"Scent to Kill," by Chrystle Fiedler

"Scent to Kill," by Chrystle Fiedler

When naturopathic doctor and shop owner Willow McQuade’s ex-boyfriend Simon Lewis invites her to a party for the cast and crew of a new television show at Long Island’s scenic Bixby Estate, she’s most excited to visit the property’s exclusive lavender farm. But a whole field of her favorite stress-reducing herb can’t provide enough soothing support to calm the effects of a murder!

Even the show’s psychic star didn’t predict the demise of Roger Bixby, the estate’s owner and estranged husband of Simon’s new girlfriend. Now Simon, who’s been collared by police, needs Willow’s help to remedy the situation. As Willow snoops about the mansion, offering natural cures to ease the mounting tension, a strange energy—and the discovery of an eerily similar unsolved murder decades earlier—makes her wonder whether the alternative source of the crime might actually be . . . supernatural. Can she find harmony between mind, body, and possibly even spirits before somebody else goes up in smoke?

This book was a mix of enjoying it and being confused with it.  I don't claim to know anything about naturopathic medicine, so was looking forward to learning about it.  At the beginning of each chapter "Dr. McQuade" gave you tips about healthy living and what to take for various ailments.  I ended up being very confused with all the tips and don't feel as though I learned anything.

The story was written in first person, and for some reason I found that annoying.  Plus there was far too much information.  Do I really need to know that Willow was changing the bed sheets when it had absolutely nothing to do with the story.  In this case less information would have been better.

The story itself was interesting and I never did figure out "who did it," so that was a good thing.  

Stars out of 5 : 3 I had hoped I would like this book better than I did.  I would read more in this series as the whole premise of this series is my kind of story.

"No Way Up," by Mary Connealy

"No Way Up," by Mary Connealy

The Fight for the Cimarron Ranch Has Just Begun!
When Cimarron Ranch patriarch Chance Boden is caught in an avalanche, only the quick actions of hired hand Heath Kincaid save him. Before leaving by train to receive treatment to save his leg--and possibly his life--Chance demands that Heath read the patriarch's will and see its conditions enforced immediately. If Chance's three bickering adult children, Justin, Sadie, and Cole, don't live and work at the ranch for an entire year, ownership of the ranch will pass to a despised distant relative. 

Before long, however, Heath discovers that the avalanche may have been intentionally set--and that more danger lurks ominously. Finding his own future--and a desired future with Sadie--locked up in saving the Cimarron Ranch, Heath and the Boden siblings must work together against outside forces that threaten them all.

I happen to be a big fan of Mary Connealy's books and this one didn't disappoint.  This is the first book in the Cimarron Legacy series and the way this book ended you are going to want to read the next book in the series Long Time Gone, which will not be released until March of 2017.

If you love books set in the late 1800's, cowboys, mysteries and a love story thrown in for good measure this book is for you.  I liked how she finished this book with part of the story done, but leaving you hanging with the mystery part, that you know you have to read the next book to see what happens next.  This book has plenty of action in it, that you had to turn the page to see what was going to happen next.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 Very good, leaves you wanting more, which too my mind is the sign of a good author and gets you very involved with the story and the characters, so much so you are cheering them all on from the side lines.  Well worth the read!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"What Matters Most," by Kellie Coates Gilbert

"What Matters Most," by Kellie Coates Gilbert

Finding her dream job went right out the window when Leta Breckenridge had to quit school to help care for her mother suffering from dementia. When a delinquent account may force her mother into a less desirable facility, Leta is thrilled to land a high-paying job at an Austin public relations firm. But her seemingly ideal job turns into a nightmare when she learns the firm is a front for a political opposition organization--and that the research she's been collecting will be used against Nathan Emerson, the handsome senator she's swiftly falling in love with.

Nathan is a rising political star being pressured to run a bid to unseat the current governor of Texas. He's already in a relationship with a woman much better suited to be a politician's wife, but he's never met anyone like Leta. Could this feisty woman hold the key to his heart--and his future?

I thought this book was appropriate delving into the political in and outs, with what is going on in the United States at the moment.  All the back room dealing and wheeling was interesting to say the least.  I am quite sure there are things that were mentioned in this book that is probably happening in the "real world," now.  It must be very hard to maintain a high standard of ethics when in politics?

The other part of the story with the dementia aspect hits on a couple of points which is also relevant in today's times.  Trying to find a GOOD home for a dementia sufferer is extremely hard, especially if you don't have endless funds to pay for it like Leta.  Leta had to work two or three jobs to help pay for her mother's care.

This book is part of the Texas Gold series.  I have not read any of the others in the series and from what I could see you don't have too, one book does not follow the other.

Stars out of 5 : 4  It was an enjoyable book, covering a couple of interesting subjects.  Then add the love story into it and although not too taxing on the brain, it's one of those books to read over a couple of afternoons.  Will I remember in a couple of months time; no.  Still, it's well worth the read.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".