, Sukie Chapin
When Indiana finds her life is in shambles & her exotic cat sanctuary on the verge of bankruptcy, her only hope rests in the capable hands of a tall, dark, & bearded stranger. Jake’s on the hunt for the only good thing left in his life his lost lion Loki, but he never expected his search to lead him to beautiful, anguished Indy & her dilapidated refuge. As their attraction grows fiercer than the lions they love, Indy & Jake must decide if they can overcome old wounds & fears to find sanctuary in each other’s arms.
Mr. Hot Stuff, Abby Cheshire
After eight awful & all too memorable blind dates in a row, all Lily wants is to stay home with a good book & her five cats. But when her latest rescue cat Captain Kitt goes klepto & steals a set of keys that belong to the hunky fireman in the neighborhood - Lily may be closer to a perfect match than she ever imagined.
- GenresContemporaryAnthologies
1119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2016
11 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Carlisle
154 books593 followersUSA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes or quirky outcasts. Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and The Romance Reviews.
When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She was stationed in Okinawa while in the Marines, backpacked alone through Europe, and worked in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s married with two kids, two cats, and too many fish.
When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She was stationed in Okinawa while in the Marines, backpacked alone through Europe, and worked in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s married with two kids, two cats, and too many fish.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 10, 2016
This cat-friendly (dare I say cat obsessed? LOL) box set is a delightful mix of stories ranging from contemporary to paranormal but all featuring strong male and female characters with a range of sexy times from sweet to steamy. This is a review for three of the stories in the collection.
The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol
Video game designer (and all around kickass webmistress) Miranda has experienced some unsettling events in the last few years and knows she's being stalked but is unable to determine the culprit. It makes her wary and cautious, for good reason. When she brings in her cat to a vet in her area, Raul, they both get a surprise, when it turns out her cat used to be his. And, that kittens are imminent! Though at first suspicious of the coincidence, she soon realizes it's just that, a coincidence and they swiftly form a friendship, then become lovers. There are some steamy scenes between them as their relationship heats up, and some action packed scenes especially later on when the stalker plot really comes into play. I loved having Miranda work in what's usually considered a male dominated field and that Raul was just as impressed with her skills. He comes across as a really nice guy hero (and a talented lover) and gets to put his protective hat on when she confides in him her stalker problems. I enjoyed this story, and found it to be a real page turner.
Mr. November by Melanie Ting
This story is part of the Vancouver Vice series, but easily read as a standalone. Matty is an enforcer on his AHL team. When the promo department wants to make a deal with a local shelter to buy their internet domain name, it's win win for both of them - money for the shelter, and a fundraising calendar with the guys, pairing them with cats and kittens for the photo shoot. It's here that Matty has the opportunity to meet Elaine, an accountant who works there part time. He develops a special relationship with Knightley, a rescue cat and adopts him (with his roommate, who totally admits that he's more interested in Elaine than the cat, though she rejects his advances). Elaine isn't sure what to think about Matty, his rough ways on the ice giving her pause. But she soon realizes that he's got a kind and gentle heart. Though Matty is only 23, it doesn't read as a new adult story (to me anyway) as he's quite established on his team and in this story gets some great ice time and the chance to advance his skills. I loved meeting Elaine's Filipino family (and I admit, I love their food so hearing about some of the specialties Matty gets to eat when he meets them was an extra bonus!). Elaine is a smart and cautious young woman, and doesn't rush into things with Matty, though she finds him attractive. It's quite a lovely story, a slow burn romance that culminates in a sexy scene, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance
This story wraps two holiday themes in one, Halloween and Christmas, in a fun and engaging story that has some cute kittens to make you smile while providing an interesting plot and sweet romance. Decker's investigative work has seen lots of different cases solved, but this latest one, from the North Pole Unlimited company to track down a missing prototype cleverly hidden in a toy doll has him investigating cat shelters as possible sites for the missing item, possibly hidden in a pet toy shipment that went to Kitten Caboodle. A GPS tracker shows Decker that what he's searching for is somewhere in the mall - he just doesn't expect to find an intriguing woman while on the case! Joy has her hands full with a set of four foster kittens (whose antics are very cute) not to mention the rest of the animals at the shelter where she works. But Decker is too irresistible to resist and even though she knows he's hiding something from her, a date and then another quickly cements their friendship. While searching for the prototype Decker soon realizes that a rival pet shop isn't on the up and up and there is a secondary plot and mystery for him to figure out. It's a well written, entertaining story with a sweet and sexy romance and a lovely happy ending.
The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol
Video game designer (and all around kickass webmistress) Miranda has experienced some unsettling events in the last few years and knows she's being stalked but is unable to determine the culprit. It makes her wary and cautious, for good reason. When she brings in her cat to a vet in her area, Raul, they both get a surprise, when it turns out her cat used to be his. And, that kittens are imminent! Though at first suspicious of the coincidence, she soon realizes it's just that, a coincidence and they swiftly form a friendship, then become lovers. There are some steamy scenes between them as their relationship heats up, and some action packed scenes especially later on when the stalker plot really comes into play. I loved having Miranda work in what's usually considered a male dominated field and that Raul was just as impressed with her skills. He comes across as a really nice guy hero (and a talented lover) and gets to put his protective hat on when she confides in him her stalker problems. I enjoyed this story, and found it to be a real page turner.
Mr. November by Melanie Ting
This story is part of the Vancouver Vice series, but easily read as a standalone. Matty is an enforcer on his AHL team. When the promo department wants to make a deal with a local shelter to buy their internet domain name, it's win win for both of them - money for the shelter, and a fundraising calendar with the guys, pairing them with cats and kittens for the photo shoot. It's here that Matty has the opportunity to meet Elaine, an accountant who works there part time. He develops a special relationship with Knightley, a rescue cat and adopts him (with his roommate, who totally admits that he's more interested in Elaine than the cat, though she rejects his advances). Elaine isn't sure what to think about Matty, his rough ways on the ice giving her pause. But she soon realizes that he's got a kind and gentle heart. Though Matty is only 23, it doesn't read as a new adult story (to me anyway) as he's quite established on his team and in this story gets some great ice time and the chance to advance his skills. I loved meeting Elaine's Filipino family (and I admit, I love their food so hearing about some of the specialties Matty gets to eat when he meets them was an extra bonus!). Elaine is a smart and cautious young woman, and doesn't rush into things with Matty, though she finds him attractive. It's quite a lovely story, a slow burn romance that culminates in a sexy scene, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance
This story wraps two holiday themes in one, Halloween and Christmas, in a fun and engaging story that has some cute kittens to make you smile while providing an interesting plot and sweet romance. Decker's investigative work has seen lots of different cases solved, but this latest one, from the North Pole Unlimited company to track down a missing prototype cleverly hidden in a toy doll has him investigating cat shelters as possible sites for the missing item, possibly hidden in a pet toy shipment that went to Kitten Caboodle. A GPS tracker shows Decker that what he's searching for is somewhere in the mall - he just doesn't expect to find an intriguing woman while on the case! Joy has her hands full with a set of four foster kittens (whose antics are very cute) not to mention the rest of the animals at the shelter where she works. But Decker is too irresistible to resist and even though she knows he's hiding something from her, a date and then another quickly cements their friendship. While searching for the prototype Decker soon realizes that a rival pet shop isn't on the up and up and there is a secondary plot and mystery for him to figure out. It's a well written, entertaining story with a sweet and sexy romance and a lovely happy ending.
October 10, 2016
The Crazy Cat Ladies Anthology This review is for MR. NOVEMBER (Vancouver Vice #4) by Melanie Ting. I haven’t had the opportunity to read the rest of the books yet. I have skimmed through the other books; they look promising, and I am looking forward to reading them.
I follow Melanie Ting’s Vancouver Vice Series and was eager to read the next book in the series. I was not disappointed. This story was adorable. I love both cats and hockey so MR. NOVEMBER gave me my fix of both.
AHL enforcer Marty Devonshire is asked to pose for a team charity calendar promoting a local cat shelter. While there, he meets volunteer Elaine Salang and Knightley the Cat; both changing his life. This contemporary sports romance takes place in Vancouver, Canada.
I really enjoyed the characters. Marty is super sweet. He is tough on the ice and shy off of it. I love how his team mates band together to try to help Marty gain the confidence to pursue Elaine. Although it was clearly all Knightley the cats doing. I love that Marty adopts Knightley and that they both have a scar on their face. They make very compatible companions. Elaine is a caring heroine. She is smart and hard working. She has a great family. I can understand why she was hesitant about Marty, and I’m glad she gave it another chance. The couple and cat are great together.
At first, I wasn’t crazy about Marty’s roommate, Jonesy, but he ends up being a good guy. I was happy that Amanda Richardson from AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE played a role in this story. I like that her cat was brought up. I appreciated that Eric Fairburn from book one, THE TAO OF HOCKEY, gave Marty some sound advice. I also, love the tip-in hockey scenes with Eric.
The story was well-written and believable. It had a sweet ending. MR. NOVEMBER is an excellent addition to the Vancouver Vice Series.
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
I follow Melanie Ting’s Vancouver Vice Series and was eager to read the next book in the series. I was not disappointed. This story was adorable. I love both cats and hockey so MR. NOVEMBER gave me my fix of both.
AHL enforcer Marty Devonshire is asked to pose for a team charity calendar promoting a local cat shelter. While there, he meets volunteer Elaine Salang and Knightley the Cat; both changing his life. This contemporary sports romance takes place in Vancouver, Canada.
I really enjoyed the characters. Marty is super sweet. He is tough on the ice and shy off of it. I love how his team mates band together to try to help Marty gain the confidence to pursue Elaine. Although it was clearly all Knightley the cats doing. I love that Marty adopts Knightley and that they both have a scar on their face. They make very compatible companions. Elaine is a caring heroine. She is smart and hard working. She has a great family. I can understand why she was hesitant about Marty, and I’m glad she gave it another chance. The couple and cat are great together.
At first, I wasn’t crazy about Marty’s roommate, Jonesy, but he ends up being a good guy. I was happy that Amanda Richardson from AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE played a role in this story. I like that her cat was brought up. I appreciated that Eric Fairburn from book one, THE TAO OF HOCKEY, gave Marty some sound advice. I also, love the tip-in hockey scenes with Eric.
The story was well-written and believable. It had a sweet ending. MR. NOVEMBER is an excellent addition to the Vancouver Vice Series.
