Married to a Trial Liar by Sophia Moreau and Barbara Sheldon

Mia Picarde decided early in life that she would not go hungry and always have a roof over her head. When hearing her parents arguing about money Mia went to her brother Danny and asked him to see if she could work at the sandwich shop that he worked at. Her boss Doug Goldman took a shine to her and they started an affair. When Mia became pregnant, they married. Doug blamed Mia for everything that was wrong in his life and when he abused her she left with the children. The divorce attorney that she saw was Dave Grossman. He cajoled Mia into a sense of tranquility and asked her to marry him. The marriage was worse than her first. Dave was continually abusive but with six children she was afraid to leave. She worked hard all her life and finally one day had enough and filed for divorce. The divorce was continually put on hold after Dave lied to the court about this or that. Then every year on Mia's birthday another girl was murdered with a red tie. Mia and Dave's mistress put two and two together and feared that Dave was the killer. Now Mia just has to find a way to prove it and be rid of him forever.

This book was a very quick read. There is some romance, some coming of age and some murder thrown in along with abusive behavior by two of Mia's husbands. While descriptive in what was done to Mia and others it was not overly graphic which was nice. I would have liked a little more background into Luca's meeting and subsequent relationship with Mia. From beginning to end it was a page turner for me and a very enjoyable read.

On The Fringe by Courtney King Walker

Teenaged Claire was just starting to realize her feelings for her best friend's brother when he was killed. Daniel was not only Addie's brother but he was Claire's brother Matthew's best friend too. Claire just can't seem to get back to life after Daniel's death and then on her 16th birthday, she drowned. After a few minutes Daniel's spirit was able to revive her. From then on for a few minutes each day Claire was able to see and talk to Daniel. But, there was another spirit at work and this one meant Claire harm. Aden blamed Daniel for his death and wanted revenge by haunting and hurting Claire. Together Claire and Daniel have to unwind the truth about what happened when he was five and deal with Aden once and for all.

Very interesting concept for the book. It's told from both Claire's and Daniel's points of view. Each chapter deals with how Claire and Daniel each see what is happening between them and around them. Even though there are sinister undertones with the character Aden, it mainly deals with how both Claire and Daniel cope with his passing. Enjoyed all the characters in the book from Claire and Daniel to their siblings, her parents and her dead aunt. The story grabbed me from the beginning and I had to keep reading to see what was going to happen. I really love a book that does that. The title is an excellent choice because who knows what waits on the fringe. Really good young adult book.

Revealing Eden by Victoria Foyt

Eden is a Pearl, the lowest of the low in her civilization. She and her father work for Ronson Bramford. Eden's supervisor her by telling her that a report Eden did was not sent to her. Bramford hears and tells Eden she must stay in her quarters. There is no love lost between Eden and Bramford. Her friend Jamal tells Eden it's ok to go out and he would meet her at a club. Jamal does not show up and Eden is cornered by two men of the resistance. Bramford comes to her rescue but they are both taken captive. Eden's father is working on a project and needed people for guinea pigs. Bramford tells him to use the serum on him and then he takes both Eden and her father to a remote destination to keep them safe. There Eden sees another side of Bramford and learns about his earlier life. She has to decide if she can accept Bramford as he is now and if she wants to be like him.

Eden and her father are not close though she wishes they were. So, when Jamal paid attention to her she lapped it up. She did not realize that he just wanted something from her. Bramford on the other hand, tried to keep her safe and she fought him all the way. There was a lot of sexual tension between them throughout the book. Was not sure at first if I was going to like it, but once I got into the story it grabbed me and didn't let go.

After Midnight by Sarah Grimm

Isabeau Montgomery is the proprietor of a bar. One night she was playing the piano after hours when in walked Noah Clark. Noah was the lead singer of a band called Black Phoenix and they are trying to make a comeback. Isabeau was a child star pianist, but stopped playing after she and her mother were in an accident and her mother lost her life. Her father battled for custody with her step father and won, the only reason she wanted her was to make money off her talent. So, Isa decided it was better not to love music. Noah and his band rented space for a studio down the road from Isa's bar. He could not believe how talented she was and went about trying to get her back into playing. But, at what cost would it come with. Isa is afraid it will destroy her instead of giving her back her life.

Instant chemistry from the beginning between Isa and Noah. Each comes to the relationship with baggage and each wants to help the other get over theirs. Story was very easy to follow from beginning to end with just the right mix of description and dialogue. Enjoyed some of the minor characters like Dominic. Ms. Grimm weaves a captivating story and keeps you wanting to keep reading to see where her characters lead her. Loved the cover of the book and think it fits very well. A book very worth picking up and reading.

Heartstrings and Diamond Rings by Jane Graves

Alison Carter wants what her friends have a husband, children and a home of her own. Brandon Scott needs money fast. He has inherited his grandmother's house, as long as he wants to live there and her Matchmaking business. Alison thinks her boyfriend Randy is going to propose, instead he asks her if she would consider a threesome with one of her friends. She then decides that she has lousy taste and needs help finding a man. Alison makes an appointment with Brandon and enlists his help finding her soul mate. Brandon tries to match her with four guys. They look good on paper but none of them fit Alison's ideal man. That could be because she has fallen for Brandon but she does not know that he is not going to stick around. Brandon is out of there as soon as he makes enough money to invest in a real estate deal with his friend Tom.

Cute storyline with an inept matchmaker trying to find a sweet girl next door her ideal man. Somehow he stumbles upon mates for several clients, all except Alison. Several good minor characters including Alison's best friend Heather, her co-worker Lois and her father. Good chemistry between the main characters. There were no lags in the story at all, flowed well from beginning to end. It has a good balance between description and dialogue. This is a real feel good chick lit book and I highly recommend it. Jane Graves has become a new author for me to read.

Home Sweet Home by Bella Riley

Andi Powell is going back home to Emerald Lake. She could not wait to leave the small town behind after graduating. Now, her biggest client wants to build condos in her hometown. Going home however, means seeing Nate Duncan her first love. Nate has been raising his sister Madison since the deaths of their parents. He knew that Andi wanted bright lights and a big city, so he pushed her away when he became responsible for his sister. Nate is now the mayor of Emeral Lake and like several other long time residents is opposed to Andi's plan. After Andi arrives her grandmother takes ill and Andi is left running the family business Lake Yarns. She begins to question decisions she has made in her life and starts to think that maybe she can find happiness afterall.

Truly a very cute book, I enjoyed this one very much. Loved all the different characters and how their lives are interwoven. Andi a type A personality questions what she has believed all her life. She and her mother come to a new understanding. Nate a true alpha male with a very sensitive side. By the pictures the author creates you can actually picture this small town and it's residents. There is a lot of chemistry and history between Andi and Nate and that keeps the book flowing from beginning to end. Definitely worth reading if you are a chick lit fan. I will be looking for more books from this author in the future.

Don't Mess With Texas by Christie Craig

Nikki Hunt agrees to meet her ex Jack for lunch. She has a feeling that he is going to ask her to get back together. As soon as she sees him, Nikki knows that there is no way that is going to happen, even though Nikki is in dire need of money that Jack could supply. While they are eating Jack gets a phone call and leaves the restaurant and doesn't return. Nikki is furious that he stiffed her with the check and mutters that she wants to kill him. Not feeling well Nikki stops at a store to get something for her stomach. Then is sees that Jack is dead in the trunk of her car. Dallas O'Connor is a P.I. Then Nikki loses her lunch on first his shoes and then his shirt. He decides that maybe she isn't and vows to take her case. His brother Tony, the detective on the case is trying to reconcile with his wife.

Very cute book, I loved it. Nikki is kind of kooky but sweet. She wants to take care of herself but finds that she needs help in this instance. Dallas is a take control kind of guy who went to jail for a crime he did not commit. His mission in life is to see that no one who is innocent suffers what he did. Liked the sub story of Tony and LeAnn. Also all the quirky friends of Nikki's grandmother. This was a very easy reading book and I love the cover for it. I highly recommend this one.