DESPERATE HOUSEDOGS by Sparkle Abbey

Publisher: Bell Bridge
Date published: October 14, 2011
ISBN 9781611940503
Cozy Mystery
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained Via Publisher/Netgalley


With the demise of her therapy practice, Caro Lamont, turns her talent to pet therapy. With innate sense of just what makes a cat, dog or other pet tick, she has quickly become the go to person for the residents of Laguna Beach, California and, more specifically, the community of Ruby Point. Called to the home of one of her clients, Kevin Blackstone, she learns that his otherwise well behaved dogs, Zeus and Tommy Boy, have begun to behave rather erratically. Before long she learns that several other clients’ pets are also behaving somewhat oddly. While out on a training walk with Kevin, Zeus and Tommy Boy the dogs go wild and pursue an otherwise innocuous gardener. Unable to reconcile the dogs’ behavior Caro comes up with a plan of action. Before she can embark on it though, Kevin is murdered. Because Caro was most likely the last person to see him alive—and the police have evidence in the form of a missing brooch, Caro becomes suspect number one.

Now that’s not as bad as it sounds…after all the detective on the case is a cutie named Judd Malone. Well, okay, cutie is probably not the right word. More like smokin hot! He has reservations about Caro’s story that the reason she returned to the scene of the crime was she went to retrieve her beloved grandmother’s brooch. And there is quite the backstory as to why she so covets that particular item of jewelry. When two more bodies turn up Caro amps up her sleuthing activities and stumbles on the reason for Kevin’s murder. Can she get to Judd before the killer gets to her?

Sparkle Abbey’s DESPERATE HOUSEDOGS is one of the best books I have read this year. Sparkle Abbey is actually two authors who, using the names of their rescue cat and dog, know how to tell a great story. Aside from some of the most fun, entertaining and easy to like characters, they know how to create suspense and mystery. The ending and what prompted Kevin’s murder took me completely off guard. I did not see it coming—and it was brilliantly done.

Judd is a guy after your own heart despite his unshakable conviction Caro has something more to do with Kevin’s murder than just looking for her pin. And what about that other hottie with the ultra-friendly dog? Will he feature in Caro’s future? Or is there something else going on with him?

Caro is a great heroine. She’s smart, witty, and the kind of person you’d like to have as a friend. She is entertaining, loyal to her friends and loves animals.
Cozy fans will totally enjoy this book. If you aren’t a fan of cozies I still highly recommend you give it a read. You will be entertained page after page. I know I was left wanting more after the story ended – not of the story but of these authors great storytelling. The good news is GET FLUFFY is due out shortly and I already have my copy!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SOUL CATCHER by Leigh Bridger

Book One, The Outsider Trilogy
Publisher: Belle Bridge Books
Date published: October 2009
ISBN: 978-0982175682
Dark Urban Fantasy
Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained via Publisher


Livia Belane has lived many lives and each time she faces demons who want her dead. Never remembering her past lives, little Livia finds herself repeating the same mantra: Draw them, Trap them and Burn them. When her mother finds out, destruction happens and Livia is left alone to be accused of her families’ deaths. Sent to a mental facility for a crime she didn’t commit, upon being released years later, she is drawn to Asheville, NC and lives her life alone though an eclectic group gathers around her for her, refusing to leave her be. Until one night, the demon that chases her throughout her lives, finally catches up and rapes her, leaving her for dead. Now Livia has to recall her past lives as a Soul Catcher in order to stop the demons as well as her soul mate, Ian, who paired with her as a Soul Hunter, they will be able to stop the evil that stalks her. Can she remember in time before she is killed yet again?

SOUL CATCHER is an interesting premise to a new trilogy that at times can be a little confusing. The writing was good, the author had a good premise and the character Livia was intriguing but there were a few issues I had problems with in this book. One was the amount of characters-good and bad-that seemed to pop up, get your interest then fade away with no reason given. It made me want to gnash my teeth in frustration at times. Another was the story felt a bit off-kilter, like the author was trying to get everything she needed to set up the series yet it didn’t come across very well within the book. At times it felt a bit forced and rushed. I felt the story could have been tighter without all the extra secondary characters and fleshed out a bit more. The story did take a bit of time to get flowing smoothly and once it did, it kept me enthralled. I do have to warn there are some particularly dark scenes in here (rape, murder, graphic sex scenes, etc) that may not appeal to everyone.

SOUL CATCHER was an interesting twist on past lives and I enjoyed the story even with its slow start and other issues I had about it. I look forward to reading the next in the series and if you like dark, gritty stories that will chill you to the bones then grab SOUL CATCHER. Just make sure to read it in the daylight hours as it can scare the socks off of you at times.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.