Gatekeeper

In the Gatekeeper, the third book of the Kelly Jones Thriller series, this dealt with domestic terrorism that serial killers, right in our backyard. This was the best one yet. From Arizona to New York and Texas, this was action-packed with every twist and turn on every page. For Kelly and Jake, this one changed everything, when they've gotten engaged. Kelly worked on a disturbing case of someone dismembering senators, when Jake was sent to work to rescue an abducted teen. But little did they know, both cases would be related by someone who was the leader of reuniting hate groups to terrorize our own country with an explosive ending.  There was even a bit of a mini love triangle and shocking twists in the end, making you want to know more and more for the final installment. Hands down, this was a winner and the series kept getting better. 

This one tackled one of the toughest battles our country ever had to battle in our entire history: homeland terrorism. Disturbing as it was, this one took it to a different level to have gone further and farther. I loved how both Kelly and Jake became an official item and worked on one big gigantic lead to connect their cases together. I hate that it dealt with hate crimes and terrorism. Some scenes were a bit tough to swallow with a bitter aftertaste.  But it was excellent, through and through.

Ready to stomach some hard core nitty gritty? Grab a copy and give it a go today!

Strangers Amongst Us

For those thrillers fan out there, you'll love Brad Meltzer's The Millionaires. This is an action-packed fast-paced thriller for a quick and easy read to breeze on through. It deals with two brothers, who after they discover a secret at a NY bank, are on the run from some bad guys and end up in Florida, when things get dicey and suspenseful. Plenty of twists and turns all the way through to put you at the edge of your seats. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

The Gatehouse

The Gatehouse is a great thriller from Nelson DeMille. Although the book a sequel he wrote earlier, called the Gold Coast, you can get a hint of history in the background through the narration of what transpired in the past, a decade ago. This is set in 2002, when John Sutter returns home for a funeral, and deals with an Iranian landlord, a possible hit by the mob don's son, his ex-wife and then his in-laws from hell. And it's all centered in the gatehouse, his former home. It gets dicey, when he and his ex decide to remarry and things get harry from there. What a great read and a new delight to add to my TBR list. Enjoy!

Baby swindle

Deadly Deals is another good quick read in the Sisterhood series, the sixteenth of them and the second one I've read. It deals with two corrupt lawyers swindling babies from their adoptive parents and how the Vigilantes got back to them with pure revenge. It even has a hint of romance and drama. Deadly Deals takes place around winter time and good for a fun and an enjoyable read, just in time for the holidays. Enjoy! Happy holidays!

The Wrecker

In the 2nd installment of the Isaac Bell historical fiction/action-adventure series by Clive Cussler, The Wrecker, Issac Bell returned in another fantastic historical action-adventure. This time, he was up against the Wrecker, who've destroyed trains and wrecked railroad facilities across the country for no reason at all. The South Pacific Railroad President, Osgood Hennessy, had plans to finish the railroad by winter and hired Isaac Bell.. If the railroad isn't completed in time, Hennessy would lose funding and his company would be destroyed. But with the Wrecker who had plans of sabotaging the railroad, that was when Isaac Bell and his team came in to stop him in a race against time. 

This was a great break from the modern-day action-adventure of the many NUMA series. I love the cross-genre of historical fiction and action-adventure for this as well. I found Isaac Bell a fantastic lead character for this on-going series.  I also love the race against time theme for this one, when it dealt with railroads. I also loved the nature of espionage and sabotage, too. I did care about Isaac and Hennessy, because they dealt with a sabotaging maniac. I loved the time period of the 1900s and the West Coast, too. Great historical drama, plenty of fantastic action, intense adventure and lots of intrigue that was packed into this novel.

Ready to stop the Wrecker? Pick up a copy now!

Echo Burning

If you love to try new thriller series, then you'll enjoy Lee Child's Echo Burning, the fifth book in the Jack Reacher series. This dealt with Jack, a loner and a hitchhiker, who got caught up with helping Carmen Greer, a troubled seductive woman  who gave him a lift. In return, she needed protection from her abusive and dangerous husband and ended up in a crossfire of another small town filled with corrupted politician and dirty secrets and a plan. Before sun set, this ride could cost both of them their own lives.  And what was mind-blowing in this thriller was what happened between them with one car ride.

This was another good Jack Reacher thriller from Lee Child. I did continue to care for Jack and became dubious about Carmen Greer and her own intentions. No one should be stuck in an abusive relationship. When in doubt, they should get out. I loved the small town connection to this one as well with another dirty of political corruption tied to the line. I didn't like Carmen's husband and wasn't sure to trust her as well. This is fact-paced, action-packed for a quick and easy read with plenty of intrigue and suspense along the way. So hang onto your seats for a wild and twisted ride as well.

Did you see echo burning? If not, grab a copy for yourself this week!

Kindred in Death

In the 29th installment of In Death series from JD Robb, Kindred in Death, this one was one of the best ones yet, when it dealt with a shocking and heinous twist, when it had hit close to home and to the NYPSD. This took place in a futuristic New York City in the year of 2060. When the captain and his wife return from their vacation, they looked forward to spend time with their sixteen-year-old Deena. But they came home to find her killed in her own bedroom. When they thought they've figured it out, he continued to taunt and torment them with his various identities along the way. This left Eve Dallas searching the backstreets for a ruthless killer. This one was gripping and right at the edge of the seat, when it dealt with family and how hard- hitting people can be, when it came to payback. Hang on for a wild ride.

This was another fantastic futuristic thriller from JD Robb. I loved the view of a futuristic New York City and all of the different types of gadgets we can envision of having, like those 'links to use and communicate with other people with. That vision is crystal clear on how technology can become. This tackled a rough issue of family loss and dealing with grief. I loved the coupling of Eve Dallas and Roarke. I loved how Eve interacted with her police force to come together and bring justice for everyone involved. Great drama, lots of intense action in every scene, and great sexual chemistry, too.

Ready to become a kindred spirit? Obtain a copy this week!

Ford County Stories

In Ford County Stories, John Grisham takes a break from his legal thrillers and go back to literary fiction novels like Bleachers and Skipping Christmas and a Painted House. He returns to Clanton, Mississippi, the same location for a Time to Kill, and wrote seven different stories, all centered in Ford County. Each one deals with a law/law enforcement angle and some are pretty tough to read. IN the book cover, there's a brief synopsis on each story for you to get a feel for it. I think this is a good read and something you might enjoy for a quick read.

Divided loyalties

If you love a great storyline, you'll love The Last Town on Earth. It's historical fiction intermeshed with medical thriller. Set during WWI, during the draft, a flu epidemic sweeps the West Coast, when one fictional town called Commonwealth, Oregon, quarantines itself from the rest of the world to prevent the epidemic to enter the town. A lot of twists and turns in each chapter to keep you guessing what happens next, all the way to the end. I recommend it.

Rainwater

If you love historical romance love stories, you'll love Sandra Brown's Rainwater.  When a dying man arrived and boarded a boardinghouse for rent in 1930s Texas, a lot of racial prejudice was going on, even when it was up against the rich and the poor. This happened when David Rainwater met Ella Barron, a single mother of a ten-year-old challenged son named Solly. She was a bit resistant on opening a room for David and accepted his application to let him inside. At first glance, she was taken on a whirlwind journey as her world began to change like the wind everywhere she went, even for her son. That's when two people like David and Ella endlessly fall in love and say goodbye. It's all about sacrifices and second chances, to live and love again, when love has no limits. This book has a shocking twist for a tearjerker at the end. I don't want to give it away. People will do anything for love. This one needs a Kleenex.

This was a wonderful and heart-breaking historical romance. I cared for Ella and her son and for David, too. This really showed what it was like back then, during the Great Depression and the racial divide in the town. To have it set during the 1930s in Texas was the perfect place for location and setting. I really loved how their relationship unfolded and developed in a slow gradual pace with the magic between them. This made me sigh and take a couple of deep big breaths and cry a few times.  Great drama, excellent romance with tons of action and suspense.

Will you fall in love with Rainwater, too? If so, check it out today!

Blood Game

If you love great thrillers, even in series or stand alone, then you'll love Blood Game by Iris Johansen. It's one of her finest and best thrillers yet to date, featuring Joe Quinn and Eve Duncan. This time, she was entangled into a deadly web of deceit, when a ruthless killer sent her a bloody message and another deadly missing girl's body is found. He might know more about what happened to Bonnie and wants Eve to play this game of bloodsport with him. To help her settle the score, she needed Joe and Jane to outnumber the killer. This one deals with a grisly twist, with shocking turns, and lots of surprises. This kept on getting better with intricate plots to shock us all. Watch out!

This thriller definitely gave me goosebumps and sent chills down my spine. Although the crimes were grisly in nature, it was enough to knock the wind out of your sails. I continued to love Eve and Joe in this series and the thrilling adventures they sent us on. Spine-tingling and mind-numbing, this one would make you become worried about them to keep reading till the end. I loved the Georgia connection and beyond to send us all over the place. I wasn't too keen on adding Jane to the mix as well.  Great suspense, tons of action, and an excellent novel.

Don't get caught up and tangled? Be free with a copy today!

Southern Lights

If you love contemporary romance novels, you'll enjoy the newest one by Danielle Steel, Southern Lights. It dealt with Alexa Hamilton and her daughter, when she prosecuted a criminal and placed her daughter's life in danger. She had  no choice, but to send her back to her home to her southern roots in Charleston, South Carolina. When she visited her daughter there, she realized how settled and enriched she was into the southern world with her new family, while learning about her roots there and why her mother fled the scene. And things had  changed there, a bit for the better and the worse, when there was a bit of happiness in the middle and towards the end. If you love happy endings, you'll love the settings in Charleston and New York City for this novel.

Treasure of Khan

If you like action-adventure, then you'll love another great novel in the Dirk Pitt NUMA series. It has all the good ingredients for an expedient read. Plenty to feast your eyes on too. It deals with a lost and ancient treasure and oil drilling for gasoline. It's set in Hawaii and Mongolia, with a little bit in Russian waters. A little hint of romance and intrigue and lots of drama, suspense, and excitement, all through the novel. You'll enjoy it. Prepare to be shocked and awe with this thrill ride.

In this corner...

If you're looking for a new hero for your mystery series, try Duffy Dombrowski, a Irish-Polish boxer who's a caring social worker and loves Elvis and dogs. In On the Ropes, you'll be introduced to him and his career and what starts out the chain reaction of events in the proceeding chapters and evil characters. There's some good action scenes, some to make you laugh and cheer, and some hard cold truth about life in New York and our culture. I don't want to give anything anyway. You'll enjoy it. Try it out for yourself and step into the boxing ring. Ding ding ding!

Friends in High Places

In Donna Leon's Friends in High Places, the 9th book in the Commissario Brunnetti Italian mystery series, we were introduced to another suspenseful mystery in beautiful Italy. It all started when a young bureaucrat visited Guido to investigate the lack of official approval for his apartment building, his first impression was on who he knows to bring pressure on that government department. But when he rung him at work and sounded scared, he was late found dead when he had fallen from some scaffolding, someone was strangely going that has far more greater implications than the fate of his apartment building.


 This was another great Guido Brunetti Italian mystery in the series. I continued to love the vast and scenic beautiful settings and locations in Venice Italy with those vivid descriptions. I also cared about Guido and what he might find that dealt with some dirty politicians. I became curious on the death of the young bureaucrat and how far would that trail of politics would go. This would make you speechless and drop your jaw down to the ground.  Great drama, suspense, intrigue and tons of mystery along with the way with non-stop action.

Do you have friends in high places? If so, give this a try today!

Broken Rules

Earlier this summer, I blogged about some books I've read in the Emma Harte series. Breaking the Rules is the final book of the saga, when happy endings are dispensed to everyone, or good as a stand alone. I will have to read the earlier books in 2011, since my 2010 TBR list is full. I've enjoyed the series and glad it finally had its proper conclusion. This deals with a bit of happiness for Linnet and centers on Emsie "M" O'Neill as well. I've enjoyed the series and hope you'll do too.


Tomorrow, I'll start reading another romance, Southern Lights, by Danielle Steel.

2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Here's a new book challenge for you. All you have to do is read at least 25 library books by the end of the year. For more information and the guidelines of the four reading levels, check out this link right here: http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/. Happy reading.

2010 Suspense book challenge

Attention suspense and thriller book lovers, there's a new book challenge for 2010. All you have to do is read 12 suspense or thriller books, from cozies to mysteries, in the next year. To sign up and more information, go to www.bookchickcity.com/2009/05/thriller-suspense-challenge-2010_01.html Happy reading.

Locked In

If you love great mystery series, you'll love this one from Marcia Muller, the 26th installment in the Sharon McCone series. Locked In was one of the finest Marcia Muller mysteries. It started out with the shooting of Sharon McCone, which placed her in Locked in Syndrome, while her coworkers found out who've done this to her from their various past cases, while some chapters were in their POVs. It was fast paced for a good flow, that would keep you guessing all the way with subtle clues and hints to the final chapters. Nice read!

This one was an intense Sharon McCone mystery. I did feel bad for Sharon and her family, when she wasn't capable of speaking and had to use eye contact for clues. I also felt bad for Hy, when she was stuck into that position. I hated for that to happen to her. I love the rich California backdrop of San Francisco and always loved the flying scenes in past stories in the series. This had great drama, nice action, and a hint of mystery, since this made it very personal for everyone involved.

Don't get locked in? Unlock the mystery with the copy today!

Summer of a Summer Night

If you love historical romances with some excitement of suspense and a happy ending, you'll love Lisa Kleypas's Secrets of A Summer Night, the first book int he Wallflowers series. This dealt with Annabelle's search for a peer husband. We were also introduced to Evangeline, Daisy and her sister Lillian, the other fellow Wallflowers, who were also looking for love. She had her eyes on Sir Simon Hunt, a rich commoner, who wasn't looking for marriage and wanted to introduce her to blissful pleasure. Her friends wanted to line her up with someone to protect her from Simon, when one summer night changed everything for her. They ended up falling in love, when they realized they were meant for each other and declared their love for each other. This made your heart go pitter patter.

I loved the introduction of this series of four lonely girls, who weren't always the belles of the balls, and unlucky in the romance department. I also loved how they became friends and formed a bond. I thought Simon was a dashing gentleman for Annabelle, when they helped each other. This made me sigh and fall in love with the characters for real, too. There's no other historical romance series like this one, when each wallflower gets their own romance per season.

Ready to find a great read? Give this one a whirl today!

2010 Book List

I've decided to forego my TBR book a day list, and just keep the TBR list from this year as next year's. All book challenges would be included additionally, along with bonus books. The rest will remain the same. I'll add the books I won/brought too to my list.

All books on the list I've brought/won are in italics.


Books I haven't read this year and will in 2010:
Nightshade, The Tale of Hilltop Farm, The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert
When We Meet Again by Victoria Alexander
Sketching Evil by Donna Anders
Summer Breeze by Catherine Anderson
Murder with Puffins, You've Got Murder by Donna Andrews
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews
Tempting Evil by Keri Arthur
Dead on Arrival, One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest, The Stiff and the Dead by Lori Avocato
Murder Passes the Buck by Deb Baker
Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow, Monkey See, Monkey Die, Right from the Gecko, Whos Kitten Who by Cynthia Baxter
Jingle Bell Bark by Laurien Berenson
Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg
Challenge to Honor, Guarded Heart, Kane by Jennifer Blake
A Stab in the Dark by Lawrence Block
Killing Fear, See No Evil, The Prey by Allison Brennan
Sudden Death by Michael Balkind
Quantico by Greg Bear
Blood Trail by CJ Box
Play Dirty, Smoke Screen, Thrill of Victory by Sandra Brown
White Doves at Mourning by James Burke
Water Inc. by Varda Burstyn
Red Hot Lies, The Night I Got Lucky by Laura Caldwell
A Cold Day in Hell, A Grave Mistake, Cypress Nights by Stella Cameron
Deep in the Valley, Shelter Mountain, Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr
Candy Apple Dead by Sammi Carter
Beneath the Snow, Black Tide Blood Junction by Caroline Carver
Letters Home by Katherine Chance
Frill Kill by Laura Childs
Grime and Punishment by Jill Churchill
Antiques to Die For, Deadly Appraisal, Killer Keepsakes by Jane Cleland
Drop Shot by Harlan Coben
Mum's the World by Kate Collins
All Shots, Animal Appetite, Ruffly Speaking by Susan Conant
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
Mutation by Robin Cook
Hemlock Bay by Catherine Coulter
Suspicious Minds by Kim Cox
On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle
Indigo Slam by Robert Crais
A Shark in Death, Dreaming of the Bones, Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie
Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie
Black Wind, Dragon by Clive Cussler
A Family Affair by Cindy Daniel
Night of the Loving Dead, Tombs of Endearment by Casey Daniels
Alpine Advocate, Alpine Betrayal, Dune to Death, Just Desserts by Mary Daheim
Murder by the Books by Evelyn David
Sleeping with the Fishes by Mary Janice Davidson
The Coffin Dancer by Jeffrey Deaver
Dying for a Change by Kathleen Delaney
Coast Road by Barbara Delinsky
Princess by Jude Deveraux
Death Takes a Honeymoon, May the Best Man Die, You May Kill the Bride by Deborah Donnelly
Safe Beginnings by Christine Duncan
Sweet Man is Gone by Peggy Ehrhart
One For the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly, Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Artefacts, Effigies, Relics by Mary Anna Evans
Bad Blood, Entombed, Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein
Dim Sum Dead, Immaculate Reception, Killer Wedding by Jerrilyn Farmer
Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan
The Blueberry Muffin Killer, The Chocolate Chip Killer, The Cornbread Killer, The Strawberry Shortcake Killer by Joanne Fluke
Act of Treason, Extreme Measures, Term Limits by Vince Flynn
Conch Shell Murder by Dorothy Francis
The Liars Diary by Patty Francis
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Frank
The Novice's Tale, The Reeve's Tale, The Sempter's Tale, The Servent's Tale by Margaret Fraser
Chasing Horses by Christy French
Losing You, The Land of the Living, The Memory Game by Nicci French
Alone, The Other Daughter, The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner
The Murder List by Julie Garwood
Mad Mouse, Sleigh Ride by Chris Grabenstein
Echoes, In the Clear Night, Web of Grace by Erin Grady
A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
Miss Misery by Andy Greenwald
The Man with the Look of Mischief by Martha Grimes
In the Arms of the Enemy by Patricia Guthrie
Austenland by Shannon Hale
Buzz Cut by James Hall
Jimmy Be Good by James Halon
Black Orchid by Black Harper
Janeology by Karen Harrington
Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway
A Woman of Her World by Genie Henderson
A Season for the Dead, Dante's Numbers, Epiphany, Lucifer's Shadow, Native Rites, The Garden of Evil, The Villa of Mysteries by David Hewson
Tourist Season by Carl Hiassen
The Baby Game by Randall Hicks
A Thief of Time, Coyote Waits, Skinwalkers, The Fly On The Wall by Tony Hillerman
Ashes to Ashes, Dark Paradise, Guilty as Sin by Tami Hoag
Out of the Shadows, Sense of Evil, Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper
Kill and Tell, Stranger in the Night by Linda Howard
The Program by Greg Hurwitz
Spandau Phoenix, Third Degree, True Evil by Greg Iles
Scent to Her Grave by India Ink
Home is Where You Hang Your Hat, Magic Hour, Past Perfect by Susan Isaacs
Asking for Murder, Final Fore, Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Chosen to Die, Deep Freeze, Hot Blooded, Left to Die, Malice, Whispers by Lisa Jackson
This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James
Death in Lay Orders, The Murder Room by PD James
Dead Wrong, Justice Denied, Tombstone Courage by JA Jance
Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries
Stalemate by Iris Johansen
I'll Be Watching You, No Way Out by Andrea Kane
Justice, Street Dreams, The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Bad Blood, Dr. Death, Self-Defense by Jonathan Kellerman
Acheron, Fantasy Lover, Sins of the Night by Sherilyn Kenyon
Watermelon by Marian Keyes
Titantic by VC King
Shopaholic and Sister, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella
Devil in Winter, It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
Bloody Mary, Dirty Martini, Rusty Nail, Whiskey Sour by JA Konrath
Princess Daisy by Jayne Krantz
Death of a Dream by Paul La Rosa
Angels in Disguise by Betty La Pierre
Where the Ocotillo Bloom by Linda LaRoque (ebook)
A Brace of Bloodhounds, Death in Bloodhound Red, The House on Bloodhound Lane by Virginia Lanier
Flying Crows, the Phoney Marine by Jim Lehrer
Desert Burial by Brian Littlefair
The Bourne Betrayal by Robert Ludlum
16 Lighthouse Road, 311 Pelican Court, Suzanne's Garden by Debbie Macomber
Drift by Steven Mark
Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron
Drop Dead Blonde, Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too, Murders Melts in Your Mouth by Nancy Martin
Murder on a Hot Tin Roof by Amanda Matetsky
Love of My Heart by Bess McBride
Barrier Island by John McDonald
Tiger Reef by John McKinna
Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots by Luann McLane
Every Breath You Take by Judith McNaught
Identity Crisis, The Book of Fate, The Zero Hour by Brad Meltzer
Late Bloomer, Night Star, Serendipity by Fern Michaels
Deadly Gamble, High Country Bride, The Man From Stony Creek by Linda Lael Miller
Storming Heaven by Kyle Mills
Two Wrongs by Morgan Mandel
Echoes in the Blue by George Muller
As the World Churns, Crepes of Wrath, Hell Hath No Curry by Tamar Myers
Cold Pursuit by Carla Neggers
A Valley to Die For by Radine Nehring
A Search for Eden, At the Scent of Water, Handyman by Linda Nichols
Oasis of My Heart by Tara Nichols (ebook)
Final Breath, One Last Scream, Watch Them Die by Kevin O'Brien
Obsidian by Teagan Oliver
After the Music, Desperado, Lawman, Love on Trial by Diana Palmer
Extreme Measures, Natural Causes, Silent Treatment by Michael Palmer
The Dark of Day by Barbara Parker
Cross Country, Double Cross, Mary Mary by James Patterson
Cooking Up Trouble, Da Vinci Cook, Something's Cooking, Too Many Cooks by Joanna Pence
Change of Heart, Keeping Faith, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Piccoult
Mahu Surfer by Neil Plakcy
Remote Control by Cynthia Polansky
Dance of Death, Reliquary, Thunderhead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Overwhelming Edge by Anderson Prunty
Dot Dead by Keith Raffel
Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
Adam and Eve, End in Tears, The Water's Lovely by Ruth Rendell
Death Masks by Kim Richards
The Last Cowgirl by Jana Richman
Cold Springs, Rebel Island, Southtown, The Red Tequila by Rick Riordan
Death of a Garden Pest, Harvested Murder, Mulch, Summer Garden Murder by Ann Ripley
Vanished by Karen Robards
Ceremony in Death, Glory in Death, Origin in Death by JD Robb
Honest Illusions, Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
Ghostly Antiques by Jennifer Robins
Red Mars by Kim Robinson
The Devil's Mambo by Jerry Rodriguez
Getting Away is Deadly by Sara Rossett
Missing by Sharon Sala
Murder by the Glass by Michelle Scott
Body Surfing, The Pilot's Wife, Testimony by Anita Shreve
Disquiet Heart by Randall Silvis
Cattery Row, Cries and Whispers, Probable Claws by Clea Simon
Blackjack by Lee Singer
Beyond Reach by Karen Slaughter
Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
All Fall Down, Breakneck, Red by Erica Spindler
Bug Jack Barron by Norman Spinrad
A Fine and Bitter Snow by Dana Stabenow
What Witches Want by Laura Stamps
Don't Scream, Dying Breath, Lily Dale by Wendi Corsi Staub
Bungaloo Two, Lightning, Sisters, The Promise by Danielle Steel
Dangerous Research by Pat Steltzer
Anathem, Intaface, Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
A Wedding to Die For, Dead Giveaway, Shoot from the Hip by Leeanne Sweeney
Dry Heat by Jon Talton
Whale Song by Cheryl Tardiff
Death Du Jour, Death by Rhubard, The Spice Box by Lou Jane Temple
Stagestruck by Cynthia Thomason
Round Table Magician by Ann Tracy
Dark Birthright by Jeannie Treat
Beautiful Lies, Blackout, Die For You, Sliver of Truth by Lisa Unger
Death Roll by Meredith Victor
Black Leopard by Steven Vioen
Dark Harbor, Dirt, Sante Fe Rules by Stuart Woods
Brothers in Arms by Marcus Wynne

Additional Books to read:
Cry Mercy by Toni Andrews
Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks
Atlantis Unleashed by Alyssa Day
Dark Legacy by Anna DeStefano

If any new best-sellers come on queue from my library as bonus books, I'll add them.

Evidence

In the 24th installment of the Alex Delaware series in Jonathan Kellerman's Evidence,  Alex and Milo had gotten themselves caught up in another difficult case. When a watchman came across a brutally slain couple in a compromising embrace, they were both caught up in the  grisly crime scene at an unfinished mega-home owned by an Islamic prince. While they were able to identify the eco-inclined architect who had the power to seduce woman, while his female companion remained a mystery and unidentified. They believed this murder was personal with political charged scandals and a cold case of an European woman's disappearance from years ago. The bigger they dug themselves into the truth, the more in peril they find themselves with a growing list of suspects and the direction spiraling towards them into the killer's path.

This was another riveting Alex Delaware mystery.  This one had some gruesome parts that might make you a bit nauseating to your stomach. I continue to love the  California backdrop for the series. I cared about Alex and his relationship to Robin as I did for Milo and Rick as well. I loved how Milo and Alex took on a disturbing case to compare it to an unsolved one. This one was gripping from the first page and right to the end.  Good strong mystery, good intrigue and plenty of dramatic action to keep you reading all day long.

Ready to follow the evidence? Pick up a copy today!

Danger from the south of the border

If you love legal thrillers, you would love The Attorney by Steve Martini. This is a red hot legal thriller that deals with an unethical lawyer and then her death, when all leads head to Mexico, from trial to the ending. This keeps you at the edge of your seat with great legal drama from start to finish. Hang on for a wild ride.

September

If you love a great historical romance novel, you'll love September by Rosamunde Pilcher. This is a great story that takes place in Spain, England, Scotland and the USA in some parts. It spans four months, and deals with two main families and young and old loves, when a prodigal woman returns for a party and then a shocking secret is discovered in the end. A beautiful storyline to cherish for ever with everlasting memories.

A Real Basketcase

if you love a new good cozy mystery, you'll love Beth Groundwater's A Real Basket Case, the first installment in the Claire Hanover Gift Basket Designer cozy series. When Claire was neglected from her husband Roger, she decided to join an aerobics class. In a moment of weakness, she decided to let her instructor give her a massage at home. That's when she made a deadly mistake, when someone shot and killed him in her home and her husband was arrested for his murder. In hopes of clearing his name, she decided to get to the bottom of it, while she tried to save her marriage and her basket business at the same time, when the truth hit closer to her home, putting her in the middle and thick of things.  

 This was a great introduction to the Claire Hanover cozy series. I cared about her and Roger with their struggling marriage. I became interested on her gift basket business and concerned about her investigating the murder. I loved the Colorado location for the cozy series in the picturesque settings.  This would take you for a great ride in this easy read as your fingers flip through the pages. Good drama, excellent non-stop action and suspense, and plenty of intrigue and mystery along the way.

Are you a real basket case? If so, check it out today!

Stop the insanity

If you love mysteries set in tropical location, check out Suspicion of Madness by Barbara Parker. It's set in the Florida Keys, starring Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana, lawyers and lovers, for a great duo-packed adventure, with some quirky characters and a mind-blowing climax at the end, you never saw it coming. And yes, a dabble of love is in the air for them. I believe this is in the middle of the series. Watch out for the crazy people.

Smash Cut

If you love great thrillers with lots of drama and some romance, Sandra Brown's Smash Cut, the first book in the Mitchell and Associates thriller series, is the one of you. When millionaire Paul Wheeler was murdered, his family retrained Derek Mitchell to represent his nephew Creighton, although he haven't been charged with the murder. Wheeler's mistress, Julie Rutledge, who was also a suspect, had believed he was the killer in spite of his rock-solid alibi, and would do anything to prove his guilt to clear her name. And when Derek learned more about Crieghton's dark side, he believed Julie was right. As the clock ticked down, they teamed up to learn the truth about his reenacted cinematic gory scenes and the secret behind it.

This romantic suspense dealt with lots of hard core suspense and action all the way through with an edgy plot line and a startling twist.  I cared abut Julie and Derek and despised Creighton, who gave me the creeps. I loved the southern feel for the location and the Hollywood-like settings. This send me chills down my spine. It was enough to make you scream a blood-curdling one. This is the creme of the crop with plenty of chills, thrills, and breath-taking non-stop blood-pounding action with intrigue!

Will you discover the secret behind the smash cut? If so, pick it up today!

Miracles and miracles

If you love a good coming of age literary fiction novel, you'll like The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Mint. It deals with Edgar, a half-Apache 10-year-old boy, who's unwanted by his mother, even after a tragic accident, when his life is spared. The first half is a bit harsh, when it gets better towards the middle and have a happy ending of miraculous peace. You'll laugh, cry and smile for this beautiful story that's set in Arizona, Utah and Pennsylvania.

Hometown war

If you love a historical mystery, you'll love this next book from James Patterson's Alex Cross's Trial. This deals with racial injustice, hatred, anger, all in Ben Corbett's hometown in Eudora Mississippi. Lynchings from the KKK and the trial that preceded it, Ben's life in endangered by befriending the Negroes. There's a few rough scene here that took place during 1909. Fast-paced for an easy reading, this is a good read that reflect back to our history in time.

State of Fear

If you love thrillers with a hint of scientific fact, you'll enjoy State of Fear by the late Michael Crichton. Peter Evans was an environmental lawyer and worked for a multi-millionaire, when an eco-terrorist group had threatened to target humans in order to save the planet. Peter's client, George Morton, believed it's been spearheaded by Nicholas Drake, the leader of the NERF organization. Between Peter and George, they would divert Drake's action from getting excess money with a new contract. While there was a global warming war out there, the real battle was between Evans and Drake. In this futuristic techno-thriller and eco-thriller, this had gotten action-packed page-turners in every scene and chapters, filled with suspense, drama, intrigue and lots of surprises. You'll be at the edge of the seat with this one. So be wary of global warming, if lightning doesn't strike twice. This is a good read.

This was another great and earlier classic Michael Crichton thriller. It had a glimpse of a futuristic eco-thriller. It dealt with eco-terrorism and our planet as a hole with global warming. I loved Peter Evans and his fight for justice with George Morton. I didn't like Nicholas Drake that much. This one packed a helluva punch with action, drama and tons of suspense in every page. You would care for Peter and the love for the planet, too.

Ready to save the planet? Give this copy a try!

Swimming with the Sharks

If you love action-packed thrillers with suspense and drama at every turning page in each chapter, you'll love Stuart Woods's Swimming in Catalina, the 4th in the Stone Barrington series. Plenty of action in each sequence from prologue to epilogue. This is my first read of his work and I would recommend it. Set in California, it deals with corruption at every angle. Enjoy! And stay away from the sharks.

Re-enacting Revenge

This is my second read in book #3 of the Meg Langlow series, Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingoes. If you never read Donna Andrews's series before, this has plenty of humor to make you love and cheer with Meg. Plenty of drama, intrigue, suspense, a civil war re-enactment for the settings, and a hint of romance on the side. Get ready to do an about-face and charge your energy with giggles.

The Chick and the Dead

This is another great paranormal cozy from Casey Daniels. In the second installment of the Pepper Martin series, the Chick and the Dead, this was when Pepper dealt with a ghost from the 50s who needed to cross over. She needed Pepper to help solve her murder and why she lost her life. While Pepper needed more rent money, she agreed to take the role of a secretary and searched around a family tree of hidden secrets to get the answer to the truth. It dealt with a lot of drama,  action, conflict and a hint of romance between Pepper and Quinn, set in my hometown region of Cleveland Ohio.

This is another great cozy series with a light ghost stories. I loved how each central ghost had come from a different time zone. Talk about the blast from the past! I became concerned about Pepper, when she dealt with another unhappy ghost and still recovering from her head injury. I do love the chemistry between Quinn and Pepper, when she'd gotten closer to the truth about this ghost's cold case. An easy read to enjoy anytime for a good cozy read.

Ready to enter the time warp again? Check out a cozy today! 

I Do I really do

If you like chick lit and romances in a light read, you'll enjoy Cara Lockwood's I Do But I Don't. It's about Lauren, a wedding planner, who needs a love life, and finds it unexpectedly at her doorstep and during week. There's a bundle of humor here too. This isn't for the faint of heart. But dream big for your wedding dreams. This is a great romance to re-read too and fall in love with them too.

An Island of Secrets

If you like great mysteries set in Britain, you'll enjoy The Lighthouse by PD James. This deals with a mystery on a fictional island, and ends up with secrets and past history, all dealing with the island and the general. Throw it the SARS epidemic and another murder to spice up the plot. This is my second book I've read in the series, though out of order. Sink your teeth into this juicy mystery.

And Only to Deceive

If you love historical romances with a hint of suspense, you'll love And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander. Set in Victorian England, Lady Emily Ashton mourned the loss of her late husband of six months who died in an African safari, right after her wedding. Now two years later, she learned new shocking details on the man she thought she knew and had married. By delving into Philip's journals, she became fascinated in Greek artifacts. On her pursuit for the truth, she had two suitors who want her hand, one of them was Colin, her late husband's friend. She became a bit suspicious of him, as he had every intention on making her fall in love with him, and discovering who he really was, as a prospectus new romance and love triangle bloomed ahead of her. The closer she learned more about the truth, new surprises turned up along the way. With every twist and turn, even in France, this would keep you at the edge of the seat, rooting for her on every page. This is a must new read for this series.

This was a wonderful introduction to the historical suspense/thriller series. I loved the Victorian feel in England for time period. I also loved the scenes in Egypt, too. I did feel sorrow for Lady Emily and became intrigued into her story to find justice for her husband. I did feel a sense of chemistry for Emily and Colin to get together. Everyone was suspect for her. I loved how her family backed her up, when she was grieving and angry. This sent goosebumps and chills down my spine with a warm soothing sensation afterwards. This was a perfect cross-genre blend of historical romance and thriller.  Great suspense, excellent intrigue, and good dramatic action, too.

Don't be deceived! Go out and cherish this novel today!

Swiss Lions

This is my second political thriller I've read this year. This is partially set in Switzerland and the rest is in the USA. Great vivid scenery and history of Switzerland, it makes me want to visit the country. From a conspiracy theory to a shocking twist in the end, this makes you want to hold onto your hat. Plenty of drama, action, suspense for this Scot Harvath series to make me want to read more every year. It's grrreeeaaattt!

Cold case... close to home

If you love a good mystery and cold cases, you'll love A Field of Darkness by Cornelia Read. This is set in New York with a decades old mystery. The lead, Madeline Dare, (don't you love her maiden name?) gathers clues that leads to people she knew. And I'm not going to use a spoiler to tell you who, until you read it for yourself. She also deals with a dysfunctional family with quirky names and a husband who she sees on and off from work in Canada. This is a hit for a first novel. It makes you ask, Whodunit? Get your magnifying glasses out.

Love has no boundaries

This isn't on my TBR list. But since I joined my condo's book club last month, this was the first pick: Oh my Stars by Lorna Landvik. I had to admit, I liked it. It's a must read for all book clubs to discuss. This deals with a cross-country trip, racism and segregation, love, life, music, the Depression and World War II and fast forward more in time to Violet, who narrates each chapter, to the final chapter of the book. It's bittersweet and requires all readers to carry a hanky for this journey of life, love, music and death.

Storm Cycle

If you love fast-paced thrillers that span the world, you'll love Iris Johansen's Storm Cycle. This is the second one she wrote and teamed up with her son Roy, a mystery writer.  Rachel Kirby was a computer genius and climbed up the corporate ladder, while her personal life is a living hell. Her twin sister had a chronic illness that would kill her someday. When she received a mysterious email one day, she became intrigued and wary of the price. Thousands of miles away, archeologist John Tanek was trapped in a collapsed Egyptian tomb with a working laptop--he knew Rachel might be the one to help him, since the collapse was no accident. He discovered something very valuable that people have been searching for in America--for Rachel, it might be the cure to save her sister. While she worked on rescuing John, she found herself trapped into a web of deceit. Should she trust Tanek? Will they survive to discover the mystery inside the tomb? What a thrilling roller-coaster ride.

This was a powerful thriller. I loved how Iris and Roy made this one thriller like it was one of their own. I loved how they brought up the concept that bridge the distance. Across the seas, I liked how Rachel and John Tanek were brought together... by a computer. I hated that Rachel's sister was put into the middle of this, due to a cure. But the Egyptian tomb link was a clincher. Plenty of drama and intense suspense into this powerhouse thriller.

Ready to embrace a storm? Hold on tight with a copy now!

Black Order

If you love thrillers with something special added to it, you'll love James Rollins's Black Order, the third book in the Sigma Force series. It all started with a sinister fire in Poland that covered up the plot to steal Charles Darwin's Bible. For Gray Pierce, he dove into a mystery that went as far back to Nazi Germany and horrible experiments done in an abandoned lab in Poland. In Nepal, a strain of madness ravishes a monastery, when monks turn to cannibalism and torture. For Lisa Cummings, an American doctor who investigated the atrocity, was the brutal target for assassin. Her only ally was Painter Crowe, the director of Sigma Force, who already showed signs of the malady. Now it was up to Gray Pierce to save them both in a race of time.

 This thriller had a lot going in from start to finish. I cared for Gray, Painter, Lisa and the whole planet. I didn't like this madness that spread across the world, either. I loved the dual locations of Poland and Nepal for this novel's awesome settings. It made it seem so remote, too. There was a hint of romance, lots of action, plenty of drama and conflict, a flavor of history. and a sprinkling of science fiction and science to give it some oomph.This would make you want to read it again and again.

Will you brace yourself for the black order? If, check it out today!

This Pen for HIre

If you're the one who loves to watch romantic comedy movies, then you'll love this new series by Laura Levine. In the first installment of the Jaine Austen cozy mystery series, This Pen for Hire, it dealt and started out with a murder to kick off this cozy. We were introduced to Jaine Austen, a freelance writer, who came across a letter to Stacy Lawrence from Howard Murdoch via the newspaper's personal ads. When he became a suspect for Stacy's murder, Jaine did some sleuthing to clear his name and find out who bludgeoned her to death with a Thigh Master, no less. Before the killer would be onto her, she would have to do it fast, before she would become a ghost writer no less.

