Cat Miranda returns to her childhood home in Bisbee, Arizona, to take over her brother’s art gallery following his untimely death. On her first night home, an intruder breaks in. Cat quickly realizes that she is being targeted by a murderer with links to an 8-foot tall painting in the gallery titled “Kissed.” In her struggle to stay safe, Cat finds an ally in Miles Trevelyan, a charming visiting … visiting British scholar. The heat rises with more assaults on Cat and between Cat and Miles, too, as their feelings for each other grow. Can they discover what is behind the painting “Kissed” before Cat becomes the next victim? There’s mystery, suspense, and romance in this Sonoran Desert Borderlands tale. Readers say of C.J. Shane’s books:~an intriguing mix of history, mystery, romance, and contemporary adventure.
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Cat Miranda moves home to help her dying brother and take over daily management of their Bisbee, Arizona art gallery. From the beginning, we see her warm, caring nature and selfless mindset.
We also meet her surprise houseguest, Miles Trevelyan from the UK, an Oxford history professor, who has pre-paid for a room to conduct research on his next book.
When a dead body is found in Cat’s art gallery, the search begins for a killer with a mysterious connection to a large painting entitled “Kissed.” Cat is challenged to go beyond her comfort zone to solve the puzzle.
She and Miles team up to help the local police investigate anyone with ties to the victim and the painting. A sweet romance ensues amid the mystery. Shane skillfully intertwines the romance and the mystery so that neither completely takes over the story.
The author’s extensive knowledge of the Borderlands culture and history, and the art world were woven seamlessly into the story, making the uniqueness of the place shine through. Cat’s family is both Mexican and Arizonan so readers are immersed in the benefits of being raised in both cultures and languages. I liked the Spanish phrases sprinkled throughout the book as well.
I look forward to finding out more about the art gallery and Cat’s circle of friends and neighbors. The Cat Miranda series is off to a solid start.
I received an advanced copy of the book and this is my honest review.
I so enjoyed the first installment in the Cat Miranda Mystery series—and the first book I’ve read by author C.J. Shane. There’s a lot to love about the book, but perhaps my favorite aspect was the well-drawn, immersive setting. I could feel the desert heat on my skin, smell the Sonoran dishes, and visualize the sunset over the mountains. The book provided a pleasant escape. In addition, Kissed was quite simply a good story! The plot was fast-paced and intriguing, with nicely developed peripheral aspects, such as culture and art. The author also weaves in some deep themes, such as grief and abuse, without allowing them to overwhelm the telling of the story. Throw in a budding romance and you have a fully developed, entertaining mystery. I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes Cat. Wherever it is, I’ll happily be along for the ride!
When Cat Miranda’s brother dies, and she inherits his art gallery in the Borderlands of Arizona, the intrigue begins. The gallery’s enormous painting, “Kiissed,” (also the compelling book cover), becomes the focal point of the story. A body is found, a hooded stranger tries to do in Cat–several times–but she stays the course to find out the murderer, save herself, and carry on with the handsome Miles Trevelyan, a British academic who turns up in Brisbee. All fingers soon point to the killer, but the puzzle is revealed, finally, with the help of friendly (and some unfriendly) characters. Shane’s writing is crisp and careful, which makes this a swift, easy, and entertaining read.
This is the first novel in the Cat Miranda Mystery series set in Bisbee, Arizona. Catalina returns to her hometown to care for her ailing brother, Luis. After his death, she plans to operate the art gallery her brother started.
Things do not go as planned. First, there is an intruder, a visiting scholar from Britain, whom her brother neglected to tell her has rented a room in the building. It is the last weeks of his journey while doing research for a book. Miles is not a threat, but they discover a dead body hidden behind a painting. Cat receives a couple of offers to buy the gallery before it is even open to the public. She is mysteriously attacked during the town’s stair case run, and later kidnapped, which makes for an absorbing mystery.
The interplay between the very British Miles and the Mexican American Cat is fun, and lends itself to another mystery. How can they continue their romance with so many miles between them, and when they are happy with their respective locales?
This is a well-crafted, thoughtful story with interesting characters and touches of art and southwest flavor. Great start to a new series.