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2016
ARC REVIEW
I enjoyed this collection it's a little bit of everything and for just being .99 cents it's a great deal. Out of the nine I've only read Sidney Bristol before and out of the eight new authors I only disliked one story.
The Vet and the Geek: By Sidney Bristol
Love, Love, Love, love, love. I loved Miranda, I loved Raul, I love the whole Geeks Gone Wild series, I loved this story, and I love Sidney Bristol. Miranda is the kind of person I wish I could be she had a dream and she went for it and didn't let anything or anyone stand in her way. ( Although with how I am I'm probably more like Tamara) Raul is a sweetheart, who wouldn't love a sexy vet. I've said it before and I'll say it again I love the whole Geeks Gone Wild concept, the friendship and that they stand by each other no matter what. The story was fantastic the conflict between Miranda and her stalker, and the internal struggle Miranda is going through that affects her relationship with Raul. Sidney Bristol is just so talented; geek, suspense, humor, and romance she manages to tie it all in so well.
Mr. November: By Melanie Ting
How have I not read this author before, must read more soon. Melanie Ting managed to make an erotica romance so damn sweet. I loved that Marty, the enforcer and most feared guy on the team of the Vancouver Vice hockey team, is such a shy and sweet guy. I liked that Elaine is straightforward and wasn't afraid to make the first move or admit when she made a mistake. I enjoyed that the whole hockey team was there for Marty to try and help with Elaine and not to forget Knightley such a sweety.
Cat Scratch Fever: By L.C. Alleyne
I'm not familiar with this author but I have to say I'm intrigued. Smokin' hot Brazilian panther shifter who lives in Norway and whose best friend is a Norwegian Forest Cat (I love those big beautiful wild cats). Rafael is alpha male to the tee and when it comes to his potential mate he's willing to risk his career. Kristin I think bit off more than she could chew when she decided to help a friend and go undercover to take down a drug ring run by someone high in the Brazilian government hierarchy. The story had a nice twist and was very exciting and hooked me from the start to finish.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance: By Elle Rush
I want more, this seems like it would be a really cute series. Decker is a private investigator whose future rest on finding a certain toy that's not market ready on behalf of the NPU corporation. Joy is enjoying her time as the manager of Kitten Caboodle, but it was only suppose to be part time until she got her veterinarian's assistant diploma but that was years ago and she knows it's time to move on. Decker tracks the toys GPS tracker to the mall and not only does he find what he's looking for with a little bit of effort he finds his HEA too. This was a sweet story and a wonderful mystery.
Cats in the Cradle: By Jerri Drennen
Another mystery, this one is a small suburb where the local crazy cat lady gets stuck in the middle of a sticky situation. Beatrice is a psychiatrist on the mend of her own emotional breakdown keeps a close watch on her neighborhood with a new neighbor and a murder she can't help but speculate but that only leads to bring Sam into her life. Sam is house sitting for his sitter and trying to get his writing career back on track, and the meddling neighbor only leads to act as a muse for his own story. Beatrice wanting to learn more about the murder just raises more questions and unwanted feelings for Sam. This was a really good one with an unexpected ending.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2): By Lori Whyte
Don't let the fact that this is the second book in a series it can be read as a standalone. Another Mystery although a little heavier on the romance and suspense. This is a second chance romance Rachel and Grady fell in love in high school but with his family's bad reputation he didn't want to taint her with it and now he's back in town, they are both single living next door to her and what bring them together is a severed finger. This was a very exciting read if not a little predictable but I would like to know more about those brothers.
Sanctuary: By Sukie Chapin
Okay, so this is the one I didn't like, it just wasn't for me. The story was just very drawn out and boring and FYI: CLIFFHANGER. Indy runs a big cat sanctuary and hires Jake to help out. Jake is lying about his past and the only thing he wants is his lion back. There is a lot of internal struggle and dialogue for both Indy who is still struggling with the death of her mother and Jake who was framed to look like he abused his lion. The story goes in circles for a 22 chapters (short chapters) one chapter of foreplay then one chapter of sex then it's over; the story just felt incomplete. I couldn't not connect to the characters by the end I just didn't care anymore.
Mr. Hot Stuff: By Abby Cheshire
Cute, sweet, and so romantic. Poor Lily has suffered through eight horrible blind dates and her newest fur baby is a klepto who keeps stealing the car keys from their new neighbor; the neighbor Lily has been crushing on since he moved in. Lily's godmother/landlady has one last blind date lined up for Lily and then she promises no more. But with Lily what can go wrong will go wrong first the line of bad dates, she sprains her ankle and accidently falls on a cactus in front of her crush who it looks like has a beautiful girlfriend already. When she finally gives in on the blind date she gets stood up. But Lily's godmother isn't ready for her to give up just yet. This was a funny story, I hated to laugh at Lily's misfortune but it was so amusing and it really had such a sweet ending.
Dress Blues:By Lisa Carlisle
The last book in the collection and definitely one of my favorites. I liked the bit of role reversal going on with this story; normally it's the hero who goes off to war and comes back broken but in this story it's the heroine who comes home broken. Vivi and Jack were both Marines, they met while stationed in Japan and quickly started to fall for each other but Jack was an officer and Vivi was enlisted and that is very big no no, so they each went their separate ways but never forgetting one another. A couple years later they run into each other at a charity function. What may look like happenstance is what Vivi has been secretly hoping for ever since she moved to Boston; knowing it was Jack's home town when she decided to move there. This was relatively conflict free except for Vivi's internal struggle with her damaged leg and letting Jack in, but it was such a great story to read.
Overall, this was a great collection.
I enjoyed this collection it's a little bit of everything and for just being .99 cents it's a great deal. Out of the nine I've only read Sidney Bristol before and out of the eight new authors I only disliked one story.
The Vet and the Geek: By Sidney Bristol
Love, Love, Love, love, love. I loved Miranda, I loved Raul, I love the whole Geeks Gone Wild series, I loved this story, and I love Sidney Bristol. Miranda is the kind of person I wish I could be she had a dream and she went for it and didn't let anything or anyone stand in her way. ( Although with how I am I'm probably more like Tamara) Raul is a sweetheart, who wouldn't love a sexy vet. I've said it before and I'll say it again I love the whole Geeks Gone Wild concept, the friendship and that they stand by each other no matter what. The story was fantastic the conflict between Miranda and her stalker, and the internal struggle Miranda is going through that affects her relationship with Raul. Sidney Bristol is just so talented; geek, suspense, humor, and romance she manages to tie it all in so well.
Mr. November: By Melanie Ting
How have I not read this author before, must read more soon. Melanie Ting managed to make an erotica romance so damn sweet. I loved that Marty, the enforcer and most feared guy on the team of the Vancouver Vice hockey team, is such a shy and sweet guy. I liked that Elaine is straightforward and wasn't afraid to make the first move or admit when she made a mistake. I enjoyed that the whole hockey team was there for Marty to try and help with Elaine and not to forget Knightley such a sweety.
Cat Scratch Fever: By L.C. Alleyne
I'm not familiar with this author but I have to say I'm intrigued. Smokin' hot Brazilian panther shifter who lives in Norway and whose best friend is a Norwegian Forest Cat (I love those big beautiful wild cats). Rafael is alpha male to the tee and when it comes to his potential mate he's willing to risk his career. Kristin I think bit off more than she could chew when she decided to help a friend and go undercover to take down a drug ring run by someone high in the Brazilian government hierarchy. The story had a nice twist and was very exciting and hooked me from the start to finish.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance: By Elle Rush
I want more, this seems like it would be a really cute series. Decker is a private investigator whose future rest on finding a certain toy that's not market ready on behalf of the NPU corporation. Joy is enjoying her time as the manager of Kitten Caboodle, but it was only suppose to be part time until she got her veterinarian's assistant diploma but that was years ago and she knows it's time to move on. Decker tracks the toys GPS tracker to the mall and not only does he find what he's looking for with a little bit of effort he finds his HEA too. This was a sweet story and a wonderful mystery.
Cats in the Cradle: By Jerri Drennen
Another mystery, this one is a small suburb where the local crazy cat lady gets stuck in the middle of a sticky situation. Beatrice is a psychiatrist on the mend of her own emotional breakdown keeps a close watch on her neighborhood with a new neighbor and a murder she can't help but speculate but that only leads to bring Sam into her life. Sam is house sitting for his sitter and trying to get his writing career back on track, and the meddling neighbor only leads to act as a muse for his own story. Beatrice wanting to learn more about the murder just raises more questions and unwanted feelings for Sam. This was a really good one with an unexpected ending.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2): By Lori Whyte
Don't let the fact that this is the second book in a series it can be read as a standalone. Another Mystery although a little heavier on the romance and suspense. This is a second chance romance Rachel and Grady fell in love in high school but with his family's bad reputation he didn't want to taint her with it and now he's back in town, they are both single living next door to her and what bring them together is a severed finger. This was a very exciting read if not a little predictable but I would like to know more about those brothers.
Sanctuary: By Sukie Chapin
Okay, so this is the one I didn't like, it just wasn't for me. The story was just very drawn out and boring and FYI: CLIFFHANGER. Indy runs a big cat sanctuary and hires Jake to help out. Jake is lying about his past and the only thing he wants is his lion back. There is a lot of internal struggle and dialogue for both Indy who is still struggling with the death of her mother and Jake who was framed to look like he abused his lion. The story goes in circles for a 22 chapters (short chapters) one chapter of foreplay then one chapter of sex then it's over; the story just felt incomplete. I couldn't not connect to the characters by the end I just didn't care anymore.
Mr. Hot Stuff: By Abby Cheshire
Cute, sweet, and so romantic. Poor Lily has suffered through eight horrible blind dates and her newest fur baby is a klepto who keeps stealing the car keys from their new neighbor; the neighbor Lily has been crushing on since he moved in. Lily's godmother/landlady has one last blind date lined up for Lily and then she promises no more. But with Lily what can go wrong will go wrong first the line of bad dates, she sprains her ankle and accidently falls on a cactus in front of her crush who it looks like has a beautiful girlfriend already. When she finally gives in on the blind date she gets stood up. But Lily's godmother isn't ready for her to give up just yet. This was a funny story, I hated to laugh at Lily's misfortune but it was so amusing and it really had such a sweet ending.
Dress Blues:By Lisa Carlisle
The last book in the collection and definitely one of my favorites. I liked the bit of role reversal going on with this story; normally it's the hero who goes off to war and comes back broken but in this story it's the heroine who comes home broken. Vivi and Jack were both Marines, they met while stationed in Japan and quickly started to fall for each other but Jack was an officer and Vivi was enlisted and that is very big no no, so they each went their separate ways but never forgetting one another. A couple years later they run into each other at a charity function. What may look like happenstance is what Vivi has been secretly hoping for ever since she moved to Boston; knowing it was Jack's home town when she decided to move there. This was relatively conflict free except for Vivi's internal struggle with her damaged leg and letting Jack in, but it was such a great story to read.
Overall, this was a great collection.
October 4, 2016
For 99 cents, this collection is well-worth the price. To learn more about each individual story, continue reading….
The Vet and the Geek - Sidney Bristol
5 stars
Great characters! I really enjoyed this one and the premise was so interesting. Of course, Sidney Bristol loves to work in some psycho drama whenever possible, and this is no exception. Miranda has a stalker. Raul, the vet, is the sweetest guy you can imagine - and incredibly hot too. The narrative is third person with alternating POVs - Miranda, Raul, & the stalker. In fact, it's reading the inner thoughts of the stalker that is particularly creepy.
Mr. November - Melanie Ting
3 stars
This story was okay. The plot was good with decent character development, but I was altogether too distracted by the unrealistic dialog to appreciate the story fully.
Cat Scratch Fever - L.C. Alleyne
4 stars
This was a surprisingly complex short story - sort of a murder-mystery with international espionage and a panther shifter. The characters were well-developed, with back stories and common interests/experiences.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance - Elle Rush
4 stars
My first impression was not good. Only a few pages into this story and I ran into the following sentence: The former cop had worked in the Investigations Unit for several years before he retired after being injured on the job before striking out on his own as a private investigator. Even though I was able to make sense of it, I kept wondering why the author (and her editor) had allowed a run-on confusing sentence like this to remain in the final version of the story. I was afraid this could be an indication of more to come.
Fortunately, I was wrong. Not only was the rest of the narrative far superior to this one sentence, but also the plot and the characters were well-developed, and the author had a great sense of humor. One line in particular made me laugh. Describing one of the characters, who happened to have a lousy memory, the narrator said: Charlie had three copies of the same memory improvement book, and he'd read all of them. For humor alone, this story is worth reading.
Cats in the Cradle - Jerri Drennen
5 stars
This was an enjoyable read which featured a dog in addition to several cats. A psychological mystery, this book included some complex and interesting characters. I think it could have been a longer book, delving more deeply into the complexities of the characters. However, even as a short story, it was complete and covered the most salient points.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2) - Lori Whyte
5 stars
I loved this story - everything about it! Murder mysteries are not generally my favorite genre, but this one placed so much focus on the relationship between Rachel and Grady that the murder mystery aspect seemed secondary. This was about second chances, going for what you want, and realizing that sometimes we don't make the best decisions when we're young. Thankfully, sometimes we have another opportunity to choose differently.
Sanctuary - Suki Chapin
5 stars
This story was amazing! I loved the writing style, the wry sense of humor, the setting, the characters, the plot - all of it! The evolving relationship between Indy and Jake was incredibly intense (sexually and emotionally), with a rawness and transparency that was somewhat frightening. As I neared the end, I realized there was no way their story would be finished. Sure enough, I soon read the words “To be continued…..” I wanted to scream! I hate incomplete stories! However, I so enjoyed this story and the way in which it was told, I just can't imagine not reading more about them. Truthfully, without a cliff-hanger, I'd still want to read more from Suki Chapin.
Mr. Hot Stuff - Abby Cheshire
2 stars
Zzzzzzzz. I forced myself to read all of this so I could honestly review it, but I didn't enjoy it. The conversations were stilted and oftentimes, superfluous. The plot was contrived. It just didn't seem as if it has been written by a professional writer; it was very amateurish. There was nothing particularly memorable about the characters and the relationship was bland, at best. I can't recommend this one.
Dress Blues - Lisa Carlisle
3 stars
I almost gave this one 4 stars, but in the end, I decided it was too didactic for me. There was too much telling, and not enough showing. I got bogged down in the telling. The showing was so much more engaging and compelling. It was a good story, but in my opinion, it would have benefited from mite refinement.
Surrender - Sarah M. Cradit
5 stars
Although very short, this book contained enough to interest me in reading more from the series. I'd already read St. Charles at Dusk a while ago, but being reintroduced to some of the same characters earlier in their lives has reawakened my interest in reading more about these unique characters. They are so complex that the author has included a family-tree to document the history and connections between them!
This particular story is a sweet reflection on first love and the loss of innocence. Reading about Oz and Anasofiya was enlightening and led me to wonder about what could have been, and to question why it wasn't. A complete story, this one will cause the reader to want to read more without the manipulation of a cliff-hanger. I definitely recommend this series.
Pirate Bound - Carysa Locke
4 stars
I'm certainly not complaining, but as a novella, I expected this to be much shorter. Regardless, it was a really interesting story with well-developed, unique characters. It seemed to me to be a fairly comprehensive introduction to this created world of telepaths and pirates (who are naturally the good guys). Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'd be interested to read more stories from this writing duo.
The Vet and the Geek - Sidney Bristol
5 stars
Great characters! I really enjoyed this one and the premise was so interesting. Of course, Sidney Bristol loves to work in some psycho drama whenever possible, and this is no exception. Miranda has a stalker. Raul, the vet, is the sweetest guy you can imagine - and incredibly hot too. The narrative is third person with alternating POVs - Miranda, Raul, & the stalker. In fact, it's reading the inner thoughts of the stalker that is particularly creepy.
Mr. November - Melanie Ting
3 stars
This story was okay. The plot was good with decent character development, but I was altogether too distracted by the unrealistic dialog to appreciate the story fully.
Cat Scratch Fever - L.C. Alleyne
4 stars
This was a surprisingly complex short story - sort of a murder-mystery with international espionage and a panther shifter. The characters were well-developed, with back stories and common interests/experiences.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance - Elle Rush
4 stars
My first impression was not good. Only a few pages into this story and I ran into the following sentence: The former cop had worked in the Investigations Unit for several years before he retired after being injured on the job before striking out on his own as a private investigator. Even though I was able to make sense of it, I kept wondering why the author (and her editor) had allowed a run-on confusing sentence like this to remain in the final version of the story. I was afraid this could be an indication of more to come.
Fortunately, I was wrong. Not only was the rest of the narrative far superior to this one sentence, but also the plot and the characters were well-developed, and the author had a great sense of humor. One line in particular made me laugh. Describing one of the characters, who happened to have a lousy memory, the narrator said: Charlie had three copies of the same memory improvement book, and he'd read all of them. For humor alone, this story is worth reading.
Cats in the Cradle - Jerri Drennen
5 stars
This was an enjoyable read which featured a dog in addition to several cats. A psychological mystery, this book included some complex and interesting characters. I think it could have been a longer book, delving more deeply into the complexities of the characters. However, even as a short story, it was complete and covered the most salient points.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2) - Lori Whyte
5 stars
I loved this story - everything about it! Murder mysteries are not generally my favorite genre, but this one placed so much focus on the relationship between Rachel and Grady that the murder mystery aspect seemed secondary. This was about second chances, going for what you want, and realizing that sometimes we don't make the best decisions when we're young. Thankfully, sometimes we have another opportunity to choose differently.
Sanctuary - Suki Chapin
5 stars
This story was amazing! I loved the writing style, the wry sense of humor, the setting, the characters, the plot - all of it! The evolving relationship between Indy and Jake was incredibly intense (sexually and emotionally), with a rawness and transparency that was somewhat frightening. As I neared the end, I realized there was no way their story would be finished. Sure enough, I soon read the words “To be continued…..” I wanted to scream! I hate incomplete stories! However, I so enjoyed this story and the way in which it was told, I just can't imagine not reading more about them. Truthfully, without a cliff-hanger, I'd still want to read more from Suki Chapin.
Mr. Hot Stuff - Abby Cheshire
2 stars
Zzzzzzzz. I forced myself to read all of this so I could honestly review it, but I didn't enjoy it. The conversations were stilted and oftentimes, superfluous. The plot was contrived. It just didn't seem as if it has been written by a professional writer; it was very amateurish. There was nothing particularly memorable about the characters and the relationship was bland, at best. I can't recommend this one.
Dress Blues - Lisa Carlisle
3 stars
I almost gave this one 4 stars, but in the end, I decided it was too didactic for me. There was too much telling, and not enough showing. I got bogged down in the telling. The showing was so much more engaging and compelling. It was a good story, but in my opinion, it would have benefited from mite refinement.
Surrender - Sarah M. Cradit
5 stars
Although very short, this book contained enough to interest me in reading more from the series. I'd already read St. Charles at Dusk a while ago, but being reintroduced to some of the same characters earlier in their lives has reawakened my interest in reading more about these unique characters. They are so complex that the author has included a family-tree to document the history and connections between them!
This particular story is a sweet reflection on first love and the loss of innocence. Reading about Oz and Anasofiya was enlightening and led me to wonder about what could have been, and to question why it wasn't. A complete story, this one will cause the reader to want to read more without the manipulation of a cliff-hanger. I definitely recommend this series.
Pirate Bound - Carysa Locke
4 stars
I'm certainly not complaining, but as a novella, I expected this to be much shorter. Regardless, it was a really interesting story with well-developed, unique characters. It seemed to me to be a fairly comprehensive introduction to this created world of telepaths and pirates (who are naturally the good guys). Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'd be interested to read more stories from this writing duo.
January 21, 2017
***This review is for the Mr. November novella by Melanie Ting within this set, as I have not read the other books in this set yet***
Melanie Ting is the author of several hockey romances, including the Vancouver Vice series, that features a variety of characters that are connected through the AHL team. Mr November can be read as a standalone novella and features Marty Devonshire, the tough enforcer on ice, but off ice, is nervous to ask Elaine Salang out on a date. With the help of his teammates and his newly adopted cat, he follows their advice to pursue Elaine.
“I heard there’s going to be hot chicks there. Like a Victoria’s Secret catalogue photo shoot, right?” Nate Jones said from the back seat of the SUV.
Marty Devonshire scowled into the rear-view mirror at his roommate. “You’ve taken too many hits to the head, Jonesy. Amanda explained everything at the meeting. It’s a calendar for charity, and there are no women involved at all.”
Jonesy groaned. “Da fuck? I’m giving up my off day to hang out with cripples or something. I missed the meeting, and the Bod told me there was going to be some hot pussy there.”
Eric Fairburn was riding shotgun. He and Marty began laughing uncontrollably. Finally, Burner turned around and explained, “Dude. It’s pussy-cats. We’re shooting photos with actual cats.” - Melanie Ting, Mr. November
I loved this novella! It was a fresh and cute story. I have a soft spot for those big, tough hockey enforcers who are sweethearts off the ice, so it was easy to fall in love with Marty. I could relate with Elaine and her sweetly overbearing relatives who were constantly sticking their noses into Elaine's personal life. Even Knightley was amazingly adorable. However, my favorite part of the novella was the entire team working with Marty on dating advice so that he could pursue Elaine. This book is witty and sweet, much like Melanie herself. I recommend this book and am interested in reading the other in the set!
*I received a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest thoughts/opinions of the author's book.*
Melanie Ting is the author of several hockey romances, including the Vancouver Vice series, that features a variety of characters that are connected through the AHL team. Mr November can be read as a standalone novella and features Marty Devonshire, the tough enforcer on ice, but off ice, is nervous to ask Elaine Salang out on a date. With the help of his teammates and his newly adopted cat, he follows their advice to pursue Elaine.
“I heard there’s going to be hot chicks there. Like a Victoria’s Secret catalogue photo shoot, right?” Nate Jones said from the back seat of the SUV.
Marty Devonshire scowled into the rear-view mirror at his roommate. “You’ve taken too many hits to the head, Jonesy. Amanda explained everything at the meeting. It’s a calendar for charity, and there are no women involved at all.”
Jonesy groaned. “Da fuck? I’m giving up my off day to hang out with cripples or something. I missed the meeting, and the Bod told me there was going to be some hot pussy there.”
Eric Fairburn was riding shotgun. He and Marty began laughing uncontrollably. Finally, Burner turned around and explained, “Dude. It’s pussy-cats. We’re shooting photos with actual cats.” - Melanie Ting, Mr. November
I loved this novella! It was a fresh and cute story. I have a soft spot for those big, tough hockey enforcers who are sweethearts off the ice, so it was easy to fall in love with Marty. I could relate with Elaine and her sweetly overbearing relatives who were constantly sticking their noses into Elaine's personal life. Even Knightley was amazingly adorable. However, my favorite part of the novella was the entire team working with Marty on dating advice so that he could pursue Elaine. This book is witty and sweet, much like Melanie herself. I recommend this book and am interested in reading the other in the set!
*I received a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest thoughts/opinions of the author's book.*
October 3, 2016
Hilarious and sweet story about a cat lover and a hockey player, really engaging and light.. it will have you laughing and rooting for the couple in every page you turn as you read for sure! (I read Melanie Ting short story)
February 5, 2017
My review is for the few books I've read within this set.
The first is for Mr. November by Melanie Ting:
I really enjoyed this story about Marty Devonshire one of the hockey players on the Vancouver Vice. The Vice need some good PR and the shelter Elaine works for needs some funds to keep going. The VICE agree that a calendar with pics of the players and cats who need to be adopted would be a good thing for both parties. Marty and Elaine meet at the photo shoot and connect over Knightley, a black cat who needs a home. Things don't work out at first for them but with some catervention from Knightley and Marty's roommate and some coaching from his teammates, everything turns out perfectly in the end.
The Vet & the Geek by Sidney Bristol:
This was my first time reading Sidney Bristol and I liked it. I liked how the professions of these two were kind of flip-flopped from the norm. Raul is a vet and Miranda is a game developer. They meet when Miranda brings her cat Lola Marie to the vet and Raul realizes her cat is his cat Penny who his ex took with him when they broke up and he hadn't seen her in years. Turns out the cat is pregnant. She has her kittens and Raul goes to visit the kittens and make sure they are all okay and it turns out to be the beginning of their love story. It is not without some bumps along the way but everything works out for Penny Lola Marie and her humans.
Forgive Me by Lori Whyte:
I loved this one! Second chances at love are awesome. Rachel and Grady see each other again after 10 years when Grady comes back to the small community of Sanctuary Lake. Rachel runs a cat hotel there and is always taking in new strays herself. A severed finger is dropped at her house by one of the cats and the search to discover what happened leads to a neighbor's dead body. The investigation begins and Grady's protective instincts kick in. They can't fight the feelings that are rekindled when they spend time together but will they make it through this ordeal? Luckily yes and they realize they have never really stopped loving each other.
Mr. Hot Stuff-Abby Cheshire
Very cute story! Loved Captain Kitt that little thief of a cat. If it wasn't for his antics and constantly stealing Lily's firefighter neighbor Todd's keys, they may never have happened. Between Captain and a little behind the scenes matchmaking by her landlady, these two were destined to end up together. Really good story!
The first is for Mr. November by Melanie Ting:
I really enjoyed this story about Marty Devonshire one of the hockey players on the Vancouver Vice. The Vice need some good PR and the shelter Elaine works for needs some funds to keep going. The VICE agree that a calendar with pics of the players and cats who need to be adopted would be a good thing for both parties. Marty and Elaine meet at the photo shoot and connect over Knightley, a black cat who needs a home. Things don't work out at first for them but with some catervention from Knightley and Marty's roommate and some coaching from his teammates, everything turns out perfectly in the end.
The Vet & the Geek by Sidney Bristol:
This was my first time reading Sidney Bristol and I liked it. I liked how the professions of these two were kind of flip-flopped from the norm. Raul is a vet and Miranda is a game developer. They meet when Miranda brings her cat Lola Marie to the vet and Raul realizes her cat is his cat Penny who his ex took with him when they broke up and he hadn't seen her in years. Turns out the cat is pregnant. She has her kittens and Raul goes to visit the kittens and make sure they are all okay and it turns out to be the beginning of their love story. It is not without some bumps along the way but everything works out for Penny Lola Marie and her humans.
Forgive Me by Lori Whyte:
I loved this one! Second chances at love are awesome. Rachel and Grady see each other again after 10 years when Grady comes back to the small community of Sanctuary Lake. Rachel runs a cat hotel there and is always taking in new strays herself. A severed finger is dropped at her house by one of the cats and the search to discover what happened leads to a neighbor's dead body. The investigation begins and Grady's protective instincts kick in. They can't fight the feelings that are rekindled when they spend time together but will they make it through this ordeal? Luckily yes and they realize they have never really stopped loving each other.
Mr. Hot Stuff-Abby Cheshire
Very cute story! Loved Captain Kitt that little thief of a cat. If it wasn't for his antics and constantly stealing Lily's firefighter neighbor Todd's keys, they may never have happened. Between Captain and a little behind the scenes matchmaking by her landlady, these two were destined to end up together. Really good story!
September 18, 2016
**This review is of Melanie Ting's Mr. November within this boxed set. I have not yet read the others in the set.**
Melanie Ting's Vancouver Vice hockey series is one of my favorites and Mr. November is about enforcer Marty Devonshire, who plays for the AHL team. While Marty is the main character, we see several of his teammates make appearances as well, including some we have seen in previous books in this series.
As the Vice are rebuilding one of the areas they are focusing on is community and charity involvement, so when Marty is asked to help out with a charity calendar at the local cat shelter, as tough as he is on the ice, he wasn't prepared to be attracted to Elaine Salang, nor the nervousness he experiences when he wants to ask her out on a date. Also while he's at the shelter, he bonds with a black cat, Knightley, who has had a less than great life to this point.
Is Knightley the one thing that can also bond Marty and Elaine? Or will Marty's well meaning teammates be the thing that turns the tide for the enforcer and the woman who has caught his eye?
I adored this story! It was a cute and featured a great cast of characters, all the way down to the furry ones! The dialogue was smart and the story was engaging and new. Melanie Ting gave us another exceptional story.
While I haven't read the others in the set yet, I'm looking forward to doing so and in the process learning about new to me authors!
Melanie Ting's Vancouver Vice hockey series is one of my favorites and Mr. November is about enforcer Marty Devonshire, who plays for the AHL team. While Marty is the main character, we see several of his teammates make appearances as well, including some we have seen in previous books in this series.
As the Vice are rebuilding one of the areas they are focusing on is community and charity involvement, so when Marty is asked to help out with a charity calendar at the local cat shelter, as tough as he is on the ice, he wasn't prepared to be attracted to Elaine Salang, nor the nervousness he experiences when he wants to ask her out on a date. Also while he's at the shelter, he bonds with a black cat, Knightley, who has had a less than great life to this point.
Is Knightley the one thing that can also bond Marty and Elaine? Or will Marty's well meaning teammates be the thing that turns the tide for the enforcer and the woman who has caught his eye?
I adored this story! It was a cute and featured a great cast of characters, all the way down to the furry ones! The dialogue was smart and the story was engaging and new. Melanie Ting gave us another exceptional story.
While I haven't read the others in the set yet, I'm looking forward to doing so and in the process learning about new to me authors!
September 15, 2018
Since this one dealt with crazy cat ladies - I figured it would be right up my alley! And I was so right.
I enjoyed all of these stories, but of course I have a few favorites I'll share with you.
First one right off the bat is: The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol.
Miranda is quirky cat lady right after my own heart. She finds out the abandoned cat that she adopted actually belonged to Hottie & "Sexy Scrubs" Vet: Raul - or Dr. C. But she has bigger problems than a pregnant cat & Dr Dreamy messing with her libido and emotions. She's a bit neurotic and is plagued with quite a bit of self-doubt. But I found it a rather refreshing change from many overly confident heroines.
Dr Raul Chandruskeker - is definitely a drool worthy hero, loves animals and curvy gals. He can't seem to stay on track around Miranda and when he touches her he seems to loose a bit of self control.
I got all wiggly and tingly over this one!
Cats in the Cradle by Jerri Drennen was another of my favorites. Sometimes life really is stranger than fiction especially in this tight knit little neighborhood.
Lastly there's : Mr Hot Stuff by Abby Cheshire - I mean how can you go wrong with a title like this and a klepto cat? I'd definitely want my cat stealing a Hot neighbor's keys if I was single - what an introduction.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this Advance Reader Copy and was not compensated in any way.
I enjoyed all of these stories, but of course I have a few favorites I'll share with you.
First one right off the bat is: The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol.
