John Inman’s Greatest Hits

Title: John Inman: Greatest Hits

Series: Dreamspinner Press Bundles

Author: John Inman

Genre: Various – Contemporary, Murder Mystery, Paranormal

Length: Novella bundle (978 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (25 Sept 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Hit author John Inman presents five novels of romance, from tongue in cheek to seriously chic

—Shy: Funny what a couple of guys can accomplish when they’re crazy about each other. Not even nine hundred chickens can stand in the way of true love.

—Loving Hector: Hector’s evil ex is dead set on holding on—even if it means kidnapping Hector to keep him from Dill forever! Now Dill has to pull an army together to rescue Hector, and just where the hell is he supposed to find an army? Gads, if only Dill could write books this interesting!

—Hobbled: Danny had plans to come out this summer—maybe even get laid! He doesn’t have time for ankle monitors and serial killers! Then ginger-haired Luke Jamison moves in next door. Gee. If Danny can survive it, this summer might not be so bad after all.

—Serenading Stanley: Welcome to the Belladonna Arms, a rundown little apartment building perched atop a hill in downtown San Diego, home to the city’s lost and lovelorn. While Roger tries to batter down Stanley’s defenses, Stanley turns to his new neighbors to learn about love.

—Spirit: Toss a murder, a hot young stud, an unexpected love affair, and a spooky-ass ghost with a weird sense of humor into Jason’s summer plans, and you’ve got the makings for one hell of a ride.

ISBN: 978-1-63476-719-4

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is the best hits collection bundle for John Inman and I have to say, this is truly a collection of brilliant book from an assortment of genres. I’ve read maybe one or two other John Inman books but to be quite honest, these ones have completely blown me away. I’ve rated this overall 5 out 5 – however, I am just going to make note that I also rate all of the featured novellas 5 as well.

All these stories are in the first person but brilliantly written – not once did I wonder what the other MC was thinking while reading all of these stories. The bonus is that they are all set in San Diego and I absolutely adore that city!

There are 5 stories featured, which are as follows:

Shy: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

The story is told by Tom – he is a mild mannered banker with a debilitating case of shyness. At an ex’s part he meets Frank – who also shares the same social anxiety. What ensues is a comedy of errors as the two guys overcome their anxiety and get to know each other.

This is funny and irreverent. The guys share a wonderful attraction which is over and above their shared disorder. Throw in a hilarious Chihuahua with a mind of its own and you got the start of a great relationship. Both Tom and Frank some bad apples in their lives but they can overcome any obstacle. I had kind of guessed the ending – at least part of it – but it is a tad gruesome and had me thinking of the TV show Deadwood. (Any fan of Deadwood will know what I mean when I say pigs!).

Loving Hector: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

The person telling this story is Dillard Brown – he has a nutty family including a mother who insists he’s straight and a grandfather whose sexuality seems to be fluid. He finds a stray dog – which he saves – and affectionately names it Chester while he half heartedly tries to track down the owner. Then enter, Hector, owner of said dog and actually made a brief (albeit nameless) appearance before the dog came onto the scene!

This book is nothing short of hilarious. Chester is on one escapade to another and quickly attaches himself to Dill after being returned to Hector. Dill and Hector’s relationship is nothing but bumpy but the attraction between the guys and their personalities – they are made for each other (quite literally). Then there are the minor characters, Dill’s boss’s and his grandfather take the prize for hilarity while his parents are simply nutty. His mother is completely adorable even if she is in her own little world.  Then there is Hector’s ex (Valdemaro, though I kept thinking Voldemorte), the only thing not funny about this book: it was a good storyline though and brought the characters together wonderfully.

Hobbled: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

This is basically Rear Window re-told (which had been re-told as the movie Disturbia, too) with two young nineteen year old gay guys who happen to be developing a romantic relationship on the side. The narrator is Danny – he had something of a tantrum at work and now has not only a cast one leg from the incident but he also has a police ankle device from the judge after his ex-boss pressed charges.

So we have a bored teenager alone because his father has to go away for work and there are reports of a serial killer on the rampage after young guys. I don’t want to give away the back story because I think the whole “Rear Window” thing is a big give away. When a new neighbour moves in and Danny meets with some precocious young boys the drama and the mystery escalates rapidly. I will admit that it took me some time to figure things out but I will admit the side story with Danny’s father I had figured out as soon as the first clue was handed out.

