The Hell You Say (Adrien English Mystery) by Josh Lanyon

The Hell You Say by Josh Lanyon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Blurb:

The long anticipated third novel in the Adrien English series finds the "ill-starred and bookish" mystery writer and bookseller battling demons-maybe literally.
After bookstore clerk Angus flees following terrifying death threats, Adrien must contend with a mysterious Satanic cult, a hot and handsome university professor, and his on-again/off-again relationship with closeted LAPD Homicide Detective Jake Riordan.

My Review:

Angus's odd lifestyle plunges Adrien into another mystery, but The Hell You Say seems more character driven than plot-driven. Even a cultic murder takes a back seat to the changes in Adrien's life; but since I'm sold on Adrien, that's fine. His story moves forward as his mother makes a startling announcement and his problems with Jake come to a head, creating a make or break moment in their relationship.

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Adrien English Mysteries: Fatal Shadows and A Dangerous Thing by Josh Lanyon

Adrien English Mysteries: Fatal Shadows and A Dangerous Thing by Josh Lanyon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Blurb:

Relationships can be murder. Bookseller and mystery author Adrien English is looking for love in all the wrong places--and, according to hot and handsome LAPD detective Jake Riordan, it's liable to get him killed.

My Review:

Fatal Shadows and A Dangerous Thing are the first two books of the Adrien English series, sold together as one book for Kindle. This mystery romance was my first M/M book, and though I skipped over the explicit scenes, I fell for Adrien and his snappy narration.   I enjoyed the other characters as well, including Adrien's over-protective mother, his closeted love interest and his slightly spooky assistant.

Despite his uncanny ability to get tangled up in murder mysteries, Adrien's not a private eye or a cop. He's just a mystery book store owner who's trying to make it through the day and find acceptance and love . . . preferably without discovering any more bodies along the way. 

This book came highly recommended and did not disappoint. In fact, I'm already devouring the third book in the series. Explicit scenes aside--which are not my thing--this is a four star read!

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Martin Luther King Jr: "I Have a Dream"

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Murder, She Wrote: A Fatal Feast by Jessical Fletcher & Donald Bain

The townsfolk of Cabot Cove: William Windom as Dr. Hazlitt, Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, and Ron Masak as Sheriff Metzger

Murder, She Wrote: A Fatal Feast by Jessica Fletcher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book Blurb:

The newest novel in the USA Today bestselling series finds Jessica Fletcher cooking up a heartwarming holiday dinner-and a fresh serving of trouble...Jessica Fletcher would like nothing more than to sit back and relax as Thanksgiving comes to Cabot Cove. But this year, she's already got more on her plate than she can handle.

Jessica is suffering from a rare case of writer's block, and the deadline for her new novel is fast approaching. Also, her friend, Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland, is coming from London to experience the American holiday. But most distressing of all, Jessica is hosting a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner for a guest list that is growing by the day. Jessica carries on toward her culinary conquest, and she couldn't be more thankful about the results. Until she and George take a post-turkey stroll and stumble upon the body of a man with a carving knife stuck in his chest...

My Review:

A pleasant way to spend a wintry afternoon: catching up with old friends in Cabot Cove! All the regular townsfolk are on hand as Jessica Fletcher celebrates Thanksgiving and solves a murder. An enjoyable cozy mystery, especially for fans of the show.

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Willow by Linda Lael Miller

Willow: A Novel by Linda Lael Miller

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book Blurb:

Montana was a wide-open, lawless land when the golden haired Willow married Gideon—a railroad magnate turned U.S. Marshal. Their union was tempestuous and passionate, a mating of two fiery, strong-willed souls destined for each other.

But Willow's love for her husband was matched by her devotion to her outlaw brother, a renegade pursued by a man sworn to hunt him down—Gideon! Willow had to choose...she could betray her own kin, or risk everything—even the love she had dreamed of all her life—to save him.

My Review:

This historical, old West romance is a pleasant, easy read with likeable characters, clever dialogue and a predictable plot. A nice way to spend a few hours.

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Naked Heat by Richard Castle

Naked Heat by Richard Castle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Blurb:

In the sequel to the New York Times bestselling Heat Wave, Richard Castle does it again with his thrilling new mystery. Tough, sexy, professional, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. In what's sure to be another smash sensation by blockbuster author Richard Castle, readers will once again follow Nikki Heat and hotshot reporter Jameson Rook as they trade barbs and innuendos all while on the trail of a murderer!
My Review:

Like Heat Wave, this is another light, enjoyable mystery with Richard Castle, the TV character, as the alleged author. The banter among the characters is just as much fun as it is on the show and the mystery kept me guessing. Again, you can enjoy this even if you don't watch Castle, but you'll miss half fun!

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Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Blurb:

A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light.

Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly best-selling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. PulitzerPrize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of the murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between them. The one called heat.

My Review:

This book can stand alone as an enjoyable mystery, but it's so much more fun if you're a fan of the TV show Castle. I love the lengths the book goes to in order to present Castle as a real author who writes about Jameson Rook! Better yet, just as in the show, New York City is a lively presence in its own right.
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2011 Georgette Heyer Challenge

I've signed up to be 'fascinated' by Georgette Heyer in 2011 by accepting this challenge on Books are a Girl's Best Friend. I've already devoured her Regency and Georgian romances, so I'm going to read five of her mysteries this year.

Happy New Year!