Review: The Beautiful People by Michelle Gable

Set against the glamorous 1960s Jet Set, a novel about a failed debutante whose new job as assistant to society photographer Slim Aarons takes her into Palm Beach’s inner circle, and into a beguiling friendship with the star at its center, fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer

It’s 1961, and for Margo Hightower, everything is about to change. True, her engagement is off, her family has fallen in scandal, and she's completely broke. But she’s just been hired as assistant to photographer Slim Aarons—famous for his vibrant pictures of high society, royalty, and Hollywood stars—and she knows this opportunity is her ticket to something better.

From the bright beaches of Acapulco to glitzy parties in New York, Margo is thrown headfirst into the glamorous jet-set world she so covets, observing its ways from behind the camera as Slim’s sidekick. There’s Jackie Kennedy, Truman Capote and his Swans, a host of Vanderbilts. Beautiful people in beautiful places.

But when they land in Palm Beach, a scene with few rules and many riches, the lines between work and play begin to blur. As Margo becomes swept up in the city’s social circle—and into a friendship with heiress and rising fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer—the golden life seems increasingly in reach. Until she finds herself entangled in a complicated web of loyalties and secrets that could bring it all crashing down…

 

My Review:

My favorite book this summer.

I need more. I need a sequel. I couldn’t get enough of this book and I certainly didn’t want it to end. It’s a story about self-discovery, secrets and the value of friendships, all set among the social elite of Palm Beach in the 60s.  The main character of this book is Margo Hightower, who becomes an assistant to Slim Aarons, a famous photographer.  As Margo gets to know the beautiful people of Palm Beach, she learns things aren't always as they appear.

This is a story that I won't soon forget. Even though this book is considered fiction, there are some factual events that make the entire story feel real.  I especially enjoyed learning more about Lilly Pulitzer, one of my fashion icons. 

Review: Hisses, Hexes, and Homicide (A Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery Book 2) by DeAnna Drake

Join Rebecca and Aneksi in this engaging and humorous cozy mystery as they unravel a tale of murder, mystery, and mayhem while discovering more secrets in Citrus Grove.

Rebecca Cuthbert, no stranger to false accusations, rushes to defend her baker best friend when she’s accused of murdering Citrus Grove’s Elvis-loving mayor with a deadly petit four.

But Rebecca recognizes the real clue: this death is the work of the Emerald Scarab, one of the cursed artifacts she vowed to track down after it was stolen from her grandfather’s quirky antique shop.

Now she must navigate a peculiar maze of clues and enchantments, aided by her grandfather’s wise counsel and the scattered recollections of an immortal talking cat, Aneksi, who once encountered the scandalous scarab in Cleopatra’s court. With each revelation, her search becomes a frantic race to find the killer and the amulet before they can hurt anyone else.

But her meddling puts her in the killer’s path, and Rebecca must rely on her fledgling investigative skills to save her friend from jail and herself from becoming the sleepy Southern California town’s latest murder victim.

 

My Review: 

An entertaining whodunit.

This book is a perfect addition to the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series.  In this book, Rebecca is on the hunt for another killer in Citrus Grove, despite Detective Nick asking her to stay out of it.  But once Aneski, the immortal talking cat, gets whiff of the Scarab Hex, Rebecca knows she needs to investigate and get the stolen relic back to her grandfather’s vault where it belongs to prevent anyone else from dying.

This book was a lot of fun to read.  There were many suspects in this case and the killer was definitely an interesting reveal.  I enjoyed seeing Rebecca making new friends and the relationship with her grandfather and Nick grow stronger.  Aneski is also working on perfecting some of her immortal powers.

 

 

Review: Highland Dark Magic (Witch and Demon Hunter Book 2) by Leigh Ann Edwards

 

Powerful witch Fiona Maguire was furious to be assigned a gorgeous, irritating half-demon as partner. But fighting otherworldly creatures together has shown her that Lorcan Wright is a damn good agent, someone she can trust with her life. In fact, he stirs unexpected feelings not appreciated by their new co-agent, the elven-Fae prince she once loved.

Lorcan Wright has never wanted for women, but he has no idea how to be friends with one, especially a work partner as smart, funny, and sexy as Fiona. Watching her with the Elfae prince drives him crazy, and he has no idea what to do about it.

When the ghost of a Scottish highlander appears insisting that Fiona is his beloved, the two are assigned to travel back in time to the historic battlegrounds, find the spirit, and break his hold on her. However, other angry creatures, including a vengeful vampire, threaten the mission before it’s even begun, challenging their partnership like never before.

The two must set aside their feelings and focus on uncovering this ghost’s identity—before highland dark magic traps Fiona in ancient Scotland for all time.

 

My Review:

An entertaining fantasy story.

This book is so good I don’t even know where to start with a review.  The story is amazing and such a fun ride.  Full of magical beings and other creatures, but the main focus is on Fiona, a witch and Lorcan, half-demon, who are work partners at LAMB, locating and assessing magical beings, which includes time travel and other magic on their missions.  The chemistry and banter between them added a bit of humor to the story.  I had trouble putting this book down.  If you are looking for a book unlike any other, pick up a book by Leigh Ann Edwards.