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Two Moon Bay #2
Chaos at Castle Buchanan
Riley Larkin was having a good year. Her romance with Brooks McKay was going wonderfully. She had a wealth of new friends and was enjoying quality time with her stepdaughters. Yes, life in Two Moon Bay was going great.
Then matters get complicated. Her ex-husband comes to town, determined to be part of Riley’s life again and implying he might take the girls with him should he leave.
Adding to Riley’s stress, the town’s newest bachelor has her in his sights, causing tongues to wag and straining her relationship with Brooks. And to top it all off, her fortieth birthday is fast approaching—a milestone Riley dreads.
Overall, an invitation to her brother’s annual murder-mystery gala sounds like just the thing to get her mind off, well, pretty much everything.
Riley’s determined to enjoy her stay at her brother’s gorgeous estate, until playing at murder takes a dark turn. A thief and potential killer stalks the estate grounds, and chaos reigns supreme.
Now Riley’s engulfed in a mystery that dwarfs her other concerns. She fears that if she can’t discover who’s behind the mysterious goings-on at Castle Buchanan, she may not even make it to her fortieth birthday.
Then matters get complicated. Her ex-husband comes to town, determined to be part of Riley’s life again and implying he might take the girls with him should he leave.
Adding to Riley’s stress, the town’s newest bachelor has her in his sights, causing tongues to wag and straining her relationship with Brooks. And to top it all off, her fortieth birthday is fast approaching—a milestone Riley dreads.
Overall, an invitation to her brother’s annual murder-mystery gala sounds like just the thing to get her mind off, well, pretty much everything.
Riley’s determined to enjoy her stay at her brother’s gorgeous estate, until playing at murder takes a dark turn. A thief and potential killer stalks the estate grounds, and chaos reigns supreme.
Now Riley’s engulfed in a mystery that dwarfs her other concerns. She fears that if she can’t discover who’s behind the mysterious goings-on at Castle Buchanan, she may not even make it to her fortieth birthday.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2017
5 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Johnson
30 books11 followersAlyssa Johnson has always loved literature. Whether sharing her favorite authors with her students or writing her own novels, getting lost in the pages of a good book is high on her list of fun. When she's not teaching, reading, or writing her charming mystery/romance novels, she loves hiking in the Smoky Mountains and combing the shores of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 9, 2018
Author Alyssa Johnson delivers an engaging heartwarming, cozy, romantic suspense thriller with a likable heroine who is unafraid to show her vulnerability, who cherishes and deepens her relationships with her best friend Britlee and her stepdaughters, and even when she fears change, still embraces it wholeheartedly with total hope for the best. There's plenty of mystery to keep readers in suspense, romance, plus trouble and tension. Like real life, the protagonist, Riley, has ups and downs; good times and bad, fears and hopes, ideals and illusions. Readers will find it easy to empathize with this vividly humanized heroine.
April 12, 2017
This book keeps you wondering what is going to happen next every minute! The abundance of twists and turns, as well as numerous surprises keep the suspense element ramped up. The conclusion is exciting, unexpected and perfect!
Alyssa Johnson is a master of character dialogue. You feel like you know each of her characters well through their conversations as they interact with one another. They are all relatable and real.
The lovely and detailed setting descriptions skillfully enhance the novel's events as they unfold. An intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable read!
Alyssa Johnson is a master of character dialogue. You feel like you know each of her characters well through their conversations as they interact with one another. They are all relatable and real.
The lovely and detailed setting descriptions skillfully enhance the novel's events as they unfold. An intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable read!
November 17, 2018
Chaos at Castle Buchanan
This is a very cleverly written story & I loved it!
You really need to read the first story to get the gist of this one.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment
This is a very cleverly written story & I loved it!
You really need to read the first story to get the gist of this one.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment
September 20, 2017
Great book! Really open the story with new story lines and expanded the Two Moon Bay world. The story kept you engaged and trying to figure out the story with Reily. Looking forward to the next book to see how the stories build on each other!
May 21, 2017
Excellent Sequel to "Two Moon Bay"
This is the second book in the Two Moon Bay series, and the author has further developed the characters very nicely. She has struck a nice balance between remaining consistent with the characters' personalities as established in the first book, with creating additional dimensions to their personas.
"Chaos" is just as charming and "cozy" as the first book, yet has added sophistication of plot. I also loved the atmosphere of the castle setting and can't wait to read third book in the series!
This is the second book in the Two Moon Bay series, and the author has further developed the characters very nicely. She has struck a nice balance between remaining consistent with the characters' personalities as established in the first book, with creating additional dimensions to their personas.
"Chaos" is just as charming and "cozy" as the first book, yet has added sophistication of plot. I also loved the atmosphere of the castle setting and can't wait to read third book in the series!
December 14, 2018
🔎Clueless Riley gets the frights of her life while her romantic life unravels🏰
December 11, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
3.5 🌟stars
Warning for all Scotland lovers-- this book does not take place in Scotland, despite the misleading title and cover!!
I am a bit conflicted about my reaction to this story, so I will list some of my issues, starting with the good points:
👍I liked:
- Good action, fast-paced, with excitement and suspense, mostly related to a weekend mystery party arranged by the heroine's brother. But, I have to say, I had a better idea of what was happening than the heroine.
- Interesting romantic woes for the heroine (actually, I would have liked more of this, particularly more on beau Brooks, see also below as a problem);
- Some touching relationships with heroine Riley's foster mother and her ex-stepdaughters.
👎However,
- I was misled by the cover and title. I thought at least part of the book took place in Scotland. But no, a castle IN FLORIDA!! Yes, the owner's last name is Buchanan and the castle has a lot of authentic Scottish castle atmosphere, right down to the arrays of weapons on the walls, but I was expecting something else.
- This is not good as a standalone. The book's first chapter has so many characters busting out, it's like the first two or three chapters are missing. Brooks, one of Riley's fellas, is just a vague figure, probably because he was given better fleshing out in the previous book in the series. There are copious references to people and local legends with no further explanation (again, probably a reference to something explained or that happened in the previous book). Here, it's meaningless and confusing. Plus, the whole last chapter is irrelevant to this story, just a teaser for an upcoming book. I don't like this teaser technique. I like a story with a clear and satisfying end.
- The chapters did not flow well. I kept beginning a new chapter wondering what it had to do with the last, thinking I might have missed a chapter. A few pages in, the link would become apparent. I did not like this technique at all.
- The extravagance of the mystery weekend was too much. I had to wonder if the organizer, Riley's foster brother, was a man of wealth and leisure who could devote all of his time to parties and games. He needed to get a job to keep himself otherwise occupied!
- Several characters were quite unlikable, especially Brit and Bebe, two of Riley's "friends." Very opinionated, gossip-prone and seemed supportive only when the spirit moved them.
↔ And, an ambivalent point:
- The heroine, purported to love solving mysteries, is jumpy as all getout and really clueless in SO many ways. She is DEFINITELY no Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple! A clueless detective can be fun and I did sort of like feeling better at solving the mystery than Riley, so this is both a positive and a bit disappointing at the same time.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 11, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
3.5 🌟stars
Warning for all Scotland lovers-- this book does not take place in Scotland, despite the misleading title and cover!!
I am a bit conflicted about my reaction to this story, so I will list some of my issues, starting with the good points:
👍I liked:
- Good action, fast-paced, with excitement and suspense, mostly related to a weekend mystery party arranged by the heroine's brother. But, I have to say, I had a better idea of what was happening than the heroine.
- Interesting romantic woes for the heroine (actually, I would have liked more of this, particularly more on beau Brooks, see also below as a problem);
- Some touching relationships with heroine Riley's foster mother and her ex-stepdaughters.
👎However,
- I was misled by the cover and title. I thought at least part of the book took place in Scotland. But no, a castle IN FLORIDA!! Yes, the owner's last name is Buchanan and the castle has a lot of authentic Scottish castle atmosphere, right down to the arrays of weapons on the walls, but I was expecting something else.
- This is not good as a standalone. The book's first chapter has so many characters busting out, it's like the first two or three chapters are missing. Brooks, one of Riley's fellas, is just a vague figure, probably because he was given better fleshing out in the previous book in the series. There are copious references to people and local legends with no further explanation (again, probably a reference to something explained or that happened in the previous book). Here, it's meaningless and confusing. Plus, the whole last chapter is irrelevant to this story, just a teaser for an upcoming book. I don't like this teaser technique. I like a story with a clear and satisfying end.
- The chapters did not flow well. I kept beginning a new chapter wondering what it had to do with the last, thinking I might have missed a chapter. A few pages in, the link would become apparent. I did not like this technique at all.
- The extravagance of the mystery weekend was too much. I had to wonder if the organizer, Riley's foster brother, was a man of wealth and leisure who could devote all of his time to parties and games. He needed to get a job to keep himself otherwise occupied!
- Several characters were quite unlikable, especially Brit and Bebe, two of Riley's "friends." Very opinionated, gossip-prone and seemed supportive only when the spirit moved them.
↔ And, an ambivalent point:
- The heroine, purported to love solving mysteries, is jumpy as all getout and really clueless in SO many ways. She is DEFINITELY no Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple! A clueless detective can be fun and I did sort of like feeling better at solving the mystery than Riley, so this is both a positive and a bit disappointing at the same time.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 19, 2018
This is book 2 in the Two Moon Bay Mystery series and follows the life of Riley Larkin, who moved to Two Moon Bay about a year ago, after her divorce. She has her two girls visiting for Christmas and has started up a romance with Brooks, who runs the local inn. Just as she thought life was going well, her life gets more complicated. Another heart throb turns up, Connor, the latest resident of Two Moon Bay and also her ex-husband, having broken up with his girlfriend, has decided that maybe Riley will want him back.
As Riley’s 40th birthday looms, her love life gets complicated and Brooks spots her with both Connor and her ex. He isn’t happy, but rather than face her, he ignores her and basically breaks up with her. After that, she is persuaded by her new best friend, to go on a date with Connor, even though she initially says she gets a creepy feeling from him. This is one part of the story that doesn’t really gel – why get off with him and a meal in his house – if you have a creepy feeling? Not what you would expect.
For her 40th birthday weekend, her old friend goes with her to her brother’s castle for a murder mystery weekend, which is an annual event her brother holds. The weekend takes a different than expected turn and she meets a few more characters, who she gets a funny feel from. Is her imagination working overtime, or is something sinister happening? You have to read the book to find out what happens at the castle, see whether Riley will get back with Brooks and what will happen with her girls and their dad – her ex-husband.
An interesting storyline, not quite as good as the first book, but then when you continue a series, you have to expand into another adventure or mystery, to keep the series going. It has an unexpected end to the weekend, but some of the romantic hook-ups just don’t work. If you get a creepy feeling, you certainly don’t go to their house alone for a meal and then end up making out! Brooks doesn’t exactly act like he did in the first book, in this he gives up on Riley far too easily and shows up with a blonde on his arm!
The castle murder mystery party at least adds a bit to the interest, but also shows how much Riley gets things wrong! In this book, she is a really bad judge of character. Riley’s brother at least, runs a good party weekend with lots of twists and surprises. Not as good as the first one, but had it good parts and was an easy read. Hope the next one goes back to the proper relationship links and a more sensible lead character.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
As Riley’s 40th birthday looms, her love life gets complicated and Brooks spots her with both Connor and her ex. He isn’t happy, but rather than face her, he ignores her and basically breaks up with her. After that, she is persuaded by her new best friend, to go on a date with Connor, even though she initially says she gets a creepy feeling from him. This is one part of the story that doesn’t really gel – why get off with him and a meal in his house – if you have a creepy feeling? Not what you would expect.
For her 40th birthday weekend, her old friend goes with her to her brother’s castle for a murder mystery weekend, which is an annual event her brother holds. The weekend takes a different than expected turn and she meets a few more characters, who she gets a funny feel from. Is her imagination working overtime, or is something sinister happening? You have to read the book to find out what happens at the castle, see whether Riley will get back with Brooks and what will happen with her girls and their dad – her ex-husband.
An interesting storyline, not quite as good as the first book, but then when you continue a series, you have to expand into another adventure or mystery, to keep the series going. It has an unexpected end to the weekend, but some of the romantic hook-ups just don’t work. If you get a creepy feeling, you certainly don’t go to their house alone for a meal and then end up making out! Brooks doesn’t exactly act like he did in the first book, in this he gives up on Riley far too easily and shows up with a blonde on his arm!
