The Haunted Lingerie, A Sexy Murder Mystery

The Haunted Lingerie is a plot driven dream, it will keep you guessing "who done it". 

Overall: ★★★★★ (5 Stars)

When I dove into The Haunted Lingerie, I was reluctant. I don't love murder mystery. I don't even like horror movies or tv shows (with a few exceptions, The Walking Dead, I am looking at you).  I'm so damn glad I did, enough to swear by this sexy scandal of a book. Even if it is out of your normal genre, you really should give it a try. 

But I was eager to read anything by Lana Hart, having heard of her talent through the writer's grapevine. 

 Her book is currently available on Smashwords and Amazon. As always, the official book description.

The sleepy town of Sanctum Harbor is in for a rude awakening...

When Misty Ryder set out to find a new pair of shoes, she never imagined coming home with a vintage set of lingerie instead. But there was something about it that caught her eye in the mysterious back room of Mrs. Clathermont's antique shop, and as she returns to her apartment, she finds that she just can't wait to try it on. 

Except that once it's on, it won't come off. And as time goes by, it becomes increasingly clear that the previous owner is still very attached to it—even in death. 

To solve the spirit's decade-old cold case and regain her freedom, Misty reluctantly teams up with the infuriatingly handsome Deputy Jack Snow, the man who once broke her heart her to pursue his career. Time is of the essence, for the longer she remains trapped in the lingerie, the stronger the spirit of its previous owner gets—and she's out for blood. 

Can Misty and Jack set aside their differences and put the spirit to rest? Or will Misty lose herself to the haunted lingerie?

Originality: ★★★★★

I’ve never actually read something like this. I've heard of books with haunted objects, cursed objects, but Lingerie? A really interesting concept. I loved the way the author put together the story and the plot. There was a level of creative spark that I had not expected, and was pleasantly surprised. I could not get over the seamless way the story progressed. 

I also want to mention the way the author approached gender and sexuality. It was innovative, Trans* friendly (I am an advocate for equality of Trans* people), and it made me think in ways that I had never considered. More than a murder mystery, it is a love story. Two really, one romantic, and one about a person and her body. 

Character Development/Plot: ★★★★★

Lana is excellent at character development. I am under the opinion that it is second only to her sense of plot. She is able to draft a story in such a complete way, that it had me sitting in my chair, wishing I had written it. Each character is deep, has prime motivation, and has a place in the story. There is not a width of characters, in fact I can only remember a few, but it works, and it works well. The story had me turning pages until the water in my tub got cold (I read my kindle in my tub, let's just say if it gets ruined, I deserve it). 

I am very impressed, and cannot wait to read more in the collectibles series, even if just for plot!

Appearance and Editing:★★★★★

Wow. Beautiful. The cover is amazing, the perfect amount of detail, and the inside of the book is no less stunning. The fonts used, and the images provided for page breaks are gorgeous! This work is also edited strongly and precise. I’m a professional editor, albeit of content, but I couldn't find anything that needed copy-editing.

The Romance/The Sex: ★★★★★

The romance is one that has you hoping, and clinging. Wishing that Misty isn't let down, and that your suspicions are wrong. I can't say more than that, I don't want to spoil it, but I can say that the ride if worth it.

This book also has true sex appeal. There isn't a lot of it, but it is timed just right and makes total sense in the story. Well done. 

Overall Value: ★★★★★

This is another book that I think should be 9.99, anything else is a steal. It is a long read, several hundred pages, and it is incredibly well written. If you are getting it for less, you are really going home with a deal. More hours of entertainment than a 19.99 movie, and better written than a lot of them, to boot!

Veronica Hardy is a professional editor and author who enjoys writing reviews in her spare time, for fun. She is not compensated by authors, publishers or online retail markets for her opinions. If you are interested in a book review or editing services please email her at Veronica.R.Hardy@gmail.com.

The Curse Keepers: Keep your book.

 The Curse Keepers by Denise Grover Swank

I'm never a fan of Transphobia. I am a proud supporter of all of my Alphabet soup community, and I am certainly tired of seeing trans* jokes in books or on tv. 

Overall: ★☆☆☆☆
When I sat down to read the "Curse Keepers" I was very excited for this new book. (Photo is linked from goodreads, It is not mine, and I did not claim it to be).

The premise sounded interesting, and the idea of a supernatural romance certainly did not put me off. Then I started reading. And I got to this little "gem".

Claire burst into laughter. "Are you sure he's not a tranny?"

"I thought trannies were guys dressing as girls, not the other way around." I took a deep breath to settle my giggles. "And no, he's got a part, just not an interested one."

My very first thought was, wow, are you serious? In 2014. You are making jokes about "trannies" really?

Being Transsexual should not be a funny little quip you put into your story line using inappropriate language. A way to get across that a man is not interested in you.

It infuriated me, but I thought to move on and read the whole book, knocking it a star. Until I realized, that no. I would not do that about someone who was being made fun of on the basis of their race, religion, or sexuality. I certainly would not do that about someone who is being ridiculed and used as a joke based on their status as a trans* person.

I'm tired of seeing this kind of behavior exhibited. This is more than just in poor taste, it is completely unacceptable.

Pass on this book. I know I am going to.

The Place I Belong- Nacy Herkness Review

The place I belong is in front of my kindle, reading this little gem.

Overall: ★★★★★ (5 Stars)

There aren't many authors who can pull me into the story and have me reading the whole way through without a pause. Now that I am a content editor, it is even less likely. Nancy Herkness is one of the few who can still entrance me in her story, putting my questions aside and losing myself to her world.

The Place I Belong is a title that instantly grabbed me. It spoke to me of a women who was trying to find the one place she could really call her home. It reminded me of what I wanted in my life, what many people want in their lives. Somewhere to just put down all our baggage and be.  Pulling on my heartstrings the whole way, this book actually had me in tears towards the end.  I loved this book, I thought it was complex, well written, detailed, and incredibly accurate.

You can find her previous works on Amazon, this oneis set to release in June of 2014 (but you can pre-order now!).

 The editorial description reads as follows:

“Nancy Herkness invites readers back to Sanctuary, West Virginia, in Book 3 of the award-winning Whisper Horse series.

Fleeing professional scandal and a broken engagement, veterinarian Hannah Linden abandons Chicago for the mountain town of Sanctuary, West Virginia, hoping to put her troubles with men and the media behind her.

But when she encounters world-famous chef Adam Bosch, she finds herself increasingly drawn to the charming but darkly complex man and his troubled teenage son, Matt.  Adam, a recovering alcoholic, fears he can never be a worthy father to the surly, distant boy he has just come to know, and enlists Hannah’s help in his struggle to connect with his son.

Hoping to coax Matt out of his shell, Hannah introduces the boy to an ailing brown pony who has the power to change his view of the world. But can the determined little whisper horse prove to Hannah, Adam, and Matt that they were meant to be a family?”

Originality: ★★★★★

I’ve read a lot of stories about millionaires, single dads, women on the run from their past, but Nancy takes common themes and weaves them together into a beautiful plot that. That plus the idea of a whisper house (or pony), and I was completely hooked. Her original story telling, and the way she twisted these ideas into her own, that is what makes them so original for me. That is what keeps me coming back to her stories. She takes familiar ideas and does them in such a way that I had never even considered it. It’s like reimaging a family classic, like grilled cheese, and turning it into a gourmet meal with the finest cheeses and the best ingredients.

Character Development/Plot: ★★★★★

I feel very strongly that Nancy’s best quality is her Character and Plot development. They are two different aspects of writing, but without both equally well written and balanced, a book is missing that essential piece. I did ask myself a few questions about the believability of circumstances. Especially regarding Adam’s life, but it was not so gaping that I couldn’t go with it. Once I suspended just a little bit of disbelief it all came together. As soon as I could relax and let the story take me where it wanted to go, I was wowed by the level of depth it had. She thought of everything, tying up all the loose ends and providing one of the best stories I have read in a very long time. Hallmark needs to hire this women to write screenplays, because those are movies I would watch!

Appearance and Editing:★★★★★

While I haven’t seen the cover, the writing is well done. Edited strongly and precise. I’m a professional editor, albeit of content, but I couldn’t find anything that needed copyediting.

The Romance/The Sex: ★★★★★

Every. Single. Aspect. Is. Perfect.

I love the tension, the amount of buildup. It is completely believable. It’s not at all like two people are thrown together and forced to want one another (I have read that, not fun). This has the natural development that you yearn for in a piece. It leaves you rooting for the two of them, hoping that Hannah and Adam will work through everything, and be the ones that can bring peace to each other.

The sex is steamy, but romantic, that perfect little bit of sweet on the tongue with a full-bodied flavor.

Overall Value:

While I don’t know what the release price of the novel is going to be, at over 300 pages I would expect to (and be more than willing to) pay 9.99 for such a complete work. This woman is destined to grow her readership and fandom, especially with such dedicated works. I hope to purchase a print copy when it becomes available!

Veronica Hardy is a professional editor and author who enjoys writing reviews in her spare time, for fun. She is not compensated by authors, publishers or online retail markets for her opinions. If you are interested in a book review or editing services please email her at Veronica.R.Hardy@gmail.com.