Book Review: The Secret Courtesan, by Kerry Chaput

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

The evening glitters. Starlight rains onto the candlelit garden and lily-filled fountains. Jasmine blooms perfume the night air as women pluck buds to tuck in their twisted hairstyles. Not one person in this palazzo can sense my aching disappointment at one man’s absence.

I’ve smiled and caressed cheeks for hours, dipping my shoulders to reveal the curve of my breasts at just the right moment, commanding every moment of this evening like a maestro. Seduction is like breathing, something I do without thought, repetitively and with ease. We retire to the courtyard and garden, while every patrician in Venice celebrates with enough wine to dull their senses. Mine remain sharp as an unused pin, ready to reveal our creation to Signore Bruni, should he ever arrive.

Courtesans decorate the garden like sprinkled sugar. Tucked in every corner, they play harp and read poetry, dance, and sing. Beautiful women who read and create art, whose education lifts them to a status higher than most patricians. The view fills me with pride.

Art historian Dr. Mia Harding doesn’t want a cushy title and accolades for authenticating a sculpture from Italy in the 1600s at the cost of the truth.

Official synopsis:

Two determined women four hundred years apart. One mysterious statue. And a bombshell that could change history.

Art historian Mia is running out of time to prove her theory that the sculptor of an unearthed erotic statue was a courtesan erased from history—a scandal no one will believe. Chasing through Venice, she tracks down hidden details of Sofia, a powerful courtesan who seems to have left a trail of sex-fueled art buried across the city, but Mia’s now being followed, and even her boss might be in on the lie.

Meanwhile, in 1609, Sofia defies Venice’s unfair laws to create illicit art that could ruin her future. Her aspirations to become a great artist go up in flames when her patron’s wife steals her work and threatens her lover.

Dr. Mia Harding just has to sign off on the authentication of a recently discovered sculpture. Then she can leave this summer assignment and return to California with a promotion and more authority. It’s what she’s worked for, right? But her background was also in gender studies, and the more she looks, the more she doubts the sculpture was made by the man they’re trying to attribute it to—or by a man at all.

Luckily, European visitor Dr. Noah Beckett is never a true part of the American "old-boys club" that wants to control Mia for reasons they don’t yet know. Noah will help Mia find the truth, especially when they travel to Venice in pursuit of the old story.

The two timelines following Dr. Mia Harding’s and courtesan Sofia Rossi’s struggles were so fascinating. While they both appreciated the advantages they had, they knew they could accomplish so much more, and they knew they deserved it.

The excellent historical research and portrayal of the politics of academia earned this compelling book 5 out of 5 stars. It would be easily recommended to those who enjoy great female characters in dramatic stories and historical fiction.

{click here to purchase via my Amazon Affiliates link}

Becki Bayley is a wife and mother who also enjoys being a homebody with access to LEGO, the internet, and DoorDash. See more of her posts on Instagram, where she posts as SweetlyBSquared.

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: My Favorite Holidate, by Lauren Blakely {ends 5/3}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

Fable

Is there a handbook somewhere for fake dating? If so, I could use it right now as I slide on red-and-white-striped tights under my little green elf dress on Thursday afternoon. I’m in the ladies’ room on my floor, getting ready to hand out corporate Christmas gifts with Wilder.

It’s the first time I’ll have seen him since I learned exactly how good he is with his hands. A blast of heat rushes through me. I could barely get that first office kiss out of my head, not to mention the mistletoe kiss, and now the session on his desk has claimed a permanent spot in my brain.

But I’ve got a job to do before the Blaine Enterprises holiday break begins tomorrow. I cinch the black belt at my waist, smooth a hand over the flouncy green skirt, then adjust my elf hat. No elf ears for me, though. A woman has her limits.

Fable’s Thanksgiving does not go as planned, but she’s determined to have a better Christmas, especially since it will include her beloved sister’s wedding. Wilder is happy to help.

Official synopsis:

Wanted: hot billionaire to pose as my Christmas boyfriend. Must be willing to make my cheating ex jealous by kissing me under the mistletoe at holiday parties. Bonus if you make him cry.

To my surprise my billionaire boss is more than up for the challenge of coming down the chimney as my holiday boyfriend. The sexy single dad desperately needs a plus one at a Christmas Eve wedding, where he’s the best man and I’m the maid of honor.

And since my ex is in the wedding party too, my boss and I team up as a pair of insta-lovebirds for the holiday season, including during the annual week-long Christmas competition leading up to the snowy destination wedding.

But soon staying up late to string the best popcorn balls ever turns into a scorching night in his arms where the chestnuts aren’t the only thing roasting on the open fire.

Can all these winter wonderland nights seeking revenge turn into the real thing when we return to the office? Or are we destined to go the way of a Christmas tree on New Year’s?

Fable and Wilder were both pretty cool characters. Wilder runs Blaine Enterprises as a single dad, and Fable is the marketing head for the football team that Blain Enterprises owns. So actually dating seems like a bad idea, but Wilder is a stand-up guy, so he’s more than willing to step in and show Fable how a woman should be treated, after her previous boyfriend cheats at an event they’ve all attended together.

The holiday weekend when Fable’s sister is getting married is not only the test of their acting like boyfriend and girlfriend around all of their close friends and family, it’s also the official last time they’ll need to do so. After the holidays, the pressure is off and they can stage an amicable break up to continue working together.

The ending really wasn’t surprising, but the book was still an amusing read. It was a little steamy, with fun characters. The book earned 3 out of 5 stars and would be recommended to those who like light and cozy romance reads.

{click here to purchase via my Amazon Affiliates link - currently FREE for Kindle Unlimited members!}

Becki Bayley is a wife and mother who enjoys reading, theatre, and 80s movies. See what else she’s doing with her time on her blog, SweetlyBSquared.com.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of My Favorite Holidate!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Sunday, May 3, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be contacted May 4 or May 5 via email, and have 24 hours to respond, or an altenate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

My Favorite Holidate, by Lauren Blakely

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Motor City Love Song, by Lisa Peers {ends 4/11}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

June 1, 2023

Jace was nursing a pint in the Cornucopia brew pub on Canfield, watching the front entrance for Jerome to arrive.

According to Livvy’s research, Jerome’s career had taken off after Cut to the Chorus premiered. He had become a noted concert videographer over the past decade and was the host of a reputable podcast about Detroit’s indie and garage history. Given that he’d filmed many of the heavy hitters Jace hoped to book for the September show, he was in a position to put in a good word. Plus, he might have a lead on Paloma’s current location, which Jace desperately needed since Dustin had yet to respond to any of her emails. Jace agreed it was worth buying the guy a beer and swallowing her lingering distaste long enough to pump him for information.

Jace and Paloma had a love story that felt magical and invincible. What could have happened to make Paloma disappear from it all?

Official synopsis:

After all this time, can love still strike a chord?

Detroit, 1997. At the Artemis Club, Paloma is chasing rock-and-roll stardom, with her girlfriend and manager Jace committed to making her a worldwide indie sensation. But when Paloma suddenly disappears from the public eye in 2001, Jace is left to pick up the pieces.

Two decades later, Jace learns The Artemis Club is in trouble. Saving it will mean tracking down Paloma, whose early-career hit just went viral. Paloma has her reasons for not wanting to be found, and Jace isn’t eager to reopen old wounds. Still, each keeps measuring her life against the love she lost. With the Artemis Club’s fate at stake, Jace and Paloma are pulled back into the scene they once ruled ... and back toward each other.

Told in two voices, this sapphic salute to Detroit’s garage-band era shows that sometimes the truth is the most powerful love song of all.

At the very beginning, Jace might not even know she wants to be a manager, but she knows Paloma is great, and wants to help her get all the accolades she deserves, while spending as much time with her as possible. These goals start their business and personal relationships on their way. 

The pressures of a successful business are a lot for Paloma, but Jace handles it all seamlessly with a goal for Paloma to have no idea how much goes into managing her career. It seems to work for them for quite a while. Paloma talks about eventually leaving the spotlight so they can settle down and have a "normal" domestic life, and Jace assures her there’s plenty of time for that.

When Paloma unexpectedly leaves, Jace’s character matures, and she evolves to succeed at new plans. Her determination to have moved on convinces her that Paloma is just a story from her past. When the club where she first started Paloma’s career is facing financial ruin, Jace needs to work through her stubbornness to try and find Paloma and convince her to face the public again, to help those who were so important in her life decades ago.

The story alternated between Jace’s and Paloma’s viewpoint, and between their original relationship and where they found themselves 20 years later. The Detroit setting was definitely familiar for those who have been in the area, and added an extra layer of depth to the stories. 

The book was engaging and well-paced, and earned 4 out of 5 stars. The comparison of their LGBTQ relationship they somewhat hid in the 1990s, until it was less of an issue as they discussed it in 2023, was interesting. The subjects of the music industry and found family were a positive outcome from Paloma’s traumatic childhood. Those who enjoy strong and unique female characters succeeding in non-traditional roles will like this book. 

{click here to purchase via my Amazon Affiliates link}

Becki Bayley is a wife and mother who enjoys seeing the enthusiasm of her family engaging in the activities they’re passionate about. Check it out on Instagram, where she posts as SweetlyBSquared.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Motor City Love Song!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Saturday, March 11, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be chosen the next day and notified via email, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

Motor City Love Song, by Lisa Peers

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Book Review: Mona at Sea, by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

Two weeks after the party, I’m back at Job Seekers and for some reason, one corner of the church annex is taken over with Christmas decorations: paper candy canes, a spindly fake tree with sagging strings of white lights, an enormous banner that commands, ‘Keep CHRIST in Christmas!’

This is my last day at Job Seekers, and it does feel a little like Christmas, the end of one thing and maybe the beginning of something better. I’ve come to say goodbye and wish everyone well and I’m surprised that I’m feeling nostalgic. I might actually miss Paulette’s relentless enthusiasm, Randy’s folksy cheer, even Chasen’s tongue ring, which I can hear rapping the back of his teeth as I take the seat next to him. Maybe not the tongue ring. But I’ll miss the camaraderie of shared experience, everyone down in the dirt, our little company knit together by the insanity of performing the same action over and over, each time praying for a different outcome.

Mona may not have started out on her best foot, but after doing everything she was supposed to, she doesn’t understand why nothing is going her way.

Official synopsis:

Mona Mireles is a quintessential overachiever: a former spelling bee champion and valedictorian of her college class, she has a sterling résumé and a wall of plaques and medals in her bedroom that stretches floor to ceiling.

 

She's also broke, unemployed, back at home with her parents, and completely adrift in life and love.

 

Mona is seven months out of college and desperately trying to reassemble the pieces of her life after the Wall Street job she had waiting for her post-graduation dissolves in the wake of the Great Recession. When her reaction to losing her job goes viral and she is publicly branded the "Sad Millennial," Mona begins a downward spiral into self-pity, bitterness, and late-night drunken binges on cat videos. Mona's the sort who says exactly the right thing at absolutely the wrong moments, seeing the world through a cynic's eyes.

 

Set in suburban Tucson amid the financial and social malaise of the early 2000s, 23-year-old Mona must not only find a job, but quickly learn to navigate the complexities of adult relationships within the black hole of her parents' shattering marriage.

 

At her mother's urging, Mona grudgingly joins a support group for job seekers, and slowly begins to see that all is not lost, and that perhaps losing the job on Wall Street was a blessing in disguise. She might even learn what it is she finds meaningful in life. The question is:

 

Will she be brave enough to go after it? 

First of all it has to be said: the book was enjoyable, but should have had a cutting warning. The main character’s self-harm was a major feature of the book, but no notices were seen before reading.

With that said, Mona grew more likable as the story went on. As a lifelong overachiever, Mona was not surprised by her invitation to go to Wall Street and join a prestigious firm right out of college. When this opportunity collapsed after she arrived in New York, however, the resulting video gave Mona instant social media recognition, but not in a good way. She was now the "sad millennial."

After excelling through public school and college, she doesn’t expect to have to compromise. She earned her spot as a golden child, right? But eventually life kicks her around enough to point out that she may need to do whatever it takes to have a life that keeps moving forward. 

While the story was pretty down in the beginning, by the end it had earned four out of five stars. The book was a front seat journey to Mona learning some important lessons and coming of age as an adult with a financial degree in a struggling economy. It would be enjoyed by those who like coming of age stories, especially with a fun, millennial twist.

{click here to purchase via my Amazon Affiliates link - currently FREE for Kindle Unlimited!}

Becki Bayley tries to do the right thing. She is a wife and mother to two amazing kids. In her spare time, she enjoys working overtime for extra income, reading, and building LEGO. Check out details on her blog, SweetlyBSquared.com.

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Who Am I to Judge, by Emily Hanlon {ends 3/28}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

Martha sat behind her desk in the St. Vincent De Paul office, waiting for Fr. Seamus. Marya has asked Martha to arrange this meeting, commenting that she would have asked Fr. Seamus herself, but people often did not listen to what she was saying. Martha smiled. Marya has repeated her request twice because Martha had not been paying attention the first time. Martha surprised herself by agreeing to the request with no hesitation. She supposed she was just curious about what Marya had in mind about the murder. Was it possible the dotty old lady was on to something? Could Fr. Jim be innocent?

Martha is one to mind her own business, as her life in Pequot Bays is much different than her childhood there. She and her dog Quincy are content to oversee the church fundraiser, drive Uber to make ends meet, and usually avoid "the purple pest," Marya.

Official synopsis:

When a priest confesses to the murder of a parishioner, everyone in the wealthy waterfront town of Pequot Bays is convinced of his guilt-everyone, that is, except Marya Cook, a Bible-quoting, lavender-clad octogenarian known to locals as the Purple Pest.

Unable to prove his innocence on her own, she draws in Martha Collins, a much younger, efficient, ever-busy church lady, to assist in her investigations. Although Martha is unwilling to associate herself with the odd old woman as she accuses wealthy and influential suspects of murder, Marya's peculiar logic persuades her that this ditzy old woman may not be so ditzy after all.

A victim with plenty of enemies, a corrupt ambitious cop, a conflicting confession by a fellow priest, and the death of a prime suspect make the path to truth a crooked one. The rich and powerful suspects scoff at poor, dithering Marya. Can she, in the end, unveil their many secrets and prove there is more to a person than meets the eye?

While Martha and Marya don’t start out on the same page regarding the murder at Martha’s family-vacation-home-turned-Airbnb, Marya has very subtle ways of leading Martha to consider different possibilities. The woman dressed in glaring purple is always talking, and eventually the important ideas come through.

Most of the book was set on solving the murder in spite of a false confession, but a great concurrent event was reading of Martha denying a "friendship" has evolved with Marya, out of habit. Their relationship was definitely not something Martha initially wanted - will she eventually have the integrity to admit to herself, and defend to others, that Marya is not just "the purple pest?"

This book was initially a category choice for a "blind date with a book," and it was a delightful surprise. The story and endearing old church-lady characters earned 3 out of 5 stars, and will doubtlessly lead into other charming mysteries in the series. Any reader who appreciates cozy mysteries and doesn’t mind a few wildly appropriate scriptural quotes thrown in will enjoy the books in "A Martha and Marya Mystery" series.

{click here to purchase via my Amazon Affiliates link}

Becki Bayley is a wife and mother who enjoys reading and hanging out with her adult-sized kids. See what they’re up to on Instagram, where she posts as SweetlyBSquared.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Who Am I to Judge, mailed to you by the author!

Enter via the widget below. The giveaway will end on Saturday, March 28th, at 11:59pm EST, and the winner will be emailed the next day, and have 24 hours to respond, otherwise an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

Who Am I to Judge, by Emily Hanlon

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Murder at the Christmas Emporium, by Andreina Cordani {ends 2/2}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

Every time Merry thinks she knows all about human nature, something comes up to surprise her. The change in Dean is astonishing. The confident, charismatic Business Fixer is gone—he’s a mass of insecurities now—his breath is ragged, his face shining with sweat in the candlelight.

‘Windows, one, Dean, nil,’ Josie deadpans and the businessman practically snarls at her.

Evangeline steps forward and peers closely at him, as if unable to believe she had ever been attracted to him. Merry feels the same. Not that she’d actually been attracted to him, of course. Nope. He’s not her type.

Merry moves away from them, grateful to be swallowed up by darkness, and perches on a countertop next to the old-fashioned-looking till, kicking her legs against the panelled wood, letting her anger come out. They had ignored her in Santa’s grotto, laughed off her suspicions about Monty and now she was furious – but at herself rather than at them. She should have known better than to speak out. Nobody ever listens to her, nobody believes her. Nothing she says ever counts. It’s no wonder she has to be sneaky to get what she wants.

Oh, Merry. The one not on this lethal guest list…or was she?

Official Synopsis:

It's Christmas Eve at the Emporium, a bespoke gift shop hidden in the depths of London's winding streets, where a select few shoppers are browsing its handcrafted delights.

But when they go to leave, they find the doors are locked and it isn't long before they realize this is no innocent mix-up. The shoppers have been trapped here by someone who knows their darkest secrets, someone will stop at nothing until they have all been unwrapped—and there is a gruesome gift waiting in Santa's grotto . . .

For those that survive the night, it will be a Christmas to remember.

Who shows up to an "exclusive shopping night" on Christmas Eve? Each of the participant’s motivations are different, but the real planner behind the event has anticipated and picked the people from their past who would behave—mostly—as they expected. They have made it their project to ensure the people they wanted showed up and were goaded into responding to the others.

The characters were intriguing and willing to go to great lengths to continue hiding their deep, dark secrets. It was why they had been selected, after all. Their sometimes unknown connections to the planner went back, in some cases, to childhood.

Overall, the intricate plot and memorable characters and backstories earned 4 out of 5 stars. It would be readily recommended to those who like thrillers and mysteries, especially with some extra holiday flair. While the plot doesn’t center very much on Christmas, the Emporium is a beautiful setting of holiday wonders where the mystery untangles.

{click here to purchase via my Amazon Affiliates link}

Becki Bayley is a wife and mother who enjoys finding the magic in the holidays, no matter how old her kids get. Check out what they’re up to on Instagram where she posts as SweetlyBSquared.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Murder at the Christmas Emporium!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Monday, February 2nd, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email the next day and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

Murder at the Christmas Emporium, by Andreina Cordani

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: One Killer Night, by Trilina Pucci {ends 2/1}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

“Hello!” Evie bellows next to me pulling me out of my foxy coma.

“What?” I shrug innocently.

“Good grief, Charlie McHobag. You literally just shivered while staring off into the cosmos.” She holds up her hand. “Don’t share. If I had to guess from all that blushing, it’s something I never want to know about. Spare me the trauma.”

I laugh, feeling my cheeks burn as popcorn falls between my sister’s fingers before she shovels more of it into her mouth, then points to the glowing television screen. A scream erupts. 

“I said that you were missing the best part.” I look back to the TV as she gets excited. “Oh, look, we have a runner… Why do they always run? The minute they run, everyone watching knows death is imminent.” Evie rolls her eyes. “See? She’s fallen, and she’s never getting up. Tragic. Bye-bye, busty camp counselor number two.”

When Goldie and Noah meet through total chance at a drugstore on Halloween night, it’s the beginning of a wonderful relationship.

Official synopsis:

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love will stab you from behind.

It’s Halloween night, and out-of-work writer Goldie Monroe’s trip to the drugstore scares up more than the fake blood she’s looking for. It leads to the man of her naughtiest dreams. And in spite of her costume, sparks fly from the moment they meet.

Noah Adler, aspiring sneaker designer, is impossibly gorgeous—like a tatted-up version of Goldie’s favorite blue-eyed vampire. He’s there for candy, but it’s Goldie he can’t resist. When she invites him to her sister’s F/X company bash, he’s all in without a second thought.

The pair’s flirty connection heats up fast, carrying them to electrifying new heights. But after Goldie discovers Noah is hiding a dark secret, it all starts to crumble. Looking for answers about her own past awakens new dangers, and when Goldie and Noah land at a slasher camp for adults, a deadly tragedy threatens to repeat itself. If they can survive this one killer night, they can definitely slay a happily ever after.

This is labeled as the first book in the To Die For duology, with the second book focusing on Goldie’s sister and Noah’s best friend, and releasing February 26, 2026. The first book most definitely did end with a cliffhanger.

In the first book, it is only fate that could bring Goldie and Noah together in such a unique meet-cute. When she throws out a casual invitation to where to find her later, he goes against every thread of his character to take her up on it - and they are inseparable from there on out. 

Unfortunately, finding out that he hasn’t been truthful about his past is enough to put Goldie off of Noah forever, regardless of how convincing their attraction had been for nearly a year. 

What started as a cozy read escalated in the turn of a page to an intricate plot with a hard-to-explain past. The book earned 3 out of 5 stars, and was great for a read right around Halloween. The relationship between Noah and his "killer," Goldie, was enviable. They brought the chemistry, romance, and smut to the table. When the complications came in, they were clearly spelled out, if somewhat annoying after all the perfection of the life Goldie and Noah were building. This was an intriguing read with unique elements that would appeal to those who enjoy quick thrillers along with a bit of steaminess and fun romance.

{click here to purchase via my Amazon Affiliates link - currently FREE for Kindle Unlimited members!}

Becki Bayley is a wife, mother, and office drudge. See more of what she’s  up to in her fun hours on Instagram, where she posts as SweetlyBSquared.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of One Killer Night!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Sunday, February 1st, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email the next day and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

One Killer Night, by Trilina Pucci

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