Review: Great start to the anthology
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 16, 2014
I am working my way through this anthology, but thought I would post a review of the first book I have read to let you know what you are in for! Will update my review as I go through...Christmas at Angel Lake by Edie RamerEdie Ramer's books get better and better.  Her books have always been good, but it seems that I enjoy each one a little more than the last one. Her latest book, Christmas at Angel Lake is an entertaining contemporary romance book and is the perfect Christmas story. You have down on their luck characters who need a little help from others and you get to see the good side of people. It comes with a heartwarming happy ever after, too!Logan and Maddie are characters that seem very real. The snarky way the two of them interact is quite entertaining and emotional because you can see through their defenses. They are both hurting from a betrayal. Logan comes home to seek solace only to find a squatter. Maddie and her son have been living in Logan's house without permission for years. Maddie is prepared to leave but for some reason, grumpy Logan wants her to stay in exchange for Maddie telling him a story every night. Oh my gosh, the stories are a hoot. I wish Maddie told me stories with her attitude. They are usually based on real situations but told in a fairy tale sort of way that is quite captivating.Christmas at Angel Lake is a story full of hope. Sure, you have to get through the many ups and downs in the story first, but when you do, there is always a smile on your face at the end.  For the animal lovers out there, in Christmas at Angel Lake you get to read a side story that weaves into the main story story about a dog finding his way home and a kitten being saved in the winter and loved by a family. The animals always have an extra sense of what is going no which adds a little twist to the story and make Edie's books unique.* * *The Mutt and the Matchmaker by JB LynnThe Mutt and the Matchmaker by JB Lynn is a must read for any of her Confessions of a Neurotic Hitwoman fans. The awesome Armani from the Hitwoman series is the Matchmaker in this series and as you can imagine, comes with a lot of humor. If you have not read the Hitwoman series, no worries, as it is not required to read The Mutt and the Matchmaker.In The Mutt and the Matchmaker, we meet  Tom and Jane, the first couple that Armani sets up. When I started reading, I thought it was too nice of  story and the mystery was easily solved. However, I love JB's books, so I kept reading. I was glad I did because things did turn out the way I thought. JB takes us on quite a little mystery!Tom is investigating several burglaries in the area and Jane is his prime suspect. That can't be good for a new relationship, right? Tom and Jane are both a little burned from previous relationships so this one is a little awkward for them even with the chemistry they both have.  I wish we got to see more of that chemistry played out, but it would not have fit the story - just my own entertainment. Even without that, it is quite fun to watch the two of them figure out how to manage this new relationship of theirs.JB does a nice job of giving you a good mystery and sprinkling out the romance as it pertained to the plot. If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery novella where dogs also play a big role in the story, I recommend you give The Mutt and the Matchmaker a try.