Violet Howe

The Phantom in the Footlights by Violet Howe
Cedar Creek Mysteries #3. Mystery with some romance. Best read as part of the series. Same main couple with many secondary characters spanning the three novels.
Sloane Reid decides to audition at the new Cedar Creek community theater when she hears about it. The old warehouse is undergoing renovations to turn it into a theater and Sloane feels she and Dani Ward could become friends. As they discuss the changes being made, some of the bags of groceries that Dani had just brought in fell off the table. And one of the maintenance men said his tools had been pushed to the floor by someone. But no one else was in the building. Yes, there appears to be a ghost in residence.
Dani and Sloane investigate other wild stories by former tenants of the building to find what what’s going on and who the ghost might be. Assuming it is a ghost and not someone that simply doesn’t want the theater to open.

By this time in the series we know Sloane and expect arguments with Tristan and paparazzi around town. This books expands the town parameters a bit as well as expanding the ghost factor. Expect a few goosebumps when unexpected things happen at the theater.
A good mystery and addition to the series. I enjoyed the concept and twists.
4.5… (más)

Moonlight on the Lido Deck by Violet Howe
Book 6 of the Sail Away series by various authors. All books tell a story of love on a cruise ship in some form. Can be read as a stand-alone. Single bed troupe.
Katie moves to Florida to live with her sister while she decides what path she wants to take next in her life. When her sister falls and breaks her foot, Katie agrees to join Ben on a cruise with his family as a plus one. She doesn’t want to lie so Katie decides she’ll be a platonic fiend joining for some fun in the sun. At least until she actually meets his family and Katie finds herself kissing Ben, right there in front of the family.

This book is full of uplifting messages as friends and family try to help Katie find a new path after a breakup and a job loss. Affirming and positive messages that can bring joy.
Katie needed to practice and take them to heart. She had some up and downs as she worked through real vs fantasy.

“Every single morning, wake up and say, Today is going to be a great day. And then believe it’s true and expect it to happen.”

“And you get to decide where your journey takes you next and what you want to carry forward with you.”

“each day when I get up, I try to do better than I did the day before. Every single day, I look for things to be grateful for, things to enjoy, things to appreciate. I make a point of smiling, even when I may not feel like it, and on the days when it’s particularly hard, I focus on making others smile because that makes it easier for me to do.”
Excerpts from Moonlight on the Lido Deck.… (más)

Vampire Born by Violet Howe.
Fallen Bloodlines #1. Paranormal Vampire romance. Alternating POV between Nick and Aria. Cliffhanger.
Nick was living as a human family man when there is an accident and he reverts back to vampire. His memory of the accident is gone. Nick finds out his father died the same day of his accident. His transition to vampire is apparent to Nick’s wife, but the two love each other and they move forward with life and deal with conflicts together.

Self love message. Tolerance. Diversity.
I liked Aria’s strength of character and her willingness to listen, consider, and learn. Plus her staunch support of her husband is admirable.
The family is facing multiple problematic issues and they work through them. And not all those problems have arrived yet.
Dense writing style and word count.

This is the first book in the series and there are several pending unanswered questions. Huge cliffhanger. Scheduled book release June 9, 2023.
4.5… (más)

Bounty Flight by Violet Howe
Cedar Creek Suspense #2. Romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone. No commonality from prior books other than where the heroine lives, which is not where the bulk of this story takes place.
There was a deafening boom and then a horribly piercing screech and then the plane rolled to the left. Lauryn’s plane goes down for a crash landing. Brace, brace, brace. When she comes to, it’s the last row on the right that are the only survivors. She finds a way out of the wreckage, dragging an unconscious Brick behind her. Now she and Brick are in the middle of a thick forest, him with a concussion, little supplies and no cell phone service. How do they survive what’s to come next?

A fast moving adventure leaving you breathless and perhaps planning to wear sturdier shoes on your next flight. And a little bit of lip gloss in case the handsome stranger next to you becomes more than just the arm rest competition. Or if you’re in the middle of the woods and don’t want chapped lips.
Who would you be in those survivor scenarios?… (más)