Made Good Under Pressure, Maja Rose

5 stars

Set in New York City in 1926, two men who are from the complete opposite ends of the spectrum come together in a very sweet way.  Billy is poor and has been poor all his life.  He entertains himself by hanging out outside of a local dance hall where the uber rich go in the evenings. While being bullied by a rich and snobby man, Billy is rescued by Eric and Julia Hamilton, a brother and sister.  Eric talks Billy into going inside and they spend the evening dancing.  Eric wants more but Billy knows it will never work because of their different financial statuses. Julia on the other hand has other plans.

Normally I avoid books that are not set in current time.  I don’t like going back so I tend to stay away from those types of stories.  I would have really missed out had I skipped over Made Good Under Pressure as it is a very good story.  I will definitely be searching for more from this author.  

Tempest for a Teacup, Andrea Speed

4.5 stars

A private detective is hired by a spoiled rich kid to find his Morkie who disappeared earlier in the day.  Princess is the dog and was taken from the kid’s doggie purse bag while at a park.  The detective enlists the help of his boyfriend who just happens to be the only honest police officer in the city. Enlisted may not be the correct word as the boyfriend knew that if he didn’t help that the couple would have no time together until the ‘case’ is solved.

This story is very entertaining.  There is a lot of humor and I loved all of the characters, both main and secondary.  

Small Change, Danni Keane

4.5 stars

Dom is the caretaker of Little Lexington’s, a village of miniatures.  He is also an artist who paints each miniature by hand.  There’s a wedding chapel, a carousel, a woman hanging clothes on the line, a train, as well as various other buildings and groups of people.  During his nightly run-through at the end of a work day, he discovers some of the scenes have been changed and this happens often over time.  In one instance, a train has been overturned and there are bodies scattered about.  In another, Mrs. Baxter who is supposed to be hanging clothes on the line is now being taken from behind by a local villager.  Then there is the marriage scene where the bride is changed to a second groom.  Dom has no idea who is changing up his scenes and neither does his boss George or another coworker, Riley.  

Dom has been attracted to Riley since the first time they met but he knows that Riley is out of his league.  But George has plans that involves both men.  They are to do a stakeout to find out who is messing with the miniatures.  Of course there is more to George’s plan but Dom and Riley don’t know this at the time.  A very good story. 

Lawrence Frightengale Investigates, Aidee Ladnier & Debussy Ladnier

4.5 stars

Follow along as Lawrence Frightengale (aka Larry French) and his lover Myrna Boy (aka Nicholas Benson) embark on a search to find a black El Dorado that has been carnapped a couple of hours before it is to be driven in a parade.  Lawrence is the host of Terror Time, a popular television show at an independent television station.  The car is on loan from the owner of the station to be used in the Out & About parade. Knowing that Lawrence will be out of a job if the theft is discovered, he, Myrna and Myrna’s dog Bootsy go on a quick journey to try to get the car back before anyone finds out.  There are surprises and a humorous cast of secondary characters.  A very entertaining read. 

Joie de Vivre, Pinkie Rae Parker

4 stars

When Jules inherits his aunt’s large farmhouse, he is faced with more repairs than he can afford and seeing the bully who made his life a living hell as he was growing up.  The former bully, Henri, is all grown up now and no longer the child terror.  Slowly arrangements are made for the house and a relationship between Jules and Henri is born. Nice story though I would have liked to have seen a little bit more added to the ending.