Luke and Danny are really sweet together and their story is a great ride!

Serenading Stanley: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

This is book 1 of John Inman’s series Belladonna Arms and after reading Serenading Stanley I definitely want to (need to) read the rest of the series. Shy archaeology student, Stanley, moves into the fairly cheap Belladonna Arms so that he could be closer to uni (against the wishes of his mother who lives in the city). There he meets the hot and newly graduated nurse, Roger. Stanley is very reticent when it comes to Roger’s advances and so Roger has no choice but to woo the man.

This is another funny story (though still did not laugh as much as I did in Shy and Loving Hector). Besides Stanley and Roger, there are a whole host of quirky characters including transgender, transvestite queens, and just a few oddball gay men that all call the Belladonna Arms home. This is a lot of fun and very sexy.

Spirit:💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Time for a bit of a spooky story! Again, this is another book where I had elements of the story figured out where it comes to the ghost. I don’t want to go into too much details because it is a really interesting story that you will enjoy – even if, like me, you have figured out some of the major parts of the big picture, the smaller details are really great.

The story is told from the POV of Jason, who has been left as the carer of his nephew, Timmy, for a month while his sister and her less than stellar boyfriend go off on a holiday. Immediately Timmy starts talking about the man in the walls of his uncle’s house. Then Jason runs into the brother of his sister’s ex-husband, Sam. Sam and his family have not seen Timmy since his brother disappeared. That is where the true mystery starts. It also helps that there was a definite spark of attraction the moment that the two guys met.

There is some drama, romance, mystery, some of the hysterical one liners that I now come to expect with John’s writing and add into that a dash of horror. This is one spectacularly spooky story! It is so damn creepy that I love it!

Love series Bundle by Scotty Cade

Scotty Cade - Love Series Bundle CoverTitle: Love Series

Series: Dreamspinner Press Bundle

Author: Scotty Cade

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 7, 2017)

Length: Novel

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Love can bloom in the most unusual places…. 

In Wings of Love, Dr. Bradford Mitchell flees to Alaska to escape the devastating memories of his deceased partner, but can he let go of the past soon enough to embrace a future with pilot and friend Mac Cleary? In Treasure of Love, dive master and charter boat captain Jackson Cameron finds himself questioning his sexuality when openly gay treasure hunter Dax Powers hires him, but if they want to keep their new-found treasure, they’ll have to fight to keep the crew safe. 

In Bounty of Love, Zander Walsh wakes up from coma only to find his fiancé and parents dead in an apparent robbery gone wrong. FBI Agent Jake Elliot is doing his best to find the murderer, but as the months pass—and unexpected feelings grow between them—it becomes clear that someone is doing their best to keep them from finding the truth. 

Finally, in Foundation of Love, co-written with Z.B. Marshall, Wes Stanhope has spent years running from his father’s controlling ways, but when his mother dies, leaving behind one last wish, he finds himself back under his thumb. His attraction to architect Ty Williams—and Ty’s refusal to hide in the closet—just might be enough to make him fight back. 

ISBN: 978-1-63533-563-7

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/love-series-by-scotty-cade-8350-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: I have never been a fan of anthologies or stories combined into one long novel.  They are always time consuming and drive me nuts.  I like a normal story to read and then put down, but with stories like these it just makes it feel to long with one book.  Now this one is a bit different as the stories are not short stories per say, but normal length.  It still felt like it would never end but was pretty sweet.  

The second thing I always noticed is that focus around one person or one place, now at first one would think Alaska but then I realized it was Mac bringing them all together, well sort of.  

Wings of Love

Scotty Cade - Wings of Love CoverBrad’s husband died of cancer and it has torn our sexy doctor apart.  He doesn’t want to live with the memories of their times that will be apart.  Two men so deeply in love.  So he heads to the one place they both loved, Alaska, where they both met Mac, a dear friend and pilot.

Mac had lost his wife to cancer three years ago and it had left him alone with his daughter and brother in law.  They had been together for some time but he had promised her to share his love with another.  Don’t think she was thinking another guy though.  Things sure do heat up with these two.  

There is just a bit of pain, loss, excitement and danger in this little story.  It is a cute story of love found in the strangest places.  Now I want to give Mac’s brother-in-law a smack upside the head but I got a feeling his time is coming.  It was a joy to read.

Treasure of Love

Scotty Cade - Treasure of Love CoverAs I said Jack’s time will come, and it will come in this story.  Some time has passed since he made an ass of himself with Mac and Brad.  He realized what he has always known; the he himself was attracted to another man.  In this case a treasure hunter who wants to rent his boat.  

Dax is very open and out, but he can be a total jerk sometimes though. Dax and his sister are looking for a sunken boat that was said to have large amount of gold from the gold rush in Alaska.  It makes me think of the old song “North to Alaska”, or John Wayne.  These two just seem to heat the sheets and boy pay backs are going to be good.

There is adventure, excitement, danger, and those pay backs in this story.  It was fun to read and I enjoyed the guys quite a bit.  There was even a nice little twist to this story that was a fun add I must say.

Bounty of Love

Scotty Cade - Bounty of Love CoverNow in book one you meet Zander and Jake, the owners of the lodge where Brad was heading.  Well this is their story, and I have to say that with this book being book 3, it made the rest of the stories seem out of order.  Zander and his fiancé, plus his parents were enjoying the final touches right before their wedding.   That is until the next thing Zander knows is waking up in the hospital and his world crashing around him.  His parents and his boyfriend were killed, and FBI Agent Jake wants to find out who was behind it.

Now there are some wicked twists to this story that I had not expected but was a great add.  Those behind the murders and their reasons were a big shock.  I loved these guys and was glad they got their story.  Although this should have been book two.  This is also when you meet Mac and his wife.  

Foundation of Love

Scotty Cade - Foundation of Love CoverNow I was wondering how this book fell in with the other three, then I realized that Wes was friends with Brad and in turn you see Mac again.  Those two are still going strong.  Any way Wes’s mother has passed on and a legacy is left behind.  She wanted to have a hospital built and set up, with father and son running it.  Too bad old daddy dearest is a racist and a homophobic asshat.  It puts Wes up against his father one more time.  The architect turns out to be Ty, and damn is the man isn’t hot.  However two things are against him, one he is gay and two he is black, something Wes doesn’t care about.  However daddy will not like it.  I would say time to kick daddy to the curb.

Now this one was pretty good but just a bit boring when considering the other three books.  The only danger came from Wes father, but not physical danger.  However it still rocked the story.

Overall

The stories all were pretty good, but they also felt a bit off.  I think that it was the danger added to each story that did this, especially if you’re going to combine them into one large novel.  If they were to stay separate books then it would not feel this way I suppose.  Other than my issues it still made for one hot and sexy read.  I enjoyed them and would definitely recommend this book.

Precious Gems Bundle by E.M. Lynley

e-m-lynley-precious-gems-bundle-coverTitle: Precious Gems Bundle

Series: Precious Gems Books 1 to 4

Author: E.M. Lynley

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Mystery, Suspense 

Length: Novel (941 Pages) 

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 12, 2016)

Heat Level: Low 

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.75 Hearts

Blurb: When gay romance writer Trent Copeland runs into handsome American Reed Acton—seemingly by chance—while vacationing in Thailand, it sparks off an irresistible affair. Follow their globe-trotting adventures in the Precious Gems books as they negotiate a relationship while solving crimes in Bangkok, Rome, Tokyo, and Istanbul. 

ISBN: 978-1-63477-618-9

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/precious-gems-bundle-by-em-lynley-7357-b

Reviewer: Lisa 

Review: Now at first I wasn’t really sure if I would like these stories. What changed my mind were the characters themselves. Although Reed really didn’t rock like he should have, I did enjoy Trent quite a bit. I love how it was he who really solved the cases. Reed did become a favorite at the end though.

Rarer Than Rubies ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
When Trent Copeland runs into Reed Acton at a Bangkok airport, he thinks the handsome American is too good to be true. Why would someone like Reed be interested in a quiet, introverted gay-romance writer? After all, even an obvious tourist like Trent can see that there is more to Reed’s constant unexplained appearances in his path than meets the eye.

Reed Acton has one mission and one mission only—he needs to get the map that was accidentally slipped into Trent’s bag and keep the mobsters who want the priceless artefact from taking deadly revenge. Trent Copeland is a delicious and damned near irresistible diversion, but Reed can’t afford distractions right now, especially if he wants to keep Trent safe.

From Bangkok’s seediest back alleys to the sacred north, the two men will fight to stay one step ahead of the bad guys and learn that the only treasure worth finding is… each other.

Sent on a vacation so that he could get his muse back, almost gets him killed instead. To top it off he meets up with one sexy man. I loved how he had no clue if the guy was good or bad, but his heart was leading the way. Or maybe it was another part of his body.
I got a kick out of this story and can’t wait to read the next story. This one hit pretty high up there in points for me. 

Italian Ice 
♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
In this exciting sequel to Rarer Than Rubies, gay romance author Trent Copeland and former FBI agent Reed Action head to Italy for a Roman holiday. What should be a relaxing and romantic vacation is interrupted when Reed’s not-so-former boss asks for his help with a case. Trent’s shocked to discover in the six months they’ve been living together in LA, Reed hasn’t been completely honest about his “retirement.”

Reed heads for Sicily on the trail of a suspected antiquities-smuggling ring and to find Peter Isett—a former FBI partner he also hasn’t been completely truthful about. Stung by Reed’s dishonesty, Trent questions what else Reed might be hiding. But when he overhears something that tells him Reed’s life is in danger, Trent follows Reed to a remote chain of ancient volcanic islands off Sicily’s northern coast. Soon Trent is caught up in the smugglers’ web, and Reed must decide between his heart and his mission—a decision complicated by his past with Peter. Reed’s position is perilous: unless he can learn to put the past behind him, he risks destroying everything he’s built with Trent.

Maybe the man should trust his partner just a bit more. It seems Trent is pretty damn good at solving the mysteries they come across. Although I still can’t really get into Reed at all. He seems like a total tool to me and not trust worthy. 

Other than that this story rocked. I had a lot of fun reading it and look forward to the next book.

Jaded 
♥♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Gay-romance writer Trent Copeland finds his life in a rut while his boyfriend, Special Agent Reed Acton, is away on an undercover mission. After attending a special course at FBI headquarters in Quantico, Trent’s eager for another challenge. He jumps at the opportunity for a trip to Japan to oversee appraisals of two art collections to be sold at the gallery he co-owns. But the trip isn’t all cherry blossoms and Hello Kitty. When one of the collectors he meets—rumored to be the head of a Yakuza gang—turns up dead, Trent is accused of the murder and thrown in jail.

Reed drops everything to help find out who really committed the crime. He’s in unknown territory in Japan, forced to navigate Tokyo’s sex underworld to unravel the truth and save Trent. He poses as a “host” at a seedy late-night club. When Reed’s undercover activities place him at a ruthless Yakuza leader’s sex party, he must be willing to go to any lengths to secure Trent’s safety and freedom. But trusting the wrong people brings both Reed and Trent to the Yakuza leader’s attention. If they are ever to have a happy ever after, they’ll first have to call on every skill just to stay alive.

The only part that I hated about this story and brought it down was when Reed was with Shindo. Even though all that happened was kissing and most of it was because of the danger, that was a no for me and I stopped reading this particular story. It is a pet peeve of mine and I am afraid that this story was knocked down because of it.

24-Karat Conspiracy ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Former Ranger turned FBI agent Reed Acton faces his biggest challenge yet: a Christmas visit from partner Trent Copeland’s parents. He’s less equipped to handle hugs and holidays than the Taliban or international art thieves. When he’s assigned to track down a set of gold Babylonian artefacts looted from the Iraqi National Museum after the fall of Baghdad, things start to look up.

This time, Trent’s part of the mission, takes them to exotic Istanbul. The crowded streets and labyrinthine markets fascinate Trent, but soon murder is on their trail. The investigation continues as Reed goes undercover at a US Army base, with Trent masquerading as his spouse. Surprisingly, fastidious and ever-fashionable Trent fits into base life right away and soon takes one of the suspects’ wives under his wing when domestic abuse rears its head.

Their faux marriage leads Reed to appreciate Trent in ways he never expected, strengthening their bond—until Reed has to confront the worst demons from his past: his relationship with his estranged family. 

This one was the best of all the stories, but that is because of the happy ending. I was so shocked to find out who was the bad guy and who was the ass. This was a pleasant ending to a wonderful collection. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to seeing what other stories this author has out.

Overall ♥♥♥♥♥ 
I enjoyed reading this complete series all rolled into one nice package. It caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end. I have to admit that it is a slower pace then I normally read but for this series it worked out pretty good. I can usually gage where a story is going but I had to just keep on reading because I wanted to know for sure. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

North Star Bundle Books 1 – 3 by Posy Roberts

Posy Roberts - North Star Bundle CoverTitle: North Star Bundle Books 1 – 3

Author: Posy Roberts

Genre: Contemporary, Coming of Age, First love – second chance

Length: 3 Novels (876 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-63477-520-5

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (5th August 2016)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Hugo and Kevin were best friends and secret lovers in high school, but a chance meeting years later proves that the spark that drew them together before is still there. In Spark, Hugo and Kevin must try to put together a relationship while overcoming the obstacles of coming out, divorce and children. In Fusion, an unexpected illness may tear apart all they’ve been building. And in Flare, though they’ve finally settled together happily, outside forces are working hard to upset their family.

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/north-star-by-posy-roberts-7341-b

Reviewer: GiGi

SparkLGSpark Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

At first I was daunted by the length of this book, thinking it could have been culled a bit. The further I got, the more glued to the pages I was, however! There were many layers to this story and the quality of the authors writing is great. Often times I felt myself caught in a dreamlike mentality that was perfect for the main characters’ remembrances.

This story is about coming of age and self-discovery, yes, but it also made me examine my own relationships more closely and see things I have never considered before. There are many different types of intimacy exhibited, intimacy among best friends, lovers, family, some that are sexual, some that blur lines and I think that’s all part of the strength of this novel. Another strong theme throughout this story is the conscious part of the main characters to understand their relationships with others, both failed and successful and to understand how problematic cycles repeat, and how to break them. Kevin finally finds his way to breaking a cycle of a cruel and domineering father, so he can do better himself, and he educates himself how to be a better one for his own family. Hugo and Summer both openly discuss their own cycles of repeating bad relationships and how to avoid the same problems in the future.

Hugo, most importantly, gets over his fears and acknowledges how he doesn’t want to sabotage his renewed relationship with Kevin by hiding parts of himself. Realizing he needs to begin this second chance, with eyes wide open on both sides.

Roberts does a wonderful job setting a scene, defining that atmosphere in which an encounter or important moment takes place. She’s excellent at building up tension, and at hinting towards a major shift about to happen. I also took comfort in a familiarity with the Midwest setting, the whole lake cottage phenomenon and the language and culture of the Midwest. As a Michigan girl, I grinned at familiar phrases and past times. I read this book later into the early hours of the morning because I couldn’t put it down. As I normally read something of this length in segments that’s saying a lot! Bravo Posy, I look forward to the next installment in the series!

If you’re looking for something deeper, something special and something truly passionate…grab this book!

FusionLGFusion Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

I read this story from the perspective of someone who lost her mother to cancer, discovered at stage four, that took her life fast and ugly. I cared for her at home until the moment she died in my arms. I know what the decision is like to take care of a loved one with a terminal illness and a short prognosis. It’s not really a decision. You do it, because the alternative would be even more painful, even more damaging to one’s emotions. So I totally understood Kevin’s decision to take care of Erin.

The title, Fusion, seems to be to be descriptive of how they become a family, how Kevin and Hugo become a stronger couple, forced together, permanently bound through the heat and pressure of this life changing experience. This is a tough and self-sacrificing choice that both Kevin and separately Hugo have made. Something like this takes guts and dedication for Hugo. He could have walked away. He could have simplified his life, focused on himself and his career, and saved a ton of awkwardness, heartache, and strain. But he quickly becomes my favorite character because he does not, he befriends Erin, he gives her the greatest gift anyone ever could. He allows her to die with the assurances that her children will be loved, safe, and cared for in her absence. I’ve got tears on the edge of my eyelashes as I type that comment, but it is so true.

The moments of respite written in for Kevin and Hugo is also supremely important to anyone caring for an ill loved one. Because we are no good to each other if, we’re weary beyond functioning in a healthy way. I’m glad they got their breaks, their isolation, their alone time to focus on their relationship. The only thing that threw me for a loop, though it seemed to work, was the night swimming scene between Erin, Kevin and Hugo, erotic yes, uncomfortable yes, a bit odd…glad she left the water when she did!

Anyhow, there is so much packed into this story, I could go on and on, but I’m glad it was told. It’s difficult material to write about but Posy did a great job! It’s honest and I have the feeling, written from an experienced perspective. A surprising, yet bolstering turn of events from book one. I’m eager for the next book!

FlareFlare Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

This book contains some very realistic scenarios of homophobia and discrimination when Hugo and the kids are bullied in many forms in this story. My heart broke for Hugo, torn between his needs, the family he loves, the man he loves, and the community he misses. People can be so narrow-minded and mean sometimes and I think the author captured that, examined it, and showed us all how to rise above it.

There are a lot of tangents in this installment, but I think it is needed to tie up loose ends for the series, but the primary focus seems to be on how this new family unit can become stronger, and how they can clear the hurdles of life more easily together than each can individually. There is also a delicate dance between the many facets of Hugo’s personality, including a close examination of what mindset he is really in with Miss Cherrie Pop!

I enjoy that the author tried to spotlight common misconceptions of why someone enjoys drag, or takes on a drag persona and what it really means for Hugo specifically. Hugo and Kevin’s love life also needed some balance, and they both found a way to get the one-on-one time they needed with a few fun kinks thrown in!

I’m in love with this series, these characters, and will miss all their adventures together. This whole series is a very worthwhile read, and a welcome addition to my permanent collection shelf!

Blue Notes by Shira Anthony (with Venona Keyes) Bundle

BlueNotesBundleShiraAnthonyLGTitle:  Blue Notes by Shira Anthony (with Venona Keyes) Bundle

Series: Dreamspinner Bundle

Author: Shira Anthony

Genre: Contemporary/Arts

Length:  Single Author Series Bundle (1414 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (March 11th, 2016)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Blurb:  Immerse yourself in the best-selling Blue Notes universe, where music and romance are intrinsically intertwined. In Blue Notes, a struggling jazz violinist meets an attorney for a true journey of the heart; in The Melody Thief, a renowned cellist, sought after by conductors the world over, seeks hope and forgiveness from a lawyer; in Aria, rekindled lust blossoms into a true romance in world of opera; in Prelude, a world-renowned conductor clashes with a substitute violinist; in Symphony in Blue, revisit the couples of the Blue Notes series; in Encore, the cool kid violinist and the wannabe conductor dance in and out of a relationship and in Dissonance, a British noble on the run meets a busker in a subway.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-349-2

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7532

Reviewer: Prime

Review:  This is a first go for me into the writing of Shira Anthony. It was a pretty damn good first go, too. This recent bundle released by Dreamspinner Press is a collection of the 7 books featured in the Blue Notes series. I am not about to go into detail of each book, as it is, I rate all of the books a solid 4 out of 5.

On the whole, this is a thoroughly enjoyable series and just so easy to read. The fact that Shira Anthony actually gives us dates to mark the passage of time makes it so easy to follow. Each book centers on a difference couple and somehow they all know each other, whether it is through practicing law in Chicago, or have links to the symphony orchestra or opera in either France or Chicago.

The plots are engaging and the characters are not only relatable and likable, but it found myself totally invested in their stories.

This is the type of series for people who love characters that have a strong background in music, more so classical and jazz because this is the centre of the entire world that has been created. The relationships just felt so real, including the ups and downs experienced by each couple.

Yet at the same time sometimes the characters suffered from frustrating cases of lack of communication! The only real criticism I have for it is that sometimes the books seemed to drag, when the “action” slowed down and sometimes led to awkward jumps in time. I wonder if it would have been better in these instances to make the jump to the next “scene” or “time” earlier would have made the reads better.

I think one important note to make, which has also been brought up on Goodreads as well, that the order of publication (which is how the books are bundled together here) is actually not the chronological reading order. At least to me that makes a BIG difference in knowing that. If you are someone like me and is big on numbers and try to reconcile everything in a series, particularly when dates are given, you might want to take this into account.

In the book/order of publication: Blue Notes, The Melody Thief, Aria, Prelude, Encore, Symphony in Blue and Dissonance.

Chronological order: Encore, Prelude, Blue Notes, Aria, The Melody Thief, Symphony in Blue and Dissonance.

 

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *