135) Chaos in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon

The Blurb :

Jadyn St. James hopes that the two-week quiet period in Mudbug means things in the small bayou town are back to normal…whatever that is. But when a fisherman finds a sunken shrimp boat, and the boat captain is missing, Jadyn wonders if the damage to the boat was caused by a storm, or if something far more nefarious happened.

Colt Bertrand has been fighting his attraction to the sexy game warden since he first laid eyes on her. Once more, their jobs have forced them together, but when a stalker sets his sights on Jadyn, Colt’s emotions launch into overdrive.

Can he protect the bayou beauty and also protect his heart?

My Thoughts :

The Ghost-in-Law had never been on my radar and somehow I came across the first book and decided for one reason or another to try it out.  I found myself listening to the other books in quick succession and was disappointed to find that the sixth book, Chaos in Mudbug wasn't available on Audible.  So I kept checking back.  The series had been a joy to listen to with Johanna Parker, the same narrator on the Sookie Stackhouse books, doing an amazing job bringing the characters to life.  I was tempted to give up and just get the Kindle copy but finally the sixth installment popped up and I snapped it up straight away with no doubt in my mind that it was going to be the next book I listened to.

It only took a few days to complete the book but it was a very enjoyable few days.  Once again I loved the story, the characters and plot.  I laughed and rolled my eyes as Helena continued to get up to some ghostly shenanigans and the others tried to cover up the fact that they can all see and talk with a ghost.  The mystery angle was exciting and kept me guessing till the very end and the chance of romance between Jayden and Colt was a nice sideline in the already packed story.

Somehow the ending felt like it could have been the last in the series but I can't find anything to support that.  I really hope there will be more books in the series but it is hilarious, serious and romantic all in one without being too silly or over the top.  I have come to love the residents of Mudbug and it would be shame not to have a few more mysteries to solve in the bayou with that crazy ghost and the lovely women who are like friends.

Even if this isn't the last book, I am obviously now up to date with the series and hope to read some more books by Jana DeLeon.  I haven't had any luck finding any more on Audible so I may have to give Kindle versions a go.  Although that will take me longer to get to but I really want to see what other books this author has to offer because this series has really made a great impression!

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111) Snow Falling on Bluegrass by Molly Harper

The Blurb :

Kentucky Tourism Commission employee and executive assistant extraordinaire Kelsey is known around the office for having everything under control. So it’s not surprising that she and her boss, Sadie, have everything planned to the second for the office winter retreat. But there are things even Kelsey can’t micromanage.

An unprecedented snowstorm smothers half of Kentucky and knocks out the power, closes the roads, and generally shuts down the state. Luckily, the lodge has working fireplaces and enough food to keep the staff from turning on each other like something out of The Shining. Kelsey wouldn’t mind being stuck inside if it wasn’t for the tension with her not-so-secret crush, Charlie, the office’s statistician. But handsome Ranger Luke, the lodge’s only employee on hand, is there to take Kelsey’s mind off her discomfort.

Even though this weekend is supposed to be a planning session for KTC, Kelsey can’t help her mind from wandering and finds herself conflicted over Luke and Charlie. Someone’s love will keep her warm, but whose will it be?

My Thoughts :

Molly Harper has never managed to disappoint me and her stories always make me smile.  Snow Falling on Bluegrass, the third book in the Bluegrass Series, was funny, light and exactly what I needed.  A romantic comedy with some giggles and laughs which left me feeling happy.  Quirky characters with some crazy weird lives that you can somehow relate to but also wonder how they manage to stay alive.

Stuck in the middle of nowhere in a snowpocolypse isn't how the employees of the Kentucky Tourism Commission expected to spend their annual weekend planning session.  Kelsey was hoping to spend the weekend getting over her ex and trying to find something or someone to take her mind off Daryl who didn't just leave her for another woman but also left her with a lot of unpaid bills.  The horror movie type situation isn't really a good start but it could be worse as the staff try and survive the cold.

The story is amusing throughout and it was nice to see the characters from the previous books again.  Kelsey's story was certainly one that more than a few girls could sympathize with and her character is one of those girls you would like to be friends with.  I really enjoyed getting to know her and following, what was most definitely, her life changing experience.

While this series has none of the paranormal elements you may have come to love and expect from this author it doesn't mean it isn't worth reading.  If you like any of Molly Harper's other books then you will definitely get over the lack of Vampire or Werewolf because Bluegrass is the same light hearted, fun, crazy and enjoyable read that you are used to.

An added extra for fans is the audio book being narrated by Amanda Ronconi who reads all of Molly's audio formats.  She is a super narrator and I love her voice.   Well worth checking out all of Molly's books on Audio just because of Amanda's talents.  She really makes the characters stand out and the story even more fun.

If you haven't read the other Bluegrass books then don't worry too much about reading Snow Falling on Bluegrass first.  While the characters from the previous books make an appearance the books can also stand alone.  However I do highly recommend reading them all.  My only slight annoyance about this book is the release date.  Why do publishers insist on releasing books at the wrong time of the year?  When a story is based in Winter/January why release it in Autumn/Herbst?   Do they even read the book?  The title is a big giveaway!  This would have made for the perfect Christmas release!  I definitely felt like waiting till it gets colder before reading this one but Molly Harper is a pre-order author!

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