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Sasha McCandless #4.5
Lovers and Madmen
Note from Melissa: This novella (approximately 15,500 words or 60-65 printed pages) is a gift to my existing readers, who have asked for more about Sasha and Leo’s relationship. If you’re new to the series, I recommend you start with any one of the full-length legal thrillers, which you can find at smarturl.it/sashaseries, and come back to this when you know Sasha and Leo a little bit better.
Sasha McCandless and Leo Connelly are looking forward to a romantic Valentine's Day together--a break from the chaos and danger that seem to follow them. They have a few surprises in store for one another, too.
But first they'll have to navigate multiple hurdles, as Sasha's cooking skills, a battered woman in a parking lot, a former client, and a homeless kitten all threaten to derail their plans.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Sasha McCandless and Leo Connelly are looking forward to a romantic Valentine's Day together--a break from the chaos and danger that seem to follow them. They have a few surprises in store for one another, too.
But first they'll have to navigate multiple hurdles, as Sasha's cooking skills, a battered woman in a parking lot, a former client, and a homeless kitten all threaten to derail their plans.
Happy Valentine's Day!
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2013
172 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Melissa F. Miller
91 books595 followersMelissa F. Miller is a multi-time USA Today bestselling author of mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance novels. Formerly a complex commercial litigator, Melissa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in medieval literature and creative writing poetry and earned her JD, cum laude, from the Duquesne University School of Law, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 22, 2022
3.75 rounded to 4 stars.
A Sasha McCandless novella 🌹💝
A Sasha McCandless novella 🌹💝
March 13, 2022
This is just a little quickie novella to tie up some loose ends from book 4 and to allow Sasha and Leo to focus a little bit on a Valentine's Day romantic interlude.
November 9, 2019
We went out of our way to read this first novella of the McCandless set, not so much for the ongoing developments in the Sasha and Leo romance, but rather to see if author Miller cleaned up the ending of her third full-length novel, “Irretrievably Broken” – which left us dissatisfied to say the least. While we realize the conflict Sasha herself suffers from her legal obligations to a client, she did get some justice out of his new actions in this short tale, as she also dropped a couple of hints about earlier events. Presumably that closes the matter now; meanwhile the couple moves into further commitment in their relationship. The bit about cooking a special Valentine’s meal was rather silly, but probably intended for comic relief. Nuff said.
July 16, 2019
Liked the wrap up but was annoyed that I had to purchase it separately.
October 13, 2017
The author promised the novella...
...to remedy some flaws in a previous book in the series. She did, but I wish she had chosen a different method. The method she chose required the murder of another innocent bystander from the earlier novel, ruined her reputation, and in the process changed a loving (supposedly) husband into a madman.
...to remedy some flaws in a previous book in the series. She did, but I wish she had chosen a different method. The method she chose required the murder of another innocent bystander from the earlier novel, ruined her reputation, and in the process changed a loving (supposedly) husband into a madman.
November 6, 2017
Great inside story
I really like Melissa's short stories sandwiched I between her novels p. They are quick, but do the job of filling in the details to the characters.
I really like Melissa's short stories sandwiched I between her novels p. They are quick, but do the job of filling in the details to the characters.
June 26, 2020
This is a Valentine's Day novella, a little side treat out of the loop that gives us more background in Sasha and Leo's lives. She is frantically trying to make him a fantastic French dinner as a surprise (faithful readers know he is the only cook of the pair) but one of the baristas from the coffee shop below her office gets seriously worked over in the alley, and something needs to be done. Meanwhile, Leo is working on a surprise of his own. Also introduces a new recurring character: Java.
July 14, 2021
A short novella which sees Sasha in the kitchen cooking a romantic meal for Leo. As anyone who has read the series to date this is not a good idea as Sasha's culinary skills are non-existent. Of course she has forgotten an ingredient and pops out to the shops, finds a battered woman, gets attacked by the murderer she successfully represented in a previous book ... there goes dinner!
It has a seriously sweet ending.
It has a seriously sweet ending.
February 1, 2026
Somehow missed reading this before. It's a cute short story about Sasha & Connelly, giving a piece of the puzzle in their relationship. Also adding a new character to the series - Java. I liked how Sasha went to the trouble of learning to cook a special dinner for Valentine's Day! Of course, things can't go smoothly! Not for this couple!
June 30, 2022
Perfect
I'm not.usually into the relationships part of the stories, but I like SAsha and Leo. They feel like real people and friends. This a great follow-up to the last book. Suspect.
I'm not.usually into the relationships part of the stories, but I like SAsha and Leo. They feel like real people and friends. This a great follow-up to the last book. Suspect.
August 2, 2023
The past is haunting Sashas dreams, the couple come to the aid of a vulnerable woman and Sasha finds herself in harms way yet again. Valentine’s Day preparations are interrupted but what a result! Milligan F Miller has punched out yet another kick ass read.
March 6, 2024
Perfect
The legal thrillers are addictive; you can't read just one. Still, they don't lend themselves to the unabashedly sentimental moments of Sarah's and Leo's romance. This novella fits the bill perfectly. Just the right length and just the right amount of distraction.
The legal thrillers are addictive; you can't read just one. Still, they don't lend themselves to the unabashedly sentimental moments of Sarah's and Leo's romance. This novella fits the bill perfectly. Just the right length and just the right amount of distraction.
December 7, 2019
A short but good book.
Delighted that Nick is getting what he deserves.
Sasha and Leo are engaged....WooHoo
Delighted that Nick is getting what he deserves.
Sasha and Leo are engaged....WooHoo
April 8, 2020
The kitten makes it. Good supplemental story.
June 15, 2020
Perfect Ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2020
Nice little ditty, expanding on the relationship between two characters.
November 17, 2020
So so happy the bad guy was caught.
January 10, 2021
It answered some questions from the novel before. Sasha was firm in the client information she would not disclose. A silly part of her cooking a Valentine dinner. Over all an enjoyable one to read.
August 25, 2021
Great storyline. Super characters.
March 11, 2022
A beautiful story about Sasha who attempts to show the man she loves how much he means to her.
Want to read
December 24, 2023Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.
November 17, 2024
Fast read and fun!
I like the way it tied up the loose ends in the previous book. Can't wait to start reading book number 5.
I like the way it tied up the loose ends in the previous book. Can't wait to start reading book number 5.
November 22, 2013
For some reason I didn’t get round to reading this novella which is part of the Sasha McCandless series, and as a result, some (admittedly minor) detail of Melissa F. Miller’s latest novel, Improper Influence didn’t make sense. But better late than never, and even if I’m now one step ahead of the storyline, I still really enjoyed this interlude between novel no. 4 and 5.
All the ingredients are there - Sasha, Connelly and the trouble that inevitably follows them. As usual, every page is a delight, thanks to Miller’s knack for writing tight, fast-paced prose that never loses its thread in unnecessary meanderings. Melissa F Miller is a writer who follows the rules of fiction writing the way many famous writers could only dream of: every sentence contributes to the plot, or to character development. Nothing has been left into the final draft by accident - and that is a rare quality to find in modern writing.
I won’t let these novellas pass me by again, so expect a review of Miller’s latest offering, A Marriage of True Minds: A Sasha McCandless Novella very soon.
All the ingredients are there - Sasha, Connelly and the trouble that inevitably follows them. As usual, every page is a delight, thanks to Miller’s knack for writing tight, fast-paced prose that never loses its thread in unnecessary meanderings. Melissa F Miller is a writer who follows the rules of fiction writing the way many famous writers could only dream of: every sentence contributes to the plot, or to character development. Nothing has been left into the final draft by accident - and that is a rare quality to find in modern writing.
I won’t let these novellas pass me by again, so expect a review of Miller’s latest offering, A Marriage of True Minds: A Sasha McCandless Novella very soon.
March 20, 2016
It serves its purpose to bridge two stories but nothing more. I am reading the McCandless series in order so I haven't started Improper Influence yet (although I will as soon as I finish this review).
It isn't as well written as the books or as interesting, but I recommend reading the series in chronological order. Each book builds heavily upon the one before it.
It isn't as well written as the books or as interesting, but I recommend reading the series in chronological order. Each book builds heavily upon the one before it.
April 19, 2014
For a novella
This is ok for a novella, but I found it to be too predictable, and with it being a novella lacking substance, surprises or depth. As I have read other work by her, I would suggest those over this.
This is ok for a novella, but I found it to be too predictable, and with it being a novella lacking substance, surprises or depth. As I have read other work by her, I would suggest those over this.
June 23, 2014
Written purposefully to explore the relationship between Sasha McCandless and Leo Connelly, of interest if you have read her previous books in the series, it is a little novella to spice up the series.
August 2, 2016
Nice novella that brings a bit of closure.
If you have followed along with the previous stories in this series, this story will be a nice change of pace, before heading back into the thick of it!
If you have followed along with the previous stories in this series, this story will be a nice change of pace, before heading back into the thick of it!
April 26, 2013
Cute little story. I loved how she is into learning new things like cooking. ;)
November 8, 2023
Thank goodness for resolution!! I won't explain more, as I don't want to ruin it, but it was nicely done. And Sasha learning to cook, hysterical!
August 1, 2014
Glad for this novella! Wish it dived into Sasha and Leo's life a little more, but great story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews