A Justified Murder by Jude Deveraux [Review]

A Justified Murder (Medlar Mystery #2) by Jude Deveraux
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: December 16, 2024

Medlar Mystery
1. A Willing Murder
2. A Justified Murder - Paperback | Kindle
3. A Forgotten Murder
4. A Relative Murder
5. An Unfinished Murder

Jude Deveraux
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The small town of Lachlan, Florida, was recently rocked when two bodies were uncovered in the roots of a fallen tree. Despite their lack of investigative experience, Sara Medlar; her niece, Kate; and Jack Wyatt found themselves at the center of the mystery, working together to reveal the truth behind a decades-old secret in the sleepy town. After a narrow escape, they vowed to never again involve themselves in something so dangerous—until Janet Beeson is murdered.

When Janet’s body is discovered, everyone is shocked by the violence of the attack. The sweet little old woman has been shot, stabbed and poisoned, but no one can imagine who would want to harm one of the town’s kindest, most helpful residents.

Sara, Kate and Jack are determined to leave this case to the professionals. But they are soon bombarded by townspeople eager to tell their stories and clear their names with the trio who solved the Morris murders. Even the sheriff is hoping they’ll lend their skills to a crime that seems to have no explanation and no motive. And once the town gets talking, they begin to see that there are more secrets buried in quiet Lachlan than anyone could have imagined…

Thoughts on A Justified Murder: Sara, Kate and Jack keep telling themselves they're not going to get involved in any more murder investigations. You know since things could have turned out very badly after the last one. Honestly, not getting involved should be easy since people don't get murdered every day in Lachlan. Right?

Then Janet Beeson's body is discovered and they're STILL not going to get involved. I mean, yeah, maybe they're asking a few questions. And maybe those questions are raising other questions, but they're not getting involved. They police are absolutely going to take care of things.

The biggest problem the three are running into is that things aren't quite adding up. Everyone says Janet was such a good person, but there's this undercurrent to all the stories that piques Sara's interest. Meanwhile, Jack and Kate are both dealing with coworkers acting strangely and maybe these things are related somehow. So what's a trio to do when things go sideways except start working to untangle the mystery they've discovered?

Some shocking violence, a little subtle investigating, more than a few secrets, and the trio finding things out they never expected. *thumbs up*

The Hero She Deserves by Anna Hackett [Review]

The Hero She Deserves (Unbroken Heroes #4) by Anna Hackett
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: December 12, 2024

Unbroken Heroes
1. The Hero She Needs
2. The Hero She Wants
3. The Hero She Craves
4. The Hero She Deserves - Paperback | Kindle
5. The Hero She Loves

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Norcross Security
1. The Investigator

Treasure Hunter Security
1. Undiscovered

Anna Hackett
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When he goes to investigate a blaring smoke alarm, the last thing he expects to find is Hollywood’s hottest actress…naked.

Deputy Sheriff Sawyer Lane likes the pace of life on Maui. After years as a Navy SEAL and in Ghost Ops, he likes that no one shoots at him. Coming to the island saved him. He still can’t sleep, but he’ll take the sun, sand, and solitude.

Then Oscar-winning actress Hollis Stanton rents the house next to his and torpedoes his solitude. When she sets her coffee machine on fire, he meant to help, not see every glorious inch of her from her russet-red hair to her red-painted toenails.

Soon, they’re running into each other everywhere, and it doesn’t take all of Sawyer’s finely-honed skills to know she’s in trouble and hiding from something. Or someone.

Hollis Stanton usually loves her life—movie roles she enjoys, an Oscar on her mantel, financial security. She’s come a long way from the poor, gangly redhead in hand-me-down clothes. But one stupid party held by a powerful movie producer changes everything.

She accidentally overhears something she shouldn’t have.

Now, someone is following her, breaking into her house, and crashing into her car. Her plan is to lay low in Hawaii. What wasn’t in her plan is the big, muscular, and rugged deputy sheriff next door. Nor is their scorching attraction.
When danger closes in, Hollis realizes Sawyer is the real deal—a hero with scars, who helps those in need.

A hero who will do anything to protect her.

Thoughts on The Hero She Deserves: HOO-BOY. Hollis and Sawyer have more sparks than they almost know what to do with. Just kidding, Sawyer knows what to do with them and he's more than happy to show Hollis everything and anything he can.

But before we get to that point, Sawyer and Hollis have to MEET. And by that I mean he finds her nekkid trying to get the smoke alarm to stop going off. AS ONE DOES. While Sawyer definitely likes what he sees in that first meeting, it's her kindness and intelligence that reels him in. Also, his fiercely protective streak is activated once he realizes she's laying low because she thinks she's being stalked. Sort of. It's complicated.

On Hollis's end, she's running on fumes and worries that no one will believe her when she tells them about what she's dealing with. But Sawyer does believe her and his strength and competence (plus how he doesn't treat her like a superstar) ticks all her boxes and it isn't long before these two are kicking their relationship up a notch.

A little danger, a superstar trying to be incognito, a visit by some of the Norcross crew, a man who knows a good thing when he meets her, and a lady who finds her perfect match while on the run. *thumbs up*

Hope for the Alien Warrior by Honey Phillips [Review]

Hope for the Alien Warrior (Treasured by the Alien #12) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: December 9, 2024

Treasured by the Alien
1. Mama and the Alien Warrior
2. A Son for the Alien Warrior
3. Daughter of the Alien Warrior
4. A Family for the Alien Warrior
5. The Nanny and the Alien Warrior
6. A Home for the Alien Warrior
7. A Gift for the Alien Warrior
8. A Treasure for the Alien Warrior
9. Three Babies and the Alien Warrior
10. Sanctuary for the Alien Warrior
11. A Miracle for the Alien Warrior
12. Hope for the Alien Warrior - Paperback | Kindle

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A cynical alien, an optimistic human, an impossible attraction…

Felicity’s life is safe, predictable - and boring. Until a simple celebration turns into an alien kidnapping, a desperate escape attempt, and an encounter with the most dangerous, unpredictable - and exciting male she’s ever met.

Luxor gave up on his dying race the day they gave up on him. Since then he’s lived by his own rules. Until a curvy little female waltzes into his life looking for a hero. He knows he’s not hero material but for her maybe, just maybe, he can play the part.

Thoughts on Hope for the Alien Warrior: NO LIE, I really like how these sweet, honorable, resigned alien males find their special someone and just BLOOM. This time around we have Felicity and Luxor. Felicity is the 2nd of the human female duo who escaped their original captors. While Lauren (the very pregnant 1st human) found her special someone pretty quickly, she never stopped searching for Felicity. As it turns out, Felicity had been captured by another group and found yet another young human woman and two children. She also ended up in a cage beside a big, brooding Cire male who ultimately helped them all escape.

Before meeting Felicity, Luxor is resigned to a solitary existence. He almost doesn't know what to do with the feelings Felicity kindles in him. Having her on his ship has him thinking things he knows he shouldn't (because Cire males and human females don't work. Right?!?) and having a little one running around just makes things even more confusing. Because he likes them. A lot. And they're starting to feel like family to him.

A few run-ins with some unsavory individuals, a kiddo who knows good people when she meets them, a derelict space station hiding good people (who might need a little medical help), a male who stopped looking toward the future until one determined human crossed his path, and a lady who sees a whole lot of future with the male (and kiddo) she's claimed as her own. *thumbs up*

Clonely You by Ruby Dixon [Review]

Clonely You (Sunrise Cantina #2) by Ruby Dixon
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: December 5, 2024

Sunrise Cantina
1. Only the Clonely
2. Clonely You - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Corsair Brothers
1. Corsairs: Adiron

Risdaverse
1. When She's Ready

Ruby Dixon
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A'ani clone Aithar has had his heart broken a dozen times on Risda III. No one wants the love he is so very eager to give. But then he meets a human woman named Michaela who runs a dairy farm. She wants to rescue her sister, and to do so, she needs Aithar’s help.

He’s willing to help…in exchange for a date.

Michaela warns him that she’s just using him. He’s fine with being used, as long as it involves kissing. Lots and lots of kissing.

She’s determined not to fall in love. He’s just happy to be of service. No commitments…right? Right.

(I think we all know how this story goes…)

Thoughts on Clonely You: Oh, Aithar. Aithar is the A'ani clone who loves easily and continually get his heart broken when the person of his heart turns to someone else. He's undaunted, though. Well, mostly undaunted. He's also teased rather mercilessly by his clone brothers and the others aboard Lord Straik's ship for his penchant to fall in and out of love so easily. Teasing which he takes with good humor although maybe it bruises his tender heart just a little.

Michaela is...probably the opposite of Aithar. She's guarded and tightly wound and she's COMPLETELY caught off guard when the man who separated her from her sister shows up at her door looking to buy butter. Except Aithar isn't the man she thinks he is. Michaela has isolated herself to the point where she didn't realize there was a ship full of A'ani clones setting up camp in Port. Finding this out throws her. Realizing Aithar is NOTHING like the man who took her sister throws her even more.

Aithar, who doesn't let little things like the lady of his dreams attempting to kidnap him and do very bad (not in a naughty way) things to him slow him down, immediately offers to help Michaela with whatever it is she needs help with. Butter making. Caring for cows. WHATEVER. The guy is smitten from the first and is determined to treat Michaela like the goddess he sees in her.

A tiny case of clone-napping, a missing sister, butter that makes everything better, a clone who wants nothing more than to give his heart to someone who will treasure it, and a lady who likes being in charge. Of everything. Which is something Aithar doesn't much mind, it turns out. MAN, I love spending time with these humans and aliens!

RtP's Week in Review (03/30/25)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Wild Goose Chase by Kilby Blades [Review] - Green Valley love!
• Midnight Auto Parts by Hailey Edwards [Review] - Frankie!
• A Pie for a Pie by London Lovett [Review] - COZY!
• A Crime in 5C by Eryn Scott [Review] - Back at the Morrissey!
• Treasured by the Hunter by Lynnea Lee [Review] - Alien love!
• RtP's 2025 Series Tracking - January-March - Series reads!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• None? Wow!
• Currently reading 
• Because the Night by Kylie Scott

RtP's 2025 Series Tracking - January-March

While I'm not hosting an official Seriously Series Challenge this year, I liked being able to track series I've completed. So... here we are. Tracking some series.

By category:
Series started in 2025: 6/3
Series started before 2025: 11/9
Series rereads: 1/1

By month:

January

• Started in 2025:
• Completed: 2
• Christmas in Harrogate (Sleigh Bells and Slaughter)
• The Unexpected Adventures of Lady and Lord Riven (A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience)
• In progress: 2
• Alien Wolf Tales (Big Bad Alien)
• The Five Kingdoms (The Orc's Stolen Bride)
• Started before 2025:
• Completed: 7
• The Body Shop (Midnight Auto Parts)
• Darkstar Mercenaries (A Delicate Conquest)
• Harmony (It Takes a Psychic)
• Indulgence (The Dark Heart)
• Nocturne Falls (The Vampire's Former Flame)
• Prime Mating Agency (I Married a Catman)
• Unbroken Heroes (The Hero She Loves)
• In progress: 4
• Frost & Crowe Mystery (Wrapped Up In Christmas, Mystified in Music City)
• Hercule Poirot (Three Act Tragedy)
• Medlar Mystery (A Relative Murder)
• Shadowvale (The Vampire's Cursed Kiss)
• Rereads:
• Completed: -none-
• In progress: -none-

