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review 2017-12-28 18:03
Choked Up by Janey Mack
Choked Up - Janey Mack

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This was an okay read for me. I decided to read this book because it seemed to be exactly what I was in the mood to read. I remembered seeing some comparisons to Evanovich and thought a mystery with a side of laughter would be just perfect. Unfortunately, I didn't find this book funny. At all. I didn't crack a smile even once so that is a pretty big disappointment. The mystery did hold my interest though. It wasn't a bad read but it wasn't quite what I thought it would be.

Maisie McGrane comes from family of police officers and defense attorneys. Maisie is a meter maid which isn't exactly the same thing. Maisie does want to join the police but her family has blocked her path so she jumps at the chance to work undercover with a special unit. She is eager to quit her job and start her new career until she learns that they want her to continue working as she gathers information.

Maisie jumps into her new role completely. She is soon an important part of the life a notorious mobster, Stannis. There are quite a few action scenes with Maisie finding herself in danger more often than can be healthy. She must keep the mobster happy while feeding information to her contacts. Hopefully she can remain safe and explain things to her boyfriend later. 

Maisie seemed to be in way over her head. I can't say that I really liked her or disliked her character. I didn't have a lot of confidence in her abilities and thought some of her actions were pretty questionable. Her boyfriend, Hank, didn't seem real to me at all. His character did remind me a bit of Ranger from the Stephanie Plum series but even little more perfect and superheroish. 

In the end, I think that this story was rather forgettable. This is the second book in the series but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by reading out of order. I was really curious about how everything would work out which kept the pages turning but I don't plan to read any additional books in the series. 

I received an advanced reader edition of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts
I thought this was okay. I saw this book being compared to the Stephanie Plum series so I expected it to be funny. I didn't find it funny which was a disappointment. I found that I was bored during sections of the book as well. I did wonder how Maisie would get herself out of the situation she was in and kept trying to figure out if anyone else was undercover.

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text 2016-01-18 17:13
Best Debut Romance Writers of 2015
In Search of Scandal (London Explorers) by Susanne Lord (2015-12-01) - Susanne Lord
Act Like It - Lucy V. Parker
Ruth's Bonded (Ruth & Gron Book 1) - V.C. Lancaster
I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm (The Lords of Worth) by Bowen, Kelly (2014) Mass Market Paperback - Kelly Bowen
Change of Heart (A Keepsake Pocket Quilt Novel) - Molly Jebber
The Harlot Countess - Joanna Shupe
Bachelorette for Sale - Gail Chianese
Time's Up (A Maisie McGrane Mystery) - Janey Mack
Hello, I Love You: A Novel - Katie M. Stout
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake - Amy E. Reichert

I am always on the look out for new writers. Here are some great Romance Authors who made their debut in 2015.

 

 

Vote on your favorite Best Debut Romance Writers of 2015

 

My lists are never in any particular order. 

 

 

1. The Courtesan Duchess (Wicked Deceptions, #1)  by Joanna Shupe

2. Act Like It by Lucy Parker (first book under this name)

3. In Search of Scandal (London Explorers, #1) by Susanne Lord

4. Ruth's Bonded (Ruth & Gron, #1)  by V.C. Lancaster

5. I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm (The Lords of Worth, #1)  by Kelly Bowen

6. Bachelorette for Sale by Gail Chianese

7. Change of Heart by Molly Jebber

8. Time's Up by Janey Mack

9. Hello, I Love You by Katie M. Stout

10. The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

 

 

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text 2015-08-26 16:28
New Contemporary Romance Series (2015)
Truth or Beard (Winston Brothers Book 1) - Penny Reid
All for You - Laura Florand
Delayed Penalty: A Pilots Hockey Novel - Sophia Henry
Under the Lights - Shannon Stacey
True North - Liora Blake
Trade Me - Courtney Milan
Opening Up (Ink & Chrome Book 1) - Lauren Dane
Time's Up (A Maisie McGrane Mystery) - Janey Mack
One Kick: A Kick Lannigan Novel - Chelsea Cain
Start Me Up - Nicole Michaels

I find a lot my reading is in Contemporary these days. 

