2012 book challenges

It's the time of year again to announce my TBR picks for next year and my other book challenges this year. Tomorrow I'll post my January non-challenge books reads.


To Be Read (TBR) top picks:
#1 All the Pretty Girls by JT Ellison
#2 The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose
#3 Taken by Chris Jordan
#4 Monkeewrench by PJ Tracy
#5 Takeover by Lisa Black
#6 Dead Connection by Alafair Burke
#7 Bobby Faye's Very Bad Day by Toni McGee Causey
#8 Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh
#9 One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake
#10 Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
#11 She'll Never Tell by Hunter Morgan
#12 Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews

TBR Alternates
#1 Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott
#2 Heartsick by Chelsea Cain
#3 Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
#4 Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd
#5 A Cutthroat Business by Bente Gallagher
#6 The Pretender by Celeste Bradley
#7 You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister
#8 Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill
#9 Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
#10 Causing Havoc by Lori Foster
#11 Delicious by Susan Mallery
#12 The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly

TBR Lite
#1 Death List by Paul Johnston
#2 One Last Breath by Laura Griffin
#3 Slave to Surrender by Nalini Singh
#4 The Perfect Temptation by Leslie Lafoy
#5 A Man of His Word by Kathleen Fuller
#6 Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie


Beth Fish Reading Challenge
 #1.  "House"--Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton (farm house)
 #2.   "Something in the sky"--Sweet Tea at Sunrise by Sheryl Woods
#3.   "Creepy crawler"--Spider's Web by Margaret Coel
#4.   "Something found in pocketbook"--Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips
#5.  "Topographical feature"--Amber Beach by Elizabeth Lowell
#6.  "Something found on a calender"--5 Days in Summer by Kate Pepper


Mystery Readers Cafe Reading Challenge
#1.   "First" book in series from new to you author: Murder on the Iditarod Trail by Sue Henry
#2     "Food"--Liver Let Die by Liz Lipperman
#3     "Blue Cover"--The Crack in the Lens by Steve Hockensmith
#4      "Gem"--The Attenbury Emeralds by Jill Paton Walsh
#5       "R" last name--The Complaints by Ian Rankin

Extra : Use Last letter in first name for title: "N"--Now May You Weep by Deborah Crombie

Over the Porch Swing Reading Challenge 
#1       "Bird"--Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews
#2       "Yellow Cover"--The Alexander Cipher by Will Adams
#3       "Foreign Locale"--Blood Men by Paul Cleave (New Zealand)
#4       "Weather"--Storm Prey by John Sandford
#5        "Size"--Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover

Extra: Use all letters to spell out names in titles:
             K--A Killer Crop by Sheila Connolly
             R--Ruthless by Anne Stuart
             I--In Plain Sight by CJ Box
             S--Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell
             T--A Templar's Code by C.M. Palov
             E--Eve by Iris Johansen
             N--Nobody's Darling by Teresa Medeiros


Romance Book Club Book Challenge
#1. Medieval--My Lady's Heart by Laura Kinsale
#2. At Sea--Scandalous Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt
#3. Regency--To Pleasure A Lady by Nicole Jordan
#4.  Frontier (American wild west, Canadian or Australian)--When My Heart Calls by Janette Oke (Canadian)
#5. Futuristic--Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle

Deadly Night

Here's my final book review for 2011. Happy new year everyone. This is the first book of the Flynn brothers trilogy. Aidan and his two brothers inherit their old family plantation in New Orleans, post-Katrina, since their aunt died.  When Aidan Flynn, PI, discovered a bone at the home, he began investigating this matter and discovers that it's from one of the missing women in the area. He also meets Kendall Montgomery, a psychic who sees the future and ghosts, and collides with her. Little did they know, things heat up for them, when there's a killer watching them and ghosts from his homestead haunt his home. When he gets closer to the truth, it's up to Aidan and the lonely souls there to stop the murders. A lovely romantic suspense with a hint of a ghost story.

The Screaming Room

If you love a real good thriller, you'll enjoy the 2nd book in the John Driscoll series. In The Screaming Room, someone is targeting tourists in New York City. One by one, they're found in landmarks and found scalped like Indians. Later on, they find out from blood from a broken toenail that they're dealing with identical fraternal twins, Cassie and Angus Claxonn, who are after them for one reason: revenge on the sexual abuse they endured from their dad. And that bridges the connection between all of them, even when Malcolm Shewster's daughter is one of the victims, and is on the scene to go after them. Once they're exposed, they make their threats known to the final end, when they go after someone Driscoll cares about. What a wild ride!

Payment in Blood

If you love good mysteries, you'll enjoy the next one in the Inspector Lynley series. In Payment in Blood, Lynley and Havers were sent to Scotland, when a young playwright was found murdered on a cold winter day. It was up to Lynley and Havers to find out why, when they talked to everyone in the theater company. When someone else got killed, it made them dig further into the background of family secrets, lies, betrayal, and a cold case. For Lynley, he had a hint of jealousy to his lady love, Lady Helen Clyde.  As they got closer to the truth, they closed in further to the suspicions of one or two narrowed suspects, right before someone got assaulted. Now it was a game of whodunit, right until the final end. What a rush!

This was another fascinating Elizabeth George British mystery. I continued to love Scotland Yard and all of the United Kingdom for the settings. I believe Havers and Lynley were an incredible and impeccable crime-solving team. I liked the backdrop of the play, when everyone played a part into this crime in not so many acts.  You could really imagine yourself there, when everything happened at once. Plenty of crime-solving action, lots of drama, and a great mystery that's filled with intrigue and suspense.

Ready for the opening act? Grab a copy for your ticket right now!

The Wild Child

If you love magical historical romances, this is the one for you, the first of a trilogy. In the Wild Child, Lady Meriel Grahame lost her parents in a violent Indian raid when she was little and have come silent or "mad" since then. When Dominic Renbourne agrees to his twin brother's plan to pose as him with his courtship with her, things take a different turn. She listens to him and understands him. She creates henna designs and arranges wild flowers. But her two uncles have a plan for her--one wants her to marry, the other doesn't. She's at a crossroads. But when she encounters Dominic as Kyle, she begins to fall for him and wants him. Later they make love after she begins to speak. Renbourne's magic works on her, when his brother is out in Spain. Later, they fall in love and marry, when there's a danger within her family as she remembers the past and Kyle knows the truth. A magical story.

Ashes to Ashes

If you love fantastic thrillers, you'll enjoy this one from Tami Hoag. In Ashes to Ashes, the first book in the Kovac/Liska series, Kate Conlan was a former FBI Agent and now a victim advocate for court in Minnesota. She had been introduced on a new case, when the only victim who witnessed the Cremator in action.  With two dead prostitutes and one millionaire's daughter who saw it, she talked to Angie DeMarco. John Quinn from the FBI resurfaced into her life after five years, when she was now divorced and lost her daughter to illness. Now she had to battle her emotions from the past and focused on the case before. Later on, the tables were turned, when puzzling new evidence was into play, and the truth of the role of her witness also came into play, when she realized how the killer was on to her and wanted her dead. This would keep you guessing right to the end.

This was a great introductin to Kovac and Liska. I did feel worried about Kate, Angie, and Peter Boudrant's daughter. I became interested, when John came back into Kate's life.  I loved the backdrop of Minnesota for the series. The Cremator gave me the creeps and the chills. This would make you turn you head and shake it in disbelief. Great drama, plenty of creepy and eerie suspense, nice action in a great flowing pace.

Ready for a great read? Enjoy a copy this weekend!

The Book of Fate

If you love a great thriller with a military twist, you'll love this one by Brad Meltzer. Eight years, presidential aide Wes Holloway was a witness to a fatal assassination attempt--Ron Boyle was killed, he was left disfigured. Now, when he discovers Boyle's alive, it sets the secret in motion of the Three, three VIPs in top government officials who were Freemasons back in the hands of time. Now, Wes disfigures how things changed that day, when everything's not who they seem. It's up to Wes and his friends to discover who are the Three or Four, while they're after him along with a psycho killer out there, all seeking out revenge for opening their own Pandora's Box in the Book of Fate. Lots of good twists and turns in fast-paced fun.

Fear No Evil

In  Allison Brennan's Fear No Evil, the last installment of the No Evil trilogy, this story focused on Dillon Kincaid and Lucy Kincaid, his youngest sister. When she had supposed to be graduating from high school, she wasmissing. Later, she ended up on tape, when she met someone online, and then had gotten raped, when there was a deadline to save her before she died by a brutal death. That's when Dillon met Kate Donovan, a rogue FBI agent who was after a man named Trask for the past couple of years, and hoped to bring him down along with his online porn enterprise. But he had a bone to pick and people to exploit online. Plus Dillon was reunited with her long-lost estranged brother, Jack Kincaid. Head to head, they saved Lucy and brought down Task, while Kate fell in love with Dillon and had to pay the price for hiding out in Mexico for a few years. A red hot ending to the trilogy.

This was a phenomenal ending to the No Evil trilogy with a shocking ending. I cared about the Kincaid family, especially Dillon, Lucy and Jack. I loved how Dillon and Kate came together to become the next powerhouse couple in this romantic suspense. I loved the California locations in this novel and the scenic settings to make it pop with vivid colors.  This would take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Great drama and non-stop action with tons of heated romance, suspense and intrigue along the way.


Check this out today!

The Big Over Easy

If you loved the Thursday Next series with classic literature, then you'll enjoy this latest series on nursery rhyme crimes. The Big Over Easy introduces DI Jack Spratt and DS Mary Mary, when they solve the biggest nursery mystery of all: why did Humpty Dumpty die and fell off the wall? Spratt and Mary deal with Humpty's life and discovers some troubling secrets about him, like his two marriages, his drinking problem, and many more. Not only that, they deal with some suspicious characters and Friedland Chymes, who has it in for Jack at the Guild. Fast-paced with a hint of humor and a great mystery, you'll get a great read out of this one.

Mark of a Demon

If you love a good urban fantasy with a twist, you'll enjoy Mark of a Demon, the first book in the Kara Gillian series. Kara Gillian is a loner and a Bealac detective in New Orleans. She's also a demon summoner. When she's assigned on a case to lead a special task force, she jumps at the opportunity and leads the team on the recent murder. She realized the arcane symbols and markings of it, and goes back to old case files of the Symbol Man case. At first, she thought it was pure coincidence and a copycat case. She also had visits from a Demonic Lord who gives her pleasure and answers in her dreams after one accidental summoning. Lately, she put together the past history and the recent cases to find the common links and the Demon Lord's hidden messages to her. In the end, there's a surprising twist I wouldn't dare to give away. It rocked!

Acheron

If you love Greek mythology and paranormal romance, you'll love the 15th installment and long novel, Acheron. This was about Acheron's birth and arrival into the human realm, when he'd been mistreated by his parents, despised by his twin brother, and loved by his older sister. We also founnd out about the cruel treatment he endured in Atlantis and his entanglement with Artemis, a virgin Greek Goddess, who gave birth to his daughter.  After he died, he was reborn as an Atlantean God and how the Dark-Hunters were formed and created by Artemis, and more of his mother's love and sacrifice to keep him safe. In the present day, he met Soteria Kalfiera, a human mortal who took his breath away, how he protected her from danger, and fell in love with her. But when her life was in danger and died, she made an ultimate sacrifice and became a goddess herself to spend the rest of her life with him.  What a great paranormal romance.

For starters, this was a long book to read about Acheron's life from slave to an immortal god.  This was a powerful paranormal romance about a power struggle between two realms, the gods and humans. In a way, I loved the past and present-day Greek culture in the strong novel. I did feel bad on how Acheron "Ash" were mistreated and used as a love slave, endured many tortures, and how he put his life on his line. I loved how he came out swinging as a stronger god, when he met Soteria and protected her as well. I didn't like Styx or his parents either. I liked Soteria and how she made him a better man in a way. This would hold you from the first page to the end with your heart pumping and send your pulse racing.

Ready to hear his story? Grab a copy today!

Blood Junction

If you love great mystery series, the India Kane series is the one for you. India Kane is a journalist from London and now living in Australia. When she went to visit her best friend Lauren, she's arrested for her murder and winds up in jail. Surely she believes it's a mistake and is released, when someone else is in jail, and she discovers what Lauren was investigated that ended up getting her killed. When she investigates it herself, she ends up in deep trouble, while she discovers what happened to her family and the story behind her family tree. Plenty of twists and turns with a heinous twist.

Lost Empire

If you love fast-paced action adventure novels, this one's for you. In the second installment of the Fargo series by Clive Cussler, The Lost Empire, Remi and Sam Fargo dive for treasures off Madagascar and Tanzania in Africa, when they came close to danger from a secret Aztec military army, who wanted something to not be exposed and not revealed. When they get closer, the more in danger they were  in and tried to be stopped by the Aztecs. Every step of the way, they did dig deeper into the history between the bell clipper from a lost ship, and the hidden meaning behind the symbolism. This would keep you up and off your seats for a fast read.

This was another fantastic action-adventure novel above and below the surface of the water. I love the marine theme and another NUMA series. I loved the central locations of Africa and the Aztecs for this series as well. I believe the Fargo couple make a formidable and excellent team. I did care about them, when they breached the rim of the mystery. This made for a great read, when you want to go on an adventure of your own.  Great drama, intense action for an explorable adventure, and plenty of suspense on every page.

Ready to search for a lost empire? Come on and pick up a copy today!

Whale Song

If you love a good heart-warming story, you'll enjoy this story about Sarah Richardson's life. Eleven-year-old Sarah moves to Bamfield, Canada from Wyoming, when her dad gets a new job as a marine biologist. When she moves there, she encounters a harrowing life--she's bullied, since she's new and "white" in an Indian-dominant town, she has a crush on Adam friend, and she experiences her mom's illness of PPH, all in part one. In part two, her mom passed away, and her dad's charged with her murder, when she doesn't remember what happened that fateful day. When her dad goes to prison, she moves and lives with her Italian grandparents to Vancouver, and at eighteen, she lives alone and starts a new life. In part three, she has an estranged relationship with her father between the visits and years go by, as she tries to remember what happened, when she's an adult. In the end, she reunites with Goldie, her best friend, Adam her crush and new love, and her dad, when she remembers what happened and moves on. Also, it's so informative on marine life and whales, that's so touching and perfect for the story of forgiveness, love, loss and life. Bring your tissues!

Love Lessons

If you love daring and sexy historical romances, you'll love this one by Cheryl Holt. Abigail Weston needs help on a special assignment and recruits James Stevens to help her out with it: teach her how to make love, so she can tell her younger sister. He agrees. Little they did know, their love lessons gets heated, when they're both from two worlds and not compatible. When after a few sessions, they make love and take it further. Their classes clash, when a rival finds out about them and causes a scandal that sends shockwaves through England. In the end, they get back together and reach out on loving each other forever. What a heated story!

Button Holed

If you love good cozies, you'll enjoy this new series by a new author. In Kylie Logan's Button-Holed, the first book in the Button Box series, Josie Giancola lived in Chicago and owned a button store. She collected them, mended them and sold them.  But when actress Kate Franciscus came to her store for a button for her wedding gown, things turned up the heat. First her store was ransacked before Kate's visit, then she was murdered in Josie's store. And it was up for Josie to find out who wanted her dead and who killed her. But as she got closer and teamed up with her ex Kaz, someone had it in for Josie to find out. And she went back to North Carolina to pick up the missing pieces of this deadly puzzle. A good read.

This was an interesting and quirky new cozy series to try. The subject of a button shop was quite amusing, since it's a collectible commodity. The backdrop of Chicago was priceless for the storyline. I enjoy Josie's interest in a button shop. Kate was an interesting character as well. For Kaz, he kinda grew on you. Great storyline and nice amount of tension for this quick read.

Check out this fantastic book today!

At the scent of water

If you love inspirational romances, this story might be for you. Annie and Sam Truelove have lead separate lives for five years, when they lost their daughter and tragedy happens to one of his patients, while he was grieving. Annie's on the verge of moving and filing for divorce, when her family calls her back home, when there's a debate about Kelly Bright. Meanwhile, Mary Truelove, Sam's mom, reunites with her ex-fiance Elijah Walker, and rekindles their old romance, while he brought faith and hope into the Dalton-Truelove clan. in the end, they get back together and forgive each other for what happened. A powerful message about hope, faith and believe in God and love.