February

• Started in 2025:
• Completed: 1
• Beneath the Wild Sky (The Scenic Route)
• In progress: -none-
• Started before 2025:
• Completed: 2
• Fairhaven Falls (Wedding for my Werewolf)
• Xarc'n Warriors (Hunter's Valentine)
• In progress: 1
• Hercule Poirot (The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The Murder on the Links, Poirot Investigates, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd)
• Rereads:
• Completed: -none-
• In progress: 1
• Miss Marple Mysteries (The Murder at the Vicarage, The Body in the Library, The Moving Finger, Sleeping Murder, A Murder is Announced, They Do It With Mirrors, A Pocket Full of Rye, 4:50 from Paddington, The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side)

March

• Started in 2025:
• Completed: 3
• Alien Wolf Tales (Alien Hunstman)
• Born to Sea and Storm (Daughter of Tides)
• Supernatural Entanglements (Zomromcom)
• In progress: -none-
• Started before 2025:
• Completed: 2
• Aspect and Anchor (The Sea-Ogre's Eager Bride)
• Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries (Secrets, Lies and Fireflies)
• In progress: -none-
• Rereads:
• Completed: 1
• Miss Marple Mysteries (A Caribbean Murder, At Bertram's Hotel, Nemesis, The Complete Short Stories)
• In progress: -none-

Treasured by the Hunter by Lynnea Lee [Review]

Treasured by the Hunter (Xarc'n Warriors #12) by Lynnea Lee
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: December 3, 2024

Xarc'n Warriors
0.5. Pursued by the Hunter
1. Claimed by the Hunter
2. Wanted by the Hunter
3. Taken by the Hunter
4. Cherished by the Hunter
5. Rescued by the Hunter
6. Stolen by the Hunter
7. Captured by the Hunter
8. Protected by the Hunter
8.5. Hunter's Valentine
9. Desired by the Hunter
10. Coveted by the Hunter
11. Craved by the Hunter
12. Treasured by the Hunter - Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Xarc'n Warriors: Mountains
1. Hunter's Quest

Lynnea Lee
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

ZOEY
Years after the end of the world, my life is falling apart again. This time, I know exactly how to survive in the bugpocalypse. What I don’t know is what to do with the brawny purple alien following me around.

Harb’k isn’t just big and strong, with a protective streak a mile wide, but he’s funny as hell too. I agree to partner up with him at least until I get to my destination, a settlement called Sanctuary. But before we get there, we come across something that could make or break humanity’s future.

Will we be able to contain the threat? Even if we do, will Harb’k still want me if he finds out my secret?

HARB’K
Almost every hunter in my group found his mate but me. Desperate to get away from all the love in the air, I volunteer to scour the region for signs that the scourge—the abominations that brought us to Earth—are evolving. Instead, I discover a lone female navigating the ravaged landscape with enemies at her back.

I convince Zoey to travel with me. She doesn’t know it yet, but she is my mate, and the mate bond is never wrong.

I will move planets for her, but first, I must save this one. Can I convince her to love me before a deadly mutagen destroys everything?

Thoughts on Treasured by the Hunter: It's Harb'k's turn to find his special someone and she's a nomad on the run trying to make her way to a notoriously unfriendly-to-aliens outpost. Which is problematic for Harb'k since he, you know, is an alien.

But Harb'k uses his charm (and probably his fighting prowess because human ladies do like watching those Xarc'n destroy bugs) and convinces Zoey to join him in his scouting mission so she doesn't have to travel on foot through bug-infested (and bad human-infested) areas. Zoey's no fool, so she accepted.

On Zoey's end, she doesn't necessarily WANT to go Sanctuary, but with most of her nomad crew now dead and the ones who did it after her, she doesn't have a whole lot of choices. Harb'k's offer to travel together definitely isn't unwelcome since she kind of liked the big guy from their first meeting. He's sexy, funny, and he's pretty darn good at killing bugs.

More than a little danger (both of the bug and human variety), a race against time to stop any mutations that could be springing up, a warrior who will do anything to keep his special lady safe, and a lady who has to trust her honey can deal with all of her perceived flaws so they can find their HEA. *thumbs up*