ARC REVIEW Scandal Above Stairs by Jennifer Ashley

A Below Stairs Mystery #2 or A Kat Holloway Mystery either works. I love everything about this book and the series so far. I love the the main character, Kat Holloway, is the head chef of the household, her new assistant, Tess, who use to be a tea leaf, the closest thing Kat has to a best friend is her employers sister-in-law, Lady Cynthia, who likes to dress in men's clothing and another good friend, Elgin Thanos, who is a variable genius, socially awkward, and is oblivious to the division of class. Let us not forget the man in her life, the mysterious Daniel McAdams, who has been missing for the last couple of months doing who knows what and his son, James.

The story on this one isn't as massive as the conspiracy in the first book but this mystery is just as twisty and turny and even better we find out more about Daniel's mysterious past. When Lady Cynthia comes to Kat asking for help, Kat's curious nature and her sort-of-friendship with Lady Cynthia lead her into a complicated theft-ring. One of Cynthia's dear friends is being accused by her husband of stealing painting but it turns out to be a little more complicated than that especially when it comes to light that several collectors have had pieces go missing as well. It turns deadly when a body is found and Daniel is thought to be the murderer. 

Overall, this book had me enthralled from beginning to end. It has fantastic characters a plot that had me guessing the whole time. Thanos and Cynthia are some of the most entertaining secondary characters I've ever read, they have a bit of comic relief that helps break the tension ever so often. I love this book and Kat Holloway I can't wait for more.  

ARC REVIEW Midnight Wolf by Jennifer Ashley

Shifters Unbound #11. Man, I love this series. Jennifer Ashley’s writing is always so consuming, I open the book and I’m sucked into the work of shifters, fae, and humans. The characters in this book, Angus and Tamsin, both have quite a bit of character growth through the book. Angus and Tamsin start off one way; Angus very stern and quite, very set in his ways and willing to do just about anything for his son, Ciaran. While Tamsin an uncollared shifter on the run still maintains a very optimistic view on the world  except when it comes to collars and Shiftertowns she is dead set against them and will argue even though she's heard both sides of the argument she's never understood why until Angus and Ciaran. These two opposites balance each other out and bring out the best in each other, and Ciaran (I just love that name) is such a cute kid, so open and honest. I enjoyed the story and think you can probably read this as a stand-alone but there is enough past book stuff to tantalize you into reading the other books, at least the last two or three books.

Angus Murray is a scowling and grumpy shifter when he’s not working as a bouncer he is raising his cub, Ciaran. Angus’ brother, Gavan, was an idiot who tried to go against the Shifter Bureau and it ended in his own death as well as that of Angus’ mate. Angus had nothing to do with his brother’s movement but still managed to lose his position in the pack and even though he has proved his worthiness time and time again he still can't get his place back as second. Tamsin Calloway has managed to avoid detection, she’s been lucky enough that she always manages to escape undetected or leave just before something goes wrong. But the death of two Bureau agents has finally brought her into the spotlight and now a sinister Bureau agent has his sights set on Tamsin. 

Agent Haider kidnaps Ciaran and forces Angus to hunt down Tamsin or else he’ll never see his son again. Finding her was easy enough it’s catching her that gave Angus trouble and if the alligator hadn’t of caught her first Tamsin would have probably gotten away. Tamsin, now severely injured, has no choice but to go with Angus, instead of taking her straight to the Bureau he takes her to Ben and the sentient house (I so love this house!) and calls Zander down to heal her, while he comes up with a plan. There is no choice in not turning her in because of Ciaran but that doesn’t mean she can escape right after the hand off. It doesn’t quite go as planned once Haider admits to Tamsin that he plans to dissect her to find out how she works. Now all three of them, Angus, Tamsin, and Ciaran are on the run. They end up with an uncollared shifter, Dante (who I can picture as Jason Momoa) and his half fae/half human mate, who run a carnival and travel with them for some time.

The attraction between Tamsin and Angus is pretty much instantaneous but it takes them a bit before they act on it and I loved that; the teasing and the sexual chemistry made when they finally did get together so much better. Angus mate claims Tamsin in order to protect her but afterwards he realizes just how much he wants her to stay in his life. Once Tamsin completely trusts Angus she reveals the reason everyone if after her, and together with their friends Ben, Zander, and Tiger they must figure out what to do about this and make it to where the only ones who want Tamsin are Angus and Ciaran. 

Overall, I positively loved this book, it’s not my favorite of the series but it’s really up there in the list. The characters are fantastic and of course it’s the strong silent type for me again Angus really fits the bill for a book boyfriend. Tamsin is so wonderfully optimistic even when her life is falling apart she still singing along to the radio and smiling. I am so happy that Ben is going to get his HEA finally

REVIEW Rescue Me by Catherine Mann

Second Chance Ranch Romance series book two by Catherine Mann is a beautifully written and touching story that splits the POV from third person to first person specifically the dog Holly's POV. I liked that it was clever. Holly is a boxer that grew up in a meth-house/backyard breeder. At four years old she hasn't seen anything but what the T.V. has shown her. Fortunately on Christmas Eve the house was raided and she along with a bunch of other dogs were rescued. The human characters in the book were pretty special too. Both AJ and Mary Hannah have pasts they are trying to deal with. AJ is burned out, after working for several years undercover it has finally at his breaking point so when his cousin offers him a job in a little town to help heal he jumps at the chance. Mary Hannah is a recovering addict, addicted to prescription drugs to get through college and make the grades and be the perfect person her father wants her to be. It all changed for her when she miscarried she went into rehab and started to heal, getting involved with Second Chance Ranch animal rescue helped in a big way. She found her purpose and now she helps animals heal and people heal with the help of animals.  

Holly has known nothing but abuse and the sweet Mary Hannah is the first to show her kindness and homemade treats. Holly notices that behind the gentle nature of Mary Hannah lays sadness and Holly wanting to repay Mary Hannah for her kindness is determined to help her. AJ and Mary Hannah work together to socialize the rescue dog, Holly, who has a timid nature and has great potential to be a family dog and all the while help AJ use Holly as an Emotional Support Animal. AJ and Mary Hannah are also fighting a losing battle of their attraction. When they finally give in everything between them is good but there is still something hinkie with the meth-house raid. Lacey the owner of the animal rescue is involved with AJ's cousin Wyatt. Lacey is a still grieving widow mother of two and wants to take things slow especially now that her own aging body is working against her but Wyatt is rushing things and is pushing her toward marriage. With everything going on at Second Chance Ranch between Sierra and Matt, Lacey's Daughter and son-in-law, visiting and the Valentines mutt makeover everyone is busy with something.

Overall Rescue Me is a great read but probably best read in order, reading Shelter Me first. Everyones conflicts are very palpable and they really pull you in. I look forward to more.