Laughter, Romance, and oh yeah, a dead body or two ... :)
926456
I laughed, I cried, I couldn't stop reading. Two of those are true, didn't really find this one sad, and as a "Comic Mystery" that's a good thing! Lauren Baratz-Logsted brought to life many characters that made this a lovely mystery to read. I recommend this to anyone who likes mysteries, likes to laugh, or is feeling blue. I just wish the romance made more of an impact, ah well, can't have everything. I received my copy through the publisher for my honest review.
1403439
DEAD FLOWERS-
Julie Collins hates Valentine's Day, and with all the cheating spouses she and her business partner/best friend, Kevin, have been investigating lately, she hates it even more.  When she suspects her boyfriend, Hombres MC  president Martinez, is cheating on her, she turns her ace detective skills on him.
This short story was a great time to catch up with Julie, Martinez, Kevin and Jimmer. It was funny, sad and sexy. I'm still trying to figure out how a story can be so satisfying, and yet leave me wanting more.
BAITED-
 The Julie Collins series is one of my all-time favorites and I was so excited when I heard that Lori Armstrong was writing a brand new novella! If you're a fan of Julie, you won't want to miss this latest installment.
Julie is hired to investigate a missing person, by the man's best friend who believes he isn't just missing, but dead. Although she isn't completely convinced, she agrees to take the case. As with all the books in this series, there's no predicting what Julie will find once she starts digging around.
Feeling at loose ends, Julie is looking to make a new friend, but don't worry, her old friends are all here--Kevin, Jimmer, Big Mike and Julie's love interest, Tony Martinez.
An interesting mystery, some laugh out loud moments, and even a little romance, you don't want to miss this one!
3938733
Maybe it's just a theme with the books I've been reading, but women getting sick in front of the soon-to-be love of their lives is becoming a trend... Maybe I should contract the flu and hang around some hot guys... see what happens.

The description gives you the main deets on this fun book, but it doesn't tell you that this isn't Cassie's first time hiring an escort for a business or family event. The majority of the boys she's hired before have been just that -- boys; college boys to be exact. So, after putting on a daring dress that her best friend and assistant bought for her (right before stealing away the sensible outfit that Cassie had already chosen), Cassie is surprised to see a full-grown man standing in her office reception area. And, for the first time ever, she begins to consider paying for the happy ending.

James Sutton happens to be VERY surprised that Cassie mistakes him for an escort but, intrigued by the woman (and the many condoms that fell out of her clutch) he doesn't correct her assumption.  And finds himself embroiled in her family & friends at the party, getting an inside look at the family behind the business that he competes with for business.  As Cassie bosses him around like an employee (as that's what she thinks he is), he finds himself falling for her, completely unexpectedly...

Now, here's where it gets interesting: you'd think that he'd tell her the truth before they sleep together, right? Hah! Well, she doesn't really give him a chance -- no spoilers, but, hell, it's a fun scene!

This whole book is fun and I found myself smiling and laughing, all the while feeling sympathy for both parties, cringing at how the situation snowballs out of control. Thankfully, as in all happy stories, there is a happy ending (heh, in both ways) but it takes strength, stubbornness and standing up for what one believes in for it to happen... oh, and a burning Christmas tree.

Definitely 4 out of 5 flowers for being fun, amusing and just a nice read.

-------------------------------------

I write reviews for UrbanGirlReader.com with some other awesome chicks -- for even more reviews, check out the site!
1062557
I love reading about Agnes and Eleanor..they are senior citizens who are always on the move and that means,they are usually at the right place...at the wrong time ! lol. and there's usually a body or two involved. this set of 3 books is the beginning of the series and not only are there bodies ..there are ghosts..some are friendly,some are sweet, some are snarky, and some are just down right scary !  ..and Agnes and El..meet them all. There is even a young girl ghost who attaches herself to Agnes...after Ag gets into a bad car accident and hits her hear,.she wakes up in the hospital with this ghost looking at her..seems Aggie's accident happened at the exact place that the ghost "CAROLINE" died in her hit and run accident..this is where the ghosts become visible to Agnes and she is surprised to have this new talent.. but it does help her as she begins to investigate the history of the ghosts..who they are,how they died,and darn it..why are they coming to Agnes for help and darn it..why didn't they cross over !!. it makes for a fun lighthearted who done what to whom ..and a very good read.. def recommend them..
1580843
There's not a whole lot out there in humorous M/M romance, or not intentionally humorous at least, so Beauty and the Bookworm is a real gem. I felt a fool laughing to myself; luckily I was alone, which actually says a great deal about how funny this story is.