This is the first book I’ve read by C.J. Shane. It was well written, had a great storyline and the characters kept me entertained. Cat recently returned home to Bisbee, Arizona because he brother was seriously ill. Her brother had rented one of the rooms in the upstairs living quarters before he died. Miles is a researcher from the UK getting information for his book. He arrives late one night to sleep in the room he rented but is met by Cat holding a bat. This has intrigue, danger, suspense and so much more. I volumntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Kissed is a mystery/romance set in Bisbee, Arizona and revolves around Cat Miranda, a Mexican-American beauty who has recently inherited her brother’s art gallery after he passes away. Cat decides to move into the living quarters upstairs, but she’s soon surprised when she discovers that her brother has rented one of the rooms to Miles Trevelyan, a British researcher visiting the Borderlands in preparation for writing a book. And if that surprise wasn’t enough, the two of them are awakened one night when a burglar breaks into the gallery for purposes that are immediately suspicious. Cat and Miles then embark on a journey to discover the truth behind a Jax Beringer painting known as “Kissed.”
I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the reader then jumps on a wild ride to unravel the mystery, which includes a not-so-little secret hidden behind one of the gallery walls, a David Hockney painting that ends up in the wrong hands, a bisexual artist with a trail of broken hearts in his wake, a female carpenter with a “unique” hammer stuffed in her toolbox, and way too many people showing up at the door wanting to purchase the gallery. Way too many.
One of the things that impressed me most about this book was the sense of place that seems to underscore the entire novel. Ms. Shane has done her research, and along the way we’re transported to the Borderlands region of Arizona where we learn about its people, its history, its culture, and its cuisine . . . all while trying to solve a mystery. And yes, she and Miles do eventually get their HEA, but not before they have to clear a few hurdles on the road to romance.
Anyone looking for fun read, try Kissed. It’ll be well worth your time.
If you’re looking for a mystery with a touch* of romance, main characters that fill the “sweet but no-nonsense” and “charming, slightly quirky” void, then this is the book for you.
I’ve been a fan of C.J. Shane’s writing for a while now, and this beginning to a new series will not disappoint anyone who has been reading the “Letty Valdez Mysteries” series. Great plot, great writing, great characters. Great book!
* “touch” is a relative term!
My thanks to the author for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
This is my first C. J. Shane story as well as my first mystery-romance. I have always shied away from any romance stories because I felt them unrealistic and hence unrelatable, however I very much enjoyed this story and have found a new genre to explore.
The story was interesting for a number of reasons some of which are that the characters were relatable, the author’s knowledge of southern Arizona and the Borderlands culture, knowledge of the art world. I liked how Cat grew and matured as a character starting out insecure then gaining confidence in herself in the end by being able to say what she wanted and needed. After what she had been through, and after the wonderful Rumi quote, she seemed to “grow up” and be more self assured. Nice. The mystery made the romance much more interesting too! I look forward to seeing how some of the relationships develop in future Cat Miranda stories.
I have only been to Bisbee a couple of times and it has been a while. This story makes me want to visit again.
I received an ARC copy of Kissed, by C.J. Shane, this review is my honest opinion.
We are new residents of Arizona. I read this book just after a trip to Bisbee. This author has crafted a narrative that is rich in history and cultural awareness. The story is aptly descriptive of this eclectic little town. I found myself looking up the places and events she included and not only learned about Bisbee but discovered a few things about my hometown, Tucson as well…a good read! I was given an advanced review copy for this honest review.
I really liked this book. It is a fun book because of the interaction between the female and male main characters. There is also some underlying tension between these two because of their attraction to each other. Mainly this is a mystery,a good one. Can’t wait to read the next book to find if the mystery is solved. Also hope the two main characters realize that there is more to there relationship besides being new friends
Book Review: Kissed: A Cat Miranda Myster by CJ Shane
Because Bisbee Arizona is one of my very favorite places, I was immediately enthralled. I am also an art lover, so this book has everything I enjoy.
Descriptions of the town of Bisbee and the fun events that occur there are accurate and take me back to my visits.
This is a borderland story with a blending of culture and countries and a look at the way families deal with their members on both sides of the border.
The characters are well presented and easy to relate to.
This story takes fascinating look at dealing with interpersonal relationships. Emotions and experiences shared in this book go from sincere grieving, fear, suspense, challenges, murder, break-ins, exploration, abuse, revenge, compulsive obsessive behavior and even romance.
CJ Shane’s writing is well researched and presented, definitely one of my favorite authors. I had a difficult time putting the story down.
I received an ARC copy of Kissed, by C.J. Shane, this review is my honest opinion.
Review by Gale Thomssen, Tucson Arizona
Kissed is a Cat Miranda Mystery and is a fabulous start to this new series.
I loved this introduction to Cat and Miles. They are delightful characters who work together to find out why someone is after Cat. This story is well written and kept my interest from start to finish with suspense, danger, intrigue, and romance.
I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book with no obligation.