The castle murder mystery party at least adds a bit to the interest, but also shows how much Riley gets things wrong! In this book, she is a really bad judge of character. Riley’s brother at least, runs a good party weekend with lots of twists and surprises. Not as good as the first one, but had it good parts and was an easy read. Hope the next one goes back to the proper relationship links and a more sensible lead character.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
December 10, 2018
I was not as impressed with this book as I was with the first book. I really don't think the author needed to add a second book to this series, an epilogue in the first book would have been better then this book. There is a lot wrong with this book. To start with I don't get the whole story line with Conner, she finds him creepy and yet she goes on a date and makes out with him and then she sees him again and is creeped out by him. Brooks is story line doesn't make sense either as he acts like a child through most of the book instead of the adult you know him to be. Bebe is telling Riley to hook up with Conner knowing full well she loves Brooks, it's just weird. The whole book is weird and not necessary. Also the best friend is the most annoying person there is, I almost stopped reading because of her. I think the author wanted to do more with the Two Moon Bay people but this did not work at all. It stinks because I really liked the first book but this book was not needed.
*I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
*I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2018
Riley is finally getting a handle of her new life. She has a new beau (Brooks), great new friends and neighbors, and she is getting quality time with her step-daughters. But complications arise when her ex-husband comes to town wanting to start over. If not, the girls might be going back home with him.
Between a misunderstanding with Brooks, a hunky bachelor that is interested in Riley, and the big 4-0 birthday approaching, things get pretty messy. When an invitation arrives from her brother for an annual murder-mystery gala, Riley thinks that a weekend with her brother and best friend is just what she needs. What could possibly go wrong?
The second book in the Two Moon Bay mystery is the perfect combination of romance, mystery, and madcap adventure. The characters are further developed and likable with a multi-dimensional storyline for all readers to enjoy.
Between a misunderstanding with Brooks, a hunky bachelor that is interested in Riley, and the big 4-0 birthday approaching, things get pretty messy. When an invitation arrives from her brother for an annual murder-mystery gala, Riley thinks that a weekend with her brother and best friend is just what she needs. What could possibly go wrong?
The second book in the Two Moon Bay mystery is the perfect combination of romance, mystery, and madcap adventure. The characters are further developed and likable with a multi-dimensional storyline for all readers to enjoy.
December 13, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems for an honest review.
3.5 stars out of 5. Without giving away the plot, here's why:
1. Riley, the main character is well-developed and real, well, mostly. I questioned some of her decisions, like not calling the cops when certain things happened, which seemed unrealistic to me.
2. The minor characters who have roles in the action are differentiated enough so that there's no confusion as to who is who.
3. Parts of the book moved quickly and parts moved not so quickly. Pacing was unbalanced. I actually skimmed the final chapter because it's only a set-up for the next book.
4. This is a great light read. So, if you are at the beach or on vacation, and want something to entertain, this would be a good selection.
3.5 stars out of 5. Without giving away the plot, here's why:
1. Riley, the main character is well-developed and real, well, mostly. I questioned some of her decisions, like not calling the cops when certain things happened, which seemed unrealistic to me.
2. The minor characters who have roles in the action are differentiated enough so that there's no confusion as to who is who.
3. Parts of the book moved quickly and parts moved not so quickly. Pacing was unbalanced. I actually skimmed the final chapter because it's only a set-up for the next book.
4. This is a great light read. So, if you are at the beach or on vacation, and want something to entertain, this would be a good selection.
January 27, 2019
I received a copy of this second book via Hidden Gems to review. At first I was confused as I thought, hmm, I have already read this book.
It began telling me about when and why Riley moved to Florida.
That is all well and good but I think it could have been covered in a briefer version.
This book delves deeper into the ghosts and legends of the town as well as events leading up to Riley`s landmark birthday. There are surprises, good and bad, plus mystery and pulse pounding action.
The characters are the highlight of this book and the legends provide a ton of potential.
It began telling me about when and why Riley moved to Florida.
That is all well and good but I think it could have been covered in a briefer version.
This book delves deeper into the ghosts and legends of the town as well as events leading up to Riley`s landmark birthday. There are surprises, good and bad, plus mystery and pulse pounding action.
The characters are the highlight of this book and the legends provide a ton of potential.
December 29, 2018
This was a bit of a mess. Riley is creeped out by Connor but makes out with. Her best friend Brit is very annoying, not even a little bit likeable. Brooks is not very mature . Reed and his wife appear to be really great people. The author tried linking everything together with a scary story line but it was a bit over the top. I was given a free ARC by Hidden Gems. My review is freely and honestly given
December 15, 2018
I received an ARC from Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review. Intriguing, fun, and entertaining mystery that will keep you turning each page with anticipation. Well written with an great plot, wonderful characters, and easily readable. A great read for a dreary day or a day at the beach. Enjoy! 📚
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews