Tag: An Amethyst Cove Mystery

Missing, Presummed Dead by Christiane France

Title: Missing, Presumed Dead

 Series: An Amethyst Cove Mystery

 Author: Christiane France

 Genre: Suspense, Mystery

 Length: Novella (84pgs)

 Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (2nd October 2011)

 Heat Level: Moderate

 Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥2 ½Hearts

 Reviewer: Pixie

 Blurb: Private investigator and ex-cop, Greg Stewartson, is on his way to bed when his Hollywood-producer brother, Vance, shows up on his doorstep. With him is the handsome, sexy, and blond Tim Fensham, the brother of Vance’s latest girlfriend, movie star Petra Lianne. Vance says Petra went missing more than a month ago after last being seen in Amethyst Cove. He has new information, but the police refuse to follow it up. They’ve closed the case, declaring the actress “Missing, Presumed Dead.” But Vance and Tim don’t believe Petra is dead and ask Greg to take the case. After Greg agrees, Tim stays to help him find Petra, while Vance returns to L.A. Greg doesn’t want or need help, and wishes Tim would leave, too. He’s attracted to the man and figures the feeling may be mutual, but he doesn’t mix business with pleasure and he doesn’t need the distraction of Tim staying in his house. He also doesn’t like the way Tim keeps trying to interfere in the investigation, or the unexpected moves Tim puts on him during a power failure. Still, Greg can’t tell Tim to take his case elsewhere for fear of upsetting Vance, but he does tell Tim to back off. The trouble is Tim is not a very good listener.

Review: Okaaayyyy.  Greg is hired by his brother Vance and Tim Fensham to find Tim’s missing sister. While he investigates he puts off his attraction for Tim, although Tim continues to tempt him.

This story is from Greg’s POV and although the mystery and investigation is interesting, Greg’s inner thought process and inner monologue bored me silly.   I never felt the connection that he seemed to develop with Tim. He didn’t seem to have a very high opinion of Tim either other than for his looks. It felt more like a case of two men finding each other reasonably attractive and then getting their rocks off and Greg is definitely a selfish lover.

The mystery is good though and is interesting to watch as Greg unravels the disappearance of Tim’s sister and connects the dots.

I’d recommend this for the mystery alone as there is no romance, some mediocre sex and a pretty poor ending.

 

 

 

Double Deuce by KC Kendricks

Title: Double Deuce

Series: An Amethyst Cove Mystery

Author: KC Kendricks

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery

Length: Novella (110pgs)

Publisher: Amber Quill Press (Amber Allure) (9th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Free-spirited Ian Coulter works hard and plays harder. An ex-cop turned private investigator; Ian enjoys meeting new men and making new friends. A night out ends up with one man on the floor at his feet, and another asking for his help. Big trouble’s brewing in little Amethyst Cove and Ian’s a step behind. He’s quick to see Rick Mohr is the man holding the flare at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

Undercover agent Rick Mohr walks a fine line, serving two masters. Insider trading, counterfeit printing plates, and a blown-up yacht have Rick stuck between two Federal agencies, one of which has been compromised. Rick has to discover the mole before it’s too late. When Ian Coulter walks into his life, Rick grabs the chance to salvage his assignment with both hands.

It doesn’t take Ian and Rick long to discover joining forces, and sharing resources, have definite perks, ones not found in any departmental manual…

Review: Ian is looking for a hook-up when he runs into Rick who isn’t all he seems to be.  Rick needs help and he turns to Ian for that help.  If there are a few perks, well…it’s all ggoooodd.

This book was really good.  It’s got a touch of romance and a ‘what could be’ feel to it. I really liked Ian and Rick.   Neither man was looking for anything serious and they were both upfront about it.  But they also liked each other as people and not just as a quick hook up.  There was also a feeling that if they had met at a different time then they could have easily loved each other.

The mystery is good and they worked well as a team and you get drawn into Ian’s past and you want to know more about it. This is a well written story that has a strong plot and although this is from Ian’s POV you don’t feel like it’s just all about him… I mean we learn a lot about Rick and in the end you truly do want things to work out for him, even if he doesn’t stay with Ian. The sex scenes are hot and there is a spark between them that you know could turn into an inferno if they fed it.

I recommend this to those that love hot men, hot sex, mystery, a good storyline and if not a HEA then it still leaves you with a warm feeling.