This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. L.E. Rico will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Mischief and Mayhem

Whiskey Sisters series

L.E. Rico

Entangled Bliss

July 9, 2018

 

Welcome to Mayhem, Minnesota, home of the Knitty Kitty, The Little Slice of Heaven Pie Shop, and O’Halloran’s Pub—owned by the four young women known as The Whiskey Sisters.

In the wake of her divorce, Jameson O’Halloran has gone man-vegan. And this is one diet she’s determined to stick with. Even when her long-lost ex-brother-in-law shows up looking like two scoops of double dutch dipped in chocolate… She’s not giving in. Been there and still wearing the messy T-shirt.

It’s been a decade since Scott Clarke left his family and his hometown, never to return. But when tragedy strikes, he finds himself dragged back to the land of gossip, judgment, and the one woman he absolutely, positively, without a doubt can never have. His brother’s ex is off-limits. He just needs to keep repeating that to himself until it sinks in.

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SASCHA DARLINGTON’S REVIEW

Mischief and Mayhem is just the kind of romance that I am a sucker for. It’s smart, funny, well-paced, low on unnecessary angst, and magical. And, by magical, I mean everything that word embodies: captivating characters, a visit by a Goober (Uber) driving Angel, pies that can predict the future or guide on a path, and fun that literally makes you smile while reading.

If this sounds like the type of book you might like to read, first let me direct you to last year’s Blame It on the Bet (you can read my review here). No, you absolutely don’t have to read Blame It on the Bet before you read Mischief and Mayhem because the latter is definitely a standalone. However, if you are looking for some fun beach read titles (or anywhere titles that will transport you to a charmed place), I suggest you double your fun with both of them.

Now Mischief and Mayhem raised pretty much all of the emotions, well, except anger. (I think we’ve all got enough of that going around these days, so yay! on the no anger.) I went from laughing out loud to having my eyes filled with tears. And the smiles, I can’t go on enough about the smiles.

Mischief and Mayhem begins magically with a very young Jameson and Scott at a christening party for Jameson’s youngest sister, Bailey. At the party Scott tells Jameson how he’s going to travel and that she can come with him to read the maps, and then maybe someday they’ll get married. I know, if you’re at all cynical you may not eat that up the way I did, but maybe you can…just let your guard down a little and let the magic seep in.

Of course, in the next chapter all hell kind of breaks loose as Jameson’s father-in-law (Scott’s father) Big Win has a stroke from which they’re not sure he’ll recover. This brings home the world traveling Scott, who is now Jameson’s ex-brother-in-law.

The attraction between Jameson and Scott is immediate, although Jameson has sworn off men due to her ex-husband’s cheating ways, which she feels sure she should have seen well before it got to a critical point.

Like Blame It on the Bet, the characters in Mischief and Mayhem are well drawn, behave like real people with their squabbles, foibles, and love. You have the power of Jameson’s toddler, Jackson, who is both an imp and an angel (I guess a regular toddler). And the sisters each are a force unto themselves.

The pacing of the story is right on target with enough events (not too many) to keep the action and the fun swirling. To add to the fun is the fact that Scott has been in remote regions of Central and South America and is really out of touch as far as pop culture goes. So he goes for a ride on a Goober instead of an Uber. Taylor Swi[f]t is a guy and there’s something about snack cakes…it’s fun…trust me.

When I finished Mischief and Mayhem, I thought, oh, I can’t wait for more. But there are only two more sisters! Oh, maybe there’s some long-lost ones. And, I really can’t wait to read surly Walker’s story. I know that is going to be fun.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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rating: 

5 out of 5 butterflies

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EXCERPT

 

“What? Do I look that bad?” he asks.

“No, you look fine. Fine. Yes. Nope, you’re good. Good, good…I was just…” I scramble for some reasonable excuse to be staring at him. “I—It’s just that I couldn’t help but notice your tattoo.”

Yes! Brilliant save, Jameson!

“Oh, you know, I forget it’s even there sometimes,” he says, bringing his smooth, broad chest closer to me so I can get a better look at him. It. At it. The tattoo…

He’s pointing to the image on his right pectoral muscle, a vibrant orange skull intricately decorated. It has a bright array of red and pink flowers and small jewels adorning it.

“They call this a sugar skull.”

Before I can help myself, I reach out to touch the colorful picture that takes up a large section of that side of his chest. I pull away before my fingers make contact.

“It’s okay,” he assures me, taking my hand and pulling it to his chest. “You can touch it.”

I keep my hand there for a beat longer than I should before reluctantly extricating myself. “Well, I…uh…I think it’s beautiful.” I glance down at my watch. “Oh! I’ve got to get the chicken in the oven.”

I start to turn toward the other naked flesh in the room.

“So…a toothbrush?”

“Of course! Sorry, yes, I, uh, I think I saw a sex pack—sorry, six pack. There’s a six pack of toothbrushes in the hall closet.”

Holy hell! What was that? I try to appear composed, even as I feel the two hot, red spots that are forming on my cheeks. He chivalrously turns to leave before I’m in full-on beet mode, but not before I catch a little color on his face, too.

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About the Author:

L.E. Rico didn’t set out to be an author. In fact she’s made a name for herself as a classical music radio host—doing her best to make the music and the composers relevant by putting them into a modern context. It was just a few years ago that she discovered a passion for writing that blossomed into an entire novel. And then another. And another. And, while she still spends plenty of time on the radio, telling the stories of the great composers, she spends even more time composing her own great stories.

https://www.laurenrico.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LaurenRicoAuthor

https://twitter.com/RadioRico

https://entangledpublishing.com/author/l-e-rico

Name the Nanny Contest
In addition to the tour wide Rafflecopter, the author is offering an additional special contest: “Name the Nanny!”

Create a quirky character and they could be featured in Lauren’s next book!
Contest page link: http://www.LaurenRico.com/Name-The-Nanny-Contest

A Note From the Author:

Name Mayhem, Minnesota’s newest resident!

Welcome to Mayhem, MN where the cats wear sweaters, the priest gives love advice, and you can find your fortune under a slice of pie.

Mayhem is filled with all kinds of quirky characters and I’m looking for one more!

In honor of the release of Mischief and Mayhem, book two of the Whiskey Sisters series, I’m in the market for a brand new character—a nanny who will fit in with the wacky bunch who live there.

Can you help?

Fill out this form and tell me about the nanny YOU think should become Mayhem’s latest resident! Name, physical features, and, most importantly, what makes them so quirky? Bonus points for snippets in the character’s voice and dialogue with existing characters from book one, Blame it on the Bet.

If your character is selected, he/she will be featured in an upcoming Whiskey Sisters storyline and you’ll get a shout-out in the acknowledgements!

All entries will be evaluated by myself in consultation with Entangled Publishing, LLC.

In the event that there are an insufficient number of viable entries, as determined by me, then I’ll create an assortment of characters—one to be chosen by popular vote with all voters entered in a random drawing. In this event, the winner will help select the character’s name & physical description and will receive a mention in the acknowledgments.

Haven’t read Blame it on the Bet yet? What are you waiting for? Pick it up for a limited time at just 99 cents and start getting acquainted with the Mayhem of Mayhem, Minnesota!

GIVEAWAY

$15 Amazon/BN GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway