There was a lot going on in this book (a LOT) and there were a lot of characters to keep track of. Seeing as how I was new to Point Muse and all the iThere was a lot going on in this book (a LOT) and there were a lot of characters to keep track of. Seeing as how I was new to Point Muse and all the individuals who populated it, I had a tough time keeping track of who was who and how they fit in with the town. I managed, but still.
That said, this was a weird, fun little book. Xandie has an odd, quirky, kinda big family and they're all wrapped up in the goings on in Point Muse. To start with, her grandmother sows chaos. Not literally, but also kind of literally. She's the opposite of peace, for sure. And she's acting suspiciously on every front. Which is apparently normal for her, so Xandie and the fam kind of take all that in stride.
But when you throw in some SUPER obnoxious monster hunters, things take a turn. A slightly murderous turn.
A whole lot of family, some unexpected magical shenanigans, monsters, mayhem, magic, and a witch who is (rightfully) suspicious of anything her grandmother is involved in.
No joke, I kinda love the powerful alien warrior who is kinda clueless when it comes to wooing a mate trope. Is that even a trope? Or just a super speNo joke, I kinda love the powerful alien warrior who is kinda clueless when it comes to wooing a mate trope. Is that even a trope? Or just a super specific thing that works for me? Regardless, I like it.
Darex has put in his time as a warrior (can we say hunky, alien silver fox?) and he's ready to settle down. He's known Eliza is the one for him since he first laid eyes on her, but the traditions of his people have him waiting until the Yarta to make his move. By which I mean he swoops down, scoops Eliza up, and spirits her away to his cozy home in the woods. To be fair, he followed all the rules when he did the swooping and scooping, it's just that Eliza wasn't supposed to be part of the mate choosing since she's scheduled to leave the planet soon. Like, in a few days soon.
So, yeah. There's their first speed bump as a couple. Darex is sweetly clueless when it comes to wooing. Eliza might like the big guy and be VERY into his intensity, but her next project is looming on the horizon and she knows she'll be leaving.
A little snowstorm that leaves these two housebound (TOGETHER!), a jerk of an ex, a Christmas wish for Santa to put in an appearance, an alien warrior who is willing to step into a role, and a human lady who needs to figure out what she wants before it's too late. *thumbs up*
Mysterious, rigidly controlled Tomlin is up and his special someone is a scientist more comfortable in a lab than being around others. Which actually Mysterious, rigidly controlled Tomlin is up and his special someone is a scientist more comfortable in a lab than being around others. Which actually works out nicely because Tomlin's not a big fan of being surrounded by people either.
Working on cleaning up the plot by Constance's father to build a weapon that could hurt many, Tomlin is already skating on the edge of his control. Following up on research on the gems that were going to used for the weapon, Tomlin finds an intense women with an insatiable mind instead of the staid male research doctor he was expecting. Let's just say that he's shocked by his response to her and has to go on some long runs to reinstate that control he's known for.
On Etta's end, she's convinced herself she's happier on her own, but she's lonely. Tomlin, with his folk stories and penchant for tidying up when things get messy, sparks her interest. The fact he's not entirely human doesn't bother her. Neither does his rather intense responses to her whenever things start to heat up.
Found family, experiments, a little danger, a man trying to find his place, and a lady who knows when someone special walks through her door. *thumbs up*
Candace has herself in a bit of a pickle. It's do or die (not literally) time to find herself a match via the IDA and all the matches she's had recentCandace has herself in a bit of a pickle. It's do or die (not literally) time to find herself a match via the IDA and all the matches she's had recently are complete duds. In fact, the only bright point on her dates has been spending time with her next door neighbor after as they conduct a thorough post-mortem.
As much as she might be hardcore crushing on Khane and like EVERYTHING about him, Candace knows he's not an option. Candace needs to have an IDA approved match and Khane won't join the app. So they can smolder at one another, make serious eyes, maybe get a little handsy, but nothing more than that. Right?
HA. Wrong. Khane has it bad for Candace and Candace has it bad for Khane. And once things get taken to the next level, there's no going back. At least until Khane gets called back to his home planet. Yeah, there might in a little speed bump in there.
Several AWFUL first dates, a matchmaking bodyguard, a prince with his heart on the line, and a lady who found her special someone, she just needs to figure out how to make things work.
Former spy and all around protective dude, Reath is up and his special someone is his best friend's sister. Honestly, the best friend's sister thing iFormer spy and all around protective dude, Reath is up and his special someone is his best friend's sister. Honestly, the best friend's sister thing isn't their biggest hurdle. I mean Frankie has VERY BAD PEOPLE trying to get their hands on her work and that's way more life changing than accidentally kissing someone who knows your brother, if you ask me.
Still, Reath and Frankie shared a scorching kiss before they knew who the other was. Then they got thrown together when Frankie ended up in the crosshairs of the bad guys and forced proximity is GLORIOUS, isn't it? At least it is with these two. The only downside is every time they think Frankie's safe things take a turn.
Which does NOT make Reath happy. He's a security specialist, after all, and his business is keeping people safe. Yet the bad guys keep getting too close and both Frankie and her work are in danger.
A big project that could do a lot of good, a bad guy who is making things personal, the brothers dropping everything to help when needed, a man who will do anything to keep his special someone safe, and a lady who knows a good thing when she sees it. GOOD TIMES!
A human woman who's being held prisoner in an alien stronghold and is only keeping it together so she can protect the others being held in the fortresA human woman who's being held prisoner in an alien stronghold and is only keeping it together so she can protect the others being held in the fortress as best she can is about to be liberated and...well, Belle's been through a lot. Fortunately for her, the warriors who descend on the fortress are WORLDS apart (not literally) from the ones who had been keeping her captive.
Tinzel and his warriors might be a little rough around the edges, but they're honorable and they're determined to make sure Belle and the others are safe before continuing with their mission. Tinzel might be utterly entranced by the feisty human, but he knows she's been through a lot and she deserves better than a warrior with no family and no prospects.
While that's all well and good, being near Tinzel is the first time Belle's felt safe since her ordeal began years ago. She's willing to see where things go, but she's also free for the first time in a long time and is trying to work her head around that.
Some loathsome alien captors, a handful of little furry friends, a little danger, a warrior who fights his instincts, and a lady who's making the best of a rough situation and who deserves the male who makes her feel safe. *thumbs up*
We're back in Pebble Cove and Callie is pulled into another investigation when a man dies outside her B&B. As if tracking down clues for a death that We're back in Pebble Cove and Callie is pulled into another investigation when a man dies outside her B&B. As if tracking down clues for a death that looks to be natural (but which Callie is pretty sure is anything but) isn't hard enough, Owen has become distant since the ambush that ended with him injured and his partner dead.
That said, Callie trusts Owen to ask for help if he needs it, so she quietly frets and lets him go about his business. Meanwhile, she's following the scant crumbs she can find with the help of Olivia. Which leads to Callie uncovering a BIG surprise during the investigation that changes things in a whole bunch of ways.
This book nicely ties up Owen's investigation on the drug task force and brings Callie and Owen closer together overall. Pebble Cove might be practically ghost free now, but everybody got their HEA, so that's definitely nice.
Frankie's life is definitely complicated. Her body-borrowing business has taken a hit since she dealt with Harrow's uncle, she might be starting an alFrankie's life is definitely complicated. Her body-borrowing business has taken a hit since she dealt with Harrow's uncle, she might be starting an almost-relationship with someone who's the PA to a death god, and she has no idea what she capable of from a magical perspective since her abilities seem to be pushing the boundaries of what she's used to.
Oh, and she's pretty sure Harrow has it in for her maybe-boyfriend and she has to keep a close eye on him whenever the two are near one another.
Yeah. Complicated. Investigating the disappearance of a young woman who's been living on the street is not exactly in her wheelhouse, but the spirit who hired her is desperate and Frankie has time on her hands. As it turns out, Frankie's experience on the streets when she was younger help her understand the kids they're trying to track down.
More than a few twists, a turn or two no one but Badb probably saw coming, an endearingly awkward individual with lots of power, ghosts, supernaturals, and Frankie trying to hold everything she cares about together when things start to fall apart. *thumbs up*
Callie and Owen are in a good place after the miscommunication in the last book. While Callie focuses on running the B&B (and helping her adoptive fatCallie and Owen are in a good place after the miscommunication in the last book. While Callie focuses on running the B&B (and helping her adoptive father solve the occasional murder), Owen is working on a task force out of a nearby city. They're solid. They're happy. Things are moving along.
Then a guest misses check in and ends up dead in a dinghy and suddenly Callie's in the middle of things again. Sort of. I mean, she never actually saw said guest since they didn't check in, but she has time on her hands without said guest and she ends up involved whether she actually wants to be or not.
Then Owen gets injured and things go sideways. Suddenly Callie is spending her days in the hospital by his side and that pesky dead-guy problem is percolating in the back of her head. So she does what any self-respecting daughter of a police chief would do and works things out.
A close call for Owen, a little blow up between Callie and her closest ghostly friend, a plot that takes a turn, and lady who is good at following those little clues until they yield something. *thumbs up*
Callie, Rosemary's adopted sister, is up and she's not nearly as gung-ho about getting involved in potentially dangerous situations as Rosemary is. BuCallie, Rosemary's adopted sister, is up and she's not nearly as gung-ho about getting involved in potentially dangerous situations as Rosemary is. But since one of her B&B guests ended up dead while staying with her, Callie can't exactly ignore said situation. Throw in a spunky ghost who has some quirks of her own and Callie is right in the middle of it all.
On top following clues, Callie is also dealing with some very real feelings of inadequacy. She's worried she's going to run the B&B into the ground without the previous owners around to guide her through things. Seeing as how said previous owners are her boyfriend's aunt and uncle, it could be problematic at family gatherings if she tanked the B&B within a short time of taking over.
BUT... Owen is also acting squirrely which is another thing Callie is dealing with. While she pretends to everyone around her that things are fine, she's worried Owen's about to break up with her and since the loves the sweet guy her heart would be absolutely broken if that happened.
A terrible nut allergy, a complicated new spirit, a handful of clues, some serious fretting, and a lady who is trying to pretend she's fine when she's not. *thumbs up*
Rosemary and Asher have a chance to make a go of their relationship and they're making the most of things. Mostly because they don't know if this chanRosemary and Asher have a chance to make a go of their relationship and they're making the most of things. Mostly because they don't know if this chance is of the forever variety or just a temporary thing. Which would suck, because these two are gooooood together.
Looking to make Asher more official (because, you know, he doesn't have ID or documentation that would work in the modern world), the couple set out to grease a few palms and get what they needed done. Which is to say, the Rickster knows a guy who can get them what they need.
That's all fine and dandy except the Rickster's guy is in a bit of a spot and Rosemary and Asher can't walk away when they know someone's in danger. So they step and do their thing and use the local spirits to help those in need.
A little danger, some new ghostly acquaintances, a don't ask, don't tell policy between another couple, and Rosemary and Asher making the world a little better for both the living and the dead. GOOD STUFF!
Although this book is mainly about Rosemary helping the Rickster out of the sticky situation he's found himself in - made worse by his penchant for teAlthough this book is mainly about Rosemary helping the Rickster out of the sticky situation he's found himself in - made worse by his penchant for telling tall tales and outstanding whoppers of stories - this is also about Rosemary and Asher solving the mystery of who killed Asher all those years ago. Which is both good and bad because spirits don't tend to stick around after finishing their unfinished business, but Asher deserved to know how things ended as they did.
So. Rosemary's following the tangled truths gleaned from the Rickster and comes to find that a lot of the Rickster's stories might be slightly overblown, but there is a kernel of truth in them somewhere. That said, it takes a visit by the Rickster's ex-wife to confirm said truths.
Meanwhile, a fortuitous twist in the Rickster's case has Rosemary stumbling onto clues to Asher's. As things start to come to a close on that front, the fact that Rosemary might soon lose her best friend (and spiritual special someone) is something she has to wrap her head around.
A dangerous spirit, a couple of gloriously outrageous tales, heartache, hope, and an unexpected new beginning. An overall solid ending to the series!
Rosemary's stumbled over (or more like the spirit of a freshly deceased individual has prodded her into finding) another suspicious dead body and the Rosemary's stumbled over (or more like the spirit of a freshly deceased individual has prodded her into finding) another suspicious dead body and the list of people who might have wanted to off him is a leeeeetle bit long. Mostly because Dominic liked the ladies and there is a rather large pool of suspects to draw from.
Which means Rosemary has her work cut out for her even before you throw in the ongoing mystery of Asher's death and a somewhat tight timeframe since her mom and the chief's wedding is coming up quickly and everything needs to be wrapped up before then. Because, you know, the chief needs to be free to get married and all that.
So Rosemary starts whittling down suspects while also digging into Asher's past. Asher's distant relative bears a startling resemblance to him, which messes with Rosemary's head a little. (Plus, Asher has a little case of the jealousies, which is rough.)
A playboy who has a definite type, a little cosmetic change for Rosemary, a possible romantic entanglement for Callie, and Rosemary doing her thing as she figures out who did the deed. Good stuff.
One tiny little crush on a hunky alien in stasis, a whole lot of talking to said alien while he was in stasis, and suddenly Tabitha has a VERY awake aOne tiny little crush on a hunky alien in stasis, a whole lot of talking to said alien while he was in stasis, and suddenly Tabitha has a VERY awake alien who should absolutely not be awake on her hands. Seeing as how there's a whole treaty laying out how Sleye's people will NOT be awake or interacting with aboard the ship, this puts both Tabitha and Sleye in a bit of a pickle.
Because Sleye's awake. And he's interested in Tabitha despite his people's way of life. He also have ZERO experience with either the emotional or physical signals his body is sending out. Which means there are more than a few charged moments between these two.
On Tabitha's end, she's a little stunned by Sleye waking up, but he's a good guy who wiggles into her heart in no time flat. Keeping him a secret is a little tough, but nothing insurmountable. Mostly.
Some holiday fun, a romantic interlude gone awry, some sexy times, a little tension, and two individuals who are just right for each other. *thumbs up*
House flipping a supposedly haunted house seems like a recipe for disaster, if you ask me. That said, Rosemary hadn't seen any ghosts (and in fact hadHouse flipping a supposedly haunted house seems like a recipe for disaster, if you ask me. That said, Rosemary hadn't seen any ghosts (and in fact hadn't even known about the haunted house until the house-flippin' triplets showed up to buy the place and put their house-flippin' plans into motion) and she's not at all certain the place is actually haunted.
Then Callie finds one of the triplets dead and suddenly Rosemary and Callie are hunting down clues in an effort to help the Chief solve the crime. Why are they set on helping the Chief? Well, that would be because he (and the entire Pebble Cove police department) are being accused of colluding with the PC townsfolk to keep outsiders out with the help of the local cursed house.
Yeah, there's a lot going on here. Unfortunately, the Chief is taking the brunt of the bad press and since he's marrying Rosemary's mom (and kinda has that father-figure thing going for both Rosemary and Callie), she (and Callie) are a little invested in making sure his good name is cleared.
A run-down house about to get a face lift, ghosts, complicated family dynamics, oolong tea, a blogger with attitude, and Rosemary and Asher adding a third to their intrepid crew. *thumbs up*
Oh my goodness. Brux and Melody were ADORABLE. He's an alien who has some serious self esteem issues and a cargo-hold sized bucket of guilt for the thOh my goodness. Brux and Melody were ADORABLE. He's an alien who has some serious self esteem issues and a cargo-hold sized bucket of guilt for the things that happened between him and Melody five years ago. She's a spunky human dropped on a farming planet who's figuring out how to make things work for her even though she's VERY MUCH not a farmer.
Brux had no intention of seeking Melody out when he scored a job on Risda III (because of that aforementioned guilt), but she's THRILLED when their paths cross. Thrilled. In fact, she's so happy about it that she's determined to make the most of their time together and show Brux exactly how much she missed him. EXCEPT...Brux has all those self-esteem issues and all that guilt and he can't understand why someone as bubbly and wonderful as Melody would be interested in station trash like him.
No lie, Brux is a sweetheart and the way he couldn't wrap his head around Melody liking him was rough. Fortunately for him, Melody didn't care about family names or bloodlines. She cared about the male who treated her with compassion when everyone else treated her like a dog. She cared about how gentle he was with her and how he made her feel safe. It took time and a lot of getting to know one another before these two got where they needed to be. (Honestly, that was adorable in its own right. Brux didn't want to just hit the sheets. For him, he needed to get to know Melody before he was comfortable taking things to the next level.)
On Melody's end, she's a scrapper living on a farming planet. She tinkers and makes things the other human refugees want (like toasters and bicycles!) and she's found a place for herself. Brux showing up on her planet just makes everything better and she throws everything she has at getting him to see they would be great together.
A lady who's good with her hands and a male who needs to get to know his special someone before they can crank up the heat. MAN, I like spending time on Risda III.
A woman with no memory (along with a woman who's a little bit dead) has washed up on Rosemary's beach and Rosemary's attempting to figure out who she A woman with no memory (along with a woman who's a little bit dead) has washed up on Rosemary's beach and Rosemary's attempting to figure out who she is and whether she's involved with the dead lady. To make things even more complicated, the amnesiac woman can hear (but not see) Rosemary's ghostly friends. Which is a little problematic since Rosemary hasn't admitted to ANYONE (including her mother and townie BFF) that she can communicate with said ghosts.
While the ghosts are trying to lay low (or at least not talk to Rosemary or one another when Hope is around), Rosemary's following up on the scant clues Hope is able to provide about her past. Which are seriously lacking. Throw in a rowdy new spirit who's making things difficult for some of the long-time locals (of both the ghostly and living variety) and a trip to the big city and Rosemary has a lot on her plate.
On the plus side, she might garner a new friend out of this messy situation. On the downside, said new friend has no idea who she is or what's led to her being washed up on the beach. But some digging and clubbing (of sorts) MIGHT get Hope some answers. Maybe.
A messy situation, another individual who is inducted into the "friends of the ghosties" club, the indie music scene, and Rosemary and Asher right in the thick of things. As we all like!
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