Confession

If you love gripping legal thrillers, this is the one for you. In Confession, Travis Boyette, a dying man comes into a Kansas church and confesses that he killed a girl, eight years ago, when an innocent man is on Death Row, set to be executed by lethal injection in Texas. Keith Schroeder and Boyette travel to Texas to stop the execution, while Donte Drumm's lawyers tries everything to save his life. On the Day of the execution, Robbie Flak goes all out and asks for a stay, esp. when Boyette is taped to confess the murder and where he hid the body in Missouri. Everyone was skeptic and shocked, when they believe they got the right guy. After his execution, he's exonerated post-humorous, while Boyette is on the run and later caught. I can't tell you what happens in between. It's a great page-turner.

A Thrilll of Victory

If you love classic romances, you'll love this classic early contemporary romance. In Sandra Brown's A Thrill of Victory, Stevie Corbett was a famous tennis player who collapsed during a match. Judd Mackie was the journalist who was scooping her story. They had a love/hate relationship  as they became friends, when she revealed the secret about her ovarian cancer and the worries about her losing her dreams of having a baby. During the two weeks, they got to know each other better. They fall in love, while decisions were made, and Judd wrote a novel, while taking a break from the newspaper. They revealed things about each other. In the end, they do get a happy ending.

This was a beautiful easy read for one setting if you love good romances. I cared about Stevie and Judd so much. I cried throughout the entire novel, when I felt compassionate towards Stevie's ordeal and how Judd took care of her. The title said it all in the end. I love the tennis theme to the Texas location and setting for this story. Great romance, good non-stop action with tender romance and lots of love with hints of intrigue to the end.

Do you want a thrill of victory? Pick up a copy today!

Mum's the Word

If you like cozies, you'll enjoy the Flower Shop cozy series by Kate Collins. In Mum's the Word, Abby Knight runs a flower shop and a former law student. She's just trying to start a new business, when she witnesses a hit-and-run, and later meets Marco Salvare, a sexy Italian ex-cop. They butt heads. Later on, she gets involved with Pearl Harding, who wants to divorce her husband and seek financial support for her disabled son. Not only that, she has many run-ins with the cops who's after her, giving her a hard time, when she meets the Vertucci's. When a dead body turns up, she investigates and realizes that the two cases are involved with one other, which puts her into trouble. A quick read!

Hangman

If you love great serial mysteries, you'll enjoy the next installment in the Decker/Lazarus storyline. In Hangman, Decker was reunited with Terry McLaughlin and Chris Whitman, a case from fifteen years ago in the book Justice, with their grown up 15-year-old son Gabriel. First it was a domestic violence dispute, then she disappeared. That left Gabe homeless, since his dad disappeared, too, when Decker took him in. As he approached sixty and grandfatherhood, he was on a case of Adrianna Blanc, who had been found hanging by a rope. On the case, they talked to her family and friends, and tried to figure out what went wrong at work. As they get closer, another dead body turned up, while they searched for cold cases and a trail to Las Vegas.  The pieces fall into place, when another victim was found burned alive and another man had disappeared on the scene. A great mystery.

This mystery was one of the finest in the Lazarus/Decker series.  I did love how this continued from Justice to her and later to Gun Games. I loved how Lazarus and Decker worked together to tackle those cases. That family had a lot on their hands with impending grandfatherhood for Decker and Lazarus with his oldest daughter Cindy. I did feel sorry for Gabe, who had a criminal father and a mother who took off to India. I didn't like how Adrianna was hanged by a noose to indicate suicide. I loved how Decker and Lazarus took him under their wings as foster parents and guardians. I loved the California backdrop as well. Great drama with a helluva tough storyline and tons of suspense.

Ready to catch a hangman? Obtain a copy today!

Stop Me

Last year, I read Trust Me by Brenda Novak. This year, I've read Stop Me, the second book in the Last Stand series. In this series, Jasmine Stratford is looking for her younger sister, Kimberly, who vanished 16 years ago. When she receives a mysterious package on her sister's disappearance. She goes to New Orleans to search for Romain Fornier, a widower who lost his daughter Adele from a kidnapping and was later found dead. At the beginning, they couldn't stand one another. Later, they fall in love and find the truth on both disappearances, when they're into deep into an illegal adoption ring, and the people they trust isn't who or what they seem. Great romance set in the bayou.

The Last Unicorn

If you love beautiful fantasy novels, this is the one for you. A classic that's to be cherished for everyone in all ages. This story has a lovely lyrical narrative of the last unicorn on earth. She's on the quest to find the rest of her species. She teams up with Schmenderick the Magician and Molly Grue, when there's dangers every way from Mother Fortuna's Midnight Carnival to Hagsgate. When she faces the Red Bull, she turns to Lady Amaltea, who tries not to fall in love with Prince Lir, and in the end, she chooses to say goodbye and reunite with her family. In 1982, it was made into an animated movie. This is beautiful and moving.

A Heartbeat Away

If you love medical thrillers and political thrillers, this is the book for you. In Michael Palmer's A Heartbeat Away, when a terrorist group called Genesis unleashed a rapid virus known as WRX3883 into the White House, it had caused panic and pandemonium. Everyone panicked where there was law and disorder. It was now up to the President, James Allaire, to do what he had to do to prevent exposure from spreading outside the White House. He called Griffin Rhodes, a scientist who'd been wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn't commit, for his help on making a cure, while his nemesis, Speaker of the House, Ursula Ellis plotted to use it to her advantage to become the president. What a rush!

This was another fantastic medical thriller with political elements. I did care about the people in the White House, especially the President. I didn't really like Ursula Ellis, who was a bit greedy, too. I also loved Griffin Rhodes who redeemed himself. I cared about him, too. I loved the central Washington D.C. location, including the White House. This made me feel numb and my hairs raise on my body with an exhausting adrenalin rush. Fantastic drama, plenty of good action and intrigue, and a wild ride for an adventure too.

Ready to feel your heartbeat away? Grab a copy of this book today!

Assasin's Honor

If you love read hot paranormal romances, you'll enjoy Assassin's Honor, the first book in the Sicari Order series. Emma Zale is an archeologist and looking for the Tyet of Isis in Egypt. When her colleague is murdered, it throws suspicion over to her. Back home in Chicago after being released, she encounters Ares DeLuca, a member of the Sicari, who's after the same thing. Their world collides, when her life is in danger, and she needs protection. Needless to say, they're both attracted to each other, as the haunting memories of her parents' death continue to plague her. She doesn't trust him. But when she interferes in Sicari business, they're bonded by blood with certain ramifications. After she saved his life, they make love and things change as things get intense. Together, they discover they belong together and search for the Tyet of Iris in Rome. Hot hot hot!

Glory in Death

If you love futuristic thrillers, you'll enjoy the second installment in the In Death series, Glory in Death. Someone killed prominent DA Ciciely Towers by slicing her throat and steeling her shoe. It was now up to Eve Dallas and the police department to find out who. While Eve tried to figure out her relationship with Roarke, she dug a bit of info into DA Towers's background and talked to her family. When they think they have figured it out, an actress named Yvonne Metcalf was killed the same way, her umbrella stolen. So they dug into her background to link a connection between the two murders. One step out of the way, they thought they had the right guy. The Towers family fell apart due to accusations and blamed Eve and the NYPSD. A third female was killed, perhaps the wrong one by mistake, and once they figured it out some more, they've gotten the right guy under their nose. What a good read!

This was another fascinating futuristic thriller.  I loved how the future might look in twenty years or so with an advancement of modern and high technology like the 'links they use to communicate, and how they go from place to place. I was continued to be amused on Eve and her relationship with Roarke, and how she operated under pressure from the peers. I did feel bad for the Towers family, while I wished they laid off on Eve a tiny bit. I didn't like the gruesomeness of the details on the murders. Great chemistry between Eve and Roarke, excellent storyline concept, and a driven force on the tension, drama and action to a surprising end.

Ready to find your glory? Buy a copy today!

The Dark of Day

If you love twisted suspense novels, this is the one for you by the late Barbara Parker. C.J. (Charlotte  Josephine) Dunn is a lawyer in Florida, when she finishes one high profile celebrity case. At a party, one girl goes missing. And everyone at the party is a suspect, including the people who hired her. There's a stunning attraction to Rick Slater, who's her client, while she has a steamy relationship with Billy Medina. When she ends up dead, things gets heated up and things got bad, when she suspects the truth to come one from the least suspected person, and the truth of her past comes out from hiding. Plenty of twists and twists till the end.

Hunt Her Down

If you love red hot romantic suspense, you'll enjoy this next installment of the Bullet Catchers. Maggie Varcek Smith was once the girlfriend of an drug dealer and a lover of an undercover Narc agent, Michael Scott, carrying a secret with her--his baby. Fourteen years later, Dan Gallagher arrives in Marathon Florida, when word of the drug dealer she helped put away is released. When Dan falls in love with Maggie again, he can't stay away from her, and finds out about Quinn, who might be in danger, and fireworks explode. When they clear the air, they clear the air and helped protect each other, while fighting for their undying love. What a great novel!

Land of the Living

If you love great psychological thrillers, you'll enjoy Land of the Living from Nicci French. Abbie Deveraux had been kidnapped for two weeks by a mad man, who was also tired and held hostage in a cold place. When she escaped, it was a cry for help, when she lost two weeks of the time. She didn't remember what happened before it, when no one believed her story, and thought she was delusional. Now she was picking up the pieces of her life, when she discovered the news about new boyfriend and then a missing flatmate. And it was up to her to find out the answers, before he went after her again. What a great psychological suspense.

This was a gripping psychological thriller that would leave you at the edge of your seat. I did love the central London location throughout the novel. I did feel real bad for Abbie, when she had escaped from this terrible ordeal and no one believed her. But she was a tough and strong determined young woman to prove then wrong. This would leave you speechless and shaking all over in the end. Great drama, plenty of intense suspense and action, and a great mini mystery all the way through to the end.

Come on and give this thriller a try tonight!

Killer Instinct

If you love action-packed thrillers, you'll enjoy Killer Instinct. Jason Steadman is an employee at Entronics, who wants to move up the ladder of success. He and his wife Kate are trying to have a baby too. Things aren't too good for him, until he met Kurt Semko, a former Special Forces vet, who helped him out with his car. From there, things get better. He recruited Kurt to the softball team and gets him a job in Security at the same building. From there, things get crazy, when he's up for competition for VP against two people, when their luck fail on landing a client, and he gets better. Of course, Kurt "helped"  him along the way. But when things get dicey, when Kurt tells him about trade secrets and corporate espionage, one employee found dead, and Jason's get  better. Kate's pregnant. From there, suspicions are thrown his way, when his boss gets drunk, and he gets promoted, and it escalates from there and gets worse, when he finds out who's really behind it all, when his life is endangered. What a shocking twist!

A Hunger Like No Other

If you want to try a new paranormal romance, you'll enjoy A Hunger Like No Other. Emma is half-Vampire, half-Valkyre, looking for the identity of her birth father. When she meets Lachlain, King of the Lykae, there's two of an unusual kind. At first, they have a love-hate relationship. Lachlain wants her to be her mate, while he didn't know who she really is, while he suffered being tortured for centuries and loss his leg. Now, they realize with threats from other demon vampires and other kind, they were mated for each other and would overcome any difficulties.  This is an unique but great paranormal romance.

A Poisoned Season

If you love a good suspense and historical romance, you'll enjoy the second book in the Lady Emily series. In a Poisoned Season, Emily's mourning period was over, and things were going well with Colin. They were so in love and talked of marriage. Meanwhile, there was talks about the thefts of Marie Antoinette's jewelry and a new heir to the crown of Louis XVI. Emily had a mysterious secret admirer. When she investigated the theft and an innocent woman became accused of murder, she realized the connection of the poison and the spy in her household. Threats had been made on Emily's life to stop investigation, along with vicious gossip. When she realized who it was, she found out the truth with her life in the line, and was wary of the people she trusted. A great series.

This was another fantastic historical suspense novel. It had everything you could wish for and so much more in this storyline. I continued to care for Emily and her love affair with Colin, a perfect match in my opinion. I loved the Marie Antoinette-Louis XVI angle as well. It added an air of mystique and drama to it. I also love the dual locations of England and France as well to set the scene. Well-researched and well-written, this would suck you right into that time period and take you for a wild ride. Great drama, nice hint of historical romance, and plenty of action.

Please give this book a good look today!

A Necessary Evil

If you love bone-chilling thrillers, you'll love the Maggie O'Dell series by Alex Kava. In A Necessary Evil, the first book in the Maggie O'Dell series,  Maggie investigated a serial killer case, when she found the heads and couldn't find the bodies. While this happened, someone threatened Dr. Gwen Patterson. When Maggie was called to go to Nebraska, she reunited with her old flame and on the serial killer case of someone beheading priests and killing them. They believed it had something to do with an online game for abused altar boys to vent out their anger. One by one, a dead beheaded priest was found in different states. As she investigated this case, Gwen's life was in danger, and a lurker wasn't far behind. It had a shocking end I can't give away! You'll have to read it.

This is a great thriller debut with an exciting new heroine to root for. To place the setting in rustic Lincoln Nebraska gave it an urban feel.  We do get to learn a bit more about Maggie's background and watch her interact with others. Between Nick and Maggie, we can feel the chemistry they had in the past and could be still there. She made for an intriguing new character. The plotline of the execution of Catholic priests was a bit hard-hitting and still exists today with their abuse of religious power on vulnerable young children to prey on. This one left you with chills and a cold sweat.

Ready to get chilled? Pick up a copy today!

Full Pursuit

If you love juicy romantic suspense with lots of adventure, you'll enjoy Jasmine Cresswell's Full Pursuit, the second in the Unit One trilogy series, when Melody and Nick's relationship are tested to the limit. Melody's sent to infiltrate the Soldiers of Jordan in White Falls, Idaho, a cult that lives in a 1950s neighborhood, when they're for extreme terrorism against Muslim behind their facade. Melody realizes it's harder than she thought, when it might be compromised with Dave Ramsdell's escape from Leavenworth for treason. Nick has to find out answers from the senator's wife, when they realize they're meant for each other. Melody finds out the truth on her biological father too. What a great read!

The Spice Box

If you love culinary cozies  and historical mysteries, you'll love the Spice Box series by Lou Jane Temple. Twenty-year-old Bridget Heaney, poor and Irish in 1860s New York, have landed a job in the Gold mansion as a cook. From there, she discovered the dead body of their missing son. She and her boss decide to investigate the murder, while she looks for her long-lost younger sister Maggie. Every step of the way, there's lurking dangers and untrustworthy people right under from their nose. When she uncovers the truth, Bridget's life is at stake, before she reunites with her sister. A delightful mystery with yummy recipes.

Mutation

If you love medical thrillers with a twist of science and a hint of horror, you'll enjoy Robin Cook's Mutation. When Dr. Victor Frank created his second son VJ by surrogate, he added an extra element to the implantation: an animal gene to make him smarter and brighter. But things weren't cracked up to be for his ten-year-old son. He might be bright, but he was also anti-social and a bit violent. Things started up by him poisoning other people and developing his own mad science for biotechnology. When things escalated, it was now up to Victor to save his wife and may save himself with a drastic end--it had a shocking surprise ending.

This medical thriller sent chills and thrills down my spine. It gave me goosebumps, too. I cared about Victor and his wife and his  firstborn son, and knew something was off with VJ.  I loved the Boston area for the location and the settings, especially in the laboratory. This did have a touch of horror inside this medical thriller, too. This made me blink a few times as well. Good drama, great foreshadowing suspense and intrigue with non-stop action to the end.


Will you discover the mutation in the cells? If so, give this a go tonight!

Kiss of Crimson

 If you love juicy paranormal series, you'll enjoy the second book in the Breed series, Kiss of Crimson. Dante is haunted by visions of his death. When he's injured in a fight, he's rescued by Dr. Tess Culver, a vet with a healing touch. By one instance, she saved his life as he erased her memory. Later, they meet and slowly fall in love, not knowing he's a vampire. But there's other dangers out there, when they're still in the middle of a war with the Rogues. When Sterling Chase from the Darkhavens approaches them, they're up for a mission to stop the Crimson drugs affecting the youth and turning the Breeds. One, he later finds out is his nephew, Camden, while being torn for his feeling for his sister-in-law, Elise. Back to Dante, he's up against his rival, Ben Sullivan, who's the drug dealer, when the bitter truth of who he is comes to light, when it puts everyone in danger, and brings Tess and Dante together. What a great series!

Still Life

If you love good mysteries, you'll enjoy the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny.  In the first installment, Still Life, it was set in Canada. In the debut mystery, Jane Neal was found dead in Three Pines, a tiny village, which causes a bit of upset. It was up to Gamache and his police force to find out about her life and past, her friends and family, and who wanted to harm her and others, when a cast of suspicion was thrown to one person to another. Secrets and lies were exposed. In the end, they really get up and close to find out who've done it and why. A great debut!

This was a terrific read. I loved the small town community of Three Pines, Quebec, Canada. It was some remote and quiet for a crime scene. I loved getting to know everyone in Three Pines. I found Armand Gamache an interesting and robust chief inspector. His police team were quite interesting and amusing as well. I didn't like the way Jane died though. This was an enjoyable mystery, too. Great drama, nice action and suspense, and plenty of intrigue for a good read.

Ready to enjoy Still Life? Pick up a copy today!

Boneyard

If you love explosive thrillers, you'll love the second installment in the Kelly Jones Thriller series by Michelle Gagnon, Boneyard. In this novel, Kelly Jones was assigned to a disturbing case of bones found at a local national park in Massachusetttes, right before she left for her overdue vacation,  when they uncovered a boneyard of dead bodies. What they didn't know was the killer was someone they might know in the distance, someone who didnn't like male gay hustlers. It hit close to home for Kelly's task force, especially when dead bodies were found in New York and also in Massachusetts. What was worse was there was a copycat out there, who had revenge for his own. When her boyfriend Jake Riley popped up, he helped out in the case, and had a proposal for Kelly of his own,  before it might be too late for Kelly and her task force. What a thrill ride!

This thriller focused on the hard-hitting topic of a hate crime against gay men. I loved how Jake and Kelly teamed up in this tough case, when someone had literally a bone or two to pick with them, one of their own. This also sent me chills and thrills down my spine as well. I didn't like how the killer targeted gay men with a possible copycat to finish what he started. We could see the sparks flying between Kelly and Jake as they got closer and closer. Once again, don't read this thriller in the dark.

Ready to read a night with a nightlight? Give this thriller a try tonight!

Gone

This is another great Alex Delaware mystery by Jonathan Kellerman. In Gone,  when two drama students turned up missing, it ended up as a hoax. When they later do turn up missing, it was up to Alex and the police to pick up the pieces of their lives, with an eclectic cast of characters, including the Dowds. When other cold cases turned up with missing people, they wondered if it was connected to the same crime or not. Not only that, Alex's relationship with Robin got closer, when they wound up hurt by a disgruntled psychologist.  In the end, they uncovered a shocking discovery of where the missing went, and why. This would keep you really guessing to the end.

This was another excellent Alex Delaware mystery. This storyline was captivating and compelling at the same time. This would make you gasp and sigh at every twisted turn. I liked how Alex worked with Milo and had gotten closer to Robin. The Dowds were a bit creepy and suspicious in my opinion. I hated it, when they tried to target Alex's dog. I loved the California backdrop and how it played out everywhere. Great drama, tons of suspense, and a gripping storyline to keep you up all night.

Please give this book a try!

Without Mercy

If you love bone-chilling romantic suspense, you'll love Without Mercy by Lisa Jackson. Julia Farrentino has recurring troubling nightmare's of her father's death. When her troubled half-sister Shaylee is sent to Blue Rock Academy in Oregon, Julia is worried about it being the wrong move for her. When her sister calls her, Jules decided to go undercover as a teacher and help bail Shaylee out. She also runs into Cooper Trent, her former boyfriend, who still make her blood boil and ease her mind. Together, they undercover the mystery of three murdered students and a possible cult at Blue Rock. As they get closer to the truth, Cooper and Julia get together, as danger looms for them. In the end, there's a shocking twist I don't want to give away! You'll love it!

Blood Orange

If you love drama in good woman's fiction, you'll enjoy Blood Orange. Dana Cabot is a mother of Bailey, her daughter with Special Needs, and David, who's working on a murder case. She's also working on her thesis and works at a book store. But things take a twisted turn, when Bailey is kidnapped, and threats have been made on the Cabot family. With the local church and community for support, she holds on. When Bailey returns, things pick up the pieces, when her marriage is threatened by outside people, plus having Frank Filmore's leaving in their garage, and strained family ties. Her marriage falls apart, when the truth comes out, and tries to put it together again for the future. Lots of surprises for this one.

My read author list, part 1: A-K

Here's a list of authors I've read throughout the years, from A-K. Each genre/subgenre has a code in parenthesis, after the first time I've mention it. Please let me know your thoughts on who you've read or who you haven't read. If you have suggestions for next year, let me know. I'll be starting my TBR list in October/November.  I'll be posting L-Z later on this month.

 I'll be adding new authors at the end of every month in this same blog post. New: Every new author will be underlined for one month, every time I update my list.

A

Will Adams-Thrillers (T)
Lara Adrian-Paranormal Romance (PNR)
Susan Wittig Albert-Mystery/Historical Mystery (M/HM)
Louisa May Alcott-Classics (CL)
Tasha Alexander-Historical Suspense (HS)
Victoria Alexander-Historical Romance (HR)
Donna Anders-Thrillers T
Jessica Andersen-PNR
Catherine Anderson-Romance/HR (R/HR)
Donna Andrews-M
Toni Andrews-PNR
Mary Kay Andrews-WF
Kelley Armstrong-PNR
Keri Arthur-PNR
Lori Avocato-Cozy (C)

B

Will Baer-M                                                       
Nevada Barr-M/T                                                                     
Stephanie Barron-HM
Beverly Barton-RS                                       
Cynthia Baxter-C                                                 
MC Beaton-C
Elizabeth Becka-T
Jennie Bentley-C
Laurien Berenson-C
Elizabeth Berg-Woman's Fiction Woman's Fiction
Maeve Binchy-R
Claudia Bishop-C
Lisa Black-T
Juliet Blackwell-PC (Paranormal Cozy)
Jennifer Blake-HR/R
Toni Blake-R
Miranda Bliss-C
Lawrence Block-M
Judy Blume-Other (Young Adult)
Chris Bohjalian-Other (Fiction)
Maya Bohnhoff-Other (Sci Fiction)
CJ Box-T
Barbara Taylor Bradford-R/HR
Celeste Bradley-HR
Jacklyn Brady-C
Joan Brady-T
Rachel Brady-M
Kylie Brant-Romantic Suspense (RS)
Gary Braver-Medical Thriller (MT)
Allison Brennan-RS
Suzanne Brockmann-R/RS
Charlotte Bronte-CL
Emily Bronte-CL
Sandra Brown-HR/RS/T
Edna Buchanon-M   
MM Buckner-Eco-thriller (ET)
Alafair Burke-M
James Lee Burke-Historical Fiction (HF)
Monica Burns-PNR
Varda Burstyn-ET

C

Chelsea Cain-T
Rachel Caine-UF (Urban Fantasy)
Stella Cameron-RS/R/PNR
Drusilla Campbell-WF
Rebecca Cantrell-HM
Joanna Carl-C
Robyn Carr-R
Sammi Carter-C
P.C. Cast-YA PNR
Jayne Castle-PNR/HR
Toni McGee Causey-M
Karen Chance-PNR
Sean Chercover-T
Rick Chesler-T
Lee Child-T
Laura Childs-C
Carol Higgins Clark-C
Mary Higgins Clark-M
Mary Jane Clark-T
Paul Cleave-T
Jane Cleland-C
Harlan Coben-M
Margaret Coel-M
Nancy Cohen-C
Kresley Cole-PNR
Kate Collins-C
Max Allan Collins-T/CSI and Criminal Minds Fan Fic
Jessica Conant-Park-C
Susan Conant-M
Michael Connelly-M
Sheila Connolly-C
Robin Cook-MT
Patricia Cornwell-M
Catherine Coulter-T
Cleo Coyle-C
Robert Crais-M
Jasmine Cresswell-RS
Michael Crichton-T
Deborah Crombie-M
Justin Cronin-SF/T
Jennifer Crusie-WF
Clive Cussler-Action Adventure (AA)

D

Mary Daheim-C
Jordan Dane-T
Cindy Daniel-C
Casey Daniels-Paranormal Cozy (PNC)
Evelyn David-M
Diane Mott Davidson-C
Mary Janice Davidson-PNR
Alyssa Day-PNR
Barbara Delinsky-WF
Jeffrey Deaver-T
Nelson DeMille-T
Anna DeStefano-PNR
Karen Dionne-ET
Christina Dodd-PNR/HR/RS
Deborah Donnelly-C
Pamela Duncan-WF

E
Peggy Ehrhart-C                        
Barry  Eisler-T     
JT Ellison-T  
Jennifer Estep-YAUF/UFPNR (Young Adult and Adult Urban Fantasy, Adult Paranormal romance)    Janet Evanovich-C
Mary Anna Evans-C
Nicholas Evans-ET

F

Linda Fairstein-Legal Thriller (LT)
Jerrilyn Farmer-C
Christine Feehan-PNR
Jasper Fforde-Magical Realism (MR)
Joseph Finder-T
Janet Fitch-WF
Elaine Flinn-C
Joanne Fluke-C
Gillian Flynn-T
Vince Flynn-Military Thriller (MT)
Ken Follett-HF/HR/T
Lori Foster-R
Kathryn Fox-T
Dorothea Benton Frank-WF
Margaret Fraser-HM
Barbara Freethy-RS
Nicci French-Psychological Thriller (PT)
Kathleen Fuller-H/IR
Kate Furnivall-HR

G

Leighton Gage-M
Michelle Gagnon-T
Bente Gallagher-C
Julie Garwood-RS/HR
Lisa Gardner-T
Anne George-C
Elizabeth George-M
Cindy Gerard-RS
Tess Gerritsen-MT
Tod Goldberg-T
Chris Grabenstein-M
Sue Grafton-M
Erin Grady-R/PNR
Heather Graham-PNR/RS
Laura Griffin-RS
Martha Grimes-M
James Grippando-LT
John Grisham-LT/F
Andrew Gross-T
Beth Groundwater-C
Amy Gutman-T

H
Shannon Hale-R                                                   
James Hall-T                                 
Steve Hamilton-M                      
Karen Harper-RS                        
Charlaine Harris-C/PNR 
Rosemary Harris-C
Kim Harrison-Urban Fantasy (UF)     
Jon Hassler-M                             
Carolyn Hart-C                          
Bonnie Hearn Hill-T                  
Lynn Heitman-Aviation Thriller (AT)
David Hewson-M/T
Carl Hiassen-M
Vicki Hinze-RS
Tami Hoag-RS/T
Steve Hockensmith-HM
Frank Turner Hollon-M
Cheryl Holt-HR
Kay Hooper-T
Elizabeth Hoyt-HR
Linda Howard-RS
Mary Ellen Hughes-C
Greg Hurwitz-T  
Elisabeth Hyde-M
Julie Hyzy-C

I

Greg Iles-T
Ian Irvine-Fantasy (Ft)
Susan Isaacs-R/WF
Roberta Isleib-C

J

Jeremy Jackson—T/F
Lisa Jackson-RS
Eloisa James-HR
PD James—M
JA Jance—M
Sabrina Jeffries—HR
Iris Johansen—HR/T
Linda O. Johnston-C
Paul Johnston-T
Chris Jordan-T
Nicole Jordan-HR
Brenda Joyce-PNR/RS

K

Andrea Kane—RS
Alex Kava-T
NM Kelby—M
Faye Kellerman—M
Jonathan Kellerman—M
Lee Charles Kelley—C
Douglas Kennedy—T
Sherillyn Kenyon—PNR
Sue Monk Kidd—WF/HF
Diana Killian—C
Barbara Kingsolver—R/WF
Laura Kinsale-HR
Sophie Kinsella—Chick Lit  (CL)
Lisa Kleypas—HR
Jane Kirkpatrick—Inspirational Romance/HR (IR)
Deidre Knight—PNR
JA Konrath—M
Dean Koontz—T/Horror (Ho)

The ARK

If you love action-packed thrillers, you'll enjoy the debut thriller from Boyd Morrison. Dr. Dilara Kenner is an archeologist who's looking for her missing father. When her father's friend is killed and previous attempts are made on her life, she goes to see Dr. Tyler Locke, an engineer at Gordian Engineering, and tells him about Noah's Ark, her father's discovery. The two of them are finding shocking answers to suspicious hidden targets, like a mysterious plane crash to an attempt on a cruise ship. And they're up against Sebastian Ulric, the leader of the Church of the Holy Waters, who wants to annihilate the human race and start a New World of his own people. It's up to Dilara and Tyler to stop him, before time's running out, when the prion disease is released to the world. What a wild ride!

Challenge to Honor

If you love great historical romances with intrigue and suspense, you'll enjoy the Masters of Arms series. In this one, Celina Vallier is engaged to an evil Spanish count. It's her only one out, when she goes to Rio De Silva, the Silver Shadow and master fencer, to help her out with the situation. They team up and slowly fall in love. But someone's out to get them, when someone wants him out of the way, and burns down his salon, when her brother Denys goes missing. With a mixed array of emotions and confusion, Celina faces her anguish at Rio, who  probably wanted her brother harmed; but when he revealed the truth, all bets are off, when she realizes who he is, and she knows with her heart, he's the one that she wants. What a great story!

Indigo Slam

In Robert Crais's Indigo Slam, the 7th book in the Elvis Cole Mystery series,  PI Elvis Cole was assigned on the case by 14-year Teri Haines (Hewitt), who needed help finding her missing dad. But it wasn't an easy case for Elvis. With the Russian mob after him, and the US Marshals who want to protect him, it did get difficult.  Add some nasty Viets to the clan, things got hectic as Clark Hewitt pulled two disappearance acts, when Elvis found the truth from the red herrings as Elvis discovered he's dying from cancer, and wanted to provide for his kids. It was a twisted chase of good and evil for a good read.

This was a wonderful Elvis Cole mystery. My heart ached for Teri and for her father Clark. The Witness Protection Program storyline plot was just terrific for it. I loved how Joe Pike continued to help Elvis get out of tough and sticky situations as always. I loved the California backdrop for this series as well. I did feel shocked, when there was a corrupt US Marshal. There was a bunch of good plot twists and turns, plenty of drama and a hint of intrigue to keep you guessing what happened next.

Don't disappear! Pick up a copy today!

Dragon

If you love a good action-adventure novel, you'll enjoy the Dirk Pitt series by Clive Cussler.  In the 10th installment, Dragon, it took place in the 1990s. When a ship was in trouble, it disrupted NUMA's mission at Soggy Acres underground. But  things always weren't what they seem, when they've been recruited to join a MAIT team. Once briefed, they learned about a new evil empire in Japan who used robots for employees, and planned a devious plan to take over Europe, the Western Bloc countries, and USA. Once they discovered what they're up to, it was now up to Pitt and NUMA to bring them down, when they were a lot of betrayal and angst from World War Two. When the  Japanese hatched a plan to destroy it by blackmail by nuclear bombs,  it was now up to Dirk Pitt and NUMA to save the world against evil Japanese politicians who wanted to rule it, and stop it from happening. What a rush!

This was a fantastic classic and early Dirk Pitt NUMA action-adventure. This would thrill you, enthrall you, and excite you like no other. I loved the marine theme with NUMA from Virginia and down to Europe. This would feel like you're on the same adventurous journey with them, especially when you were reeled in from the first page. I cared about Dirk and the NUMA team, when they fought against the nasty Japanese. Good drama, excellent adventure with plenty of high-paced action, and plenty of suspense, too.

Ready to chase a dragon? Get started with a copy now!

The Jewel of St. Petersburg

If you love beautiful historical romances, you'll love this one set in Russia in 1911. This is the time the Russian revolution strikes the country, when the poor strike again the rich. Valentina Ivanov is the finance minister's eldest daughter. When her younger sister Katya is crippled in a horse accident, she wants to be a nurse, while taking care of her. Nonetheless, she plays the piano well and falls in love with Jens Friis, a Danish printer, who bewitches her. When she's set up in an arranged marriage, she doesn't like it one bit, when jealous strikes the couple, and a spy plots against the family. Not only that, there's cholera in the air. When Valentina gets married to Jens, he gives her father something he needs to make it work. Years past, it's World War One, when the Friis family is on the run from a new rule to China. But it's not easy, when a rival reveals himself and makes an even plot against them. What a delightful story, which continues with the Russian Concubine.

Dirt

If you love a great thriller, you'll love the Stone Barrington series. In the second installment, Stone Barrington is assigned the case for Amanda Dart. Someone's been spying on them and spreading rumors by fax. It's up to Stone to find out who, while wining and dining some interesting women along the way. When it gets too close to comfort, a cop's get killed, Stone gets injured twice, and they're on the run. When Amanda finds out the source of the rumor, it's up to her to squash it, while someone's after her for good. Keep your  friends close and your friends closer, and be careful on who you trust in this novel. Lots of twists and turns in this one.

A Trace of Smoke

If you love historical fiction and mysteries, you'll love Rebecca Cantrell's A Trace of Smoke, the first book in the Hannah Vogel hsitorical mystery series. It was set in the 1930s in Germany. Hannah Vogel was a crime reporter under the guide of Peter Weill. Her brother Ernst was missing. She was looking for clues to finding him. Everywhere she looked, there was danger. There were people after him. She also fell in love with Boris Kreuse and came across surprises that her brother left behind, while her friend Sarah borrowed her passport to get to America. Without giving it away, she came across Anton, a small boy who claims Hannah as his mother and her brother was her father, according to the birth certificate. While protecting him and finding out her brother's death, dangers closed in on her, when the Nazis were after her and the truth from Ernst Rohm's secret identity. What an adrenalin rush as Hannah plans to escape everyone behind in Germany and freedom to the UK.

This was a terrific historical mystery. I cared for Hannah Vogel and her journey to look for her long-lost presumed dead brother. I did swoon a tiny bit for Boris as she did. I loved the backdrop of the World War I in Europe where this took place. It was the perfect backdrop for it in location and setting. This had a lot of mystery, intrigue and suspense packed into one fantastic novel with great action and plenty of drama, too.

Will you follow the trace of smoke? If so, give it a go today!

NightKeepers

If you love great paranormal romances, you'll love the Keeper series by Jessica Andersen. In the Night Keepers, the first book in the Final Prophecy series, Leah Daniels was a Miami cop, who was after a cult who've killed her brother. Striking-Jaguar (Strike) was one of the last of his kind, a Mayan god and Night Keeper, who had magical powers of his own to fight evil. Since the moment they met, there was tension between Strike and  Leah, when he saved her from Zipacna's clutches, when she did the job. Since that moment on, when the worlds of New Mexico and Florida collided, Leah was stuck in the middle of this war and joined forces with Strike's Night Keepers, if they liked it or not. Clearly, Leah and Strike were meant for each other, whether it was from dreams or from the gods themselves, since they had great sexual chemistry. In the end, they fought the odds to be together and to become as one. Lots of drama and adventure with hints of romance.

In this debut, I loved the scenic descriptions and the background descriptions of who they were and fighting for. Great details on how they shifted into animals and used their magical powers for good. In Leah's journey, we get to know them better and who their clashed forces with, right to the shocking end, when they  lose one of their own. I liked Leah and was glad she found closure on her brother's killer and how she became Strike's mate. Each Night Keeper was eclectic and special in his or her way. This would take you on an adventure like no other with each gripping page.

If you're all aboard to fight for the future, check out a copy right away!

Murder with Puffins

If you love great mysteries with a side of humor, you'll enjoy the Meg Langslow series. Last year I've read #1 and #3. Now I'm going to the second one of the series. When Meg and her boyfriend head to the Monhegan Island for a romantic getaway, it was anything but romantic. First, there's the hurricane, second her family showed up. Not only that, there's the birders who's scouting for puffins and an angry artist named Victor Resnick, who didn't like trespassers. When they've reported his shooting to Jeb Barnes, they have to report to the police. Later on, they witness an argument between Resnick and someone else. During the storm, Resnick ended up dead. It's up to find out who, when there's an island of people who hate his guts, including Rhapsody, a children's book writer on puffins, while they discover some family secrets in Meg's family closet. When they've got it all figured out, they're trapped by the murder, who tried to burn them in flames. What a great humorous mystery.

Justice

If you love great mysteries, you'll enjoy Justice, the 8th installment in the Lazarus/Decker series by Faye Kellerman. Peter Decker was worried about his eldest daughter Cindy, who was at college, when a rapist hit their campus. While he investigated the case, you'll hear the story between Terry, a nerdish tutor to Chris Whitman, the nephew of a mob boss, and their obsessive love affair, when a murder happened on Prom Night, and this couple was torn apart. It was up to Decker to nail the killer and put away the bad guy. But due to Whitman's good eye and story, he did get locked up for a crime he didn't commit, as he tried to tie up loose ends, which put a strain on his career. In the end, things took a wicked turn for Terry and for Decker. A great compelling read.

This was another great earlier classic mystery from Faye Kellerman. This told the story about how Terry and Chris met each other, who was also featured in Hangman and Gun Games in the series. You begin to feel the same concern for Peter and Rina, when he met Chris and Terry. I did feel bad for Terry and had bad vibes for Chris. It wasn't a night to remember for anyone. To tackle the hard subject matter of rape, she did it in clear and subtle context.  Great storyline, good action and drama, and a well-written mystery.

Want some Justice? Grab a copy today!

Kill Zone

If you love great romantic suspense, you'll love Kill Zone by Vicki Hinze. Dr. Morgan Cabot is one of the members of the S.A.S.S. team, a trio of women with special abilities, when she's on a mission to take down Thomas Kunz and his G.R.I.D. team. When she tranquilized Captain Jackson Stern, things heat up between them, when he discovers that his brother's arrested for his sister-in-law's murder. it's up to Stern and Cabot to find out how and why, when there's a mutual attraction between them, that heats things up. When things get complicated, as Kunz's GRID are after them, as they discover the connection between Kunz and her murder, until it gets too close for comfort, as he got away. Lots of military drama in this one. You'll love it.

Animal Appetite

In Animal Appetite, the 11th installment in Susan Conant's Dog Lovers Mystery series, Holly researched Hannah Duston, a 40-year-woman who had been an Indian captive and scalped 10 Indian children. She learned about her family history and her captivity, while she was worked on a cold case on Jack Andrews, who had been murdered 18 years ago, and his dog, Chip. From there, she discovered about his family and the people who was associated with it, even with the murder of Shaun McGrath. Pretty soon, Holly uncovered a parallel between Hannah and Jack, when there was a connection between them, that someone wanted to kill them for it, and even for Holly herself.  But can Holly find out who have done it, when she was next in line? A great quick read.

This was another compelling Holly Winter mystery. I continued to care about Holly and her dogs. I also became intrigued with the link between Jack and Hannah. It was totally mind-boggling. I also love the Boston area location for the settings of this series, too.  This made me shudder and shiver and became worried about Holly.  Great drama, good intrigue, and plenty of suspense in this light read for this mystery.

Will you develop an animal appetite? Give this book a try today!

Final Approach

If you love good mysteries, you'll love the Emily Locke series by Rachel Brady. In the first installment of the Emily Locke series, Final Approach, Emily Locke was a widow who've lost her husband and her baby daughter, a few years ago, from a boating accident. When Richard Cole came to see her in Cleveland, he told her about a missing  child case and a skydiving ticket. Since Emily used to skydive, she took an unplanned leave from work and hit Houston to find Casey Lyons. This case was similar to another one, which had changed her life, and were parallel. As she investigated this, she met an eclectic array of characters, including Vince Townsend. As she got closer to the truth, she was in danger, when she realized the truth that her daughter was alive and possibly adopted by another family. On a plane, she risked life and limb, including helping the FBI in the process, when her life was on the life, and she was reunited with her daughter after all. A great mystery!

This was a great introduction to the series. I did feel sad about Emily losing her husband and daughter at the same time. I loved the intro of new characters to the series, when we've gotten to know Emily better. I loved the Cleveland and Houston dual locations to the series and the skydiving angle. That looked like fun to do, if you weren't afraid of heights. This made me hold my breath and cry a few times. Great drama, plenty of action in the sky and down on earth, lots of intriguing for this mystery. I wished there were more in the series though.

Ready to take it to new heights? Pick up a copy today!

The Devil Who Tamed Her

In Johanna Lindsey's the Devil Who Tamed Her, the 2nd book in the Reid Family series, Ophelia Reid had been known as the "ice queen", who had no friends, and a bad relationship with her father. She didn't know why people pretended to be nice to her, even after she broke up her engagement with Duncan MacTavish. When she met Raphael Locke, he's the one who set her on her ways, tamed her wild side, and made a bet. Things gotten heated up between Ophelia and Rafe, even after they kiss, when they realized what went on between them. Even after she changed her ways, he bedded her, and slowly fell in love with her, defying the odds. He understood her better. When Ophelia found out about the bet, she was angry at him and put a gap between them, when she fell for him. When everyone realized the "new" Ophelia, they're shocked at her turnabout, even when she found out she's pregnant and gotten hit by a carriage. Things change, when they confessed from their heart, they were meant to be with each other.

This was a beautiful story. This was magical and majestic at the same time. The characters were real and genuine as you can feel it in your heart strings. For someone cold as Ophelia, only Rafe could melt her heart and defrost her icy personality. Talk about fire and ice! I witnessed the passionate love and  warm embraces between them. This book made me laugh and cry on each hooked page.

Ready to expire the firestorm on a cold day! Check out this book today!

Grime and Punishment

In Jill Churchill's Grime and Punishment, the first installment in the Jane Jeffry cozy series, you would love this quick and easy light read to whip through in one setting. Jane Jeffry was a widow and a mother of three, who was a domestic engineer. When her neighbor Shelley Nowack arranged a neighborhood potluck meeting, the new maid was found dead. And now that had everyone running scared in the neighborhood, when Detective Mel Van Dyne arrived on the scene. Between Jane's meddling mother-in-law and loneliness,  it was now up to Jane and Mel to find out who killed the maid and why, when they dug deeper into her background, and asked their close neighbors on any secrets they were being blackmailed for. One of them startled Jane. But as they had gotten closer closer,  someone wanted them to be hushed, before they were next on their hit list.

This was a great introduction to the Jane Jeffry series. I immediately cared for Jane, while she mourned the loss of her husband, and dealt with handling single motherhood on her own. I liked Mel right from the start and sensed something between them... maybe compassion? I liked the Chicago setting for this series and the fine location in downtown Chicago. This would make you become intrigued and curious on your own by turning every page. Great drama, excellent non-stop action with intrigue, suspense, and lots of mystery.

Will you experience a hint of grime and punishment? If so, check it out this summer!

Watch Me Die

The latest from Erica Spindler is a must read for any season! In Watch Me Die, Mira Gallier, a widow who restored colored glass windows, was living a hard life. During Hurricane Katrina, her husband Jeff was presumed dead from the hurricane, and her in-laws were out for blood. But someone else was after her, targeting people near her, leaving cryptic Biblical messages on the scene, and perhaps making her crazy. When NOPD Spencer Malone and his new partner, Karin Bayle was on the scene, they questioned everyone, including Mira, and her close friend, Connor Scott. One by one, someone was killing people who had a connection to her. And before she knew it, things unravel at the scene, as the deaths piled up. Malone was suspicious of his new partner's behavior, and Mira didn't know who to trust anymore. When it dawned to her, it was too late, before the killer was close to her, someone she knew after all this time.  What a rush!

This was a fantastic thriller that gripped me on the first page.  Very intriguing and suspenseful, I really did feel for Mira and her agony, while she still grieved the loss of her husband Jeff. I didn't like her former in-laws much. I liked how Spencer Malone returned in this novel as a secondary character, when we can feel his concerns on his new partner. I didn't like one of Mira's closest friends who used his vulnerability for his wicked gains. Overall, this is one of the best thrillers ever!

Want to get blown away by an awesome thriller to read! Check out this book today!

South Town

When Will "The Ghost" Stirman escapes from prison, he has revenge on his mind. And he's not escaping alone. For Tres Navarre,  when he learns about the prison break, it scares his partner, Erainya Manos, to death. She has to protect her adoptive son from the past, along with his secrets. With Stirman and his escapeés, they wreck havoc in Texas, and eliminates anyone in their way, once they take their separate paths... though it might lead to death. It's up to Navarre to help Manos out, when she's in trouble and kidnapped, along with the truth, while protecting Jem. This is a great mystery and a easy read.

Next to Die

If you love great romantic suspense with a twists, you'll join the Navy Seal Series by Marliss Melton. In Next to Die, Lte. Penny Price is a physical therapist, who has deep feelings for her next-day neighbor, Commander Joe Montgomery. But she wants a family and marriage, when he's just a play boy, who doesn't know how she feels. But when he meets her after saving the war, she helps Joe in more ways than one, by talking and listening, and by taking his heart. Montgomery has some emotional guilty baggage from the war, in which Penny helps him ease the pain. Not only that, both Penny and her sister Ophelia, wants the truth to their father's death. When the killer's killed, someone else wants them dead, when the FBI links them to previous matters. Plus Ophelia finds herself in love with a younger man, a Navy Seal, after a car accident.  What a great story!

Steamed

If you love great culinary cozies, you'll enjoy Steamed in the Gourmet Girl series by Jessica Conant-Park, daughter of Susan Conant of the Dog Lovers Mystery series.  Meet Chloe Carter. She was a graduate student for social work, just to make her uncle Alan happy, which details was written into his will. Not only that, she was depressed. Her boyfriend/neighbor had cheated on her. Her sister Heather suggested her to go to Back Bay Dates for online dating. When she did it in despair, it was too late. She went on the boring blind date ever with Eric Rafferty, when she witnessed hostility at the restaurant they went to. Later on, Eric winded up dead. Now, it was up to Chloe to figure out who killed him, while she feasted her eyes on Josh, a chef at a rival restaurant, going to school, and figured out massive confusion. When she got closer to the truth, she might end up as the next victim.  Great culinary recipes included!

This was a delightful introduction to the Gourmet Girl series. I found Chloe Carter delightful and inquisitive, while she worked on her social work degree. I liked the backdrop in California, with the bonus of the blind dates. She had been dealt with some tough breaks. I didn't like Eric and adored Josh. Those culinary recipes were a bonus, too.

Don't get steamed! Pick up a copy this weekend!

Pandora's Clock

If you love aviation thrillers, this one is for you. When a sick passenger might be infected by a strain on board a Boenig 747, it causes chaos across the world. With one sick passenger, there's worries about it might be a dread virus, affecting everyone it touches by air. And that causes James Holland, pilot of Quantum 66, concerns, when he's denied to land on other countries from Iceland to Spain. Meanwhile, someone from the CIA has a hatched plan to shoot down the plane, blaming Aqbah, a terrorist organization, when it's up to one Russian pilot to take him down. With love in the air between some passengers on board, it's nothing by chaos on those on board and on ground, esp. when Rusty Sanders discovers the plot and tries to foil their plans, when the plane is shot down, looking for a plane of safety, when the virus hasn't affected everyone.. or did they? A great read for everyone to enjoy!

Touch the Dark

 If you love paranormal romances with a twist, you'll enjoy Karen Chance's Cassandra Palmer series. In Touch the Dark, Cassie's a clairvoyant who has a doomsday obit, a warning of sorts. As she tried to avoid the Senate, they want her for a task, due to her powers. As Cassie resists, she's swirled into a world of talking ghosts, fairies, and vampires and weres, when there's a hit on her. They want her to become the next Pythia. But there's a twist to it, that she won't like. Meanwhile, she couldn't resist Mircea, an ancient Romanian vampire, who owns her, protects her, and wants her for his own, one way or another, before she goes into hiding. If you love fantasy, you'll join this series. It has a hint of time travel and history too.