Review: Mac on a Hot Tin Roof by Melinda Metz

Inspired by the true story of a kleptomaniac cat who stole his way into America’s heart . . .
 
KITTENS CABOODLE
As a tabby cat with criminal tendencies, MacGyver is always a whisker away from trouble. But when he stumbles upon a litter of four motherless kittens, he really has his paws full. It’s clear Mac has to take care of the cuddly little furballs, at least until he finds them each a human. That’s not going to be easy though. Not when Mac’s the prime suspect in a series of thefts at Storybook Court—and his loving but concerned owners, Jamie and David, have put him under house arrest. As if that could stop a clever cat like Mac . . .

HUMANS CANOODLE
With four hungry little mouths to feed—and two local detectives on his tail—MacGyver has his work clawed out for him. He’s determined to sniff out the real thief. But when he gets a whiff of romance in the air, he can’t resist a little matchmaking, too. One of the detectives seems awfully fond of the aspiring actress who moved into the neighborhood. And his partner looks like she could use a hug, too. With a little help from those adorable kittens, Mac is sure that love will save the day. Because when it comes to stealing hearts, this cat’s out of the bag . . .

My Review:

A sweet lighthearted read with a cat that will steal your heart.

MacGyver “Mac” the kleptomaniac match-making cat is back again.  This time he has found some orphaned kittens and he raises them until they are old enough to be placed in new homes, which Mac hand chooses for each one.  There is also a new couple that gets together because of the kittens, Serena and Erik.  Meanwhile Mac tries to figure out why his person, Jamie, is acting weird and doesn’t smell like herself.  There is also a thief loose at Storybook Court and all fingers start to point at Mac because of his past reputation. 

This book had me hooked from the start just like the rest of the books in the series.  Mac is such a cool cat.  Even though he can be a bit mischievous, he always has good intentions.  The author has a way of telling the story that it feels like you’re right there as the story plays out.  This is the kind of book that would make a really cute tv show or movie.  

This is actually the third book in a series and though it can be read on its own, I would strongly recommend starting at the beginning of the series so you get to know all of the characters better.  Plus, you don’t want to miss out on any of Mac’s antics. 

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

Review: Christmas with You (Four Irish Brothers Winery #3) by Nan Reinhardt

She’s loved him all her life… but will he be there when she needs him the most?

Disheartened and adrift after being written out of a hit TV show, actor Aidan Flaherty returns to his family’s historic winery, where he’s invested some of the fortune he’s made. As the holidays approach, Aidan becomes intrigued with the old showboat that’s dry-docked just east of town… and even more intrigued with the daughter of his former mentor, who now owns it. He decides to buy the boat and restore it to its former glory.

Single mom Holly Santos is back in River’s Edge after her divorce and she is over men in general and actors in particular. If she could only get rid of her father’s old showboat, a source of fascination for her son, Mateo. She never expects her old crush to walk into her tea shop or the fireworks that happen every time they’re in the same room.

Can Aidan convince her that he is determined to restore their shared heritage on the showboat and that he’s home to stay?

My Review:

The man of her dreams has just walked back into her life, but now she is afraid to love him.

Single mother Holly Santos and her teenager crush, Aiden Flaherty, are thrown together again when Aiden moves back home after his tv show gets canceled.  Aiden sets his sight on Holly’s father’s old showboat, the River Queen, where they both worked when they were younger.  But Holly doesn’t want to sell the boat to Aiden.  Her son, Mateo, is obsessed with it and when he is hurt on the boat and Aiden comes to his rescue, Mateo starts to idolize Aiden.  Holly doesn’t trust actors after her ex left her for acting.  Will Aiden be able to convince Holly that not all actors are alike and some of them are serious about a relationship?

The Four Irish Brothers Winery series is based on the Flaherty brothers in River’s Edge, Indiana.  This book is a fantastic addition to the series.  I enjoyed Holly and Aiden’s story and catching up with the other characters from previous books.  I also enjoyed the family dynamics and small town charm.  Mateo is a great part of this story too and steals quite a few scenes. 

 

Review: Bittersweet (Bitter Root Mysteries #4) by C.J. Carmichael

Murder in a small town is always personal.

Local longtime librarian, Sybil Tombe, is missing, abducted from her home on the outskirts of the isolated ranching town of Lost Trail, Montana. An elderly neighbor reports seeing a gray-haired, bearded man driving up to Sybil’s house the night she disappeared. Newly-minted Sheriff Zak Waller can’t think of a less likely target for a crime. When an older man is reported lurking around a young girl at the local grade school, Zak wonders if this man could also be Sybil’s abductor? The descriptions of the men are similar—but what could be the possible link between a young girl and 60-year-old Sybil?

Peeling back the layers of Sybil's life, Zak discovers Sybil is a master at keeping secrets, especially her own, and these secrets may now be threatening her life as well as the life of an innocent child. As Zak and his team work to uncover the truth, he also has to deal with issues in his romantic relationship with deputy Nadine Black, and mete justice to a respected town citizen who has been sheltering his criminal past for too long.

My Review:

Just the right amount of mystery and romance makes this a memorable book.

If you have read any of the Bitter Root mystery series, you definitely don’t want to miss this book.  In this story, Sybil Tombe, Lost Trail’s beloved librarian, and a little girl, Darby Larkin, turn up missing.  Zak Waller, who has recently been promoted to sheriff and his team need to work fast to solve these crimes before it’s too late.  Meanwhile, Zak and his girlfriend/deputy Nadine Black’s relationship advances to a whole new level.     

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and when I heard another book was coming out, I couldn’t wait to read it.  It was definitely a page turner and I had a hard time finding a stopping place when it came to taking a break.  If you are new to this series, I would recommend reading the books in order.  I don’t know if this is the last book in the series, but it felt like it the way some of the characters loose ends were wrapped up in the end of the book.   But I am secretly hoping more books will follow.  I am not ready to say goodbye to the residents of Lost Trail, Montana.