 

Here are some wonderful new Contemporary Romances Series that look good to me or that I have started and loved! 

 

1. Truth or Beard (Winston Brothers)  by Penny Reid 4 Stars! 

 

Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my! 
Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level-headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life. His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her… 

But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Wraiths. 
Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk? 

Series Description 
Everyone in Green Valley, Tennessee knows that the six bearded Winston brothers have been imbued with an unfair share of charm and charisma… and are prone to mischief.

 

2. All for You (Paris Hearts) by Laura Florand 4 Stars! 

 

ome crushes aren’t meant to be. 

When her older brother’s best friend left to join the Foreign Legion, eighteen-year-old Célie moved on to make a life for herself as a Paris chocolatier. Now, five years later, the last thing she needs is another man to mess up her happiness. 

Let alone the same man. 

But five years in the Foreign Legion is a long time for a man to grow up, and a long time to be away from the woman he loves. 

Especially when he did it all for her. 

Half strangers, more than friends, and maybe, if Joss Castel has his way, a second chance…

 

3. Delayed Penalty (Pilots Hockey) by Sophia Henry

 

Auden Berezin is used to losing people: her father, her mother, her first love. Now, just when she believes those childhood wounds are finally healing, she loses something else: the soccer scholarship that was her ticket to college. Scrambling to earn tuition money, she’s relieved to find a gig translating for a Russian minor-league hockey player—until she realizes that he’s the same dangerously sexy jerk who propositioned her at the bar the night before.
 
Equal parts muscle and scar tissue, Aleksandr Varenkov knows about trauma. Maybe that’s what draws him to Auden. He also lost his family too young, and he channeled the pain into his passions: first hockey, then vodka and women. But all that seems to just melt away the instant he kisses Auden and feels a jolt of desire as sudden and surprising as a hard check on the ice.
 
After everything she’s been through, Auden can’t bring herself to trust any man, let alone a hot-headed puck jockey with a bad reputation. Aleksandr just hopes she’ll give him a chance—long enough to prove he’s finally met the one who makes him want to change.

 

4. Under the Lights (Boys of Fall) by Shannon Stacey

 

They were the golden boys of fall: Stewart Mills High School’s legendary championship winning football team. Fourteen years later, they’re back to relive their glory, save the team—and find themselves again…

Chase Sanders’s life has taken a lot of crazy turns lately. But returning to his hometown to help his old coach keep his high school football team afloat might be the craziest thing to happen to him yet. That is, until he starts falling for the last person he should—Coach’s gorgeous daughter…

Kelly McDonnell learned the hard way that cocky, charming men are nothing but trouble, so she knows Chase is bad news. Still, she can’t resist his smile—or the rest of him. But when his loyalty to her father conflicts with their growing attraction, any hope for a relationship might be blocked before it can even begin…

 

5. True North (The True Series) by Liora Blake 4 Stars! (and I just bought the second one!)

 

What happens when a bad-boy celebrity rocker meets a small-town bestselling novelist? Find out in this first book in the sizzling new True series by Liora Blake!

While most novelists would consider jetting off to Hollywood for a TV interview rather exciting, small-town Montana writer Kate Mosely finds it all a bit exhausting. After losing her husband in a car accident where she was behind the wheel, Kate has finally found her bearings in the world again, rebuilding a simple but stable life. And even if that means a lot of lonely nights watching old movies and quiet days writing obituaries for her hometown newspaper, Kate’s not sure she’s ready for her life to change—again.

Until she shares the stage—and a whole heap of carnal gazes—with rock star Trevor “Trax” Jenkins. Despite his intimidating on-stage bravado, underneath it Kate discovers a man with a Rilke poem tattooed on his arm, an appreciation for cronuts, and a snarky wit that matches her own.

As she and Trevor explore their heated chemistry, the scarred parts of Kate’s heart begin to heal, making room for a love so passionate it makes her want long-forgotten things equal parts naughty, heart-swelling, and joyful. But when a searing exposé in a trashy gossip magazine sends Kate running, will it threaten their chances at forever?

 

6. Trade Me (Cycloneby Courtney Milan 4 Stars! 

 

Tina Chen just wants a degree and a job, so her parents never have to worry about making rent again. She has no time for Blake Reynolds, the sexy billionaire who stands to inherit Cyclone Systems. But when he makes an offhand comment about what it means to be poor, she loses her cool and tells him he couldn’t last a month living her life. 

To her shock, Blake offers her a trade: She’ll get his income, his house, his car. In exchange, he’ll work her hours and send money home to her family. No expectations; no future obligations. 

But before long, they’re trading not just lives, but secrets, kisses, and heated nights together. No expectations might break Tina’s heart...but Blake’s secrets could ruin her life. 

 

7. Opening Up (Ink & Chrome) by Lauren Dane

 

The men of the Twisted Steel custom hot rod and motorcycle shop are great with their hands...and they're not afraid to get dirty.

PJ is exactly the kind of woman Twisted Steel owner Asa Barrons doesn't need. The last thing he wants to do is mix business with pleasure, and PJ has some of the best custom detailing he's ever seen. But the chemistry between them won't be denied, and soon he's introducing her to a whole new world in the bedroom, pushing her far beyond anything she's ever experienced. PJ finds she can't get enough, but how far is too far before he consumes her completely?

 

8. Time's Up (A Maisie McGrane Mystery) by Janey Mack

 

The police academy gave her the boot—and she knows how to use it.

All her life, Maisie McGrane dreamed of following in her father and older brothers’ footsteps and joining the force. But when she’s expelled from the police academy, she’s reduced to taking a job as a meter maid. Now, instead of chasing down perps, she’s booting people’s cars and taking abuse from every lowlife who can’t scrape together enough change to feed the meter. 

McGranes weren’t put on this earth to quit, however. When Maisie stumbles across the body of a City Hall staffer with two bullets in his chest, her badge-wielding brothers try to warn her off the case. But with the help of her secret crush, shadowy ex-Army Ranger Hank Bannon, Maisie’s determined to follow the trail of conspiracy no matter where it leads. And that could put her in the crosshairs of a killer—and all she’s packing is a ticket gun.

 

9. One Kick (Kick Lannigan) by Chelsea Cain

 

Famously kidnapped at age six, Kick captured America’s hearts when she was rescued five years later. Now, twenty-one, she finds herself unexpectedly entangled in a missing child case that will put her talents to the test. 

Trained as a marksman, lock picker, escape artist and bomb maker by her abductor, Kick could not return to the life of the average young girl after her release. So, in lieu of therapy, she mastered martial arts, boxing, and knife throwing; learned how to escape from the trunk of a car, jimmy a pair of handcuffs, and walk without making a sound—all before she was thirteen.

Kick has trained herself to be safe. But then two children go missing in three weeks, and an enigmatic and wealthy former weapons dealer approaches her with a proposition. John Bishop uses his fortune and contacts to track down missing children. Not only is he convinced Kick can help recover the two children—he won’t take no for an answer. 

With lives hanging in the balance, Kick is set to be the crusader she has always imagined herself. Little does she know that the answers she and Bishop seek are hidden in one of the few places she doesn’t want to navigate—the dark corners of her own mind. 

 

10. Start Me Up (Hearts and Crafts)  by Nicole Michaels

 

WHY DO DO-IT-YOURSELF

Single mom Anne Edmond can handle--and hand-make--just about anything. From table settings to party favors, floral arrangements to nursery décor, there is no project her creativity and a glue gun can't tackle. But dating? That's a whole 'nother story. Case in point: Mike Everett. He's a gorgeous mechanic and known car-whisperer, a man who can work with auto parts like nobody's business. And he has thrown a monkey wrench into Anne's carefully-crafted life… 

 

WHEN YOU CAN DO IT TOGETHER? 
One look at Anne is enough for Mike to know that she's no fixer-upper. She's perfect just the way she is--and the chemistry between them works like a charm. Mike's always been a no-strings kind of guy, but Anne's impressive self-reliance--and gorgeous exterior--gives him pause. This time, a fast joyride just doesn't seem like enough. But first he has to convince Anne that he means to take her all the way…

 

Did I miss your favorite New Contemporary Romance Series? Let me know! 

 

Vote for the best of the best on my Goodreads list: New Contemporry Romance Series (2015)

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