Monday Minis: Not Dead Yet and Noble Hops

Not Dead Yet (Not Dead Yet #1) by Jenn Burke

Source: e-arc provided in exchange for an honest review

Dying isn’t what it used to be. 

Wes Cooper was dead. Then he wasn’t—though he’s not exactly alive, either. As an immortal not-ghost, he can transition between this world and the otherplane, which makes him the perfect thief for hire. For seventy years he’s made a “living” returning items to their rightful owners, seeing his fair share of the bizarre in the process. But he’s never witnessed murder. Until now.

His latest mission brings him more than he bargained for: a very-dead actor who is definitely going to stay that way. It’s just Wes’s luck that his ex-boyfriend, Detective Hudson Rojas, is assigned to the case. Hudson broke Wes’s heart years ago—and could again, given he’s rocking a hot silver-fox look that shouldn’t be legal.

As they work together to track down the murderer before anyone else gets hurt, it becomes clear Wes and Hudson have unfinished business. And when a secret Hudson’s been keeping threatens more than just their happiness, it might mean the end of their not-life together—permanently. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: This was ridiculously fun!. Ghosts (with an interesting twist) vampires, witches and a
creeptastic mystery that had the MC's in near constant jeopardy kept me totally engrossed right until the end of this new PNR series by Burke.

Add in a second chance M/M romance and supporting characters that leap off the page and I just found myself a new favorite series. I can’t wait to read book #2 – Give Up the Ghost when it comes out later this year.


Noble Hops (Trouble Brewing #3) by Layla Reyne

Source: e-arc provided in exchange for an honest review

Everything Dominic Price has worked hard to uphold is about to come crashing down on everything he holds dear.

So much for the quiet life. Just as assistant US attorney and brewery owner Dominic Price is settling into a comfy new chapter with his partner, FBI agent Cameron Byrne, the sudden death of Nic’s father puts their happily-ever-after in jeopardy. Nic immediately suspects foul play, his prime suspect a notorious gangster his father was indebted to—only now the loan shark is out for blood.
Cam has been longing for Nic to finally let him in on this very personal case. But when Nic’s belief that he’s the sole Price heir is upended, the line between personal and professional starts to blur, leaving Cam unsure of where he stands.

Nic is depending on Cam’s kidnap and rescue expertise to save his recently discovered family member before it’s too late. But with a dangerous threat closing in, the ghosts from Nic’s past cast long shadows. Any relationship could crack under the pressure, but for Nic, finding his family might mean losing the love of his life. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: I’m not a huge fan of mystery/suspense but I adored Reyne’s Agents Irish & Whiskey series. So I continued with the spin off Trouble Brewing series – same world but new couple.

While I enjoyed this series overall – and Dom & Cam as a couple – it never had the suspense or urgency that the prior series had. These two just moved along and a steady pace as a couple. The author throws out all the revelations and twists  – corrupt cops, a criminal hellbent on making Dom pay his fathers debts and a few life altering surprises - but it really doesn't have a big impact. because the guys are the best of the best in their professions with solid backup so you never really think there’s a chance of them losing, particularly in this final installment. Even so, it has a nice, solid ending that the guys truly deserve.

So this was a good series but it didn’t stand out as much as the Agents Irish & Whiskey – to me anyway.