This cozy had tons of witty humor to make you laugh all the way through the novel from start to finish and keeps you guessing whodunit at the end. I did care about Jaine and her writing career, when she helped Howard out. I also enjoyed getting to know her better, especially those emails from her parents, too. I liked the California location to kickstart the series. Ther was  a hint of romance and intrigue straight through to spice up this cozy mystery series. So bring some girlfriends, some hankies and have a few laughs on me. Great drama, good action and suspense, and plenty of intrigue all the way to the shocking ending.

Do you want this pen for hire? If so, pick up a copy today!

Here comes the bride...

If you love great mystery novels with lots of drama and intrigue from start to finish, you'll love James Patterson's 1st to Die, the start of the Woman's Murder Club Series. Earlier this summer, I read the latest, now I've read the earlier and hope to read the ones in between in the future. Lots of suspense, drama, intrigue, with a hint of romance from a fellow cop to Lindsay's condition, you'll love every page turning suspense to the end of the first book. I remember seeing the TV movie version a few years ago vividly and was saddened for the TV series version that was cancelled last year after one season. But nonetheless, get ready for a thrill ride...

Black Rose

In the second installment of the In the Garden trilogy series by Nora Roberts, Black Rose focused on Roz Harper.  A widow with three grown sons and one failed marriage, her garden nursery was thriving with the help of new mom Hayley and newlywed Stella.  The three of them had bonded and became close friend and soul sisters. With their future under attack by the Harper Bride's ghostly appearance, she teamed up with Dr. Mitchell Carnegie, a genealogist, to delve into her family's ancestral history. The closer they've gotten together to the truth, the most intriguing chemical attraction have occurred to them. To save them from impending doom, it was a race against time to discover the truth and put them to rest for her to soon close over.  If you love romance stories with a twist, read this trilogy in order.

This was a great follow-up from Blue Dahlia in the In the Garden trilogy. I loved how it focused on Roz Harper, the matriarch. I cared for her whole family more, when she had a second chance to find love. The ensuing ghost story continues on, when we get to know more about the Harper Bride some more. I loved the genealogical angle in this romance. I also loved how it threw Roz and Mitchell together and possibly Harper to Hayley together. I continued to love the gardening-greenhouse scenes as well.

Ready to watch a rose grow? Give this book a go! 

The Quiche of Death

The Quiche of Death is the first of many books in the Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton. This is set in an English village with Agatha Raisin, a senior citizen on retirement from the PR world, when she got herself into a doozy of a dilemma of murder, mayhem and darkness, when a quiet town held so many secrets, for this quick and easy read. She makes one hell of a detective when she's clued in for murder. Dig in and enjoy.

By the way, if you love mysteries, skydiving or both, this week author Rachel Brady is offering a contest to win her book, Final Approach, at http://writeitanyway.blogspot.com/. Enter this week by Tweeting, being her Facebook fan, emailing or adding it to your blog. Good luck.

An axe to grind

If you love cozies, then you'll love a new cozy series I tried out by Claudia Bishop. Buried by Breakfast is a great quick read in an easy reading from start to finish that's set in New York and in a fictional town with some quick wit, a good mystery and plenty of drama from start to finish. It even came with a free recipe too, which is a plus. Happy reading and enjoy the Quilliam sisters in this latest perky adventure.

Whack a Mole

In Chris Grabenstein's Whack a Mole, the 3rd book in the John Ceepak mystery series, Danny Boyle and John Ceepak returned to solve another mystery along the New Jersey coastline. When they've discovered another dead body on the beach, it lead them to more gruesome clues and a chilling conclusion that they were after a serial killer that was ready to strike again after a long absence.  They must race against time to stop a mole with a twisted code of his own. If they don't catch them quick, they might lose someone they love from the killer's hands. This was a game they must win.

This was another spine-tingling mystery in the Ceepak mystery series. I continued to care about John and Danny and how they made teamwork together to solve another devastating crime. I loved the Sea Haven location on the New Jersey shore and the picturesque scenery for the locations. This is definitely a literal nail-biter that would keep you in suspense and the edge of your seat. Great drama, good non-stop action and plenty of intrigue and witty humor from start to finish.

Are you ready to whack a mole? If so, pick it up today!

Book Challenges-part 2-The big ones

I've tried to finish all the books on my list this year by New Year's Eve. If not, like with last year's Book a Day, it carried over until this year. The same would happen next year. This list is compiled of all the books I've read so far before I blogged and not challenge books, and the ones I hope to read between now and next year, let's say, perfect for J_Kaye's 100+ Book Challenge all year long. Those asterisks are those authors who are on Twitter.

Books I've read:
Wormwood by Susan Albert Wittig *
Morning Light and Sweet Nothings by Catherine Anderson *
Borderline by Nevada Barr
Jane and the Barque of Frailty by Stephanie Barron
Fatal Fixerupper by Jennie Bentley *
Echoes by Maeve Binchy
Breaking the Rules, Hold the Dream, Unexpected Blessings by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Rainwater, Smash Cut by Sandra Brown
Cursed by Carol Higgins Clark
Dashing Through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark
Creature Discomforts by Susan Conant
Corsair, Medusa, The Wrecker, Treasure of Khan by Clive Cussler
No One Heard Her Scream by Jordan Dane
Double Shot by Diane Mott Davidson
The Gatehouse by Nelson DeMille
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
Jackdaws, Whiteout, World Without End by Ken Follett
Murder Carries a Torch by Anne George
The Gatekeeper by Michelle Gagnon*
Dead on the Dance Floor by Heather Graham
Ford County Stories, The Associate by John Grisham
Equivocal Death by Amy Gutman
Real Murders by Charlaine Harris *
Hard Landing and The Pandora Key by Lynne Heitman
Blood and Circumstance by Frank Hallon
The Sacred Cut by David Hewson *
Cutline by Bonnie Hearne Hill
Wreath of Deception by Mary Ellen Hughes
Dead Sleep by Greg Iles
Blood Game, Deadlock, On the Run, Quicksand, Storm Cycle by Iris Johansen
Like a Dog with a Bone by Lee Charles Kelley *
Evidence, True Detectives by Jonathan Kellerman
High Rhymes and Misdemeanors by Diana Killian
Eternal City by Nancy Kilpatrick
All Together In One Place by Jane Kirkpatrick
Twilight Eyes by Dean Koontz
Oh My Stars by Lorna Landvik
All the Numbers by Judy Larsen
The Last Place by Laura Lippman
The Undertaker's Widow, Lost Lake, The Associate by Philip Margolin
A Crazy Little Thing Called Death by Nancy Martin
Whitney, My Love, Paradise and Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught
Deadly Deals, Mr and Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels
Maggie Needs an Alibi by Kasey Michaels
The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen
Locked In by Marcia Muller
Turbulance by John Nance
Lie by Midnight by Amanda Quick
The Second Opinion by Michael Palmer *
Suspicion of Madness by Barbara Parker
Alex Cross's Trial, Run For Your Life, Swimsuit, the 8th Confession by James Patterson
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
Blacklist by Sara Paretsky
A Field of Darkness by Cornelia Read
Kindred in Death, Promises in Death by JD Robb
You Can't Hide by Karen Rose *
The Cheater by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
Natural Law by D.R. Schanker
On the Ropes by Tom Schreck *
Matters of the Heart, One Day at A Time, Southern Lights by Danielle Steel
The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor *
Every Crooked Nanny by Kathy Trocheck
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall
Clubbed to Death, Murder with Reservations by Elaine Viets
The Hawk and the Jewel, The Knight and the Dove and the Proposal by Lori Wick
Deadly Errors by Allen Wyler

A Great Deliverance

If you love a great mystery series, you should try Elizabeth George's A Great Deliverance, set in England. It all started with a murder, while you could still hear the baby cry from Keldare from 300 years ago. Now back to present day Scotland Yard, when we were introduced to Inspector Thomas Lynley, who was also the 8th earl of Asherton, and his partner, Detective Sargeant Barbara Havers.  When they were on this first crime scene together of a savage murder, it shocked and stunned everyone in the countryside. They've found Roberta Teys in her best dress and with an axe in her hands, when she confessed on the murder of her father by beheading him. Together they learned the shocking secrets of Keldare and the truth behind the scandals of the peaceful town. It had ended with a tragic twist of circumstance and Biblical proportions of a ghastly nature. The duo of Havers and Lynley made an interesting pair, even on PBS's Mystery series, if you watched it on TV. Lots of shocking twists and turns to keep your eyes peeled. Dig in!

This was an interesting reading to get started with the series. I enjoyed learning about Lynley and Havers with their backstory in this excellent mystery. I loved the connection to Scotland Yard and the United Kingdom. I enjoyed the pair of Havers and Lynley on how they solved this grisly murder.  Keldare made for an interesting locale for the macabre crime. Nice drama, great crime-solving duo to solve this mystery, and nice action in the scenes. This would make you gasp and take a deep breath, after you could stomach the harrowing opening scenes.

Ready to deliver a good read? Pick up a copy today!

The Big Shuffle

This Laura Pedersen title says it all in this inspirational teen fiction/YA novel, a genre I don't normally read. But this is what I recommend for teens to read with their parents about life's challenges from a big family losing a family member to accepting life's surprises in over the year. This is a quick and easy read with eclectic characters and zany similes and metaphors and analogies up the wazoo with plenty of laughs with every page. I believe this book is also part of a series too and it sets in the home state of 9 years: Ohio. Enjoy this one with your loved ones and some tissues!

Chariot of Fire

Life at These Speeds is a coming-of-age/literary fiction novel, dealing with a high school track star, who runs for a high school in Missouri. It deals with a crash of his team mates in the beginning and then plows into his non-stoppable speed through his high school years. In which he discovers new friends, a new romance and a top secret scandal involving his school. This has great details of running track and have unusual and quirky, eccentric characters (their names included). This is a bit inspirational at times about your fears, your dreams and your hopes. Full speed ahead!

Shell Games

Shell Games is the first of the series by Kirk Russell. It takes place in California and deals with the issue of poaching abalone. Murder, mystery, suspense and plenty of drama are dealt in this action-packed eco-thriller. The main lead character, John Marquez, is a Fish and Game warden. I like the way he also deals with his personal life on the side with his estranged life and anorexic step-daughter. It dealt with real life issues nowadays. Happy fishing!

No Man Is a Island

Low Country is a beautiful story about a fictional island in South Carolina. It deals with a family and the people who live on the island who visit throughout the months and the fights to keep it as is, as it tears a couple apart. It's bittersweet, since it deals with grief and loss and of the horses that are part of the family. I think you'll need a hanky for this one. This one pulls at your heartstrings.

Book challenges, part 1-Small Challenges

As an avid book reader, I also try to participate and win some book challenges. Some I finish, some I don't. I can't do them all. Besides my own Book a day (BAD) challenges, I've won J-Kaye's 100+ book challenge last month and will keep on going. All books I've read so far are in bold and in ABC order. Asterisks are for books on my TBR list to read. Here's my challenges to finish this year:

TBR/TBR Lite
Revenge of the Steel-Iron Flamingo by Donna Andrews
Buried by Breakfast by Claudia Bishop
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Tunnels by Michele Gagnon
Death on Demand by Carolyn Hart
The Shadow on the Glass by Ian Irvine
Life at These Speeds by Jeremy Jackson
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
The Blood Ballad by Rett MacPherson
Move to Strike by Perri O'Shaughnessy
September by Rosamunde Pilcher
Bone Cold by Erica Spindler

Love My Library Challenge
And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander
Margin of Error by Edna Buchanon
Watermind by MM Buckner
State of Fear by Michael Crichton
Treasure of Khan by Clive Cussler
Freezing Point by Karen Dionne
A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George
When Darkness Falls by James Grippando
First Class Killing by Lynne Heitman
Wrong Time Wrong Place by Andrea Kane
Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens
Lifelines by CJ Lyons
The Attorney by Steve Martini
The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer
Turbulance by John Nance
Lie by Midnight by Amanda Quick
The Big Shuffle by Laura Pedersen
Low Country by Anne Rivers Siddons
Black Order by James Rollins
The Lions in Lucerne by Brad Thor
Swimming to Catalina by Stuart Woods

1st in Series Challenge
A Quiche of Death by MC Beaton
Hold the Dream by Barbara Taylor Bradford
A Real Basketcase by Beth Groundwater
This Pen for Hire by Laura Levine
The Body in the Bonfire by Katherine Page
1st to Die by James Patterson
Shell Games by Kirk Russell
Dying in Style by Elaine Viets


2nd by Author Challenge
The Chick and the Dead by Casey Daniels
Whiteout by Ken Follett
Whack a Mole by Chris Grabenstein
The Lighthouse by PD James
Eureka by Jim Lehrer
Black Rose by Nora Roberts

Murder Mystery Cozy
Murder-Murder as a Fine Art (might change by 11/30)-VOIDED
Region-Casey Daniels, The Chick and the Dead
Shelf-Getting Away is Murder **
New-High Rhymes and Misdemeanors

On the Porch Swing
Summer/Winter-Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
Marriage-The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney ** currently reading
Friendship-Friends in High Places by Donna Leon
Flower-Black Rose by Nora Roberts

Romance
"G" author-Dead on the Dance Floor by Heather Graham


Dare to Dream-New Romance authors

Publish Post

Mary Kay Andrews
Sabrina Jeffries
Jayne Krantz
Stephanie Laurens
Cara Lockwood
Linda Lael Miller **
Barbara Parker
Amanda Quick
Anne Rivers Siddons
Sharon Sala

That's it for my small book challenges.

Margin of Error

Edna Buchanan's Margin of Error was the fifth installment of the Britt Montero mystery series. In this case, Britt went undercover on a Hollywood set of a movie.  An actor went undercover for his role as a government agent posing as agent, when he came into Britt's life. Someone's now stalking him, which is now followed by mishaps, mysterious accidents and deaths, which had pushed the production over-budget. Someone's trying to sabotage the film and murder him, when nightmares haunted Britt from a man she had previously shot on a former case. This also pushed the actor and Britt to work  together, while this stalker went after them with a menace.  From the Miami Herald press room to a Hollywood movie set, there was a bunch of drama with a tropical locale appeal, when Britt cornered the killers and identified them to find out who caused a scene.

This was another fantastic mystery from Edna Buchanan. I did feel a bit apprehensive for Britt as far as I was concerned. I loved the Hollywood angle in this mystery.I loved the connection Brit had with the actor. I continued to love the backdrop of Miami to set the scene. I didn't like this possessive stalker who wanted to do him in and Britt as well. This had all the good stuff for a great mystery with drama and a spark of intrigue.

Ready, aim, shoot! Buy a copy today!

Don't Drink the water

Watermind is part eco-thriller, part science fiction. This is a decent read, if you enjoy sci fi over eco-thrillers. Like Neal Stephenson's Zodiac, it's a bit technical and scientific in nature, when it comes it terms of water biology. But it has a bit of romance and lots of action from the first to last scene for a good read. This is set in Louisiana's swamps for a good mystery. Hold onto your seatbelts!

Black Hills

In Nora Roberts's Black Hills, another powerful romantic suspense that took place in a South Dakota ranch; a beautiful backdrop for two childhood sweethearts named Cooper Sullivan and Lil Chance. They first started out as friends and developed something more from there. They wouldn't forget the experience of finding a dead hiker's body one summer. Lil studied to become a wildlife biologist and protected her family land; and Cooper's family demanded him to study law to join their firm. Years later, they joined up with one another to start their own animal refuge. When someone killed Lil's courage, it all lead back to the unsolved murder from years gone by, while a blooming romance blossomed between the two of them to save animals and protect them from danger. Enjoy the call of the wild!

What are you Reading?

I have to admit that since I joined Twitter in May, my reading totals for May-June have been 12 and July, as it ends this weekend, will be the lowest this year with about nine. I've tried. And so I'm asking you, what are you reading this week? What's on your TBR list? Join J_Kaye's weekly challenge of what books you're reading at http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-july-27.html. Here's what I have in store for this week:

I'll be finishing Black Hills by Nora Roberts and Watermind by MM Buckner today. Stay tuned for my blogs later today. I'm currently reading and hope to finish Margin by Error, my last book for this month, by Thursday night. Up next is Low Country by Anne Rivers Siddons and Shell Games by Kirk Russell, both new reads for tomorrow, and then Life at These Speeds by Jeremy Jackson, to start this weekend. Happy reading.

When Darkness Falls

In James Grippando's When Darkness Falls, the 6th book in the Jack Swyteck series, was a great new legal thriller. For Jack, he was a lawyer who was representing a homeless man with a dangerous dark past that goes by the name of Falcon. It also lead his best friend and partner Theo becoming a hostage with his life was in peril. The flashback scenes were intriguing as they collided and clashed with the present and possible future. There's high drama, action-packed drama and plenty to suffer through a hostage standoff in the center of Miami heat in the summer. Can you hear the Caribbean music in the background, calling you?

This was another intense thriller. I loved the Miami backdrop of the location for the series. You can really feel the tension in the air. I found Jack Swyteck was an interesting and compelling character. I did feel bad about Theo and Jack, when they became embroiled into another dark mystery. This one sent me chills down my spine. Great dramatic action, intense suspense, and a fascinating read.

Ready for darkness falling? Pick up a copy today!

Wrong Place Wrong Time

Set in picturesque New York, in Andrea Kane's Wrong Place, Wrong Time, she told us a dark tale of danger and intrigue. When Sally Montgomery went on a romantic encounter getaway, it was nothing but a dark terrifying nightmare. Her companion was murdered and the cabin was torched. That sent Sally riding into hiding, when the  police believe she's a suspect, and the killer want her dead. Nowhere to go and nowhere to turn for help, she went to her ex-husband, Pete Montgomery, a former cop and now a PI, with their daughter Devon, who inherited her father's intuitive genes. Devon began her search to the truth and closer to the Pierson clan, she met Blake Pierson, an Olympic gold hopeful, and his family's empire threatened, she didn't know whose side he was on. As they both race again the clock to clear her mother's name to prove her innocence, they team up as sparks fly between them, and to beat the killer in the end.

This was a heated and sexy thriller. I did feel sorry for the Montgomery family, when they dealt with a whole lot of trouble. The New York location was idealistic and creepy. I liked Devon working with her father and later more with Blake. I think they make a formidable couple as well. We could witness the sparking chemistry between them. I didn't like Blake's family members, too. This would make your heart race and your pulse rise on every page-turning suspenseful twist in the novel. Packed with great action and intense heat, this one would raise your hairs on edge.

Don't be at the wrong time, wrong place! Pick up a copy today!

 

Lisa Jackson 2009/2010 Reading Challenge

If you're a big fan of Lisa Jackson, this is the contest for you. At http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/bloggers-20092010-lisa-jackson-reading.html, she's holding a Lisa Jackson reading challenge starting now. It ends on 12/31/10. So you'll have plenty of time to read as many as your want. She had one that started in May and ended last month. I read Final Scream a bit too late and didn't make the cut. So I'm aiming for six books to read between now and then.


My picks are:
1. Deep Freeze
2. Whispers
3. Malice
4. Chosen to Die
5. Left to Die
6. Hot Blooded

Stay away from the beaches

In James Patterson's newest thriller, Swimsuit, he introduces a new diabolical serial killer named Henri and a new hero named Ben Hawkins to his collection of characters. From Hawaii to Europe, from start to end, each chapter deals with lots of drama, crime, action for a good mystery, and in some scenes, a bit of gory, if you're not squeamish. This is the fourth book I've read from him. He keeps getting better in my opinion for a quick beach read. Happy reading!

Since it's been awhile I've updated my TBR list, here's where I stand as of now to match my Shelfari shelf. (If you prefer to see what I've read or to be read, let me know. Right now I'm currently reading When Darkness Falls and hope to finish it soon. I'll start reading Watermind and Wrong Place, Wrong Time tomorrow. Up next the book I'm going to read this weekend are Margin of Error, Low Country and Black Hills.

Medusa

In the 8th installment of Clive Cussler's Kurt Austen NUMA series, Medusa, this action-adventure took us on a new journey with Kurt Austen. This time around, this dealt with a special type of jellyfish called Blue Medusa that saves people's lives. This took Kurt to China and to the Micronesia Islands from the USA, when he discovered about a top secret U.S. government special biomedical research lab, when the jellyfish suddenly disappeared. At the same, off Bermuda, a bathysphere is attacked by an underwater vehicle and left helpless. Now it was up to Kurt to link the two events together to stop a Chinese criminal organization from unleashing a pandemic to the world, when millions of lives were at stake. 

I loved how this action-adventure dealt with the biomedical field to have medical thriller elements. I loved the dual locations of Bermuda and Micronesia Islands for this novel as well. I cared about Kurt and Zavala, when they tackled a crazy maniac, too. I also cared about the whole planet, since everyone was a stack. This would make you take a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief, a couple of times in this novel. This would take you in a fun ride as well from above and below the water. Great suspense, nice dramatic action with plenty of adventure, and lots of intrigue for sure.

Ready to search for Blue Medusa? Come aboard with a copy today!

Scream Real Loud

Final Scream is a fabulous romantic suspense thriller by Lisa Jackson. Final Scream has lots of romance, intrigue, drama, a corrupted family tree with hidden secrets, and lots to make you cringe and cheer. This has all the right ingredients for a good summer read. Or in winter, it'll keep you warm. I love her work.

Death on Demand

This is a new cozy series for me to try out this year, the locked-room variety. It has great suspense for every page and intrigue throughout the novel. It's a light read for any season. It even has a hint of suspense as Annie and Max are a great duo for solving crime, when the secrets comes out at night, and everyone might be a suspect to the end.

P.S. I'm switching novels in my lineup. Swimsuit by James Patterson and When Darkness Falls by James Grippando are next, since they're due next week. I'll be adding the Twitter follow me button soon.

The Cheater

In the third installment of the Lily Forester legal thriller series, The Cheater was a terrific new legal thriller from Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. Lily Forrester returned years later as the judge, who dealt with a new husband, an estranged daughter, and two new cases, when a serial killer made her family a target. To start things off, her new husband called her from a Las Vegas jail cell and was charged with attempted rape.  Meanwhile, FBI Mary Stevens tracked down a serial killer who target cheating husbands. It all lead to a web service who listed cheated husbands, placing Lily and Mary as potential targets for the serial killer. Plenty of twists and turns with a bit of romance and lots of high-paced action. A must read for all NTR fans.

This was an exquisite legal thriller which continued the drama for Lily and her family many years late. I did feel sadness for Lily, when this happened and when her daughter continued to distance herself from her. I love the Las Vegas-California angle as well with the Internet/FBI twist as well. I wished Nancy Taylor Rosenberg continued to write books and more in this series, after My Lost Daughter a few years ago. Maybe she retired from writing. I loved the twists and turns and the edge of suspense to keep you hot in your seats.

Don't cheat on a good read! Pick up a copy today!