Miranda is quirky cat lady right after my own heart. She finds out the abandoned cat that she adopted actually belonged to Hottie & "Sexy Scrubs" Vet: Raul - or Dr. C. But she has bigger problems than a pregnant cat & Dr Dreamy messing with her libido and emotions. She's a bit neurotic and is plagued with quite a bit of self-doubt. But I found it a rather refreshing change from many overly confident heroines.
Dr Raul Chandruskeker - is definitely a drool worthy hero, loves animals and curvy gals. He can't seem to stay on track around Miranda and when he touches her he seems to loose a bit of self control.
I got all wiggly and tingly over this one!
Cats in the Cradle by Jerri Drennen was another of my favorites. Sometimes life really is stranger than fiction especially in this tight knit little neighborhood.
Lastly there's : Mr Hot Stuff by Abby Cheshire - I mean how can you go wrong with a title like this and a klepto cat? I'd definitely want my cat stealing a Hot neighbor's keys if I was single - what an introduction.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this Advance Reader Copy and was not compensated in any way.
January 22, 2017
This review is for Mr. November by Melanie Ting though I fully intend to read the rest. I loved this story! This is the 4th story in the Vancouver Vice series and it picks up with Marty Davenport, the tough guy/enforcer. He's a beast on the ice, but shy and sweet off the ice. When he's asked to pose for the team calendar to help raise money for the cat shelter, he not only falls for Knightley, the adorable black cat with the huge personality. He falls for Elaine, the exotic, curvy bookkeeper for the shelter. Of course, being shy and awkward, Marty bumbles the entire situation until the entire team pitches in to help him out. I was cracking up at Marty's teammates advice. Elaine's family also had me giggling with their well meaning intrusiveness. Knightley is really the one that brings it all together. I'm not giving anymore details because I don't want to ruin the story. The story could be read as a standalone but why would you do that? You'll be depriving yourself of three other wonderful stories by Melanie and that would truly be a crime. I received this book as an ARC in return for an honest review but I would have read it regardless. Go get it!
January 18, 2018
I have read only a couple of these stories so far and it looks like there is a bit of something for everyone - who loves cats anyway. Cats seem to figure heavily here - hence the title. But so far I found some suspense and action along with the cats and romance.
The Vet & the Geek (Gone Geek #2) by Sidney Bristol - 3.5 stars. This was an okay read. A bit too much actual gaming happening for my taste though. But, I will admit that was one hot scene. The insta-love was almost too fast. The stalker resolution was . . . kind of a surprise, but really? Overall a decent story.
Mr. November by Melanie Ting - 4 stars. I like hockey. The action. The pace of the game. Wow. Throw in Knightly - he was adorable! Very enjoyable story.
Cat Scratch Fever, L.C. Alleyne -
The Vet & the Geek (Gone Geek #2) by Sidney Bristol - 3.5 stars. This was an okay read. A bit too much actual gaming happening for my taste though. But, I will admit that was one hot scene. The insta-love was almost too fast. The stalker resolution was . . . kind of a surprise, but really? Overall a decent story.
Mr. November by Melanie Ting - 4 stars. I like hockey. The action. The pace of the game. Wow. Throw in Knightly - he was adorable! Very enjoyable story.
Cat Scratch Fever, L.C. Alleyne -
October 19, 2016
Feline Fun and Games
I gave five stars because I've got a soft spot for cats. I loved reading about characters who love living and loving every new experience. The stories were all different, but all told of how loving cats can open hearts to human love. I woukd recommend this book.
I gave five stars because I've got a soft spot for cats. I loved reading about characters who love living and loving every new experience. The stories were all different, but all told of how loving cats can open hearts to human love. I woukd recommend this book.
October 14, 2016
Cats
For the love of cats - big as lions or panther shifters are cute kittens this book has it all. Hot alpha males ,lucky females and cats of all types. Cat ladies rock!
For the love of cats - big as lions or panther shifters are cute kittens this book has it all. Hot alpha males ,lucky females and cats of all types. Cat ladies rock!
December 8, 2016
1) The Vet and The Geek by Sidney Bristol
Raul Chandrasekar is a veterinarian who would like to be able to run his own business but money is a huge problem. One day a cat comes in that reminds him of his last cat, Penny, that was taken by his ex-girlfriend years ago.
Miranda's cat seems to have a problem eating and when she takes him to the vet she is attracted to his vet, Raul, but when he claims that this is his old cat she realizes she may have a problem. Miranda wonders if Raul could be a the stalker that has haunted her for the past few years.
As Miranda and Raul become friends the two begin to assist each other. Miranda helps Raul with his business dreams and Raul helps Miranda with her cat. But soon Miranda realizes that her stalker problems may not be over yet.
This was a fun story and I was super curious on who the stalker was and how everything was going to play out.
I liked Raul and the story on his past and whether he was going to be deemed "successful" or not. He was obviously a great guy and I liked the lengths he went to help Miranda with the kittens.
I enjoyed that Miranda was a successful gamer as I love when women have jobs that are traditionally done by men and are successful at it! I definitely found her stalker part interesting but I wish there was a little bit more of how that relationship developed!
Fun story!
2) Mr.November by Melanie Ting
Marty Devonshire is the tough guy on the Vancouver Vice hockey team and not known for attracting the ladies. When he is asked to take part in a calendar fundraiser to help out a local cat shelter he agrees as he had a cat growing up.
Elaine Salang is the treasurer for the cat shelter and hopes that the fundraiser with the hockey team will bring in some much needed revenue to the shelter. Her goal is to modernize the shelter so that the cats have a greater chance at being adopted.
When Elaine is asked about adopting one of the cats by player Nate Jones, she realizes that he is just hitting on her but when his roommate Marty steps up she is intrigued. As Marty and Elaine get closer she has no idea why he is on the ice but it's clear that she doesn't enjoy it. Will she give him a chance?
I thought this was a great story about the belief in yourself and having others around you that support you as well.
I loved how Marty was seen on the ice one way as he was never given an opportunity to shine in any other capacity. Yet the belief by the right person can change everything.
One of my favorite scenes was when Marty met Elaine's family and it made me laugh at the food and conversations. Elaine was a great girl who was trying to help out and could see through the false intentions of someone like Nate!
This the first Vancouver Vice book I have read and won't be my last.
3) Cat Scratch Fever by L.C. Alleyne
Inspector Rafael Montique wants to bring down Brazilian Minister Teixeira for his involvement in drugs but nothing prepares him for a shooting to occur during a meeting between Teixeia and his boss Minister Vinter, from Norway. Even worse is that his potential mate is in the meeting with him when the shooting occurs.
Kristin Wallin is working undercover to bring down Teixeira and knows she has to keep her identity a secret. When she is rescued from the building by Montique and taken his house she is curious on why she was only grabbed.
But it seems that she is not the only one keeping secrets. Will the truth push Kristin away and will Rafael be able to protect Kristin from what's to come?
I thought this was a great quick story! I loved how everything ended up tying together as I had a small idea something like that was coming but was still surprised at what the truth was.
I liked the chemistry between Kristin and Rafael but it was definitely interesting with him trying to explain why he took her without scaring her with things she didn't understand!
4) Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance by Elle Rush
Private Investigator Decker Harkness has been given a case that could boost his career to a whole new level and how hard could it be to find a missing prototype in a mall at Christmas time? Decker soon realizes that it's harder than he imagined, especially when his attention is caught on the beautiful lay working at Kitten Caboodle.
Joy McCall works at Kitten Caboodle and seems to be having her own mysteries with things seemingly getting messy in the store after hours and someone asking about three kittens she currently has in stock that aren't ready to be sold yet.
When Joy and Decker begin working together to sort out a couple of mysteries the kittens are stolen and Decker wonders how the prototype is involved.
This was a fun Christmas read and definitely an interesting one in the world of pet store mysteries. I loved how the book makes you really think about where you would get any future pet from!
I liked both Joy and Decker and each of the mysteries that both were faced with. I loved learning more about the prototype and why the job was becoming difficult for Decker. It was definitely not a job for everyone!
Great book and hope to see more of these characters again!
5) Cats in the Cradle by Jerri Drennen
Beatrice Dailey is becoming known as the crazy cat lady. She and her husband Jason have recently split up and and she finds that she has filled up her home with cats to take away the loneliness. Beatrice is a counselor and works out of her home and is shocked when a murder occurs on her quiet street.
Sam Littman is a writer suffering from writer's block, who has just moved into his sister's house when he is accused of murder by the lady across the street. Nothing gets a brain moving like a false accusation and soon he finds himself writing again.
When Sam meets Beatrice, the woman accusing him of murder, the two begin investigating on their own and soon find that their street holds many more secrets than they ever thought possible. Will the two find the killer before he finds one of them?
I really enjoyed this story!
I loved Beatrice and how she really came into her own in this story and realized that she was holding herself back from so much more. Through her clients she came to terms with everything and then was able to help them out more. I liked her relationship with Sam and how everything came together as he was a good influence on her.
I loved how Sam used the whole story for his personal gain! That was great and I loved how he gradually was able to get some insight into some of the other neighbors for his story.
I found it great to learn who it was and why as I really wasn't expecting that!
6) Forgive Me by Lori Whyte
Rachel Connor has become a cat lady with seven of her own cats and also running a pet sitting business, Pretty Paws, as well. She has been having problems with one of her neighbors, Mrs.Golder, and when her cat shows up with a severed finger that is never a good sign.
Grady Randall has never forgotten the girl he left when he escaped Sanctuary. When he discovers she lives across the street chaos ensues almost immediately with the discovery of the finger.
As Rachel and Grady begin to get closer it is apparent that whomever killed Mrs.Golder may have another victim planned out. Will they figure out the truth before one of them ends up as the next victim? Will Rachel and Grady be able to move on from their own pasts and see if they have a chance at a future together?
I enjoyed this story and was definitely surprised at a few key moments.
I loved right at the beginning how Rachel's sister, Liana, is so concerned with her being a cat lady. I admit she has a lot of cats but it was still super funny and I would probably be concerned as well. But Rachel really had a huge heart and that was so evident in the book.
Grady was awesome and I was sad that he felt like he had to move out of Sanctuary to begin with. I always hate how people are judged due to their "family" and not the person they are themselves. Yet he showed in this book how much of a good guy he really is and Rachel was super lucky that he came to her rescue.
Both Rachel and Grady had guilt and feelings toward the other that were unresolved and it was interesting how they were both guilty of thinking they knew what was best for the other at different times in their lives.
This was the first time I have read this author and it won't be my last.
7) Sanctuary by Sukie Chapin
Indiana runs an exotic cat sanctuary that is on the verge of bankruptcy. Desperate for some help she hires Jake to help her out and as payment she will give him a place to live and food to eat as she can't afford much more than that.
Jake is on the hunt for his former lion named Loki that he had when he had his own sanctuary in the past. Jake is crossing his fingers that Loki will be at Indiana's place.
Unfortunately both Indiana and Jake have pasts that have left each of them in precarious situations. Will one of their pasts catch up with them and put the other in more trouble?
I enjoyed this book but I must admit that I was sad that it left me with a cliffhanger.
I really liked Indiana and how independent she was and felt super bad that she was left in such a bad state financially. I really hope things start to turn around for her as I'd hate for something bad to happen to all of her animals.
Initially I wasn't too sure what to think of Jake but I think by the end of it I knew he was a super good guy but just got stuck in a bad situation with the wrong people while trying to do the right thing. I loved the relationship he has with Loki and it's apparent how strong the bond is between the two of them. I felt super bad learning about his past and I hope he is able to get justice.
The two had a realtionship/friendship forming on trust and I was glad that Jake told Indiana some stuff but I'm really hoping the stuff he omitted isn't going to wreck any progress he has made with her. Jake was willing to risk a lot in the incident with Maya and I hope Indiana is able to remember that!
8) Mr.Hot Stuff by Abby Cheshire
Lily has 5 cats and one cat has quite the reputation with her neighbors. Captain Kitt steals her neighbor's things and soon that results in her neighbor continually asking for his keys back. Then there are the countless blind dates that her landlord, Joanna keeps setting her up with.
Todd is a fireman and Captain Kitt's latest target. Although Lily is attracted to Todd she is scared to say anything to do the escapades of Captain Kitt.
When Joanna sets up Lily with Mr.Hot Stuff and he doesn't show up will Lily give up dating for good or maybe try a little harder with Captain Kitt's help?
I thought this was a quick fun read about the joys of blind dates. I felt so bad for Lily getting stood up on her date!! I was mortified for her during the shower scene and thought that poor girl had such bad luck!!
Todd was a nice guy but definitely did not do a good job at keeping his keys out of the reach of Captain Kitt!
Great humor and fun book!
9) Dress Blues by Lisa Carlisle
Vivi Parker is a former marine who now attends college and volunteers for the Boston Feline Rescue Shelter. She was injured while serving overseas and now lives with both physical and mental scars to remind her of the past.
Jack Conroy was an officer with the Marines and has come home after serving his term. While overseas he met Vivi and although the two were extremely attracted to each other they never did more than kiss due to him being an officer. When he sees her again he realizes how much he has never forgotten her.
Unfortunately Vivi can't let go of the past and doesn't want to be the person who holds Jack up from achieving what he wants to do. Will Jack let Vivi push him away or will he help her to overcome her hesitations and be that person she has always been?
I enjoyed this book as it really talks about the perception we have on ourselves and whether we judge others to what we think they want with their own lives. Vivi had to overcome a lot and felt like she wasn't a good enough fit for Jack due to some physical inabilities but that's not what made Jack fall for her in the first place.
I loved that both of them gave back by volunteering when they could or just by contributing what they could, if it wasn't able to be monetary.
I liked Vivi as she had been through a lot but I also really liked how she realized what she was doing to herself and how she was able to turn it around for herself. She had a lot of strength inside of her but she had to find it beneath the layers of self-doubt.
I loved that Jack was patient and really wanted Vivi to know how much he cared and didn't care about the scars. He was a sweet guy and was so patient with her!
Great box series!
Reviewed for KFA
Raul Chandrasekar is a veterinarian who would like to be able to run his own business but money is a huge problem. One day a cat comes in that reminds him of his last cat, Penny, that was taken by his ex-girlfriend years ago.
Miranda's cat seems to have a problem eating and when she takes him to the vet she is attracted to his vet, Raul, but when he claims that this is his old cat she realizes she may have a problem. Miranda wonders if Raul could be a the stalker that has haunted her for the past few years.
As Miranda and Raul become friends the two begin to assist each other. Miranda helps Raul with his business dreams and Raul helps Miranda with her cat. But soon Miranda realizes that her stalker problems may not be over yet.
This was a fun story and I was super curious on who the stalker was and how everything was going to play out.
I liked Raul and the story on his past and whether he was going to be deemed "successful" or not. He was obviously a great guy and I liked the lengths he went to help Miranda with the kittens.
I enjoyed that Miranda was a successful gamer as I love when women have jobs that are traditionally done by men and are successful at it! I definitely found her stalker part interesting but I wish there was a little bit more of how that relationship developed!
Fun story!
2) Mr.November by Melanie Ting
Marty Devonshire is the tough guy on the Vancouver Vice hockey team and not known for attracting the ladies. When he is asked to take part in a calendar fundraiser to help out a local cat shelter he agrees as he had a cat growing up.
Elaine Salang is the treasurer for the cat shelter and hopes that the fundraiser with the hockey team will bring in some much needed revenue to the shelter. Her goal is to modernize the shelter so that the cats have a greater chance at being adopted.
When Elaine is asked about adopting one of the cats by player Nate Jones, she realizes that he is just hitting on her but when his roommate Marty steps up she is intrigued. As Marty and Elaine get closer she has no idea why he is on the ice but it's clear that she doesn't enjoy it. Will she give him a chance?
I thought this was a great story about the belief in yourself and having others around you that support you as well.
I loved how Marty was seen on the ice one way as he was never given an opportunity to shine in any other capacity. Yet the belief by the right person can change everything.
One of my favorite scenes was when Marty met Elaine's family and it made me laugh at the food and conversations. Elaine was a great girl who was trying to help out and could see through the false intentions of someone like Nate!
This the first Vancouver Vice book I have read and won't be my last.
3) Cat Scratch Fever by L.C. Alleyne
Inspector Rafael Montique wants to bring down Brazilian Minister Teixeira for his involvement in drugs but nothing prepares him for a shooting to occur during a meeting between Teixeia and his boss Minister Vinter, from Norway. Even worse is that his potential mate is in the meeting with him when the shooting occurs.
Kristin Wallin is working undercover to bring down Teixeira and knows she has to keep her identity a secret. When she is rescued from the building by Montique and taken his house she is curious on why she was only grabbed.
But it seems that she is not the only one keeping secrets. Will the truth push Kristin away and will Rafael be able to protect Kristin from what's to come?
I thought this was a great quick story! I loved how everything ended up tying together as I had a small idea something like that was coming but was still surprised at what the truth was.
I liked the chemistry between Kristin and Rafael but it was definitely interesting with him trying to explain why he took her without scaring her with things she didn't understand!
4) Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance by Elle Rush
Private Investigator Decker Harkness has been given a case that could boost his career to a whole new level and how hard could it be to find a missing prototype in a mall at Christmas time? Decker soon realizes that it's harder than he imagined, especially when his attention is caught on the beautiful lay working at Kitten Caboodle.
Joy McCall works at Kitten Caboodle and seems to be having her own mysteries with things seemingly getting messy in the store after hours and someone asking about three kittens she currently has in stock that aren't ready to be sold yet.
When Joy and Decker begin working together to sort out a couple of mysteries the kittens are stolen and Decker wonders how the prototype is involved.
This was a fun Christmas read and definitely an interesting one in the world of pet store mysteries. I loved how the book makes you really think about where you would get any future pet from!
I liked both Joy and Decker and each of the mysteries that both were faced with. I loved learning more about the prototype and why the job was becoming difficult for Decker. It was definitely not a job for everyone!
Great book and hope to see more of these characters again!
5) Cats in the Cradle by Jerri Drennen
Beatrice Dailey is becoming known as the crazy cat lady. She and her husband Jason have recently split up and and she finds that she has filled up her home with cats to take away the loneliness. Beatrice is a counselor and works out of her home and is shocked when a murder occurs on her quiet street.
Sam Littman is a writer suffering from writer's block, who has just moved into his sister's house when he is accused of murder by the lady across the street. Nothing gets a brain moving like a false accusation and soon he finds himself writing again.
When Sam meets Beatrice, the woman accusing him of murder, the two begin investigating on their own and soon find that their street holds many more secrets than they ever thought possible. Will the two find the killer before he finds one of them?
I really enjoyed this story!
I loved Beatrice and how she really came into her own in this story and realized that she was holding herself back from so much more. Through her clients she came to terms with everything and then was able to help them out more. I liked her relationship with Sam and how everything came together as he was a good influence on her.
I loved how Sam used the whole story for his personal gain! That was great and I loved how he gradually was able to get some insight into some of the other neighbors for his story.
I found it great to learn who it was and why as I really wasn't expecting that!
6) Forgive Me by Lori Whyte
Rachel Connor has become a cat lady with seven of her own cats and also running a pet sitting business, Pretty Paws, as well. She has been having problems with one of her neighbors, Mrs.Golder, and when her cat shows up with a severed finger that is never a good sign.
Grady Randall has never forgotten the girl he left when he escaped Sanctuary. When he discovers she lives across the street chaos ensues almost immediately with the discovery of the finger.
As Rachel and Grady begin to get closer it is apparent that whomever killed Mrs.Golder may have another victim planned out. Will they figure out the truth before one of them ends up as the next victim? Will Rachel and Grady be able to move on from their own pasts and see if they have a chance at a future together?
I enjoyed this story and was definitely surprised at a few key moments.
I loved right at the beginning how Rachel's sister, Liana, is so concerned with her being a cat lady. I admit she has a lot of cats but it was still super funny and I would probably be concerned as well. But Rachel really had a huge heart and that was so evident in the book.
Grady was awesome and I was sad that he felt like he had to move out of Sanctuary to begin with. I always hate how people are judged due to their "family" and not the person they are themselves. Yet he showed in this book how much of a good guy he really is and Rachel was super lucky that he came to her rescue.
Both Rachel and Grady had guilt and feelings toward the other that were unresolved and it was interesting how they were both guilty of thinking they knew what was best for the other at different times in their lives.
This was the first time I have read this author and it won't be my last.
7) Sanctuary by Sukie Chapin
Indiana runs an exotic cat sanctuary that is on the verge of bankruptcy. Desperate for some help she hires Jake to help her out and as payment she will give him a place to live and food to eat as she can't afford much more than that.
Jake is on the hunt for his former lion named Loki that he had when he had his own sanctuary in the past. Jake is crossing his fingers that Loki will be at Indiana's place.
Unfortunately both Indiana and Jake have pasts that have left each of them in precarious situations. Will one of their pasts catch up with them and put the other in more trouble?
I enjoyed this book but I must admit that I was sad that it left me with a cliffhanger.
I really liked Indiana and how independent she was and felt super bad that she was left in such a bad state financially. I really hope things start to turn around for her as I'd hate for something bad to happen to all of her animals.
Initially I wasn't too sure what to think of Jake but I think by the end of it I knew he was a super good guy but just got stuck in a bad situation with the wrong people while trying to do the right thing. I loved the relationship he has with Loki and it's apparent how strong the bond is between the two of them. I felt super bad learning about his past and I hope he is able to get justice.
The two had a realtionship/friendship forming on trust and I was glad that Jake told Indiana some stuff but I'm really hoping the stuff he omitted isn't going to wreck any progress he has made with her. Jake was willing to risk a lot in the incident with Maya and I hope Indiana is able to remember that!
8) Mr.Hot Stuff by Abby Cheshire
Lily has 5 cats and one cat has quite the reputation with her neighbors. Captain Kitt steals her neighbor's things and soon that results in her neighbor continually asking for his keys back. Then there are the countless blind dates that her landlord, Joanna keeps setting her up with.
Todd is a fireman and Captain Kitt's latest target. Although Lily is attracted to Todd she is scared to say anything to do the escapades of Captain Kitt.
When Joanna sets up Lily with Mr.Hot Stuff and he doesn't show up will Lily give up dating for good or maybe try a little harder with Captain Kitt's help?
I thought this was a quick fun read about the joys of blind dates. I felt so bad for Lily getting stood up on her date!! I was mortified for her during the shower scene and thought that poor girl had such bad luck!!
Todd was a nice guy but definitely did not do a good job at keeping his keys out of the reach of Captain Kitt!
Great humor and fun book!
9) Dress Blues by Lisa Carlisle
Vivi Parker is a former marine who now attends college and volunteers for the Boston Feline Rescue Shelter. She was injured while serving overseas and now lives with both physical and mental scars to remind her of the past.
Jack Conroy was an officer with the Marines and has come home after serving his term. While overseas he met Vivi and although the two were extremely attracted to each other they never did more than kiss due to him being an officer. When he sees her again he realizes how much he has never forgotten her.
Unfortunately Vivi can't let go of the past and doesn't want to be the person who holds Jack up from achieving what he wants to do. Will Jack let Vivi push him away or will he help her to overcome her hesitations and be that person she has always been?
I enjoyed this book as it really talks about the perception we have on ourselves and whether we judge others to what we think they want with their own lives. Vivi had to overcome a lot and felt like she wasn't a good enough fit for Jack due to some physical inabilities but that's not what made Jack fall for her in the first place.
I loved that both of them gave back by volunteering when they could or just by contributing what they could, if it wasn't able to be monetary.
I liked Vivi as she had been through a lot but I also really liked how she realized what she was doing to herself and how she was able to turn it around for herself. She had a lot of strength inside of her but she had to find it beneath the layers of self-doubt.
I loved that Jack was patient and really wanted Vivi to know how much he cared and didn't care about the scars. He was a sweet guy and was so patient with her!
Great box series!
Reviewed for KFA
October 10, 2016
This review is for MR. NOVEMBER (Vancouver Vice #4) by Melanie Ting. I haven’t had the opportunity to read the rest of the books yet. I have skimmed through the other books; they look promising, and I am looking forward to reading them.
I follow Melanie Ting’s Vancouver Vice Series and was eager to read the next book in the series. I was not disappointed. This story was adorable. I love both cats and hockey so MR. NOVEMBER gave me my fix of both.
AHL enforcer Marty Devonshire is asked to pose for a team charity calendar promoting a local cat shelter. While there, he meets volunteer Elaine Salang and Knightley the Cat; both changing his life. This contemporary sports romance takes place in Vancouver, Canada.
I really enjoyed the characters. Marty is super sweet. He is tough on the ice and shy off of it. I love how his team mates band together to try to help Marty gain the confidence to pursue Elaine. Although it was clearly all Knightley the cats doing. I love that Marty adopts Knightley and that they both have a scar on their face. They make very compatible companions. Elaine is a caring heroine. She is smart and hard working. She has a great family. I can understand why she was hesitant about Marty, and I’m glad she gave it another chance. The couple and cat are great together.
At first, I wasn’t crazy about Marty’s roommate, Jonesy, but he ends up being a good guy. I was happy that Amanda Richardson from AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE played a role in this story. I like that her cat was brought up. I appreciated that Eric Fairburn from book one, THE TAO OF HOCKEY, gave Marty some sound advice. I also, love the tip-in hockey scenes with Eric.
The story was well-written and believable. It had a sweet ending. MR. NOVEMBER is an excellent addition to the Vancouver Vice Series.
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
I follow Melanie Ting’s Vancouver Vice Series and was eager to read the next book in the series. I was not disappointed. This story was adorable. I love both cats and hockey so MR. NOVEMBER gave me my fix of both.
AHL enforcer Marty Devonshire is asked to pose for a team charity calendar promoting a local cat shelter. While there, he meets volunteer Elaine Salang and Knightley the Cat; both changing his life. This contemporary sports romance takes place in Vancouver, Canada.
I really enjoyed the characters. Marty is super sweet. He is tough on the ice and shy off of it. I love how his team mates band together to try to help Marty gain the confidence to pursue Elaine. Although it was clearly all Knightley the cats doing. I love that Marty adopts Knightley and that they both have a scar on their face. They make very compatible companions. Elaine is a caring heroine. She is smart and hard working. She has a great family. I can understand why she was hesitant about Marty, and I’m glad she gave it another chance. The couple and cat are great together.
At first, I wasn’t crazy about Marty’s roommate, Jonesy, but he ends up being a good guy. I was happy that Amanda Richardson from AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE played a role in this story. I like that her cat was brought up. I appreciated that Eric Fairburn from book one, THE TAO OF HOCKEY, gave Marty some sound advice. I also, love the tip-in hockey scenes with Eric.
The story was well-written and believable. It had a sweet ending. MR. NOVEMBER is an excellent addition to the Vancouver Vice Series.
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2016
An entertaining mix of cats - from housecats to lions, tigers and panthers, cat ladies, and men, shifters and human! Murder, mystery, intrigue and romance all balance out in the end. I've read these four stories so far (three standalones, one cliffhanger):
The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol was an intriguing romance mystery! A stolen cat named Penny/Lola that's been rescued, literally! A troubled owner in Miranda; an "interested," vet in Raul! Solid characters and story! 5 stars
Cat Scratch Fever by L.C. Alleyne involves political espionage and murder in Norway. Rafe is the Inspector protecting Kristen, who works for the Brazilian government. Birger is "Rafe's," cat, a huge Norwegian Forest cat; he's not a shifter, but there is a bigger shifter involved. Good story, 3 stars.
FORGIVE ME (SANCTUARY LAKE 2) by Lori Whyte is filled with housecats. Rachel runs a cat hotel and has quite a few cats of her own! However, this story stars Thomasina, Rachel's neighbor's cat. Grady, Rachel's ex, has returned to the lake and just in time since there's been a murder! Good story 3 stars.
Sanctuary by Sukie Chaplin involves Indy's exotic cat sanctuary, meaning "big" cats, lions, tigers and panthers! So, the cat here, Loki, is no house cat! Indy's been running things on her own until she hires Jake. He's kept vital info from Indy! Page turner! Cliffhanger, still give it 4 stars.
Book free for honest review.
The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol was an intriguing romance mystery! A stolen cat named Penny/Lola that's been rescued, literally! A troubled owner in Miranda; an "interested," vet in Raul! Solid characters and story! 5 stars
Cat Scratch Fever by L.C. Alleyne involves political espionage and murder in Norway. Rafe is the Inspector protecting Kristen, who works for the Brazilian government. Birger is "Rafe's," cat, a huge Norwegian Forest cat; he's not a shifter, but there is a bigger shifter involved. Good story, 3 stars.
FORGIVE ME (SANCTUARY LAKE 2) by Lori Whyte is filled with housecats. Rachel runs a cat hotel and has quite a few cats of her own! However, this story stars Thomasina, Rachel's neighbor's cat. Grady, Rachel's ex, has returned to the lake and just in time since there's been a murder! Good story 3 stars.
Sanctuary by Sukie Chaplin involves Indy's exotic cat sanctuary, meaning "big" cats, lions, tigers and panthers! So, the cat here, Loki, is no house cat! Indy's been running things on her own until she hires Jake. He's kept vital info from Indy! Page turner! Cliffhanger, still give it 4 stars.
Book free for honest review.
October 9, 2016
I am voluntarily reviewing this collection. I'm going to enter the reviews as I read the stories.
1) the vet and the geek by Sidney Bristol: Raul, Dr C is a Mcdreamy veterinarian with a dream of running an animal rescue. He meets Miranda, cat owner, when she brings her grumpy cat, Lola, in because she's lethargic. Turns out the cat is pregnant. She's also the doctor's cat that his ex-fiancée stole several years ago and the kitty recognizes him! Miranda is NOT giving up her cat but Raul asks her if he could visit or visit the kittens. Miranda, unknown to Raul, has had a stalker for years and suffers because former boyfriends think she's crazy and paranoid, so she is skittish about letting Raul come over. But she gives in and is frantically looking for the cat when Raul shows up because now Lola is hiding somewhere having kittens.From this point on things move very fast between Raul and Miranda, like lightning speed. Kissing, staying over, leaving clothing, leaving pets, etc...is it real ? What about the stalker? What about the rescue dream? Does the lure of the dream make Miranda come in second? Great story! Can't put it down!!
1) the vet and the geek by Sidney Bristol: Raul, Dr C is a Mcdreamy veterinarian with a dream of running an animal rescue. He meets Miranda, cat owner, when she brings her grumpy cat, Lola, in because she's lethargic. Turns out the cat is pregnant. She's also the doctor's cat that his ex-fiancée stole several years ago and the kitty recognizes him! Miranda is NOT giving up her cat but Raul asks her if he could visit or visit the kittens. Miranda, unknown to Raul, has had a stalker for years and suffers because former boyfriends think she's crazy and paranoid, so she is skittish about letting Raul come over. But she gives in and is frantically looking for the cat when Raul shows up because now Lola is hiding somewhere having kittens.From this point on things move very fast between Raul and Miranda, like lightning speed. Kissing, staying over, leaving clothing, leaving pets, etc...is it real ? What about the stalker? What about the rescue dream? Does the lure of the dream make Miranda come in second? Great story! Can't put it down!!
November 17, 2016
Great collection!
The Vet and the Geek - Sidney Bristol - 5 stars
Great story, loved the characters. Keeps you in suspence about Miranda's stalker.
Mr. November - Melanie Ting - 5 stars
Sweet, funny read. Loved that Marty isn't your normal tough guy.
Cat Scratch Fever - L.C. Alleyne - 4 stars
Great short shifter story.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance - Elle Rush - 5 stars
Loved Decker & Joy. Great characters, and a fun and engaging story. Can be read as a stand alone.
Cats in the Craddle - Jerri Drennen - 5 star
Great story, funny & suspenseful. The story kept me guess as to who the real murder was.
Forgive Me - Lori Whyte - 5 stars
Great second chance story with suspense. Can be read as a stand alone but will make you want to
read the others in the series.
Santuary - Sukie Chapin - 5 stars
Indiana and Jake are great characters, love the story line. It does end in a cliffhanger.
Mr. Hot Stuff - Abby Cheshire - 3 stars
Love the story line. The conversations where not always realistic and on occasion hard to follow.
Great story idea and characters.
Dress Blues - Lisa Carlisle - 4 stars
Good military romance with good story line and characters.
The Vet and the Geek - Sidney Bristol - 5 stars
Great story, loved the characters. Keeps you in suspence about Miranda's stalker.
Mr. November - Melanie Ting - 5 stars
Sweet, funny read. Loved that Marty isn't your normal tough guy.
Cat Scratch Fever - L.C. Alleyne - 4 stars
Great short shifter story.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance - Elle Rush - 5 stars
Loved Decker & Joy. Great characters, and a fun and engaging story. Can be read as a stand alone.
Cats in the Craddle - Jerri Drennen - 5 star
Great story, funny & suspenseful. The story kept me guess as to who the real murder was.
Forgive Me - Lori Whyte - 5 stars
Great second chance story with suspense. Can be read as a stand alone but will make you want to
read the others in the series.
Santuary - Sukie Chapin - 5 stars
Indiana and Jake are great characters, love the story line. It does end in a cliffhanger.
Mr. Hot Stuff - Abby Cheshire - 3 stars
Love the story line. The conversations where not always realistic and on occasion hard to follow.
Great story idea and characters.
Dress Blues - Lisa Carlisle - 4 stars
Good military romance with good story line and characters.
October 22, 2016
I enjoyed this fun set of romances featuring both contemporary romances and paranormal as well. There are a lot of entertaining stories included. I do love cats so the theme was definitely a hit with me.
These sets are great for introducing me to new authors. I also get to read new stories from my favorites.
The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol is a story of how a vet finds his missing cat and it leads to a new love.
Cat Scratch Fever by L.C. Alleyne gives you a good paranormal story.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance by Elle Rush has some humor that really makes the story enjoyable.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2) by Lori Whyte is about getting another chance to make something right.
Sanctuary by Suki Chapin is a great story with a rich relationship between the characters but does end with a cliff-hanger.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
These sets are great for introducing me to new authors. I also get to read new stories from my favorites.
The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol is a story of how a vet finds his missing cat and it leads to a new love.
Cat Scratch Fever by L.C. Alleyne gives you a good paranormal story.
Decker and Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance by Elle Rush has some humor that really makes the story enjoyable.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2) by Lori Whyte is about getting another chance to make something right.
Sanctuary by Suki Chapin is a great story with a rich relationship between the characters but does end with a cliff-hanger.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
November 7, 2016
Review is for The Vet and the Geek by Sidney Bristol
Miranda is a video game designer who is living with the fact that someone is stalking her, the police are unable to find the culprit. She tries to live as normal as can day, day by day, when she has to take her kitty cat to the vet, a surprise awaits, as the vet is the original owner of her cat, quite a story there which I’ll leave for you to find out when you read it yourself. They start off a friendship that turns into more.
What’s not to love about a hunky vet, and one who appreciates Miranda’s geekiness. I couldn’t wait to find out how the author resolves the stalker issue and was glad it is finally over and they found out who it was. I’m a big fan of this author and especially this series, can’t wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Miranda is a video game designer who is living with the fact that someone is stalking her, the police are unable to find the culprit. She tries to live as normal as can day, day by day, when she has to take her kitty cat to the vet, a surprise awaits, as the vet is the original owner of her cat, quite a story there which I’ll leave for you to find out when you read it yourself. They start off a friendship that turns into more.
What’s not to love about a hunky vet, and one who appreciates Miranda’s geekiness. I couldn’t wait to find out how the author resolves the stalker issue and was glad it is finally over and they found out who it was. I’m a big fan of this author and especially this series, can’t wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
May 31, 2017
The Vet & the Geek (Gone Geek #2) Sidney Bristol, NYT & USA
(r Mar 25/17) Eh. I liked the outlines of each character, but found the heroine to be too much, too bitter, too suspicious. So much could have been averted if they just talked to each other! And I am so over the evil stalker plot line.
Mr. November by Melanie Ting
(r Mar 26/17) Writing was clunky, awkward at times. Like the main characters, and the cats were cute.
Cat Scratch Fever, L.C. Alleyne
(r Mar 26/17) Solid shifter story. Interesting cross-cultural plot - Norway, Brazil and Canada. Insta-lust, I bought it. The heroine was strong and kicked some ass. Overall, pretty good.
Decker & Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance, Elle Rush
(r Mar 27/17) A fairly light story, sweet. There was some background that I didn’t get because I haven’t read any others in this series, but not too much.
Cats in the Cradle, Jerri Drennen
(r Mar 28/17) The phrase that comes to mind after reading this story is, “over the top”. There was murder, neighborhood gossip, threats, kidnapping and more. The hero and heroine moved very quickly from attraction to lust to love. There is quite a bit of time spent in each of the main character’s heads. There were many times where I wanted the main characters to just talk to each other! Communication rather than the magic wang works so much better.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2), Lori Whyte
(r Mar 31/17) Ok. A little over the top. The crazy of the villain was pretty obvious. There were just too many bits that didn't get tied off. And far to much sequel bait about the other brothers of the hero.
Sanctuary, Sukie Chapin
(r Apr 1/17) Well written story with a great heroine and hero. They are both passionate about looking after big cats, both near scars from hard lives lived. But. I am really pissed off because this story ends in a fucking cliffhanger! No warning, no "part one of two". Just an abrupt as fuck ending. The story is really good. And I'm not sure I'm going to buy part two because I am so ticked off.
Mr. Hot Stuff, Abby Cheshire
(r Apr 1/17) Eh. This one tried too hard, the romance between hero and heroine was overly complicated.
Dress Blues, Lisa Carlisle, USA
(r Apr 2/17) I love a good second chance romance, and this one has all my favorite variations - forbidden romance, ex-military, tough yet tender heroine, confident yet thoughtful hero. The execution is solidly ok.
Bought from kindle
(r Mar 25/17) Eh. I liked the outlines of each character, but found the heroine to be too much, too bitter, too suspicious. So much could have been averted if they just talked to each other! And I am so over the evil stalker plot line.
Mr. November by Melanie Ting
(r Mar 26/17) Writing was clunky, awkward at times. Like the main characters, and the cats were cute.
Cat Scratch Fever, L.C. Alleyne
(r Mar 26/17) Solid shifter story. Interesting cross-cultural plot - Norway, Brazil and Canada. Insta-lust, I bought it. The heroine was strong and kicked some ass. Overall, pretty good.
Decker & Joy: A North Pole Unlimited Romance, Elle Rush
(r Mar 27/17) A fairly light story, sweet. There was some background that I didn’t get because I haven’t read any others in this series, but not too much.
Cats in the Cradle, Jerri Drennen
(r Mar 28/17) The phrase that comes to mind after reading this story is, “over the top”. There was murder, neighborhood gossip, threats, kidnapping and more. The hero and heroine moved very quickly from attraction to lust to love. There is quite a bit of time spent in each of the main character’s heads. There were many times where I wanted the main characters to just talk to each other! Communication rather than the magic wang works so much better.
Forgive Me (Sanctuary Lake #2), Lori Whyte
(r Mar 31/17) Ok. A little over the top. The crazy of the villain was pretty obvious. There were just too many bits that didn't get tied off. And far to much sequel bait about the other brothers of the hero.
Sanctuary, Sukie Chapin
(r Apr 1/17) Well written story with a great heroine and hero. They are both passionate about looking after big cats, both near scars from hard lives lived. But. I am really pissed off because this story ends in a fucking cliffhanger! No warning, no "part one of two". Just an abrupt as fuck ending. The story is really good. And I'm not sure I'm going to buy part two because I am so ticked off.
Mr. Hot Stuff, Abby Cheshire
(r Apr 1/17) Eh. This one tried too hard, the romance between hero and heroine was overly complicated.
Dress Blues, Lisa Carlisle, USA
(r Apr 2/17) I love a good second chance romance, and this one has all my favorite variations - forbidden romance, ex-military, tough yet tender heroine, confident yet thoughtful hero. The execution is solidly ok.
Bought from kindle
November 7, 2016
I liked this set of nine books - in my opinion Hot Stuff, The Vet and the Geek, North Pole Unlimited and Sanctuary were the best of these contemporary romances with the odd paranormal thrown in.
March 17, 2025
Crazy Cat Ladies is a great collection of stories all partially starring cats. Meet-Cutes, second chances, opposites attract and more. A most enjoyable read especially for cat lovers.
December 17, 2016
3. 5 stars for this collection.
I really enjoyed Decker and Joy. All the mystery lines tied together with a happily ever after. And the cats were central.
There were multiple authors with great writing voice, but nearly all these stories were erotic romance which isn't my thing (as you know if you follow me). Some of the stories had the cats playing very minor roles which was disappointing.
For the price, a good investment. I think I only skipped three of the nine stories when they didn't hook me by the third chapter.
I really enjoyed Decker and Joy. All the mystery lines tied together with a happily ever after. And the cats were central.
There were multiple authors with great writing voice, but nearly all these stories were erotic romance which isn't my thing (as you know if you follow me). Some of the stories had the cats playing very minor roles which was disappointing.
For the price, a good investment. I think I only skipped three of the nine stories when they didn't hook me by the third chapter.
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