Some of the things Mason's gran says, though.

This is probably a five-star read, but there are a few formatting errors that I couldn't overlook, because they made it difficult to follow the shift in narrative.

Great characters, and an almost-believable romance that laughs at itself. I love the asides from Mason. I'll definitely be reading more from Nick Pageant.
2069913
This whodunit has everything you could hope for in a mystery--clues that lead the reader delightfully astray, suspense to the very end, a double-dose of romantic intrigue, and a truly lovable heroine. But here's  the real surprise: This book is also laugh out-loud funny. More, please!
2097790
I loved it even though I expected a murder mystery
. Evidently I didn't read the part where it said"A  Short Romance". I don't normally like romance novels, but I have to say with this one I really did. It has plenty of comedic scenes, it kept me laughing. So if you like comedy with romance, this read is for you.
2657254
This title had be laughing out loud and I just had to check this book out. SOOO GLAD I DID!!

What do you do when you are tired of being set up on blind dates? Well, you could do like Beth did and answer your door wearing a ratty bathrobe, looking slightly crazed, with a blacked out tooth! Have I mentioned that I love Beth? She is quirky, and speaks her mind (Apparently lacking a filter) often  landing herself in murky water with her outlandish comments.
This particular date however, has the same idea, and Gabe shows up with a rose in his mouth, and the outrageous comment about only being there for the sex. Much to his surprise, he finds himself yanked inside her house as she reaches for the hem of her gown.
The hilarity ensues from there, and the story only builds. We discover that Gabe has a rather sad past, being a widower, and living out on a ranch alone, while Beth is a divorcee with four kids and an ex who is a major douchebag.
While trying her damnedest to get Gabe into her bed, Beth contemplates the idea of buying a vibrator in an effort to release some of her pent up sexual frustration.
But when her ex turns up dead, and Beth is the prime suspect, will Gabe come through after the huge fight they'd had? Of course, it might help if he had a clue that she was being arrested ...

You guys will not be disappointed with this book! I fully intend to seek out more books by C.C. Coburn, that's for sure!!
2579221
I love my cozies and am always looking for a new series and author.

This one was such a blast.

I loved these ladies and it was double fun because these characters are on the other side of 60 and 70 years old.

You wouldnt know by the shenanigans they got into. Especially the skinny dipping. A few of them were all for getting it checked off their bucket lists. But a few were afraid to drop their robes and expose those bodies to view. They might all be good friends, but some things should remain unseen. It was funny how some hemmed and hawed and just plain stalled the disrobing.

I think several of them issued huge sighs of relief when, while checking the pool shed for chemicals, the door was opened and out plopped a dead guy.

Hey, thats one that needs to be checked off a bucket list too. Solve a murder.

Whether they like it or not, all of the ladies are involved in this mess and the fun begins as they poke their little noses where they don't belong.

I was reading the scene about the crime scene tour to my mother and we got the giggles. Id try to read more, glance over at her, and wed bust out laughing again. A whole lot of laughs in this book.

I felt like I knew these ladies. My mother and her friends are so much like them. I can only hope Im that spry, determined, and nosy when I get their age.

More than one mystery here, lots of colorful, quirky characters, and a few things thrown in to spice it up, Murder On The Bucket List has everything I require in a fun cozy.

Ill be following these ladies through this series. I wonder what mess theyll stumble into next.

I received this book for my honest review.
2408634
I really enjoyed reading this, it was just a perfect, but not so perfect romance story.  Most definitely funny, caught myself laughing out loud on more then one occasion.  Sweet, cute, sad, sassy and full of love, laughter, silly mishaps, heartbreak, new friendships, family, friends, wine and wonder.  Loved it!! :)
673324
Valerie Valentyn had a little problem. OK. It was a big problem. Someone had been murdered in her bed, and  - ridiculous as it seems - when the victim is found in YOUR bed, the police believe YOU killed him! I know! That's what Valerie thought, too! Couldn't they see how preposterous that was? Sure, she'd had a little too much to drink last night. And, ok. She had a history of violence and blacking out when she drank too much. But murder? No way that she would ever kill someone!

However, that was only the first problem as far as Valerie and her friends were concerned: as long as the police believed she killed the man, they were not going to look for the real killer. That meant she would have to do it herself. (Which further meant she couldn't afford to be arrested as the police and her lawyer expected in the morning. So she was going to have to go on the lam.)

Follow Valerie as she stumbles her way through the best investigation she and her friends (Julie, Rose - my favorite character by far, and even Heather) can manage. She keeps assuring everyone she has almost solved the case, but she isn't making much progress at all. Finally she tells everyone she will turn herself in if she can't solve it by the deadline she makes up on the spot.

So will Valerie find the real killer or not? After the last few days she has had, being warm and fed don't sound so bad. And surely her friends would come visit her in prison....

I have never borrowed a cozy for my free monthly Prime book, but the reviews for this one kept saying how funny - laugh out loud funny - and even hilarious it was so I had to check it out for myself.

I have to say, I was really wondering what was so funny because I wasn't laughing at all yet, and I was over a quarter of the way through the book. But then I actually found something funny! I checked. I was 33% of the way through the book.

There were several funny moments in the story after that, and I did enjoy the book. But do not buy this expecting an hysterically funny, laugh out loud story. If it IS that for you, that is great, and I mean that sincerely. However, if it is NOT that, know that it is still a fun little cozy.

However, one thing I would like to add: this is a complete story. You do not have to get the next book to follow the story line. I obviously don't know if this holds true for the book two or not, but I would expect so. I hate to get to the end of a book and THEN learn it has no ending! VERY frustrating! So I thought I would let you know this IS a stand alone story.
1749537
First I'd just like to make a small comment of something I just noticed that I think is pretty funny. So when Ellie goes into a job she covers herself completely, making sure no skin is showing, because she knows that some ghost like to play rough and so she's constantly making comments on how Stacey, the new girl, is always wearing tanks and shorts. She's just warning her but Stacey of course doesn't see how dangerous the job is until one gets rough with her. Anyways, the funny thing is that Ellie's character- I'm pretty sure that's her haha- is on the cover. It's gorgeous no doubt and eye catching, but I'm pretty sure Ellie's character in the book would have a few words for Ellie on the cover for wearing a tied up shirt and shorts haha. I just thought that was funny and could totally imagine that!

Now, onto reviewing the book......

I was instantly hooked! As I twitted the night I started it, late in the night mind you! "Yes, let's read a ghost story.....at night..... all alone ;) #amreading" It's loads of fun but you'll definitely be getting some chills and feeling like someone is constantly watching you, it's a great feeling if you love ghost stories! If you love the fright! I was so hooked I had to pull away so I could get some sleep before I went cross eyed and I couldn't wait to get back to it the next day of course!

I was constantly sitting on the edge of my seat! Not once did I get bored but as we got deeper into the story I was wondering when we would learn a little bit of Ellie and how she came into this business. Most of the first half of the book is about them catching this very active ghost for this family of three that's trying to renovate a bed and breakfast. I thought it was interesting and unique when they put up a fake funeral to try to coax out the ghost......clearly it wouldn't be that easy for this one.

*Slight spoiler- They do eventually catch this big bad ghost and when they did I was surprised because we still had 50% left, I had no idea where this book was going. I shouldn't have doubted J.L Bryan! I knew this mystery couldn't be over, there was still a few unanswered questions I felt. After they took away the ghost, where they take non-dangerous ghost is actually pretty cool, that's when the other lost souls decided to come out to play. Before Ellie figured it out, I saw the ghost was just trying to protect the humans by making them leave because there was something worse in the shadows than her and she was holding that ghost in it's place.

So the second half of the story is where Ellie dives deeper in the mystery of what really happened at this mansion and where we find out, in good timing too, how Ellie became apart of the ghost hunting world. I liked when we got more of her story, it made me start to connect to her better- though there was never a moment where I didn't feel not connected- it just gave me a better sense of who she was.

Overall I truly enjoyed this and loved getting lost in this world! So much ghostly action I can't wait to get my hands on the next one! Honestly, I can't believe I'm just now finally reading J.L Bryan's work! I have three other books of his so now I think I'm going to jump on them because I am craving more from him big time ;) haha. Oh, and the ending was absolutely brilliant!! I was cracking up, it's the least the bad guys deserve!
2382727
Some tales lend themselves perfectly to audio and DEATH AND THE REDHEADED WOMAN narrated by the lovely Amanda Ronconi was just such a story. I devoured all seven hours and nineteen minutes of this in a single day. I laughed, swooned and was caught up in the search for hidden treasure.

Wren Morgan is cataloging the Campell estate when she discovers a naked dead man. Death Bogart a former Marine, recently discharged after suffering injuries in Afganasitain. Recover has left him divorced, broke and beginning a new career.  He possesses both a private-eye and bounty hunter license and has taken on his first case. Death is looking for stolen jewels to catch a murderer, and it leads him to the Campbell mansion.

Wren and Death (gads I love his name, pronounced Deeth) end up working together. Things get complicated between them. Things like kisses and break-ins.

I loved the cast of characters particularly Wren and Death. Wren is bright and sweet. She is the total girl next store. The one who makes you soup when your sick and water your plants.  She was level-headed, often said what she thought and tried to salvage things. Death was scrumptious, clever and quite the detective. I honestly expected Wren to be the one to pick up clues and solve things, but Death is the total package.

The mystery was clever and kept me guessing until almost the very end. It felt plausible, and I liked that both mysteries were solved. Ross did a great job creating suspense and suspicion with plenty of evil villains to loathe and point fingers at.

The romance was light, with a smidgeon of heat and plenty of laughter. Their connection and interactions felt genuine and had me smiling.

Secondary characters and the town all added to the tale from progress with the storyline to humor. Ross gave us a real sense of the town and people allowing the reader to take part in the story.

This was my first experience with narrator Amanda Ronconi, and I found her to be delightful to the ears. She handled both male and female voices seamlessly and captured Wren and Death.
3021024
That was fun, playful, entertaining, and tickled my heartstrings. The chemistry jumped off tge page. The laughter filled my room. A great romp with a beautiful HEA. Well done.
3982837
This is a nice, lighthearted, funny story and I really enjoyed it.

Alice is living quietly, working hard, and getting along with life with no complications. Then into her life comes Jimmy Mack, a daytime TV host.
Jimmy can cook, clean, and he starts looking out for Alice in a way no other man ever has. There is one little problem though. Jimmy is dead, he is a ghost!

Jimmy somehow hasn't passed over and, with Alice's help, he has to try and figure out why he is stuck on Earth.

In trying to figure it all out Jimmy and Alice get themselves in some unusual, and sometimes humorous, situations.

Jimmy strikes me as a genuine character, I was drawn to him almost immediately I started reading. Alice is also a likeable character, and she definitely deserves some happiness.

All the way through I kept waiting for the bit where these 2 could, somehow, be together. Did it come? Or is Jimmy destined to finally cross over when he achieves what he needs to? Will Alice find her happiness or will she be left alone once again?

I loved the pace of the book, and the storyline too. The author has managed to create a story which genuinely drew me in and made me care about the characters and what would happen to them. I'm delighted to find out there will be a sequel, and I can't wait to read that too.
4326023
I have literally just finished reading this book.

My thoughts, when I finished the last sentence: "That was lovely!"

There were a few laugh out loud moments, some "awww!" moments and a lot of good intentions all around.

Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended lighthearted reading :-)
4399144
This romance was both laugh-out-loud funny while also being poignant and moving. I generally don't like romances, but I had a lot of fun with this one!